Author: claimsbot

1. A biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer of linear poly(alkylenimine) (LPAI) and a hydrophilic linker, wherein said LPAI blocks are crossed linked together by said hydrophilic linker with a biodegradable linkage selected from the group consisting of ester, amide, disulfide and phosphate bond.
2. The biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein said linear poly(alkylenimine) (LPAI) is a member selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneimine, polypropyleneimine, aminoglycoside-polyamine, dideoxy-diamino-\u03b2-cyclodextrin, spermine, and spermidine.
3. The biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer according to claim 2, wherein said linear poly(alkylenimine) (LPAI) is linear poly(ethylenimine) (LPEI).
4. A biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer according to claim 3, wherein the LPEI has an average molecular weight of 1000 to 25000 Daltons, the hydrophilic linker has an average molecular weight of 100 to 500 Daltons, and the molecular ratio of the hydrophilic linker to LPEI is within a range of 11 to 51.
5. The biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer according to claim 1, further comprising a pendant functional moiety selected from the group consisting of receptor ligands, membrane permeating agents, endosomolytic agents, nuclear localization sequences, pH sensitive endosomolytic peptides, chromogenic and fluorescent markers, fatty acids and their derivatives.
6. The biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer according to claim 5, wherein said functional moiety is a member selected from the group consisting of oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid, and wherein the molar ratio of fatty acyl chain to LPEI is 01 to 31.
7. The biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer according to claim 5, wherein said fluorescent marker is a member selected from the group consisting of rhodamines and their derivatives, CyDye fluorescent dyes, fluorescein and its derivatives, carboxyfluoresceins and atto labels, wherein the molar ratio between LPEI and fluorescent marker is 0.001 to 0.100.
8. The biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein said hydrophilic linker is a dithiodialkanoyl acid with a carbon number from 1 (acetyl) to 10 (undecanoyl) or ethylene glycol moieties with a biodegradable disulfide bond or dithiodi(tetraethyleneglycolcarbonyl).
9. The biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer according to claim 2, wherein said biodegradable linkage is disulfide bond.
10. A biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer represented by the following formula:
(CP)xLyYz
wherein CP represents a cationic polymer containing at least one secondary amine group, said CP polymer has a number averaged molecular weight within the range of 1000 Daltons to 25000 Daltons; Y represents a bifunctional biodegradable linker containing ester, amide, disulfide, or phosphate linkages; L represents a ligand; x is an integer in the range from 1 to 20; y is an integer from 1 to 100; and z is an integer in the range from 0 to 40.
11. A biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer represented by the following formula:
\u2014CO(CH2)aSS(CH2)aCO\u2014p{(CH2)nNH2+q}r
wherein (CH2)n is an aliphatic carbon chain covalently attached to nitrogens in the backbone of a linear polyethyleneimine block; L represents a ligand selected from the group consisting of lipids, fluorescent markers and targeting moieties; \u2014CO(CH2)aSS(CH2)aCO\u2014 represents a biodegradable dithiodiacid linker; wherein range of integer a is an integer from 1 to 15; n is an integer from 2 to 15; p is an integer from 1 to 100; q is an integer from 20-500; r is an integer from 1 to 20; and s is an integer from 1 to 40.
12. A process for making the biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer according to claim 1, comprising the steps of 1) preparing linear poly(ethylenimine) (LPEI) blocks by having more than 50% of their nitrogen atoms reversibly protected before said LPEI blocks are cross-linked together by a hydrophilic linker with biodegradable disulfide bonds; 2) crossing linking said protected LPEI blocks with said hydrophilic linker; 3) removing said protection of the LPEI blocks after being cross-linked with the hydrophilic linker; and 4) isolating and purifying cross-linked LPEI by precipitation the resulting poorly soluble cross-linked LPEI in a sulfate salt form.
13. A transfecting composition comprising a nucleic acid and a biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer of linear poly(alkylenimine) (LPAI) and a hydrophilic linker, wherein said LPAI blocks are crossed linked together by said hydrophilic linker with biodegradable ester, amide, disulfide, or phosphate linkages bonds.
14. The transfecting composition according to claim 13, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a DNA sequence encodes a genetic marker selected from the group consisting of luciferase gene, \u03b2-galactosidase gene, hygromycin resistance, neomycin resistance, and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase.
15. The transfecting composition according to claim 13 wherein the nucleic acid comprises a DNA sequence encodes a protein selected from the group consisting of interleukin-12 (IL-12), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interferons (IFNs), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), coagulation factors, tumor suppressor genes, thymidine kinase, p53, p16, and transcription factors.
16. The composition according to claim 13, wherein the nucleic acid comprises a DNA sequence encodes a viral antigen, bacterial antigen or tumor antigen.
17. The composition according to claim 13 wherein the nucleic acid is an RNA selected from the group consisting of a siRNA, sense RNA, antisense RNA, and a ribozyme.
