Sovereign Data Storage Using Edge Search Keys and Domain Rules

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data handling systems face challenges in efficiently and securely storing data across multiple regulatory domains due to On-Soil regulations, which require different storage, access, and expiration rules for each region, complicating international data management.

Innovation Solution

A global database system with a proxy layer of edge nodes applies regulatory domain rules to authenticate, classify, and encrypt data, assigns meta data based on these rules, and disperses search keys for efficient storage and retrieval, ensuring compliance with regional policies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If data is stored in multiple regulatory domains to enable international access, then data accessibility is improved, but compliance with regional data sovereignty regulations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidregulatory compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments data into two distinct components: hot data (frequently accessed) stored locally in edge node caches within specific regulatory domains, and cold data (infrequently accessed) stored centrally in cloud storage. Search keys are also segmented and distributed across edge nodes. This segmentation enables local access to hot data while keeping master copies compliant with regional regulations, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces search keys as intermediary elements that enable data retrieval without direct access to the underlying data files. Edge nodes store search keys locally, allowing fast lookup and retrieval of data locations, while the actual data files remain stored in compliance with regional regulations. This intermediary mechanism decouples access speed from data location, resolving the accessibility-compliance contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If data is replicated across multiple regions for fast access, then retrieval speed is improved, but data sovereignty control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata retrieval speedVSAvoiddata sovereignty control
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments data access functionality by separating search key storage from data file storage. Search keys are replicated across edge nodes for fast local retrieval, while data files are stored centrally in compliant locations. This segmentation enables fast access through local search key lookup without replicating the actual data, thus improving speed while maintaining sovereignty control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to data access by introducing an indirect access mechanism through search keys. Instead of directly accessing data files from multiple regions, the system uses search keys as an intermediate layer that points to data locations. This dimensional change enables fast access through local cache while maintaining centralized control over data sovereignty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If manual processes are used to manage regulatory compliance, then implementation simplicity is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service automation where edge nodes autonomously determine which data to cache locally based on access patterns, automatically retrieve search keys from cloud storage, and dynamically update local caches without manual intervention. This automation maintains implementation simplicity while dramatically improving operational efficiency by eliminating manual compliance management tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where edge nodes continuously monitor data access patterns and automatically adjust local cache content accordingly. This feedback-driven automation enables the system to self-optimize for both compliance and efficiency, maintaining simplicity while improving productivity through adaptive, rule-based decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12596828B2Method and system for sovereign data storage
Publication Date: 2026.04.07 MASTERCARD INT INC
  • US12596828B2 patent drawing
  • US12596828B2 patent drawing
  • US12596828B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Computer implemented method for sovereign data storage comprising: authenticating a write request to upload data files to a global database system, determining relevant data types of the data files, determining a relevant regulatory domain associated with the data files out of a plurality of regulatory domains, applying regulatory domain rules associated with the one or more determined relevant regulatory domains to store the data files on one or more storage devices associated with the one or more relevant regulatory domains, assigning meta data information to the data files, the meta data information being based on regulatory domain rules associated with the one or more determined relevant regulatory domain, sending the data files to a storage engine according to the regulatory domain rules for storage of the data files, receiving a search key associated with the stored data files for local storage at the edge node and dispersing the search keys.