Abstract: Bonding pads for integrated circuits include first and second spaced apart conductive layers, a third continuous conductive layer between the first and second spaced apart and an array of unaligned spaced apart insulating islands in the third continuous conductive layer and extending therethrough such that sidewalls of the array of insulating islands are surrounded by the third continuous conductive layer, rows of unaligned spaced apart insulating islands. The array can include rows of unaligned spaced apart insulating islands and columns of unaligned spaced apart insulating islands. The array of unaligned spaced apart insulating islands can also include a first insulating island having a first edge in a first direction and a second insulating island, adjacent to the first insulating island in the first direction having a second edge in the first direction that is unaligned with first edge.

Abstract: A flip chip having solder bumps, an integrated underfill, and a separate flux coating, as well as methods for making such a device, is described. The resulting device is well suited for a simple one-step application to a printed circuit board, thereby simplifying flip chip manufacturing processes which heretofore have required a separate underfilling step.

Abstract: A process for the extrusion of microcellular polymeric material onto data communications material such as wire and optical fiber is described. Electrical conductors and optical fibers coated with microcellular polymeric material exhibit unexpected strength sufficient to pass certain industry tests necessary for use in a variety of applications, even without an exterior coating of structurally-supporting polymeric material. Polymeric microcellular materials provided in contact with the electrical connectors for a variety of purposes are described where the strength of microcellular material provides required structural support.

Abstract: A heat treat fixture is provided for supporting thin sheet-like work pieces, such as metal gasket layers, during heat treatment to achieve uniform hardness and properties of the work piece while preventing warpage. The fixture has porous, planar support walls that engage the opposite sides of the work piece. The walls include a coarse porous exoskeleton of expanded metal and an inner liner of wire mesh panels that are considerably finer than the coarse exoskeleton. The porous walls permit liquid heating and cooling media during heat treatment to flow freely through the walls for intimate contact with the work piece to achieve rapid uniform heating and cooling. The work piece is supported by the porous walls against movement out of its plane while being permitted to expand and contract within its plane to minimize warpage.

Abstract: The sheets which are outputted from a printing device are stacked in an exchangeable cassette mounted on an input unit in successive order as they are printed. An identifying label on the cassette is read by a reader and stored in a central controller. An address of each document, and preferably of each page of each document, is stored in the controller in successive order and associated with the label signal as the documents are stacked. An output unit for picking up the individual documents is associated with a finishing machine. A full cassette is introduced into the output unit. A second reader on the output unit reads the label on the cassette that has been placed into the output unit. The second sensor is connected to the controller. The finishing machine is controlled by the controller in response to the label signal and the address signals of the documents.

Abstract: A method of playing blackjack with a side wager includes a side wager which is typically set at $1 per hand per player. Where the dealer shows a card having a value of ten, and the player shows two cards having a cumulative value of twenty, the player is a winner. Where either of these two conditions are not met, the player loses the side wager. Where the dealer has a ten-value up card and the player has two cards totaling twenty including aces and nines, the player wins a first amount. Where the player's cards are both of the same suit, the player wins a second, typically larger, amount. Where the player's cards are of the same rank, e.g. both Kings, the player wins a third amount. Where the player's cards are both the same rank and the same suit, the player wins a fourth amount. Where the player's cards are both the same suit and the same rank, and also the same suit and rank as the dealer's face up card, the player wins a significantly larger fifth amount.

Abstract: A vacuum packing configuration and installation for use therewith, has a first part and a second part. The first part includes a hydraulically or pneumatically expandable, medium-tight volume adapted to be acted upon by an hydraulic or pneumatic medium, with a wall facing the second part and forming sealing faces fastened on the first part. The wall is a resilient metal diaphragm.

Abstract: The present inline skates have a braking system allowing the brakes to be used simultaneously. One embodiment of the invention comprises a frame with a rear wheel carrier and a braking wheel carrier rotatingly mounted on the frame through a first cylinder and an axle and interlocking through a notch on a braking wheel carrier and a fourth cylinder on a first rear wheel carrier while the first rear wheel and a braking wheel are rotatingly mounted on their respective carriers. Another mobile rear wheel is handled by its carrier rotatingly mounted on the second cylinder affixed to the frame. The braking force is regulated through a screw and a pair of friction cylinders. Carrier rotation limiting cylinders are affixed to the frame. The front wheels are standard fixed wheels rotatingly mounted on the frame.