18. A method of transfecting cells comprising the steps of contacting cells with the transfecting composition according to claim 13, and incubating the cells under a condition to allow the composition to enter the cells and expressing the nucleic acid in the cells.
19. A composition comprising a pharmaceutical agent and a biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer of linear poly(alkylenimine) (LPAI) and a hydrophilic linker, wherein said LPAI blocks are crossed linked together by said hydrophilic linker with biodegradable ester, amide, disulfide, or phosphate linkages bonds.
20. The composition according to claim 19, wherein the pharmaceutical agent is a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of IL-2, IL-12, IFNs, TNF, insulin, GLP-1, excendin, coagulation factors, growth factors, bacterial antigens, viral antigens, tumor antigens, and other small peptides.
21. The composition according to claim 19, wherein the pharmaceutical agent is an anticancer agent selected from the group consisting of adriamycin, bleomycin, cisplatin, carboplatin, doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, taxol, topotecan and any combinations thereof.
22. A method of administering a drug to a warm blooded animal comprising administering an effective amount of a drug and a biodegradable cross-linked cationic multi-block copolymer of linear poly(alkylenimine) (LPAI) and a hydrophilic linker, wherein said LPAI blocks are crossed linked together by said hydrophilic linker with biodegradable ester, amide, disulfide, or phosphate linkages bonds.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A system for renting a software program in a distributed computing environment, wherein the rental software program includes a main executable file and optional files called by the main executable file that are executed by the main executable file to implement the rental software program without the rental software program being installed on the user computer system, comprising:
a user computer system including means for initially downloading the main executable file of the rental software program to begin execution of the rental software program and means, if an optional file is missing, for automatically requesting one or more optional files contained in the rental software program in order to continue execution of the rental software program using the optional files;
a server computer system for downloading the main executable file contained in the rental software program to be executed in said user computer system and means for automatically downloading the one or more optional files as requested by said user computer system;
wherein the user computer system further comprises a process manager means further comprising means for creating and running a process corresponding to the main executable file without installing the rental software program on the user computer system, means for suspending the process if the process requests one or more optional files, and means for re-starting the process if said process manager means receives the one or more optional files from said server computer system; and
wherein the process manager flushes the main executable file and the optional files of the rental software program from the user computer system so that the rental software program is removed from the user computer system when the rental is completed.
2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the user computer system further comprising:
a storage means for storing the main executable file, the one or more optional files contained in the rental software program if downloaded and a list of optional files downloaded from said server computer system; and
a monitor means for monitoring the process to determine whether the process requests the one or more optional files, and further comprising means for intercepting a message requesting the one or more optional files from the process, and means for automatically requesting the one or more optional files to said server computer system.
3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein said server computer system further comprising means for sending the list of optional files to said user computer system when said server computer sends the main executable file to said user computer system and wherein the optional files includes a registry file.
4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein said user computer system further includes:
a protection means for protecting the rental software program rented from said server computer system to prevent an unauthorized use committed by said user computer system;
a converting means for converting registry file information contained in the list of optional files into registry file information appropriate to said user computer system; and
a billing database for storing billing information.
5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the billing information includes a billing start time, a billing end time and a name of the rental software program selected by said user computer system.
6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein said server computer system includes:
a verification means for verifying said user computer system by using identification information of said user computer system stored in a user-information database;
a program database for storing path information of the main executable file, a list of rental software programs and a list of the optional files;
an analyzing means for analyzing a new rental software program when the new rental software program is installed in said server computer system, wherein said analyzing means further comprises means for storing the path information of the main executable file and a list of the optional files, associated with the new rental software program, in said program database;
a storage means for storing the main executable file and the one or more optional files; and
a means for obtaining and sending the main executable file stored in said storage means when said user computer system selects the desirable rental software program; and
means for obtaining and sending the one or more optional files stored in said storage means when said user computer system optionally requests the one or more optional files to said server computer system.
7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein said server computer system further includes:
a billing means for processing charge or fee to be paid for the usage of the main executable file and the one or more optional files associated with the rental software program provided to said user computer system;
a log database for storing a log file necessary for recovering said server computer system when said server computer system is not operable due to a serious error;
a recovery means for recovering said server computer system by using the log file stored in said log database when said server computer system is not operable due to the serious error;
a schedule management means for managing a schedule of requests from said user computer system and another user computer system; and
a session management means for managing a communication session between said user computer system and said server computer system.
8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein said server computer system sends the list of optional files to said user computer system when said server computer system sends the main executable file to said user computer system and wherein the optional files includes a registry file.
