Temporal Blockchain System with Hardware-Secured Consensus Time

United States Patent Application

Title: Temporal Blockchain System with Hardware-Secured Consensus Time

Author: Paul E Lowndes [email protected]

Date: March 5, 2025 1356XX HST

Abstract

A blockchain system integrates hardware-secured timekeeping directly into its consensus mechanism, achieving trustless temporal awareness without reliance on external oracles. The system employs specialized Temporal Mining Nodes (TMNs) equipped with multi-layered hardware clock systems, including chip-scale atomic clocks (CSACs) and secured GNSS receivers, along with tamper-resistant Secure Time Processing Units (STPUs) that generate cryptographically attested timestamps. A novel Proof of Temporal Authority (PoTA) consensus protocol ensures network-wide time synchronization with Byzantine fault tolerance, where voting power is weighted by a node’s temporal reputation and, optionally, staked tokens. The system includes a Temporal Execution Engine (TEE) enabling smart contracts with native time-based self-triggering capabilities, eliminating the need for external intervention in time-sensitive operations. Additional features include secure offline operation with drift compensation and pre-shared initialization vectors, a temporal bridge for interoperability with other blockchain networks, and robust security measures against time manipulation, Sybil attacks, and other threats. The invention facilitates autonomous, time-sensitive transactions while preserving decentralization and security, making it suitable for a wide range of applications including secure data archival, time-locked financial instruments, supply chain management, and decentralized governance.

Independent Claims

Claim 1: A Temporal Blockchain System

A temporal blockchain system comprising:

• A plurality of Temporal Mining Nodes (TMNs), each TMN comprising:

  • A multi-layered hardware clock system comprising at least one high-precision atomic clock and a secondary timing source, configured for hardware-based time anomaly detection;
  • A Secure Time Processing Unit (STPU) comprising a tamper-resistant hardware security module, configured to generate cryptographically attested timestamps using a private key securely stored within the STPU;
  • A secured GNSS receiver with anti-spoofing and anti-jamming capabilities;

• A Proof of Temporal Authority (PoTA) consensus mechanism configured to:

  • Validate the temporal accuracy of proposed blocks using a multi-layered verification process comprising cryptographic attestation verification, cross-validation against network nodes, and historical temporal consistency checks;
  • Achieve network-wide time agreement with Byzantine fault tolerance, wherein voting power is weighted by a node’s temporal reputation;
  • Dynamically adjust consensus parameters, including tolerance windows, based on network conditions and historical performance;
  • Apply penalties, including reputation reduction and stake slashing, to nodes submitting temporally inaccurate blocks or engaging in malicious behavior;

• A Temporal Execution Engine (TEE) configured to:

  • Enable smart contracts with native time-based self-triggering capabilities using new opcodes, including TIMESTAMP_NOW, SCHEDULE_CALL, AFTER, and BEFORE;
  • Manage the scheduling and execution of time-based operations, ensuring correct ordering and proper validation;
  • Provide secure access to the hardware-secured consensus time for smart contract execution.

Claim 2: A Method for Operating a Temporal Blockchain

A method for operating a temporal blockchain, the method comprising:

• Generating, by a Secure Time Processing Unit (STPU) within a Temporal Mining Node (TMN), a cryptographically attested timestamp using a private key securely stored within the STPU and a multi-layered hardware clock system;
• Proposing a block, by a selected TMN, the block including the attested timestamp, a hash of a previous block, a set of transactions, the proposer’s public key, a cryptographic signature of the block, and the proposer’s temporal reputation score;
• Broadcasting the proposed block to a plurality of TMNs in the network;
• Validating, by each receiving TMN, the temporal accuracy of the proposed block, the validation comprising:
  • Verifying the cryptographic attestation of the timestamp;
  • Comparing the block’s timestamp against the receiving TMN’s own hardware-secured clock, within a dynamically adjustable tolerance window;
  • Verifying temporal consistency with previous blocks;
• Generating, by each validating TMN, a signed vote for the block, the vote weighted by the validating TMN’s temporal reputation and, optionally, staked tokens;
• Committing the block to the blockchain when the block receives votes exceeding a predefined threshold of total voting power;
• Updating the temporal reputation scores of participating TMNs based on the accuracy of their timestamps and their voting behavior;
• Executing, by a Temporal Execution Engine (TEE), smart contract operations based on the consensus-verified time, including self-triggered operations scheduled using the SCHEDULE_CALL opcode.

