Abstract: A technique for transferring money between a customer and a beneficiary comprises a money-transfer company, and a plurality of selling agents and paying agents. The money-transfer company maintains a server, a database, and a communications interface for communicating, via a telephone network and/or the Internet, with data terminals located at the selling and paying agents' sites. Customer transaction cards are distributed to customers. These cards have a visible card number and a corresponding alphanumeric card code stored in, e.g., a magnetic strip. In response to a customer's request, the money-transfer company activates the customer's transaction card by loading customer and beneficiary information into a corresponding transaction card record stored in the database.

Abstract: Disclosed is an information providing apparatus comprising first reception control means for controlling the reception, from a first information processing apparatus, of user identification data for identifying a user of the first information processing apparatus and a request for purchasing a content, first transmission control means for controlling in response to the request for purchasing the content the transmission of the request for purchasing the content to a second information processing apparatus, second reception control means for controlling the reception of the content and usage conditions thereof supplied from the second information processing apparatus, storage control means for controlling the storing of the content and usage conditions thereof in correlation with the user identification data, third reception control means for controlling the reception of the user identification data and a request for sending the content supplied from the first information processing apparatus, and second trans

Abstract: A technique for transferring money between a customer and a beneficiary comprises a money-transfer company, and a plurality of selling agents and paying agents. The money-transfer company maintains a server, a database, and a communications interface for communicating, via a telephone network and/or the Internet, with data terminals located at the selling and paying agents' sites. Customer transaction cards are distributed to customers. These cards have a visible card number and a corresponding alphanumeric card code stored in, e.g., a magnetic strip. In response to a customer's request, the money-transfer company activates the customer's transaction card by loading customer and beneficiary information into a corresponding transaction card record stored in the database. A selling agent initiates a money-transfer request from a data terminal. Specifically, the selling agent enters a monetary amount and swipes the customer's card in a magnetic strip reader located on the data terminal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preventing an application which has been maliciously or inadvertently tampered with from causing harm to a computer system are described. Application code of the tampered application is inputted into a code analyzer. The code is analyzed and functions within the application code are identified and examined. A profile is created and may be a description of how a function is intended to operate, that is, the function's expected behavior. Calls between functions are examined and a called function is replaced with a replacement function, such that a call to an original function results in a call to the replacement function. The original function is unaware that it is not getting function calls or that such calls are being directed to a replacement function or stub. A replacement function contains code to ensure that the user space maintains its original appearance.

Abstract: Web-sites www.proximityservices.com, www.accessservices.com, www.vendingmachineservices.com, www.vehicleservices.com, www.meterservices.com, www.picopay.com, www.tollservices.com, for all the proximity service systems world wide are disclosed wherein customers can sign up for proximity services such as toll gate services at any toll gate in the world that has signed up to provide the service to customers, parking meter services etc. and the proximity systems owners are guaranteed their payments. In the preferred embodiment all transactions are approved at the local POS (toll gate, parking meter, checkout station, parking lot, pay phone, ATM, gas station, etc.) using a service provider identification number (SPIN) issued to the service provider owner each month for example. The local approved transactions are guaranteed by the web-site owners and the customers each have unique SPIN numbers that expire periodically such as each month.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include methods of handling stored electronic original information objects that have been created by electronically signing information objects by respective authorized users and transfer agents, submitting signed information objects to a trusted repository system, validating the submitted signed information objects by at least testing the integrity of the contents of each signed information object and the validity of the signature of the respective transfer agent, and applying to each validated information object a date-time stamp and a digital signature and authentication certificate of the trusted repository system that is an electronic vault. One method includes the remote signing of electronic documents without the trusted repository ever releasing the electronic original documents and other information objects that are controlled and protected by the trusted repository system.

Abstract: Methods, apparati, and computer-readable media for providing authorization and other services. In a preferred embodiment, an authorization service includes both a messaging specification and a set of rules that govern its use. A first customer wishing to use the authorization service prepares a request that complies with the service's messaging specification and transmits it to a first participant. The first participant transmits the request to a second participant, which processes the request according to authorization information provided by a second customer and rules that have been specified for the service. The second participant then prepares a response that complies with the service's messaging specification.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for measuring the supply of a consumable product/energy source, such as electrical power, to a facility over time and analyzing the measurements to determine the consumption or supply of the product by one or more loads and/or sources in the facility, and to determine induced and residual heat flow through the facility's envelope. Various aspects compare the measured supply of the consumable product to a database of consumption signatures, which characterize access to the consumable product by particular users. In doing so, costs for the product may be more accurately divided between different tenants of the facility without having to install individual services or measurement equipment for each individual tenant. Operating conditions and facility characteristics, such as temperatures, load factors, insulation factors, etc., may be further considered in determining a particular user's access of the consumable product.

Abstract: A cryptographic key management system includes executable instructions to control access to keys based on permissions for users and groups. Executable instructions support cryptographic operations on the keys through a network application program interface. The cryptographic operations are controlled by the permissions. The cryptographic operations are distributed between the servers and the clients in accordance with criteria specifying optimal execution of cryptographic operations between the servers and the clients.

