SYSTEM AND PROCESS FOR DISTRIBUTING PRODUCTS
First Claim
1. A consignment process, comprising:
- providing a plurality of target items, each item having an associated embedded processor for communicating with a conditional access network;
receiving information that at least some of the embedded processors cooperated with the network to generate authenticated events indicating their associated targets were accepted into an inventory;
receiving information that at least some of the embedded processors cooperated with the conditional access network to activate their respective targets in the inventory; and
conducting a business transaction according to the number of targets activated from inventory.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A conditional access network is provide that generates and captures authenticated events. These authenticated events are securely generated responsive to communications between the network and processors, where the processors are embedded in associated targets or products. Events may be, for example, receiving targets into inventory, shipping targets to another entity, activating targets at a point of sale, or permanently disabling a defective target. These authenticated events are captured by the network, and used to support transactions. For example, the timely and trustworthy information derived from the authenticated events can be used to support financial, ownership, or regulatory transactions. In one use, the authenticated events enable a consignment business model where the distributor, retailer, and products all participate in the conditional access network. With the timely and accurate inventory, sales, and return information provided by the authenticated events, disputes over settlement are dramatically reduced.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A consignment process, comprising:
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providing a plurality of target items, each item having an associated embedded processor for communicating with a conditional access network;
receiving information that at least some of the embedded processors cooperated with the network to generate authenticated events indicating their associated targets were accepted into an inventory;
receiving information that at least some of the embedded processors cooperated with the conditional access network to activate their respective targets in the inventory; and
conducting a business transaction according to the number of targets activated from inventory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A process for distributing products, comprising:
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generating an authenticated deactivation event for each item of product deactivated;
generating an authenticated distributor event for each item of product that moves from one authorized distribution entity to another authorized distribution entity;
generating an authenticated activation event for each item of product that is activated; and
using the authenticated events to conduct a business transaction. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A process for distributing products, comprising:
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capturing authenticated deactivation events for each item of product deactivated;
capturing authenticated distributor event for each item of product that moves from one authorized distribution entity to another authorized distribution entity;
capturing authenticated activation event for each item of product that is activated; and
using the captured events to conduct a business transaction. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification