Logistics management method and device using blockchain

Abstract

To provide a logistics management method and apparatus capable of guaranteeing privacy to logistics information and tracing a logistics moving route.SOLUTION: A logistics management method using a blockchain according to the present invention includes the steps of: generating first transaction information for registering a target unit including at least one lower unit; transmitting the first transaction information to a blockchain network; generating second transaction information according to ownership transfer of the target unit; and transmitting the second transaction information to the blockchain network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a logistics management method and device using a blockchain, and more particularly to a logistics management method and device that ensures privacy for logistics information and can trace logistics movement routes. [Background technology]

[0002] Blockchain is a distributed database in which data is stored in blocks and the blocks are linked in the form of a chain. The concept of blockchain was first proposed in the paper "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System" by Satoshi Nakamoto, and it has been continuously evolving since the early system was proposed and has evolved into various forms of systems. Currently, blockchain technology is being used in various industrial fields, and the logistics field is no exception.

[0003] When blockchain is applied to the logistics field, end consumers can easily obtain product logistics information from the blockchain network and check the route from the product manufacturer to the end consumer, making it easy to determine whether the product is genuine or not. However, due to the nature of blockchain, logistics information can be accessed not only by the end consumer who actually purchased the product, but also by third parties, so a method is needed to ensure privacy of logistics information.

[0004] For this reason, logistics systems that use closed or permissioned blockchains have been developed, but such logistics systems have the problem that end consumers cannot directly check the logistics information to determine whether the product is genuine or not, and must rely on the information provided by the manufacturer. Therefore, a logistics management method is needed that allows end consumers to easily trace the logistics route while ensuring privacy of the logistics information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 2022-0122940 [Patent Document 2] Korean Patent No. 10-2323755 [Patent Document 3] Korean Patent No. 10-2289414 [Patent Document 4] Korean Patent No. 10-2208411 [Patent Document 4] Korean Patent No. 10-2333322 [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] Weekly Technology Trends 2020.7.1, Zero-knowledge Proof Research Trends, Oh Hyun-ok, Information and Communications Planning and Evaluation Institute Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a blockchain-based logistics management method and device. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a logistics management method and device that guarantees privacy of logistics information and can trace logistics movement routes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The logistics management method using blockchain according to the present invention is characterized by including a step of generating first transaction information for registration of a target unit including at least one subordinate unit, a step of transmitting the first transaction information to a blockchain network, a step of generating second transaction information due to a transfer of ownership of the target unit, and a step of transmitting the second transaction information to the blockchain network.

[0009] Another logistics management method using a blockchain according to the present invention includes the steps of generating first transaction information for registration of a target unit including at least one product, transmitting the first transaction information to a blockchain network, generating second transaction information due to a transfer of ownership of the target unit, and transmitting the second transaction information to the blockchain network.

[0010] The logistics management device using blockchain according to the present invention includes a communication unit, a memory, and at least one processor electrically connected to the memory, wherein the processor generates first transaction information for registration of a target unit including at least one product and second transaction information due to a transfer of ownership of the target unit, and the communication unit transmits the first and second transaction information to a blockchain network. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the privacy of transaction information can be guaranteed by using encrypted ownership information and a zero-knowledge proof algorithm. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a key capable of decrypting the encrypted ownership information is provided to a consumer who has purchased a product, so that the consumer can track the logistics route and verify the authenticity of the product. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a logistics management system using a blockchain in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a logistics management method using a blockchain according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a diagram illustrating transaction information according to a logistics movement stage; [Figure 4]13 is a diagram illustrating a logistics management method using a block chain according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present invention can be modified in various ways and can have various embodiments, and a specific embodiment will be described in detail in the detailed description with reference to the drawings. This does not limit the present invention to a specific embodiment, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. In each drawing, similar reference numerals are used for similar components. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a logistics management system using a blockchain according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a logistics management system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a manufacturer terminal 110, a distributor terminal 120, a blockchain network 130 and a consumer terminal 140.

[0016] Generally, products manufactured by manufacturers are delivered to consumers via distributors, so the logistics stages consist of product registration, product delivery to distributors, product unpacking, and product sale. Product registration means registering a manufactured product in a logistics management system for logistics management, and product unpacking means unpacking a delivered product from its packaging box before selling the product. Information about each logistics stage is transaction information stored in the blockchain network 130, and the transaction information includes ownership information about the product. The ownership information is included in the transaction information in the form of a ciphertext.

