🧠 MemChain - Decentralized Memory Storage

A decentralized memory storage system that combines IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) with blockchain technology for permanent and immutable data storage.

Features

• 📁 File Upload: Upload any type of file (text, images, documents, audio, video)
• 🌐 IPFS Storage: Files are stored on IPFS for decentralized access
• ⛓️ Blockchain Recording: File hashes and metadata are stored on Polygon blockchain
• 📊 Analytics: Visual analytics showing upload patterns and memory types
• 🔍 Memory Browser: View and access all previously stored memories
• 🎨 Modern UI: Choose between Streamlit (web) or Tkinter (desktop) interface

Prerequisites

1. IPFS Node: You need to have IPFS running locally

   # Install IPFS from https://ipfs.io/
   ipfs daemon

2. Environment Variables: Create a .env file with:

   PRIVATE_KEY=your_polygon_private_key
   PUBLIC_KEY=your_polygon_public_address
   WEB3_PROVIDER_URI=https://polygon-amoy.g.alchemy.com/v2/YOUR_API_KEY
   

3. Contract Deployment: Deploy the smart contract first:

   python deploy_contract.py

Installation

1. Clone and Install Dependencies:

   cd memchain
   pip install -r requirements.txt

Usage

Quick Start

python launch_gui.py

This will give you options to choose between:

1. Streamlit Interface (Modern web-based) - Recommended
2. Tkinter Interface (Traditional desktop)

Streamlit Interface (Recommended)

Features:

• 🎨 Modern, responsive web interface
• 📊 Interactive charts and analytics
• 📱 Works on mobile devices
• 🔄 Real-time updates
• 🌈 Beautiful visualizations

To run directly:

streamlit run gui_app.py

Access: Open http://localhost:8501 in your browser

Tkinter Interface

Features:

• 🖥️ Native desktop application
• 📦 No additional dependencies
• ⚡ Fast and lightweight
• 🔒 Works offline (except blockchain operations)

To run directly:

python tkinter_app.py

How It Works

1. Select File: Choose any file from your computer

2. Choose Memory Type: Categorize your memory (text, image, document, etc.)

3. Upload Process:

   • File is uploaded to IPFS
   • IPFS hash is generated
   • Transaction is sent to Polygon blockchain
   • Memory is permanently recorded

4. View Memories: Browse all stored memories with direct IPFS access links

File Types Supported

• 📄 Text: .txt, .md, .json, etc.
• 🖼️ Images: .jpg, .png, .gif, etc.
• 📊 Documents: .pdf, .doc, .docx, etc.
• 🎵 Audio: .mp3, .wav, etc.
• 🎥 Video: .mp4, .avi, etc.
• 📁 Any file type up to 16MB

Architecture

┌─────────────┐    ┌─────────────┐    ┌─────────────┐
│   Python    │    │    IPFS     │    │  Polygon    │
│     GUI     │───▶│   Storage   │───▶│ Blockchain  │
│             │    │             │    │             │
└─────────────┘    └─────────────┘    └─────────────┘

1. Frontend: Streamlit/Tkinter GUI for user interaction
2. Storage: IPFS for decentralized file storage
3. Blockchain: Polygon Amoy testnet for metadata and hash storage
4. Smart Contract: Solidity contract managing memory records

Smart Contract Functions

• saveMemory(string ipfsHash, string memoryType): Store a new memory
• getMemory(uint256 id): Retrieve memory details
• memoryCount(): Get total number of memories stored

Network Information

• Blockchain: Polygon Amoy Testnet
• Chain ID: 80002
• Explorer: https://amoy.polygonscan.com/
• Faucet: https://faucet.polygon.technology/

Commands Reference

Command Line Scripts

# Upload file to IPFS only
python upload_ipfs.py

# Save IPFS hash to blockchain
python save_memory.py

# Deploy smart contract
python deploy_contract.py

GUI Applications

# Launch GUI selector
python launch_gui.py

# Direct Streamlit launch
streamlit run gui_app.py

# Direct Tkinter launch
python tkinter_app.py

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. IPFS Connection Error

   Solution: Make sure IPFS daemon is running
   Command: ipfs daemon
   

2. Blockchain Connection Error

   Solution: Check your .env file and network settings
   

3. Contract Not Found

   Solution: Deploy the contract first
   Command: python deploy_contract.py
   

Streamlit Issues

• Port Already in Use: Change port with streamlit run gui_app.py --server.port 8502
• Browser Not Opening: Manually go to http://localhost:8501

Tkinter Issues

• GUI Not Showing: Make sure you have tkinter installed (usually comes with Python)
• Threading Issues: Close and restart the application

Development

Project Structure

memchain/
├── gui_app.py          # Streamlit web interface
├── tkinter_app.py      # Tkinter desktop interface
├── launch_gui.py       # GUI launcher
├── upload_ipfs.py      # IPFS upload utility
├── save_memory.py      # Blockchain save utility
├── deploy_contract.py  # Contract deployment
├── requirements.txt    # Python dependencies
├── .env               # Environment variables
└── contracts/
    └── MemoryStore.sol # Smart contract

Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Test with both GUI interfaces
5. Submit a pull request

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💡 Tip: Use the Streamlit interface for the best experience with rich visualizations and analytics!