Biosignature Tokenization for Supply Chain Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for maintaining the integrity of a biological sample's chain of custody within a supply chain are susceptible to mislabeling, destruction of packaging, and data integrity issues due to interdependence on multiple systems, leading to reconciliation problems and time lags in data availability.

Innovation Solution

A biosignature-based tokenization system using a distributed ledger to generate a unique cryptographic token from a biological sample's signature, allowing independent verification and a reliable audit trail, even without packaging labels, by incorporating biosignature scans into a blockchain and associating them with physical labels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional tracking mechanisms (labels, RFID tags) are used to maintain chain of custody, then the system is easy to implement, but the system is susceptible to mislabeling, packaging destruction, and data integrity issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechain of custody integrityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the chain of custody tracking into independent blockchain-verified events. Each biosignature scan, location update, and transfer event is recorded as a separate immutable transaction on the blockchain, eliminating interdependence between tracking components and preventing cascading failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blockchain acts as an intermediary layer between the physical sample and the digital record. Instead of directly linking labels to samples (which can be tampered with), the blockchain provides an indirect but verifiable connection through cryptographic hashes of biosignatures, ensuring data integrity without requiring direct physical-digital coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If multiple interconnected systems are used for tracking, then comprehensive data can be collected, but reconciliation problems and time lags occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata availabilityVSAvoidreconciliation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple tracking functions (biosignature verification, location tracking, chain of custody recording) into a single blockchain-based platform. All data is captured in real-time as immutable transactions, eliminating the need for separate systems to reconcile data and removing time lags associated with data synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by recording all chain of custody events, biosignatures, and location data directly to the blockchain at the moment they occur. This real-time recording eliminates subsequent reconciliation needs, as the data is already captured, verified, and stored immutably without requiring later synchronization or matching operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If DNA sequencing is used to identify biological samples, then high precision identification is achieved, but the test duration is too long for practical supply chain tracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample identification precisionVSAvoidtracking speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of performing complete DNA sequencing (excessive action), the system uses rapid biosignature scanning that captures sufficient identifying characteristics (partial action) for supply chain tracking purposes. The biosignature provides a unique fingerprint adequate for identification without requiring the full genomic analysis, achieving the necessary precision at a fraction of the time and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Ease of operation

If packaging labels are relied upon for sample identification, then the system is simple to operate, but the labels can be destroyed or misapplied compromising integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking operation simplicityVSAvoidsample identification reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates a digital copy (cryptographic hash) of the biosignature that is stored on the blockchain. This digital replica serves as an immutable reference that cannot be altered or destroyed like physical labels. The physical label becomes merely a display medium for the QR code, while the actual identification data resides securely in the distributed ledger, separating the simplicity of visual labels from the reliability of cryptographic verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS11206138B2Biosignature-based tokenization of assets in a blockchain

Publication Date: 2021.12.21 ERNST & YOUNG U S LLP

AI summary

An apparatus includes a tester to detect a biological signature of a biological sample, a processor, and a memory operably coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions to cause the processor to receive an indication of the biological signature from the tester, and to generate, using a smart contract and through communication with a distributed ledger, a cryptographic token including a digital identifier based on the biological signature. The cryptographic token is transmitted to a remote processor for verification of the biological sample, in response to receiving the cryptographic token. The tester can detect the biological signature within a predetermined test duration that is less than a DNA sequencing duration associated with the biological sample, and the biological signature has a data precision sufficient to uniquely identify the biological sample from a plurality of biological samples.