Blockchain Ledger for Data Supply Chain Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Data supply chains face issues such as data loss, duplication, partial transfer, delayed or out-of-order data transfer, unauthorized transfer, and improper data manipulation due to the lack of end-to-end tracking and coordination between nodes, leading to inefficiencies and potential biases in analytics and AI applications.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a blockchain-powered ledger to record and verify file transfers by using hash values and signatures, ensuring data integrity and authenticity through a decentralized, tamper-proof system that tracks file transfers and enforces transfer constraints, order rules, and validation procedures across the data supply chain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional data transfer methods are used without blockchain, then device complexity is reduced, but data integrity and reliability deteriorate due to lack of tracking and coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blockchain intermediary layer that mediates between data producers and consumers. The blockchain ledger records and verifies data transfers without requiring direct trust between parties, resolving the contradiction by adding a coordinating intermediary that ensures reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The blockchain system implements continuous feedback loops where each node verifies and records data transfers, creating an auditable trail. This feedback mechanism ensures data integrity by allowing any participant to verify previous transactions, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
2Reliability
If blockchain-powered ledger is implemented, then data transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional tracking and verification mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The blockchain ledger serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a transfer record, verification mechanism, audit trail, and coordination platform. By consolidating these functions into a single universal system, the patent improves reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as one system performs what would otherwise require multiple separate mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state parameters of data transfers by introducing cryptographic hashes and digital signatures. These parameter changes enable automatic verification of data integrity and origin, improving reliability while the standardized nature of cryptographic operations keeps the added complexity manageable
3Reliability
If end-to-end tracking is implemented, then data loss and duplication are prevented, but loss of time increases due to verification procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating and recording cryptographic hashes of data before actual transfer. This allows receiving nodes to immediately verify data integrity upon receipt without requiring complex post-transfer validation, thus preventing data loss and duplication while minimizing time loss through efficient verification
4Reliability
If decentralized verification system is used, then data security is improved, but productivity decreases due to multiple verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
Each node in the blockchain network performs self-verification of data transfers using cryptographic proofs. This self-service approach eliminates the need for centralized verification authorities, improving data security through decentralized validation while maintaining productivity because each node independently verifies data without requiring sequential approval from multiple external parties
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device with a processing system including a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations including receiving a first record of sending a file and a hash for the file from a sender of the file; recording the first record on a blockchain; providing the first record to a receiver of the file; and monitoring a predetermined time period in which to receive a second record of receiving the file and the hash for the file. Other embodiments are disclosed.