Abstract: A content user terminal including a utilization unit that provides a content utilization, and an interface unit 137 that inquires the content utilization availability to the portable content usage rule management device via a wireless communication and obtains a content utilization permission data which is a inquiry result via a wireless communication. The utilization unit provides the content utilization based on the obtained content utilization permission data. The portable content usage rule management device includes a copyright data storage management unit that stores and manages the content usage rule, an interface unit that receives the inquiry result of the content utilization availability from the content user terminal via a wireless communication, and a copyright data processing is unit that responds to the received inquiry result, judges the content utilization availability based on the stored content usage rule and creates a content utilization permission data based on the judge result.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for distributing digital information, such as software applications, to application users. By providing the digital information on unused memory space of a computer system, and providing a process for authorizing access to the information, the information can be efficiently and cost effectively transferred to users. Traditional inventory and distribution channel difficulties are avoided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for utilizing a digital coin. A bit string is received. The number of bits in the bit string represents a coin value of the digital coin. The individual bit values of the bits of the bit string are used to determine an identity of the digital coin. The identity of the digital coin is validated by a node of an authentication hierarchy. The validation includes comparing bit values of at least a portion of the bits of the bit string to bit values of corresponding bits of known bit strings that represent known issued digital coins. The validation also includes checking that a matching known issued digital coin was not previously redeemed. A digital coin can also be split into multiple digital coins that are each a continuous sequence of bits of the bit string of the original digital coin.

Abstract: A system for resource sharing for document production. Available resources are determined for performing at least one document production task. The capacity of an available resource is determined. A task is selecting to send to the resource based at least partly on its availability. An identifier is associating with a set of task data, which can include document data and insertion data. The identifier can be used to track the progress and completion of the task. The task can be sent to the resource for processing. The completed task is received from the resource.

Abstract: In order to facilitate a user's ability to trust a computing environment, a trusted computing device (2) is arranged to challenge other devices in the computing environment and to record a log of the facilities available within the computing environment and an indication of whether those facilities are trustworthy. A new user (40) entering the computing environment can obtain the log from the trusted computing device in order to ascertain the status of the environment. Alternatively any device can hold data concerning platforms in its vicinity and its operation can be authenticated by the trusted device.

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.

Abstract: A mechanism for transmitting metadata that contain identifying characteristics of advertisements to be inserted, details of an advertisement-spot, and targeted viewing group details as in-content descriptors to a mobile handset is disclosed. Tight synchronization and control of the display of advertisements within an advertisement-spot during wireless content transmission is thus provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for identifying and converting digital media assets within a system through the use of identification data. A client device is examined to detect media assets lacking such identification data; the identification data is then applied to each detected asset with data specific to the customer and digital media asset. To facilitate transfers and ease of use the digital media assets can be made DRM-free.

Abstract: An integrated, modular array of administrative and support services are provided for electronic commerce and electronic rights and transaction management. These administrative and support services supply a secure foundation for conducting transaction-related capabilities functioning over electronic networks can also be adapted to the specific needs of electronic commerce value chains. In one embodiment, a Distributed Commerce Utility having a secure, programmable, distributed architecture provides administrative and support services. The Distributed Commerce Utility may comprise a number of Commerce Utility Systems. These Commerce Utility Systems provide a web of infrastructure support available to, and reusable by, the entire electronic community and/or many of its participants. Different support functions can be collected together in hierarchical and/or networked relationships to suit various business models or other objectives.

Abstract: An information processing system, information communication terminal and method, information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and program capable of enabling safer electronic commercial transactions. A point-of-purchase server generates purchasing information using a card Identification number allotted to a non-contact IC-card of a mobile telephone. A point-of-receipt server acquires this purchasing information and confirms the card identification number allotted to the non-contact IC card of the mobile telephone and a purchasing card identification number. The authentication server calculates user trustworthiness and store trustworthiness based on temporary commercial transaction information stored in the non-contact IC card of the mobile telephone. The calculated user trustworthiness and store trustworthiness is then reference by the mobile telephone and point-of-purchase server in the next commercial transaction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of and systems for providing conditional access to electronic content. Electronic content is provided to a user along with authorization information. The electronic content may be transmitted to the user, and the user may use the authorization information to access the electronic content. An authorization code may be provided to the user such that the user may be granted access to the content based on a comparison of the provided authorization code and a second authorization code transmitted with the electronic content, and transmission of the second authorization code may be controlled by a content provider to control access by the user.

