Abstract: Dynamic key cryptography validates mobile device users to cloud services by uniquely identifying the user's electronic device using a very wide range of hardware, firmware, and software minutiae, user secrets, and user biometric values found in or collected by the device. Processes for uniquely identifying and validating the device include: selecting a subset of minutia from a plurality of minutia types; computing a challenge from which the user device can form a response based on the selected combination of minutia; computing a set of pre-processed responses that covers a range of all actual responses possible to be received from the device if the combination of the particular device with the device's collected actual values of minutia is valid; receiving an actual response to the challenge from the device; determining whether the actual response matches any of the pre-processed responses; and providing validation, enabling authentication, data protection, and digital signatures.

Abstract: An accuracy-enhanced scanner provides (in response to a first user input) illumination of potential scan targets and scans (in response to a second user input) a selected scan target. The user uses the illumination to aim the scanner at the selected scan target in between providing the first and the second user inputs. The scanner has switches to communicate the user inputs, to specify an operating mode for the scanner, and/or to communicate information codes to a computing device. The scanner has one or more scan engines (such as a barcode reader or an RFID tag reader), and optionally communicates wirelessly with the computing device. A scanning system including the scanner optionally provides feedback to the user based on feedback from a host processor. The scanner is any of a Multi-Mode Ring Scanner (MMRS), a cordless hand scanner, or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with an add-on scanner.

Abstract: A multi-mode ring scanner (MMRS) has a ring unit for wearing on a finger. The MMRS optionally has a wrist unit coupled to the ring unit, such as via a cable. The MMRS optionally communicates wirelessly with a computing device. The ring unit has one or more scanners (such as an optical scanner or an RFID tag reader). The ring unit optionally has two paddle switches for activation by inward pressure from fingers adjacent to the finger. The two switches enable specifying operation of the MMRS in a plurality of modes and/or to communicate a plurality of information codes to the computing device. The computing device is optionally enabled to assign a function to each combination of activation of the two switches. A scanning system including the MMRS optionally provides feedback to a user based on feedback from a host processor.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a process chamber, a platen for supporting a workpiece, a source configured to generate a plasma in the process chamber, and an insulating modifier. The insulating modifier has a gap, and a gap plane, where the gap plane is defined by portions of the insulating modifier closest to the sheath and proximate the gap. A gap angle is defined as the angle between the gap plane and a plane defined by the front surface of the workpiece. Additionally, a method of having ions strike a workpiece is disclosed, where the range of incident angles of the ions striking the workpiece includes a center angle and an angular distribution, and where the use of the insulating modifier creates a center angle that is not perpendicular to the workpiece.

Abstract: An expandable apparatus may comprise a tubular body, a valve piston and a push sleeve. The tubular body may comprise a fluid passageway extending therethrough, and the valve piston may be disposed within the tubular body, the valve piston configured to move axially downward within the tubular body responsive to a pressure of drilling fluid passing through a drilling fluid flow path and configured to selectively control a flow of fluid into an annular chamber. The push sleeve may be disposed within the tubular body and coupled to at least one expandable feature, the push sleeve configured to move axially responsive to the flow of fluid into the annular chamber extending the at least one expandable feature. Additionally, the expandable apparatus may be configured to generate a signal indicating the extension of the at least one expandable feature.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a process chamber, a platen positioned in the process chamber for supporting a workpiece, a source configured to generate a plasma in the process chamber having a plasma sheath adjacent to the front surface of the workpiece, and an insulating modifier. The insulating modifier has a gap, and a gap plane, where the gap plane is defined by portions of the insulating modifier closest to the sheath and proximate the gap. A gap angle is defined as the angle between the gap plane and a plane defined by the front surface of the workpiece. Additionally, a method of having ions strike a workpiece is disclosed, where the range of incident angles of the ions striking the workpiece includes a center angle and an angular distribution, and where the use of the insulating modifier creates a center angle that is not perpendicular to the workpiece.

