Abstract: Systems and techniques for locating stored goods. A plurality of fixed contactless identification devices are deployed in an area. Each fixed device exhibits a fixed device identifier that can be read from a distance. Locations within the area are identified through mapping to combinations of fixed device identifiers detected at the location. In addition, a plurality of movable contactless identification devices are associated with goods to be stored and retrieved. Each movable device exhibits a movable device identifier, and movable contactless identification devices are located by identifying a combination of fixed device identifiers received when a movable device identifier is received. The location information may be used independently, or as a supplement to expected location information obtained through other means.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and data structures are provided to construct, submit, and process multi-attributal searches. An item, which includes a plurality of attributes, is received. Each attribute includes an attribute value. One or more of the attribute values are modified, and the modified item is sent to a number of data stores or processing devices. If a substantial match on the number of data stores or the processing devices is detected then answer items are received representing the substantial matches that were found on the number of data stores or the processing devices. The answer items are ranked and presented.