Abstract: A method and apparatus for encrypting or decrypting digital content are provided. In the method, a binding range is selected from a plurality of binding ranges of content use based on license information of the content, and the content is encrypted based on the selected binding range so that the content can be used only within the selected binding range. Accordingly, it is possible to limit content use to a plurality of binding ranges of use of the content, using license information of the content.

Abstract: Usage rights information indicating a license which is usage rights corresponding to contents is stored in a license storage device, and at the time of using the contents, the rights information is output from the license storage device to a contents using device and further transmitted to a contents distribution server, and legitimacy verification of the rights information is executed at the contents distribution server, such that contents corresponding to the rights information are transmitted to the contents using device. Thus, a device and method is realized whereby distribution of contents over a network and use thereof is enabled without detracting from safety and user convenience.

Abstract: To provide a backup management device that deletes a content so as to be restorable in the future while protecting a copyright of the content, in a case where there exists a backup of the content. In an HD recorder, a first information storage unit stores a content, a second information storage unit stores a backup of the content, a secure storage unit stores a hash value of the content. If receiving an instruction to delete the content so as to be restorable, a control unit deletes the content from the first information storage unit. When the content is played back, an encryption processing unit applies a calculation to the content to generate detection information, and the control unit compares the hash value with the detection information to judge whether the content has been tampered.

Abstract: A method and system to digitally sign a content license associated with content, and to distribute content via a network in a geographically controlled manner, commences when a content requester requests delivery of the encrypted content. A content delivery system performs a content to determine a geographic location associated with the content requester. The content requestor authorization process may also determine geographic access criteria associated with the content, and whether the geographic location complies with the geographic access criteria. The content delivery system will release the content for delivery to the content requestor if the content location complies with the geographic access criteria.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for executing an application to perform voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephony, requesting a hardware key from a line interface device, comparing the hardware key to a software key associated with the application, and enabling the VoIP telephony if the keys match.

Abstract: A job management apparatus includes a detection section that detects the number of unused licenses, a determination section that determines whether or not the number of unused licenses is sufficient to cover the number of licenses necessary for execution of a first job to be executed, and a job control section that sets a used license that is used by a second job into an unused state, in which a priority rank assigned to the second job is lower than a priority rank assigned to the first job, when the determination section determines that the number of unused licenses is not sufficient to cover the number of licenses necessary for execution of the first job, and allocates the used license set into the unused state to the first job.

Abstract: Extensible grammar-based rights expression system for processing rights expressions including an interpreter with plug-in subcomponents, a validator, and a framework. In another embodiment, system includes a framework having an extensible architecture with extensibility points for adding extensions to the grammar, and an interpreter, the extensions defining semantics and syntax of new rights expressions. A method for processing rights expressions is also provided having the steps of registering plug-in components, making a programmatic call, finding and invoking appropriate plug-in components, evaluating the request against the grant, and returning an authorization result. In another embodiment, method includes the steps of providing an extensible grammar-based rights expression system having an extensible architecture with an interpreter, evaluating the request against the grant using the interpreter, and returning an authorization result.

Abstract: The present invention provides a value information management system capable of printing electronic data (e.g. electronic receipt) representing value information while restricting the electronic receipt to one of printed form and unprinted form so as to prevent fraudulent billing. A secure memory card 13 securely stores therein a payment-related electronic receipt, a printer 14 prints the electronic receipt, and deletes the electronic receipt from the secure memory card 13 after completion of the printing, and transmits a receipt ID identifying the electronic receipt to a receipt management server 17, so that the receipt management server 17 can manage the electronic receipt identified by the receipt ID as being printed out.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems to distribute content over a network. Some embodiments provide methods to distribute content within a local media network. These methods receive a request for a first content to be transferred to a sink device, request from the source an access criteria for a first content that is protected according to a first digital rights management (DRM), forward the access criteria to the sink device, receive an evaluation of the access criteria from the sink device regarding at least whether the sink device can interpret the first DRM, determine according to the evaluation received from the sink device whether the sink device can utilize the first content that is protected according to the first DRM, and initiate a transfer of the first content from the source device to the sink device when the sink device can utilize the first content.

Abstract: Customers make purchases from online merchants using personal information, such as payment and shipping information, stored with an online information service. The merchants may optionally report information about each customer's purchases back to the information service, which may incorporate the information into a history page that is accessible to the customer. The information service may also use the aggregated purchase history data to generate an “interests” profile for the customer, which may be disseminated to the merchants and used to customize their web sites. The web pages of the merchants may include a reference to an object, such as a graphic, that is served by the information service. For customers that are registered with the information service, this object may be customized with the name of the customer, and may be selectable by the customer to make single-action purchases.

Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method for determining unreturned standby resource usage. Unreturned standby resource data is monitored and stored separately from other standby resource data for billing and other accounting purposes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for leasing a unique digital item in a network data processing system. A listing request is received for a payment and a deposit in the account of a first party. A listing request is received for a unique digital item in the account of a second party. Responsive to receiving the listing requests, the respective digital properties are transferred to a temporary storage account in association with retrieval tags. Listings for the digital properties appear on a trusted third-party leasing service. A lease contract is drawn up between the parties. After all parties have signed the lease agreement, the payment is transferred to the second party and the unique digital item is transferred to the first party. The deposit is held by the trusted third-party leasing service until the unique digital item is returned.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for reserving a set of requested rights. In one example, the digital rights data associated with digital content information is found in a remaining rights file using a license index. A portion of the digital rights data is subsequently reserved. A determination is made as to whether a content download associated with the digital content information is successful. If the content download is unsuccessful, then the reserved portion of the digital rights data is cancelled. Alternatively, if the content download is successful, then the remaining rights file is updated to reflect a use of the portion of the digital rights data.

Abstract: Identification of media content, such as audio, can be performed through use of watermarking or fingerprinting (aka content signature) technologies. Aspects of these technologies may be combined to advantageous effect. For example, in dealing with the problem of fingerprint errors arising from object distortion, operations known from digital watermarking systems can be employed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for selectively executing content on a display based on the automatic recognition of predefined characteristics, including visually perceptible attributes, such as the demographic profile of people identified automatically using a sequence of image frames from a video stream. The present invention detects the images of the individual or the people from captured images. The present invention automatically extracts visually perceptible attributes, including demographic information, local behavior analysis, and emotional status, of the individual or the people from the images in real time. The visually perceptible attributes further comprise height, skin color, hair color, the number of people in the scene, time spent by the people, and whether a person looked at the display. A targeted media is selected from a set of media pools, according to the automatically-extracted, visually perceptible attributes and the feedback from the people.

Abstract: This invention uses probabilistic correlation techniques to increase sensitivity, reduce false alarms, and improve alert report quality in intrusion detection systems. In one preferred embodiment, an intrusion detection system includes at least two sensors to monitor different aspects of a computer network, such as a sensor that monitors network traffic and a sensor that discovers and monitors available network resources. The sensors are correlated in that the belief state of one sensor is used to update or modify the belief state of another sensor. In another embodiment of this invention, probabilistic correlation techniques are used to organize alerts generated by different sensors in an intrusion detection system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for a cell phone based dating service. The method uses telecommunication in the form of phones, cell phones or email. The invention proposes a method or way to exchange the information of two people in a fast way by the Internet or telephone or cell phones, making it possible divide peoples personal information in small portions and to give out these portions step by step. In the invention proposes a system-administrator, the system, will coordinate the exchange of information between the meeting people. The invention uses a computer based partner service system in which a participant can order the system to give out its personalized information in defined modifications.

Abstract: A content user terminal including a utilization unit that provides a content utilization, and an interface unit 137 that inquires the content utilization availability to the portable content usage rule management device via a wireless communication and obtains a content utilization permission data which is a inquiry result via a wireless communication. The utilization unit provides the content utilization based on the obtained content utilization permission data. The portable content usage rule management device includes a copyright data storage management unit that stores and manages the content usage rule, an interface unit that receives the inquiry result of the content utilization availability from the content user terminal via a wireless communication, and a copyright data processing is unit that responds to the received inquiry result, judges the content utilization availability based on the stored content usage rule and creates a content utilization permission data based on the judge result.

Abstract: A management apparatus, a charging object apparatus and a management system and method by which a product of an object of use can be used in an efficiency as high as possible when it is used commonly by a plurality of people.

Abstract: A method of detecting a version of input data content, there being a plurality of different versions of said data content, in which: said data content is arranged as two or more segments according to a segmentation pattern; and said versions of said data content are identifiable by corresponding identification data patterns by which at least some of said segments have respective identification data; said method comprising the steps of: (i) detecting said identification data in respect of said segments of said input data content; (ii) comparing said detected identification data with said identification data patterns corresponding to said different versions of said data content; and (iii) detecting that said input data content comprises at least a contribution from a certain version of said data content if a sum of matches obtained between said detected identification data and said identification data pattern for said certain version exceeds a threshold number.