9. A method for renting a rental software program in a distributed computing environment, wherein the rental software program includes a main executable file and optional files called by the main executable file that are executed by the main executable file to implement the rental software program without the rental software program being installed on the user computer system, comprising:
performing a communication connection between a user computer system and a server computer system, wherein the user computer system is based on a user-transparent program install-free technology;
displaying a list of rental software programs downloaded from the server computer system;
selecting the rental software program in the list of rental software programs;
downloading a main executable file associated with the rental software program from the server computer system to run a process corresponding to the main executable file without installing the rental software program on the user computer system and begin execution of the rental software program; and
if the process needs one or more optional files, downloading the one or more optional files from the server computer system in order to continue execution of the rental software program using the optional files, further comprising monitoring the process in the file monitor in order to determine whether the process needs the one or more optional files;
if the process needs the one or more optional files, hooking a message requesting the one or more optional files from process;
suspending the process until the user computer system downloads the one or more optional files from the server computer system;
if the user computer system downloads the one or more optional files from the server computer system, re-running the process; and
wherein the process manager flushes the main executable file and the optional files of the rental software program from the user computer system so that the rental software program is removed from the user computer system when the rental is completed.
10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein establishing the communications further comprises:
performing the communication connection between the user computer system and the server computer system; and
verifying the user computer system in the server computer system.
11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein downloading the file further comprises:
downloading the main executable file and a list of optional files from the server computer system, wherein the optional files include a registry file;
converting registry file information contained in the list of optional files into registry file information appropriate to the user computer system;
running a file monitor and a protector, which protects the rental software program including the main executable file and the one or more optional files from an unauthorized use committed by the user computer system;
storing a name of the rental software program selected by the user computer system and a billing start time in a billing information database of the user computer system;
informing the server computer system of the billing start time; and
creating and running the process corresponding to the main executable file.
12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the process completion step further comprises:
determining whether the process has been complete;
if the process has been complete, performing a procedure accompanying a process completion;
determining whether the user computer system wants to select another rental software program;
if the user computer system wants to select the another rental software program, repeating the steps to download the optional files; and
if the user computer system does not want to select the another rental software program, terminates the communication connection between the user computer system and the server computer system.
13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the process completion step further comprises:
if the process has been complete, terminating the file monitor and the protector;
storing a billing end time in the billing information database of the user computer system;
informing the server computer system of the billing end time; and
flushing the main executable file and the one or more optional files stored in the storage device of the user computer system.
14. A method for servicing an install-free application in an online software rental system without the rental software program being installed on the client computer system, comprising:
getting a list of applications available for a rental service from a server computer system;
establishing a rental session between a client computer system and the server computer system;
fetching one or more application software from a plurality of application software stored in the server computer system;
executing the one or more application software in the client computer system using a main executable file and one or more optional files, wherein the one or more application software include a main executable file and wherein executing the application software further comprises:
creating a process corresponding to the main executable file;
running the process without installing the main executable file on the client computer;
monitoring additional requests to access related files from the process by message hooking and file monitoring while the process is running;
if the process needs any related file, generating a message requesting one or more related files and transmitting the message to the server computer system to fetch the one or more related files based on an on-demand scheme;
re-running the process after the one or more related files are delivered to the client computer system in order to incrementally execute the rental software program using the optional files; and
if said prior step is complete, flushing the one or more application software rented from the server computer system so that the rental software program is removed from the client computer system when the rental is completed.
15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the list of applications is established on Internet.
16. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the one or more application software is authorized by the server computer system.
17. A computer-readable media storing program instructions, the program instructions disposed on a computer to perform a method for renting a rental software program in a distributed computing environment without the rental software program being installed on the user computer system, wherein the rental software program includes a main executable file and optional files called by the main executable file that are executed by the main executable file to implement the rental software program, comprising the steps of:
establishing a communication connection between a user computer system and a server computer system, wherein the user computer system is based on a user-transparent program install-free technology;
displaying a list of rental software programs downloaded from the server computer system;
selecting the rental software program in the list of rental software programs;
downloading a main executable file associated with the rental software program from the server computer system to run a process corresponding to the main executable file to begin executing the rental software program without installing the rental software program on the user computer system;
if the process needs one or more optional files, downloading the one or more optional files from the server computer system in order to continue execution of the rental software program using the optional files;
wherein downloading optional files further comprises monitoring the process in the file monitor in order to determine whether the process needs the one or more optional files; if the process needs the one or more optional files, hooking a message requesting the one or more optional files from process; suspending the process until the user computer system downloads the one or more optional files from the server computer system; and if the user computer system downloads the one or more optional files from the server computer system, re-running the process; and
flushing the main executable file and the optional files of the rental software program from the user computer system so that the rental software program is removed from the user computer system when the rental is completed.
18. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 17, wherein establishing the communications further comprises:
performing the communication connection between the user computer system and the server computer system; and
verifying the user computer system in the server computer system.
19. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 17, wherein downloading further comprises:
downloading the main executable file and a list of optional files from the server computer system, wherein the optional files include a registry file;
converting registry file information contained in the list of optional files into registry file information appropriate to the user computer system;
running a file monitor and a protector, which protects the rental software program including the main executable file and the one or more optional files from an unauthorized use committed by the user computer system;
storing a name of the rental software program selected by the user computer system and a billing start time in a billing information database of the user computer system;
informing the server computer system of the billing start time; and
creating and running the process corresponding to the main executable file.
20. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 18, wherein downloading the optional files further comprises:
determining whether the process has been complete;
if the process has been complete, performing a procedure accompanying a process completion;
determining whether the user computer system wants to select another rental software program;
if the user computer system wants to select the another rental software program, repeating the application software downloading steps; and
if the user computer system does not want to select the another rental software program, terminates the communication connection between the user computer system and the server computer system.
21. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 20, wherein the completion process further comprises:
if the process has been complete, terminating the file monitor and the protector;
storing a billing end time in the billing information database of the user computer system;
informing the server computer system of the billing end time; and
flushing the main executable file and the one or more optional files stored in the storage device of the user computer system.
22. A system for renting a rental software program in a distributed computing environment, wherein the rental software program includes a main executable file and one or more optional files called by the main executable file that are executed by the main executable file to implement the rental software program without the rental software program being installed on the system, comprising:
a first means for pulling the main executable file out of a server computer system to begin execution of the rental software program;
a second means for pulling the one or more optional files out of the server computer system in order to continue execution of the rental software program using the optional files;
a storage means for storing the main executable file and the one or more optional files pulled out of the server computer system;
a process manager means for creating and running a process corresponding to the main executable file wherein the main executable file is not installed on the system; suspending the process if the process requests the one or more optional files; and re-running the process if said process manager means receives the one or more optional files;
a monitor means for monitoring the process to determine whether the process requests the one or more optional files; and hooking a message requesting the one or more optional files from the process; and
means for flushing the main executable file and the optional files of the rental software program from the storage means so that the rental software program is removed from the system when the rental is completed.
23. The system as recited in claim 22, further comprising:
a protection means for protecting the rental software program to prevent an unauthorized use committed by said user computer system; and
a billing database for storing billing information.
24. The system as recited in claim 23, wherein the billing information includes a billing start time, a billing end time and a name of the rental software program.
25. A system for providing a rental software program in a distributed computing environment, wherein the rental software program includes a main executable file and one or more optional files called by the main executable file that are executed by the main executable file to implement the rental software program without the rental software program being installed on the user computer system, comprising:
a first means for pushing the main executable file into a user computer system to begin execution of the rental software program;
a second means for pushing the one or more optional files into the user computer system in order to continue execution of the rental software program using the optional files;
a storage means for storing the main executable file and the one or more optional files pulled out of the server computer system;
a process manager means for creating and running a process corresponding to the main executable file without installing the rental software program on the user computer system; suspending the process if the process requests the one or more optional files; and re-running the process if said process manager means receives the one or more optional files;
a monitor means for monitoring the process to determine whether the process requests the one or more optional files; and hooking a message requesting the one or more optional files from the process; and
means for flushing the main executable file and the optional files of the rental software program from the storage means so that the rental software program is removed from the user computer system when the rental is completed.
26. The system as recited in claim 24, wherein said first and second means are intended for advertisement.
27. The system as recited in claim 24, wherein said first and second means are intended for freeware.
28. The system as recited in claim 25, further comprising:
a program database for storing path information of the main executable file, a list of rental software programs and a list of the optional files;
an analyzing means for analyzing a new rental software program when the new rental software program is installed, wherein said analyzing means stores the path information of the main executable file and a list of the optional files, associated with the new rental software program, in said program database; and
a storage means for storing the main executable file and the one or more optional files.
29. A system for renting a rental software program, wherein the system includes at least one client computer system and a server computer system and the rental software program includes a main executable file and one or more optional files called by the main executable file that are executed by the main executable file to implement the rental software program without the rental software program being installed on the user computer system, comprising:
a first means for pulling the main executable file into a user computer system to begin execution of the rental software program;
a second means for pulling the one or more optional files into the user computer system in order to continue execution of the rental software program using the optional files;
a storage means for storing the main executable file and the one or more optional files pulled out of the server computer system;
a process manager means for creating and running a process corresponding to the main executable file without installing the rental software program on the user computer system; suspending the process if the process requests the one or more optional files; and re-running the process if said process manager means receives the one or more optional files;
a monitor means for monitoring the process to determine whether the process requests the one or more optional files; and hooking a message requesting the one or more optional files from the process; and
means for flushing the main executable file and the optional files of the rental software program from the storage means so that the rental software program is removed from the user computer system when the rental is completed.
30. The system as recited in claim 29, further comprising:
a protection means for protecting the rental software program to prevent an unauthorized use; and
a billing database for storing billing information.
31. The system as recited in claim 30, wherein the billing information includes a billing start time, a billing end time and a name of the rental software program.