[0017] The manufacturer terminal 110 transmits transaction information for registration of the manufactured product to the blockchain network 130. At the product registration stage, the manufacturer retains ownership of the product. Thereafter, when the product is delivered to the distributor by the manufacturer, the manufacturer terminal 110 transmits transaction information for delivery of the product to the distributor to the blockchain network 130. When the product is delivered to the distributor, ownership is transferred from the manufacturer to the distributor. The distributor opens the delivered product, and the distributor terminal 120 transmits transaction information for the product opening to the blockchain network 130. At the product opening stage, ownership is retained by the manufacturer.

[0018] Thereafter, when a consumer purchases the opened product, the seller terminal 120 transmits transaction information for the product sale to the blockchain network 130. The consumer holds the ownership of the sold product. The transaction information also includes a decryption key that allows the consumer to decrypt the encrypted ownership information, and the consumer terminal 140 can therefore use the decryption key to decrypt the encrypted ownership information from the transaction information provided by the blockchain network 130. The consumer can then confirm that the product is genuine and manufactured by the manufacturer by checking the ownership of the product at each logistics stage. The manufacturer or seller can also decrypt the encrypted ownership information to track the history of changes in the product's ownership.

[0019] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, a zero-knowledge proof algorithm such as zk-SNARK (zero-knowledge Succinct Non-interactive ARguments of Knowledge) is used to ensure privacy for such transaction information. The transaction information includes a zero-knowledge proof value for verifying the validity of the transaction information, and the blockchain network 130 verifies the validity of the transaction information using the zero-knowledge proof value, and when the verification is completed, stores the transaction information in the blockchain network 130.

[0020] In this manner, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by using encrypted ownership information and a zero-knowledge proof algorithm, not only is privacy of transaction information guaranteed, but also, by providing the owner with a key capable of decrypting the encrypted ownership information, the consumer can track the logistics route and verify the authenticity of the product.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a logistics management method using a blockchain according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating transaction information according to a logistics movement stage.

[0022] The logistics management method according to an embodiment of the present invention is performed by a logistics management device including a communication unit, a memory, and at least one processor, and the logistics management device is an example of a computing device. The logistics management device is an entity included in the logistics management system, and is a manufacturer terminal or a distributor terminal. The communication unit transmits and receives data to and from a server, and the processor electrically connected to the memory performs a series of processes for the logistics management method, including generating transaction information.

[0023] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, a computing device according to one embodiment of the present invention generates first transaction information tx1 for registration of a target unit including at least one subordinate unit (S210) and transmits the first transaction information tx1 to a blockchain network (S220).

[0024] Here, a unit is a product or a group of products that are the subject of logistics management, and a unit can include at least one upper unit or lower unit. As shown in Figure 3, when a group of products A1 to A4 manufactured by a manufacturer is packaged and delivered by B, B is the target unit, and A1 to A4 are the lower units of the target unit. B is the upper unit of A1 to A4.

[0025] Each unit is assigned its own identification information, a forward key, and a backward key. When a unit corresponds to a product, an identification number such as the product's ID is assigned as the unit's identification number, and when a higher-level unit includes lower-level units, the identification number of the higher-level unit is generated from the combination of the identification numbers of the lower-level units.

[0026] The forward key and reverse key are information used for tracking the logistics movement of the unit, and the reverse key is generated from the forward key. For example, the reverse key is a kind of hash value that can be obtained by inputting the forward key of the unit into a one-way function such as a hash function. The forward key of the lower unit is generated from the forward key of the upper unit. For example, the forward key of the lower unit can be obtained by inputting the identification information of the lower unit and the forward key of the upper unit into a one-way function such as a hash function.

[0027] The first transaction information tx1 includes a commitment value for the target unit and a first ciphertext. The commitment value for the target unit includes identification information for the target unit, a forward key, ownership information, and opening information for the target unit. The commitment value is a kind of hash value for the identification information for the target unit, the forward key for the target unit, ownership information for the target unit, and opening information for the target unit, and the commitment value is generated by various commitment value generation algorithms such as Pedersen commitment. The commitment value is used to check for forgery or alteration of the plaintext for the first ciphertext.

[0028] The first ciphertext for the target unit is a ciphertext including identification information for the target unit, an agreement value for the target unit, an opening key for the agreement value, ownership information for the target unit, and logistics stage information for the target unit. The opening key is a type of key used to generate the agreement value and is used to confirm the validity of the agreement value, and the logistics stage information includes information indicating that the product has been registered.

