Abstract: Content items or portions of content items are made available for previewing according to various techniques. In some techniques, designated portions of content items are transmitted in plaintext, while the remaining portions are transmitted in encrypted form. In other techniques, an entire content item is transmitted in encrypted form. However, content keys for decrypting the content item may be transmitted in plaintext form for certain portions designated for previewing and in encrypted form for the remaining portions. Also, an entire content item may be transmitted in encrypted form. Similarly the content keys for decrypting the content item is transmitted in encrypted form. However, preview rights keys for decrypting the content keys may be transmitted. These rights keys have associated usage rules that limit their use.

Abstract: A computer system, method, and computer program product for performing device detection and service discovery in a mobile ad hoc communications network. The method comprises conducting an inquiry of the mobile ad hoc communications network to discover nearby devices. If the inquiry indicates that the nearby devices may include a middleware layer, the method further comprises creating a connection to each of the nearby devices and confirming whether each of the nearby devices include the middleware layer. For each of the nearby devices that include the middleware layer, the method further comprises executing the middleware layer to perform application and service discovery, and to launch applications and services.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling a user to access a dynamic attribute associated with a service point may include a processing element. The processing element may be configured to receive an indication of a dynamic attribute associated with a service point having a particular geographic location, indicate an availability of the dynamic attribute to a user, and enable the user to access the dynamic attribute in response to a user selection. The dynamic attribute may be provided from a mobile content source proximate to the particular geographic location.

Abstract: A system and method of performing device detection and service discovery in a mobile ad hoc communications network, each network node storing a local application directory. One of the network nodes is selected to be a directory server node that stores a combined application directory. The directory server node sends an inquiry message to a listening node when the listening node enters the coverage area of the directory server node. The listening node sends a notification message to the directory server node that includes the local application directory stored in the listening node. The directory server node compares the received local application directory to the combined application directory and updates the combined application directory accordingly. The directory server node sends an update message to each network node by sending an update portion of the combined application directory. Each network node updates the local application directories accordingly.

Abstract: A method, apparatus or tangible computer medium (which stores computer executable code or program code) performs or facilitates: receiving from a first remote device protected content along with pricing attribute information for the protected content; requesting access to the protected content from a second remote device, the requesting including transmitting of the pricing attribute information to the second remote device which is authorized to act on behalf of a provider of the content; and obtaining access to the protected content from the second remote device according to a pricing or valuation of the protected content based on the pricing attribute information received by the second remote device.

Abstract: A computer system, method, and computer program product for controlling access to an application program in a wireless device connected to an ad-hoc communications network. The method comprises sending an inquiry message to the network, receiving a response, choosing a selected application, and examining control parameters associated with the selected application. The control parameters dictate a behavior of the selected application such as allowing or refusing communication with the selected application. When a nearby wireless device includes a matching application, connecting the selected application and the matching application further comprises sending a connection request, receiving connection response, launching the selected application, and sending a service request. When the selected application closes, the method further comprises erasing the selected application.

Abstract: A short-range transaction system enables a user to conduct transactions with a self-service terminal in a user-friendly environment without using currency. The user carries a portable smart card, which interacts with a mobile phone. After authentication via an RFID connection, the device MAC address and a security key (K) are imprinted in the card. In operation, the user waves the smart card past the self-service terminal and activates an RFID connection. The terminal sends the card a random number. The card returns the MAC address and a result (RES) computed using the hash value and the security key. The terminal using the MAC address and security key establishes a secure connection with the device. The terminal downloads the user's transaction interface from the device and displays the user interface at the self-service terminal. The user completes a transaction at the terminal via the user interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatuses, and systems for delivering protected streaming content to a receiving device. In an aspect of the present invention, a broadcaster provides streaming content. To ensure viewers are properly authorized, the streaming content is encrypted with a traffic key. The traffic key is provided to the users via a key stream message, which is encrypted with a service key. The user obtains at least one rights object from a rights issuers and the at least one rights object includes the service key so that the streaming content may be used. The at least one rights object also contains information regarding usage rights that may be configured by the rights issuer so that, depending on the user and/or the receiving device, different rights may be available. The key stream message may include a program category variable value that indicates the type of content and in conjunction with the rights object, determines what usage rights exist for the streaming content.

Abstract: Content items or portions of content items are made available for previewing according to various techniques. In some techniques, designated portions of content items are transmitted in plaintext, while the remaining portions are transmitted in encrypted form. In other techniques, an entire content item is transmitted in encrypted form. However, content keys for decrypting the content item may be transmitted in plaintext form for certain portions designated for previewing and in encrypted form for the remaining portions. Also, an entire content item may be transmitted in encrypted form. Similarly the content keys for decrypting the content item is transmitted in encrypted form. However, preview rights keys for decrypting the content keys may be transmitted. These rights keys have associated usage rules that limit their use.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatuses, and systems for delivering protected multi-media content to a receiving device. Protected multi-media content and key information are inserted in a same time slice burst. Multi-media content is processed into content datagrams, in which each content datagram is associated with a corresponding component. Key information may be processed as a keystream with key datagrams or may be included in one or more components. A content datagram may be encrypted with an associated key. A receiving device receives the time slice burst with the content datagrams and the key information. The receiving device subsequently decrypts the content datagrams with the key information. Key datagrams may be associated with a higher priority level than content datagrams. Consequently, a receiving device can process a key datagram in order to extract a key before routing associated content datagrams to a message stack.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, apparatuses, and systems for delivering protected multi-media content to a receiving device. Portions of protected multi-media content and associated key information are inserted in a same time slice burst. Multi-media content is processed into a plurality of content datagrams, in which each content datagram is associated with a corresponding component. Key information may be processed as a keystream that is logically separate from the components. A content datagram may be encrypted with an associated key. A receiving device receives the time slice burst with the plurality of content datagrams and associated key datagrams of the keystream. The receiving device consequently decrypts the plurality of content datagrams. Also, key information may be processed as key datagrams that are included with at least one component, in which each component comprises an associated plurality of content datagrams.

