Patent Publication Number: US-2021192589-A1

Title: Supply-chain side assistance

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/568,040, filed on Sep. 11, 2019; which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/080,314, filed Mar. 24, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,445,799); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/718,418, filed Dec. 18, 2012; which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/798,240, filed Apr. 1, 2010 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,233); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/660,245, filed Feb. 23, 2010; which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/592,071, filed Nov. 18, 2009 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,687,166); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/592,073, filed Nov. 18, 2009; which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/012,216, filed Jan. 30, 2008; which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/069,893, filed Feb. 28, 2005; which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/061,387, filed Feb. 18, 2005 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,881); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/041,861, filed Jan. 21, 2005 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,307,577); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/037,825, filed Jan. 18, 2005 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,664,736); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/037,828, filed Jan. 18, 2005 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,038,899); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/037,827, filed Jan. 18, 2005 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,798,401); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/000,736, filed Dec. 1, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,514,816); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/000,687, filed Dec. 1, 2004; which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/978,243, filed Oct. 29, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,098,826); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/974,561, filed Oct. 27, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,341,522); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/974,476, filed Oct. 26, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,747,579); which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/974,555, filed Oct. 26, 2004; which was a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/955,966, filed Sep. 30, 2004—the aforementioned applications being hereby incorporated by reference in their respective entireties. 
    
    
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment provides a computer-implemented method. The method includes identifying an item having a presence within a geographic locale in response to a signal indicative of the item. Also, obtaining a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source and obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source. The method further includes aggregating the first supply chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance. The method may include enabling a supply chain user to request at least one instance of supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item. The method may include broadcasting the aggregated first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance. The method may include causing the first supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item to be obtained from the first source and the second supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item to be obtained from the second source. In addition to the foregoing, other method embodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. 
     Another embodiment provides a computer-implemented method. The method includes receiving a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale, and requesting an information corresponding to the item over a computer network from at least two independent sources. The method also includes providing the information. In addition to the foregoing, other method embodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. 
     A further embodiment provides a computer-implemented method. The method includes receiving a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale, and enabling a supply-chain user to request a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item having a presence within a geographic locale. The method may also include, in response to a received supply-chain user request for a supply-chain assistance, obtaining a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item from a first source and obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item from a second source. Further, the method may include aggregating the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance, and broadcasting the aggregated supply-chain assistance. In addition to the foregoing, other method embodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. 
     A method provides a computer program product encoding a computer program for executing a computer process on a computing device. The computer process includes identifying an item having a presence within a geographic locale in response to a signal indicative of the item. The computer process also includes obtaining a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source and obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source. Further, aggregating die first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance. In addition to the foregoing, other computer program product embodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. 
     Another embodiment provides a system. The system includes a computing device operable to receive a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale, and operable to access a network. The system also includes instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to identify an item having a presence within a geographic locale in response to the signal indicative of the item. The instructions further cause the computing device to obtain a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source and obtain a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source. Also, to aggregate the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance. In addition to the foregoing, other system embodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. 
     A further embodiment provides a system. The system includes a sensor operable to generate a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale. The system also includes a computing device having a storage medium, and operable to receive the signal indicative of an item and to access a computer network. The system further includes instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to receive a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale, and enable a supply-chain user to request a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item having a presence within a geographic locale. The instructions may further cause the computing device to, in response to a received supply-chain user request for a supply-chain assistance, obtain a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item from a first source and obtain a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item from a second source from the network. Also, to aggregate the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance, and to broadcast the aggregated supply-chain assistance. In addition to the foregoing, other system embodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. 
     An embodiment provides a computer-implemented method. The method includes receiving a first signal indicative of a first item having a presence within a geographic locale, and receiving a second signal indicative of a second item having a presence within the geographic locale. The method also includes requesting an information corresponding to both the first item and the second item over a computer network from at least two independent sources, and providing the information. In addition to the foregoing, other method embodiments are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present application. 
     In addition to the foregoing, various other embodiments are set forth and described in the text, (e.g., claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings of the present application. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes described herein, as defined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments may be implemented, including a general-purpose computing device; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an operational flow representing exemplary operations that obtain an assistance corresponding to an item having a presence within a geographic locale; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another operational flow representing exemplary operations that obtain an assistance corresponding to an item having presence within a geographic locale; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 3  that includes a retention operation; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIGS. 3 and 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 3  that includes a broadcast operation; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary computer program product that includes a computer program for executing a computer process on a computing device; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIGS. 13A-13D  illustrate certain alternative embodiments of the sensor and proximate environment of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an operational flow representing exemplary operations that obtain an assistance corresponding to an item having presence within a geographic locale; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary computer program product that includes a computer program for executing a computer process on a computing device; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an operational flow representing an exemplary operation that saves an end user assistance corresponding to an item having presence within a geographic locale; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates an operational flow representing exemplary operations implemented in a computing device for receiving an end user assistance corresponding to an item having presence within a geographic locale; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates an operational flow representing exemplary operations that obtain an end user assistance corresponding to an operative coupling between two electronic devices; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates an alternative embodiment of exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 26  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 27  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary computer program product that includes a computer program for executing the computer process on a computing device; 
         FIG. 28  illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 29  includes an exemplary system in which embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 30  illustrates an operational flow representing exemplary operations that obtains an end user assistance corresponding to an at least substantially common aspect of the first electronic device and the second electronic device; 
         FIG. 31  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 33  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 34  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 30 ; 
         FIG. 35  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary computer program product that includes a computer program for executing a computer process on a computing device; 
         FIG. 36  illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 37  illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 38  illustrates a brief, general description of a supply-chain environment in which embodiments may be implemented; 
         FIG. 39  illustrates an operational flow representing exemplary computer-implemented operations that obtain a supply-chain assistance corresponding to an item having a presence within a geographic locale; 
         FIG. 40  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 41  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 42  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 43  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 44  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 39   
         FIG. 45  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 46  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 47  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 48  illustrates an operational flow representing exemplary computer-implemented operations; 
         FIG. 49  illustrates an operational flow representing exemplary computer-implemented operations; 
         FIG. 50  illustrates another embodiment of the exemplary operational flow of  FIG. 49 ; 
         FIG. 51  illustrates an operational flow representing exemplary computer-implemented operations that obtain a supply-chain assistance corresponding to an item having a presence within a geographic locale; 
         FIG. 52  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary computer program product that includes a computer program for executing a computer process on a computing device; 
         FIG. 53  illustrates an environment in which embodiments of an exemplary system may be implemented; 
         FIG. 54  illustrates an exemplary system in which embodiments may be implemented; and 
         FIG. 55  illustrates an operational flow representing exemplary computer-implemented operations. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the several figures, like referenced numerals identify like elements. The detailed description and the drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is defined by the appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief general description of an environment in which embodiments may be implemented.  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary electronic device that may correspond in whole or part to a general-purpose computing device, and is shown as a computing system environment  100 . Components of the computing system environment  100  may include, but are not limited to, a computing device  110  having a processing unit  120 , a system memory  130 , and a system bus  121  that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit  120 . The system bus  121  may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus. and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, also known as Mezzanine bus. 
     The computing system environment  100  typically includes a variety of computer-readable media products. Computer-readable media may include any media that can be accessed by the computing device  110  and include both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not of limitation, computer-readable media may include computer storage media and communications media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD), or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage, or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computing device  110 . Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communications media include wired media such as a wired network and a direct-wired connection and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, optical, and infrared media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
     The system memory  130  includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and nonvolatile memory such as ROM  131  and RAM  132 . A basic input/output system (BIOS)  133 , containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computing device  110 , such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM  131 . RAM  132  typically contains data and program modules that are immediately accessible to or presently being operated on by processing unit  120 . By way of example, and not limitation,  FIG. 1  illustrates an operating system  134 , application programs  135 , other program modules  136 , and program data  137 . Often, the operating system  134  offers services to applications programs  135  by way of one or more application programming interfaces (APIs) (not shown). Because the operating system  134  incorporates these services, developers of applications programs  135  need not redevelop code to use the services. Examples of APIs provided by operating systems such as Microsoft&#39;s “WINDOWS” are well known in the art. 