Abstract: A digital content management system is provided in which a user's rights to access content are independent of the format in which the content is stored. A user receives a file containing electronic content, such as music or a ring tone, encoded in a particular format. The system determines the identity of that content, independent of the format in which the content is encoded. The system then determines whether the user has rights to that content. If so, the user is permitted to play the content. If the user later receives a different file that contains the same content but in a different format, the system determines that the different file encodes content that the user already has the right to play, and it allows the user to play the content in the second format.

Abstract: In a content-log analyzing system, content includes additional information indicating, according to a property of the content, whether or not to record communication of the content in a content-log. When transmitting content to a TV or a PC, a data-communication controlling device judges whether or not to record the communication in a content-log based upon additional information of the content, and when judging affirmatively, generates and stores content-log information. A content-log analyzing server obtains the content-log stored in the data-communication controlling device, and analyzes the obtained content-log.

Abstract: A communication system and so forth are provided by which registration or cancellation of a plurality of apparatus owned by a user can be executed efficiently. In the communication system, a content processing apparatus acquires a second source ID list of a content reproduction apparatus. If it is detected based on the second source ID list that the content reproduction apparatus is not yet registered in a management server and a recorder ID of the content processing apparatus is not yet registered in the second source ID list, the content processing apparatus recommends registration. If a registration instruction of the content reproduction apparatus is accepted, the content processing apparatus requests the management server to register the content reproduction apparatus. The content processing apparatus receives registration completion transmitted from the management server and adds a group ID stored in a first source ID list to the second source ID list of the content reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: An on-line service manages downloads of purchased digital content. Information regarding the digital content items that are purchased by each user and the terms of use of those purchased items is maintained. Information regarding the formats of digital content items that each device is adapted to receive is maintained. Upon determining that a user wishes to download a digital content item, the requested digital content is downloaded in an appropriate format for a particular digital device provided the recorded information indicates the content item has been purchased by the user and the download is within the quantity of downloads authorized by the terms of the purchase.

Abstract: A system and method of managing external content that is used within a software product or software development process is disclosed. In some approaches, the system and method manages and tracks the use of external content, as well an approval process for determining whether the external content is to be used or incorporated. The system and method manages and tracks compliance with terms and restrictions of the external content.

Abstract: A brokerage for digital media distribution allows initial recipients of digital media to promote and generate additional distribution of the digital media. The brokerage may involve transferring a copy of the digital media from the device of the initial recipient to a device of an entity interested in obtaining the same digital media, and the device of the entity may then complete the transfer by submitting a record of the transaction that identifies the recipient who has generated the sale such that this initial recipient is compensated by the digital media distributor. The brokerage may alternatively involve directing the device of the receiving entity to a network link that provides access to the digital media and that is associated with the initial recipient. The device of the entity may then complete the transfer that causes the initial recipient to be compensated by the digital media distributor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a digital signal processing apparatus, a digital signal processing method, an information center, and a data delivery system capable of judging reliably whether digital signals such as music data recorded on a storage medium have been legally purchased by a customer from a legitimate vendor so that only when the digital signals are judged to be legitimately purchased data will a new service be offered to the customer.

Abstract: A method for transmission and storing of scrambled content in which the scrambled content is transmitted together with encrypted control words, the control words being used for descrambling the scrambled content, transmitting to a receiver/decoder the scrambled content and encrypted control words, said control words being encrypted by an exploitation key (KG), decrypting said encrypted control words in a removable security module with an exploitation key (KG), said removable security module being received by the receiver/decoder, characterised in that it further includes transmitting usage rules message (URM) to the receiver/decoder (2000), which usage rules (URM) impose usage constraints on the playback of the content stored on a mass storage device encrypting the decrypted encrypted control words and usage rules messages by a local key (KL) to produce encrypted control management messages (CMM) storing said scrambled content and encrypted control management message on the mass storage device of the receiver

Abstract: A file sharing system includes a first primary peer which shares data with other peers via a tracker. The tracker divides the data into blocks and encrypts each block of the first data with a key that is unique to the first primary peer and the respective block of data. As the encrypted blocks of data are passed from peer to peer in the file sharing system, the tracker is always able to identify the primary which provided the data. Additionally, primary peers are compensated in accordance with the number of downloads of their respective data.

Abstract: A method for automatically linking an anonymous electronic trade order having an order quantity (q) to an identity of a trader by providing an identity marker (s) of the trader; embedding the identity marker (s) by splitting the anonymous trade order into a number (n) of trade orders each having a corresponding order quantity x (i) to generate a trade order set; and placing the generated trade order set in an electronic order book.

