Abstract: To conduct a contest, game parameters are downloaded from a server to a device in response to a player app being launched on the device. The player device displays available games that can be played by a player, the games including target game locations from which the games can be played. A player is allowed to select a game to play only when the player is within a predetermined distance of a target game location and when check-ins are still available for the game. A jackpot prize is awarded to the player if the player is a winner of a game selected by the player. The player is entered in a raffle if the player is not the winner of the game selected by the player.

Abstract: Novel methods, devices and systems are described for mapping a variety of Class III game outcomes to sets of bingo patterns. Each game theme may have a different entertaining display, based upon a corresponding Class III game. Preferably, each game theme will offer game play and paytable percentages closely matching those of the original Class III game. Some implementations provide a system wherein separate pay tables and bingo pools are formed according to the number of paylines played on slot-type game themes and/or the number of hands played on poker game themes. In some such implementations, players will be limited to predetermined numbers of lines (or hands) played, e.g., only 1, 3, 5 or 9 lines. In alternative implementations, a player's options regarding the number of lines played will depend, at least in part, on how many other players are playing any given number of lines on a slot game.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for electronic trading is provided. A plurality of controller signal relationships are stored, each controller signal relationship associating one or more game controller signals with a trading system command associated with the electronic trading of financial instruments via a trading platform. One or more game controller signals generated by a game controller are received and at least one of the plurality of controller signal relationships is modified based at least on the one or more received game controller signals.

Abstract: A method for authenticating data comprising the steps of: providing data to a first device having at least two initial cryptographic keys; generating authentication information required to authenticate the data utilizing the at least two initial cryptographic keys; sending the data and authentication data to a second device having paired cryptographic keys wherein each paired cryptographic key is associated to one of the at least two initial cryptographic keys; and authenticating the data in the second device utilizing the paired cryptographic keys.

Abstract: Example embodiments herein include a license manager process that receives a license query from a server device. The license query requests usage data associated with a permanent license on a client device. In response to receiving the license query, the license manager procures the usage data associated with the permanent license on the client device. The license manager then transmits the usage data associated with the permanent license to the server device. Furthermore, the license manager receives a revocation request from the server device. In this manner, the revocation request is received in response to transmitting the usage data associated with the permanent license to the server device. In turn, the license manager revokes the permanent license that was indicated in the revocation request to disable use of the respective application on the client device.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein include new, more efficient ways to request, create, send, and receive product reviews from the Internet. One aspect of the invention is an email message for a customer. The email message includes a request to review a product obtained by the customer in a transaction; a rating input area and/or a text input area; an authentication token that includes a transaction identifier corresponding to the transaction; and an HTTP form submission command to send a response to the request from the customer to a remote computer. The response includes a rating entered in the rating input area and/or text entered in the text input area, and the authentication token.

Abstract: A client obtains license information. The client has a client module for using content under conditions defined in the license information. When the client module is updated and a new function is added, the client obtains updating license information including permission of the new function. The client is allowed to use the content under the conditions defined in the previous license information and the conditions defined in the updating license information without obtaining new rights information for the updated client module.

Abstract: Based on a metric that represents a value of a game of chance, a payout distribution is optimized with respect to the metric.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a data processing system to protect an electronic data object from unauthorized access. Via a method, a) in a first step, an electronic data object identifier is generated dependent on the content of the data object, b) in a further step, an access right is determined dependent on the data object identifier, and c) in a last step, an access to the data object is allowed dependent of the access right. The data processing system comprises a data processing device and an access control module. Via the access control module, an electronic data object identifier can be generated dependent on the content of a data object, and an access right can be determined dependent on the data object identifier. The access right can comprises standard rights such as “Read” or “Write” and an “Execute” right to execute specific functionalities.

Abstract: An automated method and system (100) for supplying risk transfer products to a client company on a continual basis. After the client company provides data to the risk transfer supply chain, swaps and/or insurance products that provide the desired risk transfer are identified and priced. The information regarding the proposed risk transfer swaps and products is optionally reviewed by the user (20) and optionally accepted. If accepted, the transaction is completed in an automated fashion. Prices and contingent capital purchases are established as required to keep the operator of the risk transfer supply chain in compliance with regulatory reserve requirements.