     The computing device  110  may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media products. By way of example only,  FIG. 1  illustrates a non-removable non-volatile memory interface (hard disk interface)  140  that reads from and writes to non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive  151  that reads from and writes to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk  152 , and an optical disk drive  155  that reads from and writes to a removable, non-volatile optical disk  156  such as a CD ROM. Other removable/nonremovable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, DVDs, digital video tape, solid state RAM, and solid state ROM. The hard disk drive  141  is typically connected to the system bus  121  through a non-removable memory interface, such as the interface  140 , and magnetic disk drive  151  and optical disk drive  155  are typically connected to the system bus  121  by a removable non-volatile memory interface, such as interface  150 . 
     The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in  FIG. 1  provide storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, and other data for the computing device  110 . In  FIG. 1 , for example, hard disk drive  141  is illustrated as storing an operating system  144 , application programs  145 , other program modules  146 , and program data  147 . Note that these components can either be the same as or different from the operating system  134 , application programs  135 , other program modules  136 , and program data  137 . The operating system  144 , application programs  145 , other program modules  146 , and program data  147  are given different numbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter commands and information into the computing device  110  through input devices such as a microphone  163 , keyboard  162 , and pointing device  161 , commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball, or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include a joystick, game pad, satellite dish, and scanner These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit  120  through a user input interface  160  that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port, or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor  191  or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus  121  via an interface, such as a video interface  190 . In addition to the monitor, computers may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers  197  and primer  196 , which may be connected through an output peripheral interface  195 . 
     The computing system environment  100  may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer  180 . The remote computer  180  may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device, or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computing device  110 , although only a memory storage device  181  has been illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The logical connections depicted in  FIG. 1  include a local area network (LAN)  171  and a wide area network (WAN)  173 , but may also include other networks such as a personal area network (PAN) (not shown). Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets, and the Internet. 
     When used in a LAN networking environment, the computing system environment  100  is connected to the LAN  171  through a network interface or adapter  170 . When used in a WAN networking environment, the computing device  110  typically includes a modem  172  or other means for establishing communications over the WAN  173 , such as the Internet. The modem  172 , which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus  121  via the user input interface  160 , or via another appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computing device  110 , or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation,  FIG. 1  illustrates remote application programs  185  as residing on memory device  181 . It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. 
     In the description that follows, certain embodiments may be described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations that are performed by one or more computing devices, such a computing device  110  of  FIG. 1 . As such, it will be understood that such acts and operations, which are at times referred to as being computer-executed, include the manipulation by the processing unit of the computer of electrical signals representing data in a structured form. This manipulation transforms the data or maintains them at locations in the memory system of the computer, which reconfigures or otherwise alters the operation of the computer in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art. The data structures where data are maintained are physical locations of the memory that have particular properties defined by the format of the data. However, while an embodiment is being described in the foregoing context, it is not meant to be limiting as those of skill in the art will appreciate that the acts and operations described hereinafter may also be implemented in hardware. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example of a suitable environment on which embodiments may be implemented. The computing system environment  100  of  FIG. 1  is art example of a suitable environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of an embodiment. Neither should the environment be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in an exemplary operating environment. 
     Embodiments may be implemented with numerous other general-purpose or special-purpose computing devices and computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and configurations that may be suitable for use with an embodiment include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, personal digital assistants, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices. 
     Embodiments may be described in a general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. An embodiment may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices. 
     The following include a series of illustrations depicting implementations of processes. For ease of understanding, certain illustrations are organized such that the initial illustrations present implementations via an overall “big picture” viewpoint and thereafter the following illustrations present alternate implementations and/or expansions of the “big picture” illustrations as either sub-steps or additional steps building on one or more earlier-presented illustrations. This style of presentation utilized herein (e.g., beginning with a presentation of a illustration(s) presenting an overall view and thereafter providing additions to and/or further details in subsequent illustrations) generally allows for a rapid and easy understanding of the various process implementations. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an operational flow  200  representing exemplary operations that obtain an assistance corresponding to an item having a presence within a geographic locale. After a start operation, the operational flow  200  moves to a recognition operation  210  where an item having a presence within a geographic locale is identified in response to a signal indicative of the item. At help operation  220 , an end user assistance is obtained corresponding to the item having a presence within a geographic locale. In an embodiment, an end user includes one for whom the item is designed and/or produced, as opposed to those involved creating, manufacturing, transporting, promoting, and/or marketing the item. An end user may include a person, an entity, and/or a government. In another embodiment, an end user includes a consumer of the item. In a further embodiment, an end user assistance may include any type of assistance for an end user. For example, an end user assistance may include an assistance for use by a user, and/or an assistance in operation of the item. In another embodiment, an end user assistance for use by the item may include, for example, an upgrade to a firmware or program present in the item, and responding to a recall notice. A response to a recall notice may include, for example, ordering a replacement part in response to the recall notice. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the recognition operation  210  may include the operation  212 , wherein an item having a presence within a premises is identified in response to a signal indicative of the item. In a further alternative embodiment, the help operation  220  may include the operation  222 , wherein information is obtained related to operation of the item for an intended purpose of the item. An alternative embodiment of the help operation  220  may include the operation  224 , wherein information is obtained related to an intrinsic property of the item having a presence within a geographic locale. The operational flow  200  then moves to an end operation. 
     As used herein, in an embodiment, an item may include any object or device capable of having any type of identifiable presence within a geographic locale. For example and without limitation, in certain embodiments an item may include one or more of the following: an electronic device; an appliance; a computing device, such as a personal computer and a server; a limited resource computing device; a pervasive computing device; PDA; a cell phone; a Blackberry appliance; a vehicle, such as a car, boat, and/or aircraft; an X-Box, a home gateway; a set-top box, a point-of-sale terminal; a camera; a TiVo; and an automated teller machine. In other embodiments, an item may be incorporated within another item. In other embodiments, an item may not include a computing device. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an operational flow  300  representing exemplary operations that obtain an assistance corresponding to an item having presence within a geographic locale. After a start operation, the operational flow  300  moves to a reception operation  310 . At the operation  310 , a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale is received. At a recognition operation  330 , the item having a presence within a geographic locale is identified in response to the signal indicative of an item. At a help operation  350 , an end user assistance is obtained corresponding to the item having a presence within a geographic locale in response to the identification of the item. The operational flow  300  then moves to an end operation. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  300  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment where the reception operation  310  may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include operation  312 , operation  314 , operation  316 , operation  318 , operation  320 , operation  322 , operation  324 , and operation  326 . At the operation  312 , a signal indicative of an identifying aspect of the item is received. An identifying aspect of the item may include any aspect or aspects useful in identifying the item. For example, an identifying aspect of an item may include a profile, a shape, or other of distinguishable aspect of the item. In addition and without limitation, an identifying aspect of the item may include a visual signature the item, an acoustic signature the item, an electromagnetic signature of the item, and/or a magnetic signature of the item. At the operation  314 , a signal indicative of an optical aspect of the item is received. An optical aspect of the item may include any optical aspect or aspects useful in identifying the item. For example, an optical aspect may include a known shape, for example a robot, a ship, and a car. At the operation  316 , a signal indicative of an optically readable product code associated with the item is received. An optically readable product code associated with the item may include any optically readable product code useful in identifying the item. For example, an optically readable product code may include a bar code reflecting a vehicle identification number. and/or a SKU number. 