32. The system as recited in claim 29, further comprising:
a program database for storing path information of the main executable file, a list of rental software programs and a list of the optional files;
an analyzing means for analyzing a new rental software program when the new rental software program is installed, wherein said analyzing means stores the path information of the main executable file and a list of the optional files, associated with the new rental software program, in said program database; and
a storage means for storing the main executable file and the one or more optional files.
33. A server for renting a rental software program to a client computer without the rental software program being installed on the client computer, the server comprising:
means for storing a software program that is rentable by a user, the software program including a main executable file and one or more optional files called by the main executable file that are executed by the main executable file to implement the rental software program;
means for downloading the main executable file in response to a user’s request to rent the software program and begin executing the rental software program;
means for automatically streaming the one or more optional files associated with the main executable file down to the client computer when requested by the client computer in order to continue executing of the rental software program using the optional files, wherein the server implements an install fee, user transparent rental technique since the optional files are automatically downloaded to the client computer as needed; and
the client computer further comprising a storage means for storing the main executable file and the one or more optional files pulled out of the server computer system;
a process manager means for creating and running a process corresponding to the main executable file without installing the rental software program on the client computer; suspending the process if the process requests the one or more optional files; and re-running the process if said process manager means receives the one or more optional files;
a monitor means for monitoring the process to determine whether the process requests the one or more optional files; and hooking a message requesting the one or more optional files from the process; and
means for flushing the main executable file and the optional files of the rental software program from the storage means so that the rental software program is removed from the client computer when the rental is completed.
34. The server as recited in claim 33 further comprising means for downloading a list of optional files to said user computer system when said server computer sends the main executable file to said client computer system and wherein the optional files includes a registry file.
35. The server as recited in claim 33 further comprising:
a verification means for verifying said user computer system by using identification information of said user computer system stored in a user-information database;
a program database for storing path information of the main executable file, a list of rental software programs and a list of the optional files;
an analyzing means for analyzing a new rental software program when the new rental software program is installed in said server computer system, wherein said analyzing means stores the path information of the main executable file and a list of the optional files, associated with the new rental software program, in said program database;
a storage means for storing the main executable file and the one or more optional files; and
a means for obtaining and sending the main executable file stored in said storage means when said user computer system selects the desirable rental software program; and obtaining and sending the one or more optional files stored in said storage means when said user computer system optionally requests the one or more optional files to said server computer system.
36. The server as recited in claim 35 further comprising:
a billing means for processing charge or fee to be paid for the usage of the main executable file and the one or more optional files associated with the rental software program provided to said user computer system;
a log database for storing a log file necessary for recovering said server computer system when said server computer system is not operable due to a serious error;
a recovery means for recovering said server computer system by using the log file stored in said log database when said server computer system is not operable due to the serious error;
a schedule management means for managing a schedule of requests from said user computer system and another user computer system; and
a session management means for managing a communication session between said user computer system and said server computer system.
37. The server as recited in claim 36 further comprising means for sending a list of optional files to said user computer system when said server computer system sends the main executable file to said user computer system and wherein the optional files includes a registry file.
38. A client for renting a software program in a distributed computing environment, wherein the rental software program includes a main executable file and optional files without the rental software program being installed on the client, comprising:
means for requesting a rental software program from the server;
means for receiving the main executable file of the software program from the server to begin executing of the rental software program;
means for determining that an optional file is required by the main executable file, the optional file being called by the main executable file that are executed by the main executable file to implement the rental software program in order to continue execution of the rental software program using the optional files;
means for requesting the optional file from the server;
means for receiving the optional file;
a storage means for storing the main executable file, the one or more optional files contained in the rental software program if downloaded and a list of optional files downloaded from said server computer system;
a process manager means further comprising means for creating and running a process corresponding to the main executable file without installing the rental software program on the client, means for suspending the process if the process requests one or more optional files, and means for re-starting the process if said process manager means receives the one or more optional files from said server computer system;
a monitor means for monitoring the process to determine whether the process requests the one or more optional files, and further comprising means for intercepting a message requesting the one or more optional files from the process, and means for automatically requesting the one or more optional files to said server computer system; and
means for flushing the main executable file and the optional files of the rental software program from the storage means so that the rental software program is removed from the client when the rental is completed.
39. The client as recited in claim 38 further comprising:
a protection means for protecting the rental software program rented from said server computer system to prevent an unauthorized use committed by said user computer system;
a converting means for converting registry file information contained in the list of optional files into registry file information appropriate to said user computer system; and
a billing database for storing billing information.
40. The client as recited in claim 39, wherein the billing information includes a billing start time, a billing end time and a name of the rental software program selected by said user computer system.
41. The client as recited in claim 40, wherein said process manager means comprises means for flushing the main executable file and the one or more optional files stored in said storage means when the process is complete.

