Blockchain Ledger Multiplexing and Demultiplexing Systems

Blockchain Ledger Multiplexing and Demultiplexing Systems

Quiz

What is a private blockchain? What are its advantages over traditional data storage systems?

How is asymmetric encryption used to enhance data security on a private blockchain?

Explain the role of a “miner node” in a private blockchain environment.

According to this patent, describe the context of a “merge” between two entities.

What is the purpose of a merged data record? What information does it contain?

Explain how cryptographic hashing is used in a private blockchain system to ensure the integrity of data records.

How are shared data records associated with merged data records?

Describe the private blockchain demultiplexing process that occurs when an entity alliance is dissolved.

What information does a dissolved data record contain? What is its purpose?

When sharing data between entities, what is the purpose of a cryptographic key pair generated by the first entity?

Answer

**A private blockchain is a distributed ledger that is accessible only to authorized nodes. **Unlike traditional systems that are prone to single points of failure, it provides enhanced security by replicating the ledger on multiple systems.

**Asymmetric encryption employs public and private key pairs to encrypt and decrypt data. **Records on private blockchains can be encrypted using public keys, ensuring that only authorized parties with the corresponding private keys can decrypt and access the data.

**Miner nodes are responsible for verifying and adding the integrity of new data records to the blockchain. **They do this by using a consensus mechanism that helps ensure that all nodes agree on a valid state of the ledger, thereby preventing tampering and maintaining data integrity.

**A merger is the formation of an alliance between two entities (such as individuals or organizations), such as a marriage, business partnership, or merger. **This patent proposes a system for securely sharing data when these entities merge their private blockchains.

**The merged data record serves as the starting point for shared data records on both private blockchains. **It represents the beginning of the alliance between the two entities and contains a timestamp to indicate when the alliance was formed.

**Each data record contains a unique cryptographic hash generated by hashing the record data. **This hash is linked to the hash of the previous block, creating a tamper-evident chain of records. Any changes will change the hash, highlighting data manipulation.

**Shared data records are added to both private blockchains after the merged data record. **They contain information related to the alliance and can only be accessed by entities with the appropriate decryption keys.

**Demultiplexing involves separating the shared data record from the private blockchain and restoring it to a separate blockchain after the alliance is dissolved. **This process ensures that the entities can no longer access each other's private data.

**The dissolution data record indicates the end of the alliance between the two entities. **It includes a timestamp to indicate when the alliance was dissolved and triggers the revocation of the cryptographic keys used to encrypt and decrypt the shared data.

**The key pair generated by the first entity allows the first entity to encrypt the data record to be shared with the second entity. **The second entity can decrypt and access the shared data using the corresponding private key.

Essay Questions

Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of using a private blockchain versus traditional electronic data sharing methods such as email or file servers.

Discuss the implications of using time-limited cryptographic key pairs for accessing shared data records in an alliance of entities. Consider the impact during the alliance and after it is dissolved.

Explain how data integrity and authenticity are maintained in a merged private blockchain system. Describe the role of cryptographic hashes and miner nodes.

Consider the use of the blockchain multiplexing and demultiplexing system described in this patent for patient records in the context of a merger of healthcare organizations. Analyze potential advantages and challenges.

Evaluate the limitations of the system proposed in this patent from the perspective of scalability and interoperability. Discuss potential issues that may arise in complex consortia involving a large number of entities or that must integrate with different blockchain platforms.

Glossary

Term Definitions Blockchain A distributed ledger that records data records that have been verified by the consortium consensus protocol. Private blockchain A blockchain that can only be accessed and participated in by authorized nodes. Data record A block on the blockchain that contains electronically stored data related to a specific entity. Miner node A networked computer system that verifies and adds new data records to the blockchain. Asymmetric encryption A cryptographic method that uses a public and private key pair to encrypt and decrypt data, ensuring that only authorized parties can access sensitive information. Cryptographic hash A unique and fixed-length representation of data created using a hash function that verifies data integrity and prevents tampering. Merge The formation of an alliance between two or more entities, such as a marriage, business partnership, or merger. Merge data record A blockchain record that represents the beginning of an alliance between two entities and serves as the starting point for shared data records. Shared data record A record added to the merged blockchain after the merge data record, containing information related to the alliance and accessible only by authorized entities. Dissolution The termination of an alliance between two or more entities. The dissolution data record indicates the blockchain record of the end of the alliance and triggers the revocation of access rights to the shared data.