Automation Component Authentication via Distributed Registry Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automation systems lack comprehensive, tamperproof, and up-to-date identification and tracking of automation components across manufacturers and supply chains, leading to difficulties in ensuring authenticity and traceability, especially for small manufacturers, due to proprietary and closed systems that do not allow for manufacturer- and system-independent collaboration.
Innovation Solution
A distributed registry system is implemented to authenticate and securely store component data, using digital twins and blockchain technology for tamperproof and continuous updating, allowing for manufacturer-independent collaboration and real-time tracking of automation components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary and closed systems are used for automation component identification and tracking, then manufacturer-specific data storage is achieved, but comprehensive manufacturer- and system-independent collaboration is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal identification system using ISO/IEC 18004-5 compliant data matrices that can store component data in a standardized format readable by any system. This allows different manufacturers' systems to collaborate independently while maintaining their own operational autonomy, resolving the contradiction between universality and system independence.
2Reliability
If serial numbers and proprietary databases are used for component identification, then simple implementation is achieved, but tamperproof authentication and comprehensive tracking are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds machine-readable data matrices directly onto automation components, nesting identification and authentication data within the physical component itself. This layered approach provides tamperproof authentication while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized data storage and retrieval protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where component data is read, authenticated, verified for tampering, and updated in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures authentication security through constant verification while managing complexity through automated validation processes.
3Loss of information
If historical state data is stored in centralized databases, then data storage is achieved, but real-time updates and comprehensive traceability are prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-encodes unique identification and authentication data into machine-readable formats on components during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures data currency from the outset, eliminating the need for complex centralized synchronization systems while maintaining real-time traceability throughout the component lifecycle.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for securing component data assigned to an automation component (D1, D2, DN), wherein the component data is transmitted to at least one portion of computing nodes of a distributed registry (BN1, BN2, BN3), wherein the distributed registry (BN1, BN2, BN3) functions to authenticate the component data, preferably component data of multiple automation components (BN1, BN2, BN3).