1. Method for detecting andor quantifying a target nucleotide sequence (2) present in a biological sample, characterized in that it comprises a bringing into contact of the sandwich type of the target nucleotide sequence (2) with a single-stranded trapping nucleotide sequence (5) attached to an insoluble solid support (3), and complementary to a portion (7) of the said target nucleotide sequence (2), and with one or more nucleotide sequences (6, 11) of which at least one is labeled (6), said nucleotide sequence(s) (6, 11) being complementary to another portion (8) of the target nucleotide sequence (2); in that the trapping nucleotide sequence (5) is covalently attached by one of its ends to the solid support (3); comprising a length of between 50 and 300 bases; and in that a portion (10) of the trapping nucleotide sequence (5) which does not hybridize with the portion (7) of the target nucleotide sequence (2) is less than 60 bases, preferably less than 40 bases, more particular less than 20 bases.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the trapping nucleotide sequence (5) is between 120 and 250 bases.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the yield of hybridization of the target nucleotide sequence (2) to the trapping nucleotide sequence (5) is greater than 40%.
4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a portion (13) of the target nucleotide sequence which does not hybridize with the trapping nucleotide sequence (5) and with the nucleotide sequence(s) labeled (6) or otherwise (11) is less than 60 bases, preferably less than 40 bases.
5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the solid support (3) is a support chosen from the group consisting of tubes, filters, beads, which may be magnetic, multiwell plates or a mixture thereof.
6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the target nucleotide sequence (2) is an amplicon resulting from a preliminary amplification by a gene amplification method, preferably chosen from the group consisting of PCR, LCR, CPR, NASBA or ICR.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the 5 terminal portion (9) of the target sequence (2) not overlapping with the labeled nucleotide sequences (6) overlaps with a primer sequence (12) used for its amplification.
8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a bringing into contact of the sandwich type of a standard nucleotide sequence (1) under the same conditions as the target nucleotide sequences (2) to be detected andor quantified and comprises an additional step of quantification of the ratio between the specific labeling of the target nucleotide sequence (2) and the specific labeling of the standard nucleotide sequence (1).
9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that it also comprises a step of a preparation of a known quantity of a standard nucleotide sequence (1) possessing at least a portion (A) common to the target nucleotide sequence (2) and a specific portion (B) whose sequence is different and possesses a content of GCAT bases similar, preferably identical, to the sequence of a specific portion (B) of the target nucleotide sequence (2), an optional extraction of the target nucleotide sequence (2) to be quantified from the biological sample and a bringing into contact of the sandwich type of the target (2) and standard (1) nucleotide sequences with trapping nucleotide sequences (5) complementary to the common portion (A) of these two sequences (1, 2) and with labeled nucleotide sequences (6) complementary either to the specific portion (B) of the target nucleotide sequence (2), or to the specific portion (B) of the standard nucleotide sequence (1), and a quantification between the specific labeling of the target nucleotide sequence (2) and the specific labeling of the standard nucleotide sequence (1).
10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sandwich hybridization is carried out in two steps.
11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment of the trapping nucleotide sequence (5) to the solid support (3) is carried out via a 5 terminal phosphate onto an amine functional group of the solid support (3) by reaction with carbodiimide.
12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the target nucleotide sequence (2) is a DNA.
13. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the target nucleotide sequence is an RNA.
14. Kit for detecting andor quantifying, by a sandwich-type hybridization, a target nucleotide sequence (2) comprising a trapping nucleotide sequence (5) attached to an insoluble solid support (3) complementary to a portion (7) of the said target nucleotide sequence (2) and at least one labeled nucleotide sequence (6) complementary to another portion (8) of the target nucleotide sequence (2), characterized in that the said trapping nucleotide sequence (5) is covalently attached by one of its ends to the solid support (3) and has a length of between 50 and 300 bases, and in that the portion (10) of the trapping nucleotide sequence (5) which does not hybridize with a portion (7) complementary to the target nucleotide sequence (2) is less than 60 bases, preferably less than 40 bases, more particularly less than 20 bases.
15. Kit according to claim 14, characterized in that the length of the trapping nucleotide sequence (5) is between 120 and 250 bases.
16. Kit according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the solid support (3) is an insoluble solid support chosen from the group consisting of tubes, filters, beads, which may be magnetic, multiwell plates or a mixture thereof.
17. Kit according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that it comprises a standard nucleotide sequence (1).
18. Kit according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the standard nucleotide sequence (1) possesses at least a portion (A) common to the target nucleotide sequence (2) and a specific portion (B) whose sequence is different and possesses a content of GCAT bases similar, preferably identical, to the specific portion (B) of the target nucleotide sequence (2) to be quantified.
