Abstract: A system for remote data acquisition and private and secure and authenticated, centralized processing and storage is disclosed called the DataTreasury™ Repository System. The DataTreasury™ Repository System provides a secure system for the storage and retrieval of data comprising personal information, financial information, and general information. The identity of the users are held private through the use of a biometric as the sole personal identifier. The system acquires transactional data at at least one remote locations, encrypts the data, transmits the encrypted data to a central location, transforms the data to a usable form, performs identification verification using biometric data, generates informative reports from the data and transmits the informative reports to the remote location(s), while maintaining privacy, security, and authenticity of the user's data and biometric. To ensure the complete security of the system, all data is re-encrypted while in storage, or when it is in a state of nonuse.

Abstract: A system and method for providing location information associated with a location owner to location consumers. A location server includes an owner profile for controlling access to the owner's location information. The owner profile contains information describing a user-defined geographic area. In response to a location consumer requesting the location owner's location information, the location server obtains data describing a current location of the location owner. The server determines if the current location falls within a set of boundaries that defines the user-defined geographic area. If the current location falls within a set of boundaries that defines the user-defined geographic area, the location server transmits the location information to the requesting location consumer.

Abstract: Apparatus, and associated method, for facilitating use of an antenna assembly forming a portion of a communication station, such as a node of a wireless mesh network. Antenna information is determined and stored at a routing table of the node. The antenna information is combined with an IP address or other identifier of another node to which a data packet is to be communicated. The antenna information is utilized to define characteristics to be exhibited by the antenna assembly to best facilitate communication of the data packet between the nodes.

Abstract: An LA (License Agent) (or a license chip having the same function as the LA) is disposed in a PC (Personal Computer), a content distribution server, and a medium attached to a PD (Private Device or Portable Device) that use a license for electronic data. A content and electronic data are encrypted corresponding to a license. The encrypted content and electronic data are distributed among them. However, the license is distributed between the LAs as safe communication means. Thus, the license can be correctly managed and transferred.

Abstract: Described herein is one or more implementations that generate a single key from a set of encrypted keys, which set is associated with a unique data subset of a database.

Abstract: A limited-use Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) includes a storage layer for storing content data and control key data. At least one mark of photosensitive dye is disposed on the disc exterior to the storage layer and over at least a portion of the control key data. In one embodiment, the mark is initially transparent to allow a DVD player to read the control key data. The mark changes from clear to become opaque when it is exposed to DVD reader laser light for a cumulative period of time. This change in the optical property of the mark and the configuration of the control key data prevents further reading of the content data after predetermined reading and playback usage of at least some of the content data is permitted. In another embodiment, the mark is initially opaque to initially prevent the successful reading of the control key data, and permanently changes to transparent when exposed to DVD reader laser light for a cumulative period of time.

Abstract: A book on-demand system having reading data for reading book contents and printing and bookbinding data for printing and bookbinding on the server thereof and also having a function to transmit the reading data to a reading device via a network at a user's request and also transmit the printing and bookbinding data to a printing and bookbinding device, wherein the server separately handles reading charge data concerning a reading charge applied to reading data transmission and printing and bookbinding charge data concerning a printing and bookbinding charge applied to printing and bookbinding processing.

Abstract: A digital watermarking method receives multimedia data, such as images or audio, in compressed or uncompressed form, and extracts a digital watermark while counteracting geometric distortions. To counteract geometric distortion, a watermark reading process translates the data before extracting the digital watermark. The reading process operates on compressed data such as JPEG or MPEG images, which are comprised of compressed blocks of image data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an identification document for a subject. The identification document includes a substrate, and a visual image formed on the substrate. The visual image includes a face image of the subject in a first area, and invisible but retrievable embedded information formed in the face image in the first area but not formed in a second area of the visual image. The embedded information corresponds to the identity of the subject and is usable to identify the subject.

Abstract: A variety of systems responsive to watermarked documents are detailed. In one, watermarking is employed to facilitate secure online transactions. In another, a system for exchanging data is provided. One system includes a user terminal and a central site. The user terminal includes a watermark reader, and a capture device to capture an image of a watermarked document. The central site includes a database of image hashes. The user terminal communicates with the central site. The watermark reader reads a watermark and computes a hash of a captured image, and passes the hash to the central site for comparison with the database of image hashes.

Abstract: A communication network having at least one access point supports wireless communication among a plurality of wireless roaming devices via a first and a second wireless channel. The access point comprises a first and a second transceiver. The first and second transceivers operate on the first and second wireless channels, respectively. Each of the plurality of wireless roaming devices are capable of communicating on the first and second wireless channel. In one embodiment, the first wireless channel is used to exchange data, while the second channel is used to manage such exchanges as well as access to the first channel. In an alternate embodiment, both channels are used to support communication flow, however the first channel supports a protocol that is more deterministic than that of the second channel. Allocation of ones of the plurality of wireless roaming devices from one channel to the next may occur per direction from the access point.

