Abstract: A data processor (20) which flexibly encrypts data within different address ranges includes an encryption determination circuit (50) to monitor an address conducted on an internal address bus (22) and when the address is within certain predefined ranges, perform encryption or decryption of address and/or data. For example the encryption determination circuit (50) may be used to selectively enable a data encryption-decryption circuit (60). When the data encryption-decryption circuit (60) is disabled, data conducted on an internal data bus (23) becomes "cleartext", i.e., non-encrypted. In one embodiment, the data encryption-decryption is performed in partial dependence on the address itself, and the address conducted to the external address bus is itself selectively encrypted as well.

Abstract: The encryption secured computer system (10) includes a server (12) that communicates with clients (14-20) across a public network (21) using a novel transaction coded decryption key technology that discourages wrongful redistribution of protected information such as digital musical scores, and allows for tracking of infringing activity. In one implementation, the server (12) distributes access software and partially encrypted musical scores to clients upon request. A client can sample the partially encrypted scores prior to consummating a transaction. When a score is selected, the client enters payment information and is assigned a password that is specific to the client and transaction. The password functions as a decryption key to enable use of the musical score by the client employing the access software. Any subsequent wrongful redistribution of the musical score together with the decryption password can be traced due to client identifying information encoded into the password.

Abstract: The radio communication system has at least one first radio station such as a base station and a plurality of second radio stations such as mobile stations. The base station at least possesses a public key, and each of the mobile stations possesses a public-key cryptography function for using the public key and an identity itself. An identity confidentiality method includes steps of generating a time-varying public key at the base station based upon a predetermined time initial, and repeatedly broadcasting, from the base station, the generated time-varying public key to all the mobile stations. The mobile stations cipher their respective identities with the broadcasted time-varying public key so that the encrypted/identities of the mobile stations, which are sent to the base station, remain confidential. After enciphering their identity, the mobile stations wait to be called.

Abstract: A personal computer having a security function, a security method therefor, and methods of installing and detaching a security device are provided. In the security method, a password is dispersedly stored in the personal computer and a hard disk is booted only when the password input by a user is valid and the boot data of a security device is the same as that of the hard disk. When recording a file on a floppy disk, the file is processed with an encryption function and an encryption table. Also, the file stored in the floppy disk is read using a decoding table. Further, when installing the security device, a partition is removed so as to prevent the hard disk from being used without any security device. Therefore, the password cannot be read by an unauthorized user and the hard disk cannot be booted without any security device. Also, due to the encrypting and decoding processes, a file is copied without permission cannot be read by another personal computer.

Abstract: A computer-based on-line system is provided for demonstrating software programs to a potential purchaser. The system receives from an on-line system a software program to be demonstrated, and maintains the software program in a locked state in order to prevent unauthorized duplication of the software program. The software program is enabled for execution upon selection by a user, and the user is allowed to subsequently operate or sample the software program. The system maintains the software program in the locked state during the sampling in order to prevent unauthorized duplication of the software program. The sampling of the software program is selectively disabled, such as when the user completes the sampling or if the system detects that the user is attempting to copy the sampled application.

Abstract: A computer-based self-launching system associated with a software program is provided for demonstrating the software program to a potential purchaser of the program. The self-launching system is attached to a software program and includes the ability to launch itself when a user selects the software program. Upon launching itself, the system enables the software program for execution and allows the user to subsequently sample the software program. The system maintains the software program in a locked state during the sampling in order to prevent unauthorized duplication of the software program. The sampling of the software program is selectively disabled, such as when the user completes the sampling or if the system detects that the user is attempting to copy the sampled application.

Abstract: A data scramble transmission system with a data transmission link coupled between sending and receiving ends is provided. The link adopts transmission frames each of which is constituted by data and control bits periodically added to the data.

Abstract: An electronic asset system includes tamper-resistant electronic wallets that store non-transferable electronic assets. To break such tamper-resistant wallets, the criminal is expected to spend an initial investment to defeat the tamper-resistant protection. The electronic assets are uniquely issued by an institution to a wallet (anonymously or non-anonymously). During expenditure, the electronic assets are transferred from the wallet to a recipient. Since the assets are non-transferable, they are marked as exhausted assets upon expenditure. The recipient then batch deposits the received electronic assets with a collecting institution (which may or may not be the same as the issuing institution). A fraud detection system samples a subset of the exhausted assets received by the recipient to detect "bad" assets which have been used in a fraudulent manner. Upon detection, the fraud detection system identifies the electronic wallet that used the bad asset and marks it as a "bad wallet".

Abstract: A secure access system for controlling access to a plurality of items. The system includes a first IC card reader adapted to receive a first IC card which includes first control information, a second IC card reader adapted to receive a second IC card which includes second control information, and a control integrator receiving the first control information and the second control information and allowing access to a first one of the plurality of items based, at least in part, on both the first control information and said second control information, and to a second one of the plurality of items based, at least in part, on the first control information, without regard to the second control information.

