Abstract: An entity initiates a transaction with a provider by sending an entity identification to a first anonymity service. In response, the entity receives a transaction identification, based on and uniquely associated with the entity identification, from the first anonymity service. Thereafter, the entity initiates acquisition of goods associated with the transaction by sending an acquisition request and the transaction identification to a second anonymity service. In this manner, enhanced security and privacy is achieved.

Abstract: An entity that desires to engage in anonymous transactions first generates a transaction identification that does not uniquely identify the entity. Additionally, the entity splits an entity identification uniquely associated with the entity into a plurality of secret shares and thereafter sends the transaction identification and the plurality of secret shares to a plurality of shareholders. Subsequently, anonymous transactions on behalf of the entity may be directly conducted by the shareholders based in part upon the plurality of secret shares. In one embodiment of the present invention, the entity identification comprises a public key uniquely assigned to the entity.

Abstract: An apparatus may include elements to send a plurality of frame rate indications associated with a frame included in a first stream segment, to receive the plurality of frame rate indications, and to generate a non-predicted frame associated with a frame included in a second stream segment. A method may include reducing a time difference between a first stream segment and a second stream segment and combining the first stream segment and the second stream segment to provide a single stream. In addition, the method may include encoding a first frame included in the single stream according to an associated first frame rate and encoding a second frame included in the single stream according to an associated second frame rate, wherein the second frame rate is different than the first frame rate.

Abstract: An entity that desires to engage in anonymous transactions first generates a transaction identification that does not uniquely identify the entity. Additionally, the entity splits an entity identification uniquely associated with the entity into a plurality of secret shares and thereafter sends the transaction identification and the plurality of secret shares to a plurality of shareholders. Subsequently, anonymous transactions on behalf of the entity may be directly conducted by the shareholders based in part upon the plurality of secret shares. In one embodiment of the present invention, the entity identification comprises a public key uniquely assigned to the entity.

Abstract: An entity engaging in one or more activities within an electronic commerce system supplies data such as an entity identification to an anonymity service. In turn, the anonymity service splits the entity identification into a plurality of secret shares that are thereafter provided to a corresponding plurality of shareholders. Information regarding the specific activity(ies) is associated with each secret share of the plurality of secret shares used to memorialize the entity's identity. Over time and multiple activities conducted by multiple entities, each secret share has associated therewith a set of activities corresponding to a plurality of entities. To generate recommendations for a given entity, an intersection of the sets of activities associated with that entity's secret shares is provided as an estimated activities list. The recommendations are thereafter derived based on the estimated activities list.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium and method for processing usage rights is disclosed. The medium includes information that identifies a secret share of a finite set of secret shares, the secret share being a member of at least one set of secret shares, the finite set of secret shares collectively defining an entity identification associated with an entity. The medium further includes at least one voucher associated with the secret share, the at least one voucher corresponding to the entity and the at least one voucher comprising at least one usage right. The disclosure further includes a commerce system that makes use of the method for processing usage rights.

Abstract: A commerce system comprises a plurality of entities each having an associated entity identity that is stored as a plurality of secret shares among at least a first portion of a plurality of shareholders. A method for estimating activities of a first entity of the plurality of entities for use in the commerce system is disclosed. The method includes associating, for each entity of the plurality of entities, at least one activity conducted by the entity within the commerce system with each of the plurality of secret shares used to store the entity's identity. The method also includes associating, for each entity of the plurality of entities, at least one tag with at least one activity for each tag-holding share, wherein the at least one tag is based at least in part upon information associated with the entity.

Abstract: An entity initiates a transaction with a provider by sending an entity identification to a first anonymity service. In response, the entity receives a transaction identification, based on and uniquely associated with the entity identification, from the first anonymity service. Thereafter, the entity initiates acquisition of goods associated with the transaction by sending an acquisition request and the transaction identification to a second anonymity service. In this manner, enhanced security and privacy is achieved.

Abstract: An entity acquiring a digital product from a provider supplies acquisition-related data such as an entity identification as well as information identifying a provider of the product and, if applicable, a price of the product to an anonymity service. In turn, the anonymity service splits each of these pieces of information into a plurality of secret shares that are thereafter provided to corresponding sets of shareholders. The anonymity service retains a transaction identification and identities of the shareholders, but does not store or otherwise retain the secrets, i.e., the acquisition-related data. When needed, the anonymity service reconstructs the secrets by requesting the secret shares from the shareholders such that it can anonymously fulfill the acquisition of the product. If later required, the anonymity service may reconstruct the secrets for the purposes of auditing, legal investigations or the like. In this manner, retraceable anonymous electronic transactions are made possible.

Abstract: Information about activities is gathered. Performed activities are monitored and recorded. Each recording of a performed activity has an accuracy level. The accuracy level indicates a probability level that any particular recorded activity accurately records a performed activity. Random selection of activities from a list of activities is used to inaccurately record some performed activities.