Abstract: An authentication device for fitting at the entrance to a property includes an externally facing interface including a speaker and a microphone; an internally facing interface comprising a speaker, a microphone and a keypad; and a processing unit including electrical interfaces to both the internally and externally facing interfaces and to a telephone unit. The internally facing keypad includes a button which permits a user to cause the processing unit to initiate a call using the telephone unit to a remote voice verification center via the telephone unit and the PSTN to which it is interfaced when in use (via standard telephone socket). The processing unit is additionally operable to communicate audio signals between the remote voice verification center and at least the externally facing interface (i.e. the speaker and microphone thereof), whereby a visitor may be remotely verified by the remote voice verification center before the householder grants the visitor admission to the property.

Abstract: Before a transaction takes place between a plurality of agent-based devices (21-29), not all of which have previous experience of each other, a data file is created which identifies all the agents which are to take part in the transaction. The data file is circulated to all the agents, and each agent endorses the data file in respect of each other agent with a positive, negative, or conditional endorsement, based on stored data indicating whether that agent is capable of co-operation with the other agent. A negative endorsement is applied by an agent in respect of any agent with which it is not prepared to co-operate. Such a negative endorsement is fatal to the transaction. A positive endorsement is applied by an agent (21) in respect of any other agent (27) with which it is unconditionally prepared to co-operate.

Abstract: A token issuer and an authentication device provide an identity confirmation device. A token issuer is programmable by a central identity provider to issue certification tokens for use in e-commerce whereby transactions can be certified with suppliers without need for additional communication with a central server.

Abstract: An authentication device for fitting at the entrance to a property includes an externally facing interface including a speaker and a microphone; an internally facing interface comprising a speaker, a microphone and a keypad; and a processing unit including electrical interfaces to both the internally and externally facing interfaces and to a telephone unit. The internally facing keypad includes a button which permits a user to cause the processing unit to initiate a call using the telephone unit to a remote voice verification centre via the telephone unit and the PSTN to which it is interfaced when in use (via standard telephone socket). The processing unit is additionally operable to communicate audio signals between the remote voice verification centre and at least the externally facing interface (i.e. the speaker and microphone thereof), whereby a visitor may be remotely verified by the remote voice verification centre before the householder grants the visitor admission to the property.

Abstract: A work allocation system has a plurality of agents that bid for work in accordance with preferences and behavior of corresponding resources. Each agent represents a group of resources and is arranged to evaluate the likelihood that at least one resource in the group can carry out a work item. The evaluation is dependent on work items previously selected and/or carried out by the resource, so that the agent effectively models the preferences of its workers. The agent can use this preference information to decide a bidding strategy (i.e. to decide which work items it can bid for), and, having successfully bid for a work item, can allocate work based on individual characteristics and observed work preferences. The bidding for work between agents is, for example, conducted in accordance with contract net based negotiation.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a work allocation system having a plurality of agents that bid for work in accordance with preferences and behaviour of resources corresponding thereto.