Abstract: A machine for coupling a plunger rod to a syringe assembly may include a carriage including a cradle having a seat portion sized to receive a syringe assembly and an aperture portion disposed above the seat portion and sized to receive a plunger rod. An actuating device may be operatively coupled to the carriage and adapted to move the cradle from a first position to a second position to couple the plunger rod to the syringe assembly. The carriage may be selected from separate and interchangeable first and second carriages, wherein the first carriage includes a cradle adapted to receive a syringe assembly of a first size and the second carriage including a cradle sized to receive a syringe assembly of a second size that is different from the first size.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a method for facilitating secure communications on the Internet that allows individual actors to be registered, their identities to be confirmed at an acceptable level of confidence, and their association with, and/or ownership of, certain user identifiers (such as email addresses, phone numbers, domain names, application usernames, and the like), to be verified. The invention also enables Internet actors to communicate securely and to encrypt or sign digital messages and/or documents between each other while maintaining sole possession and control of their private cryptographic keys. To ensure that the integrity of user information has not been compromised, the invention includes embodiments that periodically backup crucial data in a publicly accessible blockchain format that can be independently verified and is difficult to alter.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a communications server that enables individual actors on the Internet to be registered, their identities to be confirmed at an acceptable level of confidence, and their association with, and/or ownership of, certain user identifiers (such as email addresses, phone numbers, domain names, application usernames, and the like), to be verified. The invention also enables Internet actors communicate at different levels of security and to encrypt or sign digital messages and/or documents between each other while maintaining sole possession and control of their private cryptographic keys. To ensure the integrity of user information on the communications server has not been compromised, the invention includes embodiments to periodically backup crucial data in a publicly accessible blockchain format that cannot reasonably be altered, but can be independently verified.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward a communications server that enables individual actors on the Internet to be registered, their identities to be confirmed at an acceptable level of confidence, and their association with, and/or ownership of, certain user identifiers (such as email addresses, phone numbers, domain names, application usernames, and the like), to be verified. The invention also enables Internet actors communicate at different levels of security and to encrypt or sign digital messages and/or documents between each other while maintaining sole possession and control of their private cryptographic keys. To ensure the integrity of user information on the communications server has not been compromised, the invention includes embodiments to periodically backup crucial data in a publicly accessible blockchain format that cannot reasonably be altered, but can be independently verified.

Abstract: An acoustic technique designed to increase the gas-dissolution rate of a bubble in a liquid media is proposed. Increased gas-dissolution rate is achieved by increasing the bubble's surface-to-volume ratio via bubble fragmentation. This is achieved by attaching an electroacoustic transducer to the system or load in which bubbles travel and exciting the transducer at the frequency of resonance. The electric resonance of the transducer attached to the system corresponds in frequency to the mechanical resonance of the system or load which allows for achieving such state without the use of an internally placed hydrophone to certify the resonance state. The acoustic bubble fragmentation technique increased the dissolution rate 4 to 5 times of bubbles with initial diameters between 150 and 550 ?m in distilled water and in medical grade saline solution.

Abstract: A task manager can receive protocol compliance information for a selected industrial task. The protocol compliance information includes identifiers for a set of persons executing the selected industrial task. The task manager can also query a certification database to determine if each member of the set of persons has been issued a certification corresponding to the selected industrial task. The task manager calculates a risk score for execution of the selected industrial task based on a category of the selected industrial task, the protocol compliance information and the results of the querying.

Abstract: A system includes an automotive-based processor configured to receive a road-scanning instruction. The processor is further configured to instruct a vehicle-mounted sonar to scan an upcoming section of terrain and receive scan data from the sonar, responsive to the instruction. The processor is additionally configured to convert the scan data to a visual display showing at least obstacles and elevations and present the visual display on an in-vehicle display.

Abstract: Novel methods, systems, and apparatuses for reclaiming annealing gases from a high pressure annealing processing system are disclosed. According to an embodiment, the exhaust gasses from the high pressure annealing processing system are directed into a gas reclaiming system only when a precious gas, e.g., deuterium is used. The annealing gas is the separated from other gasses used in the high pressure annealing processing system and is then pressurized, filtered, and purified prior to transferring the gas to a bulk storage distribution unit. In one embodiment, the reclaimed gas is then again provided to the high pressure annealing processing system to anneal the wafers.

