Patents Examined by Evens J Augustin
  • Patent number: 8788423
    Abstract: A method and system for network-based distribution of content are disclosed. The distribution of content is not only secure but also controlled. The security restricts access to content within media files during downloads as well as while stored at a server or client. In one embodiment, each media file is encrypted with a different, randomly generated key. The control over the distribution of the media file can serve to limit the subsequent distribution of media files from clients to other clients. In another embodiment, the control can permit media files to be shared on a limited number of different clients affiliated with the same user. The clients can vary with application but generally are computing devices that have memory storage. Often, the clients are personal computers or other computing devices that are capable of storing and presenting content to their users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Dowdy, Jeffrey L. Robbin, Guy L. Tribble, David Heller
  • Patent number: 8775316
    Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a security module operable to perform at least one encryption function on information communicated via a network connection. The encryption functions include in various embodiments key management, authentication, or other encryption functions such as symmetric, asymmetric, hash, or message authentication code functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Wilson, Jason A. Smith, Nevin J. Liber, Mark B. Gagner
  • Patent number: 8768846
    Abstract: A computer program product that includes a computer useable storage medium to store a computer readable program for tracking media object data that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform operations. The operations include storing usage data for a media object which is used in a first message. The usage data indicates historical usage of the media object by a user. The operations also include recalling the stored usage data for the media object in response to associating the media object with a second message. The operations also include communicating to the user the stored usage data corresponding to the media object prior to sending the second message with the media object to a recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lisa Seacat DeLuca, Pamela A Nesbitt, Amy D Travis
  • Patent number: 8762283
    Abstract: An account authentication service where a trusted party verifies an account holder's identity for the benefit of a requestor during an online transaction. The account authentication involves requesting a password from the account holder, verifying the password, and notifying the requestor whether the account holder's authenticity has been verified. An alternative embodiment of the account authentication service includes a value-adding component where information about a customer is shared with a value-adding party. The customer information is rich in detail about the customer since it is collected by each of the parties in the account authentication process. The value-adding party can then use this information in various manners. All of the parties involved can benefit from sharing the customer information. The value-adding party can be, for example, a merchant, a shipper, a security organization, or a governmental organization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventors: Gary E. Gerber, Timothy Mu-Chu Lee
  • Patent number: 8725646
    Abstract: A system of controlling playback of digital media. A system of controlling playback of digital media comprising a CE device having an output path and a license having a specified output protection level disposed upon the CE device in which the specified output protection level controls playback of the digital media over the output path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: James M. Alkove, Clifford P. Strom, Benjamin B. Cutter, Jr., Brian P. Evans
  • Patent number: 8725647
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method includes providing one or more selectable criteria that each characterize a respective software license restriction. One or more selections of the one or more selectable criteria are received. A license metric is generated. The license metric corresponds to one or more selections of the one or more selectable criteria. A total number of instances of one or more software products is determined using the generated license metric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: CA, Inc.
    Inventors: David Disciascio, Lee B. Bash, Erika M. Caley, Nan Wu
  • Patent number: 8725644
    Abstract: Various methods for securely processing an online transaction between a customer and a merchant are disclosed. In one method, an authentication credentials request that includes a transaction identifier is received from a merchant system. In response, an encryption key is transmitted to the merchant system. From a customer system, the personal account data associated with the customer is received, which is encrypted with the encryption key. A transaction processing request from the merchant system prompts the generating of a transaction processing response based upon its execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: The Active Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Schlesser, Douglas Johnson
  • Patent number: 8706636
    Abstract: Digital assets are tracked through the use of digital serial numbers. Systems equipped with the present invention can uniquely identify copies of assets within it. Assets that originate within the system can be uniquely identified even outside the system. The transaction history can be traced by looking up the transaction history associated with an assets' serial number. The serial number applied to an asset is unique to each transaction and can be applied at the time a copy is made. Database entries are created that link each unique serial number to aspects of the transaction. Each serial number can reference details about a particular transaction such as parties involved, date and time of copy, ownership, terms of use, and payment terms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Content Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Dunkeld, Edward Lambert
  • Patent number: 8688586
    Abstract: Brokering use of media assets based on rights provided by rights holders and licensing terms requested by potential licensees. Rights include use attributes, geographic attributes, and time attributes. Use attributes include one or more parent categories of uses, such as print advertising, web promotion, etc. Each parent category includes one or more specific uses, such as magazine advertisement, newspaper advertisement, etc. Rights are obtained from rights holders and stored in a data structure that is searchable according to various rights attributes. A licensing request includes desired licensing terms, such as a specific use, time period, and geographic location. The licensing request may also reserve use for a later time and/or impose an embargo on use for a period after use. The data structure is searched for media assets whose rights encompass the desired licensing terms, such as media assets with a parent use that includes a desired specific use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Corbis Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Pride, Vicki Daniel, Daniel Stephen Feduff, Travis Gigliotti
  • Patent number: 8682797
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems for distributing digitally encoded information. In one embodiment of the present invention, a licensee desiring to purchase digitally encoded information from a copyright owner posts collateral with a third party entity. The third party entity then provides authentication information to the licensee. The licensee transmits proof of knowledge of authentication information to the copyright owner. The copyright owner sends proof of the licensee's knowledge of authentication information and digital media to the third-party entity. The third-party entity embeds the authentication information in the digitally encoded information, and delivers the digitally encoded information with embedded authentication information to the licensee.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Developmenet Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Alan H. Karp, Antonius A. Kalker
  • Patent number: 8682630
