Abstract: A method of authenticating a passcode entered by a user on an unstable electronic computing device. The method includes receiving an indication that an input is unstable, impacting the ability of a user to provide the input; generating a dynamic keyboard including at least one alphanumeric key, the dynamic keyboard being configured to address the unstable input; presenting the dynamic keyboard to the user; receiving the input from the user, the input comprising a selection of at least one alphanumeric character of a passcode on the dynamic keyboard; and authenticating the input received from the user by comparing the at least one alphanumeric character and a stored passcode.

Abstract: A method for allocating articulated tasks to determinate resources such that enterprise efficiency is maximized. The method uses geographic parameters to perform a set of incrementally rotated reassessments using subtended angular offsets to optimally allocate tasks to resources, thereby rapidly approximating the results that would be obtained from a full permutation suite, but without the massive computational overhead associated with comprehensive permutation weighting. The method provides for proper handling of post-posited task insertions at optimal points within the parameter space, providing final determination authority to the system user. The parameter space can include temporal banding for resource-to-task association. The utility of the method for handling the core calculations of routing and dispatching software, such as is used in the many service industries, is transparent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a water dispersible polymer particle stabilized by a hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide dispersant. The present invention also discloses a heterogeneous method for forming polymer particles comprising providing a water immiscible organic phase comprising at least one monomer dispersed in a continuous water phase and a hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide, and polymerizing said organic phase to yield polymer particles stabilized with hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide. Also disclosed in the present invention is a heterogeneous method for forming polymer particles comprising providing a water immiscible organic dispersed in a continuous water phase, polymerizing said organic phase, and adding bydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide to yield polymer particles stabilized with hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ink printing method including the steps of: a) providing an ink printer that is responsive to digital data signals; b) loading said printer with an image-recording element including a support having thereon at least one image-receiving layer comprising polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, wherein said polymeric particle is stabilized by a hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide dispersant; c) loading said printer with an ink composition; and d) printing on said image-recording element using said ink composition in response to said digital data signals.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to compositions and methods for removing adherent materials and polishing surfaces. In one embodiment, the method employs an improved media comprising core-shell particles. The media can be applied to microelectronic objects of manufacture.

Abstract: A water dispersible polymer particle stabilized by a hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide dispersant or a heterogeneous method for forming polymer particles comprising providing a water immiscible organic phase comprising at least one monomer dispersed in a continuous water phase and a hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide, and polymerizing the organic phase to yield polymer particles stabilized with hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide. Also, a heterogeneous method for forming polymer particles comprising providing a water immiscible organic dispersed in a continuous water phase, polymerizing the organic phase, and adding hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide to yield polymer particles stabilized with hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integral film comprising a transparent polymeric substrate having a surface bearing polymeric beads, wherein the swell ratio, the size, and the laydown of the beads are selected so as to provide both a one sided static friction coefficient of not more than 0.68 and an internal haze value of not more than 0.1. The film provides an improved combination of slip and optical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal dye-transfer receiving element comprising a dye-image receiving layer on its top surface and, beneath the dye-image receiving layer, a microvoided layer containing a continuous phase polymer matrix having dispersed therein crosslinked organic microbeads, wherein the microbeads exhibit a glass transition temperature Tg that is below 80° C. Also disclosed is a method for making such thermal dye-transfer receiving elements.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods for removing adherent materials, for example, paint, flashes, burrs, photoresists, contaminants, and other materials from various external surfaces. In particular, the method employs an improved media comprising core/shell particles. The media can be propelled against or along the surface by a gaseous or liquid carrier medium or a mixture of gas and liquid to remove the unwanted surface material. In one embodiment, suitable blasting equipment propels the media, via a pressurized air stream, against a surface of an object, for example an airplane skin, to dislodge the material to be removed.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to compositions and methods for removing adherent materials and polishing surfaces. In one embodiment, the method employs an improved media comprising core-shell particles. The media can be applied to microelectronic objects of manufacture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal dye-transfer receiving element comprising a dye-image receiving layer on its top surface and, beneath the dye-image receiving layer, a microvoided layer containing a continuous phase polymer matrix having dispersed therein crosslinked organic microbeads, wherein the microbeads exhibit a glass transition temperature Tg that is below 80° C. Also disclosed is a method for making such thermal dye-transfer receiving elements.

Abstract: An ink jet printing method having the steps of: A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; B) loading the printer with an ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer of porous polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, the porous polymeric particles being prepared in the presence of an anionic or ationic dispersant, and the image-receiving layer containing a surfactant having a charge opposite to that of the dispersant used to make the porous polymeric particles, the surfactant being present in an amount from about 0.04 parts to about 0.30 parts by weight of the dispersant; C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition; and D) printing on the ink jet recording element using the ink jet ink composition in response to the digital data signals.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to methods for removing adherent materials, for example, residues, scale, contaminants, fouling, precipitates, and the like objectional materials from various internal surfaces of fluid transport or delivery systems and parts thereof. In particular, the method employs an improved media comprising core/shell particles. The media can be propelled against or along the surface by a fluid carrier to remove the unwanted surface material. In one embodiment, the media may be propelled by a liquid along a surface, such as the interior walls of a pipe, to remove undesirable adherent materials.

Abstract: Core/shell particles having a core of a porous polymer and a shell of an inorganic colloid, the inorganic colloid having a median diameter of less than about 0.07 &mgr;m, and the core/shell particles having a median diameter of less than about 50 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An ink jet recording element having a support having thereon an image-receiving layer of porous polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, the porous polymeric particles being prepared in the presence of an anionic or cationic dispersant, and the image-receiving layer containing a surfactant having a charge opposite to that of the dispersant used to make the porous polymeric particles, the surfactant being present in an amount from about 0.04 parts to about 0.30 parts by weight of the dispersant.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a water dispersible polymer particle stabilized by a hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide dispersant. The present invention also discloses a heterogeneous method for forming polymer particles comprising providing a water immiscible organic phase comprising at least one monomer dispersed in a continuous water phase and a hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide, and polymerizing said organic phase to yield polymer particles stabilized with hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide. Also disclosed in the present invention is a heterogeneous method for forming polymer particles comprising providing a water immiscible organic dispersed in a continuous water phase, polymerizing said organic phase, and adding hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide to yield polymer particles stabilized with hydrophobically capped oligomeric acrylamide.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ink printing method using an image-recording element which provides an image having excellent image quality and superior dry time comprising the steps of:

Abstract: An ink recording element is described comprising a support having thereon at least one image-receiving layer comprising polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, wherein said polymeric particle is stabilized by a hydrophobically-capped oligomeric acrylamide dispersant.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integral film comprising a transparent polymeric substrate having a surface bearing polymeric beads, wherein the swell ratio, the size, and the laydown of the beads are selected so as to provide both a one sided static friction coefficient of not more than 0.68 and an internal haze value of not more than 0.1. The film provides an improved combination of slip and optical properties.

Abstract: A method of preventing the agglomeration of particles surrounded by a particulate suspension stabilizing agent which comprises providing an aqueous suspension of particles surrounded by a particulate suspension stabilizing agent and adding to the aqueous medium a polyanion.