CONNECTED HIGHLY ADAPTIVE INDUSTRY NETWORK FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

Abstract

ABSTRACT “CONNECTED HIGHLY ADAPTIVE INDUSTRY NETWORK FOR SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT” The present invention provides connected highly adaptive industry network for supply chain management in industry 4.0 based on scalable lightweight private block chain. This block chain-based network enables seamless, transparent, and secure data flow across various nodes in the supply chain, allowing for real-time tracking, verification of ethical sourcing, and automated compliance checks. The private block chain architecture is optimized for resource efficiency and scalability, making it suitable for diverse applications within Industry 4.0. Smart contracts enforce compliance and automate workflow processes, enhancing transparency and resilience across interconnected supply chain entities. Figure 1

Specification

Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of block chain technology, and more particularly, the present invention relates to the connected highly adaptive industry network for supply chain management in industry 4.0 based on scalable lightweight private block chain.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The following discussion of the background of the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as of the application's priority date. The details provided herein the background if belongs to any publication is taken only as a reference for describing the problems, in general terminologies or principles or both of science and technology in the associated prior art.
[0003] The invention addresses several pressing challenges in modern supply chain management, especially in the context of Industry 4.0. These challenges include a lack of transparency, data security, and efficiency, which hinder the ability to ensure ethical sourcing and compliance with regulatory standards across complex, multi-tiered supply chains.
[0004] Problem 1: Lack of transparency and traceability
- Existing issues: In traditional supply chains, data are often shared, with each participant (e.g., suppliers, manufacturers, distributors) using separate systems that don't communicate effectively with one another. This fragmentation prevents end-to-end visibility, making it difficult to trace the origin and handling of materials or products.
- Impact: This lack of transparency poses significant risks, especially in industries where ethical sourcing, quality control, and compliance with standards like fair trade or sustainable sourcing are vital. Brands and consumers alike are increasingly demanding accountability, but current systems lack the infrastructure to provide verifiable, tamper-proof information about each step of the supply chain.
[0005] Problem 2: Data security and privacy concerns
- Existing issues: Supply chains frequently involve sensitive data exchanges between participants, such as pricing, sourcing locations, production practices, and customer information. Current solutions often rely on centralized systems, which can be vulnerable to hacking, data breaches, and unauthorized access. Centralized systems also require all parties to trust a single entity, which may not be acceptable in a competitive supply chain landscape.
- Impact: The absence of a secure and decentralized method for data sharing limits collaboration and trust among supply chain participants. When data security is compromised, it can lead to financial losses, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage for brands.
[0006] Problem 3: Scalability and efficiency constraints in existing blockchain solutions
- Existing issues: While blockchain technology offers transparency and immutability, traditional public blockchains like Ethereum or Bitcoin are resource-intensive and struggle to scale effectively for real-time supply chain applications. These public blockchains use consensus mechanisms like Proof of Work, which require high computational power and energy, leading to slow transaction times and costly operations.
- Impact: Supply chains require lightweight, efficient solutions that can scale with increasing transaction volumes without compromising on speed or performance. Traditional blockchain solutions are not optimized for such high throughput, resulting in delays and high operational costs that are unsuitable for modern supply chains, especially in Industry 4.0
[0007] In light of the foregoing, there is a need for Connected highly adaptive industry network for supply chain management in industry 4.0 based on scalable lightweight private block chain that overcomes problems prevalent in the prior art associated with the traditionally available method or system, of the above-mentioned inventions that can be used with the presented disclosed technique with or without modification.
[0008] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies, and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing connected highly adaptive industry network for supply chain management in industry 4.0 based on scalable lightweight private block chain.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide connected highly adaptive industry network for supply chain management in industry 4.0 based on scalable lightweight private block chain that requires lower computational resources due to the use of a lightweight blockchain in the architecture.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide connected highly adaptive industry network for supply chain management in industry 4.0 based on scalable lightweight private block chain that uses pruning properties of the lightweight blockchain which is highly time-efficient. As a result, the response time is much faster for the proposed solution.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide connected highly adaptive industry network for supply chain management in industry 4.0 based on scalable lightweight private block chain that can process more transactions per second, accommodating a higher volume of users or devices. Further, by efficiently handling increased transactions, scalable block chains prevent bottlenecks and delays, ensuring smoother operations.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide connected highly adaptive industry network for supply chain management in industry 4.0 based on scalable lightweight private block chain that supports high transaction volumes without sacrificing speed or security, enabling real-time data processing in complex supply chains management for Industry 4.0.