19. Kit according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the trapping nucleotide sequence (5) is attached by a 5 terminal phosphate onto an amine functional group of the solid support (3) by reaction with carbodiimide.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A computerized method for authenticating an electronic transaction between a user and a computer, the computer being configured to conduct electronic transactions, the method comprising:
receiving a computer-generated transaction identifier from the computer via an electronic data link;
receiving a user-spoken transaction identifier and a user-spoken verification identifier transmitted by the user via a voice connection;
comparing the user-spoken transaction identifier with the computer transaction identifier;
comparing the user-spoken verification identifier with a voice print of the user; and
transmitting an authentication message to the computer if the user-spoken transaction identifier matches the computer-generated transaction identifier and if the user-spoken verification identifier matches the voice print.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer transaction identifier is generated by the computer in response to the electric transaction conducted between the user and the computer.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing the user voice print and user payment information prior to the electronic transaction.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the user voice print is provided by the user by providing a spoken telephone number to a voice recognition unit.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the user voice print is provided by the user by providing a spoken user name to a voice recognition unit.
6. The method of claim 3, wherein the user payment information includes a credit card number and an associated credit card expiration date.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving a user-spoken transaction identifier and the step of receiving a user-spoken verification identifier are performed within a predetermined time from completing the electronic transaction.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the predetermined time is about five minutes.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic data link includes the Internet.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic data link includes a private network.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer is a system component of a financial institution.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the financial institution is a bank.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the user conducts the electronic transaction using an ATM machine.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the user conducts the electronic transaction by communicating with a bank teller.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the user conducts the electronic transaction using a personal computer.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the user conducts the electronic transaction using a wireless device.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the user conducts the electronic transaction using a hand-held device.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer is a system component of an Internet web-site.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
receiving at least one user-spoken command for controlling web-site navigation, the at least one user-spoken command being transmitted by the user via a telephonic voice connection;
converting the at least one user-spoken command into at least one computer readable command;
transmitting the at least one computer readable command to the computer; and
executing the at least one computer readable command, using the computer, whereby the user controls web-site navigation of the Internet web-site by voice command via the telephonic voice connection.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the user is prompted by a voice menu system to respond to voice menu options when transmitting the at least one user-spoken command.
21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
providing at least one voice menu option to the user;
processing at least one user-spoken response to the at least one voice menu option, whereby the at least one user-spoken response is transformed into at least one computer-readable response;
transmitting the at least one computer-readable response to the computer; and
executing the at least one computer response, using the computer, whereby the user controls the computer by voice command.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-spoken transaction identifier and the user-spoken verification identifier are transmitted by a telephonic voice connection.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic transaction includes an on-line purchase of goods or services.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic transaction includes a banking transaction.
25. The method of claim 17 wherein the electronic transaction includes downloading music files.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic transaction includes a point-of-sale transaction.
27. A system for authenticating an electronic transaction between a first user-operated device and a computer, the computer being configured to conduct electronic transactions, the system comprising:
a voice browser configured to receive and process user-spoken information from a second user-operated device, the voice browser being programmed to compare a user-spoken transaction identifier to a computer generated transaction identifier, and to compare a user-spoken verification identifier to a voice print of the user; and
a session correlator coupled to the voice browser, the session correlator being configured to transmit an authentication message to the computer if the user-spoken transaction identifier matches the computer transaction identifier, and if the user-spoken verification identifier matches the voice print.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein the voice browser further comprises:
a voice recognition unit coupled to the second user-operated device via a network, the voice recognition unit being configured to recognize audible tones transmitted over the network; and
a database coupled to the voice recognition unit, the database being configured to store the voice print of the user and payment information associated with the voice print.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein the voice recognition unit recognizes both spoken input and DTMF input.
30. The system of claim 28, further comprising a telephony interface unit coupled to the voice recognition unit, the telephony interface unit being configured to convert signals carried by the network into signals having a correct format and amplitude.
31. The system of claim 27, wherein the voice browser further comprises a voice menu system, the voice menu system comprising:
a voice menu option library having stored therein at least one voice menu option;
a user interface transmitter configured to transmit the at least one voice menu option to the user, the user interface transmitter including a synthesized speech unit for generating the at least one voice menu option, and a digitized audio unit for generating user-audible signaling tones; and
a user interface receiver configured to recognize a plurality of user-spoken menu selections provided by the user in response to the at least one voice menu option.
32. The system of claim 27, wherein the voice browser includes a digital signal processor.
33. The system of claim 27, wherein the voice browser includes at least one software module resident in an Internet backbone.
34. The system of claim 27, wherein the voice browser includes at least one software module resident in a telecommunications switch.
35. The system of claim 27, wherein the voice browser includes at least one software module resident in a computer disposed in a network data center.
36. The system of claim 27, wherein the voice browser includes at least one software module resident in a computer disposed in a customer premise equipment.
37. The system of claim 27, wherein the voice browser includes at least one software module resident in a computer disposed in an intranet.
38. The system of claim 27, wherein the session correlator includes at least one software module resident in an Internet backbone.
