Multi-stage Smart Contract Encryption via Oracle Conditions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart contracts face challenges in securely managing sensitive information across multiple stages, as existing solutions expose sensitive data to malicious access or exposure if compromised, and require external data verification from multiple oracles without secure encryption mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage smart contract mechanism is implemented, where each stage is encrypted with keys that can only be decrypted upon satisfaction of conditions precedent, using a threshold cryptosystem and oracle-provided encryption keys to ensure secure access and verification, preventing exposure of sensitive data until previous stages are completed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If smart contracts store sensitive information for multiple stages, then the contract can execute complex multi-stage operations, but the sensitive data becomes exposed to malicious access or compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the smart contract into multiple encrypted stages, where each stage is independently encrypted and can only be accessed after completing previous stages. This segmentation allows the contract to maintain multi-stage operational capability while protecting sensitive data in each stage from exposure, as only the current executable stage is decrypted in memory.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If all stages of smart contract are encrypted, then sensitive data security is improved, but the contract executor cannot access next stage information without decryption keys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-encrypting all future stages before contract execution begins. Each stage is encrypted with keys that will only be released after completing the current stage, allowing the contract executor to access next stage information sequentially without compromising security. This preliminary encryption maintains both security and operational ease.
3Ease of operation
If encryption keys are provided to contract executor, then decryption and execution of stages is enabled, but the executor gains access to sensitive information in successive stages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing dynamic key management where encryption keys are released in real-time as each stage completes. The contract executor receives decryption keys only for the current stage after verification, not for all future stages. This dynamic approach enables decryption capability while preventing premature access to sensitive information in successive stages.
Data Source
AI summary
Encrypted multi-stage smart contracts are disclosed. A smart contract that is to be performed by a contract executor in a plurality of successive stages is generated. For each respective stage of at least some stages, a package of data is encrypted with at least one key to generate an encrypted package that corresponds to the respective stage, and an envelope that corresponds to the respective stage is generated. The envelope includes a condition precedent confirmable by an oracle, and an encrypted package-decryption key that is encrypted with a key of the contract executor. The encrypted package-decryption key, when decrypted, is configured to facilitate the decryption of the encrypted package that corresponds to the respective stage. For at least some of the stages, the encrypted package comprises an envelope and an encrypted package that corresponds to a next successive stage.