Factory Working Environment Control via Blockchain Resource Approval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solutions for securing data exchange and resource allocation in Industry 4.0 environments, particularly in machine interactions, fail to ensure reliable and flexible communication and resource distribution, especially in wireless transmission and during system operation.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a resource management unit and a comparison unit that requests and approves resources based on binding agreements stored in a distributed database, such as a blockchain, to set up and provide a working environment for factory tasks, ensuring secure and efficient resource allocation and task performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryptographic IT security mechanisms are used to protect data exchange and resource allocation, then security and data integrity are improved, but system complexity and setup requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring cryptographic security mechanisms and resource allocation rules into smart contracts that are stored on the blockchain before actual data exchange occurs. This allows security protocols and resource constraints to be automatically enforced without requiring complex real-time negotiations or manual configuration during operation, thus maintaining high security while reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through autonomous units that can independently request, negotiate, and execute resource allocation based on pre-defined smart contracts. The blockchain automatically verifies and enforces these agreements without requiring external intervention or complex manual security management, allowing the system to maintain high reliability while reducing the burden of system setup and management
2Reliability
If binding agreements are stored in a distributed database for resource allocation, then resource allocation reliability is improved, but communication overhead and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Resource allocation rules and binding agreements are pre-configured into smart contracts and stored on the blockchain before actual resource requests occur. When units need resources, the system automatically executes these pre-defined agreements rather than negotiating from scratch, significantly reducing communication overhead and processing time while maintaining allocation reliability through cryptographic verification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical negotiation and verification processes with automated blockchain-based smart contract execution. This substitution eliminates time-consuming manual interventions and complex communication protocols, allowing rapid resource allocation while maintaining reliability through the immutable and cryptographically secured nature of blockchain technology
3Reliability
If blockchain technology is used to manage resource allocation, then protection against manipulation is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blockchain functionality into specific smart contracts that handle only resource allocation and data exchange operations. Rather than implementing a full blockchain node with all its computational requirements, the system uses lightweight smart contract executions that leverage the blockchain's security features while minimizing local computational burden, thus maintaining protection against manipulation while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The blockchain acts as an intermediary that provides cryptographic verification and immutable storage without requiring each autonomous unit to fully implement blockchain consensus mechanisms. The smart contracts serve as intermediaries that automatically enforce resource allocation rules and verify transactions, reducing the computational complexity for individual devices while maintaining the overall security and manipulation resistance of the system
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include a control device for setting up and/or providing a working environment with at least one performance unit to perform at least one factory task by means of machines comprising: a resource management unit programmed to request resources necessary for the working environment; and a comparison unit programmed to compare the requested resources with at least one resource agreed upon in a binding agreement stored in a distributed database and to approve the requested resource in dependence on the comparison result. The control device is programmed to set up and/or provide the working environment with at least one compared and approved resource. The at least one performance unit is programmed to coordinate the checking for complete factory task performance by one or more units involved in the working environment.