U.S. retail giant Walmart[1]’s latest blockchain[2]-related patent application describes a “secure” delivery management system, according to a filing published[3] by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) July 5.
The newly published application, entitled "Delivery Reservation Apparatus and Method," outlines a blockchain-based management system for delivery lockers that can keep delivered items safe until their purchasers are able to sign for and collect them.
A “blockchain reservation” system is proposed for “some embodiments” of a system to track which lockers are free, and which are occupied:
"Each space on the docking station has a corresponding capacity unit for each location on the docking station. The transactions for the capacity units are tracked in a ledger, with available capacity units indicating an open location on the docking station or contracted out capacity units indicating that either the location has a locker secured thereto or that the location is reserved for a future delivery."
According to the patent, “each docking station can be a node within a blockchain network,” further making frequent references to a “public ledger” which would act as an open record of available and reserved units within the system.
Earlier this spring, Cointelegraph reported[4] on a patent application from Walmart for a “smart package” blockchain-powered tool that would track a range of data –– including package contents, environmental conditions, location, and other details.
The retail giant has been proactively developing a gamut of blockchain solutions for its business, recently partnering[5] with IBM[6] to create a blockchain system for tracking food globally through its supply chain.
In April, Walmart announced that it was ready
