Post-Quantum Blockchain Signature Scheme with One-Time Key Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current blockchain systems face challenges in efficiently managing and securing transactions due to high computational resource requirements and vulnerabilities from advances in quantum computing, particularly in public key cryptography, which can lead to security breaches and inefficiencies in transaction processing.

Innovation Solution

The Blockchain Post-Quantum Signature (BPQS) system employs one-time signature schemes like Lamport and Winternitz OTS to enable secure and efficient reuse of addresses without exposing private keys, using schemes such as BPQS-Few, BPQS-Many, and BPQS-Combined to manage key pairs dynamically, reducing computational overhead and enhancing security against quantum threats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional public key cryptography is used in blockchain systems, then transaction security can be maintained with current computational capabilities, but the system becomes vulnerable to quantum computing attacks and requires high computational resources for signature verification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction securityVSAvoidquantum computing vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional public key cryptography parameters to post-quantum cryptographic parameters, specifically using one-time signature schemes with fundamentally different mathematical foundations (hash-based signatures instead of elliptic curve or RSA). This parameter change ensures security against quantum computing attacks while maintaining compatibility with blockchain transaction structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the cryptographic mechanism from traditional public key infrastructure to one-time signature schemes. This substitution eliminates vulnerability to quantum attacks by using hash function-based security assumptions that remain secure even against quantum computers, while the verification process uses optimized algorithms to reduce computational overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If one-time signature schemes are implemented for post-quantum security, then quantum resistance is achieved, but computational overhead and resource requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantum threat resistanceVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cryptographic functionality by implementing one-time signature schemes where each signature operation uses a dedicated key pair. This segmentation allows for optimized verification processes where the computational work is distributed across multiple smaller operations rather than one large computation, reducing peak resource consumption. The verification algorithm is divided into modular steps that can be efficiently executed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses public key hashing to create compact representations of public keys that can be efficiently stored and verified. By copying and hashing public keys rather than storing full key structures, the system reduces memory requirements and speeds up verification operations while maintaining security guarantees against quantum attacks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If addresses are reused in blockchain transactions, then transaction efficiency improves, but private key exposure risk increases in traditional systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction processing efficiencyVSAvoidprivate key security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements disposable key pairs for each signature operation in the one-time signature scheme. Each public key is used only once for verification, then discarded. This disposable approach allows address reuse in the sense that the same blockchain address can receive multiple transactions, but each transaction uses a fresh key pair, eliminating private key exposure risks while maintaining transaction efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary hashing of public keys to create compact verification data that can be stored on-chain. This preliminary action allows the system to verify transactions efficiently without exposing the full public key structure, enabling address reuse patterns while maintaining security. The hashed public key serves as the on-chain identifier that can be reused

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11750400B2Blockchain post-quantum signature scheme
Publication Date: 2023.09.05 R3 LTD
  • US11750400B2 patent drawing
  • US11750400B2 patent drawing
  • US11750400B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Various systems for providing secure signatures based on post-quantum computing are provided. The systems allow may one-time signatures (“OTS”) to be based on the same public key. The systems provide for efficient use of OTS signatures with blockchains. The systems provide for rapid verification of signatures. The systems provide for caching for Winternitz-based OTS schemes and for use of short checksum.