Abstract: A system for generating a transferable license key and method thereof are described. The system comprises a license key generator for generating a transferable license key responsive to receipt of a license key request. The license key request comprises a hardware identifier and the transferable license key comprises an uninstall key. The system further comprises a storage device arranged to store the hardware identifier and the uninstall key. The method comprises storing a generated hardware identifier in a first device and transmitting a license key request to a second device, wherein the license key request comprises the hardware identifier. A feature of the first device is activated based on a license key received from the second device. The license key received at the first device is stored and the license key comprises a license identifier and an uninstall verification portion from the second device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented technique processes a potentially sensitive item of data (e.g., data which may be either a credit card number or a token having a similar format). The technique involves, after the potentially sensitive item of data is properly received within a physical memory location, generating a token result which indicates whether the potentially sensitive item of data satisfies a valid-token requirement. The technique further involves preserving the potentially sensitive item of data in an unaltered form within the physical memory location when the token result indicates that the potentially sensitive item of data satisfies the valid-token requirement. The technique further involves replacing the potentially sensitive item of data within the physical memory location with a token when the token result indicates that the potentially sensitive item of data does not satisfy the valid-token requirement.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for electronic commerce including secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers employed in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Secure subsystems used with such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention relates generally to toys and games that are enhanced with encoded information. One claim recites a method of playing a computerized game including: receiving image or video representing a physical object, the physical object comprising information steganographically encoded therein, the information is carried by the physical object through alterations to data representing at least some features carried by the physical object; utilizing a multi-purpose processor configured to: analyze received image or video to decode information steganographically encoded therein; interrogate a database or storage location with at least some of the information to obtain at least one game attribute associated with information; and modify the at least one game attribute to reflect activity during play of the computerized game. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well.

Abstract: An audio-video display device (AVDD) includes a licensable component providing a licensable function. The licensable function is available to present data on the AVDD without paying a license fee to exploit the licensable function when the AVDD is in a retail demonstration mode, whereas post-vending of the AVDD the licensable function is available to present data on the AVDD only pursuant to a license fee therefor being arranged.

Abstract: An open digital watermark system and methodology having various features for unifying watermark production and processing among diverse user multimedia terminals (112), such as set top box, that may be OPIMA compliant. In accordance with specific aspects, intentional image warping is employed to combat pirating, the analog video channel used to download programming, packet signature implemented for watermark insertion by pixel replacement and use of the data stream made to reduce local data processing and storage.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for increasing the usefulness of visual knowledge in a number of applications. It distills the relationships between characteristics and hypotheses into database form, thereby organizing visual information in a manner suitable to aid the user in the investigation of the various hypotheses (medical diagnosis, pill identification, plant/animal identification, cause of death, cause of accident, etc.). The invention sidesteps unresolved issues around knowledge engineering by not automating a decision making process. Rather, the present invention utilizes a relational database to dynamically respond to textual and visual findings as an aid to assist a user reaching a reasoned conclusion based upon information available by direct observation and comparison with stored image and textual data.

Abstract: A method for transmitting information streams from a transmitting site of a provider to a receiving site of a user, the method including: providing a plurality of information streams stored at the transmitting site; providing a variety of different communication channels for transmitting an information stream; generating and allocating authorizations to the information streams at the transmitting site; generating an overview of the information streams available; transmitting the overview to the receiving site; acquiring, by the user, an authorization from a source other than the transmitting site in preparation for selecting an information stream; selecting an information stream and requesting transmission of it from the transmitting site by submitting the acquired authorization allocated to the selected information stream from the receiving site to the transmitting site; and selecting a communication channel and transmitting the selected information stream over it from the transmitting site to the receiving

Abstract: A “lock-and-key” consumer billing data protection capability is provided to telemarketing systems which are based upon previously-acquired consumer lists. The lists contain only partial billing information for each consumer, which is insufficient to access the consumer's account. Thus, at the time a telemarketer employing this capability communicates with a consumer to offer them a product or service, the telemarketer, the seller and any entity hired to perform billing operations for such consumer purchases all remain “locked” out from accessing the consumer's account. When the consumer wishes to authorize the purchase of an offered product or service, the consumer must “reach into their wallet” to provide the “key” to their account, which is the missing billing information not acquired from the third-party list provider.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling access to various tiers of functionality of core software are provided. A software developer/vendor can develop a single version of software having one or more limited-access functionalities and provide the single version of the software to various types of customers. Each customer, using the single version of the core software, may develop additional software that utilizes one or more functionalities of the core software as authorized by the software developer/vendor. Access to a certain functionality or set of functionalities by the customer developed software is obtained by adapting the customer developed software to submit a key, provided by the software developer/vendor, to the core software through, for example, an application programming interface (API) of the core software.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying a check that is being used for an on-line transaction, utilizes a hash code value either printed directly on the check, or obtained from an insert card provided by a check printer. To conduct an on-line transaction using a check, the customer enters in data obtained from a MICR line of the check, whereby the data includes a one-way hash value that is based on the data provided on the MICR line as well as private data not provided on the MICR line. A web server of an e-tailer for which the customer seeks to make the on-line transaction, receives the data entered by the customer. The web server of the e-tailer transmits, to a check verifier, the data entered by the customer. The check verifier verifies whether or not the check is valid, by comparing the hash code value entered in by the customer with a hash code value that is separately calculated by the check verifier, based on private data of the customer obtained by the check verifier from a database.