Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating an unknown value of at least one of a plurality of sets of data, each set of data including a plurality of values indicative of radiation diffracted and/or reflected and/or scattered by one or more features fabricated in or on a substrate, wherein the plurality of sets of data include at least one known value, and wherein at least one of the plurality of sets of data includes an unknown value, the apparatus including a processor to estimate the unknown value of the at least one set of data based on: the known values of the plurality of sets of data, a first condition between two or more values within a set of data of the plurality of sets of data, and a second condition between two or more values being part of different sets of data of the plurality of the sets of data.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for dispensing solid substances, wherein the apparatus comprises a feeder section with a plurality of feeder units, a collection section with a plurality of hoppers and a dispensing section, wherein the plurality of hoppers are rotatable with respect to the feeder units and a first packing position for dispensing the solid substances to the dispensing section, wherein the apparatus comprises a cleaning device for removing pollutants from the hoppers, wherein the cleaning device comprises a hub and a plurality of ducts forming air connections between the plurality of hoppers and the hub, wherein the cleaning device comprises a first blocking member that is arranged for blocking the air connection between one of the hoppers and the hub when said one hopper is positioned in the first packing position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a personal care composition comprising retinoid, porous silica, silicone elastomer, and a cosmetically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus having: a system configured to measure an object; a base structure; an object support constructed to hold the object, the object support movably supported on the base structure; a balance mass configured to absorb a reaction force arising from movement of the object support; an actuator connected to the balance mass and the base structure, the actuator configured to apply a force to the balance mass and the base structure; a sensor configured to produce a signal for a measured characteristic of the base structure corresponding to a disturbance, or its effect, acting on the base structure; and a control system configured to determine, based on at least the signal for the measured characteristic of the base structure, a signal for the actuator to apply a force to the base structure and/or the balance mass.

Abstract: Metrology apparatus and methods are disclosed for measuring a structure formed on a substrate. In one arrangement, different components of a radiation beam are selectively extracted after reflection from the structure and independently detected. For each component, radiation is selected from one of a plurality of predetermined regions in a downstream pupil plane of the optical system downstream from the structure. Radiation is further selected from one of two predetermined orthogonal polarization states. The predetermined orthogonal polarization states are oriented differently as a pair for each of at least a subset of components comprising radiation selected from different predetermined regions in the downstream pupil plane.

Abstract: A method of matching records from a plurality of data sources having variation between them in matching quality of their data, the method including repeatedly matching and filtering records from the data sources to obtain matched records using successively less strict matching rules, the matching rules being defined based on the variation in the matching quality.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for authenticating a wireless module. A method comprises the steps of: (i) generating (1332), by the wireless module (112A), a first encryption value, and retrieving a unique identifier of the wireless module from memory; (ii) verifying (1334), by the wireless module, the generated first encryption value and retrieved unique identifier; (iii) sending (1336), by the wireless module, the retrieved unique identifier and a second encryption value to the gateway (110A); (iv) verifying (1338), by the gateway, the received unique identifier and second encryption value, wherein verifying the second encryption value authenticates the wireless module; (v) sending (1340), by the gateway, a third encryption value to the wireless module; and (vi) verifying (1342), by the wireless module, the received third encryption value, wherein verifying the third encryption value authenticates the gateway.

Abstract: A poly(ester-carbonate) copolymer comprises carbonate units of the formula (I); and ester units of the formula (II) wherein: T is a C2-20 alkylene, a C6-20 cycloalkylene, or a C6-20 arylene; and R1 and J are each independently a bisphenol A divalent group and a phthalimidine divalent group, provided that the phthalimidine divalent group is present in an amount of 40 to 50 mol % based on the total moles of the bisphenol A divalent groups and the C 1/2 divalent group, and the ester units are present in an amount of 40 to 60 mol % based on the sum of the moles of the carbonate units and the ester units; and wherein the poly(ester-carbonate) copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of 18,000 to 24,000 Daltons; and the composition has a Tg of 210 to 235° C. and a melt viscosity of less than 1050 Pa-s at 644 sec?1 and 350° C.

