Abstract: A method and apparatus for directly writing multimedia data onto a digital device are provided. The method includes sensing multimedia data written on a storage medium; displaying a user interface screen to display the multimedia data and a folder for a digital device; receiving a command to write the multimedia data in the folder; converting the multimedia data to a format which is playable by the digital device; and writing the converted data in the folder. The apparatus includes a sense unit which senses multimedia data written on a storage medium; a display unit which displays a user interface screen; an input unit which provides input in the form of a command to write the multimedia data in a folder; and a converting and writing unit which converts the multimedia data to a format which is playable by the digital device and writes the converted multimedia data in the folder.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining whether profiles associated with social-networking websites have been compromised may include (1) creating a database of validated-content identifiers that identify valid content published on a social-networking profile, (2) determining, by monitoring the social-networking profile, that at least one item of content has been illegitimately published on the social-networking profile, and then (3) performing at least one security action on the social-networking profile. Various other systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A content management system may receive, purchase or otherwise obtain licenses from content owners or licensors and provide such content licenses to application developers or other content creators. The content management system can act as a central broker for licensing content rights to developers. The application developers can then generate content items based on the obtained licenses and provide or sell those content items to users of their applications. For instance, the developer may license an automobile design, brand name or performance data from an automobile manufacturer and create an automobile model for a racing game application.

Abstract: An apparatus for allocating and tracking utilization of information technology resources of a distributed virtual infrastructure comprises at least one processing platform associated with the distributed virtual infrastructure. The processing platform comprises at least one processing device having a processor coupled to a memory. The processing platform is operative to allocate at least a designated one of the information technology resources to a user responsive to a corresponding request, to track utilization of the designated information technology resource allocated to the user, and to generate one or more notifications if the utilization of the designated information technology resource by the user falls below a specified threshold. The distributed virtual infrastructure may comprise an enterprise private cloud infrastructure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to inventory governance in a virtual universe. A method of inventory governance in a virtual universe (VU) includes: providing an inventory for a virtual universe (VU) resident; and providing means for governing at least one aspect of the inventory, the governing means comprising at least one of: an administrative interface for establishing an authorizing relationship between the VU resident and an authorizing entity; a filtering interface for administering at least one filter to the inventory; or a monitoring interface for providing capability to monitor at least one of: the VU resident or the inventory.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an appliance system. The system includes an appliance, and a processor connected to the appliance such that the processor places the appliance in one of an enabled state and a disabled state. The processor is configured to track usage of the appliance and to place the appliance in a disabled state when the usage of the appliance exceeds a threshold amount. The system also includes a data receiving device configured to receive a code, wherein upon receipt of a valid code, the processor is configured to adjust the threshold amount to allow additional usage of the appliance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for transmitting data for secure storage. For each of two or more data sets, a plurality of shares are generated containing a distribution of data from an encrypted version of the data set. The shares are then stored in a shared memory device, wherein a data set may be reconstructed from a threshold number of the associated plurality of shares using an associated key. Also provided are systems and methods for providing access to secured data. A plurality of shares containing a distribution of data from an encrypted version of a data set are stored in a memory device. A client is provided with a virtual machine that indicates the plurality of shares, and the capability to reconstruct the data set from the plurality of shares using an associated key.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a flexible licensing system for digital content is described. In some cases, the system utilizes tokens or other valuations to facilitate the purchase or exchange of content.

Abstract: A system and method for providing prepaid billing for users of an instant messaging system. A method includes determining whether a prepaid account balance associated with an IM client request satisfies a pre-determined criteria, establishing a regular IM session if the prepaid account satisfies the criteria, and establishing a limited IM session if the prepaid account does not satisfy the criteria. The system includes a prepaid account screener operable to determine whether a prepaid account balance satisfies the criteria, establish a regular IM session if the prepaid account satisfies the criteria, and establish a limited IM session if the prepaid account does not satisfy the criteria.

Abstract: Metering is enabled through an arrangement in which a metering certificate is communicated to a mobile device using an over-the-air protocol. A metering trigger provides the metering certificate that includes a location to which metering data is posted by the mobile device and a public key of a public-private key pair, or alternatively provides a link to such metering certificate. A metering helper passes the metering certificate to a DRM system on the mobile device which collects metering data associated with the metering ID and uses the public key to encrypt the metering data into a metering challenge. The metering helper posts the metering challenge to the location. The metering service extracts the metering data from the metering challenge using a private key and generates a metering response that is received by the metering helper which prompts the DRM system to reset at least a portion of a data store in which the metering data is stored.

