Blockchain Drone Authorization for Dynamic Mission Roles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drone management systems lack efficient methods for tracking, authorizing, and managing multiple drones in real-time, particularly in scenarios where drones need to perform specific roles and permissions dynamically, and there is a need for secure communication and identity management to prevent unauthorized access and data loss.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a blockchain-based approach for secure drone management, where drones communicate with a server to receive assignments based on roles and permissions, with features like heartbeat signals for status tracking, authentication using public-key cryptography, and ERC20 tokens for trust verification, ensuring secure communication and identity management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a centralized server-based management system is used for drone authorization and tracking, then real-time monitoring and role assignment capability is improved, but system complexity and communication overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated drone authorization and role assignmentVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a centralized server as an intermediary between drones and the management system. This server handles authentication, authorization, and role assignment, enabling automated drone management while centralizing complexity in a single component rather than distributing it across all drones. The server mediates all communications, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the added centralization layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If blockchain technology is implemented for secure drone communication and identity management, then data security and trust verification are improved, but processing time and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure communication and identity verificationVSAvoidauthentication and transaction processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-generating and storing drone identities, credentials, and role definitions in the blockchain before actual drone operations begin. This allows the system to quickly verify drone identities and authorize operations without performing complex blockchain consensus operations in real-time, thereby reducing authentication time while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating and storing duplicate copies of drone identity information and authorization data in the blockchain ledger. This enables multiple nodes to verify drone credentials simultaneously without requiring sequential verification, reducing overall authentication time while maintaining the security benefits of blockchain technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic role assignment and permission management are implemented for drones, then operational flexibility and adaptability are improved, but system complexity and authorization management overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic drone role assignmentVSAvoidauthorization management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling real-time modification of drone roles and permissions during operational missions. The system allows dynamic reassignment of drones between different roles (e.g., from reconnaissance to delivery) based on changing mission requirements, with the server automatically updating authorization tokens and permissions without requiring system reconfiguration or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If multiple drones are coordinated to perform specific mission roles, then operational efficiency and task completion capability are improved, but communication overhead and coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-drone mission execution efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of communications and coordination signals
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a standardized communication protocol and role definition system that can be applied across all drones regardless of their specific functions. Each drone, whether performing reconnaissance, delivery, or protection roles, uses the same authorization framework and communication interface with the server, reducing the need for role-specific communication channels and simplifying coordination despite the diversity of mission tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240411307A1Drone authorization and management
Publication Date: 2024.12.12 METROSTAR SYST LLC
  • US20240411307A1 patent drawing
  • US20240411307A1 patent drawing
  • US20240411307A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An example operation may provide receiving a communication from a drone among drones active in an area, forwarding a token authorizing the drone to a blockchain, storing a transaction in the blockchain comprising a drone identifier and the token, and assigning the drone a role and a mission to complete one or more tasks.