     At the operation  318 , a signal indicative of an acoustic aspect of the item is received. An acoustic aspect of the item may include any acoustic aspect or aspects useful identifying the item. For example, an acoustic aspect may include a sound of a motorcycle, such as a Harley Davidson motorcycle. At the operation  320 , a signal indicative of a magnetic aspect of the item is received. A magnetic aspect of the item may include a presence or absence of a magnetic characteristic of the item. At the operation  322 , a signal indicative of an alpha/numeric aspect of the item is received. An alpha/numeric aspect of the item may include any alpha/numeric aspect useful in identifying the item. For example, an alpha/numeric aspect may include a trademark, such as “Ford” on a vehicle, “Dell” on a computing device. An alphanumeric aspect may include a model number, and publicly viewable characters on a license plate or an aircraft registration number. At the operation  324 , a signal indicative of an electronically transmitted designator associated with the item is received. The electronically transmitted designator may include any designator useful in identifying the item, such as a signal transmitted by an RFID device. At operation  326 , a signal indicative of a magnetic designator associated with the item is received. The magnetic designator associated with the item may be any magnetic designator useful identifying the item, such as a scanable magnetic strip incorporated into a card or the item. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  300  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an embodiment where the reception operation  310  may include at least one additional operation. The additional operations may include operation  328 , operation  330 , operation  332 , operation  334 , and operation  336 . At operation  328 , a signal indicative of an electromagnetic aspect of the item is received. The electromagnetic aspect may be any aspect of the item useful in identifying the item, such as an electromagnetic signature of the item. At operation  330 , a communications medium associated the item is received. The communications medium associated with or associatable with the item may be any communications medium associatable and useful in identifying the item. At operation  332 , a communications medium provided by a smart tag associated with the item is received. In a further alternative embodiment, the operation  332  may include operation  334  wherein the smart tag associated with the item includes a radio frequency identification tag associated with the item, the identifying an item having a presence within a geographic locale includes identifying an item having a presence within a premises. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  300  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 6  illustrates an embodiment where the reception operation  350  may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include operation  351 , operation  358 , and operation  360 . At operation  351 , a manual corresponding to the item is obtained. Operation  351  may include additional operations, such as operation  352 , and operation  356 . At operation  352 , a tangible manual corresponding to the item is obtained. Operation  352  may include an additional operation  354 , wherein a tangible manual in a printed format is obtained. In other alternative embodiments, operation  351  may include obtaining an intangible manual, and the intangible manual may include a manual having a digital format. At operation  356 , the obtaining a manual may include a portion of another manual corresponding to the item. At operation  358 , at least one end user assistance is obtained by selecting from a group including a simplified user assistance and an advanced user assistance. At operation  360 , the obtaining an end user assistance corresponding to the item includes obtaining a user information corresponding to the item. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  300  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment where the reception operation  350  may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include operation  362 , operation  364 , operation  366 , operation  368 , operation  370 , operation  372 , and operation  374 . At operation  362 , a user instruction corresponding to the item is obtained. At operation  364 , a user education corresponding to the item is obtained. At operation  366 , a user operation instruction corresponding to the item is obtained. At operation  368 , an at least substantially real-time human communication is obtained a providing an end user assistance corresponding to the item. At operation  370 , an end user assistance is obtained from an original manufacturer of the item. At operation  372 , an end user assistance corresponding to the item is delivered over a network. In another alternative embodiment, an end user assistance corresponding to the item is delivered by a mail service, such as the U.S. Post Office or a private mail service. At operation  374 , the obtaining an end user assistance corresponding to the item includes requesting the end user assistance corresponding to the item. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  300  of  FIG. 2  that includes a retention operation  380 . At operation  380 , the end user assistance corresponding to the item is saved. An alternative embodiment of the operation  380  may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include operation  382 , operation  384 , operation  386 , operation  388 , operation  380 , operation  390 , an operation  391 . At the operation  382 , the end user assistance is saved in a digital form. At operation  384 , the end user assistance is saved on a computer readable storage medium. At operation  386 , the end user assistance is saved on a computer storage medium other than a computer storage medium associated with the item. At operation  388 , the end user assistance is printed. At operation  389 , the end user assistance is saved in response to a permission by a user. At operation  390 , the end user assistance is saved in response to a user input. At operation  391 , the end user assistance is saved in a computing device controlled by a user. An alternative embodiment of the operation  391  includes operation  392 , wherein the end user assistance is saved in a portable computing device controlled by the user. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  300  of  FIGS. 3 and 8 .  FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment where the retention operation  380  may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include operations  393  through operation  398 . At operation  393 , the end user assistance is saved in response to the identifying an item. At operation  394 , the saving the end user assistance corresponding to the item includes acquiring an end user assistance corresponding to the item. An alternative embodiment of the operation  394  may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include operations  395  and operation  396 . At operation  395 , an end user assistance corresponding to the item is received through a communication medium. For example, the communications medium may include a modulated data stream, which may be received over a wired and/or wired network connection. At operation  396 , an end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of the item is received from a computer storage medium. The computer storage medium may include any medium suitable for conveyance of the end user assistance For example, the computer storage medium may include a DVD, a CD, a diskette, an external hard drive, and a portable Hash memory device. At operation  397 , the acquiring an end user assistance corresponding to the item includes following a link to an end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of the item. The link may include a hyperlink. At operation  398 , an end user assistance corresponding to the item maybe acquired from the item. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  300  of  FIG. 3  that includes a broadcast operation  376 . At the operation  376 , the end user assistance corresponding to the item is provided. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary computer program product  400  that includes a computer program  404  for executing a computer process on a computing device. An embodiment of the exemplary computer program product  400  is provided using a computer-readable medium  402 , and includes computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions encode the computer program  404  for executing on a computing device a process that includes receiving a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale, identifying the item in response to the signal indicative of an item, and obtaining an end user assistance corresponding to the item. The computer-read able medium  402  may be carried by a computer-readable carrier (not shown). The computer-readable medium  402  may include a computer storage medium, which may be carried by a computer-readable carrier (not shown). The computer-readable medium  402  may include a communications medium (not shown). 
       FIGS. 12 and 13A -D illustrate an exemplary system  405  in which embodiments may be implemented. The system  405  includes a computing system environment, illustrated as the computing system environment  100  of  FIG. 1 . The system  405  also includes a sensor  420  operable to provide a signal  425  indicative of an item  430  having a presence within a geographic locale  410 . The computing device  110  includes an operability to receive the signal  425  indicative of an item  430 . The system  405  further includes a computer program product encoding a computer program for executing on a computing device a computer process for obtaining an end user assistance, such as the computer program product  400  described in conjunction with  FIG. 11 . The computer process includes receiving the signal  425  indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale  410 , and identifying the item in response to the signal indicative of an item. The computer process also includes obtaining an end user assistance corresponding to the item having a presence within a geographic locale. 
     In an embodiment, the geographic locale may include any environment in which one more items, such as the item  430 , may have a presence. The geographic locale may include a bounded environment. For example and without limitation, in certain embodiments, the geographic locale may include a portion of a residential premises or the entire residential premises. The premises may be under control of one or more persons, such as an individual or a family. In other embodiments, the geographic locale may include a portion of a business premises or the entire business premises. 
     The sensor  420  may include any type of sensor suitable for generating a signal indicative of an item having a presence within its sensing and/or detection range, such as the signal  425  indicative of the item  430 . By way of example and without limitation, in an embodiment, the sensor  420  may be positioned in a premises entrance such that items entering and leaving the premises have a presence at some time proximate to the sensor. In another embodiment, the sensor  420  may be physically located within the geographic locale  410 . In a further embodiment, the sensor  420  may be proximate to the geographic locale  410  and operable to provide the signal  425  indicative of an item  430  having a presence within the geographic locale. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the system  405  may include a plurality (not shown) of the sensors  420 . The plurality of sensors may include at least two sensors having different sensing parameters, each respectively operable to provide a different signal  425  indicative of the item  430 .  FIGS. 13A-13D  illustrate certain alternative embodiments of the sensor  420  and a proximate environment, illustrated as embodiments  420 A- 420 D and geographic locales  410 A- 410 D. 
       FIG. 13A  illustrates an alternative embodiment that includes a sensor  420 A located within a geographic locale  410 A. The sensor  420 A includes an optical sensor parameter operable to provide a signal  425 A indicative of an optical aspect of an item  430 A within the geographic locale, illustrated as a known shape of the robot 3CPO. An optical aspect may include any optical aspect or aspects useful in identifying the item.  FIG. 13B  illustrates an alternative embodiment that includes a sensor  420 B positioned with a geographic locale  410 B. The sensor  420 B includes an optical sensor parameter operable to provide a signal  425 B indicative of an alpha/numeric aspect of the item  430 B within the geographic locale, illustrated as a license plate number XY 033 of a car. 
