Abstract: A method and apparatus for third party control of a device have been disclosed. By utilizing a third party to control a device, view and control of a device may be separated.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a system and method for in-band transaction verification are described. The system and method for in-band transaction verification may include a transaction verification component. The transaction verification component may be configured to provide a transaction confirmation request that includes one or more machine readable resistant security media objects to indicate one or more transaction details for a transaction as well as a confirmation code for confirming the transaction. The transaction verification component may also be configured to receive a response to the confirmation request, such as a response from the user that submitted the transaction request. If the response includes a response code that is the same as the confirmation code, the transaction verification component may complete the transaction. If the response includes a response code that is different than the confirmation code, the transaction verification component may abort the transaction.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to transparent and/or non-disruptive systems and methods for monitoring and analyzing actual space utilization, and in particular, analyzing space utilization over time and/or in real time to accurately understand and report the utilization of the space. In particular, the disclosed embodiments analyze data representative of occupancy of the space, the data being autonomously determined based on the likelihood that occupants are present within the space. The data is periodically determined and automatically reported to an automated collection system which collects the data and forwards it to a central repository for analysis. The data is then analyzed to provide meaningful reports regarding occupancy of the space or otherwise contextualize the utilization of the space. Further, the data collected from different spaces may be anonymized, aggregated, or otherwise combined, and analyzed to contextualize a given space's utilization, provide utilization forecasts, etc.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides personal health management devices, and corresponding systems and methods. The personal health management device generally include an electronic controller and at least one memory device which cooperate to store at least temporarily weight management data for managing the weight of at least one user, such as a user's weight, a user's body fat percentage, exercise data, food consumption data, or a combination thereof, obtained from at least one component for obtaining such data, such as a keypad, a body fat percentage sensor for measuring a user's body fat percentage, a scale for measuring a user's weight, an exercise machine, a food scale, etc, and a communications unit for communicating the data obtained to a healthcare provider for monitoring progress with respect to a weight management program over a communications network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing user trust by authenticating an electronic commerce server over an electronic communications channel using information received through an out-of-band communication in a physical communications channel are described. In one configuration, a paper bill is sent to a user by physical mail delivery and it includes challenge and response data used to authenticate the electronic commerce server over the electronic communications channel.

Abstract: A system and method for an all-inclusive, high speed and convenient delivery of digital content to a user is described. The system and method include software, firmware and communications technology for providing digital content to a user, monitoring and controlling an interface between the user and the system to provide for purchase or lease of digital content by the user as well as communicating and archiving all data necessary to accommodate accounting, billing and reporting functions. The system and method also provide for management of the assignment of digital rights management so as to allow rendering of the digital content on more than one device, and to allow the content to be rendered on a device that is not connected to a digital rights license management server.

Abstract: In a personal Internet communication device, a security key is stored on the master boot record. Any bootable device attempting to write operating system files or software files must have an authorized signature key in order to be eligible to install files on the personal Internet communication device.

Abstract: Content distributions may be optimized based on data from past distributions, including recipients, content metadata, and distribution path strength parameters. A content distribution package may be assembled, with the package including content metadata and an optimized distribution path. Clients that receive the package may modify the distribution. The details of the modified distribution may be reported back for inclusion in the distribution history records. In some embodiments, updates to the distribution records may be reflected in real-time such that ongoing distributions of content may be adjusted in response to feedback regarding distributions of other content. Each client may maintain a content management queue for users to specify, for each content package, which content is to be downloaded, which content is to be disregarded, and parameters and preferences for further distribution of the package itself.

Abstract: A method for registering biometric information for use in a transponder-reader system is disclosed. The method includes steps of detecting, verifying and storing a proffered biometric sample. During detecting, a sensor detects a proffered biometric to obtain a biometric sample. During the verifying step, the biometric sample is compared with other stored samples and/or other information. During the storing step, the biometric sample is stored on a database, for use by the transponder-reader system in authorizing transactions.

Abstract: An open digital watermark system and methodology having various features for unifying watermark production and processing among diverse user multimedia terminals (112), such as set top box, that may be OPIMA compliant. In accordance with specific aspects, intentional image warping is employed to combat pirating, the analog video channel used to download programming, packet signature implemented for watermark insertion by pixel replacement and use of the data stream made to reduce local data processing and storage.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for increasing the usefulness of visual knowledge in a number of applications. It distills the relationships between characteristics and hypotheses into database form, thereby organizing visual information in a manner suitable to aid the user in the investigation of the various hypotheses (medical diagnosis, pill identification, plant/animal identification, cause of death, cause of accident, etc.). The invention sidesteps unresolved issues around knowledge engineering by not automating a decision making process. Rather, the present invention utilizes a relational database to dynamically respond to textual and visual findings as an aid to assist a user reaching a reasoned conclusion based upon information available by direct observation and comparison with stored image and textual data.

