NFT Metadata Ledger for Product Life Cycle Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The management of the life cycle of a product requires the management of the history of items appearing in the life cycle, and if this history is not appropriately managed, it obstructs the appropriate circulation of the product.
Innovation Solution
An information processing method that involves obtaining related information associated with a first item using a non-fungible token (NFT) and storing this information as metadata in a distributed ledger, allowing for the appropriate management of the history of items in the product's life cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the history of items in the product life cycle is managed using traditional centralized databases, then data access and modification are easy, but data security and immutability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional centralized database systems with a blockchain-based distributed ledger system. This substitution transforms the mechanical data storage and management approach into a cryptographic system where data integrity and security are ensured through hash functions and distributed consensus mechanisms, rather than relying on centralized administrative control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the product life cycle history into distinct blockchain transactions, with each transaction representing a specific event (creation, transfer, processing). Each transaction is independently verified and recorded, allowing the system to maintain security while managing complex life cycle data through modular, verifiable units.
2Loss of information
If NFTs are used to represent each item in the product life cycle, then item history and provenance are accurately tracked, but data storage requirements and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for life cycle tracking into the NFT metadata, such as transaction hashes, timestamps, and key event data. Detailed product information is stored off-chain or referenced through hashes, reducing the data volume stored directly in the blockchain while maintaining information completeness for provenance tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The NFT structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a unique identifier for the physical item, a ledger of ownership transfers, a certificate of authenticity, and a trigger for smart contract executions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate data structures and systems, optimizing data storage efficiency.
3Reliability
If a distributed ledger is used to store NFT data for all items, then data integrity and traceability are improved, but network bandwidth and computational resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial validation where not all nodes in the distributed network need to verify every transaction in full detail. Lighter validation mechanisms are used for routine transactions, while more comprehensive verification is applied only when necessary (e.g., for disputed transactions or critical life cycle events), reducing overall computational resource consumption while maintaining data integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing method includes: obtaining related information that is related to a second item generated based on a first item and includes at least first identification information identifying a first non-fungible token (NFT) associated one-to-one with the first item; and storing, in a distributed ledger, a second NFT that is associated one-to-one with the second item and includes the related information as metadata.