Abstract: A control apparatus for plasma immersion ion implantation of a dielectric substrate which includes an electrode disposed above a generated plasma in a plasma chamber. The electrode is biased with negative voltage pulses at a potential that is higher than a potential of a substrate or cathode configured to receive ion implantation. The electrode is more negative to give the electrons generated as secondary electrons from the electrode sufficient energy to overcome the negative voltage of the high voltage sheath around the substrate thereby reaching the substrate. These electrons are accelerated toward the substrate to neutralize charge build-up on the substrate.

Abstract: A sizing composition for reinforcement fibers that includes one or more film forming agents, a silane coupling agent package, and at least one lubricant surfactant is provided. Optional components such as rheology modifiers, fillers, biocides, and pH modifiers may also be included. Preferred film forming polymers are amide-based polymers. Additionally, the sizing composition is free of polyvinyl alcohol. The absence of polyvinyl alcohol in the size composition reduces or eliminates the production of precipitates from white water in wet-laid processes. The size composition is applied to reinforcement fibers and formed into chopped strand, wet-laid mats that can be used for a variety of purposes, including roofing products. Chopped strand mats formed from fibers sized with the inventive sizing composition maintains or improves the dry tear and tensile strengths compared to chopped strand mats made from fibers sized with a commercial sizing composition that does not contain polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: A paving mat for use in a paved surface includes a fibrous mat in the form of a paving mat. The fibrous mat includes a fibrous matrix containing a mixture of polymer fibers, first mineral fibers having a first median length, and second mineral fibers having a second median length that is different from the first median length. In another embodiment, the paving mat includes a fibrous mat including a fibrous matrix which is bonded together by a binder. In one embodiment, the binder is a mixture of different binders. The fibrous matrix includes a mixture of mineral fibers in an amount within a range of from 61 wt % to 85 wt % and polymer fibers in an amount within a range of from 15 wt % to 39 wt %. The polymer fibers have a melting point greater than 320° F. (160° C.). The mat has a stiffness in the machine direction within a range of from 65 g-cm to 110 g-cm.

Abstract: A brake drum removal device providing the user with a method of disengaging a brake drum from the drum assembly of a car. The present invention provides users with a device and method to remove the brake drum in a timely manner without the need to strike the drum with a hammer. The present invention makes use of a drum disc with a plurality of drum arms that are able to latch onto a brake drum. The user is able to use a rotary tool to pull the brake drum off of the drum assembly.

Abstract: A multi-mode ring scanner (MMRS) has a ring unit for wearing on a finger. The MMRS optionally has a wrist unit coupled to the ring unit, such as via a cable. The MMRS optionally communicates wirelessly with a computing device. The ring unit has one or more scanners (such as an optical scanner or an RFID tag reader). The ring unit optionally has two paddle switches for activation by inward pressure from fingers adjacent to the finger. The two switches enable specifying operation of the MMRS in a plurality of modes and/or to communicate a plurality of information codes to the computing device. The computing device is optionally enabled to assign a function to each combination of activation of the two switches. A scanning system including the MMRS optionally provides feedback to a user based on feedback from a host processor.

Abstract: Methods for improving the tear strength in non-woven chopped strand mats during the manufacturing process of the mats are provided. In particular, the tear strength of the mat can be improved as the mat is being formed in response to current manufacturing conditions by the addition of a water soluble polyol, such as polyvinyl alcohol, or a cationic dispersant to the binder seal pit. Alternatively, a cationic dispersant may be added to the white water chest to improve the tear strength of the chopped strand mat. The addition of polyvinyl alcohol or a cationic dispersant to the binder seal pit results in an immediate or nearly immediate improvement of the tear strength of the chopped strand mat. Both the polyvinyl alcohol and the cationic dispersant can be utilized to improve the tear strength of a chopped strand mat regardless of the type of binder or components in the white water.

Abstract: A method of multi-step plasma doping a substrate includes igniting a plasma from a process gas. A first plasma condition is established for performing a first plasma doping step. The substrate is biased so that ions in the plasma having the first plasma condition impact a surface of the substrate thereby exposing the substrate to a first dose. The first plasma condition transitions to a second plasma condition. The substrate is biased so that ions in the plasma having the second plasma condition impact the surface of the substrate thereby exposing the substrate to a second dose. The first and second plasma conditions are chosen so that the first and second doses combine to achieve a predetermined distribution of dose across at least a portion of the substrate.

