Abstract: Customers make purchases from online merchants using personal information, such as payment and shipping information, stored with an online information service. The merchants may optionally report information about each customer's purchases back to the information service, which may incorporate the information into a history page that is accessible to the customer. The information service may also use the aggregated purchase history data to generate an “interests” profile for the customer, which may be disseminated to the merchants and used to customize their web sites. The web pages of the merchants may include a reference to an object, such as a graphic, that is served by the information service. For customers that are registered with the information service, this object may be customized with the name of the customer, and may be selectable by the customer to make single-action purchases.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for leasing a unique digital item in a network data processing system. A listing request is received for a payment and a deposit in the account of a first party. A listing request is received for a unique digital item in the account of a second party. Responsive to receiving the listing requests, the respective digital properties are transferred to a temporary storage account in association with retrieval tags. Listings for the digital properties appear on a trusted third-party leasing service. A lease contract is drawn up between the parties. After all parties have signed the lease agreement, the payment is transferred to the second party and the unique digital item is transferred to the first party. The deposit is held by the trusted third-party leasing service until the unique digital item is returned.

Abstract: This invention uses probabilistic correlation techniques to increase sensitivity, reduce false alarms, and improve alert report quality in intrusion detection systems. In one preferred embodiment, an intrusion detection system includes at least two sensors to monitor different aspects of a computer network, such as a sensor that monitors network traffic and a sensor that discovers and monitors available network resources. The sensors are correlated in that the belief state of one sensor is used to update or modify the belief state of another sensor. In another embodiment of this invention, probabilistic correlation techniques are used to organize alerts generated by different sensors in an intrusion detection system.

Abstract: A management apparatus, a charging object apparatus and a management system and method by which a product of an object of use can be used in an efficiency as high as possible when it is used commonly by a plurality of people.

Abstract: Each IC card 1 notifies a server 3 of the ID of the IC card and the connection information of a terminal device to which the IC card is connected. The server 3 stores the ID and the connection information in a database 4 while associating the ID and the connection information with each other. When an IC card 1 communicates with another IC card, the IC card 1 requests the connection information concerning the destination IC card from the server 3 while specifying the ID of this IC card. The server 3 searches the database 4 for the connection information corresponding to the ID specified by the request, and notifies the requesting IC card 1 of the acquired connection information. This enables communications between IC cards even if the terminal device to which a destination IC card is connected has been changed in the past.

Abstract: An animation data sales mediation method, an animation data sales mediation system and so on are capable of providing large capacity data such as animation data by a large capacity storage medium in advance, rendering the time required for transfer of the data via the network extremely short by passing a key code for viewing the animation data via the network, rendering the labor and costs required for sales of the animation data extremely low, and providing the latest unauthorized copy technology to the animation data. The animation data sales mediation system has the steps of having a user terminal send to a large capacity data sales server an online access code corresponding to the large capacity data one to one, having the large capacity data sales server send the key code to the user terminal, having the user terminal encrypt and store the key code, and having the animation data used by using the key code.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for DRM brokering and digital asset security transcoding comprising utilizing a broker for converting content from one format into one or more alternative DRM-protected formats for distribution to end-users. The broker operates an escrow system for securing and tracking the content and information about the content and encryption keys associated with a plurality of DRM content formats. The broker further provides a common inter-DRM log format for receiving usage transaction logs and payment logs associated with transcoding and distribution the content in one or more DRM-protected content formats.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses sequester content receiving content for use in an application; review the content; automatically sequester the content from the application based on the reviewing; and form a reason associated with the sequestering the content. In another embodiment, the methods and apparatuses receive content for use with an application; determine whether the content is one of acceptable content and unacceptable content; remove the unacceptable content from the application; form an explanation for the unacceptable content; and store the unacceptable content and the explanation in an off-line storage device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authentication of postage indicia are disclosed. A secret key is read from store and modified in dependence upon postage data to be printed in a postage indicium. The modified key is then utilized to generate an authentication code dependent upon the postage data to be printed. Authentication of the indicium is effected by reading the authentication code and postage data from the printed indicium and repeating the process of generating an authentication code. The generated authentication code is compared with the authentication code read from the indicium. A control code based on a value in an accounting register may be included in the indicium. The value may be a value of postage dispensed in a determined expired period.