       FIG. 13C  illustrates an alternative embodiment that includes a sensor  420 C located within a geographic locale  410 C. The sensor  420 C includes an identification signal sensor parameter operable to receive an electronically transmitted designator (not shown) associated with the item and provide a signal  425 C indicative of item. The item is illustrated as a refrigerator  430 C with an associated electronically transmitted designator For example, the electronically transmitted designator may be transmitted by an RFID device.  FIG. 13D  illustrates an alternative embodiment that includes a sensor  420 D positioned within a geographic locale  410 D. The sensor  420 D includes an optical code reader parameter operable to provide a signal  425 D indicative of an optically readable aspect or aspects useful in identifying the item  430 D. The item  430 D is illustrated as video camera with an optically readable bar code The signals  425 A- 425 D are received by the computing device  110  of computing system environment  100  of  FIG. 12 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary system  450  in which embodiments may be implemented. The system  450  includes a stationary sensor module  455  operable to generate a signal indicative of an item within a sensing range of the sensor module. In an embodiment, the stationary sensor module  455  is placed in a location selected to sense one or more items that may be under control of a user over time. While the stationary sensor module  455  may be relatively permanently located in an embodiment, another embodiment provides the stationary sensor module  455  being relatively moveable within a premises. The system  450  also includes a recognition module  460  operable to identity the item in response to the signal indicative of an item, and a receiver module  465  operable to obtain an end user assistance corresponding to the identified item. In an alternative embodiment, the system  450  may include a storage module  470  operable to save the end user assistance corresponding to the item. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an operational flow  500  representing exemplary operations that obtain an assistance corresponding to an item having presence within a geographic locale. After a start operation, the operational flow  500  moves to an acquisition operation  510 , wherein a signal indicative of an aspect of an item having a presence within a geographic locale is received, such as the signal  425  indicative of the item  420  with the geographic locale  410  of  FIG. 12 . At a recognition operation  520 , the item is identified in response to the signal indicative of an aspect of an item having a presence within a geographic locale Operational flow  500  moves to a reception operation  530 , where the end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of the item is obtained. In an alternative embodiment, the operation  530  may include an operation  532 , wherein the end user assistance corresponding to an aspect of an item includes a manual corresponding to the aspect of an item. In an alternative embodiment, the reception operation may include an operation (not shown) wherein a manual corresponding to the aspect of the item is obtained. The manual may include any content associated with the item, such as assistance information, instructions, and specifications. The operational flow  500  then moves to an end operation. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  500  of  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment where the reception operation  510  may include at least one additional operation. The additional operations may include an operation  512 , an operation  514 , an operation  516 , an operation  518 , and an operation  519 . At operation  512 , a signal indicative of an aspect of an item having a presence within a premises is received. At operation  514 , a signal indicative of a state of the item is received. At the operation  516 , a signal indicative of an intrinsic state of the item is received. At the operation  518 , a signal indicative of an extrinsic state of the item is received. At the operation  519 , a signal indicative of an illumination state of an aspect of the item is received. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  500  of  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment where the operational flow  500  may include a discovery operation  540 , a generating operation  545 , and a requesting operation  550 . The discovery operation  540  includes detecting the presence of the aspect of an item within the geographic locale. In a further alternative embodiment, the discovery operation  540  may include an operation  542 . At operation  542 , the presence of the aspect of an item within the geographic locale is detected in an absence of a received user input. At the operation  545 , the signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale is generated. At the request an operation  550 , the end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of an item is requested. In a further alternative embodiment, the request operation  550  may include an operation  552 . At operation  552 , an end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of the item is requested over a network. The requesting end user assistance over a network may include requesting an end user assistance from a server The operational flow  500  may in another embodiment include a providing operation (not shown). The providing operation includes providing the end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of the item. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary computer program product  560  that includes a computer program  564  for executing a computer process on a computing device. An embodiment of the exemplary computer program product  560  may be provided using a computer-readable medium  562 , and includes computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions encode the computer program  564  for executing on a computing device a process that includes receiving a signal indicative of an aspect of an item having a presence within a geographic locale, and identifying the item in response to the signal indicative of an aspect of an item having a presence within a geographic locale. The computer program  564  also includes obtaining an end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of the item, and saving the end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of the item. In certain embodiments, the computer program  564  may also include at least one additional process, such as a process  568 , a process  570 , a process  572 , and a process  574 . The process  568  includes detecting a presence of the item within a geographic locale. The process  570  includes generating a signal indicative of the aspect of an item. The process  572  includes requesting the end user assistance corresponding to aspect of the item. The process  574  includes providing the end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of the item. The computer-readable medium  562  may include a computer storage medium, which may be carried by a computer-readable carrier (not shown). The computer-readable medium  562  may include a communications medium (not shown). 
       FIG. 19  illustrates an exemplary system  600  in which embodiments may be implemented. The system  600  includes a computing system environment that includes a computing device, illustrated as the computing device  110  of  FIG. 1 . The system  600  also includes the sensor  420  operable to generate a signal (not shown) indicative of an aspect of the item  430  having a presence within the geographic locale  410 . The computing device  110  includes a storage medium  612 , and is operable to receive the signal indicative of an aspect of an item through a coupling  605  between the sensor  420  and the computing device  110 . The storage medium  612  may be any computer storage media. The system  600  further includes computer executable instructions  620  that when executed on the computing device causes the computing device to receive the signal indicative of an aspect of an item having a presence within the geographic locale, and identify the aspect of the item. The instructions further obtain an end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of the item, and save the end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of an item on the storage medium  612 . The computer executable instructions  620  may include at least one additional operation. At operation  622 , the instruction d) to save the end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of an item includes an instruction to save the end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of an item in response to a received user permission. At operation  624 , the instruction d) to save the end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of an item includes an instruction to save the end user assistance corresponding to the aspect of an item in response to another instruction executed on the computing device  110 . 
       FIG. 20  illustrates an operational flow  700  representing exemplary operations that save an end user assistance corresponding to an item having presence within a geographic locale. After a start operation, the operational flow  700  moves to a recognition operation  710  wherein an item having a presence within a geographic locale is identified. At discovery operation  720 , a determination is made if an end user assistance corresponding to the item is saved in a computer storage medium local to the geographic locale. At termination operation  730 , the operational flow  700  is ended if an end user assistance corresponding to the item is saved in the local computer storage medium Otherwise, the operation flow  700  moves to retention operation  740 , wherein an end user assistance corresponding to the item is saved in the local computer storage medium. The operational flow  700  then moves to an end operation. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the recognition operation  710  may include a sensing operation  715 . At operation  715 , a presence of the item within the geographic locale is detected. In another embodiment, the discovery operation  720  may include an operation  725 . At the operation  725 , a determination is made that an end user assistance corresponding to the item is not saved in the local computer storage medium if the local computer storage medium does not include a most current version of the end user assistance corresponding to the item. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates an operational flow  750  representing exemplary operations implemented in a computing device for receiving an end user assistance corresponding to an item having presence within a geographic locale. After a start operation, the operational flow  750  moves to a discovery operation  760  wherein a detector is allowed to generate a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale. At operation  770 , the operational flow  750  includes waiting while a computing system receives the signal indicative of the item, identifies the item in response to the signal, acquiring an end user assistance corresponding to the item, and delivers the end user assistance corresponding to the item. At operation  775 , the end user assistance is received. The operational flow  750  then moves to an end operation. In an alternative embodiment, the discovery operation  760  may include an additional operation, such as an operation  765 . At the operation  765 , the item and the detector are positioned within a detection range that allows the detector to generate a signal indicative of the item. In a further alternative embodiment, the operational flow  750  may include an additional operation  780 . The operation  780  includes a waiting while the computing device saves the end user assistance corresponding to the item in a local computer storage medium. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates an operational flow  800  representing exemplary operations that obtain an end user assistance corresponding to an operative coupling between a plurality of electronic devices. After a start operation, the operational flow  800  moves to a recognition operation  810  wherein an operative coupling is detected between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The first and second electronic devices each having a presence in a geographic locale. In an embodiment, the first electronic device and die second electronic device both have a generally simultaneous presence within the geographic locale. At help operation  850 , an end user assistance is obtained corresponding to the operative coupling. The operational flow  800  then moves to an end operation. In an embodiment, an operative coupling may include any communication of data and/or information between a sending electronic device and a receiving electronic device. In another embodiment, an operative coupling includes a two-way communication of data and/or information between electronic devices. In a further embodiment, an operative coupling between a first electronic device and second electronic device includes both devices having a functionality to mutually communicate without regard to whether a communication has ever occurred. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  800  of  FIG. 22 .  FIG. 23  illustrates an embodiment where the recognition operation  810  may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation  812 , an operation  814 , an operation  816 , an operation  818 , an operation  820 , an operation  822 , an operation  824 , and an operation  826 . At operation  812 , a signal transmitted between the first electronic device and the second time device is received. At the operation  814 , a wireless signal transmitted between a first electronic device and a second electronic device is detected. At the operation  816 , a signal indicative of a first electronic device is received and a signal indicative of a second electronic device is received. At the operation  818 , an interaction between a first electronic device and a second electronic device is detected. At the operation  820 , an interactable coupling between a first electronic device and a second electronic device is detected. At the operation  822 , a wired interactable coupling is detected between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. At the operation  824 , a wireless interactable coupling is detected between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. At the operation  826 , a first electronic device is detected operatively coupled through an intermediary device with a second electronic device. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  800  of  FIG. 22 .  FIG. 24  illustrates an embodiment where the recognition operation  810  may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation  828 , an operation  830 , and operation  832 , an operation  834 , an operation  836 , and an operation  838 . At the operation  828 , the first electronic device is queried about first electronic device operative couplings with the second electronic device. At the operation  830 , the operative coupling between the first electronic device and the second electronic device is identified. At the operation  832 , an operative coupling is detected between a first computing device and a second electronic device. At the operation  834 , an operative coupling is detected between a first electronic device and a hardware device. At the operation  836 , an operative coupling is detected between a first computing device and a second computing device. At the operation  838 , the second electronic device includes a thin computing device. 