Abstract: The operating and other procedures of a disk or recording medium application system of the type for which a network is used are simplified. Disks or recording media have auxiliary data recording areas, where different IDs for individual disk, and/or cipher keys and/or decoding keys for ciphers are recorded in advance in a factory. By using the IDs to release the soft ciphers, and using the cipher keys when sending the ciphers, and using the decoding keys when receiving the ciphers, user authorization procedures are simplified.

Abstract: A digital signal processing apparatus, a digital signal processing method, an information center, and a data delivery system are capable of judging reliably whether digital signals such as music data signals recorded on a storage medium have been legally purchased by a customer from a legitimate vendor, so that only when the digital signals are judged to be legitimately purchased data, will a new service be offered to the customer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for DRM brokering and digital asset security transcoding comprising utilizing a broker for converting content from one format into one or more alternative DRM-protected formats for distribution to end-users. The broker operates an escrow system for securing and tracking the content and information about the content and encryption keys associated with a plurality of DRM content formats. The broker further provides a common inter-DRM log format for receiving usage transaction logs and payment logs associated with transcoding and distribution the content in one or more DRM-protected content formats.

Abstract: In an electronic musical apparatus, a media ID (MD1, MD2, MD3, MD4, MD5) is associated with each recording media of a memory card 8, hard disk device 10, flash memory ROM 11, CD-ROM 12 and internet 15. Each media ID is encrypted to be recorded on a different position in a ROM 2. Upon reading a music content, the media ID of the corresponding recording media is decoded to decode the music content based upon the media ID and the secret key, and then, the resultant is temporarily stored in a RAM 3. Upon writing a music content, it is encrypted based upon the media ID corresponding to a recording media and the secret key, and the content in the RAM 3 is deleted. This makes cryptanalysis hard to thereby enhance a protection level of a music content in an electronic musical apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a flexible licensing system for digital content is described. In some cases, the system utilizes tokens or other valuations to facilitate the purchase or exchange of content.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses sequester content receiving content for use in an application; review the content; automatically sequester the content from the application based on the reviewing; and form a reason associated with the sequestering the content. In another embodiment, the methods and apparatuses receive content for use with an application; determine whether the content is one of acceptable content and unacceptable content; remove the unacceptable content from the application; form an explanation for the unacceptable content; and store the unacceptable content and the explanation in an off-line storage device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authentication of postage indicia are disclosed. A secret key is read from store and modified in dependence upon postage data to be printed in a postage indicium. The modified key is then utilized to generate an authentication code dependent upon the postage data to be printed. Authentication of the indicium is effected by reading the authentication code and postage data from the printed indicium and repeating the process of generating an authentication code. The generated authentication code is compared with the authentication code read from the indicium. A control code based on a value in an accounting register may be included in the indicium. The value may be a value of postage dispensed in a determined expired period.

Abstract: A software licensing system includes a license generator located at a licensing clearinghouse and at least one license server and multiple clients located at a company or entity. When a company wants a software license, it sends a purchase request (and appropriate fee) to the licensing clearinghouse. The license generator at the clearinghouse creates a license pack containing a set of one or more individual software licenses. The license generator digitally signs the license pack and encrypts it with the license server's public key. The license server is responsible for distributing the software licenses from the license pack to individual clients. When a client needs a license, the license server determines the client's operating system platform and grants the appropriate license. The license server digitally signs the software license and encrypts it using the client's public key. The license is stored locally at the client.

Abstract: An animation data sales mediation method, an animation data sales mediation system and so on are capable of providing large capacity data such as animation data by a large capacity storage medium in advance, rendering the time required for transfer of the data via the network extremely short by passing a key code for viewing the animation data via the network, rendering the labor and costs required for sales of the animation data extremely low, and providing the latest unauthorized copy technology to the animation data. The animation data sales mediation system has the steps of having a user terminal send to a large capacity data sales server an online access code corresponding to the large capacity data one to one, having the large capacity data sales server send the key code to the user terminal, having the user terminal encrypt and store the key code, and having the animation data used by using the key code.