Abstract: A portable device transmits a payment card number to a merchant machine. The portable device generates an encrypted first message comprising a request to get information about a financial transaction. A packet filter maps the encrypted first message to a pre-established non-GBR bearer. The portable device generates a fourth message by encrypting the encrypted first message and transmits the fourth message. The portable device receives and decrypts a second encrypted message. The portable device decrypts the decrypted second message and sends financial transaction information to a display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a system for data transmission. Authentication data and an electronic key are generated, whereby the electronic key is stored as assigned to the authentication data. At least part of the electronic key is transmitted by means of an authentication module of the central module to a communications terminal. Asynchronously to that, data are encrypted into encrypted data by means of an encryption module and by means of at least part of the electronic key. The encrypted data are transmitted between a central module and a communications terminal. The encrypted data are decrypted by means of a decryption module and by means of at least part of the electronic key.

Abstract: A method for transmitting information streams from a transmitting site of a provider to a receiving site of a user, the method including: providing a plurality of information streams stored at the transmitting site; providing a variety of different communication channels for transmitting an information stream; generating and allocating authorizations to the information streams at the transmitting site; generating an overview of the information streams available; transmitting the overview to the receiving site; acquiring, by the user, an authorization from a source other than the transmitting site in preparation for selecting an information stream; selecting an information stream and requesting transmission of it from the transmitting site by submitting the acquired authorization allocated to the selected information stream from the receiving site to the transmitting site; and selecting a communication channel and transmitting the selected information stream over it from the transmitting site to the receiving

Abstract: A “lock-and-key” consumer billing data protection capability is provided to telemarketing systems which are based upon previously-acquired consumer lists. The lists contain only partial billing information for each consumer, which is insufficient to access the consumer's account. Thus, at the time a telemarketer employing this capability communicates with a consumer to offer them a product or service, the telemarketer, the seller and any entity hired to perform billing operations for such consumer purchases all remain “locked” out from accessing the consumer's account. When the consumer wishes to authorize the purchase of an offered product or service, the consumer must “reach into their wallet” to provide the “key” to their account, which is the missing billing information not acquired from the third-party list provider.

Abstract: A method for accepting payments from a consumer for a travel ticket from a travel company comprises receiving at a point of sale device a transaction request that includes a transaction identifier that identifies a travel arrangement made with the travel company and a payment amount. The payment amount and the transaction identifier is transmitted to a host computer system for validation. Also, a validation from the host computer system is received indicating that the transaction requested has been validated. A payment is received from the consumer, and at least a portion of the payment is electronically transmitted to the travel company.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling access to various tiers of functionality of core software are provided. A software developer/vendor can develop a single version of software having one or more limited-access functionalities and provide the single version of the software to various types of customers. Each customer, using the single version of the core software, may develop additional software that utilizes one or more functionalities of the core software as authorized by the software developer/vendor. Access to a certain functionality or set of functionalities by the customer developed software is obtained by adapting the customer developed software to submit a key, provided by the software developer/vendor, to the core software through, for example, an application programming interface (API) of the core software.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for interactive, adaptive, customized and individualized computer-assisted instruction of students, preferably implemented on network connected computers. An assembly tool is provided for bringing diverse educational resources together to create customized course material for the instruction of students. A replication element is configured to update each resource and assure access to each updated resource. The system and method of the present invention responds to the instructor's creativity, allowing the instructor to shape and control the instructional materials and process, and allowing instructors from diverse institutions to exchange, share, modify and improve educational materials.

Abstract: A device, such as a vehicle, and a method within the device are provided for protecting the privacy of device specific information. The method includes the steps of detecting a beacon transmitted by an association requestor, determining whether the association requestor is an authorized requester by determining whether a present parameter falls within a range of authorized parameters associated with the association requester, and transmitting the device specific information to the authorized requester only if the present parameter falls within the range of authorized requester parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying a check that is being used for an on-line transaction, utilizes a hash code value either printed directly on the check, or obtained from an insert card provided by a check printer. To conduct an on-line transaction using a check, the customer enters in data obtained from a MICR line of the check, whereby the data includes a one-way hash value that is based on the data provided on the MICR line as well as private data not provided on the MICR line. A web server of an e-tailer for which the customer seeks to make the on-line transaction, receives the data entered by the customer. The web server of the e-tailer transmits, to a check verifier, the data entered by the customer. The check verifier verifies whether or not the check is valid, by comparing the hash code value entered in by the customer with a hash code value that is separately calculated by the check verifier, based on private data of the customer obtained by the check verifier from a database.