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing component coupling in an object-centric process implementation are provided. The method includes, prior to deriving components that implement a centralized model: analyzing the centralized model to compute couplings within the centralized model resulting in a coupling metric; computing a predicted component model using objects, activities, and the coupling metric of the centralized model; and modifying control flow of the centralized model when a value of the coupling metric exceeds a pre-defined threshold value, re-analyzing the centralized model having the modified control flow, and repeating the computing, modifying and re-analyzing until the coupling metric is less than or equal to the pre-defined threshold. The method also includes implementing an object-centric process having component coupling that is derived from the centralized model when the value of the coupling metric is equal to or less than the pre-defined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jochen M. Kuester, Ksenia Wahler
  • Patent number: 8682795
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for allowing organizations to preserve the trust and allow this trust to be propagated across multiple agencies and/or enterprises. A technology is provided that allows (mutually) trusted entities to share content (information, digital assets) over any protocol-based network such as the Internet based on granted rights and agreed conditions. In one embodiment, Trusted Information Exchange (TIE) systems have a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and use content (information, asset) repositories to store and forward content to trusted entities on the Internet. Techniques are provided to permit source TIE systems to manage the specific disposition and management of their assets to receiving TIE systems through directions conveyed in licenses that reflect apriori agreements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Dmitry Lenkov, Mark V. Scardina, Douglas Hood, Rama Vissapragada
  • Patent number: 8682798
    Abstract: A universal ID and biometrics systems and methods are disclosed. A method includes receiving an authentication request message originating from a user. The authentication request message includes a first identifier and a second identifier, where the second identifier includes biometric data. The method further includes determining a third identifier based on the first identifier and sending the second and third identifiers to a first server computer to determine if the second and third identifiers have a predetermined correlation. The method further includes receiving confirmation of user authentication if the identification system determines that the second and third identifiers have the predetermined correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Visa International Service Association
    Inventor: Barbara E. Patterson
  • Patent number: 8676822
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for quality assured media file storage. There is provided a method for use by a processor to verify quality of a new media file by transcoding a master media file into a first media file, determining a quality of the first media file, applying a first quality assurance scheme to the first media file for an assured quality, calculating a first hash value using a hash function for the first media file, storing the first hash value in a memory, transcoding the master media file into a new media file, calculating a test hash value using the hash function for the new media file, and searching the memory for the test hash value to decide whether the new media file has the assured quality, without having to apply the first quality assurance scheme again to the new media file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Davis
  • Patent number: 8662385
    Abstract: A method of generating custom reports based on point-of-sale data transferred between multiple remote computing devices and a central computing device includes generating point-of-sale data at multiple remote locations, transferring the point-of-sale data to a central computing device from multiple computing devices at the respective multiple remote locations, defining a custom report format, the custom report format specifying at least two of the multiple remote locations and specifying a date range, the date range and the at least two multiple remote locations being freely selectable by a user, generating a custom report using the custom report format, the custom report being based on point-of-sale data related to the specified remote locations and the specified date range, and communicating the custom report to a human being.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: B-50.com, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery T. Engler, Lee J. Engler, Leonard M. Newman
  • Patent number: 8660960
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for digital rights management. A set of content items is defined in an electronic document based on a set of rules. The rules in the set of rules are associated with one or more operations that can be performed on content items in the electronic document. The set of content items include only content items that are invariant to the operations associated with the rules in the set of rules. A representation of the content items in the set of content items is generated. An electronic document is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Krish Chaudhury, James D. Pravetz
  • Patent number: 8660959
    Abstract: A system is adapted to manage the distribution of content to one or more cooperating media/substrates. The system receives data representative of environment conditions for one or more cooperating media/substrates adapted to display digital content. The media/substrates may be located in public spaces. The system compares the received data representative of environment conditions with selection criteria to identify content for distribution to the media/substrates. The selected content is distributed to the one or more cooperating media/substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ciright Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Callahan
  • Patent number: 8650126
    Abstract: This is a pre-paid card system used to store monetary value and subsequently for making payment to merchants through the telephone system or through a data network. Unlike static credit card numbers, this invention employs the generation of encrypted dynamic codes for each transaction, which must be verified within a specific time, for payment initiation. Codes are send by merchant when a purchase is agreed upon and each codes have a time limit to be used. Customers need to accept this codes and present them to the host computer to complete the payment process. Codes from both merchant and customer are decrypted at the host computer to produce the authenticated instructions for the payment. This invention also employs a unique formula to calculate stored value including in foreign currencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventor: Khai Hee Kwan
  • Patent number: 8645276
    Abstract: A method for managing information technology (IT) through auto discovery analysis to achieve business relevance is provided. An IT infrastructure is monitored to discover managed components of the infrastructure and discover business processes which are supported by the infrastructure. An information model is formed based on the discovered components and the discovered business processes. The information model can be used to provide assorted IT services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: CA, Inc.
    Inventors: Wai Wong, Alan Young
  • Patent number: 8635162
    Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems, and products are described for creating rules for the administration of end-user license agreements (‘EULAs’). Creating rules for the administration of end-user license agreements is accomplished by identifying, from historical license data, a license administration pattern. A license administration rule is then created in dependence upon the license administration pattern. Identifying a license administration pattern from historical license data may include data mining a collection of accepted EULAs and data mining a collection of rejected EULAs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Burkhart, Daniel G. Eisenhauer, Daniel M. Schumacher, Thomas J. Watson