[0029] The first ciphertext is a ciphertext encrypted with a reverse key for the target unit and is decrypted with the reverse key for the target unit. The ownership information for the target unit includes ownership information for not only the target unit but also the subunits included in the target unit. In the example of FIG. 3, the ownership information for the target unit and the subunits includes information that the manufacturer owns the ownership.

[0030] Returning to FIG. 2, the computing device generates second transaction information tx2 due to the transfer of ownership of the target unit (S230) and transmits the second transaction information tx2 to the blockchain network (S240). As shown in FIG. 3, when the target unit moves from the manufacturer to the distributor, the ownership for the target unit is transferred from the manufacturer to the distributor, and the computing device generates second transaction information tx2 due to such ownership transfer.

[0031] The second transaction information tx2 includes the contract value and the first ciphertext for the target unit, in which the ownership information and logistics stage information for the target unit have been updated, and includes the second ciphertext for the forward key of the target unit. The updated ownership information includes information that the ownership of the target unit and the subunits belongs to the distributor, and the updated logistics stage information includes information indicating that the product will be sent to the distributor.

[0032] The second ciphertext is a ciphertext for providing the forward key of the target unit to the new owner, and is encrypted with the public key of the owner of the target unit and decrypted with the secret key of the owner. In the example of Figure 3, since the owner of the target unit after the ownership transfer is the distributor, the second ciphertext is encrypted with the public key of the distributor and decrypted with the secret key of the distributor.

[0033] Returning to FIG. 2, the computing device can generate third transaction information tx3 by opening the target unit (S250) and transmit the third transaction information tx3 to the blockchain network (S260).

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, when the seller unpacks the target unit, the computing device generates third transaction information tx3 and transmits it to the blockchain network. The third transaction information tx3 includes a second ciphertext for the forward key of the target unit, and includes the promise value and the first ciphertext for the target unit with the unpacking information and logistics stage information for the target unit updated. Since the seller still holds the ownership of the target unit after the target unit is unpacked, the ownership information is not updated, and the promise value and the first ciphertext with the unpacking information and logistics stage information updated are included in the third transaction information tx3. Here, the logistics stage information includes information indicating that the product has been unpacked.

[0035] Returning again to FIG. 2, the computing device may generate fourth transaction information tx4 due to the transfer of ownership of the subordinate unit (S270) and transmit the fourth transaction information tx4 to the blockchain network (S280).

[0036] As shown in Fig. 3, when a seller sells one of the lower units A1 to A4 to a consumer, the computing device generates and transmits a fourth transaction information tx4 to the blockchain network. The fourth transaction information tx4 includes the contract value and the first ciphertext for the lower unit, the second ciphertext for the forward key of the lower unit, and the third ciphertext for the reverse key of the target unit.

[0037] The contract value for the lower unit includes identification information for the lower unit, a forward key for the lower unit, and ownership information for the lower unit, and the first ciphertext for the lower unit includes identification information for the lower unit, the contract value for the lower unit, an opening key for the contract value of the lower unit, ownership information for the lower unit, and logistics stage information for the lower unit. The ownership information for the lower unit includes information that the ownership of the lower unit belongs to a consumer, and the logistics stage information includes information indicating that the lower unit has been sold (Unloaded).

[0038] And like the first ciphertext for the upper unit, the first ciphertext for the lower unit is decrypted with the reverse key for the lower unit, which is generated from the forward key for the lower unit. And the second ciphertext for the lower unit is encrypted with the public key of the owner of the lower unit and decrypted with the owner's secret key. In the example of Figure 3, the second ciphertext is encrypted with the consumer's public key and decrypted with the consumer's secret key.

[0039] Also, the third ciphertext for the reverse key of the target unit is a ciphertext encrypted with the reverse key for the lower unit, and is decrypted with the reverse key for the lower unit. A zero-knowledge proof value for verifying the validity of the second to fourth transaction information (tx2 to tx4) may further be included, and according to an embodiment, a value for preventing reuse of transaction information may further be included. The second to fourth transaction information (tx2 to tx4) are transmitted to the block chain network via the communication unit, and if the validity of the second to fourth transaction information (tx2 to tx4) is verified, they are stored in the block chain network.

