Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow a system or client device to process multiple Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems and formats using a universal DRM client. The universal DRM client can operate based on a universal license so that it may use the same DRM scheme or format used by the content provider. A DRM system may then build a universal license that includes information for gaining access to the content in the DRM package. In turn, a DRM package and the universal license may be provided to the universal client. Based on the information in the universal license, the client device can access the protected content even if it does not have the specific client program code for the DRM format used originally by the content provider.

Abstract: Each user terminal apparatus is connected with a service business enterprise system by a connection business enterprise system in a state that a live image can mutually be transmitted through the service business enterprise system. An user beforehand sets its live image to be appropriately utilized as an advertisement medium, and chooses selling goods to be advertised. A live image transmitted from the user terminal apparatus of the user who performed the aforesaid setting receives a superposed image, for example, by the superposing the T shirt of the user or the like with the image signal of the selling goods as the advertisement object in the service business enterprise system, and then the processed live image signal is transmitted to the user terminal apparatus of a communication companion.

Abstract: Electronic currency consists of data in a form suitable to be stored in a user's data storage medium, comprising information on the data value, identification of each specific set of data or data point, and authentication information suitable to verify that said data has been generated by a specific Currency Issuing Authority (CIA). A method and a system for effecting currency transactions between two users over the Internet or other communication network are also described.

Abstract: A Digital Rights Management (DRM) method and system for content copyright protection protect right information on DRM content and effectively manage the right information. The DRM system for content copyright protection includes: a time security module for providing time change information when a user arbitrarily changes time; and a time security list management module for providing the right information on content and the time change information.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for printing and verifying postage stamps on demand via a personal postage stamp printer. The indicium by which the stamp is printed includes a color stripe and a data field including authentication data that corresponds to the color stripe. To authenticate the stamp, the authentication data in the data field is read and compared with authentication data extracted from the color stripe.

Abstract: A method of creating a domain based on public key cryptography includes providing, by a content-providing server, a list of devices requesting content, and selecting, by a user, a device from the list; transmitting, by the server, discrimination information on revoked devices to the device; extracting, by the device having received the discrimination information, a secret value from the discrimination information, preparing a certificate using the extracted secret value, and transmitting device information and the certificate of the device to the server; verifying, by the server, the certificate and creating a domain ID and a domain key using the device information; encrypting, by the server, the domain ID and the domain key using a unique public key of the device and transmitting the encrypted domain ID and domain key to the device; and restoring, by the device, the domain key using a unique secret key of the device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a financial card system. The system includes a communications device on which a non-contact integrated circuit chip is installed; and an authentication terminal having a reader/writer allowing reading/writing information on the communications device and capable of transmission and reception of information with the communications device through the reader/writer. The communications device has a storage block, a common area information transmission block, and an individual area information transmission block. The reader/writer of the authentication terminal has a storage block, a common area information reception block, and an individual area information reception block.

Abstract: A server is operable to receive a media device identifying number (ID) and establish an association between a media device and a payment account and, in one embodiment, supports at least one of payment authorization and payment clearing based at least in part on the media device ID and the payment account. A network and system includes a payment card processor server that is operable to receive a payment authorization request and to determine if an authorized media device generated a purchase selection message and to determine to approve a received payment authorization request based, in part, if the media device was authorized for the purchase selection based upon a received media device ID. The system is further operable to perform a key rotation to protect payment account information.

Abstract: A system and method to remotely enable software based options for a trial period in remote equipment is disclosed. The invention includes receiving and authenticating a user, and receiving an option-enabling request from the user specifying the particular option requested to be enabled in a particular piece of equipment at a remote location. A system I.D. is validated, and the system ensures that the option has not already been enabled at least once before, and if it has not, a software enabling key is generated and sent to activate the option in the remote equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic privacy management are disclosed. In some embodiments, a customer may accept or reject using the text-messaging feature of his mobile phone offers of discounted goods or services from a partner in exchange for the customer's consent allowing the vendor to release the customer's personal information to the vendor. By controlling dissemination of his personal information in this way, a customer may tailor his own dynamic privacy agreement with the provider in an informal manner and with very little effort. The customer may also control the amount of spam he receives from vendors by specifying the types of offers he is or is not receptive to.

