Tracking assets with a blockchain
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsThomas T. Hanis, Bruce H. Hyre, Jessica G. Snyder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A blockchain of transactions may be referenced for various purposes and may be later accessed by interested parties for ledger verification. One example method of operation may include reading a tag affixed to an asset, transmitting a request to update an asset status of the asset in a blockchain, receiving validation confirmation based on content of the request, and updating the asset status of the asset in the blockchain.
Claims20
A method, comprising:
- reading, via a reader in communication with a blockchain, and from a tag affixed to an asset, a tag identifier associated with the asset, and a nonce value associated with a current location of the asset, wherein the tag identifier and the nonce value are stored in the tag and in locations in the blockchain;
- generating, via the reader, a new nonce value associated with a transfer of the asset to a new location, the new nonce value to be stored in a location in the blockchain;
- and
- dynamically updating, via the reader, the tag with an updated asset status from the blockchain and the new nonce value from the blockchain in response to a request including the tag identifier, the nonce value, and the new nonce value.
A wireless tag reader, comprising:
- a processor configured to:
- read, via a reader in communication with a blockchain, and from a tag affixed to an asset, a tag identifier associated with the asset, and a nonce value associated with a current location of the asset, wherein the tag identifier and the nonce value are stored in the tag and in locations in the blockchain;
- generate, via the reader, a new nonce value associated with a transfer of the asset to a new location, the new nonce value to be stored in a location in the blockchain;
- and
- dynamically update, via the reader, the tag with an updated asset status from the blockchain and the new nonce value from the blockchain in response to a request including the tag identifier, the nonce value, and the new nonce value.
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store at least one instruction that when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform:
- reading, via a reader in communication with a blockchain, and from a tag affixed to an asset, a tag identifier associated with the asset, and a nonce value associated with a current location of the asset, wherein the tag identifier and the nonce value are stored in the tag and in locations in the blockchain;
- generating, via the reader, a new nonce value associated with a transfer of the asset to a new location, the new nonce value to be stored in a location in the blockchain;
- and
- dynamically updating, via the reader, the tag with an updated asset status from the blockchain and the new nonce value from the blockchain in response to a request including the tag identifier, the nonce value, and the new nonce value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.