Apparatus and method for automated inventory tracking and authentication

US8478648B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Vonage Network, LLC · US

Inventors

• Daniel T. Smires · Freehold, US
• Mary Grikas · Colts Neck Township, US
• Jyotsna Kachroo · Millburn, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 30, 2006
• Grant date: Jul 2, 2013
• Expiry date: Jun 25, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/087
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Method and apparatus for automated inventory tracking and authentication using device identity-containing information associated with at least one device that is part of an inventory. The method includes accepting initial device identity-containing information from an inventory origination point to a first sales distribution point and accepting additional device identity-containing inventory from each instance of a new and successive sales distribution point as inventory moves through a supply chain. This information is stored and then later compared to a device ID of the at least one device. An authentication action is performed upon the at least one device based upon said accepted initial and additional information. The device identity-containing information includes MAC address information, device serial number information.