Abstract: Provided herein are methods for improving various traits in plants, such as in Vanilla sp. plants, by genetically-modifying the genome of plants, introducing heterologous sequences into the plants, or breeding plants with selected alleles. Such traits that can be improved by the methods and compositions of the present invention include an increase in levels of vanillin or one or more precursors thereof, reducing dehiscence, reducing the size of a rostellum or eliminating its presence, and increasing fungal resistance. Also disclosed herein are genetically-modified plants, extract from such plants or plant parts thereof, and methods of producing such plants or progeny thereof.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed for retaining a fastening element in a retention tool. The retention tool may include a housing that includes a socket configured to receive fastening elements. The retention tool may further include a torque restrictor that is coupled to the housing, and is configured to transfer a rotational force to the fastening elements. The retention tool further includes a retention plate coupled to the housing and configured to retain the fastening elements in the socket. The retention plate may have a first resistance configured to enable the insertion of the fastening elements into the socket in a first direction in response to a first application of a first force. The retention plate may also have a second resistance configured to enable the removal of the fastening elements from the socket in a second direction in response to a second application of a second force.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A controlling device provides conditional access to secured content renderable by an appliance. The controlling device transmits a data frame to the appliance and encrypts at least a part of the data frame that includes data to be used by the appliance to provide access to the secured content. At the appliance a decryption key complimentary to the encryption key is used to decrypt the received the data frame. The appliance allows the secured content to be rendered only after the appliance determines that the data in the received, decrypted data frame includes the data the appliance requires to provide access to the secured content.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A configurable controlling device and associated program that allows a consumer to modify on a personal computer for downloading to the controlling device configuration data which is used to cause the controlling device to perform a function, such as to transmit a command to an appliance, to change the user interface page being displayed, etc. The editor program provides for managed uploading of modified configuration data to a central server facility from which the uploaded, modified configuration data may be made available for managed download to one or more remotely-located controlling devices.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the use of miniaturized filters and light conditioners to enable conventional basic optical equipment such as telescopes, microscope, otoscopes, to be converted to more advanced devices such as a conventional microscope to a metallurgical microscope, or an otoscope to be converted to a fingerprint or trace fluorescence identification device. Additionally this particular invention uniquely creates the means by which a UV light can be cheaply and portably deployed in a field setting without the use of larger or traditional bulky UV lights.

Abstract: A configurable controlling device and associated editor program that allows a consumer to modify on a personal computer for downloading to the controlling device configuration data which is used to cause the controlling device to perform a function, such as to transmit a command to an appliance, to change the user interface page being displayed, etc. A central server facility is provided through which the managed exchange of configuration data between the editor program and remotely-located controlling devices may be performed.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A configurable controlling device and associated editor program that allows a consumer to create on a personal computer for downloading to the controlling device a user interface comprised of user interface pages having icons which icons, when activated on the controlling device, cause the controlling device to perform a function, such as to transmit a command to an appliance, to change the user interface page being displayed, etc. The editor program allows for the visualization of links created between user interface pages, single step assigning of commands to logical groups of function keys (both iconic and hard keys), single step assigning of backgrounds to groups of user interface pages, and pre-rendering of user interface pages prior to the downloading of the user interface to the controlling device.

Abstract: A system and method for managing a communication link between a consumer electronic device adapted for two-way, wireless communications with at least one peripheral. The communication link is managed using a controller that is associated with the consumer electronic device that functions to assign communication slots to the peripheral to facilitate communications between the peripheral and the consumer electronic device.

Abstract: A data system includes a secured appliance capable of receiving broadcast programming and a remote control used to transmit data frames to the secured appliance. The secured appliance is provided with a decryption key that is complimentary to an encryption key provided to the remote control. The encryption key is used to encrypt at least a part of a data frame transmitted by the remote control to the secured appliance, the data frame including data for commanding an operation of the secured appliance. The remote control cannot be used to command certain operations of the secured appliance until such time as the decryption key is supplied to the secured appliance thus effectively limiting the ability to use the secured appliance to access the broadcast programming.

Abstract: A system and method for limiting access to data including a secured appliance. The secured appliance has limited responsiveness to received remote control data frames unless such remote control data frames include parameters matching those stored within the secured appliance.

Abstract: A device lot terminating a roof surface at a vertical edge In a waterproof and airtight manner may serve as a flashing strip at a parapet wall, a wall cap, a roof edge, an expansion joint or in other roofing applications. The device comprises a relatively rigid member, typically of sheet metal or the like, and a flexible member, typically of modified coal tar bitumen, EPDM, or other suitable roofing material. The device has a channel formed in the rigid member along a longitudinal edge that receives the flexible member in an airtight and watertight manner. In this configuration, the flexible member provides a covering for the fastening surface on the rigid member, which is fastened by conventional means to the roofing surface and the underlying support structure. The preferred channel is formed from a pair of longitudinal bends made in opposite directions such that a "Z" shape cross section is formed.