Abstract: A method for controlling unauthorized use of digital content includes identifying digital content for validation. Characterizing information is generated that designates the identified digital content, and usage rights for the identified digital content are determined based on the characterizing information, for example, based on a comparison of the characterizing information that designates the identified digital content to a plurality of characterizing information. Usage of the identified digital content may also be controlled based on the determined usage rights. Related systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are discussed.

Abstract: A method of obtaining radio content from a remote electronic device for a user electronic device includes transmitting a request for radio media content to a first remote electronic device via a network. Radio media content that includes a plurality of media data files is received via the network. The received plurality of media data files are stored in a storage device of the user electronic device. A radio playlist that defines a rendering sequence for the plurality of media data files is requested. In response to the request for the radio playlist, the radio playlist is received. The radio playlist is processed in the user electronic device to enable the stored plurality of media data files to be rendered on the user electronic device in accordance with the radio playlist.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining a whether access to host requested by a user is permitted. User identifying information is obtained using any of a variety of techniques. The method includes determining a user domain, which indicates an identity of the user's home service provider. A list of hosts is determined based on the home provider. If the requested host is in the list of hosts, then the user is allowed access to the requested host though the user is not authorized. The list of hosts may be determined by one or more attributes from an actual or implied user profile, such as a domain name.

Abstract: Systems and methods of synchronizing media are provided. A client device may be used to capture a sample of a media stream being rendered by a media rendering source. The client device sends the sample to a position identification module to determine a time offset indicating a position in the media stream corresponding to the sampling time of the sample, and optionally a timescale ratio indicating a speed at which the media stream is being rendered by the media rendering source based on a reference speed of the media stream. The client device calculates a real-time offset using a present time, a timestamp of the media sample, the time offset, and optionally the timescale ratio. The client device then renders a second media stream at a position corresponding to the real-time offset to be in synchrony to the media stream being rendered by the media rendering source.

Abstract: A device includes a display unit, a display control unit configured to display a screen on the display unit according to display data, an execution unit configured to cause the device to perform a process corresponding to a script included in the display data, and a storing unit configured to store information indicating whether the script is charged for. The execution unit is configured to determine whether the script is charged for by referring to the information stored in the storing unit, and update charging information for the process performed by the device if the script is charged for.

Abstract: A communication device is described comprising a receiver configured to receive a message from a communication terminal indicating that the communication terminal requests a data service and indicating that a cost of providing the data service is to be associated with a provider of the data service and including security information; a determining circuit configured to determine, based on the security information, whether the communication terminal is authorized to be provided with the requested data service with a cost of providing the data service being associated with a provider of the data service; and a controller, configured to establish a communication connection for providing the data service and to associate a cost of the communication connection with the provider of the data service if the authorization has been successful.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a method, a service server, a mobile communication terminal, an end-point terminal, and a storage medium, for providing a service to an end-point terminal that uses authentication information of a mobile communication terminal to which it is not currently connected, wherein the end-point terminal is connected to a first mobile communication terminal and to a second mobile communication terminal through a short-range communication network and to a service server via the second mobile communication terminal. The end-point terminal uses the authentication information of the first mobile communication terminal and is connected to the service server which is connected to the first and second mobile communication terminals through the mobile communication network, for authenticating the end-point terminal that uses the authentication information of the first mobile communication terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods that generate a partial Charging Data Record (CDR) when charging transfers from a primary charging function to a secondary charging function due to a failure. In one embodiment, the system receives an interim accounting request for a session from a secondary charging function after charging was transferred from the primary charging function. The system then opens a new partial CDR for the session based on the interim accounting request. The system receives a prior partial CDR for the session from the primary charging function, parses the prior partial CDR to identify a CDR timestamp, and records a start time in the new partial CDR based on the CDR timestamp. The system parses the interim accounting request to identify an accounting timestamp for the session, records an end time in the new partial CDR based on the accounting timestamp, and closes the new partial CDR.

Abstract: A system for managing wagering game content is described herein. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a wagering game machine management server. The wagering game server can include a content controller configured to receive wagering game content and load the wagering game content onto a wagering game machine over the network. The wagering game server can also include a compatibility controller configured to determine whether the wagering game content is compatible with the wagering game machine. Additionally, the wagering game server can include a license controller configured to receive licensing information and to use the licensing information to activate the wagering game content.

