Abstract: A method and system automatically harmonizes access to a given software application program via different access devices. Through use of the method and system, a financial institution can provide access to a given application (such as, for example, automatic bill payment services) to customers using different access devices such web browsers, screen phones and personal computers. A single application program is all that needs to be written and maintained by the financial institution. Also, the method and system enables financial institutions to “leverage” existing programs because now the institution can automatically “project” its existing stock of program services unto new access devices—devices which may not have even existed at the time the program was created. By receiving information from the user via the user's access device, including information identifying the type of device being used and the application program the user wishes to access, the present invention solves these problems.

Abstract: A public policy auction system for providing a monetary incentive for the adaption of efficient public policies. The system generally comprises a series of hierarchical negotiations and auctions for the proprietary right to receive a portion of the savings generated from the efficiency of a given public policy. The method begins with a registration phase during which information is collected on the proponents of new public policies, and shares are established for a portion of the approximate distribution of savings gained by implementation of the efficient public policy. The shares are auctioned to potential constituents during an active auction. The active auction method includes penalties to force constituents to combine and pool their bids, thereby encouraging cooperation and minimizing frivolous bids.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient and simple method and system for providing a customer with a service on demand. The invention is based on providing a plurality of interconnected technical devices with remote access. During operation of a technical installation including the technical devices, operating data are acquired, encrypted and stored in a operation database. Upon an explicit service request by the customer, at least one of the technical devices sets up a remote connection to a service center, preferably by using a smart card including Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) data for validating the smart card, where the remote connection is verified and the encrypted data stored in the operation database are read out and decrypted. Based on the decrypted data—which represent a current status of the technical installation—, a service activity is efficiently performed at the technical installation, either remotely or locally.

Abstract: A method of allocating an award in an auction wherein an award for a given auction round is allocated amongst a plurality of highest ranked bidders including at least a first ranked bidder and a second ranked bidder is disclosed. The method provides an incentive to the first ranked bidder and the second ranked bidder to each improve their respective bids during the conducting of the auction. The method includes adopting a formula for allocating the award amongst at least the first ranked bidder and the second ranked bidder, conducting the electronic auction, and allocating the award between at least the first and second ranked bidders in accordance with the formula and the bids of the first and second ranked bidders. A factor of the formula is an actual bid differential between a bid of the first ranked bidder and a bid of the second ranked bidder.

Abstract: A method and a system for metering an advertisement having a message to be presented to a plurality of users of a communications network, wherein the metering is used to count the number of times the message is actually presented to one or more users. The method comprises the steps of embedding a code in the message; and detecting the embedded code to count the number of presentations. Preferably, the embedded code contains the client's identity so as to allow the server to identify the client who should pay for the advertisement, and a rate code for calculating an advertisement charge to the client. In order to prevent an unscrupulous host web server from manipulating the metering system, a challenge-response mechanism is used to ensure the metering system has not been reconnected through an alternate channel of the network. Furthermore, a click-through monitoring process is used to monitor whether the user actually clicks on the advertisement image to learn more about the advertised service or product.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for attacking a screening algorithm. Content to be downloaded is identified. The identified content is then partitioned into at least two sections, wherein each of the at least two sections has a duration which is less than a duration of a threshold duration value assigned by the screening algorithm, and the partitioned content is subjected to a screening algorithm. Once the content has been successfully downloaded, the integrity of the downloaded content may be restored by reassembling the sections.

Abstract: Music is blanket transmitted (for example, via satellite downlink transmission) to each customer's user station where selected music files are recorded. Customers preselect from a list of available music in advance using an interactive screen selector, and pay only for music that they choose to playback for their enjoyment. An antipiracy “ID tag” is woven into the recorded music so that any illegal copies therefrom may be traced to the purchase transaction. Music is transmitted on a fixed schedule or through an active scheduling process that monitors music requests from all or a subset of satellite receivers and adjust scheduling according to demand for various CD's. Receivers store selections that are likely to be preferred by a specific customer. In those instances where weather conditions, motion of atmospheric layers or dish obstructions result in data loss, the system downloads the next transmission of the requested CD and uses both transmissions to produce a “good copy”.

Abstract: The electronic wallet system comprises a plurality of devices interconnected through a local network and capable of conducting electronic business transaction on an open network (40). Each device contains a smart card reader. A plurality of smart cards (31–3p) represent the electronic purses of the system. One of the devices comprises an entity called the server which contains a list of purses liable to receive tokens from others purses of the system. The tokens transferred between purses are stored temporally by said server. Application to a family wallet system allowing children to participate to electronic commerce. The system makes it possible to transfer tokens from one first purse to a second purse without having in hands the smart card corresponding to the second purse.

Abstract: Techniques for conducting secure online transactions using captcha images as watermarks are provided. Some techniques combine a trusted, secure device that utilizes a key to generate identifiers with a watermarked transaction verification request page to provide secure online transactions. The trusted, secure devices are provided to users for use in transacting with a transaction provider. In processing a transaction requested by a user, the transaction provider determines an identifier that should be being currently generated by the user's trusted, secure device, creates a captcha image of the identifier, and watermarks a transaction verification request page using the captcha image. The transaction provider then requests that the user verify the transaction described in the transaction verification request page by providing the next identifier that is generated by the user's trusted, secure device to the transaction provider.

Abstract: A RFID transponder dispenser and authorizer (RTDA) system for distributing and activating an RFID Transponder at a point of purchase. The system has a storage for Transponders and Transponders in the storage. It also has at least one electronic data reader, network access to a processor system, and an application for customer data verification, electronic data and account data verification across the network at the processor, an interface to the RTDA apparatus to control dispensing of Transponders, and receiving an account verification code and an activation confirmation code from the processor. The RTDA reads customer electronic account data, verifies same and verifies the account is valid, dispenses a Transponder to a customer, reads the Transponder ID code, and associates the Transponder ID code with the customer's electronic account data in a unique customer record in an RFID database, and receives an account activation confirmation code and displays confirmation of activation to the customer.

Abstract: A distributed market based control assembly used in conjunction with fixed or movable structures. Typically multiple actuators are attached to the structure, with each of the multiple actuators having an actuator controller to control actuator applied force. Sensors are used for measuring structure movement, and a marketwire is connected to each actuator controller to convey price information to the actuator controllers by analog fluctuations in electrical characteristics of the marketwire. Actuators can be used to stabilize a fixed structure against movement, or alternatively can be used to control movement of movable structures from defined first positions to second positions (e.g. moving a robotic arm so its tip moves from point A to point B).

Abstract: A mobile communication system utilizes a mobile two-way communication device such as a cellular telephone, pager, personal digital assistant (PDA), palm-held computing device, and the like, connected to a network. The mobile two-way communication device has a display screen, such as an liquid crystal display (LCD) screen, that is capable of displaying a barcode. The image of a barcode is displayed on the two-way communication device by creating an optical image that can modulate a laser in motion, such as the laser used in a retail barcode scanning device.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method includes hardware, software and telecommunications components that cooperatively achieve the technical effect of an improved electronic purchasing transaction system. In various embodiments of the invention, at least one master account is established for a client. A pool of limited use account identifiers or secondary account identifiers, that are separate and distinct from the master account, is associated with the master account by a purchasing system or account management system. Each of the limited use account identifiers may be used by the client to purchase items from merchants.

Abstract: Providing adaptive security for access to content on a system may be accomplished by determining if a user has rights to access the content according to a content license associated with the content, and when the user has rights to play the content, performing the following actions. The system reads a data structure in the content license defining at least one security factor ID and an associated factor value, sets a security factor value for a security factor, the security factor corresponding to the security factor ID, to the associated factor value from the data structure, allows access to the content, and performs security processing by the system at a level based at least in part on the security factor value. In one embodiment, the security factor IDs and associated factor values are set by a content owner or distributor at the time of manufacturing or distributing the content.

Abstract: A computer-implemented draft authentication method for use in e-commerce includes the steps of establishing partner relationships between a financial institution and a plurality of World Wide Web (Web) vendors and storing, for each of a plurality of Web customers, at least one piece of unique identifying information linked to the Web customer's financial information. Web customers executing drafts or causing drafts to be executed by the Web vendors and presented to the financial institution are authenticated by immediately encrypting at least a portion of an identification data set provided by the Web customer over the network and by successfully matching the immediately encrypted identification data set with the stored piece(s) of encrypted identifying information. The Web customer's financial information is then retrieved only by the financial institution and constraints are established based on the retrieved information.

Abstract: A system authenticates an electronic transaction between a first user-operated device and a computer. The computer is configured to conduct electronic transactions. The system includes a voice browser and a session correlator. The voice browser is configured to receive and process user-spoken information from a second user-operated device, where the voice browser is programmed to compare a user-spoken transaction identifier to a computer generated transaction identifier, and to compare a user-spoken verification identifier to a voice print of the user. The session correlator is coupled to the voice browser and is configured to transmit an authentication message to the computer if the user-spoken transaction identifier matches the computer transaction identifier, and if the user-spoken verification identifier matches the voice print.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for creating a finalized document relating to a transaction. A buyer selects documents associated with a proposed transaction and indicates trade terms of an agreement relating to the documents selected. The trade terms are presented to a seller on an electronic form via an electronic document platform. The electronic form includes a combined purchase order proforma invoice, a transportation document, and a shipping document. The seller can amend the trade terms on the form, and each amendment creates a new version of the form. Negotiations of the trade terms between the buyer and the seller are conducted electronically and the negotiated fonn detailing the negotiation of the trade terms is generated and displayed electronically, also. A compliance check is performed and is triggered in response to a digital signature of the form. Payment is initiated to the seller after a verification of credit of the buyer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for conducting an integrated auction that incorporates various features of traditional and online auctions. According to one aspect of the present invention, the integrated auction includes a live, in-person auction component and an online bidding environment component. Bidding information associated with an item in the online bidding environment is updated to reflect a current bid associated with the item in the live, in-person auction. During the live, in-person auction, a bid is accepted from an online bidder in the online environment that reflects a maximum price the online bidder is willing to pay for the item. Subsequently, the system bids on behalf of the online bidder against one or more live bidders that are participating in the live, in-person auction based upon the maximum price.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating data inspecting, monitoring and analysis information by signaling between digital devices is described. A process analyzes the data, which is then subjected to a variety of inspection and validation methods and systems. The results created by the process are then used to signal a grade and rating of the data to specified recipients. Additionally, selected reporting and notification are also sent to specified recipients. Dynamic control of the process is provided if specific information is also received for the information to be processed.

Abstract: The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides methods and systems for automatically selecting a media type for which to format Value-Bearing Item indicia based on a user's input of a secured paper control number. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for selecting a media type format for which to generate value-bearing item indicia, said method comprising receiving an input of a secured paper control number, and identifying a media type format corresponding to the secured paper control number. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method for determining a media type for a particular unit of secured paper, said method comprising receiving an input of a media type identifier, wherein the media type identifier is displayed on the particular unit of secured paper, and retrieving from a memory storage a record corresponding to the media type identifier, wherein said record defines a media type format corresponding to the media type identifier.