[0014] The foregoing and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention relates to connected highly adaptive industry network for supply chain management in industry 4.0 based on scalable lightweight private block chain.
[0016] Solution to Problem-1: The scalable lightweight private blockchain network proposed in this invention provides a targeted solution to the pervasive issues of transparency and traceability in supply chain management for Industry 4.0 by enabling seamless, secure, and verifiable data sharing among supply chain participants. The methodology is described in detail as follows:
[0017] End-to-end traceability through immutable data recording: Each transaction or event within the supply chain, such as sourcing, production, inspection, or shipment, is recorded as a block in the blockchain. The immutability of the ledger ensures that once data is added, it cannot be altered or deleted, providing a tamper-proof record of the entire supply chain process
[0018] Comprehensive visibility: Because each supply chain participant has access to a shared, consistent version of data, stakeholders from suppliers to consumers, can verify a product's origin, handling, and path through the supply chain. This end-to-end visibility enables seamless traceability, offering insights into each phase of the product's journey.
[0019] Enhanced data access through permissioned blockchain design: Unlike public blockchains, a permissioned private blockchain limits access to verified supply chain participants, ensuring that only trusted stakeholders can view and add data to the chain. This architecture maintains privacy while providing transparency to authorized parties, allowing each entity to verify the data without revealing sensitive information to outsiders.
[0020] Controlled data sharing: Each participant such as suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and retailers can access data relevant to their operations without viewing unrelated or competitive information. This controlled transparency promotes trust and encourages data sharing in a secure environment.
[0021] Real-time data updates with IoT integration: IoT devices integrated into the system provide real-time data on various supply chain events. For instance, sensors on shipments can monitor location, temperature, or handling conditions, automatically updating the blockchain with each data point. This real-time tracking is invaluable for stakeholders needing continuous oversight of critical materials. Further, by combining IoT data with blockchain's decentralized structure, information is instantly available to all relevant stakeholders, enabling them to make informed, timely decisions. This is particularly useful for perishable goods, sensitive materials, or high-value assets that require consistent monitoring.
[0022] Lightweight design for high transaction volume: Traditional blockchains, particularly public networks, may become slow and costly with high transaction volumes. The lightweight consensus mechanism in this invention enables the private blockchain to handle a large number of real-time updates without congestion, ensuring supply chain data remains continuously accessible and current. The system is designed to scale efficiently, accommodating the vast data generated in Industry 4.0 environments without compromising on performance. This capability makes the blockchain practical for high-volume supply chains, such as those in manufacturing or retail, where real-time transparency is essential.
[0023] Direct consumer access for enhanced transparency: By scanning QR codes or similar product tags, consumers can directly access a product's blockchain-verified history, seeing details about where and how the product was sourced, manufactured, and transported. This transparent, consumer-facing feature builds trust in brands and offers ethical sourcing proof that is increasingly demanded by conscientious consumers.
[0024] Solution to Problem 2: Security and data integrity is vital in Industry 4.0. The proposed scalable, lightweight private blockchain effectively addresses data security and privacy concerns in supply chain management for Industry 4.0 by ensuring that sensitive data is protected, access is controlled, and transactions are secure. The following points discuss how the system's design elements and features tackle these challenges:
[0025] Controlled access with permissioned blockchain: Only verified, authorized participants can access and interact within the network, ensuring that data visibility is restricted to relevant stakeholders. This permissioned structure prevents unauthorized access and maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.
[0026] Decentralized, tamper-resistant ledger: Data is distributed across multiple nodes, creating redundancy, and enhancing security by removing single points of vulnerability. This decentralized design, combined with the cryptographic linking of records, makes it virtually impossible to alter past data, ensuring tamper resistance.
[0027] Data encryption and selective disclosure: All data within the blockchain is encrypted, safeguarding it against unauthorized access. The system also allows selective data sharing, so participants can disclose only specific information necessary for transparency without exposing sensitive details.