Abstract: A display control system includes: a display information acquisition section that acquires display information by using given account information; and a corrected display information creation section that, based on first display information acquired by the display information acquisition section using first account information and second display information acquired by the display information acquisition section using second account information different from the first account information, determines whether the display contents shown by the first display information are included in display contents shown by the second display information or not, selects part or all of the display contents shown by the first display information in accordance with a result of the determination, and creates corrected display information which includes the selected part of the display contents shown by the first display information.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for loading page generation code supplied by customers into a memory. A request for a network page is obtained from a client. The network page is associated with a network site hosted by a hosting provider on behalf of a customer. It is determined whether page generation code configured to generate at least a portion of the network page is preloaded into a memory. Such page generation code is customer supplied. The page generation code is loaded into the memory in response to the request and in response to determining that the page generation code is not preloaded into the memory. The page generation code is executed to generate the at least a portion of the network page in response to the request.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein for protecting personally identifying information (PII) and behavioral data while delivering targeted assets. In one aspect, a profile is created based on a template and desired characteristics of users to receive one or more targeted assets. The template provides a framework for the user characteristics. One or more clients are provided the template. A manifest that identifies the targeted assets is encrypted based on the profile. The encrypted manifest is sent to the one or more clients. A user profile is generated at a client based on a template. The client attempts to decrypt the encrypted manifest based on the profile created at the client. The client sends a request for any targeted assets that were identified through the attempt to decrypt the encrypted manifest.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for a fault resilient collaborative media serving array comprising a plurality of nodes. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for creating a fault resilient collaborative media serving array where the array nodes do not share memory, the serving of a content file is accomplished by the collaborative efforts of many nodes in the array, and where there is no fixed allocation of sessions to nodes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and an image processing apparatus implementing the method for color pixel counting in documents by integrating color detection and counting. The method determines if pixels are neutral (e.g., gray) or non-neutral (i.e., color). Windows are used to analyze the pixels. For each window, a number of pixels with at least one color plane ON are counted, as well as a number of ON pixels in each color plane. The windows are determined to be neutral or color. A billable count of color pixels is determined based on the neutrality of the windows. Based on the billable count of color pixels, a bill for outputting the document is determined.

Abstract: System and methods for restricting accessibility to harmful content on a computer network. Network pathways are explored to study a plurality of investigated hosts from a plurality of diverse entry points into the computer network. The investigated hosts are checked whether they are malicious hosts believed to contain harmful content. For any of the investigated hosts that are malicious hosts, intermediary hosts having connectors to those malicious hosts are identified based on the exploring of the network pathways. An access restriction is associated with each of the intermediary hosts, which can be used to block or otherwise restrict access to the intermediary hosts, which may or may not themselves contain malicious content.

Abstract: Web-sites www.proximityservices.com, www.accessservices.com, www.vendingmachineservices.com, www.vehicleservices.com, www.meterservices.com, www.picopay.com, www.tollservices.com, for all the proximity service systems world wide are disclosed wherein customers can sign up for proximity services such as toll gate services at any toll gate in the world that has signed up to provide the service to customers, parking meter services etc. and the proximity systems owners are guaranteed their payments. In the preferred embodiment all transactions are approved at the local POS (toll gate, parking meter, checkout station, parking lot, pay phone, ATM, gas station, etc.) using a service provider identification number (SPIN) issued to the service provider owner each month for example. The local approved transactions are guaranteed by the web-site owners and the customers each have unique SPIN numbers that expire periodically such as each month.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing the purchaser of an on-demand entertainment session of predetermined time duration to reaccess that portion of the session not used. On-demand passenger entertainment services in airline flights often offer services, such as movies, of a predetermined time duration which time is longer than the time of flight. The method and system disclosed allows purchasers to gain access on another flight to the unused portion of the services, such as, the unseen portion of a movie, terminated at the end of the initial flight.

Abstract: A system and method for the management of a device, including the establishment and enforcement of policies/rules associated with feature or functions that may be performed with the device. Modern devices are capable of many things, including making and receiving calls, exchanging data, playing games and music, sending and receiving email, accessing web sites, and paying for goods and services. Depending on who is using the device, such as a child, student, or an employee, there may be a need or desire to regulate how that device can be used and to determine who will pay for what goods or services. In addition to providing all of the features associated with a device, service providers need to be able to establish and enforce rules (policies) regulating how and when that device can be used and who will pay for a good or service requested by the user of the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is drive mode guide system for a vehicle provided with a plurality of drive modes. More specifically, a road information storage unit stores information related a road state. A real-time information storage unit receives and stores environmental information in real time. A vehicle information storage unit stores information related to the vehicle. A control unit then extracts a possible-traveling path and a drive mode and an outputs the possible-traveling path. A suggested drive mode received from the control unit based on the information stored in the road information storage unit, the real-time information storage unit, and the vehicle information storage unit.

