Abstract: A method, system, GUI, apparatus, and computer readable media for enabling a customer to access to a media file uploaded by a user are provided. A user profile may be generated using received login and profile information. The user profile may be hosted on, for example, a web site, SMS/MMS gateway, and a WAP site. A media file may be received from the user and may be upload to the user profile. The media file may be associated with a user account. A request to access the media file may be received from a customer. An account associated with the customer may be updated to indicate their requested access to the media file. The customer may then be enabled to access the media file. The user's account may be updated to indicate the transaction.

Abstract: A random number generating algorithm is seeded with an unpredictable number. The seed value is computed by subjecting variable data to a Secure Hashing Algorithm, and truncating the right most, or left most, 16 bytes from the message digest generated. The algorithm generates the unpredictable number by using the seed value as a counter value in the random number generator, and performing a data encryption standard operation. In one exemplary embodiment, the unpredictable number is modified to a predetermined maximum unpredictable number value as determined by the sender and receiver of the unpredictable number.

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, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code for conducting a transaction include identifying information defining a transaction including at least a transaction amount, identifying an account identifier to associate with the transaction, and establishing a pre-authorization record associated with the account identifier, the pre-authorization record including an authorization restriction based on the transaction amount.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring bank notes for the presence of counterfeit bank notes provides for the detection of such data of each bank note to be monitored that permit a judgement to be made on the authenticity of the bank note. By way of the data detected, the authenticity of each bank note is judged, and in the event that the judgement of the authenticity of the respective bank note leads to the conclusion that a counterfeit and/or counterfeit suspect bank note is present, the data of the respective bank note are transferred to a data bank.

Abstract: In an IC card 30 is sealed an IC chip 70 provided with an exposure sensor 84. When exposure sensor 84 detects that IC card 30 has been opened, exposure sensor 84 outputs an exposure detection signal to a CPU 76. In response to the exposure detection signal, CPU 76 provides a predetermined operation, such as erasure of data in a non-volatile memory 78. As such, the data in non-volatile memory 78 cannot be obtained if IC card 30 is improperly opened to check the data in non-volatile memory 78. Thus the IC card can obtain an enhanced data security.

Abstract: In an IC card 30 is sealed an IC chip 70 provided with an exposure sensor 84. When exposure sensor 84 detects that IC card 30 has been opened, exposure sensor 84 outputs an exposure detection signal to a CPU 76. In response to the exposure detection signal, CPU 76 provides a predetermined operation, such as erasure of data in a non-volatile memory 78. As such, the data in non-volatile memory 78 cannot be obtained if IC card 30 is improperly opened to check the data in non-volatile memory 78. Thus the IC card can obtain an enhanced data security.

Abstract: A method of checking the authenticity of a digital electric circuit arrangement is achieved in that a concatenation (6; 8, 9) of at least a few circuit-technical elements (10) of the electric circuit arrangement (1) is formed, which deviates from the normal, intended use of the circuit arrangement (1), in that a digital random value generated by the external device (2) and transferred to the electric circuit arrangement (1) is modified in said circuit arrangement by the concatenated elements (6; 8, 9) and transferred to the external device (2), in that the external device (2) compares the modified value with a check value assigned to the random value transferred to the electric circuit arrangement (1), and in that the authenticity of the electric circuit arrangement (1) is recognized only when the modified value and the check value correspond to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the distribution of age controlled merchandise or services based upon inputting personal information data encoded on an identification document, such as a driver's license, to determine whether the transaction is legal.

Abstract: To impede the counterfeiting of a valuable instrument (e.g., a cash card, negotiable instrument or any document), an issuance mark is formed on the instrument at a programmed distance from a reference mark located on the instrument. The information pertaining to the distance is encoded and written onto a storage medium located in the instrument. In a particular system embodying the invention, a card vending machine is programmed to encode cards with various parameters, such as the distance between the reference and issuance marks, by writing the parametric information into an information storage medium located in the card. As a corollary, in a particular system embodying the invention, a dispensing machine is programmed to read the information stored in the information storage medium and the parametric information present in the card and to then compare the stored information with the values of the actual parameters present in the card.

