Abstract: Methods of detecting a source of a microbial contamination in a suspect sample include detecting at least one member selected from the group consisting of a microbial geosmin synthase, a microbial 2-methylisoborneol synthase and a microbial 2-methylgeranyl diphosphate synthase in the suspect sample. The method can include conducting a nucleic acid amplification assay in the presence of at least one member selected from the group consisting of at least one microbial geosmin primer and at least one microbial 2-methylisoborneol synthase primer on a sample obtained from a suspect source of the microbial contamination.

Abstract: Methods of detecting a source of a microbial contamination in a suspect sample include detecting at least one member selected from the group consisting of a microbial geosmin synthase, a microbial 2-methylisoborneol synthase and a microbial 2-methylgeranyl diphosphate synthase in the suspect sample. The method can include conducting a nucleic acid amplification assay in the presence of at least one member selected from the group consisting of at least one microbial geosmin primer and at least one microbial 2-methylisoborneol synthase primer on a sample obtained from a suspect source of the microbial contamination.

Abstract: A system for backing up desired data includes a communication link configured to transfer information between the system and a backup storage for storing backed up data, and a processor coupled to the communication link and configured to: determine associated substantive data of the desired data, compare the associated substantive data of the desired data with stored data, and transfer the associated substantive data over the communication link for storage based on the comparison of the associated substantive data with the stored data.

Abstract: A “reduced button count” remote control device controls a set of external electronic devices that, collectively, comprise an entertainment system such as a home theater. The remote control device is operable in conjunction with a processor-based subsystem that is programmable to respond to a spoken command phrase for selectively altering an operational state of one or more of the external electronic devices to cause the entertainment system to enter a given activity. The remote control device includes a set of buttons supported within a housing, the set of buttons consisting essentially of a push-to-talk button, a first subset of buttons dedicated to providing up and down volume and channel control, a second subset of buttons dedicated to providing motion control, and a third subset buttons dedicated to providing menu selection control. Preferably, each of the buttons has a fixed, given function irrespective of the particular command phrases or the given system activities.

Abstract: A “reduced button count” remote control device controls a set of external electronic devices that, collectively, comprise an entertainment system such as a home theater. The remote control device is operable in conjunction with a processor-based subsystem that is programmable to respond to a spoken command phrase for selectively altering an operational state of one or more of the external electronic devices to cause the entertainment system to enter a given activity. The remote control device includes a set of buttons supported within a housing, the set of buttons consisting essentially of a push-to-talk button, a first subset of buttons dedicated to providing up and down volume and channel control, a second subset of buttons dedicated to providing motion control, and a third subset buttons dedicated to providing menu selection control. Preferably, each of the buttons has a fixed, given function irrespective of the particular command phrases or the given system activities.

Abstract: Modular polyketide synthases modified so as not to incorporate natural starter units can be used for clean synthesis of novel polyketides.

Abstract: Linking sequence which modulate cross-talk between modules of Type I polyketide synthases have been identified. Thus, arbitrarily chosen modules can be mixed and matched by supplying the appropriate linkers to obtain desired polyketide synthases and new polyketides. The modules are provided suitable linkers so that the polyketide chain is passed from one module to the other in the correct sequence. Synthetic peptides which mimic linkers can be used to inhibit the synthesis of polyketides. Kinetic channeling, both intrapolypeptide and interpolypeptide, of diketide intermediates in a Type I polyketide synthase can occur. In addition, the role of protein-protein interactions between a donor acryl carrier protein (ACP) domain and a downstream ketosynthase (KS) domain and enzyme-substrate interactions in the channeling of intermediates between polyketide synthase modules and between a polyketide synthase module and a NRPS module has been identified.

Abstract: A switching controller that allows a load to be controlled from either a switched wall outlet or a switch local to the load. A standard “3 way” SPDT wall switch replaces the normal SPST switch to allow for simple generation of a control pulse that is detected by the local control device to allow a change of state of the power provided to the load from either the wall switch or a manual switch directly connected to the control device.

Abstract: An information processing system providing archive/backup support with privacy assurances by encrypting data stored thereby. Data generated on a source system is encrypted, the key used thereby is separately encrypted, and both the encrypted data and encrypted key are transmitted to and maintained by a data repository system. The repository system receives only the encrypted data and key, while the source system retains the ability to recover the key and in turn, the data. The source system is therefore assured of privacy and integrity of the archived data by retaining access control yet is relieved of the physical management of the warehousing medium.

Abstract: A method for the administration of a differential file backup system in a client-server system is disclosed in which the various component files that comprise a backup file are read from a first memory device of the file backup system to a second memory device and processed by the server. The server processes the various file components, or archive files in which the various file components reside, to reduce the number of access points across the first memory device to enhance the efficiency of the file retrieval, file reconstruction, and file restore operations of the backup file system.