       FIG. 25  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  800  of  FIG. 22   FIG. 25  illustrates an embodiment where the help operation  850  may include at least one additional operation. Additional operations may include an operation  852 , an operation  854 , an operation  856 , an operation  858 , an operation  860 , an operation  862 , an operation  864 , an operation  866 , and an operation  868 . At the operation  852 , a user information corresponding to the operative coupling is obtained. At the operation  854 , a user instruction corresponding to the operative coupling is obtained. At the operation  856 , a user education corresponding to the operative coupling is obtained. At the operation  858 , an operational information corresponding to the operative coupling is obtained. At the operation  860 , a portion of another user assistance corresponding to the operative coupling is obtained. At the operation  862 , an interactive human communication providing an end user assistance corresponding to the operative coupling is obtained. At the operation  864 , an end user assistance corresponding to the operative coupling is obtained from an original manufacturer of the electronic device. At the operation  866 , an end user assistance corresponding to the operative coupling is obtained over a network. At the operation  868 , an end user assistance corresponding to the operative coupling is obtained over the Internet. 
       FIG. 26  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  800  of  FIG. 22 .  FIG. 26  illustrates an embodiment where the operational flow  800  may include at least one additional operation  870 . Additional operations may include a recognition operation  872 , a call operation  874 , and a storage operation  876 . At the recognition operation  872 , the operative coupling is identified. At the call operation  874 , the end user assistance corresponding to the operative coupling is requested. At the storage operation  876 , the end user assistance corresponding to the operative coupling is saved. 
       FIG. 27  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary computer program product  900  that includes a computer program  904  for executing a computer process on a computing device. An embodiment of the exemplary computer program product  900  may be provided using a computer-readable medium  902 , and includes computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions encode the computer program  904  for executing on a computer system a process that includes identifying an operative coupling between a First electronic device and a second electronic device, the first and second electronic devices having a presence in a geographic locale. The process also includes obtaining an end user assistance corresponding to the operative coupling. In an alternative embodiment, the process may include at least one additional instruction. Additional instructions may include instruction  906 , instruction  908 , and instruction  910 . At instruction  906 , the process includes receiving a signal indicative of the operative coupling between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. At the instruction  908 , the process includes saving the end user assistance corresponding to the operative coupling. At the instruction  910 , the process includes providing the end user assistance corresponding to the operative coupling. The computer-readable medium  902  may include a computer storage medium, which may be earned by a computer-readable carrier not shown). The computer-readable medium  902  may include a communications medium (not shown). 
       FIG. 28  illustrates an exemplary system  930  in which embodiments may be implemented. The system  930  includes a computing system environment, illustrated as the computing system environment  100  and the computing device  110  of  FIG. 2 . The system  930  may include a sensor, such as the sensor  420 , operable to provide a signal, such as the signal  425  indicative of a plurality of items each having a presence within the geographic locale  410  The plurality of items is illustrated as an electronic device  430 E and an electronic device  430 F.  FIG. 28  illustrates an operative coupling  940  between the electronic device  430 E and electronic device  430 F. The operative coupling  940  may include any type of operative coupling. For example and without limitation, the operative coupling  940  may include a wired coupling, and/or a wireless coupling. The computing device  110  includes an operability to receive a signal indicative of the operative coupling  940  between the first electronic device  430 E and the second electronic device  430 F. The computing device  110  further includes a computer program product encoding a computer program for executing on the computing device a computer process for obtaining an end user assistance corresponding to the operative coupling  940 . The computer process includes instructions that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to identity the operative coupling between a first electronic device and a second electronic device in response to the signal indicative of an operative coupling, and obtain an end user assistance corresponding to the identified operative coupling. In an alternative embodiment, the first electronic device  430 E may include the computing device  110 . In further alternative embodiments, the instructions may include saving the end user assistance, and/or providing the end user assistance. 
       FIG. 29  includes an exemplary system  980  in which embodiments may be implemented. The system  980  includes a recognition module  982 , an acquisition module  986 , and a sensor module  988 . The recognition module  982  includes operability to identify a data communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device, the first and second electronic devices having a presence in a geographic locale. The acquisition module  986  includes operability to obtain an end user assistance corresponding to the detected data communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. The sensor module  988  includes operability to detect the data communication between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. In an alternative embodiment, the system  980  may include at least one additional module. An additional module may include a storage module  990  operable to save the end user assistance. 
       FIG. 30  illustrates an operational flow  1300  representing exemplary operations that obtain an end user assistance corresponding to an at least substantially common aspect of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. After a start operation, the operation flow  1300  moves to a sensing operation  1310 . At the sensing operation  1310 , a first electronic device in a proximity to a second electronic device is detected. At an acquisition operation  1340 , an end user assistance corresponding to an at least substantially common aspect of the first electronic device and the second electronic device is obtained. The operational flow  1300  then moves to an end operation. In an alternative embodiment, the operational flow  1300  may include one or more additional operations, such as an operation  1360 . At the operation  1360 , the end user assistance is provided. 
       FIG. 31  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  1300  of  FIG. 30 . The sensing operation  1310  may include one or more additional operations. The additional operations may include an operation  1312 , an operation  1314 , an operation  1316 , an operation  1318 , an operation  1320 , and an operation  1322 . At the operation  1312 , an operative local coupling is detected between a first electronic device and a second electronic device. In an alternative embodiment, the operative local coupling may include a coupling directly between the first and second electronic devices, and not through an intermediate device In another alternative embodiment, the operative local coupling may include a coupling between the first and second electronic devices through an intermediate device, wherein the first and second electronic devices and the intermediate device are all located within a premises, such as a residential premises and/or a business premises. At the operation  1314 , a first electronic device is optically detected in a proximity to a second electronic device. At the operation  1316 , at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device is queried to detect a first electronic device in a proximity to a second electronic device. At the operation  1318 , both of the first electronic device and the second electronic device are queried to detect a first electronic device in a proximity to a second electronic device. For example, in an embodiment, both the first and second electronic devices may be queried for their GPS coordinates, and proximity detected by comparing the GPS coordinates. At the operation  1320 , a signal indicative of a first electronic device in a proximity to a second electronic device is detected. In an embodiment, the detecting may include detecting a presence of a substantially common low power tuner signal, such as a heterodyne signal, RFID signals, emitted sounds, signals transmitted on a preselected frequency and/or frequencies commonly used by portable wireless devices. At the operation  1322 , an at least substantially common aspect of the first electronic device and the second electronic device are detected. For example, in an embodiment, the first and second electronic devices may be queried for address books, contact lists, favorites lists, and/or channel presets. The operation  1322  may include one or more additional operations, such as the operation  1324 . At the operation  1324 , an at least substantially common characteristic emitted by a first electronic device and a second electronic device is detected. 
