# US 2022/0277261 A1 · Systems and Methods to Ensure Asset and Supply Chain Integrity > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0277261 A1 - Document ID: US20220277261A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/873,785 - Filed: 2016-08-11 - Published: 2022-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 2015-08-11 - Inventors: Jeff Stollman; Martin MATEEV - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220277261A1 ## CPC - G06Q 10/0833: Tracking - G06Q 30/0185: {Product, service or business identity fraud} - H04L 9/3247: {involving digital signatures} - H04L 9/50: {using hash chains, e.g. blockchains or hash trees} - H04L 63/12: {Applying verification of the received information (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32)} - H04L 2209/56: Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A system for tracking and recording the chain-of-custody for assets within a supply chain that creates a non-repudiatable electronic log of each custody transfer at each transfer point from initial creation, to final transfer or disposal. In one embodiment, the system uses encryption technology to register assets that are to be transferred and whose chain of custody is to be ensured. Through use of encryption key pairs and blockchain encryption technology, an electronic document is created in an encrypted transaction log updated at each change of custody point. At each such change of custody point, the new custodians who receive the product are provided with the information generated by the originator. By way of one example, because the system tracks all inputs and outputs to the system at each change of custody point, any alteration in product quantities are immediately identified, and a chain-of-custody integrity problem is identified. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said chain-of-custody data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody transaction information comprising a plurality of linked transactions that utilize cryptographic techniques that expose attempts to alter, or alterations of, any of said plurality of linked transactions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody transaction information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said encryption technology is blockchain technology. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said system creates a non-repudiatable log of each custody transfer from asset generation, manufacture, or registration to and through asset final transfer, sale, use or disposal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said system registers assets to be transferred along a supply chain, and documents each change of custody in an encrypted transaction log. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said system is implemented for pharmaceutical product supply chains. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said system is implemented for electronic device supply chains. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said system is implemented for stock, equity, or securities document chain of custody. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said system is implemented for legal document chain of custody. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said system is implemented for proprietary, confidential, or classified document chain of custody. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said system is implemented for determining at least one of legitimacy of a claim or authority of a claimant to authorize an action to an asset. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said system is implemented for monitoring a detailed identification of a composition of resources used. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said system is implemented for use with a certification process to track compliance with at least one of regulatory, fair trade, workplace health and safety, or environmental protocols. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, wherein said system is used to track asset location. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file, said data file built upon encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 1, further comprising at least one of a sensor, custodian, or agent, to monitor environmental, asset, or handling conditions and that can input into the system reports of spoilage, degradation, or damage of an asset as a result of said environmental, asset, or handling conditions. ### Claim 15 A computerized system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, said system comprising: a. at least one computer server; b. a plurality of terminals, each of said plurality of terminals being associated with at least one of a plurality of agents along said supply chain; c. a software application operating on said at least one computer server; wherein said at least one computer server operates said software application and a methodology comprising the steps of: i. providing a unique encrypted identifier to each of a plurality of agents; ii. registering an asset or group of assets by an initial agent, said registration including first descriptive metrics of said asset; iii. registering a tracking identifier connected to each asset or group of assets where said tracking identifier, if registered, is based upon rules provided by an exogenous source; iv. encrypting an identity of said asset or group of assets, said tracking identifier, and said initial agent into a non-repudiatable log; v. registering acceptance of said asset or group of assets by a new agent, at each change of custody of said asset or group of assets, said subsequent registration including second descriptive metrics of said asset or group of assets; and vi. adding a record of such registration acceptance to said non-repudiatable log. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The computerized system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 15, further comprising step (vii): generating, at each change of custody of said asset or group of assets, at least one report transmitted to the prior and new agent to confirm a change in custody of said asset or group of assets. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The computerized system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 16, further comprising step (viii): generating further reports transmitted to at least one member of said supply chain, and at least one party not a member of said supply chain, said reports including relevant administrative information. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The computerized system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 15, wherein said encryption technology is blockchain technology. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The computerized system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 15, wherein said system creates a non-repudiatable log of each custody transfer from asset generation, manufacture, or registration to and through asset final transfer, sale, use or disposal. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The computerized system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 15, said system further comprising at least one sensor to monitor environmental, asset, and handling conditions that can input into the system reports of spoilage, degradation, or damage of an asset or group of assets as a result of said environmental, asset, or handling conditions. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The computerized system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 15, further comprising means for at least one custodian or agent to record observations and/or evidence of asset condition including spoilage, degradation, or damage of said asset. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The computerized system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 15, wherein said system registers assets to be transferred along a supply chain, and documents each change of custody in an encrypted transaction log. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The computerized system for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said system creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 15, further comprising step (ii-a): providing a client software application or credentials to allow access to said software application for each said registered plurality of agents. ### Claim 24 A methodology for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said methodology creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, said methodology comprising the steps of: a. providing a public/private key pair to each of a plurality of custodians; b. registering an asset by an initial custodian, said registration including descriptive metrics of said asset; c. registering a tracking identifier connected to each asset or group of assets where said tracking identifier, if registered, is based upon rules provided by an exogenous source; d. at each change of custody of said asset or group of assets, said new custodian registering acceptance of said asset or group of assets, said subsequent registration including descriptive metrics of said asset or group of assets; e. at each change of custody of said asset or group of assets, generating at least one report transmitted to the prior and new custodian to confirm a change in custody of said asset or group of assets; and f. generating further reports transmitted to at least one member of said supply chain, said reports including relevant administrative information. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The methodology for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said methodology creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 24, wherein said encryption technology is blockchain technology. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The methodology for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said methodology creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 24, wherein said methodology creates a non-repudiatable log of each custody transfer from asset generation, manufacture, or registration to and through product final transfer, sale, use or disposal. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The methodology for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said methodology creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 24, said methodology further comprising step (g) monitoring at least one environmental, asset, or handling condition using at least one of a sensor, custodian, or agent associated with an asset; and (h) inputting into the system reports of any spoilage, degradation, or damage of an asset as a result of said at least one environmental, asset, or handling condition. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The methodology for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said methodology creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 24, wherein said methodology registers assets to be transferred along a supply chain, and documents each change of custody in an encrypted transaction log. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The methodology for ensuring integrity of an asset supply chain, said methodology creating and using an electronic chain-of-custody data file using encryption technology to record and maintain asset chain-of-custody information, as provided in claim 24, further comprising step (b1): providing a client software application or credentials to allow access to said software application for each said registered plurality of custodians.