Secure Tracking Beacons Using Distributed Ledgers

• US 20170046694A1
• Filed: 08/11/2016
• Published: 02/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toronto-Dominion Bank
• Original Assignee: TD Bank, N.A. (Toronto-Dominion Bank)
• Inventors: Chow, Arthur Carroll, Chan, Paul Mon-Wah, Haldenby, Perry Aaron Jones, Lee, John Jong Suk
• Application Number:
  US15/235,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20170046694A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/645 using a third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0631 Resource planning, allocation, distributing or scheduling for enterprises or organisations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063114 Status monitoring or status determination for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/103 Workflow collaboration or project management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1097 Task assignment
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/065 using e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/0655 e-cash managed centrally
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/367 involving electronic purses or money safes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3829 involving key management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4016 involving fraud or risk level assessment in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/405 Establishing or using transaction specific rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/00 Business processing using cryptography
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/10 Usage protection of distributed data files
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2230/00 Voting or election arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0214 Referral reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/128 : Check-book balancing, updating or printing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/08 : Construction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/18 : Legal services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/24 : Key scheduling, i.e. generating round keys or sub-keys for block encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 : Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0435 : wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply symmetric encryption, i.e. same key used for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for symmetric key encryption H04L9/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 : wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/061 : for key exchange, e.g. in peer-to-peer networks cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key agreement H04L9/0838
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/062 : for key distribution, e.g. centrally by trusted party cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving a central third party H04L9/0819
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 : based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 : Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0816 : Key establishment, i.e. cryptographic processes or cryptographic protocols whereby a shared secret becomes available to two or more parties, for subsequent use
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0861 : Generation of secret information including derivation or calculation of cryptographic keys or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0891 : Revocation or update of secret information, e.g. encryption key update or rekeying
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0894 : Escrow, recovery or storing of secret information, e.g. secret key escrow or cryptographic key storage
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 : involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/50 : using hash chains, e.g. blockchains or hash trees
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91342 : the copy protection signal being an authentication signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 : for scrambling ; for copy protection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/80 : Management or planning
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 : Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications

Abstract

A process includes receiving a signal representing data including event information detailing an event involving a product. A computer processor determines that the event matches a triggering event in an event trigger list stored in an entry of a distributed ledger for the product. The event trigger list includes a change in status of manufacturing and/or shipment of the product. At least a portion of the distributed ledger is stored at a storage device. A rule associated with the triggering event is determined by the processor. The rule was previously stored in a rules section of the entry of the distributed ledger. The rule is executed by the processor by updating the distributed ledger and performing an action associated with the determined rule specified in the rules section.

Claims

1. An apparatus for use in a product tracking system, the apparatus comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor coupled to the storage device, the storage device storing software instructions for controlling the processor that when executed configure the processor to;

receive a signal representing data including event information detailing an event involving a product;

determine that the event matches a triggering event in an event trigger list stored in an entry of a distributed ledger for the product, the event trigger list including a change in status of at least one of manufacturing and shipment of the product, wherein at least a portion of the distributed ledger is stored at the storage device;

determine a rule associated with the triggering event, wherein the rule is stored in a rules section of the entry of the distributed ledger; and

execute the rule by updating the distributed ledger and performing an action associated with the determined rule specified in the rules section.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the action is a transaction corresponding to transfer of ownership of an asset from a manufacturer of the product to a purchaser of the product.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the software instructions when executed further configure the processor to generate a genesis block of the distributed ledger, and the action is a first disbursement of funds from a first party to a second party.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second party is a manufacturer of the product.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

updating the distributed ledger includes generating a transaction block of the distributed ledger, and

the software instructions when executed further configure the processor to store at least one payment term or shipping term associated with the product in the rules section.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the software instructions when executed further configure the processor to perform a second disbursement of funds from the first party to a third party.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the third party is a shipper of the product.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the event is an automatic registration of the product after manufacturing of the product.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the software instructions when executed further configure the processor to sign a transaction in the distributed ledger using a private key associated with the product.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the action is a disbursement of funds from a purchaser of the product to a manufacturer of the product.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the product includes a computer processor, a memory, and a network interface configured to send the signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the event is a predetermined shipping event associated with the product.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the software instructions when executed further configure the processor to sign a transaction in the distributed ledger using a key associated with a shipper of the product.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the key is a private key.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the key is a public key.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the action is a disbursement of funds from a purchaser of the product to a shipper of the product.

17. A method comprising:

receiving a signal representing data including event information detailing an event involving a product;

using a computer processor, determining that the event matches a triggering event in an event trigger list stored in an entry of a distributed ledger for the product, the event trigger list including a change in status of at least one of manufacturing and shipment of the product, wherein at least a portion of the distributed ledger is stored at a storage device;

determining a rule associated with the triggering event, wherein the rule was stored in a rules section of the entry of the distributed ledger; and

executing the rule by updating the distributed ledger and performing an action associated with the determined rule specified in the rules section.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the event is an automatic registration of the product after manufacturing of the product.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the event is a predetermined shipping event associated with the product.

20. An apparatus for use in a product tracking system, the apparatus comprising:

a storage device; and

a first processor coupled to the storage device, the storage device storing software instructions for controlling the processor that when executed configure the first processor to;

receive a signal representing data including event information detailing an event involving a product, wherein the event is an automatic registration of the product after manufacturing of the product and prior to shipment of the product, the product including a second processor, a memory, and a network interface configured to send the signal;

determine that the event matches a triggering event in an event trigger list stored in an entry of a distributed ledger for the product, the event trigger list including a change in status of at least one of manufacturing and shipment of the product, wherein at least a portion of the distributed ledger is stored at the storage device;

determine a rule associated with the triggering event, wherein the rule is stored in a rules section of the entry of the distributed ledger; and

execute the rule by updating the distributed ledger and performing an action associated with the determined rule specified in the rules section, wherein the action is a disbursement of funds from a purchaser of the product to a shipper of the product.