Computer-implemented systems and methods for linking a blockchain to a set of digital twins
A blockchain that can be used to generate an immutable transaction history of data produced by the set of digital twins. In the case of an error or failure, parties of interest can then access and analyze an immutable record of data. The invention may be used in conjunction with the Bitcoin blockchain or another blockchain protocol.
1. A computer-implemented method for a blockchain network, the computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving data from a set of at least one pair of digital twins;
storing said data in an accessible distributed storage system;
calculating a digest of a data structure representing a compressed version of the data received from the set of at least one pair of digital twins; and
transmitting the digest for storage on a blockchain in the blockchain network, wherein the digest of the data structure is transmitted to a buffer prior to forwarding for storage on the blockchain, the buffer selecting a sampling frequency of digest information represented by the digest of the data structure,
wherein the buffer generates messages containing the digest information and transmits the messages through a secure channel for storage on the blockchain,
wherein a receiver receives the messages from the buffer and accesses the accessible distributed storage system to verify the messages, and
wherein, the buffer and the receiver use a key negotiation protocol to create a shared key between the buffer and the receiver to implement the secure channel, each time the buffer transmits a message through the secure channel for storage on the blockchain.
2. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , wherein the data structure is configured to identify in which node of the accessible distributed storage system the data has been stored.
3. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , wherein the data structure is stored in the accessible distributed storage system.
4. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , wherein the accessible distributed storage system is a distributed hash table and distributed hash table is a private platform such that non-authorised users cannot have access to the information stored within the distributed hash table.
5. The computer-implemented method according to claim 4 , wherein the receiver is authorized to have access to the distributed hash table.
6. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , wherein, after the receiver verifies the messages, the receiver transmits the digest of the data structure for storage on the blockchain.
7. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , further comprising a second data structure having a second digest derived from the data received from the set of digital twins.
8. The computer-implemented method according to claim 7 , wherein digests from each data structure are stored in the accessible distributed storage system.
9. The computer-implemented method according to claim 1 , wherein the accessible distributed storage system comprises a distributed hash table and the digest of the data structure is a root of a Merkle tree derived from the data received from the set of digital twins.
10. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed, configure one or more processors to perform the method of claim 1 .
11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed, configure one or more processors to perform the method of claim 2 .
12. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions which, when executed, configure one or more processors to perform the method of claim 3 .
13. An electronic device comprising:
an interface device;
one or more processor(s) coupled to the interface device; and
a memory coupled to the one or more processor(s), the memory having stored thereon computer executable instructions which, when executed, configure the one or more processor(s) to perform the method of claim 1 .
14. An electronic device comprising:
an interface device;
one or more processor(s) coupled to the interface device; and
a memory coupled to the one or more processor(s), the memory having stored thereon computer executable instructions which, when executed, configure the one or more processor(s) to perform the method of claim 2 .
15. A system comprising:
a set of at least one pair of digital twins that transmits data;
an accessible distributed storage system for storing data from the set of at least one pair of digital twins;
a processor for calculating a digest of a data structure representing a compressed version of the data received from the set of digital twins; and
a transmitter for transmitting the digest for storage on a blockchain in the blockchain network, wherein the digest of the data structure is transmitted to a buffer prior to forwarding for storage on the blockchain, the buffer selecting a sampling frequency of digest information represented by the digest of the data structure,
wherein the buffer generates messages containing the digest information and transmits the messages through a secure channel for storage on the blockchain,
wherein a receiver receives the messages from the buffer and accesses the accessible distributed storage system to verify the messages, and
wherein, the buffer and the receiver use a key negotiation protocol to create a shared key between the buffer and the receiver to implement the secure channel, each time the buffer transmits a message through the secure channel for storage on the blockchain.
16. A system comprising:
a set of at least one pair of digital twins that transmits data;
a private and accessible distributed hash table for storing data from the set of at least one pair of digital twins;
a processor for calculating a digest of a data structure representing a compressed version of the data received from the set of at least one pair of digital twins, wherein the data structure is configured to identify in which node of the private and accessible distributed hash table the data has been stored; and
a transmitter for transmitting the digest for storage on a blockchain in the blockchain network, wherein the digest of the data structure is transmitted to a buffer prior to forwarding for storage on the blockchain, the buffer selecting a sampling frequency of digest information represented by the digest of the data structure,
wherein the buffer generates messages containing the digest information and transmits the messages through a secure channel for storage on the blockchain,
wherein a receiver receives the messages from the buffer and accesses the private and accessible distributed hash table to verify the messages, and
wherein, the buffer and the receiver use a key negotiation protocol to create a shared key between the buffer and the receiver to implement the secure channel, each time the buffer transmits a message through the secure channel for storage on the blockchain.