       FIG. 32  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  1300  of  FIG. 30 . The sensing operation  1310  may include one or more additional operations, such as the operation  1326 . At the operation  1326 , a first electronic device and a second electronic device are detected within a geographic locale. The operation  1326  may include one or more additional operations The additional operations may include an operation  1328 , an operation  1330 , and an operation  1332 . At the operation  1328 , a first electronic device and a second electronic device are detected within a premises. At the operation  1330 , a first electronic device and a second electronic device are detected within a residential premises. At the operation  1332 , a first electronic device and a second electronic device are detected within a business premises. 
       FIG. 33  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  1300  of  FIG. 30 . The acquisition operation  1340  may include one or more additional operations. The additional operations may include an operation  1342 , an operation  1344 , an operation  1346 , and an operation  1348 . At the operation  1342 , an end user assistance is obtained corresponding to an at least substantially common operability that saves user-centric data of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. At the operation  1344 , an end user assistance is obtained corresponding to an at least substantially common operability that saves user information of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. At the operation  1346 , an end user assistance is obtained corresponding to an at least substantially common operability that saves user preferences of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. At the operation  1348 , an end user assistance is obtained corresponding to an at least substantially common aspect. 
       FIG. 34  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  1300  of  FIG. 30 . The acquisition operation  1340  may include one or more additional operations. The additional operations may include an operation  1350 , and operation  1352 , an operation  1354 , and an operation  1356 . At the operation  1350 , a user instruction is obtained corresponding to an at least substantially common aspect of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. At the operation  1352 , a user education is obtained corresponding to a substantially common state of the electronic device of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. At the operation  1354 , an operational information is obtained corresponding to a substantially common state of the electronic device of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. At the operation  1356 , an end user assistance is obtained from a portion of another user assistance. 
       FIG. 35  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary computer program product  1380  that includes a computer program  1384  for executing a computer process on a computing device. An embodiment of the exemplary computer program product  1380  may be provided using a computer-readable medium  1382 , and includes computer executable instructions. The computer product  1380  encodes the computer program  1384  for executing on a computing device a computer process that includes detecting a first electronic device in a proximity to a second electronic device, and obtaining an end user assistance corresponding to an at least substantially common aspect of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. In an alternative embodiment, the process may include at least one additional instruction, such as an instruction  1386 . At the instruction  1386 , the process includes providing the end user assistance. The computer-readable medium  1382  may include a computer storage medium, which may be carried by a computer-readable carrier (not shown). The computer-readable medium  1382  may include a communications medium (not shown). 
       FIG. 36  illustrates an exemplary system  1400  in which embodiments may be implemented. The system  1400  includes a computing device, illustrated as the computing device  110  of  FIG. 2 . The system  1400  may include a detector  1405  operable to generate a signal indicative of a first electronic device in a proximity to a second electronic device, which is illustrated as a first electronic device  1402  and a second electronic device  1404  located within the geographic locale  410 . The computing device  110  includes an operability to receive the signal indicative of a first electronic device  1402  in a proximity to the second atomic device  1404 . The detector  1405  and the computing device  110  are coupled by a coupler, such as the coupler  605  of  FIG. 10 . The computing device  110  further includes a computer program product encoding a computer program for executing on the computing device a computer process for obtaining an end user assistance. The computer process includes instructions  1430  that when executed on the computing device cause the computing device to detect a first electronic device in a proximity to a second electronic device, and obtain an end user assistance corresponding to an at least substantially common aspect of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. In an alternative embodiment, the computer process may include additional instructions, such as to provide the end user assistance. In an embodiment, the first electronic device  1402  may include the computing device  110 . In another embodiment, the computing device  110  may include the first electronic device  1402 . 
       FIG. 37  illustrates an exemplary system  1450  in which embodiments may be implemented. The system  1450  includes a monitoring module  1452 , and an acquisition module  1454 . The monitoring module  1452  includes an operability to detect a first electronic device in a proximity to a second electronic device. The acquisition module  1454  includes an operability to obtain an end user assistance corresponding to an at least substantially common aspect of the first electronic device and the second electronic device. In an alternative embodiment, the system  1450  may include one or more additional modules, such as a broadcast module  1456  The broadcast module  1456  includes an operability to provide the end user assistance. 
       FIG. 38  illustrates a brief, general description of a supply-chain environment  10  in which embodiments may be implemented. A supply chain, such as the supply chain  12 , may include a series of movements of an item  14  from its manufacturer to a retailer&#39;s shelf or to another manufacturer that integrates the item into another product. A supply chain may include a linked set of resources and processes that begins with the sourcing of raw material for an item, and extends through the delivery of the item to the final customer. A supply chain may include vendors, manufacturing facilities, logistics providers, transportation entities, internal distribution centers, distributors, wholesalers, and all other entities that lead up to a final customer acceptance. An extended supply chain for a given company may also include secondary vendors to their immediate vendors, and the customers of their immediate customers. 
     For example, the item  14  may travel the supply chain  12  that originates at an originator  20 . such as a manufacturer, miner, or grower, and that terminates at a retailer  30  or an integrator  28 . If the supply chain terminates at a supply room  29  of the retailer  30  or the retail display of the retailer, the item may ultimately move to a retail customer/user. If the supply chain terminates at the integrator  28 , the item  14  may be incorporated into another product or repackaged and move along another supply chain that originates with the integrator. Between the originator  20  and the retailer  30  or integrator  28 , the item  14  may have a presence within a geographic locale controlled by a dockside container storage entity  22 . The item  14  may also have a presence within a geographic locale controlled by distribution center entity  24 , and may have a presence in a warehouse controlled by a warehouse entity  26 . 
     The item  14  may be moved along the supply chain  12  by one or more forms of conveyance. For example, a ocean shipping entity  36  may convey the item between a dock controlled by the dockside container storage entity  22  and a distribution center controlled by the distribution center entity  24 . By way of further example, a truck shipment enterprise entity  32  may convey the item between the distribution center and a warehouse controlled by a warehouse entity  26 . In a further example, an air cargo entity  34  may convey the item between the warehouse  26  and the storeroom  32 . 
     Technology may benefit a supply chain by providing an ability to track and identify the item  14  as the item moves through the supply chain  12 . Benefits may be provided by combining unique product codes and/or identifying symbols, such as the Electronic Product Code (EPC) system, and identification technology, including bar code and radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies. A tracked and/or identified item may include an individual product, a case of a product, and/or a pallet of products. 
     In the illustrated supply chain environment  10 , one or more of the entities along the supply chain  12  may have a network-capable computer system (not shown) operable to identify the item  14  when it is present in their facilities or conveyance. In addition, the one or more entities may associate information with the item  14  when it is present in their facilities or conveyance Such associated information may include historical information, such as when the item was present, who delivered it, to who it was delivered, and conditions associated with its presence, such as time, date, temperature, impacts, or vibration. Such associated information may also include information obtained from a third party. 
     In addition to the parties described above that have possession of the item during its movement along the supply chain  14 , other parties may have an interest in the item and/or may have information relevant to the item. For example, such other parties may include a regulatory agency, a financing entity, a third-party database, and/or a trade association. One or more of these parties may have a network-capable computer system (not shown) operable to associate information with the item  14 . 
