New patent applications are published by the USPTO on Thursdays. Today's Spotlight Applications continue the theme of blockchain (block chain, distributed ledger) and digital rights management broadly construed. Apparently assigned to Colson Research, the first application discloses techniques for distributed manufacturing. Assigned to Amazon, the second application discloses techniques for immutable cryptographically secured ledger-backed databases.
20180094953, "Distributed manufacturing," apparently assigned to Colson Research.
Abstract
A distributed manufacturing platform and related techniques connect designers, manufacturers (e.g., 3D printer owners and other traditional manufacturers), shippers, and other entities and simplifies the process of manufacturing and supplying new and existing products. A distributed ledger or blockchain may be used to record transactions, execute smart contracts, and perform other operations to increase transparency and integrity of supply chain. Blockchain enabled packaging can be used to track movement and conditions of packages from manufacture, through transit, to delivery.
20180096163, "Immutable cryptographically secured ledger-backed databases," assigned to Amazon.
Abstract
A database table, such as may be implemented by a non-relational database, is provided to present information and states associated with that information as memorialized in a cryptographically secured ledger. The semantics of the database table elements, as well as the relationships between various objects therein, may be defined and/or enforced by a schema, a database engine, and/or an application layer. For example, the disclosed methods and systems may be used to implement an asset tracking tool that does not require trust of the implementing system for verification of the system's contents.