Abstract: An animation data sales mediation method, an animation data sales mediation system and so on are capable of providing large capacity data such as animation data by a large capacity storage medium in advance, rendering the time required for transfer of the data via the network extremely short by passing a key code for viewing the animation data via the network, rendering the labor and costs required for sales of the animation data extremely low, and providing the latest unauthorized copy technology to the animation data. The animation data sales mediation system has the steps of having a user terminal send to a large capacity data sales server an online access code corresponding to the large capacity data one to one, having the large capacity data sales server send the key code to the user terminal, having the user terminal encrypt and store the key code, and having the animation data used by using the key code.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for providing secured access to a software rental or a postage metering system. The virtual postage meter software of this invention enables a user to print postage indicia on documents, envelopes or labels. To generate valid postage indicia the virtual meter software is executed on a first computer while it is in communication with the remotely located second computer. All communication between the first computer and the second computer utilize data encryption algorithms to preserve the security and integrity of the data transferred. In one embodiment, the second computer is a collection of one or more computers with virtual postage meter enabling software capable of communicating simultaneously to a number of user computers that are concurrently executing the virtual postage meter software. The second computer is connected to one or more US FIPS 140-1 security level 3 or better certified cryptographic devices identified as Postal Security Devices (PSD).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for users to search networks, both their own network and their peers' networks, all under the umbrella of a “multiple level access” security system. The present invention has been designed to optimize networking capabilities among users in a comprehensive online community. Networking among such a secured environment will allow users an opportunity to enhance their networking potential by expanding their networks to their peers' and beyond. A user registers with the online community and personally adds individuals that they know to their personal networking database. While adding these peers to the networking database, the user grants a specific level of access to each individual. This security measure is devised to discourage solicitation from other unwanted online users. The levels of access give the user an opportunity to control the amount of personal information, including contacts that they make, available to their individual peers.

Abstract: A mail piece verification system for processing a mail piece having associated therewith mail piece data includes an incoming mail processing center, an outgoing mail processing center located downstream from the incoming mail processing center and a data center in operative communication with the incoming mail processing center and the outgoing mail processing center. The incoming mail processing center receives the mail piece, obtains the mail piece and uploads the mail piece data to the data center. The data center performs a verification check on the mail piece data and downloads instructions based upon the verification check to the outgoing mail processing center. The outgoing mail processing center uses the instructions to process the mail piece.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate an analysis of a commercial mortgage backed security portfolio. According to one embodiment, base information associated with the portfolio is determined. Information associated with an additional mortgage loan to be added to the portfolio is then determined, and a loan spread is calculated for the additional mortgage loan in accordance with a contribution of the additional mortgage loan to the portfolio. For example, a real time pricing server may calculate the loan spread based on a desired profitability associated with the additional mortgage loan.

Abstract: In a method for providing measured values for end customers: The measured value for a process variable is recorded using a sensor and is transmitted to a process control system. The number of transmission operations is counted on the basis of the number of transmission operations. The fundamental advantage of the invention is that the end customer no longer pays for the sensor itself, but rather only for that which he actually requires, the measured value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a commercial transaction over the Internet or other network connection are provided. The method includes the use of random numbers which are unique for each user session. These random numbers are pre-loaded onto a handheld, portable device, token, at the time of the device's manufacture or programming. These numbers are generated by external systems. The external systems then deliver the number sets to the token for storage in the token's internal memory and also to another random number database that is accessible by an authentication system. The random numbers are dispensed by the token to a user by pressing a button on the token or otherwise signaling the token. A simple polynomial equation may be employed in order to increase the number of codes. A dispensed number is cross referenced, by the authentication system, to the random number database that was created when the token was programmed. In this way the user or transaction can be authenticated.

Abstract: Import/export transactions whereby an item is to be transported from one country to another are automated. An invoice containing a list of one or more part numbers is entered in at a web site and loaded to a server containing a database. A database is of part numbers and their corresponding tariff classification numbers. The uploaded invoice will be compared to the database to output a data record whereby the one or more part numbers uploaded in the invoice now have tariff classification numbers and daily calculation associated therewith. This data record can then be accessed over the Internet at another web site by a customs broker for use in transmitting a report to a customs entity.

Abstract: A method of maintaining electronic medical records, comprising the steps of receiving a medical transaction record, encrypted with an encryption key relating to a patient association of the file, accessing the encrypted medical transaction record according to a patient association; and further encrypting the encrypted accessed medical transaction record with an encryption key associated with an intended recipient of the medical record. The system and method according to the present invention presents a new business model for the creation, maintenance, transmission, and use of medical records, allowing financial burdens to be reallocated, for example more optimally or equitably, to decrease overall societal cost, or simply to provide a successful business model for a database proprietor. Secure entrusted medical records are held in trust by an independent third party on behalf of the patient, serving the medical community at large.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) with customizable transaction receipts is provided. The automated banking machine may include a computer (30), at least one printer device (24, 44, 46), at least one input device (14, 16, 32) and at least one transaction function device (20, 22, 26, 36). The machine may be in communication with a further computer (37) which includes a data store (38) with document templates (42) stored therein. Each of the document templates may be associated with template attributes (48). A document template from the data store may be selected responsive to at least one characteristic of: a printer device of the machine, a consumer using the machine, and/or a transaction function being performed at the machine. The machine may generate and print one or more documents using one or more printer devices of the machine responsive to the document template and the transaction function.

Abstract: Acoustic signal encoder is provided which comprises a subband filter band to divide an original signal into a plurality of frequency bands, a spectrum transformation circuit to detect the amplitude of a signal in each of the plurality of frequency bands in each of sub-blocks resulted by division of a block length for signal coding, process the signal amplitude in each band based on the detected amplitude and transform the signals divided in the frequency bans to spectra, a normalizing circuit and quantizing circuit to normalize and quantize the spectrum, respectively, and a code row generator to generate a code row from the signals processed by the above circuits.