Private Smart Contract Encryption With Segmented Ledger Records
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distributed ledger systems, such as Bitcoin, are not suitable for private peer-to-peer networks where transaction details need to be protected, as they rely on public reviewability, and existing symmetric encryption methods do not provide secure mechanisms for private smart contracts among multiple parties.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a master encryption key store and distributed electronic ledger with symmetric encryption, where records include unencrypted metadata, an internal encryption key encrypted with a master encryption key, and a service request, enabling secure decryption and transmission of confidential data within a private peer-to-peer network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a public distributed ledger system like Bitcoin is used, then transaction transparency and verification are improved, but transaction privacy and security are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ledger record into distinct portions: unencrypted metadata (first portion), encrypted internal encryption key (second portion), and encrypted service request (third portion). This segmentation allows different parts of the transaction data to have different encryption states, enabling verification of transaction existence through metadata while keeping sensitive transaction details encrypted and private.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different encryption qualities to different parts of the same record. The metadata portion remains unencrypted for public verification, while the internal encryption key and service request portions are encrypted for privacy protection. This local differentiation of encryption quality resolves the contradiction between transparency and privacy.
2Loss of information
If symmetric encryption is applied to all transaction data, then transaction privacy is improved, but validation efficiency and access speed are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transaction record into encrypted and unencrypted segments. Only the necessary metadata portion remains unencrypted for efficient validation, while only the sensitive portions (internal encryption key and service request) are encrypted. This selective segmentation maintains validation efficiency while protecting privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of encrypting the entire transaction record, the patent applies encryption only to the portions that require privacy protection (internal encryption key and service request). This partial encryption approach provides sufficient privacy protection while minimizing the impact on validation efficiency and access speed.
3Reliability
If multiple encryption layers are used for private smart contracts, then security is improved, but system complexity and computational overhead are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested encryption structure where the internal encryption key (encrypted with master encryption key) contains the service request (encrypted with internal encryption key). This nested doll structure provides multiple layers of security while organizing the complexity in a hierarchical manner that simplifies key management and decryption processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an internal encryption key as an intermediary between the master encryption key and the service request. This intermediary layer simplifies the security model by providing a clear hierarchy: master key protects internal key, which in turn protects the service request. This intermediary structure reduces overall system complexity compared to direct master-key-to-service-request encryption.
Data Source
AI summary
Features for providing a secure method of symmetric encryption for private smart contacts among multiple parties in a private peer-to-peer network. The features include a master key representing a unique blockchain ledger. The master key may be shared among multiple participants in a private peer-to-peer network. Sharing of the master key may include communicating the master key in an encrypted message (e.g., email) using public key infrastructure (PKI). In some implementations, more complex distribution features may be includes such as quantum entanglement. The features support instantiation of a smart contract using a specific master key. The request may be submitted as an entry to the ledger with appropriate metadata and/or payload information for identifying and processing the request.