Abstract: An optic for a head mounted display having a first concave surface, a convex surface, and a second concave surface. The first concave surface receives light incident to its surface and transmits the light. The convex surface reflects light. The second concave surface reflects the light transmitted by the first concave surface and transmits the light reflected by the convex surface so that the light reflected by the convex surface travels through the second concave surface and is emitted outwardly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system comprising a spray unit for spraying a coolant. The present invention further relates to a machining device which comprises a cooling system of this type. The spray unit comprises a flow guide which is coupled on one side to a chamber and is coupled on the other side to one or more channels, where the chamber, the flow guide and the plurality of channels form a closed system for spraying from the channels pressurized coolant fed to the chamber, where the flow guide, the plurality of elongated channels and the chamber are manufactured as an integral part.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for cloud-based monitoring and control of physical environments. In various embodiments, a computing device (1350, 1450, 1550) seeking to verify credentials of a lighting system controller (1352, 1452, 1552) may obtain unverified credentials of the lighting system controller. The computing device may transmit, to a first remote device via a first network communication channel, a request to verify the unverified credentials. The computing device may receive verification from the first remote device or a second remote device via a second network communication channel. The second network communication channel may be different than the first network communication channel. The computing device may compare the unverified credentials to the verification data and verify, based on the comparing, that the unverified credentials are legitimate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computing cloud for monitoring physical environments. The computing cloud comprises at least one data storage unit that is configured to store project data, diagnostic data or environmental metric data. The computing cloud also comprises a system project application module that is configured to allow a user to graphically explore at least the project data, and to control graphical access to one or more application modules based on a user's credentials. The one or more application modules comprise a module that is configured to graphically facilitate the user's creation and manipulation of a virtual model of a physical environment.

Abstract: Membranes for EUV lithography are disclosed. In one arrangement, a membrane has a stack having layers in the following order: a first capping layer including an oxide of a first metal; a base layer including a compound having a second metal and an additional element selected from the group consisting of Si, B, C and N; and a second capping layer including an oxide of a third metal, wherein the first metal is different from the second metal and the third metal is the same as or different from the first metal.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of determining a value of a parameter of interest of a patterning process, and of cleaning a signal containing information about the parameter of interest. In one arrangement, first and second detected representations of radiation are obtained. The radiation is provided by redirection of polarized incident radiation by a structure. The first and second detected representations are derived respectively from first and second polarization components of the redirected radiation. An asymmetry in the first detected representation comprises a contribution from the parameter of interest and a contribution from one or more other sources of asymmetry. An asymmetry in the second detected representation comprises a larger contribution from said one or more other sources of asymmetry relative to a contribution from the parameter of interest. A combination of the first and second detected representations is used to determine a value of the parameter of interest.

Abstract: One example discloses an antenna tuning device, including: a controller configured to be coupled to a transceiver having an antenna tuner; wherein the transceiver is coupled to an antenna; wherein the controller is configured to receive a measured current signal from the transceiver corresponding to a current sent to or received by the antenna; and wherein the controller is configured to change an impedance of the antenna tuner in response to the measured current signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 45-175 RZ. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 45-175 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 45-175 RZ.

Abstract: The invention provides a lighting device comprising a plurality of different light sources with a first subset of one or more first light sources configured to provide first light source light and a second subset of one or more second light sources configured to provide second light source light having a spectral distribution different from the first light source light, wherein the one or more first light sources have a light-source off-state color appearance, wherein the one or more second light sources comprise one or more optical filters, wherein the one or more optical filters are selected to convert less than 10% of said second light source light, wherein each optical filter is associated with a respective second light source, and wherein the one or more optical filters have the same color appearance as the off-state color appearance of the one or more first light sources.

Abstract: A method for printing a plurality of print jobs on a flat bed printer includes automatically grouping the print jobs into a plurality of consecutive container jobs, and for each container job automatically creating a digital plan of the flat bed, automatically defining a mask with cutting information according to the created plan, receiving the defined mask on the flat bed, receiving the media pieces on the flat bed positioned in according with the received mask, and unattended printing of the print jobs on the media pieces by the flat bed printer making use of the received mask. The automatic grouping includes gathering the group of print jobs due to the print job characteristics of each of the print jobs and/or the flat bed characteristics of the flat bed and ordering the consecutive container jobs due to the print job characteristics of each of the print jobs and/or the flat bed characteristics of the flat bed.

Abstract: A beverage producing system is provided comprising a capsule containing beverage ingredients and a beverage preparation machine. The capsule comprises a cup-shaped body and a lid; the cup-shaped body having a base and a side wall and the lid being sealed to the cup-shaped body. Prior to insertion, the side wall comprises: — an annular trough being dimensioned to receive an enclosing member of the beverage preparation machine on movement of the enclosing member, into a closed position; — a first side wall section extending between the base and the annular trough; and — a second side wall section extending between the annular trough and a rim of the capsule. A capsule and a method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum plant named ‘Fichryevenwhi’, characterized by its upright to outwardly spreading and uniformly mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dense and full plant form; uniform and freely flowering habit; medium-size decorative-type inflorescences with white-colored ray florets; mid to late season flowering habit, grown under natural season conditions, plants begin flowering in late September to early October in the United Kingdom; and good garden performance.