Abstract: A nonce is sent to a user communication device. Obfuscated biometric data is received from the user communication device. The obfuscated biometric data is generated by an obfuscation process that uses the nonce and first biometric data. The first biometric data is generated from a biometric of a user at the user communication device. For example, the first biometric data may be biometric data from a fingerprint scan. The obfuscation process is reversed by using the first nonce to produce the first biometric data. The first biometric data is compared to known biometric data of the user. In response to the first biometric data being within a threshold of the known biometric data, the user is authenticated.

Abstract: An indication of a user being authenticated is received. For example, the user authenticates with a valid username/password. In response to receiving the indication of the user being authenticated, a watermark is associated with the user. The watermark is sent to a communication device of the user. For example, the watermark is sent to the user's personal computer. The communication device of the user embeds the watermark into a communication. For example, the watermark may be embedded into a communication session with a web server. The watermark is sent to a routing device on a network (e.g., a router and/or firewall). The routing device uses the watermark embedded in the communication to determine how to route the communication on the network.

Abstract: A first node in a distributed blockchain ledger validates all remaining nodes in the distributed blockchain ledger to secure the distributed blockchain ledger. The remaining nodes in the distributed blockchain ledger can be validated in various ways. For example, an encrypted package can be exchanged to obtain a unique session key for each of the remaining nodes in the distributed blockchain ledger. Another alternative is to receive split-key fragments from all the nodes in the distributed blockchain ledger. The received split-key fragments are used to generate a common key for validating all the remaining nodes in the distributed blockchain ledger.

Abstract: Thread information generated by one or more computing systems is captured. A thread pattern is identified from the captured thread information. The thread pattern is compared to a learned thread pattern. An anomaly is identified in the thread pattern based on a variance from the learned thread pattern. In response to identifying the anomaly in the thread pattern, an action is taken based on the anomalous thread pattern. For example, a user may be notified. The thread patterns may be extended to compare between operating systems, hypervisors, containers, and/or virtual machines.

Abstract: A multi-factor authentication request of a user is received. For example, the multi-factor authentication request may include a valid username/password and a valid fingerprint scan. A first authentication factor of the multi-factor authentication request is an access authentication factor (e.g., the valid username/password) and a second authentication factor (e.g., the valid fingerprint scan) of the multi-factor authentication request is one of: a time-only authentication factor; a multi-session authentication factor; and a location-only authentication factor. The user is authenticated based on the first authentication factor and the second authentication factor. Access is granted to one or more resources according to one or more rules associated with the first authentication factor and second authentication factor.

Abstract: An acoustic actuator for scale removal and prevention in a wellbore is described herein. For example, a system can include a tubing string deployed downhole in a wellbore. A downhole tool can be coupled to the tubing string. An acoustic actuator can be coupled to the tubing string and positioned proximate to the downhole tool. The acoustic actuator can generate an acoustic signal that can vibrate the tubing string to generate a fluidic disturbance in downhole fluid within the tubing string for removing contaminants from, or preventing formation of contaminants, on the downhole tool.

Abstract: A new welding system is provided that makes use of breath of the operator to control one or more operating parameters of the power source or welding machine (or “welder”). The welding system may be configured for arc welding, and the welding machine or welder may include a constant voltage power source with varying current (or vice versa). In such an embodiment, the welding system includes a breath-based controller with a mouthpiece through which the operator can breathe or blow in air. The breath-based controller processes the user's breath to determine user input, and this operator input is communicated to the welder or welding machine (via wired or wireless communication links) to control arc intensity (i.e., current for a constant voltage welding machine) or arc length (i.e., voltage for a constant current welding machine). An operator uses the breath-based controller to remotely control the welding machine with high precision.

Abstract: An interretractable folding stand includes outer, inner, and top pairs of mirror-image members. Each outer member is rotatably connected to an inner member and to a top member. Inner members are connected by a first hinge, and top members are connected by a second hinge, so that when inner and top members are fully rotatably misaligned with respect to the outer pair, the first and second hinges can be opened to allow the inner and outer members to form a tripod. When open, inner members can engage top members to support the top members in an elevated horizontal plane to provide a stable surface for supporting an elongated structure or instrument such as an electric piano. When closed, outer members align in parallel to form a retracting channel for the inner and top members.

Abstract: An interretractable stand includes outer and inner pairs of mirror-image members. Each member of the outer pair rotatably connects to a member of the inner pair. The members of the outer pair are hingedly connected, and the members of the inner pair are hingedly connected, so that the inner pair when fully rotatably misaligned with respect to the outer pair allows the inner and outer pairs to be hingedly separated to an open position, and so that the inner pair when fully rotatably aligned with respect to the outer pair rests between members of the outer pair in a closed position. When open the outer members provide two tripod feet and a backrest, and the inner members provide a third tripod foot and a carriage, forming a stand for supporting a musical instrument, canvas, book, or board. When closed the inner members align between the outer members for easy carrying and storage.