Abstract: An inexpensive damping force generating mechanism capable of generating both a compression side damping force and a tensile side damping force has a simple, lightweight structure. The damping force generating mechanism provides an inexpensive axle suspension capable of simplifying the suspension structure, reducing the weight, and effectively utilizing space. The damping force generating mechanism includes an elastic body which generates a damping force when being pressed. An internal pressure generating member is inserted in the elastic body and resists the pressing force.

Abstract: The present invention involves a unitary composite article and method of making same. The unitary composite article comprises a one-piece, plastic body and a stiffening material. The one-piece plastic body includes a collapsible first portion having an inner cavity defined by an outer wall formed by an injection molding process. The plastic of the outer wall has a thickness which makes the outer wall susceptible to collapse into the inner cavity during normal usage of the article. The stiffening material substantially fills the inner cavity by an injection process. The stiffening material provides rigidity to the article to prevent collapse of the outer wall into the inner cavity when the plastic body experiences substantial external forces at the first portion during normal usage.

Abstract: The handle of the present invention is formed from a sheet of pliable material having a periphery with two opposed convex edges separated by two opposed concave edges. Two parallel fold-lines join the concave edges. When the sheet is folded, the body forms symmetrical walls that are fastened together using a tab, located on the edge of one symmetrical walls of the handle, and groove formed on the edge of the second symmetrical wall of the handle, for receiving the tab. In its folded state, the handle resembles a taco shell with a bite taken from each end. The bite resemblance is formed by the two opposing concave edges and help to limit the length of the flat base formed by the space between the parallel fold lines. A correct base length allows the bag handles to naturally droop from the weight of the contents, so that the taut bag handles do not cut through the pliable body material or weaken the base.

Abstract: A tilt control mechanism for an office chair includes a spring arrangement which permits forward and rearward tilting of the chair while also urging the chair to a normal upright position. The spring arrangement includes front and rear springs which act in combination such that the upward acting forces acting on the chair can be varied during use. The forces being applied by the front spring are adjusted by a side-actuated tension adjustment mechanism which incorporates a wedge block for adjusting the spring forces. Further, the rear springs provide a variable spring force such that the spring force is maximized when in the normal position but is decreased substantially once the chair is fully reclined. This reduction in spring force allows a user to maintain the chair in the fully reclined position with significantly less force than was required to tilt the chair rearwardly while a sufficient spring force continues to be applied by the front spring to urge the chair to the normal position.

Abstract: In a vibration type driving apparatus comprising a vibration member of which the vibration is excited, and a contacting member contacting with the vibration member, the contacting member and the vibration member being moved relative to each other by the vibration of the vibration member, a friction member is provided on the contacting portion of at least one of the vibration member and the contacting member, and the friction member is formed with a contacting surface smoothed by the pressing of a mold.

Abstract: An electrodeless lamp includes an envelope (1) containing a fill of discharge gas, a magnetic core (7), an induction coil (6) wound around the magnetic core (7), a driver circuit for supplying an electric current to the induction coil (6) to operate the electrodeless lamp, a socket (10) for receiving electrical power supplied to the electrodeless lamp, and a heat conduction means (8,9,8,9) thermally coupled to the magnetic core (7) for conducting heat generated in the magnetic core (7) to the ambient atmosphere to dissipate heat therein, or coupled to the socket (10) for conducting heat generated in the magnetic core (7) to the socket to dissipate heat therethrough.

Abstract: A conventional CRT electron gun causes problems in that a great power is required for driving, and an unnecessary electromagnetic wave is large since about 45V width is driven at a high speed.

Abstract: An organic ELECTROLUMINESCENCE device exhibiting a minimal change in the color purity (CIE chromaticity coordinates) even if there is some fluctuation in the optical path length, and a method of manufacturing such an organic EL device are provided.

Abstract: A field emission display includes an array of emitter sites, a grid for controlling electron emission from the emitter sites, and a display screen. The field emission display also includes a control circuit for controlling the grid for preventing emission to grid. The control circuit includes a high impedance grid bias path, and a low impedance grid bias path. In addition, the control circuit includes a sensing-switching circuit for sensing an anode voltage at the display screen, and switching from the high impedance to the low impedance grid bias path upon detection of a threshold anode voltage. An alternate embodiment control circuit is configured to provide a programmable delay during enabling of the grid to insure that the display screen reaches the threshold voltage prior to electron emission. An alternate embodiment field emission display includes a focus ring that is controlled to prevent emission to grid.