[0028] Automated verification via smart contracts: Smart contracts enforce rules for data validation and compliance automatically, ensuring only verified data enters the blockchain. This reduces human error and limits sensitive data exposure, as verification and compliance processes require minimal manual intervention.
[0029] Solution to Problem 3: The proposed invention addresses scalability and efficiency challenges commonly seen in traditional blockchain solutions, particularly for supply chain applications in Industry 4.0, in the following ways:
[0030] Lightweight consensus mechanism: Unlike energy-intensive public blockchains using Proof of Work (PoW), this blockchain relies on a lightweight consensus protocol, Proof of Stake (PoS) with pruning, that is faster, requires less computational power, and are highly efficient. This design supports high transaction volumes without sacrificing speed or security, enabling real-time data processing in complex supply chains.
[0031] Optimized network architecture for high throughput: By limiting participation to verified nodes within a private, permissioned blockchain, the system significantly reduces the number of nodes involved in transaction validation. This streamlined architecture minimizes network latency, allowing the blockchain to process a larger number of transactions per second, which is essential for high-volume supply chains.
[0032] Selective data storage and processing: The system supports selective data storage, where only critical information is recorded on-chain, while larger datasets can be securely stored off-chain with references or hashes on the blockchain. This reduces on-chain storage demands and improves operational efficiency, ensuring the blockchain remains scalable as data volumes increase.
[0033] The six-layer reference architecture for the proposed system is shown in Figure 1. The key components of the architecture are described below.
[0034] Permissioned Blockchain Network Layer: Private, permissioned blockchain: This forms the core of the architecture, where only authorized participants in the supply chain (such as manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers, and retailers) have access. Each participant is a verified node in the network, and their roles and permissions determine which data they can access and share.
[0035] Lightweight consensus mechanism: A lightweight consensus protocol, such as Proof of Stake (PoS) with pruning, allows fast, secure transaction validation. This mechanism enables high throughput, which is essential for handling the large transaction volumes common in supply chain operations.
[0036] IoT Integration Layer: IoT sensors and devices: This layer consists of IoT-enabled devices (e.g., RFID tags, GPS trackers, temperature sensors) attached to assets within the supply chain, such as materials, products, and shipments. These devices continuously collect real-time data on location, condition, handling, and status.
[0037] Data gateway: A gateway collects data from IoT devices and transmits it to the blockchain network. The gateway acts as a secure bridge, ensuring that IoT data is encrypted and securely transferred to the blockchain for storage and further processing.
[0038] Smart Contracts Layer: Automated verification and compliance: Smart contracts are programmed to automatically enforce rules, verify compliance, and facilitate workflows without human intervention.
[0039] Trigger-based actions: Smart contracts execute actions based on preset conditions, such as approving a payment when goods are delivered or releasing products when quality checks are passed. These automated triggers enhance efficiency, reduce human error, and ensure that the supply chain flows smoothly without unnecessary delays.
[0040] Data Management Layer: On-chain and off-chain storage: For efficient storage management, critical and time-sensitive data is stored directly on the blockchain (on-chain), while large datasets (e.g., detailed shipment logs or product images) are stored off-chain with references or cryptographic hashes recorded on-chain. This hybrid storage solution improves scalability by minimizing on-chain data storage requirements
[0041] Selective data sharing: The architecture supports selective data sharing to maintain privacy. Only necessary data is shared with each participant according to their roles and permissions, preserving the confidentiality of sensitive information while ensuring traceability and accountability.
[0042] Data Access and Analytics Layer: User Interface (UI): Authorized users (e.g., supply chain managers, auditors, consumers) interact with the blockchain through a user-friendly interface. The UI provides access to relevant information such as product origin, compliance status, real-time location, and condition updates.
[0043] Analytics and reporting tools: Advanced analytics tools aggregate data from the blockchain and IoT devices, allowing stakeholders to gain insights into supply chain performance, identify inefficiencies, and make data-driven decisions. Reports can be generated for various needs, including compliance verification, efficiency assessment, and forecasting.
