Matrix Code Product Distribution Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for tracking and controlling the chain-of-custody of products in computer networks lack secure and efficient methods for ensuring product authenticity and authorized distribution across multiple custody points, particularly in scenarios involving re-packaging or transformation.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing asymmetric cryptography, where product and manufacturer keys are encoded into matrix codes (like QR codes) for secure tracking and distribution, allowing each custody point to verify and sign transactions, ensuring chain-of-custody control through a blockchain topology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cryptographic codes are used to track product provenance, then product authenticity and custody control are improved, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses matrix codes (visual copies) to represent cryptographic information, allowing product authenticity data to be copied and verified across multiple custody points without requiring complex cryptographic infrastructure at each node. The matrix code serves as a visual replica that can be scanned and verified using simple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification system where matrix codes act as mediators between physical products and digital custody records. Instead of directly implementing complex cryptographic protocols at each custody point, the system uses matrix codes as an intermediate layer that simplifies verification while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If multiple cryptographic keys are implemented for each product and manufacturer, then security and authorization control are improved, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-generating and embedding matrix codes containing cryptographic information during product manufacturing. This allows verification at later custody points to be faster, as the cryptographic data is already prepared and encoded in the matrix code, eliminating the need for real-time key generation or complex lookup processes.
3Loss of information
If blockchain topology is used to distribute custody information, then transparency and traceability are improved, but network bandwidth and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates critical verification information into matrix codes that can be independently validated. This allows the blockchain network to store only essential custody transaction data while the matrix codes contain sufficient information for local verification, reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted and stored across the entire network.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for controlling distribution of a product in a computer network is provided, comprising: providing a computer network having a plurality of processing devices (10,..., 40) each comprising one or more processors and a storage; and providing keys for asymmetric cryptography in the computer network. In a first data processing device (10) assigned to the manufacturer in the computer network, the following is provided: generating a matrix code (80) by encoding first electronic information comprising the private product key; providing the public product key, the public manufacturer key, and the private manufacturer key; generating a first transaction assigned to the product, a first transaction content of the first transaction comprising the public product key, and the public manufacturer key; and signing the first transaction with both the private product key and the private manufacturer key. Imprint data are provided for imprinting an imprint (60) of the matrix code (80) on the product (70). Further, a system is provided.