Abstract: The present invention establishes a trusted market place which allows insurance goods and services to be transacted on the Internet between insurance business entities and certain type of consumers called “networked consumers” who can be properly authenticated without requiring each to obtain an authenticating device. The market players are the business entities, the networked entities, and the networked consumers. In this market structure, a plurality of business entities have access to the insurance market place, and they place details of insurance goods and/or services to be sold on-line. The networked insurance consumers can access the market place to purchase the insurance goods and services, and at least the registration must occur through a networked entity having an authenticating system. Because the authentication is performed via the networked entities, no authenticating system is required by the networked consumers.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are provided for entitlement security and control. According to one embodiment, an entitlement request is received from a user seeking entitlement permission, the entitlement request is matched against entitlement rules and roles that are retrieved from a metadata repository, and the entitlement permission is granted if the entitlement request satisfies the entitlement rules and roles.

Abstract: A method, system, server architecture and/or tangible medium determines and/or transmits and/or establishes communication with a mobile device user. The method includes, for example, receiving a communication from and/or transmitting a communication to, an event customer, and optionally updating a database to reflect the communication. The method also includes obtaining at least one mobile address, e.g., a telephone number and a communication network used thereon by the event user and building a data address therefrom to establish the communication with the event user. In one embodiment, the method does not require the event user to provide a bbnetwork address associated with the mobile contact address. Various optional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A joint subscriber management system includes a joint subscriber management unit for acting as a surrogate in performing a registration activity for enabling a receiver to receive a broadcast and/or an electronic commerce transaction. A reception unit receives a reception-limiting identification number of the receiver for receiving a specific broadcast, a broadcaster identification number of at least one broadcaster of a plurality of broadcasters, and registrant information concerning registration of a user allocated to the reception-limiting identification number. A generation unit generates a joint management identification number corresponding to the received reception-limiting identification number. A recording unit records the reception-limiting identification number, the joint management identification number, and the registrant information in a registrant information table in correspondence with one another.

Abstract: A metering system is provided including a smartcard reader and peripheral computer in communication with a metering apparatus. A smartcard with memory, microprocessor, and license counter may then be engaged with a smartcard reader in the metering system to effect meter license transactions. The license transactions may be purchased by a user either to enable enhanced functional meter features via a meter upgrade process or to disable functional meter features via a meter downgrade process. Such features are typically enabled or disabled by respectively either providing or restricting access to selected portions of the meter firmware. Since both upgrades and downgrades can be effected at a utility meter, the smartcards provide transferable meter licenses. Advantages of the disclosed smartcard technology facilitate secure and reliable license transactions.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for ensuring secured dialog between a card holder and a card provider via a network is provided. The system facilitates real-time communicate between a card provider virtual agent and a card holder using a card holder interface operating via a network. In a typical arrangement, the card holder requests completion of a transaction from a merchant system via a network. The upon receiving notification that the transaction request has been denied by the card provider system, the card holder is provided real-time access to the card provider virtual agent. The virtual agent may then send a transaction approval code to the card provider system overriding any transaction denial and permitting the card holder to resubmit the transaction request to the merchant system for subsequent approval.

Abstract: Method, procedure, algorithm, system, and computer program for improving and attempting to optimize the performance of messaging campaigns, particularly to marketing campaigns in which advertisements or other messages are distributed over an interactive measurable medium such as the Internet. A goal is to allocate the message alternatives to the customer population to optimize business objectives. The includes reading prior stage message state data pertaining to a prior stage including a cumulative number of trials and a cumulative number of successes for a particular message. Message performance results representing message trials and message successes from the previous stage based on the prior-stage state are then read, and a current message state is computed. A current message allocation is generated based on the current message state. Desirably the cumulative number of trials and the cumulative number of successes are discounted based on the age of the information.

Abstract: A preferred printing system includes a printer configured to communicatively couple with a workstation, which incorporates a first code entry device for receiving first coding information from a user. The printer incorporates a second code entry device that is configured to receive second coding information from the user. Additionally, the printer is configured to print data in response to correlating the first coding information received at the first code entry device with the second coding information received at the second code entry device. Devices, methods and computer readable media also are provided.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the equity of a business entity by issuing a debt instrument to the equity share of the business entity. The debt instrument is secured by the written unconditional promise to pay of the business entity and assets of the business entity. The business pays the principal and the interest, from the debt instrument, to the shareholder of record of the equity share of the business entity.

Abstract: A computer management system attains, through one line, the uniform and steady system management through an agent such as monitoring of fault and power control in a computer connected by LAN as well as a public line, and system management for an off-state of the computer or abnormal operation state of the computer such as remote power control and notice and diagnosis of critical fault by the direct connection with a service processor through the line.