Abstract: A paper-based plant pot comprises a container formed from a sheet of paper-based material wrapped about an axis, opposite edge portions of the sheet being secured to each other, the container having a side wall that encircles the axis and a bottom wall formed by a plurality of bottom panels of the sheet folded inwardly from a lower edge of the side wall and engaging one another. The sheet comprises a paperboard substrate formed of natural cellulose fibers, an internal sizing composition incorporated into the paperboard substrate so as to render the paperboard substrate substantially resistant to saturation by liquid water, and a thermoplastic polymer layer on one of the major surfaces of the paperboard substrate. The thermoplastic polymer layer faces an interior of the container and forms an inner surface thereof for contact with soil or other growing medium placed in the container.

Abstract: A paper-based plant pot comprises a container formed from a sheet of paper-based material wrapped about an axis, opposite edge portions of the sheet being secured to each other, the container having a side wall that encircles the axis and a bottom wall formed by a plurality of bottom panels of the sheet folded inwardly from a lower edge of the side wall and engaging one another. The sheet comprises a paperboard substrate formed of natural cellulose fibers, an internal sizing composition incorporated into the paperboard substrate so as to render the paperboard substrate substantially resistant to saturation by liquid water, and a thermoplastic polymer layer on one of the major surfaces of the paperboard substrate. The thermoplastic polymer layer faces an interior of the container and forms an inner surface thereof for contact with soil or other growing medium placed in the container.

Abstract: A method of updating probabilistic network routing information is disclosed. A “backward ant” data packet is received. The backward ant data packet contains information about the quality of a network route, at least a portion of which was selected based on a set of router-probability associations, and through which a “forward ant” data packet was transmitted. The set, which is associated with a particular destination router for which the forward ant data packet was destined, is updated based on the information.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for automating a login process and user/device associations. A user's preferred device settings and/or functions may be provisioned automatically. Some implementations provide an automated log out or “sleep” when a user leaves one or more of the devices. Users may be automatically identified and associated. The “presence” of members of a user group may be determined as required for one or more actions to be taken. Some user groups control devices according to which members of a group may have access to certain functions, information, etc., and which may not.

Abstract: According to some implementations of the present invention, RFID devices and middleware servers are automatically provisioned with a network address and with instructions for sending a request for a middleware server to a middleware server assigner. In some implementations, the middleware server assigner is a load balancer. In some implementations, a middleware server is associated with a plurality of RFID devices by associating a middleware server network address or names with the network addresses of the RFID devices. Preferred methods also provide for redundancy of middleware servers and dynamic re-assignment of RFID devices from an unavailable middleware server to an available middleware server.

Abstract: According to some implementations of the present invention, RFID devices and middleware servers are automatically provisioned with a network address and with instructions for sending a request for a middleware server to a middleware server assigner. In some implementations, the middleware server assigner is a load balancer. In some implementations, a middleware server is associated with a plurality of RFID devices by associating a middleware server network address or names with the network addresses of the RFID devices. Preferred methods also provide for redundancy of middleware servers and dynamic reassignment of RFID devices from an unavailable middleware server to an available middleware server.

Abstract: A method of updating probabilistic network routing information is disclosed. A “backward ant” data packet is received. The backward ant data packet contains information about the quality of a network route, at least a portion of which was selected based on a set of router-probability associations, and through which a “forward ant” data packet was transmitted. The set, which is associated with a particular destination router for which the forward ant data packet was destined, is updated based on the information.