Abstract: A system for backing up desired data includes a communication link configured to transfer information between the system and a backup storage for storing backed up data, and a processor coupled to the communication link and configured to: determine associated substantive data of the desired data, compare the associated substantive data of the desired data with stored data, and transfer the associated substantive data over the communication link for storage based on the comparison of the associated substantive data with the stored data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a multiple copy file backup system is disclosed in which files that have been previously backed up by a first user are to be backed up by different users. The first instance of backing up a file results in storing the file in a first location and associating the file and user in an entry in 238808-1a file data table. For other users needing to backup the same file, the contents of the file are copied from the first location into a second location within the file backup storage system. The file backup system creates two new entries in the file data table. In one entry the file stored in the second location is associated with a User-Pool that allows sharing the file contents among the users. The second and subsequent entries in the file data table will be created as subsequent users desiring desire to backup the file.

Abstract: A method for the administration of a differential file backup system in a client-server system is disclosed in which the various component files that comprise a backup file are read from a first memory device of the file backup system to a second memory device and processed by the server. The server processes the various file components, or archive files in which the various file components reside, to reduce the number of access points across the first memory device to enhance the efficiency of the file retrieval, file reconstruction, and file restore operations of the backup file system.

Abstract: A database of known commercial software programs ("Products") is maintained and employed as a template for selection of files for a backup operation. In particular, files which are part of known Products may be excluded during backup operations. Records indicating rules about which files within Product directories are included and excluded from the backup operation are also maintained in the database. Product directories may be determined from a registry or the hard disk may be scanned and directories checked against a list of known Product default directories. If the newly found directory does not match an entry in the list of default directories, then file list codes in the database are checked against the files in the directory to determine whether known Product files are present in the directory. Two types of exclusion commands are employed to identify files for exclusion from the backup operation by exploiting file creation and modification dates.

Abstract: File comparison employs a single function F to calculate a digital signature from data in a sliding window. The digital signature is both incrementally computable and position sensitive. In particular, F is computable without reprocessing each byte in the array when the window is advanced and facilitates detection of such changes as transposed bytes of data. The function F is defined by two qualities. First, for F(A+B), where A is an array, F(A+B)=F(A)+F(B). Second, given a concatenation operator "!" such that "0!A" indicates an array A with 0 inserted before A, the function F has the property that there is a function G such that F(0!A)=G(F(A'0)). Both polynomials and cyclic redundancy checks ("CRC") may be used as that class of function.

Abstract: A information processing system providing archive/backup support with privacy assurances by encrypting data stored thereby. Data generated on a source system is encrypted, the key used thereby is separately encrypted, and both the encrypted data and encrypted key are transmitted to and maintained by a data repository system. The repository system receives only the encrypted data and key, while the source system retains the ability to recover the key and in turn, the data. The source system is therefore assured of privacy and integrity of the archived data by retaining access control yet is relieved of the physical management of the warehousing medium.

Abstract: High performance backup of a computer system includes backing up changed portions of files and selectively choosing files for backup. Files are treated as a collection of blocks, and only those blocks which have changed since a previous backup are transmitted to a backup system. Prior to selecting blocks for backup, files are selectively chosen by excluding previously archived files such as commercial software, and excluding other non-critical applications and data based on, inter alia, commonality, modification date and a list of files which are already present in the backup system. Files may also be pre-loaded into a backup system in anticipation of their presence in the computer system to be backed up.

Abstract: A method and system for protecting computer program distribution within a broadcast medium involves encrypting at least a portion of the computer program S.sub.i using an encryption scheme keyed to both an encryption key SK.sub.i and a program identifier i. Each decryption device (PCDD) also has an associated identifier j. Two tables are generated and stored in a memory device: a first table, including correlations between the encryption key SK.sub.i and the program identifier i; and a second table, including correlations between the password key PK.sub.j and the hardware identifier j. A password P.sub.ij is generated based on both the encryption key SK.sub.i and a password key PK.sub.i is retrieved from these tables. The password P.sub.ij is transmitted to the user for subsequent use in decrypting the subject software program contained on the medium.

Abstract: An improved amusement device includes a base and open-top guide tube with two or more balls in the tube. When the balls are lifted to the top of the guide tube and dropped, the top ball rebounds to a height much higher than that from which it was dropped. With three balls in the tube, for example, the top one will typically rebound to a height six times as high as the height from which it was dropped.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a telephone answering machine stores a plurality of messages and establishes a correspondence between those messages and a plurality of phone numbers. The phone number of a caller is identified and one of the plurality of messages selected for playback based on the identified phone number and the established correspondence. In a preferred embodiment, the answering machine is microprocessor-based and the correspondence of telephone numbers to messages is stored in a memory table. Messages may be stored either on magnetic media or in semiconductor memory using a signal compression/decompression module where economy dictates in order to reduce the size of the semiconductor memory. Microprocessor control allows economical realization of a full-featured machine.