APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED INVENTORY TRACKING AND AUTHENTICATION

Method and apparatus for automated inventory tracking and authentication using device identity-containing information associated with at least one de vice that is part of an inventory. The method includes accepting initial dev ice identity-containing information from an inventory origination point to a first sales distribution point and accepting additional device identity-con taining inventory from each instance of a new and successive sales distribut ion point as inventory moves through a supply chain. This information is sto red and then later compared to a device ID of the at least one device. An au thentication action is performed upon the at least one device based upon sai d accepted initial and additional information. The device identity-containin g information includes MAC address information, device serial number informa tion.