Abstract: A memory card (110) stores access restriction information (AC1) to a license information hold unit (1440) arranged in a TRM area. Access restriction information (AC1) has information for example of a frequency of reproduction allowed and a number of licenses owned. A controller (1420) in reproducing and transferring content initially confirms access restriction information (AC1) and thereafter effects reproduction and transfer and after the reproduction and transfer are effected updates access restriction information (AC1), as required, for storage in a license information hold unit (1440).

Abstract: An apparatus is designed for using a music content composed of at least one content material in accordance with security information of the music content. In the apparatus, a reading section reads a recording medium which records a data file of the music content having a chunk structure including a content material chunk and a security information chunk. The content material chunk contains substantial data of the content material and identification information for uniquely identifying the content material. The security information chunk contains security information of the content material and identification information for uniquely identifying the content material. A using section permits use of the content material when the identification information read from the content material chunk coincides with the other identification information read from the security information chunk.

Abstract: A method for transferring funds from a sender to a recipient includes receiving a request to transfer the funds from a sender; creating a transaction record having a transaction identifier; providing the transaction identifier to the sender; receiving the transaction identifier from a recipient; obtaining a first biometric sample from the recipient; using the biometric sample to select a MTCN (Money Transfer Control Number) from a pool of predetermined MTCNs; associating the MTCN with the first biometric sample and the transaction record; providing the MTCN to the recipient; thereafter, receiving a request from the recipient to receive the funds; obtaining the MTCN from the recipient; obtaining a second biometric sample from the recipient; using the MTCN and/or the second biometric sample to locate the transaction record; comparing the second biometric sample to the first biometric sample; and determining whether to provide the funds based on the comparison.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention enhances the security of electronic signatures during transmission. A peripheral device, which may be located remotely and separate from a host processing system, captures the signature. The peripheral device then binds the signature to the particular transaction record and transmits it to the host processing system. The host processing system validates or confirms the received signature before accepting the transaction. Binding the signature and record data together at the point-of-use reduces the likelihood that someone may be able to hack into the transmission medium, encrypted or not, and obtain the raw signature data. By binding or associating the signature and transaction record data together at the point-of-use, each transaction has a unique key, further foiling attempts at hacking. In various implementations, rather than associating the whole signature with the transaction record data, signature sample points or segments are encrypted with transaction record data.

Abstract: A proxy server and corresponding method are provided for managing the controlled distribution of digital content as it propagates through a social network. A proxy server receives digital content and associated distribution parameters from an originating peer. The distribution parameters define access rights for n allowable levels of possible network distribution. After other peers are invited to share the digital content or the invited peers request access to the digital content, the proxy server generates a rights-managed form of the requested digital content in accordance with the access rights established by the originating peer for the level associated with the requesting peer(s). The proxy server forwards a copy of a content key and other content identifiers to an associated license server and then sends the rights-managed form of digital content to the requesting peer(s).

Abstract: Systems and methods of partnering content creators with content partners online are disclosed. In an exemplary implementation a method may include receiving registration information from a content partner and building a profile describing desired creative content for the content partner and receiving creative content. Based on at least the profile, the method may include determining whether a match exists between a content partner and the creative content. If a match is found, the method may include providing the content partner access to the creative content, and extending an invitation for the content partner to acquire rights in the creative content.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus and computer program product for providing location based functions and mobile e-commerce comprising a central processing unit including a processor, a storage device, and programming stored in the storage device, a display device, an audio input device, an audio output device, a communications module, a commerce module, an image module, and a location module.

Abstract: A method for capturing data packets sent on a network for evaluating response time performance, the network including a financial institution and a partner bank. The method includes associating a captured data packet sent to the partner bank with a captured data packet received from the partner bank, by comparing at least one coded field of a data portion of the captured data packet sent to the partner bank with at least one coded field of a captured data portion of the data packet received from the partner bank. The method also includes measuring a response time of the associated data packet received from the partner bank, relative to a transmission time of the captured data packet sent to the partner bank. The method further includes transmitting an alert message upon determining that the response time is not within an adjustable predetermined threshold, wherein the alert message includes data from a data portion of the associated data packets.

Abstract: An electronic money usage system is capable of preventing dishonest use of electronic money recorded on a recording medium. A memory card 300 acquires signature-type electronic data from a bank server apparatus 100, and generates a first authenticator using the received first authenticator, and an identification flag, an electronic money ID and an amount included in the electronic money. When a user uses the signature-type electronic money, the memory card 300 generates a second authenticator with use of a second password received from the user, and the identification flag, electronic money ID and amount included in the electronic money. The memory card 300 outputs the electronic money if the first authenticator and the second authenticator match.

Abstract: A content user terminal including a utilization unit that provides a content utilization, and an interface unit 137 that inquires the content utilization availability to the portable content usage rule management device via a wireless communication and obtains a content utilization permission data which is a inquiry result via a wireless communication. The utilization unit provides the content utilization based on the obtained content utilization permission data. The portable content usage rule management device includes a copyright data storage management unit that stores and manages the content usage rule, an interface unit that receives the inquiry result of the content utilization availability from the content user terminal via a wireless communication, and a copyright data processing is unit that responds to the received inquiry result, judges the content utilization availability based on the stored content usage rule and creates a content utilization permission data based on the judge result.