Abstract: A system of cordless power tools includes a cordless power tool adapted to removably receive a rechargeable battery pack. The system further includes a battery pack charger and a converter for converting AC electricity to DC electricity. A battery pack interface block is captured between clam shell halves of a battery pack housing and includes a plurality of male blade terminals. The male blade terminals are received within recessed female terminals of a tool terminal block and similarly received by recessed female terminals of the charger. The tool terminal block further includes a pair of male terminals which engage recessed female terminals of the converter.

Abstract: At least one characteristic, such as the mass/density and/or moisture content and/or dielectric constant, of a substance (such as the rod-like tobacco filler of a continuously advancing cigarette rod or a continuously advancing rod-like filler of filter material for tobacco smoke) is ascertained by an evaluating circuit receiving high-frequency signals from a resonator arrangement which receives microwave signals at least at two different frequencies from one or more microwave generators. The substance is caused to advance through a dielectric resonator of the resonator arrangement, and the high-frequency signals are influenced by the substance. For example, the circuit can compare first and second curves of high-frequency signals which respectively are and are n ot influenced by a selected substance; the curves can have sloping flanks and each of the two frequencies can be allocated to a sloping flank of a curve.

Abstract: A test socket for an integrated circuit package having an upper housing and a lower housing secured to the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of a load board. The upper housing having a cavity for receipt of the integrated circuit package and including a hole in the base of the upper housing to allow a plurality of solid socket plungers to contact test sites on the integrated circuit package. The socket plungers are positioned within a plurality of channels formed in the lower housing and extend through a plurality of holes in the load board to contact the test sites. A plurality of springs are positioned in the channels of the lower housing below the socket plungers to provide a spring force to bias the socket plungers upwardly toward the integrated circuit package. A nonconductive pushrod is positioned between the spring and a beveled edge of the plunger and a nonconductive cap is positioned above the load board for high frequency test signals.

Abstract: A system, an IC chip, a test structure formed on the IC chip, and a corresponding method for modeling one or more target interconnect capacitances is disclosed. The test structure comprises an interconnect configuration comprising a test interconnect and one or more target interconnects. The interconnect configuration has, for each target interconnect, a corresponding target interconnect capacitance between the test interconnect and the target interconnect. The test structure also comprises a test interconnect charging circuit connected to the test interconnect. The test interconnect charging circuit is configured to place a test charge on the test interconnect. The test structure further comprises one or more target interconnect charging circuits. Each target interconnect charging circuit is connected to a corresponding target interconnect.

Abstract: Output drivers preferably contain a plurality of driver circuits therein that are commonly connected to an output line to be driven and can be selectively enabled or disabled to increase or decrease drive capability, respectively. Driver circuits may include first and second control signal lines (e.g., MRS1, MRS2), a first pull-up/pull-down driver circuit having first and second data inputs, a first control input electrically coupled to the first control signal line (e.g., MRS1) and a second control input, and a second pull-up/pull-down driver circuit having first and second data inputs electrically coupled to the first and second data inputs of the first pull-up/pull-down driver circuit, respectively, a first control input electrically coupled to the second control signal line (e.g., MRS2) and a second control input. First and second complementary control signals lines (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method to overcome the unwanted effects of parasitic bipolar discharge in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) field effect transistors (FET) by expanding a stack SOI MOS devices arranged to provide a predetermined logic function. The SOI MOS devices are arranged so as to eliminate electrical connections between certain intermediate nodes of the dynamic logic circuit. Accordingly, eliminating any parasitic bipolar current leakage paths associated with such electrical connections between certain intermediate nodes of said stacked SOI MOS devices of said dynamic circuit.

Abstract: A multi-function output driver that may be used with at least two types of busses includes a multiplexer that shifts calibration bits to the pull-down transistors. This shifting changes which transistors of the transistor array are turned on when the pull-down drive transistors are driving. By changing which transistors are turned on, the impedance of the driver is changed. This shifting is used with a disable function on the pull-up drive-transistors to allow the driver to be used as an end-of-line termination, an open-drain driver, or as a source-terminated driver.

Abstract: A clock control circuit for reducing jitter has at least one averaging circuit for generating, and outputting from an output terminal, a signal having a time difference obtained by internally dividing a time difference between first and second signals input respectively from first and second input terminals. First and second clock signals are supplied respectively to the first and second input terminals of the timing averaging circuit, and a clock in which a time difference between pulses of the first and second clock signals is averaged is generated.

