Abstract: An image commercial transactions system and method that implement sales according to the purpose of the seller is disclosed. An e-commerce system sells a picture and a handling condition specific to the picture, both being recorded on a predetermined recording medium in a predetermined format. The picture to be sold and the handling condition are accepted by an acceptor in a digital format. When a transaction is established, an accounting company carries out an accounting electronically for a purchaser of the data of the picture and the e-commerce condition, thereby both the picture to be sold and the handling condition are sold as digital data so that the purchased picture is used in a handling manner as intended by the seller. Consequently, the sale of the picture can be made so as to satisfy the intention of the seller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a read-only disk containing sample data and a reproducing method thereof. According to the present invention full data is encrypted and recorded on a read-only disk with additional non-encrypted sample data, which is a part of the full data, and navigation data used for searching for the sample data is also recorded on the read-only disk. And, when the encrypted data on the read-only disk is requested to be reproduced the sample data found with reference to the navigation data is reproduced instead if there is not an authenticated decryption key Owing to the present invention, a user can confirm easily whether a read-only, disk has encrypted contents he or she wants, which will lead to purchase of its decryption key as a natural result.

Abstract: A portal site for serving data monitored and observed, which can not only act for monitoring and observing services, instead of a facility owner, but also process the data into economically valuable data with the use of the result of monitoring and observation, is connected to a computer network so as to gather sequential data which is observed in time series by a not less than one sensor as to an operation running condition of a facility belonging the facility owner, and event data monitored invariantly, and incorporates a function of obtaining a data disclosure profile for designating a degree of disclosure of the data, from the facility owner, and a function of onerously serving an item of secondary data obtained by processing the data in a range satisfying the data disclosure profile, to a data user different from the facility owner.

Abstract: A portal site for serving data monitored and observed, which can not only act for monitoring and observing services, instead of a facility owner, but also process the data into economically valuable data with the use of the result of monitoring and observation, is connected to a computer network so as to gather sequential data which is observed in time series by a not less than one sensor as to an operation running condition of a facility belonging the facility owner, and event data monitored invariantly, and incorporates a function of obtaining a data disclosure profile for designating a degree of disclosure of the data, from the facility owner, and a function of onerously serving an item of secondary data obtained by processing the data in a range satisfying the data disclosure profile, to a data user different from the facility owner.

Abstract: A terminal management device manages the sharing by at the least one business entity of costs related to distributed terminal devices. In a case that a new business entity, which uses the terminal devices and provides services after the terminal devices have been distributed, the terminal management device computes and totals the differences of shared costs of each business entity, which will change in accordance with the addition thereof. Thus, by managing the changes of a plurality of business entities bearing the costs related to terminal devices, changes in the shares of the costs thereof can be adjusted easily even in a case that business entities using the terminal devices thereof and providing services change after the terminal devices have been distributed to subscribers. Therefore, the present invention facilitates the participation of a new service business entity in the provision of services using terminal devices subsequent to the terminal devices being distributed.

Abstract: Distribution of audio and other multimedia content is accomplished by generating a multimedia session consisting of at least one multimedia program, generating a data session consisting of digital files including at least one software player program and a digital compressed file corresponding to the multimedia program; and distributing the multimedia and data sessions to consumers. The consumers can selectively play the multimedia program from said multimedia session through a player device, and through a computer by using the software player program to manipulate the compressed file. In one aspect of the invention, the multimedia and data sessions are recorded on a physical medium, such as a CD or DVD, and the medium is then distributed. In another aspect, the sessions are combined and transmitted electronically. The data session can include information associated with the multimedia content, in the form of text and graphic files.

Abstract: A smart card personalization system maintains a database containing card issuer data format templates, card applications, card operating system commands, and personalization equipment specifications and provides a centralized interface of inputs and outputs to a card issuing process which dynamically adjusts to changes in the issuing process to easily permit a card issuer to change data formats, card applications, card operating systems and/or personalization equipment in a card issuing process. The system interfaces to any card issuer management system, manages the transfer of cardholder data and card applications to the particular personalization equipment used, and maintains statistics for real-time and off-line inquiries to support critical management and reporting functions. Furthermore, the system works with a variety of security methodologies to prevent fraud.

Abstract: A digital contents distribution system including a client, a digital contents server, a roaming server, and a network connected between these terminals. The roaming server includes a receiving section for receiving from the digital contents server a digital content with an intellectual property right protection system protecting the digital content, and a section for converting the intellectual property right protection system of the received digital content into another kind of intellectual property right protection system, and a section for delivering the converted system to the client.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for activating a security module in a set-top terminal purchased from a retailer. A set-top terminal, along with a security device, is purchased from a retailer. This security device is a removable module that is inserted into the set-top terminal to permit reception of the services from the system operator. The security device includes a serial number that is registered with the system operator, and a physical layer key. The physical layer key cannot be read if the security device is disassembled. The set-top terminal is provided to the customer. The security device is retrieved by the retailer, who activates the security device by obtaining credit information from the customer, performing a credit check on the customer, establishing an account with the system operator, and retrieving an activation key from a system administrator. The activation key is a key that is downloaded to the security device to permit the reception of premium services from said system operator.

Abstract: A business relationship is effectuated between a first party and a second party and is governed by an agreement between the first party and the second party. The first party creates a token that authorizes a delegate to request a transaction according to the agreement on behalf of the first party, specifies in the token at least one constraint on a transaction requested by the delegate on behalf of the first party, and provides the token to the delegate. The delegate sends to the second party the token and a transaction document requesting a transaction according to the agreement. The second party applies each constraint in the token against the transaction document to determine whether the transaction document satisfies each constraint. If so, the transaction document is accepted for fulfillment.