       FIG. 39  illustrates an operational flow  1500  representing exemplary computer-implemented operations that obtain a supply-chain assistance corresponding lo an item having a presence within a geographic locale. In an embodiment, the geographic locale may include any environment in which one or more items in a supply chain may have a presence. In another embodiment, a geographic locale may include a bounded environment. In a further embodiment, a geographic locale may include an enclosed premises. For example and without limitation, in certain embodiments, a geographic locale may include a portion of a distribution center, a warehouse, a storeroom, a retail store, and/or a retail shelf. A geographic locale may be part of a premises or an entire premises. A geographic locale may be under control of one or more persons and/or entities, such as a manufacturer, an enterprise, a wholesaler, a distributor, a retailer, a business and/or an individual. In an embodiment, a geographic locale may include a transport operable to convey an item along a supply chain, such as a ship, a truck, a train, and/or an airplane. 
     In an embodiment, a supply-chain assistance may include anything that may help, aid, support, and/or assist a supply-chain user. In an embodiment, a supply-chain user may be anyone directly or indirectly associated with a supply chain, such as the supply chain  12 , in which an item, such as the item  14 , is moving. In another embodiment, a supply-chain user may be anyone who might benefit from receiving supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item, such as a product manager whose responsibilities include retailing the item, or a manager of a store that will stock the item. In a further embodiment, a supply-chain user may include a person or entity involved in conveying or moving the item along a supply chain, such as a shipper. 
     After a start operation, the operational flow  1500  moves to a recognition operation  1510  where an item having a presence within a geographic locale is identified in response to a signal indicative of the item. The item may include an individual product, a case of a product, and/or a pallet of products. At a search operation  1520 , a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a first source and a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a second source. At a combination operation  1580 , the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance are aggregated. The operational flow  1500  then moves to an end operation. 
       FIG. 40  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  1500  of  FIG. 39 . The recognition operation  1510  may include one or more additional operations. Additional operations may include an operation  1512 , an operation  1514 , and an operation  1516 . At the operation  1512 , at least one of a product, a raw material, or a manufactured good is identified having a presence within a geographic locale. At the operation  1514 , an item is identified having a presence within at least one of a distribution center premises, a retail store storage premises, or a warehouse premises At the operation  1516 , an item is identified having a presence within a conveyance. The operation  1516  may include at least one additional operation, such as an operation  1518 . At the operation  1518 , an item is identified having a presence within at least one of a seagoing vessel, a surface vehicle, or an aircraft. 
       FIG. 41  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  1500  of  FIG. 39 . The search operation  1520  may include one or more additional operations. Additional operations may include an operation  1522 , an operation  1526 , and an operation  1527 . At the operation  1522 , a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a first source over a network. The operation  1522  may include one or more additional operations. Additional operations may include an operation  1523  an operation  1524 , and an operation  1525 . At the operation  1523 , a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a second source over the network. At the operation  1524 , a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a first source over a network that includes at least one of a local area network, a wide area network, a private network, a public network, or the Internet. In an alternative embodiment, a network may include a temporary network, a decentralized network, a self-assembling network, an ad hoc network, and/or a multi-hop network. 
     At the operation  1525 , a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to tire identified item is obtained from a first source over a network that includes at least one of a private global computer network or a public global computer network. At the operation  1526 , a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a first domain and a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a second domain. At the operation  1527 , a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a second source that is independent from the first source. 
       FIG. 42  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  1500  of  FIG. 39 . The search operation  1520  may include one or more additional operations. Additional operations may include operations  1528  through  1533 . At the operation  1528 , a first instance of information is obtained corresponding to a history of the item during a presence of the item in a supply chain. At the operation  1529 , a second instance of information corresponding to a history of the item during a presence of the item in a supply chain is obtained. At the operation  1530 , a first instance of supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a third party database. At the operation  1531 , a second instance of supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a third party database. At the operation  1532 , a first instance of supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a trade association. At the operation  1533 , a second instance of supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a trade association. 
       FIG. 43  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of die exemplary operational flow  1500  of  FIG. 39 . The search operation  1520  may include one or more additional operations. Additional operations may include operations  1534  through  1539 . At the operation  1534 , a first instance of supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a regulatory agency. At the operation  1535 , a second instance of supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a regulatory agency. At the operation  1536 , a first instance of a security interest information corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a first source. In an embodiment, a security interest may include an assignment of a security interest, a perfected security interest, or an unperfected security interest. 
     At the operation  1537 , a second instance of a security interest information corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a second source. At the operation  1538 . a first instance of a commercial interest information corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a first source. In an embodiment, a commercial interest information may include information related to a assignment of an interest in the item, a letter of credit, a letter-of-credit right, a guarantor&#39;s interest, an inventory financing agreement, or assignment of rights. At the operation  1539 , a second instance of a commercial interest information corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a second source. 
       FIG. 44  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  1500  of  FIG. 39 . The search operation  1520  may include one or more additional operations. Additional operations may include operations  1540  through  1545 . At the operation  1540 , a first instance of a product recall information corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a first source. At the operation  1541 , a first instance of a sales promotion information corresponding to the identified item is obtained from a first source. In an alternative embodiment, the sales promotion may include a manufacturer&#39;s sales promotion. At the operation  1542 , a first instance of a retail coupon information corresponding the item is obtained from a first source. In an alternative embodiment, the retail coupon may include a manufacturer&#39;s retail coupon. At the operation  1543 , a first instance of a retail rebate information corresponding to the item is obtained from a first source. In an alternative embodiment, the retail rebate for the item may include a manufacturer&#39;s retail rebate for the item. At the operation  1544 , a first instance of a grey market status information corresponding to the item is obtained from a first source. At the operation  1545 , a first instance of a stolen property status information corresponding to the item is obtained from a first source. 
       FIG. 45  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational How  1500  of  FIG. 39 . The search operation  1520  may include one or more additional operations. Additional operations may include operations  1546  through  1552 . At the operation  1546 , a first instance of information corresponding to at least another one of the item available for wholesale purchase is obtained from a first source. For example, in an embodiment, the information may correspond to quantities of the item stored in another distribution warehouse and available for wholesale purchase by management of a geographic locale, such as the distribution warehouse in which the item is present and identified. This assistance provides the management of the warehouse an option to cover shortages of an item in their distribution warehouse by purchasing additional stock from another distribution warehouse. At the operation  1547 , a first instance of retail pricing information by at least one retailer and corresponding to the item is obtained from a first source. For example, in an embodiment, management of a storeroom may receive assistance in a form of at least one retail price being charged by another retailer for the item having a presence within the storeroom. At the operation  1548 , a first instance of advertising campaign information corresponding to the item is obtained from a first source. The advertising campaign related to the item may include a current, and/or future advertising campaign. The information may be received over die global computer network from a home office, another retailer, a wholesaler, and/or a third party. 
     At the operation  1549 , a first instance of retail merchandising information corresponding to tire item is obtained front a first source. In an embodiment, the retail merchandising for the item includes a shelf and/or aisle location within a store, a suggestion for displaying, and/or a suggestion for attracting shopper attention. At the operation  1550 , a first instance of transportation information corresponding to the item is obtained from a first source. In an embodiment, information corresponding to transporting may include appropriate climate control information, vibration and shock limitation information, and/or hazardous material classification. At the operation  1551 , a first instance of storage information corresponding to the item is obtained from a first source. In an embodiment, a storage information may include a ware house-storage information, a conveyance-storage information, or a retail-space storage information For example, a conveyance-storage information may include information corresponding to limitations on temperature or vibration. By way of further example, a retail-space-storage information may include co-location of the item within another item in a retail display. At the operation  1552 , a first instance of handling information corresponding to the item is obtained from a first source. 
       FIG. 46  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  1500  of  FIG. 39 . The combination operation  1580  may include one or more additional operations. Additional operations may include operations  1582  through  1586 . At the operation  1582 , the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance is aggregated into a user interface. At the operation  1583 , the first supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is translated using a mutually agreed protocol. The operation  1583  may include additional operations, such as an operation  1584 . At the operation  1584 , the second supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is translated using the mutually agreed protocol. At the operation  1585 , the first supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is translated from a first native data format. The operation  1585  may include additional operations, such as an operation  1586 . At the operation  1586 , the second supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is translated from a second native data format. 
