Abstract: The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, distributes electronic text and graphics to subscribers. The system contains an operations center, a video distribution system or a variety of alternative distribution systems, a home subsystem, and a billing and collection system. The operations center and/or distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, message center, and uplink functions. The home subsystem connects to a video distribution system or variety of alternative distribution systems, generates menus and stores text, and transacts through communicating mechanisms. A portable book-shaped viewer is used for viewing the text. The billing system performs the transaction, management, authorization, collection and payments utilizing the telephone system or a variety of alternative communication systems.

Abstract: A system and a method of publishing an product document for clients for the purpose of publicly disclosing an invention to end users on the Global Information Network. The system includes a first Web site system having a publicly accessible database for storing a plurality of product documents received from clients. The Web site also includes a search engine accessible to the end user. The search engine is in electronic communication with the database and can receive a search request the end user, allowing the end user access to one or more of the product documents. The product document preferably includes a primary text file and attachment files which may include drawing files. The product documents may be digitally notarized and time/date stamped.

Abstract: A secure digital data distribution system (100) for preventing unauthorized access to digital data. The system utilizes an identification system module (116) embedded in a digital storage media (114) to grant authorization to media players (118). Prior to reading the digital data recorded on the media (114), an identification system interrogator (122) reads authorization data from the identification system module (116) to determine whether the media player (118) is authorized to read the media (114). If the authorization data matches the media player's unique identifier, authorization is granted and the media player (118) commences to read the media (114).

Abstract: A method of purchasing a soundtrack associated with A/V content. When A/V content is purchased by download or otherwise, the user is provided with an option to purchase or store the soundtrack. In one embodiment, the purchase of the motion picture secures usage rights to the soundtrack while another embodiment requires separate purchase of the soundtrack. In either case, the user is enabled to store the soundtrack as a separate file after having purchased rights to do so. The soundtrack is then stored, in some embodiments with digital rights management or copy protection to limit the number of copies that can be made of the soundtrack. The motion picture has a Table of Contents (TOC) indexing the soundtrack portions of the audio content of the motion picture to enable extraction of those portions of the motion picture forming the soundtrack.

Abstract: System and method for automatically tracking and enabling the operation of a product. An order is received and information regarding the order, customer, and product is stored. A key is given to the customer to be used in registration. During registration, the key is provided and a candidate fingerprint obtained. If the candidate fingerprint matches the fingerprint of the ordered product, data is automatically sent to the product that enables the product to operate. In addition over time, status regarding the product is received and updates are sent to the product as needed or requested.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method for storing a normal scrambled digital program is provided. The method includes receiving a scrambled program, and receiving a plurality of access requirements. Each access requirement can descramble the scrambled program. The method also includes selecting at least one of the access requirements, and storing the scrambled program and the selected requirement.

Abstract: A transaction receiver obtains a transaction packet comprising at least one document and instructions for processing the at least one document to complete a transaction. Thereafter, a rule parser accesses a transaction policy statement associated with the transaction packet including one or more rules for allowing the at least one document to be electronically signed. A verification agent then determines whether the rules of the transaction policy statement are met, after which a signature inhibitor prevents the at least one document from being electronically signed unless each rule of the transaction policy statement is met.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for evaluating the effectiveness of data encryption for hiding the identity of the source of Web traffic. A signature is constructed from encrypted Web traffic for a Web page sent by a target Web site, and the signature is compared with archived traffic signatures obtained by accessing various Web pages of interest in advance. If the signature of the detected encrypted Web traffic matches a stored traffic signature beyond a pre-set statistical threshold, a positive match is found, and the source of the traffic is identified. Countermeasures for reducing the reliability of source identification based on traffic signature matching are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for facilitating a transaction using a secondary transaction number that is associated with a cardholder's primary account. The cardholder provides the secondary transaction number, often with limited-use conditions associated therewith, to a merchant to facilitate a more secure and confident transaction.

Abstract: A method for private personal identification number (PIN) management includes receiving a first PIN, receiving a first key used to scramble a second PIN that has been validated, receiving a first scrambled PIN comprising the second PIN scrambled with the first key, scrambling the first PIN with the first key to create a second scrambled PIN and validating the first PIN based at least in part on whether the first scrambled PIN matches the second scrambled PIN.

