Smart-Home Property Event Tracking With Blockchain Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smart devices in smart homes are typically configured to monitor events related only to their own functionality, lacking the ability to complement the functionalities of other devices and efficiently track events proximate certain types of property.
Innovation Solution
A property event tracking system utilizing smart home devices and sensor devices to detect activity, determine relevant events, and store data in a distributed ledger (blockchain network) for secure, immutable, and efficient tracking of events such as home services, with the ability to authorize payments and resolve disputes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If smart devices are configured to monitor only their own functionality, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the ability to track property events and complement other devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a distributed ledger system where multiple smart devices (appliances, sensors, cameras) function not only for their primary purposes but also as event detection nodes. Each device can detect, record, and verify property events on the blockchain, transforming single-function devices into multi-functional components of a unified property monitoring ecosystem.
2Device complexity
If a centralized system is used to track property events, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and security of event tracking are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the property monitoring system into distributed autonomous nodes (smart devices) that independently detect and record events on the blockchain. This segmentation eliminates single points of failure, as each device operates autonomously and the distributed ledger ensures data integrity through cryptographic verification, thereby enhancing reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
3Ease of operation
If traditional payment authorization methods are used for home services, then ease of operation is maintained, but transaction speed and cost-effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements smart contracts that automatically execute payment authorization when service events are detected and verified on the blockchain. The system autonomously matches detected events with service agreements, verifies completion through sensor data, and triggers payments without human intervention, thereby achieving both ease of operation and high transaction speed while reducing costs through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods described herein facilitate the tracking of events relating to property. For example, in certain embodiments, a system includes a property event detection device (e.g., smart home device, sensor device, and so forth) configured to detect activity (e.g., motion, light, sound, and so forth) proximate the property. The system also includes a property event tracking system configured to receive data (e.g., images, videos, facial recognition, movement recognition, object tracking, sound signatures, wireless data streams, and so forth) relating to the activity from the property event detection device, to determine whether the activity relates to a property event (e.g., home service, and so forth) for the property, and to store data relating to the property event in a distributed ledger (e.g., blockchain network) upon determination that the activity relates to the property event for the property.