[0044] Consumer Interaction Layer: Verification and traceability portal: Consumers and end-users can access product information by scanning QR codes or tags linked to blockchain records. This transparency portal provides visibility into the product's sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution history, allowing consumers to verify ethical and sustainable practices.
[0045] Brand transparency and engagement: This layer allows brands to build trust with consumers by sharing verified information about their products, fostering brand loyalty, and meeting demands for accountability in areas like fair trade and sustainability.
[0046] While the invention has been described and shown with reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0047] So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0048] These and other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following text figure, with like reference numbers referring to like structures across the views, wherein:
[0049] Figure 1. Reference architecture for CHAIN-X4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0050] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.
[0051] As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and the word "plurality" means "one or more" unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein are solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers, or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, and the like are included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[0052] In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase "comprising", it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element, or group of elements with transitional phrases "consisting of", "consisting", "selected from the group of consisting of, "including", or "is" preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
[0053] The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, several materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0054] The present invention relates to connected highly adaptive industry network for supply chain management in industry 4.0 based on scalable lightweight private block chain.
[0055] Solution to Problem-1: The scalable lightweight private blockchain network proposed in this invention provides a targeted solution to the pervasive issues of transparency and traceability in supply chain management for Industry 4.0 by enabling seamless, secure, and verifiable data sharing among supply chain participants. The methodology is described in detail as follows:
[0056] End-to-end traceability through immutable data recording: Each transaction or event within the supply chain, such as sourcing, production, inspection, or shipment, is recorded as a block in the blockchain. The immutability of the ledger ensures that once data is added, it cannot be altered or deleted, providing a tamper-proof record of the entire supply chain process
[0057] Comprehensive visibility: Because each supply chain participant has access to a shared, consistent version of data, stakeholders from suppliers to consumers, can verify a product's origin, handling, and path through the supply chain. This end-to-end visibility enables seamless traceability, offering insights into each phase of the product's journey.
[0058] Enhanced data access through permissioned blockchain design: Unlike public blockchains, a permissioned private blockchain limits access to verified supply chain participants, ensuring that only trusted stakeholders can view and add data to the chain. This architecture maintains privacy while providing transparency to authorized parties, allowing each entity to verify the data without revealing sensitive information to outsiders.
[0059] Controlled data sharing: Each participant such as suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers, and retailers can access data relevant to their operations without viewing unrelated or competitive information. This controlled transparency promotes trust and encourages data sharing in a secure environment.
[0060] Real-time data updates with IoT integration: IoT devices integrated into the system provide real-time data on various supply chain events. For instance, sensors on shipments can monitor location, temperature, or handling conditions, automatically updating the blockchain with each data point. This real-time tracking is invaluable for stakeholders needing continuous oversight of critical materials. Further, by combining IoT data with blockchain's decentralized structure, information is instantly available to all relevant stakeholders, enabling them to make informed, timely decisions. This is particularly useful for perishable goods, sensitive materials, or high-value assets that require consistent monitoring.
[0061] Lightweight design for high transaction volume: Traditional blockchains, particularly public networks, may become slow and costly with high transaction volumes. The lightweight consensus mechanism in this invention enables the private blockchain to handle a large number of real-time updates without congestion, ensuring supply chain data remains continuously accessible and current. The system is designed to scale efficiently, accommodating the vast data generated in Industry 4.0 environments without compromising on performance. This capability makes the blockchain practical for high-volume supply chains, such as those in manufacturing or retail, where real-time transparency is essential.
[0062] Direct consumer access for enhanced transparency: By scanning QR codes or similar product tags, consumers can directly access a product's blockchain-verified history, seeing details about where and how the product was sourced, manufactured, and transported. This transparent, consumer-facing feature builds trust in brands and offers ethical sourcing proof that is increasingly demanded by conscientious consumers.
[0063] Solution to Problem 2: Security and data integrity is vital in Industry 4.0. The proposed scalable, lightweight private blockchain effectively addresses data security and privacy concerns in supply chain management for Industry 4.0 by ensuring that sensitive data is protected, access is controlled, and transactions are secure. The following points discuss how the system's design elements and features tackle these challenges:
[0064] Controlled access with permissioned blockchain: Only verified, authorized participants can access and interact within the network, ensuring that data visibility is restricted to relevant stakeholders. This permissioned structure prevents unauthorized access and maintains confidentiality of sensitive information.
