Abstract: A token process including storing transaction data for purchase of a product, generating a token for redemption of the product, providing access to the token over a communications network, and sending the token to a handheld device on receipt of a request for the token, the token being readable from the handheld device by a reading device at point of provision of the product. A handheld device including wireless communication means for receiving ticket data, the ticket data adapted to generate a visual display on said handheld device readable by a reading device to redeem a product corresponding to the ticket.

Abstract: A virtual token represents an item, and includes embedded data defining rules and/or capabilities which apply to the use of the item. A virtual token may include graphical image data which is used to generate a display on a computer, whereby selection of the display allows the item represented by the virtual token to be used. A virtual token may contain instructions for sending access requests to a location on a communications network. A system for handling virtual tokens includes a clearing and routing house for routing token access requests, authenticating and generating tokens, and maintaining container structures for tokens. The system also includes connectors installed in a communications network for creating, controlling and managing items represented by tokens, and device clients for executing token components that issue access requests to the clearing and routing house.

Abstract: An access control method executed by a computer system, including applying an access rate limit until a user issuing access requests is verified, a first control level involving verifying the user, a second control level applying hack program detection tests to the access requests and verifying the user, a third control level requiring use of predetermined download software for transmitting the access requests and verifying the user, a fourth control level blocking access to the service on the basis of at least one communications address corresponding to the access requests, and invoking the control levels sequentially depending on a number of failed attempts to verify the user.

Abstract: A token process including storing transaction data for purchase of a product, generating a token for redemption of the product, providing access to the token over a communications network, and sending the token to a handheld device on receipt of a request for the token, the token being readable from the handheld device by a reading device at point of provision of the product. A handheld device including wireless communication means for receiving ticket data, the ticket data adapted to generate a visual display on said handheld device readable by a reading device to redeem a product corresponding to the ticket.

Abstract: A virtual token represents an item, and includes embedded data defining rules and/or capabilities which apply to the use of the item. A virtual token may include graphical image data which is used to generate a display on a computer, whereby selection of the display allows the item represented by the virtual token to be used. A virtual token may contain instructions for sending access requests to a location on a communications network A system for handling virtual tokens includes a clearing and routing house for routing token access requests, authenticating and generating tokens, and maintaining container structures for tokens. The system also includes connectors installed in a communications network for creating, controlling and managing items represented by tokens, and device clients for executing token components that issue access requests to the clearing and routing house.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is provided for connecting a personal computer (PC) to a port of a key telephone system via an adapter circuit which also interfaces a digital key set to the port. The adapter circuit is connected to the computer via an RS-232 single channel data link. The PC is programmed to generate and receive a serial data stream into which are encapsulated messages relating to link control and telephone functionality. The adapter circuit is also programmed to receive and generate the serial data stream. The data rate through the adapter circuit and the telephone system and hence to a remote computer is dependent on the utilization of the attached key set by the user to make a call.