Abstract: There are provided a content distribution system and a license management method for performing, in a collective manner, license management of a plurality of resources contained in contents. Each piece of content contains one upper-level resource (which is first referred to within the content), at least one lower-level resource (which can be referred directly or indirectly from the upper-level resource), one startup document and a license-corresponding document (which is an information file for performing, in a collective manner, license management of the resources contained in the content). The startup document contains at least upper-level resource reference destination information and at least one piece of license information for identifying view licenses required for viewing the resources contained in the content. In each resource, if link information for accessing other content is described, information for accessing the startup document of the other content is described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dispensing value are described. In one configuration, a unique tangible indicia is enabled with a value and then disabled after the value is redeemed. In another configuration, a user enables a unique coded stamp and associates a postage payment with the stamp. The postal service cancels the stamp by deactivating the stamp from a list of active stamps and optionally audits the payment association.

Abstract: A computer system includes a security module programmed to generate a first privacy key for use with secure communications with a first web site, and a second privacy key for use with secure communications with a second web site, the first and second keys being different. The computer system also includes an identity module programmed to receive a request from the first web site for linking a first user account associated with the first web site with a second user account associated with the second web site, and the identity module being programmed to present a user with an option to link the first and second user accounts.

Abstract: A method of modifying a digital rights object including a first portion including a first key and a second portion including first control information for controlling the rights to content encrypted with a second key, the method including the steps of: a) calculating a first function from the first control information of the digital rights object; b) operating on the first key using the first function calculated in step a), to obtain the second key; c) modifying the first control information of the second portion to second control information; d) calculating a second function from the second control information of the digital rights object; and e) operating on the second key obtained in step b) using the second function calculated in step d), to obtain a third key for replacing the first key.

Abstract: A method for making transactions secure based upon a card-type medium (2) comprising a number (4) and a remote database (5) connected to a telecommunications network. A unique and non-reproducible identifier (3) in the form of a bubble code is physically affixed to the card (2) comprising a number (4) contained either on a magnetic strip, of a bar code, or in an electronic label. One representation of this identifier (6) and or (7) is stored in the remote database (5) at the same number (4) as that present on the medium. This identifier (3) constitutes an unforgeable link between the magnetic strip (1) and the database (5). When a call is made to the remote database by means of the number recorded on the card, a link authentication is performed by comparing the representation of the identifier stored in said database and the actual identifier.

Abstract: Electronic currency consists of data in a form suitable to be stored in a user's data storage medium, comprising information on the data value, identification of each specific set of data or data point, and authentication information suitable to verify that said data has been generated by a specific Currency Issuing Authority (CIA). A method and a system for effecting currency transactions between two users over the Internet or other communication network are also described.

Abstract: A system for providing third-party certification of content in an electronic commerce transaction includes one or more servers operating on one or more computers. The one or more servers receive a first set of attribute values from a first party, the first set of attribute values being associated with one or more products that are the subject of an electronic commerce transaction between the first party and a second party. The one or more servers verify that the first set of attribute values matches, at least in part, a second set of attribute values maintained by the second party, the second set of attribute values being associated with the one or more products that are the subject of the electronic commerce transaction between the first party and the second party.

Abstract: A system and method for managing sponsorships by a sponsor, in which the party requesting the sponsorship requests to use content owned and protected by the sponsor, such as trademarks, logos, and copyrighted material. An embodiment of the method involves receiving, at a computer network site, a request for sponsorship from a requester and responding to the request by sending either an approval or a rejection. If an approval is sent, the method further involves providing the requestor with access to content of the sponsor through the site. As part of providing this access, the method can involve requiring the requestor to accept an agreement posted on the site. The method can also include monitoring the requestor's actual use of the content.