[0065] Decentralized, tamper-resistant ledger: Data is distributed across multiple nodes, creating redundancy, and enhancing security by removing single points of vulnerability. This decentralized design, combined with the cryptographic linking of records, makes it virtually impossible to alter past data, ensuring tamper resistance.
[0066] Data encryption and selective disclosure: All data within the blockchain is encrypted, safeguarding it against unauthorized access. The system also allows selective data sharing, so participants can disclose only specific information necessary for transparency without exposing sensitive details.
[0067] Automated verification via smart contracts: Smart contracts enforce rules for data validation and compliance automatically, ensuring only verified data enters the blockchain. This reduces human error and limits sensitive data exposure, as verification and compliance processes require minimal manual intervention.
[0068] Solution to Problem 3: The proposed invention addresses scalability and efficiency challenges commonly seen in traditional blockchain solutions, particularly for supply chain applications in Industry 4.0, in the following ways:
[0069] Lightweight consensus mechanism: Unlike energy-intensive public blockchains using Proof of Work (PoW), this blockchain relies on a lightweight consensus protocol, Proof of Stake (PoS) with pruning, that is faster, requires less computational power, and are highly efficient. This design supports high transaction volumes without sacrificing speed or security, enabling real-time data processing in complex supply chains.
[0070] Optimized network architecture for high throughput: By limiting participation to verified nodes within a private, permissioned blockchain, the system significantly reduces the number of nodes involved in transaction validation. This streamlined architecture minimizes network latency, allowing the blockchain to process a larger number of transactions per second, which is essential for high-volume supply chains.
[0071] Selective data storage and processing: The system supports selective data storage, where only critical information is recorded on-chain, while larger datasets can be securely stored off-chain with references or hashes on the blockchain. This reduces on-chain storage demands and improves operational efficiency, ensuring the blockchain remains scalable as data volumes increase.
[0072] The six-layer reference architecture for the proposed system is shown in Figure 1. The key components of the architecture are described below.
[0073] Permissioned Blockchain Network Layer: Private, permissioned blockchain: This forms the core of the architecture, where only authorized participants in the supply chain (such as manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers, and retailers) have access. Each participant is a verified node in the network, and their roles and permissions determine which data they can access and share.
[0074] Lightweight consensus mechanism: A lightweight consensus protocol, such as Proof of Stake (PoS) with pruning, allows fast, secure transaction validation. This mechanism enables high throughput, which is essential for handling the large transaction volumes common in supply chain operations.
[0075] IoT Integration Layer: IoT sensors and devices: This layer consists of IoT-enabled devices (e.g., RFID tags, GPS trackers, temperature sensors) attached to assets within the supply chain, such as materials, products, and shipments. These devices continuously collect real-time data on location, condition, handling, and status.
[0076] Data gateway: A gateway collects data from IoT devices and transmits it to the blockchain network. The gateway acts as a secure bridge, ensuring that IoT data is encrypted and securely transferred to the blockchain for storage and further processing.
[0077] Smart Contracts Layer: Automated verification and compliance: Smart contracts are programmed to automatically enforce rules, verify compliance, and facilitate workflows without human intervention.
[0078] Trigger-based actions: Smart contracts execute actions based on preset conditions, such as approving a payment when goods are delivered or releasing products when quality checks are passed. These automated triggers enhance efficiency, reduce human error, and ensure that the supply chain flows smoothly without unnecessary delays.
[0079] Data Management Layer: On-chain and off-chain storage: For efficient storage management, critical and time-sensitive data is stored directly on the blockchain (on-chain), while large datasets (e.g., detailed shipment logs or product images) are stored off-chain with references or cryptographic hashes recorded on-chain. This hybrid storage solution improves scalability by minimizing on-chain data storage requirements
[0080] Selective data sharing: The architecture supports selective data sharing to maintain privacy. Only necessary data is shared with each participant according to their roles and permissions, preserving the confidentiality of sensitive information while ensuring traceability and accountability.
[0081] Data Access and Analytics Layer: User Interface (UI): Authorized users (e.g., supply chain managers, auditors, consumers) interact with the blockchain through a user-friendly interface. The UI provides access to relevant information such as product origin, compliance status, real-time location, and condition updates.