39. The system of claim 27, wherein the session correlator includes at least one software module resident in a telecommunications switch.
40. The system of claim 27, wherein the session correlator includes at least one software module resident in a computer disposed in a network data center.
41. The system of claim 27, wherein the session correlator includes at least one software module resident in a computer disposed in a customer premise equipment.
42. The system of claim 27, wherein the session correlator includes at least one software module resident in a computer disposed in an intranet.
43. The system of claim 27, wherein the second user-operated device includes a microphone.
44. The system of claim 27, wherein the second user-operated device includes a telephone set.
45. The system of claim 44, wherein the telephone set is a wireless telephone.
46. The system of claim 45, wherein the wireless telephone is configured to use a wireless access protocol.
47. The system of claim 27, wherein the computer transaction identifier is generated by the computer in response to the electronic transaction conducted between the user and the computer.
48. The system of claim 27, wherein the electronic data link includes the Internet.
49. The system of claim 27, wherein the electronic data link includes a private network.
50. The system of claim 27, wherein the computer is a system component of a financial institution.
51. The system of claim 50, wherein the financial institution is a bank.
52. The system of claim 51, wherein the first user-operated device includes an ATM machine.
53. The system of claim 51, wherein the user conducts the electronic transaction by communicating with a bank teller.
54. The system of claim 27, wherein the first user-operated device includes a personal computer.
55. The system of claim 27, wherein the first user-operated device includes a wireless device.
56. The system of claim 27, wherein the first user-operated device includes a hand-held device.
57. The system of claim 27, wherein the computer is a system component of an Internet web-site.
58. The system of claim 27, further comprising:
a user authentication input unit coupled to the first user-operated device and the session correlator, the user authentication unit being configured to accept a user name and a user password from the user;
a database coupled to the user authentication input unit, the database being configured to store an authentic user name and an authentic user password; and
a user authenticator coupled to the user authentication input unit, the database, and the session correlator, the user authenticator being programmed to compare the user name to the authentic user name, and to compare the user password to the authentic user password, whereby the user authenticator provides the session correlator with a transaction denial message if the user name does not match the authentic user name, or the user password does not match the authentic user password.
59. The system of claim 27, wherein the electronic transaction includes an on-line purchase of goods or services.
60. The system of claim 27, wherein the electronic transaction includes a banking transaction.
61. The system of claim 27, wherein the electronic transaction includes downloading music files.
62. The system of claim 27, wherein the electronic transaction includes a point-of-sale transaction.
63. A computerized voice verification method for authenticating an electronic transaction between a user and a computer, the computer being configured to conduct electronic transactions, the method comprising:
enrolling the user in a voice verification system, whereby the user provides the system with a user voice print;
performing the electronic transaction;
receiving a transaction identifier from the computer via an electronic data link in response to performing the electronic transaction;
receiving a user-spoken transaction identifier and a user-spoken verification identifier transmitted by the user via a voice connection;
comparing the user-spoken transaction identifier with the computer transaction identifier and the user-spoken verification identifier with a voice print of the user; and
transmitting an authentication message to the computer if the user-spoken transaction identifier matches the computer transaction identifier, and if the user-spoken verification identifier matches the voice print.
64. The method of claim 63, wherein a transaction denied message is transmitted to the computer if the user-spoken transaction identifier does not match the computer transaction identifier, or if the user-spoken verification identifier does not match the voice print.
65. A computerized method for controlling web-site navigation, the method comprising:
providing an authentication system including a voice recognition unit and a session correlator, the voice recognition unit having access to a pre-registered voice print of the user, whereby the authentication system is coupled to a user computer and a web-site during the computerized method;
conducting a transaction between the user computer and the web-site, the web-site transmitting a transaction identifier to the user computer and the authentication system in response to the transaction;
receiving a user-spoken transaction identifier and a user-spoken verification identifier via a telephonic connection, the authentication system being programmed to compare the user-spoken transaction identifier to the transaction identifier and the user-spoken verification identifier to the pre-registered voice print;
transmitting an authentication message to the web-site if the user-spoken transaction identifier matches the transaction identifier and if the user-spoken verification identifier matches the voice print;
receiving at least one user-spoken command for controlling web-site navigation, the authentication system being programmed to convert the at least one user-spoken command into at least one computer-readable command; and
transmitting the at least one computer-readable command to the web-site, the at least one computer-readable command being executed by the web-site, whereby the user controls web-site navigation of the web-site by the at least one user-spoken command.
66. The method of claim 65, wherein the at least one user-spoken command includes a plurality of user-spoken commands.
67. The method of claim 65, wherein the plurality of user-spoken commands are transmitted by the user in response to a plurality of voice menu options provided by the authentication unit.
68. The method of claim 65, wherein a web navigation is denied message is transmitted to the computer if the user-spoken transaction identifier does not match the computer transaction identifier, or if the user-spoken verification identifier does not match the voice print.