Abstract: An RFID tag associated with an item (e.g., by being affixed thereto) eligible for return to a supplier is scanned to obtain item identification information. Thereafter, a notification message indicating that the item is available for pick-up is transmitted, for example to a supplier of the item. The notification message may be transmitted as any or all of: a facsimile message, a telephone message, a pager message, a voice synthesized message, an e-mail message, or an electronic message. Preferably, the notification message is automatically transmitted by a computer system, and may include at least a portion of the item identification information. Upon receipt of the notification message, an account may be credited to reflect return of the item.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an antenna located so that when baggage is being loaded on a vehicle, the antenna is capable of detecting information transmitted from at least one identity RFID tag located on the vehicle as well as information transmitted from a baggage RFID tag located on an item being loaded on or unloaded from the vehicle (though not necessarily simultaneously). A computer system is configured to compare the information transmitted from the identity RFID tag with expected vehicle information for the item loaded on or unloaded from the vehicle. An alarm condition may be generated if the results of the comparison indicate that the item is loaded on a vehicle other than that which was expected. The computer system may also provide notification to passengers or others regarding successful loading of the item on the vehicle. Similar processes may be used during unloading operations.

Abstract: A tracking system monitors an entity that enters a controlled space and the addition, removal, or other movement or status changes of objects in the controlled space. A computer system, coupled to the tracking system, automatically associates the addition, removal or other movement or status changes of the objects with the identity of the entity and transmits this information to a server computer system. A user may subsequently access this information through one or more client computers coupled to the server computer system. The server computer system may also automatically notify a user or other computer systems, e.g., through a network interface, wireless interface, or telephone interface, when objects in the controlled space have been moved or the status has been changed and/or whether such movement or status change is authorized or not.

Abstract: A request for an access code for a locking mechanism is received; and a non-permanent use access code for the locking mechanism is subsequently issued. The non-permanent use access code may be issued from a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism in response to a request therefor, for example by a merchant or delivery service. Such a code may be issued by a server, which server is further responsible for updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has been used or has otherwise expired. Such a code may also be issued by a locking mechanism controller The list of currently available access codes is preferably a subset of all access codes for the locking mechanism, which codes may be generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.

Abstract: A request for an access code for a locking mechanism is received; and a one-time use access code for the locking mechanism is subsequently issued. The one-time use access code may be issued from a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism in response to a request therefor, for example by a merchant or delivery service. Such a code may be issued by a server, which server is further responsible for updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has been used or has otherwise expired. The list of currently available access codes is preferably a subset of all access codes for the locking mechanism, which codes may be generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.

Abstract: A tracking system monitors an entity that enters a controlled space and the addition, removal, or other movement or status changes of objects in the controlled space. A computer system, coupled to the tracking system, automatically associates the addition, removal or other movement or status changes of the objects with the identity of the entity and transmits this information to a server computer system. A user may subsequently access this information through one or more client computers coupled to the server computer system. The server computer system may also automatically notify a user or other computer systems, e.g., through a network interface, wireless interface, or telephone interface, when objects in the controlled space have been moved or the status has been changed and/or whether such movement or status change is authorized or not.

Abstract: A request for an access code for a locking mechanism is received; and a one-time use access code for the locking mechanism is subsequently issued. The one-time use access code may be issued from a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism in response to a request therefor, for example by a merchant or delivery service. Such a code may be issued by a server, which server is further responsible for updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has been used or has otherwise expired. The list of currently available access codes is preferably a subset of all access codes for the locking mechanism, which codes may be generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.

Abstract: A request for an access code for a locking mechanism is received; and a non-permanent use access code for the locking mechanism is subsequently issued. The non-permanent use access code may be issued from a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism in response to a request therefor, for example by a merchant or delivery service. Such a code may be issued by a server, which server is further responsible for updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has been used or has otherwise expired. Such a code may also be issued by a locking mechanism controller The list of currently available access codes is preferably a subset of all access codes for the locking mechanism, which codes may be generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.

Abstract: A request for an access code for a locking mechanism is received; and a one-time use access code for the locking mechanism is subsequently issued. The one-time use access code may be issued from a list of currently available access codes for the locking mechanism in response to a request therefor, for example by a merchant or delivery service. Such a code may be issued by a server, which server is further responsible for updating the list of available access codes in response to an indication that a code has been used or has otherwise expired. The list of currently available access codes is preferably a subset of all access codes for the locking mechanism, which codes may be generated using a cryptographically strong random number generator.