Supply Chain Lock System for Unauthorized Access Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traceability systems struggle to detect replacement of products with lower quality items or unlawful acts, such as false labeling, as they rely solely on identification labels attached to boxes rather than direct connection with the actual objects.
Innovation Solution
A supply chain system that includes a server managing ownership rights, electronically locked containers, and a processor or circuit to verify user ownership before allowing access, ensuring that only authorized users can open the container, thus tracking the history of the lock's opening and fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If image data is only attached to the box storing the product, then the traceability system is simple to implement, but it becomes difficult to detect replacement of products with lower quality items or unlawful acts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the identification label with the actual product by attaching the image data directly to the product surface, rather than separating them via box-only labeling. This integration ensures that the product identity is intrinsically linked to its physical form, preventing substitution with lower quality items while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification by checking whether the product's image data matches the expected product information before allowing container opening. This advance verification prevents unlawful acts such as false labeling and product replacement, as the system can identify discrepancies before they result in harmful outcomes
2Reliability
If electronic verification of ownership is implemented before opening the container, then unlawful acts can be detected, but the system complexity increases due to additional verification processes
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring and recording the opening history of the container, comparing it with the expected ownership information. This feedback mechanism enables automatic detection of unauthorized access attempts, as any discrepancy between the registered owner and the person attempting to open the container triggers an alert, thereby detecting unlawful acts without requiring complex manual verification processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual verification processes with electronic verification systems that automatically check ownership information against the product database. This substitution eliminates the need for human judgment and manual checking, reducing system complexity while improving reliability through automated, consistent verification of ownership rights
3Reliability
If the lock is opened only after verifying user ownership, then product security is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to additional authentication steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling the registered owner to automatically open the container through biometric or electronic authentication without requiring manual verification by staff. The lock system itself performs the verification and opening process, making the operation as convenient as traditional key-based systems while maintaining enhanced security through digital ownership verification
Data Source
AI summary
Various devices, methods, and media are provided. According to one of the devices, an unlocking request for unlocking a lock is received. The lock is provided in a container and contains a physical object. Information of a first owner, that has a right of ownership of the physical object, is acquired from a first ledger when the unlocking request is received. The first ledger is one of a plurality of distributed ledgers which each have a same content. The device determines whether the first requester matches the first owner, and causes the lock to be unlocked when the first requester matches the first owner.