Abstract: A clear injection valve for monitoring flow rate and clogging utilizes a flow section, an injector section, and a compression nut. The compression nut is used to fasten a chemical tubing system against the flow section. A first set of threads and a second set of threads are used to removably attach the compression nut onto a neck portion of the flow section. The flow section, which is made of transparent material, is in fluid communication with the injector section allowing fluids or other comparable matter to pass through the flow section and the injector section. In doing so, a flow channel of the flow section and an injector channel of the injector section are used. A distal opening of the injector section is used as the exit point for fluids or comparable matter. Preferably, the distal opening is connected to a plumbing system with a set of pipe-engaging threads.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of communications. More particularly, this invention is related to private electronic data exchange using multi-layered encryption and data and key separation. The invention includes a means to ensure private electronic data exchanges are secure over any medium of transmission utilizing a server which functions include authenticating and identifying users of the server, storing cryptographic keys and governing access to those cryptographic keys. Additionally the invention describes a mechanism by which the client also governs access to the private electronic data using access restrictions set forth by the sender of the private electronic data. Additionally the invention describes a mechanism by which the recipient and sender respectively are able to effectively destroy the transmitted private electronic data by instructing the server to destroy the necessary associated cryptographic key.

Abstract: Novel methods, systems, and apparatuses for reclaiming annealing gases from a high pressure annealing processing system are disclosed. According to an embodiment, the exhaust gasses from the high pressure annealing processing system are directed into a gas reclaiming system only when a precious gas, e.g., deuterium is used. The annealing gas is the separated from other gasses used in the high pressure annealing processing system and is then pressurized, filtered, and purified prior to transferring the gas to a bulk storage distribution unit. In one embodiment, the reclaimed gas is then again provided to the high pressure annealing processing system to anneal the wafers.

Abstract: Novel methods, systems, and apparatuses for reclaiming annealing gases from a high pressure annealing processing system are disclosed. According to an embodiment, the exhaust gasses from the high pressure annealing processing system are directed into a gas reclaiming system only when a precious gas, e.g., deuterium is used. The annealing gas is the separated from other gasses used in the high pressure annealing processing system and is then pressurized, filtered, and purified prior to transferring the gas to a bulk storage distribution unit. In one embodiment, the reclaimed gas is then again provided to the high pressure annealing processing system to anneal the wafers.

Abstract: Novel methods, systems, and apparatuses for reclaiming annealing gases from a high pressure annealing processing system are disclosed. According to an embodiment, the exhaust gasses from the high pressure annealing processing system are directed into a gas reclaiming system only when a precious gas, e.g., deuterium is used. The annealing gas is the separated from other gasses used in the high pressure annealing processing system and is then pressurized, filtered, and purified prior to transferring the gas to a bulk storage distribution unit. In one embodiment, the reclaimed gas is then again provided to the high pressure annealing processing system to anneal the wafers.

Abstract: A system and method for generating hydroelectric power. More specifically, a system for generating hydroelectric power which transforms the kinetic energy in water, supplied to a consumer via a utility conduit, into electrical energy wherein water pressure is conserved or maintained at a desired water pressure within the device using a compressible gas headspace region.

Abstract: The systems and methods herein may be used for management and capturing of optical drive failure errors. One implementation of a method for capturing a failure error of an optical storage drive may include detecting the failure error of the optical storage drive. The failure error may be characterized by an error identifier, which may be stored in a drive memory. In certain embodiments, methods herein may also include storing media information available on optical storage media to the extent that such media information may be available. Among other advantages, storage of error identifiers and/or media information may aid manufacturers in diagnosing problems with returned optical storage drives.

Abstract: Novel methods and apparatuses for annealing semiconductor devices in a high pressure gas environment. According to an embodiment, the annealing vessel has a dual chamber structure, and potentially toxic, flammable, or otherwise reactive gas is confined in an inner chamber which is protected by pressures of inert gas contained in the outer chamber. The incoming gas delivery system and exhaust gas venting system are likewise protected by various methods. Embodiments of the present invention can be used, for example, for high-K gate dielectric anneal, post metallization sintering anneal, and forming gas anneal in the semiconductor manufacturing process.

Abstract: The systems and methods herein may be used for management and capturing of optical drive failure errors. One implementation of a method for capturing a failure error of an optical storage drive may include detecting the failure error of the optical storage drive. The failure error may be characterized by an error identifier, which may be stored in a drive memory. In certain embodiments, methods herein may also include storing media information available on optical storage media to the extent that such media information may be available. Among other advantages, storage of error identifiers and/or media information may aid manufacturers in diagnosing problems with returned optical storage drives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system that is operable to detect whether optical media has appropriate identification and authentication information. Depending on whether such information is present on the media, appropriate messages are generated for the user and the write strategy for transferring data to the media is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: An optical drive reads information from an optical medium by measuring the reflectivity of the optical medium to determine the type of optical medium, setting read parameters associated with the determined type and attempting to read identification information from the optical medium to verify the optical medium type. If the identification information verifies the type of optical medium as determined by the measured reflectivity, the optical drive reads information with the read parameters. If the identification information is not readable or fails to verify the measured optical medium type, an alternative optical medium type read parameters are used to read the identification information. If the alternative optical medium type matches the identification information optical medium type, read parameters associated with the alternative optical medium type are used to read information from the optical medium and the user is provided a warning that the optical medium has substandard quality.

Abstract: A firmware update methodology is disclosed in which a universal firmware update application is used to save or flash a firmware update to a target device.