[0040] Meanwhile, as described above, the consumer can use the key included in the ciphertext to trace the logistics route of the purchased product in the reverse direction 320 to confirm the authenticity. The consumer can receive the fourth transaction information tx4 from the blockchain network, and obtain a forward key for the lower unit by decrypting the second ciphertext included in the fourth transaction information tx4 using the consumer's secret key. Then, the consumer can obtain a reverse key for the lower unit from the forward key for the lower unit and decrypt the first ciphertext included in the fourth transaction information tx4 to confirm the ownership information of the lower unit included in the first ciphertext.

[0041] Then, the reverse key for the lower unit can be used to decrypt the third ciphertext to obtain the reverse key for the target unit, and the reverse key for the target unit can be used to decrypt the first ciphertext included in the first to third transaction information (tx1 to tx3) to confirm ownership information of the target unit included in the first ciphertext. Through such reverse tracing, consumers can confirm that the product they purchased was manufactured by the manufacturer.

[0042] Conversely, the manufacturer can track the logistics movement path in the forward direction 310 to manage the logistics movement of the units. The manufacturer can obtain the reverse key of the target unit using the forward key of the target unit, and can confirm the ownership information of the target unit included in the first ciphertext by decrypting the first ciphertext included in the second and third transaction information (tx2 and tx3) using the reverse key of the target unit. The manufacturer can obtain the forward key of the lower unit using the forward key of the target unit and the identification information of the lower unit, obtain the reverse key of the lower unit from the forward key of the lower unit, and then use the reverse key of the lower unit to decrypt the first ciphertext included in the fourth transaction information tx4, thereby confirming the ownership information of the lower unit included in the first ciphertext. Thus, the manufacturer can manage the ownership movement of the target unit and the lower units.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a logistics movement management method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] 4, a computing device according to an embodiment of the present invention generates first transaction information for registration of a target unit including at least one product (S410), transmits the first transaction information to a blockchain network (S420), generates second transaction information according to the ownership transfer of the target unit (S430), and transmits the second transaction information to the blockchain network (S440), where the ownership of the target unit is transferred directly from the manufacturer to the consumer.

[0045] The first transaction information includes a contract value for the target unit and a first ciphertext, the contract value includes identification information for the target unit, a forward key and ownership information, and the first ciphertext for the target unit includes identification information for the target unit, the contract value for the target unit, an opening key for the contract value of the target unit and ownership information for the target unit.

[0046] The second transaction information includes a second ciphertext for the forward key of the target unit, ownership information for the target unit has been updated, and includes a contract value for the target unit and the first ciphertext, where the first ciphertext is ciphertext encrypted with the reverse key for the target unit and decrypted by the reverse key for the target unit, where the reverse key for the target unit is generated from the forward key for the target unit, and the second ciphertext is ciphertext encrypted with the public key of the owner of the target unit and decrypted with the owner's private key.

[0047] Therefore, when the ownership of the target unit is transferred to the consumer, the consumer can obtain the forward key of the target unit by decrypting the second ciphertext included in the second transaction information with the secret key, and can obtain the reverse key of the target unit from the forward key of the target unit. Then, the consumer can confirm the ownership information for the target unit by decrypting the first ciphertext included in the first and second transaction information using the reverse key of the target unit.

[0048] Conversely, the manufacturer can use the forward key of the target unit to obtain the reverse key of the target unit, and can use the reverse key of the target unit to decrypt the first ciphertext included in the second transaction information to verify the ownership information of the target unit.

[0049] The technical contents described above may be embodied in the form of program instructions executed by various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include, alone or in combination with, program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and constructed for the embodiments, or may be those known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software.

[0050] Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media, such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media, such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, magneto-optical media, such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like.

[0051] Examples of program instructions include not only machine code, such as produced by a compiler, but also high level language code that is executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. A hardware device may be configured to operate with one or more software modules to perform operations of an embodiment, or vice versa.

[0052] As described above, the present invention has been described with specific components by using limited embodiments and drawings, but these are for the purpose of aiding in the overall understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible by those having ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention belongs. Therefore, it can be said that not only the scope of the claims described below, but also all modifications equivalent to or equivalent to the scope of the claims belong to the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 310 forward 320 Reverse direction B Target Unit Lower units of A1~A4 target units tx1~tx4 1st~4th transaction information

Claims

1. A method performed in a logistics management device including a communication unit, a memory, and at least one processor electrically coupled to the memory, comprising: generating first transaction information for registration of a target unit including at least one subordinate unit; transmitting the first transaction information to a block chain network; generating second transaction information due to an ownership transfer of the target unit; and transmitting the second transaction information to the block chain network; The first transaction information a contract value for the target unit and a first ciphertext; The contract value for the target unit includes identification information for the target unit, a forward key, ownership information, and opening information for the target unit; A logistics management method using a blockchain, characterized in that the first ciphertext for the target unit includes identification information for the target unit, the agreement value, an opening key for the agreement value, the ownership information, and logistics stage information.

