Walmart Expands Blockchain Efforts with 3 New Patents

Published on 03 August 2018 by Cryptovest Staff

Hypermarkets operator Walmart is seeking to add three more blockchain-related patents and has filed applications with the USPTO.

US-based retailer Walmart has filed for three more blockchain-related patent applications, according to United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), which published the files on August 2, 2018. Thus, Walmart’s scope of blockchain use cases is expanding. The inventions were registered via Walmart Apollo, LLC, which seems to be a new subsidiary. All of the patent applications were filed on January 26, 2018.

Blockchain-Related Patent Applications

  • Managing distributed content using layered permissions: This application refers to a system through which the content is distributed and tracked with the distributed ledger technology (DLT), another name for blockchain. To better manage the content distribution process, a multi-layered system is proposed, in which the first layer refers to a set of privileges for the first user, while the second layer would be associated with another set of privileges for the second user. (Filed on January 26, 2018)
  • Managing smart appliances using blockchain technology: This invention refers to a system that helps users have control over one or more smart appliances, thus limiting the ability of other users to exploit the appliances remotely.
  • Managing participation in a monitored system using blockchain technology: According to this patent, a computer-implemented method may be used to manage participation in a monitored system.

“The computer-implemented method includes obtaining a transaction request associated with a first transfer of a first asset between a participant and a system registrar of the monitored system. The first asset includes event condition data and authorization data. The event condition action data is associated with a first trigger configured to execute on condition that a predetermined first parameter is satisfied and a second trigger configured to execute on condition that a predetermined second parameter is satisfied,” the patent description notes.

At the end of June, Walmart filed for another three blockchain-related patent applications, this time via Wal-Mart Stores.