Wal-Mart to Launch "Smart Package" Based on Blockchain Technology

[China Packaging Reuters US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on March 1 announced the US retail giant Wal-Mart (Walmart) for its "smart package" system of patent applications.

Walmart's "smart package" patent uses a blockchain-based tool to track package content, environmental conditions, location, and other details. The devices described in the application will be used for new technologies such as autonomous vehicles and drones.

According to the application, the blockchain will record "key addresses on the chain", such as "seller private key address, express private key address, buyer private key address".

In the patent application, Wal-Mart noted that it was necessary to design a tool to provide "greater security on the transport package." The application indicates that the existing tracking tool has not yet provided "this required function." According to reports, Walmart submitted its "smart package" application for the first time in August 2017 .

"Smart packaging" is not Wal-Mart's first example of using blockchain technology. November 2016, the company partnered with IBM, using chain blocks to detect and remove recalled products from the list of foods.

Blockchain technology has always been welcomed by shipping and courier companies. US shipping company United Parcel Service (UPS) in November 2017 joined the trucking Union (BiTA) of the block chain. According to Fintech Finance , Singapore port operator PSA International has reached an agreement with IBM to test and develop a blockchain-based supply chain network in August 2017 .

In the United States, the publication of a non-provisional patent application takes place 18 months before its most effective priority date . Once a patent application is published, it can be used by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reject third-party patent applications.