Blockchain Conformity Tracking With Proof-of-Authority Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current manual, paper-based processes for compliance documentation in product and system lifecycle management are inefficient, prone to errors, and lack automation, leading to significant administrative burdens and risks of non-compliance with regulations.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a blockchain in a distributed peer-to-peer network for conformity tracking, employing proof-of-authority verification to create a secure, automated system for generating and verifying data blocks, including smart contracts that respond to errors or test triggers, ensuring data integrity and facilitating efficient compliance management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual, paper-based processes are used for compliance documentation, then data can be recorded and stored, but the process is extensive, complex, slow, and inflexible, requiring great administrative effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual, mechanical paper-based documentation processes with an automated digital system using blockchains. Data blocks are automatically generated, timestamped, and chained together through cryptographic hashing, eliminating the need for manual paper handling, physical archiving, and administrative processing while maintaining data integrity and compliance tracking capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The blockchain system performs self-service by automatically generating data blocks with timestamps, computing checksums for integrity verification, and chaining blocks together without human intervention. The system autonomously maintains the compliance documentation, eliminating the need for administrative personnel to manually create, update, and archive compliance records
2Reliability
If physical stamps are used for document approval, then approval can be indicated, but the process is not immune to falsification and cannot be automated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical approval stamps with cryptographic digital signatures and blockchain-based verification mechanisms. Each data block contains a checksum that cryptographically links it to previous blocks, creating an immutable chain that cannot be altered without detection. This digital cryptographic system provides both automation capability and unforgeability, eliminating the limitations of physical stamps
Solution Approach 2:
The blockchain creates digital copies of compliance data that are distributed across multiple nodes in the network. Each node holds an identical copy of the chain, and the cryptographic structure ensures that all copies are synchronized and cannot be individually altered. This distributed copying mechanism provides both automation and reliability by eliminating single points of failure or manipulation
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional document formats are used, then documentation can be created, but automation is prevented and large units must be processed, making flexible processing of subsystems difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments compliance documentation into discrete, granular data blocks that can be independently created, processed, and verified. Each data block represents a specific compliance event or subsystem status, allowing selective processing of individual blocks or subsets of blocks rather than requiring processing of entire documentation sets. This segmentation enables flexible, modular compliance tracking across multiple subsystems
Solution Approach 2:
The blockchain data structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it stores compliance data, provides timestamping, performs integrity verification through checksums, enables cryptographic linking of records, and facilitates distributed storage and verification. This universal data structure handles diverse compliance requirements across different subsystems and phases without requiring separate complex systems for each function
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a computer-implemented method for providing data, in particular for conformity tracking, in a distributed peer-to-peer network, having the steps of: —providing at least one first data block having data representative of the conformity tracking, for generating a blockchain having a first checksum by a first entity of the peer-to-peer network, —providing at least one piece of proof-of-authority evidence for verifying a further data block, —generating the further data block representative of conformity tracking having a further checksum and at least the first checksum by a further entity of the peer-to-peer network, —checking the proof-of-authority evidence, —adding the further data block to the first data block in the event of a successful check on the proof-of-authority evidence in order to form the blockchain, and—providing the blockchain in the distributed peer-to-peer network, wherein one of the data blocks is in the form of a smart contract.