Abstract: A path-based identifier is provided. An entity identifier is generated at an entity of a supply chain and the entity identifier is based on a reliability of the entity of the supply chain at which the entity identifier is generated. In addition, an updated path-based identifier is stored based on a predetermined function, where the entity identifier is an input to the predetermined function.

Abstract: Differing network services can be provided to a single network agent such that a single agent can access services billed to different accounts. Different services and billed to different accounts by the network agent sending a network agent identifier to the network which identifies the agent. After an agent is identified, it sends a service qualifier that identifies a service being requested and an account to which the service should be billed or charged.

Abstract: A computing node is connected to a sensor and an actuator. The computing node receives a module which is used to program the computing node to perform a function associated with the sensor and the actuator.

Abstract: A method and system for providing secure communications between a first and second peer device is disclosed. The invention includes allowing the first and second peer devices to verify the authenticity of each other only while each peer device is within an established zone of privacy wherein the established zone of privacy is an area close (for example, almost touching) to the peer device. Because the authenticity of the other device is verified only while each peer device is within the established zone of privacy, users can visually confirm that there are no potential interlopers within the zone.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention describe a method of tracking an item, comprising. The items is associated with a tag and capable of responding to a query from a tag reader and tag combination. The tag reader and tag combination capable of identifying the item associated with the tag using a tag reader. In operation, a tag reader makes a request to at least one tag reader and tag combination for the identity of an item associated with a tag. The tag reader and tag combination identifies the item associated with the tag and provides the identity of the item and tag to the tag reader.

Abstract: Data from a data source is received. A location in a spreadsheet is determined for placing at least a portion of the data from the data source based on location information for the data source.

Abstract: A method of authenticating products includes receiving a description of detectable features read from a package. The package includes two or more detectable features, and the detectable features are affixed on the package based on encoded information. Authentication information is provided based on a comparison of the received description to one or more stored package identifiers.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a package is described. The method includes receiving a read identifier. The read identifier includes information from multiple modes of information storage on a package. Authentication information is provided based on a comparison of the read identifier and one or more stored identifiers.

Abstract: A cell of a spreadsheet is automatically updated and a comment is determined to have a command associated with the update. In response to detecting the command, the command is processed.

Abstract: A seal for a package includes a circuit having electrical characteristics that change under mechanical deformation and an attaching material coupled to the circuit and for attaching the circuit to the package. The seal is attached to the package and processed prior to shipping to establish an untampered state for the seal. This includes identifying a circuit on the sealed package according to a seal type associated with the seal, recording one or more characteristics associated with the circuit from the seal and storing the seal type and one or more characteristics associated with the circuit from the seal for later comparison. To detect tampering to the package, the seal type and corresponding seal and circuit for the seal is identified, the characteristics associated with a circuit from the seal are determined and compared with the previous characteristics recorded when the seal was initially applied to the package.

Abstract: Differing network services can be provided to a single network agent such that a single agent can access services billed to different accounts. Different services and billed to different accounts by the network agent sending a network agent identifier to the network which identifies the agent. After an agent is identified, it sends a service qualifier that identifies a service being requested and an account to which the service should be billed or charged.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention describe a method of tracking an item, comprising. The items is associated with a tag and capable of responding to a query from a tag reader and tag combination. The tag reader and tag combination capable of identifying the item associated with the tag using a tag reader. In operation, a tag reader makes a request to at least one tag reader and tag combination for the identity of an item associated with a tag. The tag reader and tag combination identifies the item associated with the tag and provides the identity of the item and tag to the tag reader.

Abstract: An indicating device configured to indicate that a package has been opened includes a voltage generator configured to convert a mechanical stress caused by opening of the package into a voltage and a circuit configured to employ the voltage to create a package opened indicator. The device also includes a data storage device configured to store the package opened indicator as electronic data.

Abstract: A path-based identifier is provided. An entity identifier is generated at an entity of a supply chain and the entity identifier is based on a reliability of the entity of the supply chain at which the entity identifier is generated. In addition, an updated path-based identifier is stored based on a predetermined function, where the entity identifier is an input to the predetermined function.

Abstract: A system for providing Internet-related services to a handheld device is described. The system includes a client module embedded in the handheld device to enable the handheld device to send a Universal Resource Locator (URL) via a communication link. The URL indicates a desired web page. The system also includes a receiver that receives the URL sent from the handheld device via the communication link. A web access module is coupled to the receiver and external Internet to access and retrieve the desired web page from a remote web server via the external Internet. A render system is coupled to the web access module to render the retrieved web page to the user of the handheld device.

Abstract: A seal for a package includes a circuit having electrical characteristics that change under mechanical deformation and an attaching material coupled to the circuit and for attaching the circuit to the package. The seal is attached to the package and processed prior to shipping to establish an untampered state for the seal. This includes identifying a circuit on the sealed package according to a seal type associated with the seal, recording one or more characteristics associated with the circuit from the seal and storing the seal type and one or more characteristics associated with the circuit from the seal for later comparison. To detect tampering to the package, the seal type and corresponding seal and circuit for the seal is identified, the characteristics associated with a circuit from the seal are determined and compared with the previous characteristics recorded when the seal was initially applied to the package.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention provide an authentication method for tagged items. The first portion of the authentication method includes determining an identifier associated with a tag for each of one or more items in a container and hashing the identifiers from the one or more items in the container creating a digest. The second portion of the authentication method is performed after the items are shipped or transferred. This second portion of the authentication method includes determining an identifier associated with a tag for each of the one or more items in a container, hashing the identifiers from the one or more items in the container to create a verification digest, determining if the verification digest matches a digest of the identifiers previously hashed and indicating that the contents of the container may have changed in response to the match determination.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention describe a method of introducing items into a distribution network. Before entering items into the distribution network, the item is placed in an identifiable packaging that has an identifier. The identifier associated with the item and packaging is stored in an item identifier database and then the item is distributed into the distribution network. Another aspect of the present invention includes the identification and authentication of the items received from the distribution network. These operations include first receiving the item and corresponding identifier from the distribution network. The identifier associated with the item is read and then cross referenced with the item identifier database. A determination is made whether the identifier associated with the received item matches an entry in item identifier database or not. The item is indicated as authentic when the identifier matches the entry in the item identifier database.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a first set of coordinates for a plurality of locations in a symmetric environment is accessed. The first set of coordinates are defined by a position determining system disposed in the symmetric environment which uses a first coordinate system. A second set of coordinates for the plurality of locations in the symmetric environment are accessed. The second set of coordinates are defined by a second coordinate system. The first set of coordinates are correlated with the second set of coordinates. Then, at least one matrix is determined that is useable to convert a set of coordinates defined by the first coordinate system to a corresponding set of coordinates defined by the second coordinate system.

Abstract: A cell of a spreadsheet is automatically updated and a comment is determined to have a command associated with the update. In response to detecting the command, the command is processed.