Verifiable Data Stream Integrity via Hashing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data verification and integrity solutions, such as Content ID and Rights Manager, do not allow users to verify the authenticity and integrity of video content and its metadata, including creation time, geolocation, and device information, which is crucial for ensuring originality and detecting alterations.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method uses real-time hashing techniques, smart contracts, and immutable databases to create and verify hash values based on data streams and their associated metadata, allowing users to determine if content has been edited or tampered with, and to verify the integrity of video and sensor data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If real-time hashing and immutable databases are implemented to verify data integrity, then data authenticity and reliability are improved, but system complexity and computational overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by generating hash values of data portions and their metadata immediately when the data is created or received, before any potential tampering can occur. These hash values are then stored in an immutable database structure (such as a blockchain or distributed ledger) in advance, creating a predetermined reference state that can be used for later verification without requiring complex real-time analysis during the verification phase itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces hash values as intermediary elements that mediate between the original data and the verification process. Instead of directly comparing large volumes of raw data, the system uses these compact hash representations as intermediaries to represent and verify data integrity. The immutable database acts as another intermediary layer, storing these hash intermediaries in a tamper-proof manner that simplifies the verification architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If hash values are generated and stored for every data portion and metadata combination, then verification accuracy is improved, but data storage requirements and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification accuracyVSAvoiddata storage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential verification information (hash values) from the complete data set, separating this critical integrity information from the bulk original data. By storing only these extracted hash representations in the immutable database rather than duplicating the entire original data, the system achieves high verification accuracy while minimizing additional storage requirements. This extraction approach stores only what is necessary for verification purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates simplified copies of the original data in the form of hash values, which are compact mathematical representations that capture the essential integrity characteristics of the original data portions and their metadata. These hash copies are stored in the immutable database, providing an efficient verification mechanism that uses minimal storage space compared to storing or transmitting the complete original data sets for verification purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3659311B1Data stream integrity
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3659311B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3659311B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3659311B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for creating verifiable data streams is provided. The method includes creating a first hash value by hashing a combination of a first portion of the data stream and a first metadata associated with a data stream (604); and creating a second hash value by hashing a combination of a second portion of the data stream and a second metadata associated with the data stream (606). The method further includes creating a third hash value by hashing a combination comprising the first hash value and the second hash value (608). The method further includes uploading to a database (104) a first verified hash value, wherein the first verified hash value is based on the third hash value (610). A method for verifying content is also provided. The method includes receiving a first portion of the content (704); and creating a first hash value by hashing a combination of the first portion of the content and the first metadata associated with the content (706). The method further includes, after receiving the first portion of the content, receiving a second portion of the content (708); and creating a second hash value by hashing a combination of the second portion of the content and the second metadata associated with the content (710). The method further includes creating a third hash value by hashing a combination comprising the first hash value and the second hash value (712). The method further includes obtaining a first verified hash value for verifying at least the first and second portions of the content (714). The method further includes comparing a first value to the first verified hash value, wherein the first value is based on the third hash value (716). The method further includes verifying the first and second portions of the content as a result of determining that the first value equals the first verified value (718).