US 11,232,417 B2Granted

Back-up sentinel network for a blockchain distribution network

AssigneeNorthwestern University

InventorsUri Klarman, Aleksandar Kuzmanovic

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Abstract

A peer node in a blockchain distribution network includes a processor configured to generate a blockchain, where the blockchain includes information regarding a plurality of transactions. The processor is also configured to determine that the peer node is being discriminated against with respect to blockchain transmissions by one or more central servers of the blockchain distribution network. The processor is further configured to determine, based at least in part on the determination that the peer node is being discriminated against, that one or more servers in a sentinel network are to be used for blockchain transmissions instead of the one or more central servers. The peer node further comprises a transceiver operatively coupled to the processor and configured to transmit the blockchain through the sentinel network.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A peer node in a blockchain distribution network, the peer node comprising:

a processor configured to:
generate a blockchain, wherein the blockchain includes information regarding a plurality of transactions;
generate a test block for propagation in the blockchain distribution network by the one or more central servers, wherein the test block comprises an invalid block that is indistinguishable from the blockchain by the one or more central servers;
determine, based at least in part on a lack of a response from a second peer node that a test block was received by the second peer node, that the peer node is being discriminated against with respect to blockchain transmissions by one or more central servers of the blockchain distribution network;
and
determine, based at least in part on the determination that the peer node is being discriminated against, that one or more servers in a sentinel network are to be used for blockchain transmissions instead of the one or more central servers;
and
a transceiver operatively coupled to the processor and configured to transmit the blockchain through the sentinel network.

5 more elements

A method of communicating in a blockchain distribution network, the method comprising:

generating, by a processor of a peer node, a blockchain, wherein the blockchain includes information regarding a plurality of transactions;
generating, by the processor, a test block for propagation in the blockchain distribution network by one or more central servers, wherein generating the test block comprises generating an invalid block that is indistinguishable from the blockchain by the one or more central servers;
determining, by the processor and based at least in part on a lack of a response from a second peer node that a test block was received by the second peer node, that the peer node is being discriminated against with respect to blockchain transmissions by the one or more central servers of the blockchain distribution network;
determining, by the processor based at least in part on the determination that the peer node is being discriminated against, that one or more servers in a sentinel network are to be used for blockchain transmissions instead of the one or more central servers;
and
transmitting, by a transceiver operatively coupled to the processor, the blockchain through the sentinel network.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/124,698Filed 7 Sep 2018 · us provisional application
Priority: 12 Sep 2017
Published: US 2019/0079952 A114 Mar 2019
Granted: 25 Jan 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification24 codes

G06Q 20/102
Specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems: bill distribution or payments
G06F 16/1834
Distributed file systems: implemented based on peer-to-peer networks, e.g. gnutella
G06F 16/27
Of structured data, e.g. relational data: replication, distribution or synchronisation of data between databases or within a distributed database…
G06Q 20/065
Private payment circuits, e.g. involving electronic currency used among participants of a common payment scheme: using e-cash