Abstract: Method for obtaining authenticity identification devices for using services in general wherein authenticity is guaranteed without resorting to the manufacturer of the device to ensure its validity; the method has the particularity that it consists in preparing an identification device with a read-only area and at least one writable area; the manufacturer of the device applies a first permanent and always different code to the read-only area. The service provider applies to the writable area a second code obtained by means of one-way functions that have a secret encryption key by computing the first permanent code. The identification device validated with the second code can be verified by means of a decryption key which may optionally be public.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bi-directional communication network which provides real-time computer-aided diagnostics, asset history, accounting records, maintenance records and energy management. Advantageously, such a network integrates the various work aspects of today's food service industry to insure the proper work allocation of administrative and repair tasks. The system includes a control center, a communication link to a point of sale system, a plurality of kitchen base stations, and a plurality of kitchen or cooking appliances located within a site or cell. Maintenance and repair, once initialized, are monitored through the control center having a database with the necessary software diagnostics, accounting records, inventory records, and maintenance records for the particular appliance under service so as to integrate the various aspects of accounting, billing, repair and energy management.

Abstract: An enterprise-wide integrated computer system for storing, processing and reporting pricing information regarding a plurality of products in a plurality of stores in a plurality of markets, including a pricing function for pricing and re-pricing products responsive to market price changes. Pricing and re-pricing are accomplished on a product-by-product and a market-by-market basis.

Abstract: In a hybrid fiber-coax distribution network, communications between a central station and particular end stations are encrypted using a working key (WK) of a symmetric encryption scheme. The central station has a public and private key (PPK) of a PPK encryption scheme, and some of the end stations can also each have a respective PPK. To provide secure communications for each end station, if the end station has a PPK, then the respective WK is generated in the central station and communicated, encrypted using the end station's public key (PK), to the end station. Otherwise, the WK is generated in the end station and communicated, encrypted using the central station's PK, to the central station. An individual identifier for each end station, and a cryptographic signature at least for end stations not having a PPK, can be communicated to the central station for authentication of the end stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for closed loop, automatic processing a loan, including completion of the application, underwriting, and transferring funds, includes use of a programmed computer to interface with an applicant, obtain the information needed to process the loan, determine whether to approve the loan, and effect electronic fund transfers to the applicant's deposit account and arrange for automatic withdrawals to repay the loan. Information is received from the applicant preferably by using voice recognition technology but alternatively by entering the alpha-numeric information using a personal computer keyboard or using the buttons on a telephone. The loan approval determination is made using a neural network with input obtained in part from the applicant and in part from databases accessed by the computer, such as a credit bureau, to obtain a credit report.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for providing electronic settlement of authorized financial transactions via a wireless transmission system. A conventional financial transaction processing point-of-sale terminal is connected to a wireless adapter. The wireless adapter is connected to a wireless transmission system, through which the adapter can communicate with a host computer. Transaction authorizations are processed via the wireless adapter, wireless transmission system and the host computer. A main transaction database is maintained by the host computer, and the adapter maintains a database of transactions which have been authorized but not yet settled. When the terminal initiates a settlement procedure, the adapter and the terminal communicate so that the adapter collects from the terminal all the transactions which are to be settled before initiating the settlement procedure with the host computer.

Abstract: A programming apparatus that authenticates the contents of driver licenses having both human recognizable information and machine readable information is disclosed. The contents of the driver licenses are verified without encountering any human error. The verified contents of the driver licenses may be transferred to a remote computer for other identification purposes such as preordained organ donors or possible criminal prosecution.

Abstract: A computer system and method for permitting a consumer to more effectively make use of a variety of available benefits from a plurality of goods and service providers, wherein the benefits are offered specifically to those consumers having an association with one or more enabling organizations. The system includes a memory for storing consumer information, enabling organization information and benefit correlation information. Input hardware is provided for inputting into the computer system certain identification information for a consumer and a set of consumer purchase plan data for the consumer. The system compares the identification information to the consumer information to determine those enabling organizations, if any, to which the consumer has an affiliation.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method and system for resynchronizing a remote keyless entry receiver having received a new encrypted message transmitted by the transmitter which does not match a previous encrypted message, also transmitted by the transmitter, and stored in memory. The method comprises a first step of transmitting and receiving a first new follow up encrypted message. Subsequently, the received new encrypted message is re-encrypted, and that result is tested against the received first new follow up encrypted message to determine whether there is a match. In the event both match, a second new follow up encrypted message transmitted and received. At this point, the received re-encrypted new encrypted message is re-encrypted a second time, and that result is tested against the received second new follow up encrypted message to determine whether there is a further match.

Abstract: A smart card that allows for the categorization of expenses at the time they are incurred and the automatic generation and storage of information concerning the date, payee, and amount of the transaction. A single smart card is utilized to record and categorize transactions as they occur by transaction identities. These transaction identities are business or personal classification, cash, check, or credit card type transactions, and expense categories. The smart card has a alphanumeric display and a keyboard for selecting the class, type, and category. These items are selected by the entry of numbers on the keyboard but textual information is displayed to identify these items in response to the entered numbers. A program in a personal computer is used to specify the class, type, and categories along with the textual information in the smart card via a smart card reader. These specifications correspond to a spreadsheet that has been entered on the personal computer by the user of the smart card.

Abstract: A centralized system of accumulating cash value for consumers based upon point-of-sale transactions with multiple merchants is disclosed wherein for each transaction, the consumer's account number (such as the Social Security number) which may be different from the consumer's credit card account number, for example, is transmitted to a central system along with data identifying the merchant and a credit value for the transaction. The credit value may be based upon predetermined incentives associated with the transaction such as coupons, rebates or discounts, and/or upon a credit rate determined by the merchant applied to the amount of the transaction. At the central location, a cash value for that consumer is incremented by the credit value and a bill value for that merchant is similarly incremented. Periodically, the merchants are billed for the accumulated bill value or credited for any third party incentive amounts confirmed at the central location.