Abstract: A differential receiver for sensing small input voltage swings by using a built in reference voltage obtained by a difference in threshold voltage between a differential pair of closely spaced transistors. The difference in threshold voltage can be produced by different values of ion implantation of the gates of the transistor pair with the same material, or by dosages using different materials. The difference in threshold voltage can also be obtained by using different transistor channel lengths. The threshold voltages can also be modulated by the control of the transistor substrate voltages using a voltage control substrate means.

Abstract: A display is described that can be formed from a single sheet of card stock or other planar material. The display can be used as a greeting card, a photograph frame, a desk decoration, an award, a seasonal ornament that can be hung from a hook or loop and for other purposes. Spaced-apart, superimposed image panels are hinged or folded to spacers. The panels have apertures that define pictorial elements in profile. The spaced-apart panels may be placed in alignment and viewed in elevation to reveal a scene having substantial dimensionality. A different scene can be revealed when the display is viewed from the opposite side. The interplay of light and shadow with the die-cut silhouettes can create an object that has substantial interest even if the display is made of unprinted plain card stock. It is possible, however, to print or emboss the display or to make it using colored papers.

Abstract: The circuit breaker (10) of the present invention is a molded case circuit breaker and includes a molded case (12) having a main cover (20), a first terminal (16) and a second terminal (16) mounted inside the case (12) with a stationary contact (44) electrically coupled to the first terminal (18) and a movable contact (42) electrically coupled to the second terminal (16). The movable contact (42) is coupled to an operating mechanism (40) which has a pivoting member (13) moveable between an ON position, an OFF position and a TRIPPED position. An intermediate latching mechanism (52) also is mounted in the housing (12) and is coupled to the operating mechanism (40). The intermediate latching mechanism (52) is selectively operated by a trip unit (60) which comprises a magnetic short circuit release and a thermal overload release.

Abstract: A resistance component of a sensor element for an air-fuel-ratio sensor is determined from a sensor current detected before changing an applied voltage to the sensor and a sensor current detected when a predetermined period elapses after changing the applied voltage to the sensor. A resistance component detecting apparatus includes operational amplifiers, resistors and transistors. The applied voltage is changed by switching the transistors. Accordingly, the resistance component of the sensor element is detected accurately.

Abstract: A system operable with a passive anti theft security system having a first coil connected to a passive anti theft controller for transmitting a first signal to a first transponder having a third coil and a first code therein, said first transponder responsive to said signal transmitting said first code to said first coil, the system comprising a second transponder having a second code and a fourth coil with two terminal ends wound about said third coil of said second transponder; and a relay selectively shorting or opening said terminal ends of said fourth coil to selectively enable and disable said second transponder.

Abstract: A system is provided for locating and tracking tags within an awareness area including a first sub-awareness area and a second sub-awareness area. Each tag includes a transmitter configured to transmit a unique identifier periodically, and at least one tag is assigned to the first sub-awareness area. The system includes a first monitoring system associated with the first sub-awareness area and a second monitoring system associated with the second sub-awareness area.

Abstract: An antenna assembly providing selectable omnidirectional or directional reception of radio transmissions in a frequency band in accordance with the invention includes an electrically conductive reflector (432) defining a cavity (702) having a bottom (708), an opening (714) and a surface (704 and 706) extending from the bottom to the opening and an electrical output (763); an electrically conductive loop (431) coupled to ground and having an electrical outlet (766) for coupling to an RF amplifier (407), the loop being positioned between the bottom opening of the cavity; a RF switch (406) having an input (760) and first and second outputs (762 and 764), the RF switch having a first switching state electrically connecting the input to the first output and a second switching state electrically connecting the input to the second output, the first switch output being electrically coupled to ground and the second switch output being electrically coupled to the output of the electrically conductive loop; and wherein

Abstract: First and second spaced apart in-phase current loops at least partially overlap in the axial direction. The first and second current loops may be first and second arrays of in-phase current loops that are spaced apart and at least partially overlap in the axial direction. First and second arrays of arrays also may be provided that are spaced apart from one another and that at least partially overlap in the axial direction. Desirably high mid-field strength may be provided without violating guidelines for far field radiation in the axial direction or in the plane of the loops. A third array of in-phase current loops, an array of third in-phase current loops and/or an array of arrays of third in-phase current loops also may be provided that spaced apart from and at least partially overlapping the second loops in the axial direction, opposite the first loops.

