Abstract: A vehicle-mounted communication device and a road-to-vehicle communication device are provided which each allow communication of information using a simple structure by making leakage of information difficult. Information including encryption information is communicated between an on-road apparatus 10 having a memory 28 in which an electronic key A is stored, and a vehicle-mounted apparatus 30 having a storage circuit 48. Encrypted route information and the like are stored as is in the vehicle-mounted apparatus 30. Encryption and decoding are executed at an on-road apparatus side. In reception of charges, encrypted information from an IC card 62 having a memory 70 in which a security mechanism is stored passes through the vehicle-mounted apparatus and is transferred to the on-road apparatus. The encrypted information from the IC card 62 is decoded with the on-road apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for negotiating using intelligent agents is described. Using a scalable platform, a user can configure an agent to act on the user's behalf in bi-lateral or multilateral negotiations.

Abstract: The disclosed mutual fund systems, processes and products involve: selecting, from the universe of asset classes, a restricted number of asset classes that have demonstrated superior returns by maintaining momentum during an existing first period of time, say at least two years; selecting, from these asset classes, portfolios of assets that have demonstrated superior returns by maintaining momentum during an existing second period of time, say at most two years; establishing and optimizing a benchmark based upon these portfolios of assets to identify a moving portfolio having calculated momentum; and tracking and periodically updating investment decisions to monitor and maintain the calculated momentum of the moving portfolio.

Abstract: A method and system for managing agricultural product information, and for facilitating the controlled sale, distribution, and use of agricultural products provides a single data entry process for submitting agricultural product registration applications and renewals for a plurality of jurisdictions (states). A single username and password can be used to access a plurality of state databases. State data can be easily cross-referenced and indexed against federal product registration data. Also provided is a system and process of field inspection and enforcement of registration requirements for agricultural products, wherein universal product codes (UPCs) may be scanned into a portable data terminal and be used to check the approval status of a product found in a retailer's store.

Abstract: In each digital content utilize session, a memory card generates conversion key information for specifying a data conversion, while a player generates inverse conversion key information for specifying an inverse data conversion. The memory card then performs the data conversion specified by the conversion key information on management information stored therein, and sends the converted management information and digital content stored therein to the player. The player performs the inverse data conversion specified by the inverse conversion key information on the converted management information to restore the management information, and utilizes the digital content in accordance with restrictions set in the restored management information to limit the use of the digital content.

Abstract: An electronic ticket comprises a ticket ID 233, an issuer ID 237, right information 239 of the electronic ticket, and issue, transfer and redeem conditions 240, 241 and 242, the entire block of these pieces of information being attached with an issuer's signature 235. In each of the issue, transfer and redeem conditions there are recorded ticket schema ID's which specify the types of tickets that the ticket sender and receiver are required to possess, and in each phase of the issue, transfer and redeem transactions it is verified whether these conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: A person-to-person electronic commerce system that protects the anonymity of buyers and sellers. Embodiments of the present invention interpose a trusted intermediary between the buyer and seller during the transaction fulfillment process. Buyer and seller may disclose their personal information to the trusted intermediary. The trusted intermediary then arranges payment and shipping on behalf of the parties. In this way, neither buyer nor seller need know anything about the other in order to fulfill the transaction.

Abstract: A programmable logic device includes a non-volatile permission memory block to enable a customer to utilize a proprietary core. In one embodiment, the core supplier designs its core to check for a specified permission bit or bit pattern in the permission memory block before the core will operate. If the permission bit or bit pattern is set properly, the core functions correctly when implemented in the PLD. If not, the core will not function. To prevent the customer from modifying the core such that it no longer depends upon the permission bits to function, the configuration bitstream used to program the PLD can be encrypted before and during transmission to the PLD. This encryption ensures security of the customer's logic design as well as the supplier's core design. In this manner, the customer remains dependent upon properly set permission memory bits, i.e. proper authorization, to obtain core functionality.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for automating the process for valuing a property that produces an estimated value of a subject property, and a quality assessment of the estimated value, that is based on the fusion of multiple processes for valuing a property. In one embodiment, three processes for valuing a subject property are fused. The first process, called LOCVAL, uses the location and living area to provide an estimate of the subject property's value. The second process, called AIGEN, is a generative artificial intelligence method that trains a fuzzy-neural network using a subset of cases from a case-base, and produces a run-time system to provide an estimate of the subject property's value. The third process, called AICOMP, uses a case based reasoning process similar to the sales comparison approach to determine an estimate of the subject property's value.