Abstract: System and methods for manipulating rights expressions for use in connection with a rights management system include one or more tokenized templates. Each tokenized template includes one or more rights expression language statements and one or more tokens associated with at least one of the rights expression language statements. Further, the tokens can be place holders for data items or rights expression elements. The system further includes a license template module that creates the tokenized templates, and a license instance creation module that replaces at least one of the tokens in one or more selected license templates with one or more of the data items or rights expression elements to generate a license instance. Additionally, the system includes a license instance analysis module having sub-modules for validating and interpreting license instances, and a data parsing module for extracting data from created license instances.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for protecting the copyright of an information signal recorded on a recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Video Disc) for presenting the signal to the user or an information signal transmitted through transmission media such as the Internet and for preventing an illegal copy of such an information signal. To put it in detail, information on copyright protection which is read out from the recording medium and information on copyright protection which is encrypted to make the information difficult to alter is used. If both of the information do not match each other, the information on copyright protection is judged to have been altered in an attempt to play back the information signal which is obtained as a result of an illegal copy operation in which case, the operation to play back the information signal is disabled.

Abstract: System terminal integrated with biometric sensor, such as a fingerprint sensor. Transaction terminal such as a point of sale system, automated teller machine (ATM) or other system. The system may include a touch screen display. Also, logic to process sales transactions may be included. The transaction terminal may include a cash drawer. The system authenticates users based on data from the sensor, and can regulate access, for example to a cash drawer, based on the authentication. Also described is a sensor module, security system, and method of operating a transaction terminal.

Abstract: One or more aspects of managing information that were previously performed within a private electronic environment are now performed within a public electronic environment off-line from the private environment. This allows the information to be managed at a location that is user-friendly, and relaxes the requirement for a synchronous connection to the private environment. One example of information managed in this manner is a proposal for a contract, such as sales contract.

Abstract: The invention concerns methods for use in a multiparty accounts receivable and accounts payable system that allow business trading partners to use a single, shared system for both accounts receivable and accounts payable management. A system implementing the methods of the invention forms an electronic “bridge” between a plurality of business trading partners for purposes of invoicing, dispute resolution, financing, and settlement of single and multiple currency debts. As the invoicing and settlement activities of the participants in the methods of the invention are funneled through a common system, the methods allows a participant to aggregate all debts owed to other participants, aggregate all debts owed by the other participants, and net debts owed to other participants with debts owed by these participants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to toys and game applications that are enhanced with digital watermarks. In one embodiment, a character card includes a unique identifier in the form of a digital watermark. The identifier is used to link to a database record, which can be updated to reflect changes in game attributes. Some such game attributes include life, character type and name, health, strength, and power levels. The data record can be updated or modified to reflect changes in attributes due to activity or events during a computer software game. The database record can be used by the computer software game to alter or enhance the game. In another embodiment, a toy interacts with toy components or cards via digital watermarks. Digital watermarks enhance games, toys and books in still other embodiments.

Abstract: The digital content store provides users with an opportunity to purchase authorized usage of digital content, such as single or multiple music tracks, video, movies, and/or video games. The users can also buy license to a desired track for a fixed number of times, e.g. preferably the users can listen on three different machines simultaneously. Users can also burn a play list of X number of times, for example ten. The burn limit preferably applies to the play list, not the song. Mixed media capability is provided that allows the purchase of digital content and/or physical media. The digital content store system comprises a unique digital rights management system and a back-end enabling system that controls these digital rights.

Abstract: This invention relates to a terminal device capable of communicating with an accounting center, an accounting system, and a data processing method. A point memory 45 of a recording/reproducing device 10 stores accounting point information. An HDD 15 stores information distributed from an external source. A CPU 11 updates the accounting point information stored in the point memory 45 and updates attributes of the distributed information when the distributed information is stored onto the HDD 15. Thus, such inconvenience that communication with a distribution/accounting center 1 is carried out every time information is distributed to the recording/reproducing device 10 is avoided.

Abstract: An electronic information content automatic distribution service system according to the present invention is directed to a service system for automatically distributing electronic information contents based on a utilization contract made in advance between an information provider and a user. This system comprises: information distributing means for distributing electronic information contents to the user; and an information processing apparatus for receiving and processing electronic information contents distributed from this information distributing means. The information processing apparatus calls and connect the information distributing means at a preset first time. In addition, the apparatus receives and stores the electronic information contents from the information distributing means. Then, the apparatus reads out and displays the electronic information contents at a second time.

Abstract: A method of conducting a transaction between a user of a remote communications device and a second party includes: creating a transaction data structure based on input from the user that defines the transaction; creating a deferred transaction data structure, corresponding to the transaction data structure that defines a deferred transaction, when establishing communication between the remote communications device and the second party is delayed; storing the deferred transaction data structure in a memory; establishing communication between the remote communications device and the second party; and transmitting the deferred transaction data structure to the second party when the communication between the remote communications device and the second party is established.