Abstract: An authentication system having a first device and a second device between which signals may be communicated. The first device includes a first memory for storing a definition signal and the first device generates a first signal to be communicated to the second device. The first device also generates a first alteration signal, and introduces an alteration into a first section of the definition signal stored in the first memory in accordance with the first alteration signal. The second device includes a second memory for storing the definition signal, and generates, in response to a receipt of the first signal, a second signal to be communicated to the first device. The second signal includes a second section of the definition signal stored in the second memory, and the second device also generates a second alteration signal and introduces an alteration into a third section of the definition signal stored in the second memory in accordance with the second alteration signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding encrypted monetary values onto transfer vehicles include one or more payment, encoder, and encrypter devices, and, associated with each designated receiving device such as a wireless telephone, a reader, decoder, and decrypter device for deciphering the data from the transfer vehicles, and, under appropriate conditions, for transferring the monetary values encoded and encrypted on the transfer vehicle into memory associated with the designated receiving device. Once such monetary values are transferred to the receiving device, the transfer vehicle cannot be used to transfer the same monetary value again even though the transfer vehicle is not modified during the transfer process.

Abstract: The invention provides a pigment composition comprising a pigment having adsorbed on its surface, or as a physical mixture, up to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of pigment composition of a coding compound which is a compound containing an azo, azomethine or polycyclic chromophore and which has an absorption spectrum and a Raman spectrum different from that of the pigment. The compositions are suitable for use in printing inks for security applications.

Abstract: A number of bistable magnetic devices are dispersed in a scanning region of a checking object. Each bistable magnetic device is formed of a nonmagnetic material which undergoes a drastic flux reversal attributable to the Large Barkhausen effect when subjected in succession to first and second external magnetic fields of opposite directions. A processing apparatus comprises magnetic generators for generating magnetic fields of opposite directions, a transportation mechanism for moving the checking object at constant speed, and a coil for detecting magnetic pulses, which are generated as the bistable magnetic devices are subjected to the flux reversal, as changes of electromagnetic induction voltage. A detection signal for the scanning region detected by the apparatus is converted into a cipher code and then recorded in a code indicator section of the checking object.

Abstract: A number of bistable magnetic devices are dispersed in a scanning region of a checking object. Each bistable magnetic device is formed of a nonmagnetic material which undergoes a drastic flux reversal attributable to the Large Barkhausen effect when subjected in succession to first and second external magnetic fields of opposite directions. A processing apparatus comprises magnetic generators for generating magnetic fields of opposite directions, a transportation mechanism for moving the checking object at constant speed, and a coil for detecting magnetic pulses, which are generated as the bistable magnetic devices are subjected to the flux reversal, as changes of electromagnetic induction voltage. A detection signal for the scanning region detected by the apparatus is converted into a cipher code and then recorded in a code indicator section of the checking object.

Abstract: A card entry gate has a slot defining several ridges extending longitudinally from the upper and lower surfaces of the slot. A data-bearing card, with an encoded strip and embossed portions, fits between the ridges of the slot when inserted lengthwise in any orientation. The ridges are positioned to avoid the encoded strip and the embossed portions, thereby preventing damage to the card and reducing jitter. The ridges further resist the malicious or accidental insertion of certain coins, odd-shaped cards, and many foreign objects.

Abstract: A number of high-permeability magnetic elements are dispersed in a scanning region of a checking object. A core of a processing apparatus is provided with an exciting coil and a sensor coil. When a bias magnetic field is applied to the core, and the scanning region is passed in the vicinity of a gap, the permeability of the gap varies depending on the density of the magnetic elements, so that a magnetic flux passing through the core changes. A detection signal corresponding to the change of the magnetic flux is detected by means of the sensor coil. This detection signal is converted into a cipher code and then recorded in a code indicator section of the checking object.

Abstract: A robot joint having a ball-like arrangement on a support, the ball arrangement positioned in a socket device in which the ball is free to move so the socket device can rotate in various directions about the ball arrangement. First and second connectors connect force imparting arrangements to fixed points in the socket device. One of these force imparting arrangements is capable of approaching or receding from the other in some rotations of the socket device.