Abstract: An electronic value amount of an electronic bank account and an electronic value amount stored in user identification module UIM in mobile station MS are each stored in an electronic bank server EBS, and updated by the server when either amount changes as a result of transaction.

Abstract: The invention enables a registered PEAD user to exchange a secure message with another registered PEAD user by using the user ID and the user public key information in the server. The sender can retrieve the public key information from the server 1201 using the receiver's user ID as an index; then the sender can derive the shared secret using the receiver's public key. The sender then can encrypt the message with the shared secret and send it over to a server with the other PEAD user's (receiver's) ID appended with the sender's user ID over the wireless network and/or Internet. The server then stores the message and forwards the message to the receiver once the receiver's PEAD is polling for messages. (It is understood in the art that the server can push the messages to the receiver's PEAD). The receiving PEAD user can use the sender's PEAD user ID and sender's public key information to derive the shared secret to decrypt a received secure message.

Abstract: An edit command delegation (ECD) utility that provides a user with the ability to edit an electronic file in a creator application program while the electronic file is open in a separate viewing application program operable only for viewing the electronic file. In response to a user input to edit the electronic file, the ECD utility opens the electronic file and reads an application identification tag contained within the content of the electronic file. The application identification tag identifies a creator application program, which was used to create the electronic file and is operable for editing the content data of the electronic file. Once the ECD utility reads the application identification tag, the ECD launches the creator application program. The ECD utility then causes the creator application program to open the electronic file. Once the electronic file is open, the content data is displayed in a window controlled by the creator application program to allow the user to edit the content data.

Abstract: For machine-producing a series of mail pieces with the aid of a system for assembling mail pieces, the system registers at least one property of at least one physical, postal item of a particular type, at least one code representing the registered property is generated and compared with at least one reference code, stored in a memory, which represents at least one item-type property. If the code representing the at least one registered property exhibits at least a defined extent of agreement with the reference code or at least one of the reference codes, at least one setting code, associated with the reference code or at least one of the reference codes, which represents a system setting is selected; and the production of a series of mail pieces is carried out in accordance with the selected setting code.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides an integrated rights management and licensing system for storing, researching, buying, and selling intellectual property rights. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a rights owner application, a central repository, and a licensing application to integrate the management, researching and licensing of intellectual property. Accordingly, the present invention optionally allows intellectual property owners and consumers to conduct real-time licensing transactions over a network. Furthermore, the data repository optionally determines availability of intellectual property rights through bi-directional hierarchical navigation and implied data relations.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for selecting, from among a plurality of attachment schemes, an attachment scheme which is appropriate for embedding information in digital data, attaching information representing the selected attachment scheme to the digital data using a predetermined attachment scheme, and attaching arbitrary information such as copyright information or user information to the digital data using the selected attachment scheme.

Abstract: The invention provides techniques for issuing electronic seals of certification to online entities, such as online merchants, in a manner that prevents non-certified parties from easily stealing or otherwise misusing the seals. A central seal issuer verifies the credentials, policies or business practices of each merchant and issues a corresponding seal of certification. For each merchant, the seal issuer generates a unique media object representing an electronic seal. The media object includes an encrypted watermark containing an expiration date. The media objects are stored on a seal server such that the merchants can dynamically retrieve and display the electronic seals when accessed by a user. The seal issuer can easily revoke or update the centrally stored seals.

Abstract: A World Wide Web registration processing system is disclosed for assisting World Wide Web users in registering at World Wide Web web sites. For each such user, the registration processing system includes a long term repository for the user's web site registration information so that this information can be automatically transferred to a plurality of web sites to which the user may at time to time request to be registered. Further, the registration processing system provides the user with the capability to have a common user identification that may be used for accessing services at a plurality of web sites.

Abstract: A printing machine (1) and a printing system (A) are disclosed as having a ROM (5) which stores, in addition to a program for realizing a specific function available for service, all programs for realizing specific functions rendered non-available for service, with service permit information representative of service permit/prohibition of these specific functions being stored in a service permit information storing unit (7). A display and input device (4) provides a display of only the specific function rendered available for service in service permit information stored in the service permit information storing unit (7) whereby, when a particular specific function displayed over the display and input device (4), the program interrelated with the selected specific function is retrieved from the ROM (5) to be executed for operation to realize the selected specific function.

Abstract: A method and system is presented for a digital licensing scheme that separates the license from the digital file containing the copyrightable material. According to the present invention, the files can be downloaded from any server, and transferred from user to user, even after the file has been licensed. The present invention utilizes producer software running on a vendor's computer, server software running on a computer provided by the license provider, and player software operating on the user's computer. Digitally encrypted communication streams keep communications between the producer software, the license provider, and the player software confidential. A software component running on the user's computer checks to make sure that the appropriate product license has been purchased. This is accomplished by comparing the product ID in the product license with the product ID contained in the product file.

