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Method and apparatus for managing transactions with connected computers

  • US 6,526,443 B1
  • Filed: 05/12/1999
  • Issued: 02/25/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for managing transactions, wherein each transaction comprises information related thereto and changes in at least one of the location, status, and integrity of a physical component;

  • comprising;

    a) a plurality of computers;

    b) a network connecting the computers;

    c) a system of cooperating software agents controlling the operation of the plurality of computers, comprising;

    i) input software adapted to elicit correct and consistent information from humans;

    ii) negotiation software adapted to communicate transaction information with other agent software; and

    iii) ontological software adapted to ontologically level disparate information related to a transaction;

    d) a security mechanism adapted to allow communication among the agents across the network, discourage interception of said communication by unauthorized agents, and reliably identify the originator of said communication;

    e) an object distribution mechanism adapted to distribute the cooperating agents such that the services of one agent can be invoked by another agent; and

    f) a physical sensor system, located in close proximity to the physical component, adapted to track information related thereto and changes in at least one of the location, status, and integrity of a physical component and communicate the tracked information to an agent.

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