Abstract: The touch panel for use in a liquid crystal display device has a rigid electrode plate composed of a rigid transparent substrate provided with a transparent conductive layer on its upper surface, and a flexible electrode plate composed of a transparent and flexible substrate provided with a transparent conductive layer on its lower surface. On the upper surface of the flexible electrode plate, a polarizer plate is fixed. The flexible transparent substrate includes a transparent film of a transparent amorphous plastic material having a glass transition temperature of 100° C. or higher, and the transparent film has a relative optical elasticity coefficient Cr value of 0.2 to 0.8 defined by the formula: Cr=C/Cpc where C represents an optical elasticity coefficient of the transparent film and Cpc represents an optical elasticity coefficient of a polycarbonate film derived from bisphenol A.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for composing and presenting multimedia programs using the MPEG-4 standard at a multimedia terminal (100). A composition engine (120) maintains and updates a scene graph (124) of the current objects, including their relative position in a scene and their characteristics, and provides a corresponding list of objects (126) to be displayed to a presentation engine (150). In response, the presentation engine begins to retrieve the corresponding decoded object data that is stored in respective composition buffers (176, . . . 186). The presentation engine assembles the decoded objects to provide a scene for presentation on output devices such as a video monitor (240) and speakers (242), or for storage. A terminal manager (110) receives user commands and causes the composition engine to update the scene graph and list of objects accordingly. The terminal manager also forwards the information contained in the object descriptors to a scene decoder (122) at the composition engine.

Abstract: A model optimization apparatus detects redundant shapes, such as two shapes offsetting each other, pattern shapes, etc. in editing data of a plurality of shapes forming a three-dimensional model, deletes the data of the redundant shapes, and releases and reconstructs the relationship between shapes, thereby optimizing the data structure.

Abstract: A system and methodology for use in a signal measurement system having a graphical user interface. The measurement invocation system is configured to provide graphical control elements on the graphical user interface such that the selection of a control element invokes a measurement operation on a selected displayed waveform. The measurement invocation system automatically performs a waveform measurement function when graphically associated by a user with a waveform displayed in a waveform display region of a graphical user interface is disclosed. The measurement invocation system includes a measurement toolbar manager configured to display on the graphical user interface one or more measurement icons. Each of the icons corresponds to a waveform measurement function. The toolbar manager identifies which of the one or more measurement icons has been selected by the user.

Abstract: A character display device and method therefor are adapted to obtain a proximal reference point of each character comprising a character series and calculate display coordinates of each character from said proximal reference point and the display angle and display reference position of the character series.

Abstract: A direct heat-sensitive recording method and device using a light-fixing-type heat-sensitive recording material in which are layered on a support a heat-sensitive recording layer and at least one light-fixing-type heat-sensitive recording layer, which have heat recording sensitivities higher than a heat recording sensitivity of the heat-sensitive recording layer and which are fixed by electromagnetic waves of respectively different wavelengths, each layer of the light-fixing-type heat-sensitive recording material developing to a respectively different color, including: an exposing device for deactivating imagewise each of the light-fixing-type heat-sensitive recording layers corresponding to respective colors by modulating light amounts of electromagnetic waves having respectively different wavelengths and illuminating the electromagnetic waves onto the light-fixing-type heat-sensitive recording layer; and a heat recording device for developing the heat-sensitive recording layer imagewise and developing undea

Abstract: A tapered screw spittoon system is provided for an inkjet printing mechanism to handle waste inkjet ink residue that has been spit from an inkjet printhead during a nozzle clearing or “spitting” routine. The spittoon system has a cylindrical reservoir with a tapered screw rotatably mounted therein. The reservoir defines an entranceway opening to receive the ink residue, which then lands on a spit region of the screw. The screw has a tapered shaft which increases in diameter from the entranceway opening toward an exit opening defined by the reservoir wall at a remote location. When rotated, the tapered screw transports the ink residue from the spit region toward the exit opening. During transport, the ink residue is compacted between the screw shaft and the reservoir, and is squeezed out of the reservoir through the exit opening for permanent storage in a container surrounding the reservoir.

Abstract: Registration patterns are formed plural times at arbitrary positions in the period determined by the conveying drawing fluctuation period detector when forming registration patterns. The average of the color deviation amount obtained from these plural registration patterns is the color deviation amount. As a result, the color deviation amount can be detected accurately. By detecting the accurate color deviation amount, the precision of color deviation correction is enhanced. It hence presents a color image forming apparatus capable of obtaining images of high print quality.

Abstract: An electronic still camera, for recording the image signal in compressed state in a memory medium such as a memory card, is provided with a calculation circuit, for calculating the remaining number of still recordable frames in the memory medium in more reliable manner, and the number of already recorded frames and the remaining number of still recordable frames are simultaneously displayed in order to inform the photographer of the remaining state of the memory card in securer manner.

