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 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 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.

Abstract: A computer memory control capable of controlling a virtual memory system and optimized for handling multi-tasking or multi-processing systems is disclosed. In operation, each task or process is assigned a unique process number. The memory control circuitry which translates a virtual address produced by the system processor into a physical address suitable for memory access includes a unique translation buffer store each entry of which comprises a physical address, the usual tag bits and the process number of the process utilizing that address. During an address translation, buffer store entries are indexed using the virtual address used by the processor. In addition to the usual tag bit comparison to verify data validity, a comparison is made between the process number of the process presently running and the process number stored at the indexed buffer entry. The translation is considered successful only if both the tag bits and the process numbers match.

Abstract: A data processing system including a plurality of data units and a common bus. The data unit includes apparatus for issuing instructions including a LOCK instruction and an UNLOCK instruction. Each data unit includes apparatus responsive to the instructions such that, if the first data unit issues a LOCK instruction, the data unit other than the first data unit, are prevented from transferring information over the common bus with a LOCK instruction until an UNLOCK instruction is issued by any data unit.

Abstract: A data processing system in which a unit needing to be serviced by a processor first requests an interrupt and, after the interrupt is granted by the processor, requests access to a system bus to transfer interrupt information as it normally would transfer other information. The interrupting unit must wait for other units having higher priority to transfer information, usually memory information over the bus, before it can access the bus to transfer its interrupting information. This permits transfers of information having higher priority to occur before the transfer of the interrupt information is transferred.