2. The second transaction information is The method for logistics management using a blockchain as described in claim 1, characterized in that it includes a second ciphertext for the forward key of the target unit, and the ownership information and the logistics stage information for the target unit are updated, and includes a contract value and a first ciphertext for the target unit.

3. The first ciphertext for the target unit is decrypted with a reverse key for the target unit; The backward key for the target unit generated from a forward key for the target unit, The second ciphertext for the target unit is The logistics management method using blockchain as described in claim 2, characterized in that the target unit is encrypted with the public key of the owner and decrypted with the owner's secret key.

4. generating third transaction information by opening the target unit; and The method for managing logistics using a blockchain as claimed in claim 3, further comprising transmitting the third transaction information to the blockchain network.

5. The third transaction information The logistics management method using blockchain as described in claim 4, characterized in that it includes a second ciphertext for the forward key of the target unit, and includes an agreement value and a first ciphertext for the target unit, in which the opening information and the logistics stage information for the target unit have been updated.

6. generating fourth transaction information due to an ownership transfer of the lower unit; and The method for managing logistics using a blockchain as claimed in claim 5, further comprising transmitting the fourth transaction information to the blockchain network.

7. The fourth transaction information a third ciphertext for the backward key of the target unit, a second ciphertext for the forward key of the lower unit, and a contract value and a first ciphertext for the lower unit; The contract value for the lower unit includes identification information, a forward key, and ownership information for the lower unit; The logistics management method using a blockchain as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the first ciphertext for the lower unit includes identification information for the lower unit, the agreement value, an opening key for the agreement value, the ownership information and logistics stage information.

8. The first ciphertext for the lower unit is decrypted with a backward key for said subordinate unit; The backward key for the lower unit is Generated from a forward key for the lower unit, The second ciphertext for the lower unit is a ciphertext encrypted with the public key of the owner of the subordinate unit and decrypted with the private key of the owner; The third ciphertext for the target unit's reverse key is The method for managing logistics using a block chain according to claim 7, characterized in that the data is decrypted using a reverse key for the lower unit.

9. The second to fourth transaction information The method for managing logistics using a blockchain as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a zero-knowledge proof value for verifying the validity of the second to fourth transaction information.

10. A method performed in a logistics management device including a communications unit, a memory, and at least one processor electrically coupled to the memory, comprising: generating first transaction information for registration of a target unit including at least one product; transmitting the first transaction information to a block chain network; generating second transaction information due to an ownership transfer of the target unit; and transmitting the second transaction information to the block chain network; The first transaction information a contract value for the target unit and a first ciphertext; The contract value includes identification information, a forward key, and ownership information for the target unit; A logistics management method using a blockchain, characterized in that the first ciphertext includes identification information for the target unit, the contract value, an opening key for the contract value, and the ownership information.

11. The second transaction information is The logistics management method using blockchain as described in claim 10, characterized in that it includes a second ciphertext for the forward key of the target unit, and the ownership information for the target unit is updated, and includes a contract value and a first ciphertext for the target unit.

12. The first ciphertext is decrypted with a reverse key for the target unit; The backward key for the target unit generated from a forward key for the target unit, The second ciphertext is The logistics management method using blockchain as described in claim 11, characterized in that the ciphertext is encrypted with the public key of the owner of the target unit and decrypted with the private key of the owner.

13. Communications Department, Memory, and at least one processor electrically coupled to the memory; The processor generating first transaction information for registration of a target unit including at least one product and second transaction information for an ownership transfer of the target unit; The communication unit Transmitting the first and second transaction information to a blockchain network; The first transaction information a contract value for the target unit and a first ciphertext; The contract value for the target unit includes identification information for the target unit, a forward key, ownership information, and opening information for the target unit; A logistics management device using a blockchain, characterized in that the first ciphertext for the target unit includes identification information for the target unit, the agreement value, an opening key for the agreement value, the ownership information, and logistics stage information.

Images