Abstract: An information recording and/or reproduction processing apparatus is provided. The information recording and/or reproduction processing apparatus is provided by which additional information such as copy protection information is recorded as encrypted data on an information recording medium and also a cryptographic key is recorded such that the difficulty in analysis thereof is promoted. Where additional information such as copy protection information is encrypted and recorded and also a cryptographic key for the encrypted additional information is recorded together, a seed is generated based on an error correction code set corresponding to the additional information. Then, a scrambling or bit position conversion process in which random numbers generated based on the seed are applied is executed for the cryptographic key data, and resulting cryptographic key data is recorded on an information recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for providing secured access to a software rental or a postage metering system. The virtual postage meter software of this invention enables a user to print postage indicia on documents, envelopes or labels. To generate valid postage indicia the virtual meter software is executed on a first computer while it is in communication with the remotely located second computer. All communication between the first computer and the second computer utilize data encryption algorithms to preserve the security and integrity of the data transferred. In one embodiment, the second computer is a collection of one or more computers with virtual postage meter enabling software capable of communicating simultaneously to a number of user computers that are concurrently executing the virtual postage meter software. The second computer is connected to one or more US FIPS 140-1 security level 3 or better certified cryptographic devices identified as Postal Security Devices (PSD).

Abstract: A licence ticket 6 obtained by a user 12, such as by purchase from a retail outlet 4, bears a licence key 12 behind a scratch off panel 10. This licence key when entered into a webpage dialog with a download server 16 is validated by that download server 16 as legitimate and used to trigger download and installation of a computer program product onto the user's computer 14.

Abstract: A method of encrypting a digital television signal carried out in any operative order involves duplicating packets in the digital television signal so as to create first and second duplicate packets; encrypting the first duplicate packets according to a first encryption method to create first encrypted packets; encrypting the second duplicate packets according to a second encryption method to create second encrypted packets; identifying packets in the digital television signal that are of a packet type, while other packets are not of the packet type; replacing the identified packets in the digital television signal with corresponding first and second encrypted packets to produce a multiple partially encrypted digital television signal comprising the other packets that are unencrypted and the first and second encrypted packets; and distributing the multiple partially encrypted digital television signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for users to search networks, both their own network and their peers' networks, all under the umbrella of a “multiple level access” security system. The present invention has been designed to optimize networking capabilities among users in a comprehensive online community. Networking among such a secured environment will allow users an opportunity to enhance their networking potential by expanding their networks to their peers' and beyond. A user registers with the online community and personally adds individuals that they know to their personal networking database. While adding these peers to the networking database, the user grants a specific level of access to each individual. This security measure is devised to discourage solicitation from other unwanted online users. The levels of access give the user an opportunity to control the amount of personal information, including contacts that they make, available to their individual peers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for distributing files, having the steps of receiving at least one digital file, transmitting the digital file to a location, and selecting at least one content provider. The process also has the steps of updating a content of the content provider to provide a reference to the digital file at the location, generating an updated digital file by adding information which identifies the content provider to the digital file when the reference to the digital file is selected at the content provider, and transmitting at least a portion of the at least one updated digital file to a client network.

Abstract: In accordance with other aspects, the present invention relates to a system for identifying a license for a first software product of a first type installed on a computer system having at least one other software product of the first type installed on the computer system. The system includes a first license associated with the first software product; at least one second license associated with the at least one other software product installed on the computer; and a license module that compares the first license and the at least one second license and selects one of the first and second licenses based on predetermined criteria. Methods for identifying and displaying a license for a first software product of a first type installed on a computer system are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing electronic media to a customer. One method prompts a customer to license a lifetime right to electronic media. The lifetime right allows the customer to experience the electronic media as often as desired. If the customer agrees to license the lifetime right, then the license is electronically stored on behalf of the customer. The licensed electronic media is communicated to the customer via a communications network.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention is a method for discouraging unauthorized redistribution of protected content. Content is bound to a customer I.D. associated with a customer requesting the content, such that the customer I.D. is needed to access the content.

Abstract: Techniques for reorganizing security levels without implicating accessibility to secured files classified in accordance to one of the security levels are disclosed. In a case of adding a new security level, the controllability or restrictiveness of the new security level is determined with respect to the most restrictive security level or the least security level in a set of existing security levels. A set of proper security parameters are then generated for the new security level and subsequently the existing security levels are reorganized to accommodate the new security level. In a case of removing a security level from the existing security levels, the security parameters for the security level to be deleted are either folded up or down to an immediate next security level, depending on implementation.

Abstract: A system for transmitting and recording digital data is included. Further, a system for transmitting transmit scrambled audio data that is to be recorded on a mini disc reader is included. A system for transmission and recording of digital data includes transmission means adapted to prepare and transmit scrambled digital data together with at least one encrypted control word and a digital recording device adapted to receive and record the scrambled digital data and encrypted control word on a digital support. The digital recording device further includes an access control means adapted to decrypt the control word and thereafter descramble the digital data during playback.