Abstract: The invention includes methods for precisely and accurately etching layers of wide bandgap semiconductor material. According to one aspect of the invention, the method includes providing a multi-layer laminate including at least a first and second layer of wide bandgap semiconductor material, measuring a first conductance of the first layer of semiconductor material, partially etching the first layer of semiconductor material a first amount, measuring a second conductance of the first layer of semiconductor material etched the first amount, and utilizing the first and second measured conductance to determine a time required to etch the first layer of semiconductor material a second amount.

Abstract: A method and device for making a vial from a pre-form having interior and exterior base portions and an interior and exterior side wall is provided. The device includes a heat source, at least one roller, a mandrel, and a means for forming the exterior base portion of the pre-form. The method for making the vial includes the steps of heating the pre-form to a temperature at or above the lowest temperature at which the pre-form flows, contacting the interior base portion with the mandrel, shaping the exterior side wall of the pre-form with the at least one roller, and forming the finished exterior base portion of the vial with a base forming means when the pre-from is at or above the temperature achieved in the heating step to form the finished vial base.

Abstract: The invention includes methods for precisely and accurately etching layers of wide bandgap semiconductor material. According to one aspect of the invention, the method includes providing a multi-layer laminate including at least a first and second layer of wide bandgap semiconductor material, measuring a first conductance of the first layer of semiconductor material, partially etching the first layer of semiconductor material a first amount, measuring a second conductance of the first layer of semiconductor material etched the first amount, and utilizing the first and second measured conductance to determine a time required to etch the first layer of semiconductor material a second amount.

Abstract: A combination hat and headset device (the “hatset”) for improved comfort, hygiene, and consistent microphone placement. The headset is a combination of speaker(s) or microphone(s) for use in communicating with some other system, such as a telephone or computer system. The hat supports the weight of the headset and provides a buffer between the headset and the user. The hat is separable from the headset, so it can be washed independently of the headset. The hat and headset are easily separable, so the hat may be user-specific while the headset is shared among multiple users. The headset is specifically designed to be able to fit any head, with several independent adjustments available for variations in ear and mouth shape, size, and position, and head proportions. The microphone boom is designed to be temporarily movable away from the user's mouth, and then rapidly and accurately restored to a formerly selected position.

Abstract: An improved speech recognition system with at least two speech recognition engines which may or may not be identical. Each of the speech recognition engines supply a recognized-text output signal each of which are provided to a text comparator. The comparator compares the recognized-text output signals and accepts or rejects the text based on the degree of agreement between the output signals from each of the engines. Completely different types of speech recognition engines can be employed. Alternatively, identical speech recognition engines could be employed with a slight perturbation added to one of the engines or the input signal of one of the engines. Alternatively, the very same speech recognition engine could be used at two different points in time, with one receiving some type of perturbation.