Claim 3: A Temporal Mining Node (TMN) for a Blockchain System

A Temporal Mining Node (TMN) for a blockchain system, the TMN comprising:

• A multi-layered hardware clock system comprising:
  • A primary chip-scale atomic clock (CSAC);
  • A secondary temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) for redundancy;
  • A hardware-based time anomaly detection unit;
• A Secure Time Processing Unit (STPU) configured to:
  • Generate cryptographically secured temporal attestations using a private key stored within a tamper-resistant hardware security module;
  • Verify temporal attestations from other TMNs;
  • Detect and mitigate temporal manipulation attempts;
    • Integrate a Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) for secure node identity and hardware root of trust;
• A secured GNSS receiver with anti-spoofing and anti-jamming capabilities;
• A processing system configured to:
  • Participate in a Proof of Temporal Authority (PoTA) consensus mechanism;
  • Execute scheduled transactions according to consensus-verified time;
  • Maintain temporal synchronization with the network;
• A secure offline operational mode configured to: * Utilize a set of pre-shared, cryptographically-secured initialization vectors. * Perform drift-compensation calculations for accuracy while disconnected.
  • Generate verifiable timestamps without network connectivity;
  • Process a limited set of pre-approved transaction types.

Dependent Claim Mapping and Structure The structure provided in this section aims at organizing how features from other docs (Consensus, Engine, Hardware, etc.) build on to provide even more comprehensive functionality. The goal is to capture the relationships/dependencies amongst all those capabilities.

(A) Dependent Claims for Claim 1 (System)

These dependent claims will elaborate on specific features and functionalities of the overall Temporal Blockchain System.

• Hardware Enhancements (from 02-hardware-specification.md):

  • Claim 4: The system of claim 1, wherein the CSAC is a cesium or rubidium vapor cell atomic oscillator with specified stability and aging characteristics.
  • Claim 5: The system of claim 1, wherein the STPU includes side-channel attack resistance, fault injection detection, and runtime integrity monitoring.
  • Claim 6: The system of claim 1, wherein the secured GNSS receiver supports multiple constellations (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou) and includes signal authentication processing.
  • Claim 7: The system of claim 1, wherein the tamper-resistant hardware security module includes an active mesh with tamper detection and self-destruction capabilities.
  • Claim 8: The system of claim 1, wherein the STPU integrates a Physical Unclonable Function.

• Consensus Enhancements (from 03-consensus-protocol.md):

  • Claim 9: The system of claim 1, wherein the PoTA consensus mechanism utilizes a Verifiable Random Function (VRF) for proposer selection, weighted by temporal reputation and/or stake.
  • Claim 10: The system of claim 1, wherein the temporal reputation system employs a reputation update rule that incorporates both accuracy and penalty factors.
  • Claim 11: The system of claim 1, wherein the PoTA consensus mechanism includes slashing penalties for temporal manipulation, double voting, and censorship.
  • Claim 12: The system of claim 1, further comprising a temporal anomaly detection system that identifies and mitigates time-based attacks.
  • Claim 13: The system of claim 1, where voting weights can incorporate stake, as well as reputation, in its consensus calculations.

• Execution Engine Enhancements (from 04-execution-engine.md):

  • Claim 14: The system of claim 1, wherein the TEE includes opcodes for TIMESTAMP_NOW, SCHEDULE_CALL, AFTER, and BEFORE, enabling direct access to consensus-verified time and temporal scheduling.
  • Claim 15: The system of claim 1, wherein the TEE manages a schedule of pending function calls, ordered by their execution timestamps.
  • Claim 16: The system of claim 1, wherein the TEE ensures atomic execution of scheduled calls, reverting the entire transaction if the call fails.
    • Claim 17. The system of claim 1, wherein the TEE includes a CANCEL_SCHEDULED_CALL opcode.

