Authors:
Luis Velazquez, Ricardo Garcia
Abstract:
Disclosed is a weight security data authority so that the weights are only confirmed and recorded through the master authority, this master authority guaranties that the information is correct.
Background:
Many retail systems have a security scale that is used to weigh an item as it is being sold. The weight measured by the security scale is compared to the expected weight of the item. The expected weight of the item is read from a database containing the expected weights for all the items sold in the store. In many systems the expected weight of the item is learned over time by comparing the measured weight at many points of sale. However, the learned weight can be wrong. There are many weights for a single product. This is caused by various reasons. For example, sometimes an extra promotional product is attached or packaged with the item, other times the item’s packaging is different or damaged. This generates inconsistencies with the item weight data learned by the system.
Description:
Instead of learning the expected weight of a product over time, our idea would define a weight security data authority that uses blockchain technology. The point-of-sale application would compare the weight measured on the security scale to the expected weight recorded in the master authority. This master authority guaranties that the information is correct by using blockchain. The bar code or item identifier used to scan or enter the item into the point-of-sale, would be used to lookup the items expected weight in the weight security data authority.
There are number of blockchains already used by the retail industry to track produce items from farm to store, or to track products through the supply chain to the store. Many of the blockchains are used to track where a product is in the supply chain, or to track a batch of tainted product so that it can be recalled. Some of these blockchains already include the item’s weight. This is used now to tack how the weight of a bushel of soybeans, corn, peanuts, or the like changes as the product dries out. The weight of a diamond is also used in blockchains that track diamonds. Our idea is that a product manufacturer would record the weight of a product and the products bar code or item number. As the product moved through the supply chain the weight would be updated in the blockchain if the weight changed due to changes in packaging.
In another embodiment of the idea, the blockchain could use the item’s bar code and the item’s unique serial number or batch number and it could record if that batch of product had a different weight due to different packaging or due to a change in the product makeup or due to an additional item packaged with the original product. The bar code and item serial number or batch number could be used to lookup the block chain to see the modified expected weight for this batch of the product.
Claims:
- Use Blockchain for a master security weight authority for verifying a product’s expected weight.
Enabling Technology:
- Blockchain
TGCS Reference 2245