Abstract: An interretractable folding stand includes outer, inner, and top pairs of mirror-image members. Each outer member is rotatably connected to an inner member and to a top member. Inner members are connected by a first hinge, and top members are connected by a second hinge, so that when inner and top members are fully rotatably misaligned with respect to the outer pair, the first and second hinges can be opened to allow the inner and outer members to form a tripod. When open, inner members can engage top members to support the top members in an elevated horizontal plane to provide a stable surface for supporting an elongated structure or instrument such as an electric piano. When closed, outer members align in parallel to form a retracting channel for the inner and top members.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for an injector is located in a curved portion of an exhaust line having an exhaust flow from an upstream end to a downstream end. The mounting assembly includes an indent extending at least partially into the exhaust line curved portion and disposed in the exhaust flow. The downstream wall has an interior surface oriented to substantially face the exhaust line downstream end. A recess extends from the downstream wall in a direction away from the exhaust line downstream end, and a recess aperture is formed in the recess and configured to fluidly communicate with the injector. The recess reduces the amount of exhaust heat reaching the injector tip.

Abstract: A method for determining when to perform an operation on a computing device is described. The computing device receives a direction to perform an operation. A deferral configuration including at least one criterion is also received. The computing device determines whether a criterion is met and defers performance of the operation if it is met. The computing device performs the operation if a criterion is not met.

Abstract: An interretractable stand includes outer and inner pairs of minor-image members. Each member of the outer pair rotatably connects to a member of the inner pair. The members of the outer pair are hingedly connected, and the members of the inner pair are hingedly connected, so that the inner pair when fully rotatably misaligned with respect to the outer pair allows the inner and outer pairs to be hingedly separated to an open position, and so that the inner pair when fully rotatably aligned with respect to the outer pair rests between members of the outer pair in a closed position. When open the outer members provide two tripod feet and a backrest, and the inner members provide a third tripod foot and a carriage, forming a stand for supporting a musical instrument, canvas, book, or board. When closed the inner members align between the outer members for easy carrying and storage.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for an injector is located in a curved portion of an exhaust line having an exhaust flow from an upstream end to a downstream end. The mounting assembly includes an indent extending at least partially into the exhaust line curved portion and disposed in the exhaust flow. The downstream wall has an interior surface oriented to substantially face the exhaust line downstream end. A recess extends from the downstream wall in a direction away from the exhaust line downstream end, and a recess aperture is formed in the recess and configured to fluidly communicate with the injector. The recess reduces the amount of exhaust heat reaching the injector tip.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for an injector is located in a curved portion of an exhaust line having an exhaust flow from an upstream end to a downstream end. The mounting assembly includes an indent extending at least partially into the exhaust line curved portion and disposed in the exhaust flow. The downstream wall has an interior surface oriented to substantially face the exhaust line downstream end. A recess extends from the downstream wall in a direction away from the exhaust line downstream end, and a recess aperture is formed in the recess and configured to fluidly communicate with the injector. The recess reduces the amount of exhaust heat reaching the injector tip.

Abstract: A method of producing an electronic module with at least one electronic component and one carrier. A structure is provided on the carrier so that the electronic component can take a desired target position relative to the structure. The structure is coated with a liquid meniscus suitable for receiving the electronic component. Multiple electronic components are provided at a delivery point for the electronic components. The carrier, with the structure, is moved nearby and opposite to the delivery point, where the delivery point delivers one of the electronic components without contact, while the structure on the carrier is moving near the delivery point, so that after a phase of free movement the electronic component at least partly touches the material, and the carrier, with the structure, is moved to a downstream processing point, while the electronic component aligns itself to the structure on the liquid meniscus.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for an injector is located in a curved portion of an exhaust line having an exhaust flow from an upstream end to a downstream end. The mounting assembly includes an indent extending at least partially into the exhaust line curved portion and disposed in the exhaust flow. The downstream wall has an interior surface oriented to substantially face the exhaust line downstream end. A recess extends from the downstream wall in a direction away from the exhaust line downstream end, and a recess aperture is formed in the recess and configured to fluidly communicate with the injector. The recess reduces the amount of exhaust heat reaching the injector tip.

Abstract: A method of producing an electronic module with at least one electronic component and one carrier. A structure is provided on the carrier so that the electronic component can take a desired target position relative to the structure. The structure is coated with a liquid meniscus suitable for receiving the electronic component. Multiple electronic components are provided at a delivery point for the electronic components. The carrier, with the structure, is moved nearby and opposite to the delivery point, where the delivery point delivers one of the electronic components without contact, while the structure on the carrier is moving near the delivery point, so that after a phase of free movement the electronic component at least partly touches the material, and the carrier, with the structure, is moved to a downstream processing point, while the electronic component aligns itself to the structure on the liquid meniscus.

Abstract: Desalination apparatus based on porous restraint panels fabricated from a number of different layers of metal, thermoplastic, or other substances are used as sophisticated heat exchangers to control the growth of gas hydrate. The gas hydrate is produced after infusion of liquid hydrate-forming material into water to be treated, which liquid hydrate-forming material can also be used to carry out all the refrigeration necessary to cool seawater to near the point of hydrate formation and to cool the porous restraint panels. Hydrate forms on and dissociates through the porous restraints. The composite restraint panels can also be used in gaseous atmospheres where, for instance, it is desired to remove dissolved water.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and methods for use in atmospheric moisture harvesters are disclosed. In particular, sectored or zoned cooling/condensation surfaces to optimize cooling efficiency are disclosed. In one embodiment, cooling is provided by dual-refrigerant, buffered cooling cells. In another embodiment, cooling is provided by thermoelectric cooling devices. Where thermoelectric cooling devices are used, an airway duct that covers both the cool side and the warm side of the devices can be provided, such that an airflow system that is driven by the difference in density between cooled, de-moisturized air and warmed air is established. Localized temperatures and moisture levels are monitored so that cooling can be adjusted as necessary to provide optimal, most energy-efficient condensation of moisture.