Abstract: A user who repeatedly purchases the same electronic content is entitled to receive a discount price for the additional purchases. This is accomplished by establishing an “Accounting History” of accounting information that is prepared when the electronic content is repurchased. The price of the repurchased electronic content is set to “Discount Price,” which is less than the original price at which the electronic content was purchased for the first time. Since accounts are settled based on the accounting information with “Accounting History” set to “Discount Price,” the user who is purchasing the same content again can buy it at a discount price.

Abstract: A session initiation protocol (SIP) server adds billing and authentication information to conventional SIP messages used in establishing call transfers. This additional information is later verified by a SIP server and used to enable advanced billing and fraud protection features for call transfers in a SIP telecommunications network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of encouraging distribution, registration, and purchase of free copyable software and other digital information which is accessed on a User's System via a Programmer's Program. Software tools which can be incorporated into a Programmer's Program allow the User to access Advanced Features of the Programmer's Program only in the presence of a valid Password which is unique to a particular Target ID generated on an ID-Target such as the User's System. Advanced features will thus relock if the Password is copied to another ID-target. If a valid Password is not present, the User is invited to obtain one, and provided with the means of doing so, and of installing that Password in a place accessible to the User's System on subsequent occasions. The present invention also provides Programmers with means to invoke business operations as well as computational operations with their programs, and thus to automatically obtain payment from Users who elect to obtain passwords.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of encouraging distribution, registration, and purchase of free copyable software and other digital information which is accessed on a User's System via a Programmer's Program. Software tools which can be incorporated into a Programmer's Program allow the User to access Advanced Features of the Programmer's Program only in the presence of a valid Password which is unique to a particular Target ID generated on an ID-Target such as the User's System. Advanced features will thus re-lock if the Password is copied to another ID-target. If a valid Password is not present, the User is invited to obtain one, and provided with the means of doing so, and of installing that Password in a place accessible to the User's System on subsequent occasions. The present invention also provides Programmers with means to invoke business operations as well as computational operations with their programs, and thus to automatically obtain payment from Users who elect to obtain passwords.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of encouraging distribution, registration, and purchase of free copyable software and other digital information which is accessed on a User's System via a Programmer's Program. Software tools which can be incorporated into a Programmer's Program allow the User to access Advanced Features of the Programmer's Program only in the presence of a valid Password which is unique to a particular Target ID generated on an ID-Target such as the User's System. Advanced features will thus re-lock if the Password is copied to another ID-target. If a valid Password is not present, the User is invited to obtain one, and provided with the means of doing so, and of installing that Password in a place accessible to the User's System on subsequent occasions. The present invention also provides Programmers with means to invoke business operations as well as computational operations with their programs, and thus to automatically obtain payment from Users who elect to obtain passwords.

Abstract: Method with which a mobile user can confirm a transaction with a service provider, in which: an offer of said service provider is reproduced with the mobile device of said mobile user, said mobile user selects said offer with input means of his mobile device, a transaction confirmation is automatically forwarded from said mobile device to an authentication server, a plurality of transactions between different mobile users and different service providers being stored in said authentication server, and said service provider retrieves said confirmation from said authentication server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of encouraging distribution, registration, and purchase of free copyable software and other digital information which is accessed on a User's System via a Programmer's Program. Software tools which can be incorporated into a Programmer's Program allow the User to access Advanced Features of the Programmer's Program only in the presence of a valid Password which is unique to a particular Target ID generated on an ID-Target such as the User's System. Advanced features will thus re-lock if the Password is copied to another ID-target. If a valid Password is not present, the User is invited to obtain one, and provided with the means of doing so, and of installing that Password in a place accessible to the User's System on subsequent occasions. The present invention also provides Programmers with means to invoke business operations as well as computational operations with their programs, and thus to automatically obtain payment from Users who elect to obtain passwords.

Abstract: A control system including a portable device and a server. The portable device includes: (1) a body; (2) a microphone for receiving a first audio data; (3) an audio coder for converting the first audio data to first audio data signals; (4) an optical sensor for reading a first optical data; (5) an optical coder for converting the first optical data to first optical data signals; and (6) a transmitter for transmitting at least the first audio data signals or the first optical data signals to the server.

Abstract: A copy prevention method and apparatus for a digital video system is disclosed including the steps of: (a) adding a header area of a header start code and key field to a reproduced bit stream: stream; (b) decrypting and transmitting the bit stream to which the header area is added: added; (c) detecting a key field of the decrypted and transmitted bit stream and detecting copy prevention information; and (d) encrypting the bit stream according to information detected from stop step (c) and optionally recording it an on a tape.