An ObjectID has a lifecycle that mirrors the life of the object it represents. From creation to disposal, it can act as a digital timeline, anchoring key events and transitions in a verifiable and immutable way.
1. Creation
The lifecycle starts with the creation of the ObjectID. This involves:
- Generating a unique identifier (typically using a cryptographic hash)
- Registering the ObjectID on a distributed ledger (e.g. a blockchain or DAG)
- Associating metadata such as:
- Object type (e.g., product, component, certificate)
- Creator ID (who issued it)
- Timestamp
- Links to standards like GS1 Digital Link or internal references
This step is irreversible-once published, the ObjectID is permanent and cannot be modified or reassigned.
Event Logging (optional, modular)
After creation, the ObjectID can optionally record events linked to the object’s real-world lifecycle. These events might include:
- Ownership changes
- Quality checks or inspections
- Maintenance or repair actions
- Recycling or disassembly
- Certification renewals
Each event is:
- Cryptographically signed by the actor generating it
- Linked to the ObjectID
- Timestamped and published to the distributed ledger
This forms a chronological chain of trust, where every interaction becomes part of the object’s digital history-visible and verifiable by anyone, but writable only by authorized entities.
Updates and Final State
While the identity of the object remains fixed, its state may evolve. For instance:
- A product moves from “in production” to “in transit” to “sold”
- A component is refurbished or replaced
- A product reaches end-of-life and is recycled
Each of these transitions can be represented as an event, giving context and transparency to what the object has gone through.
ObjectID does not overwrite past information-it appends new data. This write-once, read-many (WORM) model guarantees historical integrity and supports auditing, compliance, and long-term traceability.