Abstract: A distributed sensor network is provided that comprises an existing electrical system infrastructure having a plurality of nodes and providing a source of power; and a plurality of sensors. Each sensor is associated with one of the nodes in the infrastructure. In addition, each sensor obtains power from the source of power and generates sensor information regarding one or more sensed conditions that are independent of the existing electrical system infrastructure. Among other alternatives, existing electrical system infrastructure can also be used to provide a communication connection between each of the plurality of nodes and at least one central node.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for verifying the age of an online user. The age and identity of at least one primary user is verified and the primary user provides an age of at least one secondary user. Content requests from the secondary user to access content from at least one online content provider are granted if the primary user has authorized the secondary user to access the content. A content provider delivers content by receiving an identifier and a content request from a secondary user to access content; redirecting the secondary user to a third party age verification server; receiving an indication from the third party age verification server that the secondary user has been authorized by a primary user to access the content; and granting the content request if the primary user has authorized the secondary user to access the content.