Abstract: A device for playback (8) of content (2) in accordance with a license (4) comprises a processing unit (3) for accessing the license and for specifying usage information for the content. The processing unit is communicatively connected to a usage indicator (5) for providing a measure of usage and a communication unit (6). Usage information is set by the processing unit to allow usage of the content if the measure of usage has been communicated to a service provider (10) in accordance with instructions derived from the license, else usage of the content is forbidden.

Abstract: When an image processing apparatus performs a transmission function of transmitting image data generated by reading a document with a scanner, to a cost management apparatus, the image processing apparatus registers cost information and the image data in the cost management apparatus, the cost information corresponding to user's operation time incurred to perform the transmission function.

Abstract: Producing, by a digital media production hub from users' digital expressions of preferences, information describing a user community's preference for replacing the modifiable part of the digital media product with a replacement part; receiving, in the digital media production hub from a media product owner, the digital media product and a digital grant of rights to modify and distribute the digital media product; receiving, by the digital media production hub from a media parts provider, at least one replacement part, a digital grant of rights to use the replacement part to modify the digital media product, and a digital grant of rights to distribute the replacement part with the digital media product; and replacing, by the digital media production hub in accordance with the information describing the user community preference and the digital grants of rights, the modifiable part with the replacement part.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, and storage mediums for managing content storage and selection activities. The method includes aggregating content from content providers and presenting the content to a content device. The method also includes monitoring consumption of storage space with respect to storage capacity in the content device, relocating content contained in the storage space of the content device when a predetermined condition is met, and providing access to relocated content. The relocation is operable for freeing up the storage space of the content device.

Abstract: This invention improves upon existing pay-per-click arrangements by periodically generating a code associated end users. This code, preferably in the form of a serial number, is compared to the end user of the website, such that by observing a metric like the number of clicks for a given period of time, be it a short time or a longer period, such as a day or a week, the system can automatically determine if certain clicks are illegitimate. This allows the pay-per-click company to more fairly invoice the merchants, thereby preventing fraudulent over use.

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: This invention improves upon existing pay-per-click arrangements by periodically generating a code associated with the search-engine end users. This code, preferably in the form of a serial number, is compared to the end user of the website, such that by observing a metric like the number of clicks for a given period of time, be it a short time or a longer period, such as a day or a week, the system can automatically determine if certain clicks are illegitimate. This allows the pay-per-click company to more fairly invoice the merchants, thereby preventing fraudulent over use.

Abstract: An authentication apparatus receives an authority delegating request from an apparatus, acquires information of authorities possessed by the user from a storage unit, presents information of the acquired authorities to the user, and receives an instruction indicating which of the authorities possessed by the user is delegated to the apparatus. A storage unit stores, when the instruction to delegate the authority to the apparatus is received, an identifier required to uniquely identify the instruction and the authority instructed by the user to delegate, in association with each other. Authentication information indicating delegation of the authority is transmitted to the apparatus based on the instruction from the user.

Abstract: A smart coupon-delivery system provides targeted coupons to a user using a criteria-encoded message received from a coupon server. The criteria-encoded message is generated by the coupon server from a behavior-criteria vector that indicates criteria for selecting a recipient of a digital coupon. The system then generates a user-behavior vector to indicate one or more behavior patterns of an end-user, and encodes the user-behavior vector to produce a behavior-encoded message. The system then determines whether the end-user is eligible to receive the digital coupon based on the criteria-encoded message and the behavior-encoded message. If the system determines that the end-user is eligible, the system presents the digital coupon to the end-user.

Abstract: An intellectual contents distribution method distributes intellectual contents from a computer via a network. The contents provided from a contents provider are stored in a computer 1, along with support results from at least one supporter relating to the contents. The contents are transmitted to a system of a purchaser via a network in response to the purchaser's request. Also, purchase results of the contents are stored in the computer. Further, the computer computes earnings to be returned to the contents provider and earnings to be returned to each supporter based on a predetermined computational formula by using the support results and the purchase results stored in the computer.

Abstract: A method of managing digital rights is disclosed that includes recording media content at one or more servers supporting a multimedia content distribution service. The one or more servers are configured to transmit multimedia data to multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) devices. The method further includes determining recorded media content at the one or more servers that is associated with a content source and providing a graphical user interface (GUI) accessible to a content manager at the content source to manage digital rights. The GUI includes a list of the recorded media content and at least one selectable element associated with each item of the list accessible to select media content and to configure digital rights associated with the selected media content.