[0082] Analytics and reporting tools: Advanced analytics tools aggregate data from the blockchain and IoT devices, allowing stakeholders to gain insights into supply chain performance, identify inefficiencies, and make data-driven decisions. Reports can be generated for various needs, including compliance verification, efficiency assessment, and forecasting.
[0083] Consumer Interaction Layer: Verification and traceability portal: Consumers and end-users can access product information by scanning QR codes or tags linked to blockchain records. This transparency portal provides visibility into the product's sourcing, manufacturing, and distribution history, allowing consumers to verify ethical and sustainable practices.
[0084] Brand transparency and engagement: This layer allows brands to build trust with consumers by sharing verified information about their products, fostering brand loyalty, and meeting demands for accountability in areas like fair trade and sustainability.
[0085] The core of the proposed system is a scalable lightweight private blockchain network that provides the following key features:
[0086] Lightweight consensus mechanism: Unlike energy-intensive public blockchains using Proof of Work (PoW), this blockchain relies on lightweight consensus protocol i.e., Proof of Stake (PoS) with pruning, which is faster, requires less computational power, and is highly efficient.
[0087] Private, permissioned blockchain: It uses the private permissioned configuration for the blockchain network, where only authorized participants in the supply chain (such as manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers, and retailers) have access. Each participant is a verified node in the network, and their roles and permissions determine which data they can access and share.
[0088] Smart contracts for automated verification: It uses smart contracts based on automated verification, where smart contracts enforce rules for data validation and compliance automatically, ensuring only verified data enters the blockchain. This reduces human error and limits sensitive data exposure, as verification and compliance processes require minimal manual intervention.
[0089] Scope for technological integration: The proposed invention has the rooms so that ubiquitous technologies such as industrial IoT, big data, edge and cloud computing, robotics, human-machine interaction, artificial intelligence, and open source software can be integrated to the proposed architecture.
[0090] Various modifications to these embodiments are apparent to those skilled in the art from the description and the accompanying drawings. The principles associated with the various embodiments described herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the description is not intended to be limited to the 5 embodiments shown along with the accompanying drawings but is to be providing the broadest scope consistent with the principles and the novel and inventive features disclosed or suggested herein. Accordingly, the invention is anticipated to hold on to all other such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the present invention and appended claims. , Claims:CLAIMS
We Claim:
1) A method for managing supply chain data in an Industry 4.0 environment using a scalable lightweight private blockchain, the method comprising:
- Recording each event or transaction within the supply chain as an immutable block in the blockchain, ensuring end-to-end traceability of the product from sourcing to consumer;
- Allowing only verified supply chain participants to access and add data to the blockchain through a permissioned blockchain architecture, ensuring privacy while maintaining transparency among authorized parties;
- Integrating Internet of Things (IoT) devices to provide real-time data on supply chain events and automatically updating the blockchain with each data point for real-time tracking and decision-making.
2) The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the blockchain employs a lightweight consensus mechanism, such as Proof of Stake (PoS) with pruning, to efficiently process high transaction volumes in real-time without compromising on speed, security, or scalability.
3) A system for supply chain management in Industry 4.0 using a scalable lightweight private blockchain, the system comprising:
- A permissioned blockchain network where only authorized participants, such as suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers, can access and update data, ensuring data privacy and secure sharing;
- A smart contract layer for automated verification of data entries, ensuring compliance with predefined rules and validation before adding data to the blockchain;
- An IoT integration layer for real-time monitoring and automatic data recording of supply chain events, with data transmitted to the blockchain for real-time visibility.
4) The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the blockchain stores critical information directly on-chain and stores larger datasets off-chain, with references or cryptographic hashes recorded on-chain, enabling scalable storage and improved operational efficiency.
5) A method for providing direct consumer access to verified supply chain data, the method comprising:
- Allowing consumers to scan product QR codes or tags linked to the blockchain to access verified data on the product's origin, production, handling, and transportation history, ensuring product transparency and enhancing consumer trust;
- Providing a traceability portal that facilitates consumer access to product history and encourages brand transparency for ethical sourcing and sustainable practices.

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