Histopack®

Increased Package Visibility for Increased Recipient Trust

Documenting Package Conditions For Transport

Histopack is useful for logging the condition of a package prior to transport for increased visibility to the package recipient. Histopack supports logging of pictures and optional locations of a package, along with blockchain generated timestamps. A tracking number is generated so that the recipient or others can view the log entries of the package.

• Online marketplaces (Open Bazaar, eBay, others) – Log the condition of goods prior to shipping for increased certainty of the recipient or additional documentation in the case of disputes.
• Supply chain – Documentation of goods at points in the supply chain where transport or facilities may not be fitted with logging infrastructure, such as bandwidth or sensor, leaving a mobile device as the remaining “Internet of Things (IoT)”.
• Couriers – Log the condition at the departure and destinations for additional transparency among the package originator, courier, and recipient.
• Movers – Some homeowners would appreciate visibility of the condition of a cherished possession at the beginning of the move and periodically during transport.

 

Logging and Viewing Package History

Histopack is a decentralized application (aka a “dApp”) which uses the public Ethereum blockchain and requires “ether” cryptocurrency for those logging . Ethereum is not necessary for package recipients, supply chain auditors, consumers, or others viewing package history.

Shippers download the Histopack app and transfer some ether. For a package, a description is given, a picture is taken, and a location is optionally provided. The log entry, along with a blockchain generated timestamp, is written to the blockchain and decentralized file storage, and a tracking number is generated. The tracking number is shared for retrieving the package log history.

Document a package CONDITION at a LOCATION at a particular TIME

Histopack helps build trust through transparency. For example, in an online goods exchange, delivery of goods, household moves, or supply chain settings, a common concern is the question of the condition of goods. Histopack supports logging the condition of a package and its location, at a specific time using a smartphone.

• Condition – A picture is worth a thousand words. In order to support the condition of goods, the app requires a picture of the goods using the camera.
• Location – Does the location of the goods make sense? Optionally, the smartphone’s location is added to the log entry in order to support the location of the goods.
• Time – Time matters! A blockchain generated timestamp is stored in the package log entry in order to support the time of the logged condition and location.

The package logs are stored on blockchain and decentralized file storage so that the timestamp is independently generated and the log data is not manipulable. A tracking number is generated for the package logs for retrieving package log history. The tracking number can be sent or printed to an adhesive label for the package.

Initial Setup

1. Download the app

2. Transfer at least 0.1 ether to the address listing in Settings.

Log Package Information

• Enter a description, take a picture, optionally allow location, and submit. Please note logging to the blockchain can take 1-2 minutes.

Share Package Log

• Each package log has a tracking number to be shared with a recipient. The tracking number can be copied or a QR code can be generated. The tracking number and QR code can be shared via email, printed to an adhesive label for the package, or shared via other applications.

A tracking number can be pasted or a QR code can be scanned used to retrieve the log entries of a package.

Does Histopack require cryptocurrency?
This app requires Ether (the cryptocurrency of the Ethereum blockchain) for those who log package data (such as shippers, couriers, and movers), but it is not required for those just viewing package log history.

Is there a fee to use Histopack?
Histopack is a “decentralized application” on the Ethereum public blockchain, which means that any user pays a small ‘gas’ fee to miners to write data to the blockchain (here: when logging package data). The only fee paid to Histopack is .00001 ether after successfully creating a new package log.

I lost my tracking number, can Histopack look it up?
No, package log data is stored locally on the mobile device, on the Ethereum blockchain, and decentralized file storage. Histopack does not have access to tracking numbers.

I lost my device, can Histopack restore my wallet, ether, tracking numbers, and/or package history?
No. Package log data is stored locally on the mobile device, on the Ethereum blockchain, and decentralized file storage. Histopack does not have access to tracking numbers. Your wallet is cryptographically generated and unique to your app installation. It’s your key to your package history and ether. The private keys are stored locally on your mobile device and Histopack does not know nor have access to your cryptographic keys. Histopack suggests backing up private keys and storing only a minimal amount to support the amount of package logs created. The private keys are under your control, so you can transfer ether into or out of your wallet as desired.

Is the package log data stored indefinitely?
No. The app’s intended use is to temporarily store package log data just before, during, and shortly after delivery so that it can viewed using the tracking number in order to provide additional authenticity and possibly aid in resolving disputes. For customization of the app for a particular use case or supply chain consortium, please contact us.