Protocol requirements

See also software requirements and hardware requirements.

Protocol requirements for the healthy buying infrastructure seem to include at least:

• Each high-capability terminal device involved probably has an IP number issued from a block someone controls. Every retail shelf might ultimately have one too, if friendly retail becomes the norm.

• Some integration with ICQ or another chat net that can support SecureIM - Consumerium Service access should include access to other users, especially if brand management types can pay to promote green light products to users, making it all self-funding.

Hardware requirements and hardware standards constrain the protocols: Bluetooth for instance is assumed to be required to get both secure communication and modular hardware. But if in-store radio and audio presentation becomes a more effective way to deliver the Consumerium buying signal, and privacy risk is not a concern, i.e. most of what is delivered is green light ads, then in-the-clear FM radio may well be the most important protocol, with analog cell perhaps augmenting it.

Entirely different protocols such as walkie-talkie or cordless protocol applications that call the customer back with an audio presentation on the product they just barcode scanned, may also alter the picture completely.