Abstract: In electronic camera and other applications, the reproduction of image or other data is controlled according to day and time information related to the time of taking a picture, or otherwise recording data. In reproduction, the reproduction images are reproduced in the order determined by the date of the recording data being contained in the reproduction object, for instance, with the latest date being reproduced first.

Abstract: A system for separating light into different spectrums and for recombining the light includes at least one polarizing beamsplitter and at least one retarder stack configured to condition the polarization of input light differently for different spectrums. A device embodying the invention could utilize multiple polarizing beamsplitters and multiple retarder stacks. Alternatively, a system could utilize a single polarizing beamsplitter and a single retarder stack in combination with one or more dichroic beamsplitters. In preferred embodiments, one or more reflective modulator panels are included to separately modulate each separated spectrum of light. Such an embodiment can be used for a color projection system. In each of the embodiments that utilize modulators, distances between the modulators and the focusing optics is essentially the same.

Abstract: To increase the usage efficiency of the light of optical elements used in a projection display device, a polarizing conversion unit is provided. This polarizing conversion unit consists of a unit frame, two polarizing conversion element arrays, a light-shielding plate, a lens array, and clips. From the side of one open surface of the unit frame, the two polarizing conversion element arrays are inserted, and the light-shielding plate and the lens array are inserted from the side of the other open surface in this order. These optical elements are clamped by four clips from the two directions of up and down in a state of being stored in the unit frame. Since the clips are formed of an elastic body, the clips can be easily attached and detached, and the respective parts of the polarizing conversion unit can also be easily attached and detached to and from the unit frame. In addition, these optical elements may be sequentially inserted from the side of one open surface.

Abstract: A projection display apparatus comprises a modulator, an analyzer, and projecting optical system. The modulator includes two-dimensionally arrayed pixel units and it modulates an incident light and emits the modulated light. The analyzer analyzes the emitted light from the modulator. The projection optical system projects the analyzed light from the analyzer. The analyzer includes a polarized beam splitter having a pair of prisms and an adhesive layer held between the pair of prisms. The difference in thickness between thin and thick portions of the adhesive layer is set equal to a predetermined value or less, based on a pixel pitch of the modulator.

Abstract: A positioning method in which a system performs operations relative to areas on a substrate by a series of relative movements between the system and substrate scanning exposures. The method includes the steps of disposing a first area relative to a system performing an operation relative to the first area, and moving the substrate from a first position where the first operation relative to the first area has finished to a second position where a second operation relative to a second area is to start, and synchronously moving the system from a third position where the first operation relative to the first area has finished to a fourth position where the second operation relative to the second area is to start. An acceleration of the substrate during movement from the first position to the second position and an acceleration of the system during movement from the third position to the fourth position continually have absolute values greater than zero.

Abstract: An intensity filter for deep UV lithography enhances contrast and also therefore increases the resolution of patterned images by passing only intensities that fall within a specific minimum threshold value, resulting in a more exact aerial image replicating the mask image. This device is a different approach to contrast enhancement that is distinguished from previous methods by eliminating the need for an extra layer of contrast enhancement on top of the resist, thereby reducing the number of processing steps in semiconductor fabrication.

Abstract: A reflexive light source detector produces different light source value when a printing matter or something receives light so that a reader may receive different stimulus on his/her eyes and then adjust the light source to get proper light for reading or seeing. The detector includes a housing, and a photosensitive element contained in the housing and to be positioned to form an angle &thgr; toward the printing matter so as to let the light source light the printing matter or something and to measure the reflected light by the printing mater or something receiving the light from the light source. Then the detector can decide whether the reflected light is proper for reading or not, based on a preset value, protecting reader's eyes from becoming myopia.

Abstract: A curved mirrored surface is used to collect radiation scattered by a sample surface and originating from a normal illumination beam and an oblique illumination beam. The collected radiation is focused to a detector. Scattered radiation originating from the normal and oblique illumination beams may be distinguished by employing radiation at two different wavelengths, by intentionally introducing an offset between the spots illuminated by the two beams or by switching the normal and oblique illumination beams on and off alternately. Beam position error caused by change in sample height may be corrected by detecting specular reflection of an oblique illumination beam and changing the direction of illumination in response thereto. Butterfly-shaped spatial filters may be used in conjunction with curved mirror radiation collectors to restrict detection to certain azimuthal angles.