Abstract: A method and system for buying and selling services online includes a process for custom services, a commodity process and a collaborative workspace on a website. The process for custom services includes the posting by a buyer of specific criteria for a desired service, the bidding by a seller to perform the service, and the selection of a seller by the buyer. The commodity process includes the posting by a seller of a service offering, the posting by the buyer of requirements for the purchase of the service offering, and the purchase of a service offering by the buyer. The commodity process may also include an optimization process that provides the buyer with an optimized list of service offerings. The collaborative workspace includes communication tools, a file structure, workbenches and project management tools used by the buyer and seller for facilitating the setup, development and release of one or more services.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for effectuating bilateral commerce in ideas. The present invention is both an originator-(400) and user-driven (300) online commercial network system designed to facilitate idea submission, purchase and licensing and is easily adapted to business-to-business transfers of innovation as well as consumer-to-business transfers of innovation. The invention allows originators of ideas to communicate nondisclosing synopses of ideas globally to potential users, for users conveniently to search for relevant ideas and for users potentially to bind an originator (400) to a limited duration license (120a) granting user the exclusive right to access and consider confidentially the originator's fully disclosed idea (130a).

Abstract: A digital facility is made available from a source to users via an electronic communication medium. At least one of the users is associated with an access permission that enables the user to access at least one of the digital facilities. At least one of the users is associated with a grant permission that enables the user to give to another user a permission with respect at least one of the digital facilities.

Abstract: A system and method for providing temporary access to content during shipping. In one embodiment, the system may include a retail web site configured to allow a user to purchase one or more content items via the Internet. The system may also include a temporary content server storing digital copies of at least a portion of at least a subset of the one or more content items. A network interface may be used to connect the temporary content server to the Internet. The temporary content server may be configured to provide the user with temporary access to selected portions of the stored digital copies. The selected portions correspond to the content items purchased by the user. The temporary content server is configured to prevent the user from accessing the stored digital copies once the server has detected that the user has received the ordered content items.

Abstract: A method and system for licensing intellectual properties. A user can acquire a license conveying rights in intellectual properties by accessing a designated site and making a digital license request. Terms and conditions that can be accepted by the user are then made available to the user in the form of a model digital license agreement. Agreement to the terms of the model digital license agreement by the user, and acceptance thereof by the Licensor, creates a digital license agreement that conveys the intellectual property rights defined in the digital license agreement. The final form of the digital license agreement, after agreement thereto by the Licensor and the user, creates a digital license agreement representation that is a digital representation of the terms and conditions that define the intellectual property rights conveyed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for administering use of a golf course information system implemented in golf carts or other roving units with a monitor adapted to provide display of any or all of course and hole layout, course features and distance information to assist a golfer in play of the golf course, or of specific information of interest to the individual golfer from external networks including tournament and individual scoring, stock quotations and electronic mail to enhance the golfing experience. In the method, a gratis trial period less than an entire round of play of the course is invoked, during which the cart display of such information is activated for a golfer commencing use of the cart. The cart display of such information is automatically rendered inactive at the end of the gratis trial period unless, by that point of play, a payment authorization for completion of the round with activated cart display has been made.

Abstract: A restriction canceling apparatus comprising: a memory that stores content consisting of a plurality of relating parts whose functions are restricted and a plurality of restriction canceling data, each corresponding to one of said parts; a first receiver that receives a first request of a client for transmission of the content; a first transmitter that transmits said content to said client upon said first request; a second receiver that receives a second request of said client for transmission of at least one of the restriction canceling data; and a second transmitter that transmits the restriction canceling data to said client upon said second request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing network dependent application services is provided. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a first group of one or more application service contracts specifying subscriptions to one or more application services are provided to a community of one or more subscriber application routers (SAR) by a first application service Provider. One or more application delivery transports are then automatically provisioned in accordance with the one or more application service contracts, and selected ones of the application services are delivered through selected ones of said application delivery transports.

Abstract: A computer network having a requesting node and a providing node permits data transfer therebetween when permitted by an authorizing node. Reports generated in response to authorizations and reports generated in response to data transfers are reconciled at a reconciliation node to improve the accuracy of payments collected and paid for use of the data. Such payments include copyright royalties for audio, video, and other works recorded in digital format.

Abstract: An Internet Box Office (IBO) system and technique vends digital content via a computer network, such as the Internet. The IBO system comprises a viewing system that cooperates with a Digital Rights Management system and various deployment enhancements within the Internet to provide an infrastructure that facilitates access to digital content in a manner that comports with copyright law and the control of intellectual property by the copyright owner. The IBO system enables a content copyright owner to retain control of its intellectual property while allowing a consumer to have transparent access to the copyright-protected content via the network. To that end, the IBO system operates to download and stage the copyrighted digital content on the viewing system of a consumer.