The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 03, 2006
Filed:
Jan. 02, 2002
Edith H. Stern, Yorktown Heights, NY (US);
David P. Greene, Ossining, NY (US);
Philip Shi-lung Yu, Chappaqua, NY (US);
Barry E. Willner, Briarcliff Manor, NY (US);
Robert E. Chapman, Raleigh, NC (US);
Edith H. Stern, Yorktown Heights, NY (US);
David P. Greene, Ossining, NY (US);
Philip Shi-lung Yu, Chappaqua, NY (US);
Barry E. Willner, Briarcliff Manor, NY (US);
Robert E. Chapman, Raleigh, NC (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided to monitor a container associated with an item. According to one embodiment, an indication that a container has been opened is received. For example, the container may transmit a signal when a person opens the container to access an item. Based on the received indication, ownership of the item may be transferred and/or another item may be provided (e.g., to the person who opened the container). According to other embodiments, item quality information, item warranty information, and/or security information are determined based on the received indication. According to still other embodiments, a sender receives a notification based on the indication or the indication is recorded as an acceptance of an agreement. In yet another embodiment, the indication is used to verify that the container was opened in accordance with an item requirement.