Immutable Chain-of-Custody Map for Plastic Waste Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tracking systems for valuable items in commerce are costly and inefficient, particularly for perceived low-value materials like plastic waste, leading to a lack of transparency and accountability in recycling supply chains, resulting in recyclable materials often ending up in landfills or polluting the environment.
Innovation Solution
A networked system utilizing a processor, memory, and network interface circuit to assign unique digital IDs to items, track their chain-of-custody through a blockchain-based ledger, providing immutable proof of origin to destination, and enabling verification of material recycling claims via a 'TrustMark' credential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized satellite and cellular data connections are used for tracking valuable items, then tracking reliability is improved, but tracking cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, long-lasting satellite tracking systems with inexpensive, short-lived low-cost GPS trackers that can be deployed en masse on recycling containers. These disposable-style trackers provide sufficient tracking reliability for the specific application without the prohibitive cost of satellite connections, allowing continuous monitoring of plastic waste throughout the supply chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system automatically collects and transmits location data without requiring manual intervention or expensive infrastructure. The low-cost GPS trackers self-manage their operation, collecting location information and transmitting it through available communication channels, eliminating the need for costly satellite or cellular dedicated connections while maintaining tracking functionality.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive chain-of-custody tracking is implemented for plastic waste, then transparency and accountability are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal tracking platform that serves multiple functions: location tracking, chain-of-custody documentation, compliance verification, and environmental impact monitoring. This multi-functional system consolidates what would otherwise require separate complex systems into a single integrated solution, reducing overall system complexity while comprehensively addressing transparency and accountability needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system tracks and monitors key parameters such as location coordinates, timestamp, custodian identity, and material type throughout the supply chain. By focusing on these essential parameters and using standardized data formats, the system achieves comprehensive transparency without requiring complex tracking of every possible variable, thereby managing system complexity effectively.
3Loss of energy
If low-cost tracking methods are used for plastic waste, then tracking cost is reduced, but tracking precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tracking system into segmented components: low-cost GPS trackers for location data, automated data collection points at transfer locations, and a centralized verification platform. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function at minimal cost, while the collective system achieves reliable and precise tracking through the coordinated operation of multiple simple elements rather than relying on a single expensive system.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus has a memory that stores instructions executed by a processor to receive from a source node machine in a network a unique identifier for an object, where the source node machine executes a first instance of an object tracking application. The source node is designated as a parent in a chain-of-custody. The unique identifier and source node information are recorded in an immutable ledger. Updates for the object are received from intermediate node machines in the network. The information updates are recorded in the immutable ledger. A final information update for the object is received from a destination node machine. The final information update is recorded in the immutable ledger. A chain-of-custody map is constructed for the object. The chain-of-custody map is augmented with layers of spatially related data to form a composite chain-of-custody map.