According to a first aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method of cryptographically linking multiple documents, having multiple electronic signature requirements, via a sequence of blockchain transactions, the method comprising: computing document signature data satisfying a first signature requirement for an existing document, the first signature requirement defined in a blockchain transaction containing or referencing the existing document; wherein the document signature data signs a portion of a linking transaction containing or referencing a supplementary document, the linking transaction comprising an input for validly spending a spendable output of the blockchain transaction, whereby the document signature cryptographically links the supplementary document with the existing document; and wherein the signed portion comprises multiple outputs of the linking transaction; wherein a first of the multiple signed outputs is spendable and associated with the existing document, the signed portion defining a second signature requirement for the existing document; and wherein a second of the multiple signed outputs is spendable and associated with the supplementary document, the signed portion defining a signature requirement for the supplementary document.

A method utilizing a permission-based access functionality to obtain communication identifying metadata in electronic communications associated with a first and/or a second user. The communication identifying metadata is processed to generate first physical address metadata associated with the second user. Second physical addresses metadata associated with the second user is identified in data objects stored in electronic resources. The first and the second physical addresses metadata are inputted into a machine learning model which identifies related physical addresses, based on a change in a feature of the first and/or second physical addresses metadata and to predict a most likely current physical address of the second user. Upon receipt of the access permission to the current physical address of the second user, a database stored on a computing device of the first user is updated with the current physical address of the second user.

A method and system for generating a location identifier using a location code and a grid coordinate. The location code corresponds to a defined geographical area, such as a postal code or an area code. A grid coordinate can be determined based on destination location information, such as an address, a GPS-determined position, or other reference to a specific physical location. The location identifier is combined with the location code to generate a location identifier, which can be encoded in a computer readable format and placed on items for use in a distribution network. The location identifier can be used to facilitate domestic or international distribution of items using a common format or addressing scheme. The domestic and foreign distribution networks read and interpret location identifiers in order to deliver items.

A control device (100) includes an acquirer (110) that, when an order is accepted, acquires vehicle location information indicating a location of a vehicle capable of storing a target of the order, start location information indicating a start location at which transportation of the target is started, and preparation information indicating preparation time required for preparation to bring a state of the target into a state where the transportation is startable or a preparation completion time at which the preparation is completed and a generator (120) that generates movement control information for causing the vehicle to move from the location of the vehicle to the start location, based on (i) an amount of energy that the vehicle is estimated to consume to move from the location indicated by the acquired vehicle location information to the start location indicated by the acquired start location information, and (ii) the preparation time or the preparation completion time indicated by the acquired preparation information.

Systems and methods which facilitate access to computing resources by cloud-based applications are described. Embodiments enable cloud-based applications to provide output to and/or obtain input from computing resources, such as printers, scales, scanners, and storage devices, for performing various functions. In operation according to embodiments, a user agent client application is executed by computing equipment in communication with a computing resource to which access is to be provided to one or more cloud-based applications. Although embodiments implement a user interface client application which is separate from a user agent client application, tight integration between a user interface client application and user agent client application may be provided. Embodiments not only facilitate operation whereby a cloud-based application is enabled to provide output to and/or obtain input from computing resources, but also facilitate remote and/or shared client interaction with such computing resources.

Described herein are systems, methods, and apparatuses for performing a user-less payment for an item upon its delivery by an unmanned delivery vehicle. The unmanned delivery vehicle may navigate to a delivery location, receive payment information, initiate a payment transaction with a remote server, and release the item at a specified location upon successful completion of the payment transaction. Upon arrival of the unmanned delivery vehicle, a wireless data transmission device may send payment information to a remote server, and the remote server may provide the unmanned delivery vehicle with an indication of whether the item can be released and a specific location at which the item can be released.

In one aspect, a portable electronic device is provided for accessing a secured area to deliver a package therein. The portable electronic device includes a sensor configured to detect an indicium of the package and communication circuitry configured to communicate a message to a server computer associated with the package upon the sensor detecting the indicium. The communication circuitry is further configured to receive delivery information from the server computer, the delivery information including at least a location of the secured area. The portable electronic device further includes a processor operatively coupled to the sensor and the communication circuitry. The processor is configured to cause, via the communication circuitry, the movable barrier operator to open a movable barrier associated with the secured area.

Examples for determining printing device functionality based on consumption and payment are described herein. In some examples, signals indicative of an amount of utilized print consumable by a printing device and signals indicative of payment for the amount of utilized print consumable are received at a computing device. Signals to cause the printing device to alter a functionality based on the signals indicative of an amount of utilized print consumable and the signals indicative of payment for the amount of utilized print consumable are transmitted by the computing device.

Provided is an estimating system including: at least one memory configured to store computer program code; and at least one processor configured to access said at least one memory and operate according to said computer program code, said computer program code including: via point acquisition code configured to cause the at least one processor to acquire a position of a via point, wherein the route is a path followed by a mobile object when the mobile object moves toward a destination; staying time period code configured to cause the at least one processor to estimate, based on the position of the via point, a staying time period; and arrival time code configured to cause the at least one processor to estimate, by including the staying time period, an arrival time of the mobile object at the destination.

Aspects of the invention are directed towards a system and a method for monitoring one or more items. One or more embodiments of the invention describe the method comprising steps of receiving, from a device, information of sensed parameter(s) of one or more items. The one or more items placed inside a container. The method further describes steps of determining, by a first server, an anomaly associated with the one or more items based on the information of the sensed parameter(s). The method also describes steps of communicating the determined anomaly to a second server, wherein the second server determines an action for the anomaly and communicates the action to the container for rectifying the anomaly.