       FIG. 47  illustrates another alternative embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  1500  of  FIG. 39 . The operational flow  1500  may include one or more additional operations, illustrated as additional operations  1590 . Additional operations  1590  may include an operation  1592 , an operation  1594 , and an operation  1596 . At the operation  1592 , a supply-chain user is enabled to request at least one instance of supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item. At the operation  1594 , the aggregated first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance are broadcast. At the operation  1596 , the first supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is caused to be obtained from the first source and the second supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item is caused to be obtained from the second source. 
       FIG. 48  illustrates an operational flow  1600  representing exemplary computer-implemented operations. After a start operation, the operational flow  1600  moves to a reception operation  1610 . At the reception operation  1610 , a signal is received indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale subject to a control by an entity. In an embodiment, a geographic locale may be subject to a control by at least one of an owner of the geographic locale, a tenant of the geographic locale, or an occupier of the geographic locale. At a search operation  1620 , an information is requested corresponding to the item over a computer network from at least two sources, each source being independent of the entity. The search operation  1620  may include one or more additional operations, such as an operation  1622 . At the operation  1622 , an information corresponding to the item over a computer network is requested from at least two sources over a global computer network. At a broadcast operation  1630 , the information corresponding to the item is provided. The operational flow  1600  then moves to an end operation. 
       FIG. 49  illustrates an operational flow  1650  representing exemplary computer-implemented operations. After a start operation, the operational flow  1650  moves to a reception operation  1660 . At the reception operation  1660 , a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale is received. At a user selection operation  1680 , a supply-chain user is enabled to request a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item having a presence within a geographic locale. In an embodiment, a supply-chain user may be anyone associated with a supply chain in which the item is moving. In another embodiment, a supply-chain user may be anyone who might benefit from receiving supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item, such as a product manager whose responsibilities include retailing the item, or a manager of a store that will stock the item. The operational flow  1650  then moves to an end operation. 
       FIG. 50  illustrates another embodiment of the exemplary operational flow  1600  of  FIG. 49 . The reception operation of  1660  may include additional operations. The additional operations may include an operation  1662 , an operation  1664 , an operation  1670 , and an operation  1672 . At the operation  1662 , a signal is received indicative of an optically readable product code associated with an item having a presence within a geographic locale In an embodiment, the optically readable product code may include a bar code, and the bar code may be indicative of an EPC. At the operation  1664 , a signal is received indicative of an electronically transmitted product code associated with an item having a presence within a geographic locale. In an embodiment, the electronically transmitted product code associated with the item may include an EPC transmitted by an RFID device associated with the item, such as an RFID tag affixed to the item. 
     In an embodiment, the operation  1664  may include additional operations, such as an operation  1666 , and an operation  1668 . At the operation  1666 , a communications medium provided by a smart tag associated with the item is received. At the operation  1668 , a radio frequency identification provided by an RFID tag associated with the item is received. At the operation  1670 , the item having a presence within a geographic locale is identified in response to the signal indicative of the item. At the operation  1672 , a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a premises is received. 
       FIG. 51  illustrates an operational flow  1651  representing exemplary computer-implemented operations that obtain a supply-chain assistance corresponding to an item having a presence within a geographic locale. After a start operation, the operational flow  1650  moves to a reception operation  1660 . At the reception operation  1660 , a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale is received. At a user selection operation  1680 , a supply-chain user is enabled to request a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item having a presence within a geographic locale. At a search operation  1685 , in response to a received supply-chain user request for a supply-chain assistance, a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item is obtained from a first source and obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item is obtained from a second source. At a combination operation  1690 , the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance are aggregated. At a broadcast operation  1695 , the aggregated supply-chain assistance is provided. The operational flow  1651  then moves to an end operation. 
       FIG. 52  illustrates a partial view of an exemplary computer program product  1700  that includes a computer program  1704  for executing a computer process on a computing device. In an embodiment, the exemplary computer program product  1700  may be provided using a computer-readable medium  1702  and includes computer-readable instructions The computer product  1700  encodes the computer program  1704  for executing on a computing device a computer process that includes identifying an item having a presence within a geographic locale in response to a signal indicative of the item. The process includes obtaining a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source and obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source. The process further includes aggregating the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance. In an alternative embodiment, the computer program product  1704  may include additional processes, such as the process  1706  and as the process  1708 . At the process  1706 , the obtaining a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source includes obtaining a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a network. At the process  1708 , the obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source includes obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from the network. The computer-readable medium  1702  may include a computer storage medium, which may be carried by a computer-readable carrier (not shown). The computer-readable medium  1702  may include a communications medium (not shown). 
       FIG. 53  illustrates an environment  1720  in which embodiments of an exemplary system  1721  may be implemented. The system  1721  includes a computing system environment that includes a computing device, illustrated as the computing device  110  of  FIG. 1 . The environment  1720  also includes the sensor  420  operable to generate a signal (not shown) indicative of the item  430  having a presence within the geographic locale  410 . The computing device  110  includes a storage medium  612 . The computing device is operable to receive a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale through a coupling  605  between the sensor  420  and the computing device  110 , and to access a network. The storage medium  612  may be any computer storage media. 
     The system  1721  further includes computer executable instructions  1730  that when executed on the computing device  110  causes the computing device to identify an item having a presence within a geographic locale in response to the signal indicative of the item. Also to obtain a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source and obtain a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source The instructions further cause the computing device to aggregate the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance. In an alternative embodiment, the instructions  1730  may cause the computing device to perform additional operations, such as an operation  1732 , and an operation  1734 . At the operation  1732 , the obtaining a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source includes obtaining a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a first source over the network. At the operation  1734 , the obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source includes obtaining a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the identified item from a second source over the network. 
       FIG. 54  illustrates an exemplary system  1750  in which embodiments may be implemented. The system  1750  includes a computing system environment that includes a computing device, illustrated as the computing device  110  of  FIG. 1 . The system  1750  also includes the sensor  420  operable to generate a signal (not shown) indicative of the item  430  having a presence within the geographic locale  410 . The computing device  110  includes a storage medium  612 , which may be any computer storage media. The computing device  110  includes an operability to receive the signal indicative of an item through a coupling  605  between the sensor  420  and the computing device  110 , and to access a computer network. 
     The system  1750  further includes computer executable instructions  1760  that when executed on the computing device  110  causes the computing device to receive a signal indicative of an item having a presence within a geographic locale, and to enable a supply-chain user to request a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item having a presence within a geographic locale. The computer executable instructions  1760  may include at least one additional operation, such as an operation  1762 . At the operation  1762 , the instructions further include, in response to a received supply-chain user request for a supply-chain assistance, to obtain a first instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item from a first source and obtain a second instance of a supply-chain assistance corresponding to the item from a second source from the network. The instructions also further include to aggregate the first supply-chain assistance and the second supply-chain assistance, and broadcast the aggregated supply-chain assistance. 
       FIG. 55  illustrates an operational flow  1800  representing exemplary computer-implemented operations. After a start operation, the operational flow  1800  moves to a reception operation  1810 . At the first reception operation  1810 , a first signal is received indicative of a first item having a presence within a geographic locale subject to a control by an entity. At the second reception operation  1815 , a second signal is received indicative of a second item having a presence within the geographic locale subject to a control by an entity. At a search operation  1820 , an information corresponding to both the first item and the second item is requested over a computer network from at least two sources each independent of the entity. In an alternative embodiment, the search operation  1820  may include one or more additional operations, such as an operation  1822 . At the operation  1822 , an information corresponding to both the first item and the second item is requested over a global computer network from at least two sources each independent of the entity At a broadcast operation  1830 , the information is provided. The operational flow  1800  then moves to an end operation. 
     Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the art has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left between hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt fora mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle, alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation, or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will require optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware. 
     The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flow diagrams, operation diagrams, flowcharts, illustrations, and/or examples Insofar as such block diagrams, operation diagrams, flowcharts, illustrations, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, operation diagrams, flowcharts, illustrations, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Crate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in standard integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing media include, but are not limited to, the following recordable type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD ROMs, digital tape, and computer memory, and transmission type media such as digital and analog communication links using TDM or IP based communication links (e.g., packet links). 
     While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing front this subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this subject matter described herein. furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present, for example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B. and C together, etc.). 
     The herein described aspects depict different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components.