Patent attributes
Use of a blockchain distributed ledger to manage tracking code and physical article lifecycle. A first peer generates a cryptographic key for each of a plurality of peers, each key enabling a peer to access the distributed ledger. The first peer also generates a plurality of tracking codes and inserts first block(s) onto the distributed ledger that initiate a lifecycle for each code and make each code visible to the peers. A second peer imprints each code onto a corresponding physical article, inserts second block(s) onto the distributed ledger recording this imprinting, and inserts third block(s) onto the distributed ledger indicating that custody of the tracking codes has been transferred to a third peer. The third peer inserts fourth block(s) onto the distributed ledger indicating that receipt of custody of the tracking codes and their corresponding physical articles from the second peer has been confirmed by the third peer.
