Tamper-Evident Data Management via External Merkle Proofs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Private blockchains and data management systems lack effective tamper-evidence mechanisms, allowing records to be easily erased and recreated, which is also a challenge in systems using consortium blockchains or other technologies.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a management system with first and second management units in computer systems, where the second management unit updates a target's state by adding data to an asset set with a Directed Acyclic Graph structure, generating a proof of existence for the terminal object and saving it in an external system to detect tampering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If private blockchains or general data management systems are used, then ease of operation and flexibility are improved, but tamper resistance and data integrity are worsened because records can be easily erased and recreated
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating cryptographic proofs (Merkle proofs) of data existence at specific points in time before any potential tampering occurs. These proofs are generated in advance and stored securely, enabling future verification of data integrity without requiring the original data to remain unchanged.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism using Merkle trees and cryptographic proofs. Instead of directly comparing original data with current data, the system uses Merkle roots and Merkle proofs as intermediaries to verify whether specific data existed at a given time, providing indirect but reliable tamper detection.
2Device complexity
If traditional data management systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to detect tampering is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical data storage verification with cryptographic verification mechanisms. Instead of physically comparing data versions or maintaining complex audit trails, the system uses mathematical cryptography (Merkle trees, hash functions, digital signatures) to provide automated, efficient tamper detection with minimal computational overhead.
3Reliability
If Proof of Work or Proof of Stake competition is implemented, then tamper resistance is improved, but productivity and energy efficiency are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential tamper resistance function from energy-intensive consensus mechanisms like Proof of Work. By separating data integrity verification from the consensus process, the system achieves tamper resistance through cryptographic proofs without requiring computational competitions, thereby eliminating the associated energy waste while maintaining security.
Data Source
AI summary
A node system of a second computer system executes processing of updating a state of a target specified in a request from a first computer system, and in the executing, adds an object to an asset for the target in an asset set. The object is data that represents the state of the target. The asset is assigned to each target and is a time series of objects. The asset set is a set of assets and has a DAG structure. A node is the object and an edge represents a relationship between objects. The added object is a terminal object. The node system outputs a proof of existence that is the terminal object or a summary thereof, and the proof of existence is saved in an external system managed by a management entity different from a management entity for the node system.