Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receiving at a service provider a user's request for communications service. The user is permitted to negotiate with other service providers to fulfill the request for communications service.

Abstract: A post-consumption item that has a Radio Frequency (RF) tag associated therewith is disposed of by reading the RF tag to obtain information stored thereon and selecting a manner to dispose of the post-consumption item based on the obtained information. An inventory of post-consumption items that have RF tags associated therewith, respectively, is maintained by reading the RF tags to obtain categorization information stored thereon and maintaining the inventory of the post-consumption items based on the obtained categorization information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for an edge side assembler. Data is identified that is associated with a common user of a personal digital gateway and of a communications device selected from a plurality of communications devices. Remote data is located that is stored on the selected communications device. The remote data is retrieved and integrated with the data. The integrated data is formatted according to a presentation format associated with the selected communications device. The integrated data is communicated with at least one of the plurality of communications devices.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for enabling a virtual personalized network. Communications are established with a personal digital gateway to control access, sharing, security, and/or management of up-to-date personalized data exchanged between or among a plurality of associated communications devices and/or communications networks. The associated communications devices are owned, operated, and/or accessed by a common user.

Abstract: Data concerning post-consumption items is collected from RF tags. RF tags applied to goods and materials that have been consumed or used and/or discarded or stored for recycling are read by a reader. The reader collects data from the tag and stores the data and/or transmits the collected data to a computing device such as a building management or host computer. A computing device associated with the reader may also retrieve data associated with the RF tag from one or more datastores of information concerning the post-consumption item. Additional processing may be performed to determine the composition and other attributes of the item or material. Based upon the data retrieved from the RF tag, and optionally, data in the datastore(s), and/or processing occurring within the associated computing device, characteristics including the composition and nature of the post-consumption items, location of the items and other characteristics and associated information are determined.

Abstract: A method for modeling a computing architecture is provided. Computing layers of the computing architecture are identified, wherein each computing layer represents a functional layer of the computing architecture. Computing systems of the computing system are identified. Computing layers implemented by the computing system are identified. Stacked bars are displayed to represent the computing layers. Second bars orthogonal to the stacked bars are displayed to represent the computing systems, wherein each second bar extends through a portion of the stacked bars an amount corresponding to the computing layers implemented by the computing system represented by the second bar.

Abstract: A method for modeling a computing architecture is provided. Computing layers of the computing architecture are identified, wherein each computing layer represents a functional layer of the computing architecture. Computing systems of the computing system are identified. Computing layers implemented by the computing system are identified. Stacked bars are displayed to represent the computing layers. Second bars orthogonal to the stacked bars are displayed to represent the computing systems, wherein each second bar extends through a portion of the stacked bars an amount corresponding to the computing layers implemented by the computing system represented by the second bar.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a first data stream at a computer, with the first data stream comprising packets of data packetized according to a packet protocol. The first data stream is recursively segmented into segments, and at least one of the segments is dispersed via a network for a subsequent processing service. A result of the processing service is received, and the result is aggregated into a second data stream. The second data stream is then communicated via the network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of tracking and monitoring objects in accordance with pre-selected and stored policies that are generated by the owner of the object. These policies define the parameters for determining when an object is lost, for reporting a lost object, and for searching for a lost object. When combined with a network tracking system, the policies can also set parameters for permissible areas in which the objects can be disposed and for tracking of the objects across the network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a first data stream at a computer, and the first data stream includes packets of data packetized according to a packet protocol. The first data stream is segmented into segments according to a set of subscriber-specified rules stored in memory. A subscriber to a subscription service specifies the set of subscriber-specified rules, and the set of subscriber-specified rules specifies how electronic data is formatted for the subscriber. At least one segment is dispersed via a network for a subsequent processing service. A result of the processing service is received. A second data stream is assembled, and the second data stream includes at least one of i) the result of the processing service and ii) another segment. The second data stream is then communicated via the network.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method discovers multiple communications networks available to a client communications device. A request for communications service is communicated from the client communications device to at least one service provider. The at least one service provider provides access to at least one of the multiple communications networks. Access to at least one of the multiple communications networks is negotiated with the at least one service provider. Communications service is then received from the at least one service provider via at least one of the multiple communications networks.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for communications service. The request for communications service originates from a client communications device, and the request for communications service is communicated to a service provider of a communications network. A preferred scenario of segmentation, dispersion, and assemblage of electronic data is dynamically ascertained to fulfill the request. The method then bills for the communications service.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for electronic data, and the request for electronic data originating from a client communications device. The availability of network routing is assessed in real-time to fulfill the request. The availability of network bandwidth is assessed in real-time to fulfill the request. A preferred scenario of segmentation, dispersion, and assemblage of electronic data is ascertained to fulfill the request. Electronic data fulfilling the request is communicated to the client communications device, with the electronic data formatted according to the preferred scenario.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for communications service. The request for communications service originates from a client communications device associated with a user and requests communications service from a service provider. An availability of at least one of i) a communications network operated by the service provider and ii) another communications network operated by another service provider is dynamically assessed in real-time. A best-value scenario of segmentation, dispersion, assemblage, and routing of electronic data is assessed to fulfill the request. The best-value scenario maximizes profitability for the service provider. The communications service is provided to fulfill the request according to the best-value scenario.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a first data stream at a computer, and the first data stream includes packets of data packetized according to a packet protocol. The first data stream is segmented into segments, and the segments are dispersed via a network for subsequent processing services. Results of the subsequent processing services are received and aggregated into a second data stream. The second data stream is then communicated via the network to another destination, such as a client communications device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a bid for the communications services, and the bid is received during an online auction conducted via a distributed computing network. The communications services are provided, and a rating is received. The rating indicates whether the communications services were satisfactorily provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a request for communications service. The request for communications service originates from a client communications device associated with a user, and the request for communications service communicates via a communications network to a service provider of that communications network. The service provider then permits the user to negotiate with other service providers of other communications networks to fulfill the request for communications service.

Abstract: A software platform that supports the delivery of services and personalized content is provided. The software platform interfaces with an edge network and a distribution platform. The edge network is a computer network that distributes servers, routers and storage throughout the network. The software platform augments that physical capabilities of the edge network and provides a number of platform services. The distribution platform is a software platform that provides an interface to the platform services and the edge network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of tracking and monitoring objects in accordance with pre-selected and stored policies that are generated by the owner of the object. These policies define the parameters for determining when an object is lost, for reporting a lost object, and for searching for a lost object. When combined with a network tracking system, the policies can also set parameters for permissible areas in which the objects can be disposed and for tracking of the objects across the network.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system that uses a plurality of monitors in combination with a plurality of identification tags attached to objects in order to track and monitor those objects. The monitors inductively couple to the identification tags to obtain identification information therefrom. In addition, each monitor is in communication with a network containing at least one database to leverage existing network capacity for increased tracking volume. The network is preferably a peer-to-peer type network to permit direct communication and data sharing among the monitors.