Symbiotic Blockchain Mining Node Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Blockchain networks face challenges in scaling and maintaining security while managing significant computing, storage, and bandwidth demands, particularly due to the need for high hashpower and the limitations imposed by low bandwidth connections.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves separating mining functions from storage and validation functions within a blockchain network, utilizing non-mining nodes for storage and validation, and employing a method where mining nodes receive a partial candidate block header along with a miner transaction and Merkle path, allowing them to validate and mine without needing the full block details.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mining nodes compete to complete proof-of-work in traditional blockchain networks, then network security is ensured and transactions are validated, but computing power demands and bandwidth requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mining process into two distinct roles: storage nodes that maintain the blockchain and validate transactions, and mining nodes that specialize in proof-of-work computation. This segmentation allows mining nodes to focus computational resources solely on hashing operations without needing to store or validate the entire blockchain, thereby reducing overall computing power demands while maintaining network security through the collaborative effort of both node types.
2Reliability
If mining nodes store and validate transactions, then transaction validation is performed, but storage and bandwidth demands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the blockchain network into storage nodes that maintain the full blockchain and perform transaction validation, and mining nodes that specialize in proof-of-work computation. Storage nodes hold the complete blockchain data and validate transactions, while mining nodes receive only the block header and transaction data necessary for mining operations. This segmentation reduces storage demands on mining nodes while ensuring transaction validation is performed by dedicated storage nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the storage and validation functions from the mining nodes and places them on separate storage nodes. Mining nodes are relieved of the burden of storing the entire blockchain and validating transactions, instead focusing their computational resources on solving proof-of-work puzzles. Storage nodes extract and perform the validation function, reducing the quantity of data that mining nodes need to handle and store.
3Productivity
If mining nodes receive full candidate blocks, then complete transaction data is available for mining, but bandwidth usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential mining data from the full candidate block and transmits it to mining nodes. Instead of sending complete blocks with all transactions, the system sends only the block header containing the Merkle root and other mining-critical information, along with minimal transaction data necessary for the mining operation. This extraction approach maintains mining efficiency by providing all necessary information while dramatically reducing bandwidth consumption compared to transmitting full blocks.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mining nodes operate independently without trusted intermediaries, then decentralization is achieved, but coordination between mining and storage nodes becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator role that coordinates between storage nodes and mining nodes without requiring trust relationships. The mediator receives validated transactions from storage nodes, prepares candidate blocks with proper structure, and distributes them to mining nodes. This intermediary layer simplifies the coordination complexity by handling the interface between the two node types, while the system remains decentralized as no single entity controls the entire process - the mediator operates according to predefined protocol rules.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and devices to enable the splitting of storage and validation functions from mining function in a blockchain network. The storage and validation nodes create candidate blocks and collect block rewards from successfully mined blocks. The mining nodes provide hash power for mining the candidate blocks and received resources from the storage and validation node for successful mining of a candidate block. Atomic exchange mechanisms are described for preventing loss and fraud and minimizing the use of bandwidth by mining nodes.