Abstract: A method of updating probabilistic network routing information is disclosed. A “backward ant” data packet is received. The backward ant data packet contains information about the quality of a network route, at least a portion of which was selected based on a set of router-probability associations, and through which a “forward ant” data packet was transmitted. The set, which is associated with a particular destination router for which the forward ant data packet was destined, is updated based on the information.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for establishing a VPN tunnel for a user whose IP address is not known in advance (a “road warrior”). The road warrior first initiates a secure authentication session with a security gateway. In some such implementations, the road warrior provides a username/password pair that the security gateway compares to a database of usernames that have been authorized to initiate a VPN tunnel. After authenticating the road warrior, the security gateway then determines the IP address of the road warrior, then makes a correlation between the IP address, user, and a shared secret allocated to the road warrior. If the road warrior uses the proper shared secret in connection with a request to establish a VPN tunnel, the security gateway will establish the VPN tunnel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for configuring a device that is non-conforming with a management system using configurations provided by the management system over a network. A network event generated from the device is detected. In response to the network event, the set of configurations from the management system are retrieved for the device. The set of configurations are converted into a form that is suitable for the device. The device is enabled to use the set of configurations to communicate over the network.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for providing. According to some implementations, radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags are positioned at various locations throughout a building. Building locations can be determined from the RFID tags. Emergency service providers may be equipped with a portable device that includes at least one RFID reader for reading the RFID tags. Some implementations involve transmitting the RFID tag data to a control center from which the emergency services are coordinated. The emergency service workers' current and prior locations can be determined by the portable devices and/or at the control center. In preferred implementations, emergency service provider location information can be provided to control center personnel and to emergency service providers in real time.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for automating a login process and user/device associations. A user's preferred device settings and/or functions may be provisioned automatically. Some implementations provide an automated log out or “sleep” when a user leaves one or more of the devices. Users may be automatically identified and associated. The “presence” of members of a user group may be determined as required for one or more actions to be taken. Some user groups control devices according to which members of a group may have access to certain functions, information, etc., and which may not.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for providing. According to some implementations, radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags are positioned at various locations throughout a building. Building locations can be determined from the RFID tags. Emergency service providers may be equipped with a portable device that includes at least one RFID reader for reading the RFID tags. Some implementations involve transmitting the RFID tag data to a control center from which the emergency services are coordinated. The emergency service workers' current and prior locations can be determined by the portable devices and/or at the control center. In preferred implementations, emergency service provider location information can be provided to control center personnel and to emergency service providers in real time.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for automating a login process and user/device associations. A user's preferred device settings and/or functions may be provisioned automatically. Some implementations provide an automated log out or “sleep” when a user leaves one or more of the devices. Users may be automatically identified and associated. The “presence” of members of a user group may be determined as required for one or more actions to be taken. Some user groups control devices according to which members of a group may have access to certain functions, information, etc., and which may not.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for providing safeguards to the access of certain substances. Some implementations provide alerts and/or other appropriate actions when substances are subject to spoilage or expiration. Some implementations provide responses to potentially dangerous combinations of substances. Other aspects of the invention involve determining the allergies of a user and providing a warning when allergens are, or recently have been, present. One preferred embodiment provides a smart medicine cabinet for helping to provide medication safely to a patient and to provide other related services.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for methods and apparatus for automatically contacting a service center for one or more particular products, as well as contacting other types of entities with respect to any type of item. In a first embodiment, each item includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) of the particular products that is used to automatically contact a service center or the like. In a second embodiment, the RFID of the particular product is automatically sent to the service center or the like. In the first embodiment, the RFID of each product contains contact information, such as a 1-800 telephone number, a URL address, or email address, for a particular service center or the like. In one implementation, an RFID reader is coupled with a communication device, such as a telephone or computer device, and the user uses the RFID reader to scan an RFID of a particular item (e.g., a malfunctioning product). The relevant service center or the like is then contacted based on the RFID scan.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for providing. According to some implementations, radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tags are positioned at various locations throughout a building. Building locations can be determined from the RFID tags. Emergency service providers may be equipped with a portable device that includes at least one RFID reader for reading the RFID tags. Some implementations involve transmitting the RFID tag data to a control center from which the emergency services are coordinated. The emergency service workers' current and prior locations can be determined by the portable devices and/or at the control center. In preferred implementations, emergency service provider location information can be provided to control center personnel and to emergency service providers in real time.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for automating a login process and user/device associations. A user's preferred device settings and/or functions may be provisioned automatically. Some implementations provide an automated log out or “sleep” when a user leaves one or more of the devices. Users may be automatically identified and associated. The “presence” of members of a user group may be determined as required for one or more actions to be taken. Some user groups control devices according to which members of a group may have access to certain functions, information, etc., and which may not.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for distributing signals in a stackable unit, including a first input connector of two or more input connectors; a second input connector of two or more input connectors, wherein the first input connector is spaced apart from the second input connector, and the first input connector has a particular spatial relationship to the second input connector; a first output connector of two or more output connectors; a second output connector of two or more output connectors, wherein the first output connector is spaced apart from the second output connector, and the first output connector has the same particular spatial relationship to the second output connector; means for communicatively coupling the first input connector and the second output connector; and means for terminating the first output connector.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for providing safeguards to the access of certain substances. Some implementations provide alerts and/or other appropriate actions when substances are subject to spoilage or expiration. Some implementations provide responses to potentially dangerous combinations of substances. Other aspects of the invention involve determining the allergies of a user and providing a warning when allergens are, or recently have been, present. One preferred embodiment provides a smart medicine cabinet for helping to provide medication safely to a patient and to provide other related services.