Abstract: A plasma processing tool is used to deposit material on a workpiece. For example, a method for conformal deposition of material is disclosed. In this embodiment, the plasma sheath shape is modified to allow material to impact the workpiece at a range of incident angles. By varying this range of incident angles over time, a variety of different features can be deposited onto. In another embodiment, a plasma processing tool is used to etch a workpiece. In this embodiment, the plasma sheath shape is altered to allow ions to impact the workpiece at a range of incident angles. By varying this range of incident angles over time, a variety of differently shaped features can be created.

Abstract: A plasma processing apparatus includes a process chamber, a platen positioned in the process chamber for supporting a workpiece, a source configured to generate a plasma in the process chamber having a plasma sheath adjacent to the front surface of the workpiece, and an insulating modifier. The insulating modifier has a gap, and a gap plane, where the gap plane is defined by portions of the insulating modifier closest to the sheath and proximate the gap. A gap angle is defined as the angle between the gap plane and a plane defined by the front surface of the workpiece. Additionally, a method of having ions strike a workpiece is disclosed, where the range of incident angles of the ions striking the workpiece includes a center angle and an angular distribution, and where the use of the insulating modifier creates a center angle that is not perpendicular to the workpiece.

Abstract: A heated portable collapsible chair includes a collapsible frame. The collapsible frame supports a fabric human contact sheet having a chair seat portion and a chair back portion. A flexible heating element is located adjacent to a back surface of the human contact sheet so that heat generated by the heating element passes through the human contact sheet to warm a user. A battery is provided for selectively heating the heating element. The flexible heating element is preferably affixed to a backing sheet wherein the backing sheet is affixed to the back surface of the human contact sheet. The flexible heating element accommodates the flexing of the human contact sheet when the human contact sheet is distorted when collapsing the chair for storage or transport.

Abstract: An accuracy-enhanced scanner provides (in response to a first user input) illumination of potential scan targets and scans (in response to a second user input) a selected scan target. The user uses the illumination to aim the scanner at the selected scan target in between providing the first and the second user inputs. The scanner has switches to communicate the user inputs, to specify an operating mode for the scanner, and/or to communicate information codes to a computing device. The scanner has one or more scan engines (such as a barcode reader or an RFID tag reader), and optionally communicates wirelessly with the computing device. A scanning system including the scanner optionally provides feedback to the user based on feedback from a host processor. The scanner is any of a Multi-Mode Ring Scanner (MMRS), a cordless hand scanner, or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with an add-on scanner.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plasma doping process using a time-of-flight ion detector includes generating a plasma comprising dopant ions in a plasma chamber proximate to a platen supporting a substrate. The platen is biased with a bias voltage waveform having a negative potential that attracts ions in the plasma to the substrate for plasma doping. A spectrum of ions present in the plasma is measured as a function of ion mass with a time-of-flight ion detector. The total number ions impacting the substrate is measured with a Faraday dosimetry system. An implant profile is determined from the measured spectrum of ions. An integrated dose is determined from the measured total number of ions and the calculated implant profile. At least one plasma doping parameter is modified in response to the calculated integrated dose.

Abstract: A method of controlling a plasma doping process using a time-of-flight ion detector includes generating a plasma comprising dopant ions in a plasma chamber proximate to a platen supporting a substrate. The platen is biased with a bias voltage waveform having a negative potential that attracts ions in the plasma to the substrate for plasma doping. A spectrum of ions present in the plasma is measured as a function of ion mass with a time-of-flight ion detector. The total number ions impacting the substrate is measured with a Faraday dosimetry system. An implant profile is determined from the measured spectrum of ions. An integrated dose is determined from the measured total number of ions and the calculated implant profile. At least one plasma doping parameter is modified in response to the calculated integrated dose.

Abstract: A method of doping includes depositing a layer of dopant material on nonplanar and planar features of a substrate. Inert ions are generated from an inert feed gas. The inert ions are extracted towards the substrate where they physically knock the dopant material into both the planar and nonplanar features of the substrate.