• Offline Operation (from 05-offline-operation.md):

  • Claim 18: The system of claim 1, further comprising a secure offline operational mode that utilizes pre-shared initialization vectors and drift compensation algorithms.
  • Claim 19: The system of claim 1, wherein the offline operational mode allows the processing of a limited set of pre-approved transaction types.

• Temporal Bridge (from 06-temporal-bridge.md):

  • Claim 20: The system of claim 1, further comprising a temporal bridge that enables interoperability with other blockchain networks through cross-chain communication protocols.
  • Claim 21: The system of claim 20, wherein the temporal bridge uses a timestamp anchoring mechanism to record the state of the Temporal Blockchain on external chains.
  • Claim 22: The system of claim 20, wherein the temporal bridge enables verification of Temporal Blockchain timestamps on external chains using temporal proofs.

• Security Enhancements (from 08-security-analysis.md):

  • Claim 23: The system of claim 1, further comprising post-quantum cryptographic algorithms for signature schemes, key exchange, and hash functions.

(B) Dependent Claims for Claim 2 (Method)

These dependent claims build upon the method of operating the Temporal Blockchain. Many mirror/echo the dependencies above but for methods.

• Timestamp Generation and Block Proposal:

  • Claim 24: The method of claim 2, wherein generating the cryptographically attested timestamp involves using a Kalman filter for drift compensation.
  • Claim 25: The method of claim 2, wherein the block proposal includes the proposer’s current temporal reputation score.

• Validation and Voting:

  • Claim 26: The method of claim 2, wherein validating the temporal accuracy includes comparing the timestamp against multiple independent time sources within the receiving TMN.
  • Claim 27: The method of claim 2, wherein the dynamically adjustable tolerance window is adjusted based on network latency, historical timestamp deviations, and the geographic distribution of nodes.
  • Claim 28: The method of claim 2, wherein the vote weighting incorporates both temporal reputation and staked tokens.

• Reputation and Consensus:

  • Claim 29: The method of claim 2, wherein updating temporal reputation scores includes applying penalties for submitting inaccurate timestamps or voting for invalid blocks.
  • Claim 30: The method of claim 2, further comprising using a Verifiable Random Function (VRF) to select block proposers, weighted by their temporal reputation and/or stake.

• Execution Engine:

  • Claim 31: The method of claim 2, wherein executing smart contract operations includes using the TIMESTAMP_NOW opcode to access the hardware-secured consensus time.
  • Claim 32: The method of claim 2, wherein executing smart contract operations includes scheduling future function calls using the SCHEDULE_CALL opcode.
  • Claim 33: The method of claim 2, further comprising managing a schedule of pending function calls, ordered by their execution timestamps, and ensuring atomic execution.

• Offline Operation:

  • Claim 34 The method of claim 2, further including the capability to continue to generate cryptographically-verifiable timestamps when offline.

(C) Dependent Claims for Claim 3 (Temporal Mining Node) Focuses on enhancing the features/functionality specifically of the Node.

• Hardware Details:

  • Claim 35: The TMN of claim 3, wherein the CSAC has a specified stability and aging rate.
  • Claim 36: The TMN of claim 3, wherein the STPU includes side-channel attack resistance and fault injection detection.
  • Claim 37: The TMN of claim 3, wherein the secured GNSS receiver supports multiple constellations and includes signal authentication.

• Offline Mode:

  • Claim 38: The TMN of claim 3, wherein the secure offline operational mode utilizes pre-shared initialization vectors and drift compensation.
  • Claim 39: The TMN of claim 3, further comprising a secure re-synchronization process upon reconnecting to the network.

• Security:

  • Claim 40: The TMN of claim 3 including a PUF, and methods to leverage its unique identity.
  • Claim 41: The TMN of claim 3, wherein the hardware security module includes an active mesh with tamper detection and self-destruction.

• Processing and Networking:

  • Claim 42 The TMN of Claim 3, where communication (including Blocks, votes, etc.) uses post-quantum cryptography.

This comprehensive structure of independent and dependent claims, referencing the detailed technical specifications, creates a strong foundation for the patent application. It covers the system, the method of operation, and the specialized hardware, with dependent claims adding specificity and highlighting key innovations.