System and method for decentralized regulation and hierarchical control of blockchain architecture

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a decentralized block chain regulation architecture. The invention utilizes the collective nature of block chain communication to perform key regulatory and control functions. Instead of relying on a centralized regulatory source, the present system allows the block chain structures themselves to simultaneously function as both regulated and regulatory chains for one another to form an interconnected network of decentralized, regulatory chains. Further, the system allows for control of non-compliant block chains, wherein regulatory chains may issue commands to the non-compliant chains, rewrite data, overwrite an incorrect consensus, or deactivate a chain and remove it from a block chain environment before propagation of an error.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A system for regulation and hierarchical control of block chain architecture, the system comprising:
 a plurality of nodes participating in a block chain network, wherein the block chain network comprises a plurality of block chains; and   a controller for managing regulation of the plurality of block chains, the controller comprising at least one memory device with computer-readable program code stored thereon, at least one communication device connected to a network, and at least one processing device, wherein the at least one processing device is configured to execute the computer-readable program code to:
 assign at least one regulatory node to each of the plurality of block chains, wherein each of the at least one regulatory nodes regulates one or more of data, processes, and health of the respective block chain to which said at least one regulatory node is assigned and is in communication with a central regulatory authority; 
 monitor and collect regulatory data from each of the plurality of block chains using the respective at least one regulatory nodes assigned to each of the plurality of block chains; and 
 transmit a report from each of the at least one regulatory nodes to the central regulatory authority. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein each of the at least one regulatory nodes receives regulation instructions from the central regulatory authority. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the regulation instructions comprise providing an operation command to at least one regulated chain. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the regulation instructions comprise rewriting information on the at least one regulated chain. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the regulation instructions comprise overwriting a consensus of the at least one regulated chain. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the regulation instructions comprise deactivating or removing at least a portion of the at least one regulated chain from the block chain network. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22  further comprising reactivating or reintroducing into the block chain network a deactivated or removed chain upon correction of an error in the deactivated or removed chain. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the regulation instructions comprise reporting a regulated chain to a centralized authority for the regulated chain to be modified or penalized. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein a plurality of respective regulatory nodes are assigned to each of the plurality of block chains, wherein the plurality of respective regulatory nodes are each associated with a plurality of central regulatory authorities. 
     
     
         26 . A computer implemented method for regulation and hierarchical control of block chain architecture comprising a plurality of nodes participating in a block chain network, wherein the block chain network comprises a plurality of block chains, said method comprising:
 assigning at least one regulatory node to each of the plurality of block chains, wherein each of the at least one regulatory nodes is configured to regulate one or more of data, processes, and health of the respective block chain to which said at least one regulatory node is assigned and is in communication with a central regulatory authority;   monitoring and collecting regulatory data from each of the plurality of block chains using the respective at least one regulatory nodes assigned to each of the plurality of block chains; and   transmitting a report from each of the at least one regulatory nodes to the central regulatory authority.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising transmitting regulation instructions from the central regulatory authority to each of the at least one regulatory nodes. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the regulation instructions comprise providing an operation command to at least one regulated chain. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the regulation instructions comprise rewriting information on the at least one regulated chain. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the regulation instructions comprise overwriting a consensus of the at least one regulated chain. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the regulation instructions comprise deactivating or removing at least a portion of the at least one regulated chain from the block chain network. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  further comprising reactivating or reintroducing into the block chain network a deactivated or removed chain upon correction of an error in the deactivated or removed chain. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the regulation instructions comprise reporting a regulated chain to a centralized authority for the regulated chain to be modified or penalized. 
     
     
         34 . A computer program product for regulation and hierarchical control of block chain architecture comprising a plurality of nodes participating in a block chain network, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-readable program code portions embodied therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:
 an executable portion configured for assigning at least one regulatory node to each of the plurality of block chains, wherein each of the at least one regulatory nodes is configured to regulate one or more of data, processes, and health of the respective block chain to which said at least one regulatory node is assigned and is in communication with a central regulatory authority;   an executable portion configured for monitoring and collecting regulatory data from each of the plurality of block chains using the respective at least one regulatory nodes assigned to each of the plurality of block chains; and   an executable portion configured for transmitting a report from each of the at least one regulatory nodes to the central regulatory authority.   
     
     
         35 . The computer program product of  claim 34  further comprising an executable portion configured for transmitting regulation instructions from the central regulatory authority to each of the at least one regulatory nodes. 
     
     
         36 . The computer program product of  claim 35  wherein the regulation instructions comprises at least one of: providing an operation command to at least one regulated chain, rewriting information on the at least one regulated chain, overwriting a consensus of the at least one regulated chain, and/or deactivating or removing at least a portion of the at least one regulated chain from the block chain network.