Abstract: A system for watermarking data associated with one or more products includes one or more software components that collectively generate an algorithm for creating a particular pattern in data associated with one or more products available from one or more sellers. The data is stored in one or more databases accessible to one or more buyer computers for search queries for data associated with certain of the products. The pattern facilitates identification of a copy of the data and does not substantially affect authorized use of the data by the one or more buyer computers or users associated with the buyer computers. The software components collectively apply the algorithm to the data to create the particular pattern in the data.

Abstract: Detection of frauds and circulation of money can be managed while no special apparatus is required, electronic cash can be securely utilized, and personal information and information on individual's purchase are not unnecessarily known. An account management unit 45 stores an amount of money utilized by a user based on information for identifying the user and previously deposited funds. A clearing unit 55 instructs a payment institution to make a settlement. The user management unit 35 manages the information for identifying the user, and an account number of the user in the payment institution encrypted with a public key of a settlement processing apparatus. A communication unit 37 instructs an account management apparatus to change the balance of the previously deposited funds of the user stored therein based on the information for identifying the user, and instructs the settlement apparatus to execute a settlement based on the account number in the payment institution.

Abstract: It is often difficult to reliably monitor contract performance and receive timely information as to whether a party is actually going to carry out their contractual obligations. Accordingly the invention provides an apparatus and methods for communicating the changes in states of the contractual commitments of contracting parties according to an agreed commitment model and using agreed messaging protocols. There is a storage facility for the commitment data which is accessible by an encoding engine, in addition to a commitment state store that forms a part of the commitment model and stores the known commitment state of parties. The encoding engine encodes commitment data according to the commitment model and data received by an external information source, before passing the message to a messaging module for formatting and sending out to the other contracting party.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing the transfer of electronic files. In one embodiment, a sender transfers an encrypted version of a file (such as a digitally encoded audio track, movie, document, or the like) to someone who wishes to receive it. The receiver computes a hash of the encrypted file, and sends it to a trusted third party. The trusted third party compares the hash that was computed by the receiver with another hash computed by the sender. If the two hashes match, the third party sends the file decryption key to the receiver. In some embodiments, the receiver may also send the third party payment information so that the sender, the content owner, and/or the third party can be paid for their role in the transaction. In a preferred embodiment, the payment information is only sent to, and/or used by, the third party once the third party has confirmed to the satisfaction of the receiver that the encrypted file in the receiver's possession will decrypt correctly.

Abstract: The present invention provides tools and techniques for providing users of devices with actual notice of patent rights by displaying applicable patents, or by allowing users to indicate they have previously reviewed those patents, or both, before permitting use of core features of the device.

Abstract: An operator of a network (20) dynamically establishes a business relationship with a Billing Agent (26) to enable the network operator to receive reimbursement for access charges incurred by one or more users (121, 122 and 123). To establish such a relationship, the network operator first opens a communications channel to the Billing Agent after which the network operator and Billing Agent verify each other. Following verification, the network operator communicates proposed business terms and conditions, including access charges, to the Billing Agent. In response, the Billing Agent sends to the network operator an acceptance of business terms acceptable to the Billing Agent. After reaching agreement on the terms and conditions, the Billing Agent and network operator will each digitally acknowledge a formal agreement that embodies the agreed upon terms.

Abstract: A digital content distribution control method, a digital content reproducing method, and a digital content reproducing apparatus. The digital content distributing side manipulates digital content by encrypting and compressing the same, transmits the manipulated digital content, an encrypted content key, and encrypted billing information to the other party of communication, and distributes to digital content proprietors the digital content usage fees collected based on digital content usage information received from the other party. On the other hand, the digital content reproducing side decrypts, in a single portable terminal, the manipulated digital content by the digital key and decompresses the decrypted digital content for reproduction. At the same time, the reproducing side decrements the billing information according to the use of the content and generates content usage information to be transmitted to the content distributing side.

Abstract: In an arrangement for accounting for consumption of a resource, e.g., utilization of a postal service or utilities, a data center (503, 803) periodically communicates with multiple franking systems (100, 505-1, 505-2, 505-n) dispensing postage for the postal service utilization. The data center (503, 803) receives transaction records (301, 303, 305, 307, 309), where a transaction record (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) is associated with each transaction performed by the franking system (100, 505-1, 505-2, 505-n) in each period. Each record (301, 303, 305, 307, 309) includes at least the postage dispensed (305) in the associated franking transaction, and an ascending register value (307) indicating the cumulative postage dispensed. Using the received records (301, 303, 305, 307, 309), the data center (503, 803) assesses the charges during the period and causes assessed charges to be charged to an account associated with the franking system (100, 505-1, 505-2, 505-n).

Abstract: Data moves between multiple, disparate data sources and the object-oriented computer programs that process the data. A data access server is interposed between the object-oriented programs and the data sources, and acts as an intermediary. The intermediary server receives requests for data access from object-oriented computer programs, correlates each request to one or more interactions with one or more data sources, performs each required interaction, consolidates the results of the interactions, and presents a singular response to the requesting computer program. The consolidated response from the intermediary server contains data items requested by the computer program, information regarding the hierarchical topology that relates the data items, and an indication of the possible object types that might embody the data items. The application program receives the consolidated response and builds an object hierarchy to embody the data items and to interface them to the rest of the application program.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (12, 200, 302) is provided. The machine may be operative to install a terminal master key (TK) therein in response to at least one input from a single operator. The machine may include an EPP (204) that is operative to remotely receive an encrypted terminal master key from a host system (210, 304). The machine may authenticate and decrypt the terminal master key prior to accepting the terminal master key. The machine may further output through a display device (30) of the machine a one-way hash of at least one public key associated with the host system. The machine may continue with the installation of the terminal master key in response to an operator confirming that the one-way hash of the public key corresponds to a value independently known by the operator to correspond to the host system.