Systems and methods for blockchain rule synchronization

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11995067-B2
Application number	US-202217700059-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 21, 2022
Priority date	Aug 5, 2016
Publication date	May 28, 2024
Grant date	May 28, 2024

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments relate to implementation of a syntax for altering one or more rules by which a blockchain may be modified wherein the software implementing each client of a blockchain network are programmed to be responsive to requests or directives to alter one or more rules by which blocks may be added to a blockchain responsive to transactions received for storage therein, the requests/directives being processed by the client as a transaction and added to the block in accordance with the current state of the operating rules, thereby adding a new rule or modifying an existing rule for subsequent operation of the client.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer implemented method comprising:
receiving, by a processor of a system, a data message comprising data indicative of a change to operation of the system with respect to how the system validates transactions and processes blocks of validated transactions for addition to a blockchain data structure, a copy of which is maintained by the system, wherein the processor is coupled with a static rule data store, operative to store one or more static rules, and a dynamic rule data store, operative to store one or more dynamic rules, wherein the static rules stored in the static rule data store may only be modified by modifying the system;
determining, by the processor, that the data message is valid according to the one or more rules stored in the static and dynamic rule data stores, and based thereon, modifying the dynamic rule data store in accordance therewith and generating a transaction in a new block comprising at least the data indicative of the change to the operation of the system to the blockchain; and
communicating, by the processor, data indicative of the new block to other systems maintaining copies of the blockchain data structure; and
wherein validity of transactions received by the system subsequent to the new block is subject to the one or more rules stored in the aggregate of blocks of the data structure of the blockchain data structure, including the added change to the operation of the system, as indicated by the current state of the static and dynamic rules stored in the static and dynamic rule data stores.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the data message further specifies when the change in operation of the system is to be effective, wherein the validity of transactions received subsequent to the added block is subject to the one or more rules stored in the data structure of the blockchain including the added change to the operation of the system when those transactions are received by the system subsequent to when the change in operation of the system is to be effective.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 2 , wherein when the change in operation of the system is to be effective is specified by a block number.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the data message is digitally signed by two or more parties authorized to change the operation of the system.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the change to the operation of the system comprises one of:
an additional rule to the one or more rules stored in the dynamic rule data store and the data structure of the blockchain; and
an alteration to one of the one or more rules stored in the dynamic rule data store and the data structure of the blockchain.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein a newer rule in a more recently generated block takes precedence over an older rule in an older block.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more rules comprise at least:
a transaction fee schedule; or
a whitelist of wallet addresses.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the generating of the transaction in the new block further comprises:
signing, by the processor, the transaction with a signature authorized to make rule changes for the blockchain data structure; and
communicating, by the processor, the transaction to the other systems.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 8 , wherein the blockchain data structure includes a list of signatures authorized to make rule changes.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the data message is a first signed transaction including a first rule change to the blockchain, the method further comprising:
receiving, by the processor, data indicative of a second signed transaction;
validating, by the processor, the second signed transaction using one or more rules stored in a data structure of the blockchain including the first rule change;
if the second signed transaction is valid, including the second signed transaction in a second new block; and
discarding, by the processor, the second signed transaction if the second signed transaction is invalid.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 10 , further comprising:
receiving, by the processor, data indicative of a third signed transaction including a second rule change while generating the new block;
validating, by the processor, the second rule change; and
generating, by the processor, the new block including the second valid rule change.

12. A system comprising:
a transaction receiver, coupled with a network interface, operative to receive a data message comprising data indicative of a change to operation of the system with respect to how the system validates transactions and processes blocks of validated transactions for addition to a blockchain data structure, a copy of which is maintained by the system, wherein the processor is coupled with a static rule data store, operative to store one or more static rules, and a dynamic rule data store, operative to store one or more dynamic rules, wherein the static rules stored in the static rule data store may only be modified by modifying the system;
a validation processor, coupled with the transaction receiver, operative to determine that the data message is valid according to the one or more rules stored in the static and dynamic rule data stores;
a data structure generator operative to, based on the validation of the data message, modify the dynamic rule data store in accordance therewith and generate a transaction in a new block comprising at least the data indicative of the change to the operation of the system to the blockchain; and
a transmitter, coupled to the data structure generator, operative to transmit data indicative of the new block to other systems maintaining copies of the blockchain data structure; and
wherein validity of transactions received by the system subsequent to the new block is subject to the one or more rules stored in the aggregate of blocks of the data structure of the blockchain data structure, including the added change to the operation of the system, as indicated by the current state of the static and dynamic rules stored in the static and dynamic rule data stores.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the data message further specifies when the change in operation of the system is to be effective, wherein the validity of transactions received subsequent to the added block is subject to the one or more rules stored in the data structure of the blockchain including the added change to the operation of the system when those transactions are received by the system subsequent to when the change in operation of the system is to be effective.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein when the change in operation of the system is to be effective is specified by a block number.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the data message is digitally signed by two or more parties authorized to change the operation of the system.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the change to the operation of the system comprises one of:
an additional rule to the one or more rules stored in the dynamic rule data store and the data structure of the blockchain; and
an alteration to one of the one or more rules stored in the dynamic rule data store and the data structure of the blockchain.

17. The system of claim 12 , wherein a newer rule in a more recently generated block takes precedence over an older rule in an older block.

18. The system of claim 12 , wherein th

Assignees

• Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc

Inventors

• Pierce Ryan
• Madhavan Ajay
• Liberman Stanislav
• Ahmed Mansoor

Classifications

• G06Q40/042

  using financial market analysis, e.g. trading predictions, or forecasting · CPC title

• G06F16/2365 Primary

  Ensuring data consistency and integrity · CPC title

• G06F16/2379

  Updates performed during online database operations; commit processing · CPC title

• G06Q20/02

  involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP] · CPC title

• G06Q20/0658

  e-cash managed locally · CPC title