Abstract: A system and process for coordinating streaming content or messages is provided. A network-connected server maintains a database containing media content-related data, such as the text of a message, accompanying media, time of airing, payment and related comments. A user can view these feeds or streams of these consciousness messages by downloading a mobile application or browsing to a website. The application can also be used to create, schedule and pay for a media content message.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide multi-tenant billing systems and methods whereby data network usage fees that are associated with delivering select content of different content providers over a data network are passed to the content provider that originates or is the source for that select content instead of the end users that request and receive the select content. A deep packet inspection server or a billing server may be configured with a list of identifiers to distinguish between the network usage that is related to the delivery of the designated free content from the network usage that is not related to the delivery of the designated free content. The network usage can be distinguished by filtering or processing usage logs that track the network usage using the configured list of identifiers. Such filtering or processing can be done in real-time or in a delayed manner in a standalone or integrated system.

Abstract: A subscriber network can provide services. External applications can use the services on the subscriber network. A service access gateway can control application access to services of the subscriber network. The service access gateway can filter requests from an external application to access services on the subscriber network based on the customer for which the external application is accessing the service.

Abstract: A system for securing patient medical information for communication over a potentially vulnerable system includes separating patient's medical file into a demographics layer and a data layer, separately encrypting the demographic layer and data layer using different encryption keys, and providing servers in a communication and processing system with a decryption key for the layer processed by such server. Medical file data may be separated into more than two layers. Users accessing the system are authenticated using standard techniques. By separately encrypting different parts of a patient medical record, processing and communication of patient medical files by intermediary servers is enabled without risking disclosure of sensitive patient information if such servers are compromised.

Abstract: System and method for providing a permanent data record for a creative work. In one embodiment, a process is provided to include receiving a request for a permanent data record to be issued for the creative work. The request can indicate a type of data record to be issued. Data corresponding to the creative work may also be received. The process can include generating the permanent data record using the received data, such that the received data is unalterable. Further, the permanent data record can be associated with the creative work.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for upgrades and synchronization of applications installed on a device, such as a mobile device. In one embodiment, a device may include applications purchased and downloaded via a content management system. The device maintains a list or database of applications that are authorized for each device. This list is also replicated in a remote cache that is maintained by an archive host. The device may then synchronize and upgrade these applications across multiple platforms, such as one or more computers that can be coupled to the device or the archive host. The archive host allows for files of the application be provided back to the device. Upon installation, the device can then confirm the authorization and identity of the newly installed application.

Abstract: One or more storage modules in accordance with implementations of the present invention can be configured for a direct physical connection to a portable, digital playback device. The one or more storage modules comprise computer-executable instructions and one or more media files for delivering content directly to the portable playback device. Thus, for example, a potential customer or end user can plug-in a purchased or rented storage module directly into a personal digital playback device and watch movies, listen to music, watch/listen to news programs, or the like without necessarily having to download content through an intermediate computer system or network interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a digital rights management system with a centralized domain service capable of creating and managing membership criteria for joining a domain in accordance with business rules defined by a content owner. A domain identification is created that allows a content provider to uniquely bind content licenses to a domain. The content licenses include usage rights that define how content associated with the licenses may be consumed by one or more members of the domain. The centralized domain service can enforce digital rights by validating membership criteria including at least one of a domain proximity check for validating that a requestor is in close proximity to the domain, a total number of requestors, or the frequency that the requests have been made by various requestors to join the domain and unjoin from the domain.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method of correlating a plurality of service instances by a service composition entity, wherein the services are performed by one or a plurality of servers of a telecommunications network. Thereto, the service composition entity performs the steps of invoking a composite service instance corresponding to the service request, and generating a composite service identifier identifying this composite service instance, contacting the one or a plurality of application servers for invoking the plurality of component service instances, wherein the plurality of component service instances are associated to the composite service instance, and sending a first service report comprising an information about the composite service instance to a service supervision system, wherein this information enables the service supervision system to identify reports about the component service instances as being associated to the composite service instance.

Abstract: Based on the detailed reproduction control information defining the reproduction control state of data to be transmitted, the CPU 12 of the data transmission apparatus creates a simplified reproduction control information roughly defining the reproduction control state of the data, stores the simplified reproduction control information of the data in the packet header of a data packet carrying the data, stores the detailed reproduction control information in the data, and transmits the simplified reproduction control information and the detailed reproduction control information as well as the data to the data receiving apparatus 20 through the transmission channel 30 from the input-output interface 16.