Abstract: A system and method of performing device detection and service discovery in a mobile ad hoc communications network, each network node storing a local application directory. One of the network nodes is selected to be a directory server node that stores a combined application directory. The directory server node sends an inquiry message to a listening node when the listening node enters the coverage area of the directory server node. The listening node sends a notification message to the directory server node that includes the local application directory stored in the listening node. The directory server node compares the received local application directory to the combined application directory and updates the combined application directory accordingly. The directory server node sends an update message to each network node by sending an update portion of the combined application directory. Each network node updates the local application directories accordingly.

Abstract: A short-range transaction system enables a user to conduct transactions with a self-service terminal in a user-friendly environment without using currency. The user carries a portable smart card, which interacts with a mobile phone. After authentication via an RFID connection, the device MAC address and a security key (K) are imprinted in the card. In operation, the user waves the smart card past the self-service terminal and activates an RFID connection. The terminal sends the card a random number. The card returns the MAC address and a result (RES) computed using the hash value and the security key. The terminal using the MAC address and security key establishes a secure connection with the device. The terminal downloads the user's transaction interface from the device and displays the user interface at the self-service terminal. The user completes a transaction at the terminal via the user interface.

Abstract: A system and method of performing device detection and service discovery in a mobile ad hoc communications network, each network node storing a local application directory. One of the network nodes is selected to be a directory server node that stores a combined application directory. The directory server node sends an inquiry message to a listening node when the listening node enters the coverage area of the directory server node. The listening node sends a notification message to the directory server node that includes the local application directory stored in the listening node. The directory server node compares the received local application directory to the combined application directory and updates the combined application directory accordingly. The directory server node sends an update message to each network node by sending an update portion of the combined application directory. Each network node updates the local application directories accordingly.

Abstract: A computer system, method, and computer program product for controlling access to an application program in a wireless device connected to an ad-hoc communications network. The method comprises sending an inquiry message to the network, receiving a response, choosing a selected application, and examining control parameters associated with the selected application. The control parameters dictate a behavior of the selected application such as allowing or refusing communication with the selected application. When a nearby wireless device includes a matching application, connecting the selected application and the matching application further comprises sending a connection request, receiving connection response, launching the selected application, and sending a service request. When the selected application closes, the method further comprises erasing the selected application.

Abstract: A communication system comprising a data communication network, a service provider and a communication terminal is described. The communication terminal includes a user interaction device, a processor, a memory and a character stored in the memory and capable of running on the processor and of providing a presence on the user interaction device. The communication system also comprises an agent residing in the data communication network being configurable to collect data from the service provider, of providing a continuous follow-up of occurrences in the network and of providing the data to the character. The character is configurable to approach the agent and to receive the data from the agent over a wireless link supported by the communication terminal and to present the data to the user by means of the user interaction device. Furthermore, a method for data transfer from a service provider to a communication terminal over a data communication network is described.

Abstract: A computer system, method, and computer program product for performing device detection and service discovery in a mobile ad hoc communications network. The method comprises conducting an inquiry of the mobile ad hoc communications network to discover nearby devices. If the inquiry indicates that the nearby devices may include a middleware layer, the method further comprises creating a connection to each of the nearby devices and confirming whether each of the nearby devices include the middleware layer. For each of the nearby devices that include the middleware layer, the method further comprises executing the middleware layer to perform application and service discovery, and to launch applications and services.

Abstract: A system and method of performing device detection and service discovery in a mobile ad hoc communications network, each network node storing a local application directory. One of the network nodes is selected to be a directory server node that stores a combined application directory. The directory server node sends an inquiry message to a listening node when the listening node enters the coverage area of the directory server node. The listening node sends a notification message to the directory server node that includes the local application directory stored in the listening node. The directory server node compares the received local application directory to the combined application directory and updates the combined application directory accordingly. The directory server node sends an update message to each network node by sending an update portion of the combined application directory. Each network node updates the local application directories accordingly.

Abstract: A method to be implemented in an integrated services network, such as the well known ISDN, GSM or CMS88 type networks, takes advantage of short message service technology to enable communication between terminal equipment units, i.e., between people using the network. This method makes possible (a) the use of a short message service to provide automatic answer transmission; (b) the use of a specified memory area, from which the content of the automatic answer transmission is automatically fetched; and (c) the storing, in advance, within the specified memory area, of any useful information for any potential caller, i.e., a calling subscriber. The calling subscriber will in turn automatically receive information, e.g., on how to reach the person not attending the terminal device for the moment, or any other such useful information.