Abstract: An object (201) (such as a containment mechanism) supports both a functional electrical circuit (203) and an electrical circuit (202) to which the functional electrical circuit is responsive. In a preferred approach the functional electrical circuit has both a low power state of operation and a higher power state of operation. Upon detecting (104) that an area of connectivity of the electrical circuit has been severed (via, for example, corresponding manipulation of the object itself), the functional electrical circuit responsively operates (106) using the higher power state of operation.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method for simulating a supply chain for a product may include receiving real-time information regarding delays from at least one link in a product supply chain, simulating events in a supply chain based on the received information, and determining, based on the simulation, whether the costs and/or level of service relative to the product is unacceptable.

Abstract: A machine-implemented method for optimizing a supply chain configuration may include retrieving a supply chain configuration and financial requirements for a product, receiving user input to optimize the supply chain configuration, and outputting at least one most profitable scenario over a desired time period.

Abstract: One facilitates determination of a path that comprises a plurality of specific locations (201). In an optional though preferred embodiment these specific locations comprise locations where a given functional ink will preferably be printed using a continuous printing spray. Also in an optional though preferred embodiment this path will also avoid at least one predetermined area (701) where such a functional ink should not be printed. In a preferred approach this process (100) generally provides for identifying (101) these specific locations and further identifying (102), when applicable, the one or more predetermined areas to be avoided.

Abstract: An energizable design image portion (203) of a provided design pattern is printed on a provided substrate (201) using a functional ink comprised of at least one energy emissive material. A passive design image portion (202) of that design pattern is then also printed on that substrate using at least one graphic arts ink. In a preferred embodiment this apparatus may further comprise electrically conductive electrodes (204) on the substrate to permit selective energization of the energy emissive material to thereby induce illumination of the energizable design image portion of the design pattern.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating command of a group determines a present rank protocol associated with users of an ad hoc wireless communication network. The method includes identifying at a first wireless device a second wireless device in operative communication with the first wireless device (step 805). A physical parameter measured at the first wireless device is then compared with a physical parameter measured at the second wireless device and wirelessly received at the first wireless device (step 810). A base rank of a user of the first wireless device is then compared with a base rank of a user of the second wireless device (step 815). A present rank of the user of the first wireless device is then determined relative to a present rank of the user of the second wireless device based on comparisons of the physical parameters and the base ranks (step 820).

Abstract: A method for resource management in a supply chain is provided. The method is used by a pallet device (106) that can be associated with a pallet (104) in the supply chain. The pallet is associated with one or more resources. Further, the supply chain includes a decentralized control system (100) that has at least one system server, a plurality of pallets, a plurality of pallet devices, and a plurality of resources. The method includes detecting (302) an event and acquiring (304) status information of at least one of the plurality of pallets in response to the event. Further, the method includes determining (306) a reporting condition of at least one of the plurality of resources, based on the status information. The method includes reporting (308) the status information to one of at least one system server and at least one of the plurality of pallet devices, based on a positive reporting condition.

Abstract: One facilitates determination of a path that comprises a plurality of specific locations (201). In an optional though preferred embodiment these specific locations comprise locations where a given functional ink will preferably be printed using a continuous printing spray. Also in an optional though preferred embodiment this path will also avoid at least one predetermined area (701) where such a functional ink should not be printed. In a preferred approach this process (100) generally provides for identifying (101) these specific locations and further identifying (102), when applicable, the one or more predetermined areas to be avoided.

Abstract: An object (201) (such as a containment mechanism) supports both a functional electrical circuit (203) and an electrical circuit (202) to which the functional electrical circuit is responsive. In a preferred approach the functional electrical circuit has both a low power state of operation and a higher power state of operation. Upon detecting (104) that an area of connectivity of the electrical circuit has been severed (via, for example, corresponding manipulation of the object itself), the functional electrical circuit responsively operates (106) using the higher power state of operation.