Abstract: A method, a communications system and a receiving device are for billing of access-controlled programs and/or data which are broadcast by a broadcast transmitter unidirectionally and encrypted, and are received by at least one receiving device. A monetary value is stored in a data memory of the receiving device. The costs for access to the access-controlled programs and/or data are determined in the receiving device based on received cost data, and decryption of the access-controlled programs and/or data in the receiving device is prevented if the determined costs are greater than the stored monetary value. Billing records are generated in the receiving device for the allocation of credit items to the vendors of the access-controlled programs and/or data, and are transmitted to a billing center via various data channels.

Abstract: The present method for authorizing a substitute software license server allows the software provider to approve the temporarily usage of the customer's substitute license server to process application file usage requests when the host license server fails. The host license server is assigned a unique host identification for authorizing simultaneous usage of a plurality of application files having the same host identification, thus preventing a substitute license server from authorizing usage of the plurality of application files without obtaining host identification. A software provider server connected to the substitute license server via a network connection downloads a temporary identification and application files having the temporary identification to the substitute license server to allow the substitute license server to process the application file usage requests that are received by the substitute license controller.

Abstract: A verification method for encrypter operation and an electronic voting verification system using the same, which can verify the operation of the encrypter without having to execute corresponding decryption. In the verification method, the encrypter creates a plurality of ciphertexts corresponding to the plain text and presenting the ciphertexts to a user. The user selects one of the ciphertexts, the encrypter dispenses a certificate where information used by the encrypter during encryption is recorded, in response to the ciphertexts which are not selected by the user; and the user creates a ciphertext in person and verifies whether or not the user-created ciphertext is identical with the user-selected ciphertext. Then, the user can verify the encryption results inside and outside a polling booth.

Abstract: A method of processing licensing keys includes specifying a program defining a set of executable instructions where different subsets of executable instructions define different products. A set of licensing keys are constructed. Each licensing key has a fixed number of symbols, where each symbol includes multiple bits. At least one symbol is configured to be mapped to at least two fields and at least one field is configured to be mapped to at least two symbols. Each field specifies a feature of a product defined by a subset of executable instructions of the program. The program and a first license key are distributed to a first end user, while the program and a second license key are distributed to a second end user. The first license key is processed to define features of a first product. The second license key is processed to define features of a second product.

Abstract: A method for computing a preferred set of prices for products in a subset of a plurality of products is provided. Generally, initial prices for a plurality of products are stored. A subset of products of the plurality of products is designated, where the number of products in the subset of products is less than the number of products in the plurality of products. A demand model is created based on Bayesian modeling. Prices for the products in the subset of products are optimized, while maintaining the initial prices of products of the plurality of products that are not in the subset of products, wherein the optimization uses a grid method to determine the optimized prices.

Abstract: Digital cash token protocols use a combination of blind digital signatures and pseudonym authentication with at least two pairs of public and private keys. A user is provided with one master pair of private and public keys and as many pseudonym pairs of private and public keys as desired. The resulting digital cash token based hybrid protocols combine the advantages of blind digital signature and pseudonym authentication. Blind digital signatures based on the master pair of keys are used to withdraw digital cash from the user's bank account under the user's real identity. A pseudonym pair of keys is used for converting digital cash into digital cash tokens by a digital cash issuer. All pseudonyms can be used for spending the digital cash tokens. These protocols ensure anonymity when withdrawing digital cash from the user's account under the user's real identity in addition to providing pseudonym authentication when spending digital cash tokens under a pseudonym.

Abstract: A license server and corresponding method are provided for managing the rights of content as it is propagates through a social network. A license server receives a distribution package from a content producer and establishes a plurality of level-licenses, one for each of n allowable levels as defined by the content producer. Level-licenses define level-rights, or access rules, based on alteration definitions and other distribution parameters provided by the content producer for each allowable level. Alteration definitions may identify degradation characteristics or augmentation files for association with the distributed digital content. Content recipients who receive encrypted copies of the distributed digital content may request a license from the license server. Upon authentication, a license and decryption key is sent to a valid content recipient to enable viewing of a form of the digital content in accordance with the level-rights predetermined by the content producer for that level of access.

Abstract: Some embodiments of a method and an apparatus to provide interoperability between different digital content protection schemes have been presented. In one embodiment, a first copy of digital content encrypted using a first protection scheme is received from a user. In response to a request from the user, it is verified that the user is a rightful owner of the first copy without decrypting the first copy. A second copy of the digital content encrypted using a second protection scheme is sent to the user if the user is a rightful owner of the first copy.

Abstract: Interruption and degradation of service within a virtual universe leads to an unsatisfactory experience for users of the virtual universe. Dissatisfaction with service of a virtual universe may lead users to see alternate universes providing higher levels of service. Functionality can be implemented to identify alternate virtual universes that meet a user's service requirements and dynamically move the user's avatar from one virtual universe to another.

Abstract: An information processing method for managing issuance of a license that controls an operation of a device and a function of an application to be installed in the device determines whether issuance of a unified license that unifies licenses for making the application operable in a plurality of devices is requested. The unified license is issued based on a combination of the devices identified by the device serial information and the application identified by the license access information, if determined that issuance of the unified license is requested.