Abstract: An integrated, modular array of administrative and support services are provided for electronic commerce and electronic rights and transaction management. These administrative and support services supply a secure foundation for conducting transaction-related capabilities functioning over electronic networks can also be adapted to the specific needs of electronic commerce value chains. In one embodiment, a Distributed Commerce Utility having a secure, programmable, distributed architecture provides administrative and support services. The Distributed Commerce Utility may comprise a number of Commerce Utility Systems. These Commerce Utility Systems provide a web of infrastructure support available to, and reusable by, the entire electronic community and/or many of its participants. Different support functions can be collected together in hierarchical and/or networked relationships to suit various business models or other objectives.

Abstract: A digital rights management method and device are provided. To implement the DRM method and device, there is provided a master device including a storage module which stores a plurality of rights objects (ROs) having an inheritance structure, a detection module which detects the storage module for an RO needed for playing back a predetermined content object, a message generation module which, if the detection module fails to discover the RO needed for playing back the predetermined content object from the storage module, generates an RO request message, a device interface module which transmits the RO request message to a slave device and receives the RO needed for playing back the predetermined content object from the slave device, and a playback module which plays back the predetermined content object using at least one of the RO detected from the storage module and the RO received from the slave device.

Abstract: A transaction method between a client and a terminal (2) connected to a telecommunication network comprises the transmission of at least one client identification (IDUI), a terminal identification (POSID), and transaction-specific data to a financial server connected to the telecommunication network. The terminal identification is read or entered in the terminal and transmitted by the telecommunication network to the financial server. The client is equipped with a SIM card which can be connected functionally to a mobile apparatus. The client identification transmitted to the financial server is read in the memory of the SIM card and transmitted to the financial server via at least one interface.

Abstract: A system that communicates information is described. During operation, this system receives an encryption key through a first wireless communication technique, wherein the first wireless communication technique includes near field communication. Then, the system communicates a document through a second wireless communication technique, where the document is associated with a financial transaction being conducted with a commercial establishment. Next, the system receives encrypted information through the second wireless communication technique, where the encrypted information is, at least in part, encrypted using the encryption key, and where the second wireless communication technique includes a technique other than near field communication.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for providing an electronic document processing system, an electronic document generation mechanism, an encrypted digital certificate generator, a tool for coordinating the processing of electronic documents, a packaging mechanism for finalizing and authenticating electronic documents, a tracking log for recording relevant electronic document information, and a transferring protocol for transferring the ownership of electronic documents. The present disclosure also is directed to an electronic authentication system including an electronic document authentication watermark seal or signature line for confirming a document's signing within the view.

Abstract: A transmitting gateway may utilize a retrieved domain-specific key to secure an outbound message, and a receiving gateway may utilize another retrieved domain-specific key to authenticate and validate the secured message.

Abstract: An apparatus provides computing sources of functionality, each computing source of functionality presents a service and exists in any computing environment of the apparatus. The apparatus associates a semantic service description (SSD) with the service. The SSD has a semantic description of the service, including a semantic description of a parameter of the service, according to a computer interpretable language, and, as a service grounding, a mapping between the computer interpretable language expressing the SSD and an interface, including an interface parameter, of the service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for batch loading and self-registration of digital media files is provided. The system provides numerous methods of interfacing with a content outlet. The methods further include comparing attributes of content to be downloaded with attributes of content in a media database. The methods also includes providing restrictions based on a result of the comparing. The methods further include monetizing the methods between both retailers and right-holders using the system. Additionally, the method may include providing retail analysis, resolving disputes, and distributing royalty payments to rights-holders of content.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides methods and systems for automatically selecting a media type for which to format Value-Bearing Item indicia based on a user's input of a secured paper control number. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for selecting a media type format for which to generate value-bearing item indicia, said method comprising receiving an input of a secured paper control number, and identifying a media type format corresponding to the secured paper control number. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for determining a media type for a particular unit of secured paper, said method comprising receiving an input of a media type identifier, wherein the media type identifier is displayed on the particular unit of secured paper, and retrieving from a memory storage a record corresponding to the media type identifier, wherein said record defines a media type format corresponding to the media type identifier.