Location sharing and tracking using mobile phones or other wireless devices

Upon providing a network photograph service, a prompt service can be provided to a customer without losing the advantage thereof such as ease of understanding where to access and collective data management. A service center receiving an order of a printing service and a minilab or a special laboratory spread across a plurality of places are able to communicate through a network. The center server in the service center selects and assigns the laboratory for printing the ordered picture in response to an order information transferred from a customer via the network so that the printing processing can be carried out by the laboratory specified by the customer instead of the center server.

Network photograph service system

The presently claimed invention generally relates to deriving and/or utilizing content signatures (e.g., so-called “fingerprints”). One claim recites a method of generating a fingerprint associated with a content item including: pseudo-randomly selecting a segment of the content item; and utilizing a processor or electronic processing circuitry, fingerprinting the selected segment of content item as at least an identifier of the content item. Of course, other claims and combination are provided as well.

Methods, Apparatus and Programs for Generating and Utilizing Content Signatures

A system and method for remote postage metering of postage indicia, including demanding a desired postage amount and subsequently printing the postage indicia onto a piece of mail. A user inputs certain necessary information, as well as additional desired information, into a local processor-based system. The local system then assembles a postage demand in suitable format and transmits the same to a remote postage metering device. The remote postage metering device then verifies the demand for authority to demand and valid funding. Upon verification, the remote postage meter assembles a data packet representing an authorized postage indicia. The data packet is transmitted to the local system for printing. Printing of the postage indicia may be unaccompanied, or may include additional information. Such additional information may include destination and return address, machine readable routing or identification information, or a complete document to be posted.

System and method for remote postage metering

Methods, apparatuses and products are provided for establishing and verifying the authenticity of data within one or more data files. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for verifying the authenticity of data involves providing at least one data file which includes an identifier and a signature file which includes the identifier for the data file as well as a digital signature. The digital signature is then verified using a computer system, and the identifier in the data file is compared with the identifier in the signature file using the computer system. In one embodiment, the identifier for the data file includes at least one certificate authority, site certificate, software publisher identifier, or a site name, and verifying the authenticity of data involves setting a security level for at least one of the certificate authority, the site certificate, the software publisher identifier, and the site name.

Implementing digital signatures for data streams and data archives

An improved method of storing or retrieving electronic records. An image identification code and time data provided by a trusted source, as well as a password, are combined to generate a key. The image identification code and time data are stored in a public directory associated with the image data stream. Further, attributes of the image stream, such as its size and a hash of at least a segment of the image data, are determined. The attributes are then used to generated a verification code. The verification code is placed in a private area associated with the data image stream, and the private area is encrypted with the previously generated key.

Brent B. Sandstrom

Papers

Method for securely storing electronic records