Abstract: A magnetic shield having non-magnetic gaps provides reduced magnetic cross-talk for a linear motor array in a precision positioning system. Redirecting the leakage flux limits the cross-talk and associated deleterious effects. Such preferred magnetic circuit paths for the leakage are affixed to the moving magnet system of the linear motor. Embodiments of the preferred flux leakage paths are realized by providing a ferromagnetic shield separated by a non-magnetic gap between the permanent magnets and the back-irons. In another embodiment, the ferromagnetic shield separation includes diamagnetic materials.

Abstract: A system (100) and a method for controlling an environmental physical characteristic in an environment of a person (105), a color and intensity tunable lamp, an electronic device and a computer program product are provided. The system (100) comprises an environment influencing means (102), a sensor (104), an input means (134) and a controller (130). The environment influencing means (102) changes the environmental physical characteristic in response to a control signal (112) indicating a desired influencing of the environmental physical characteristic. The sensor (104) obtains a sensor signal (122) representing a physiological condition of the person (105). The input means (134) obtains a user setting signal (132) representing a user setting with respect to the environmental physical characteristic. The controller (130) receives the sensor signal (122) and the user setting signal (132) and generates the control signal (112) by applying an original function (114) to the sensor signal (122).

Abstract: An instrument for filling a substance supply container of a device for personal care treatment has a filling needle having a proximal end connected or connectable to a storage reservoir and a distal end, a substance transport conduit extending from the proximal end to at least one outlet provided in a radially facing surface portion closely adjacent the distal end of the filling needle. A sleeve is arranged around the filling needle and is movable between a first position closing off the at least one outlet and a second position proximally away from the first position and the at least one outlet. A system including such an instrument, a container for cooperation with such an instrument and for provisioning a device for personal care treatment as well as a device for personal care treatment including such a container are described.

Abstract: Method for processing a part of a slaughtered animal which comprises a meat part connected to a bone and cartilage, comprising the steps of encapsulating an axial end of the bone together with the cartilage into an encapsulating means provided at a bone pusher; activating the encapsulating means into a radially open position for receiving said axial end and bringing the encapsulating means into a radially closed position for encapsulating said axial end; separating the meat part from the bone and cartilage; and releasing the axial end of the bone and cartilage from the encapsulating means.

Abstract: A curved high intensity focused ultra-sound (HIFU) transducer comprising a plurality of curved composite ceramic piezoelectric tiles having opposite convex and concave surfaces, each tile having electrodes on the surfaces electrically coupled to the composite ceramic piezoelectric material, and a plurality of acoustic transmission areas located on each tile and actuated through electrodes on the convex surface, the transmission areas and electrodes being acoustically separated from surrounding areas by cuts into the composite ceramic piezoelectric material, the plurality of tiles fitting together to form a substantially continuous curved composite piezoelectric surface which transmits HIFU acoustic energy.

Abstract: A method of fabricating or preparing an optical component, such as a mirror, using an amorphous oxide coated substrate is presented. An amorphous oxide coating is applied to an optical substrate. An assessment of surface roughness of the coated surface is performed. The coated surface is polished based on the assessment. Initial assessments can be conducted and polishing can be performed based on those initial assessments prior to applying the coating to better prepare the surface for the coating. Each assessment can assess the surface's Mid-Spatial Frequency Roughness (MSFR), High-Spatial Frequency Roughness (HSFR), or both. The performing of the assessments, polishing and/or coating can be computer-controlled. This process is ideal in the fabrication of an optical component formed from a substrate with a near-zero coefficient of thermal expansion. An optical component fabricated in this manner is also presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods to protect a mask from being contaminated by airborne particles are described. The systems and methods include providing a reticle secured in a two-part cover. The two part cover includes a removable protection device used to protect the reticle from contaminants. The cover can be held inside a pod or box that can be used to transport the cover through a lithography system from an atmospheric section to a vacuum section. While in the vacuum section, the removable cover can be moved during an exposure process during which a pattern on the reticle can be formed on a wafer.

Abstract: A respiratory drug delivery apparatus (2) includes a medication storage and delivery device (8) having an outlet (30) and a feedback and compliance device (32) coupled thereto. The feedback and compliance device has an opening, and the outlet of the medication storage and delivery device is received through the opening. The feedback and compliance device includes: (i) one or more sensors (46, 52, 54, 56), each of the one or more sensors being structured to sense a parameter relating to use of the respiratory drug delivery apparatus without modifying or interfering with a flow of medication introduced by actuation of the medication storage and delivery device, (ii) one or more feedback devices (48, 50, 62), and (iii) a processing unit (42) programmed to cause the one or more feedback devices to provide feedback information to a patient (4) regarding use of the respiratory drug delivery apparatus based on an output of at least one of the one or more sensors.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods of forming patterned thin films on a substrate. In some embodiments a first patterned layer may be deposited on a substrate by a imprint lithography technique, such as microcontact printing. A second layer of a desired composition is selectively deposited over the first patterned layer by a vapor phase deposition process, such as ALD or CVD.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical system for the collection and recovery of materials inside thin-film deposition facilities, comprising multiple elements able to intercept the wasted particles of material during a coating process. These elements are disposed in individual modules (1, 5), possibly combined in multiple configurations according to the shape of the deposition chamber; swivel, depending on the material to be recovered, thanks to a power unit (4), a transmission system (6, 10, 15a, 15b), an electronic interface (9) to automate the rotation of the elements. These elements can be palettes (3) placed vertically in each of the modules (1, 5), made of a composite material, characterized by a core of metallic material or alumina and by two surface polymeric layers with low adhesion to the selected core and therefore easily removable, but at the same time resistant to the temperature and pressure conditions inside the deposition is chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for producing an image of a physical object and to a computer program element and a computer readable medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a scalable network of heterogeneous devices are disclosed. The network may include segment controllers in communication with a remote management system and a plurality of heterogeneous devices such as, for example, lighting fixture nodes and sensors. The segment controllers may transmit sensor data from the sensors to the remote management system. The segment controllers may also transmit control data to the lighting fixture nodes and, optionally, to one or more supplementary nodes. At least some of the control data may be based on data sent from the remote management system and, optionally, the segment controller may generate at least some of the control data independently of the remote management system.

Abstract: A device and method of providing positive pressure support that employs a patient interface device (2, 102) having a mask (6, 106) and an adjustment arm (26, 126) coupled to the mask. The adjustment arm includes an extension member (28) extending from the mask. The mask engages the face of the patient and the adjustment arm is spaced from and not in engagement with the head of the patient. The method includes adjusting the pressure applied to the patient by the mask by adjusting a strapping force applied to the patient interface device without causing the adjustment arm to engage the head of the patient, as well as providing a flow of gas to the patient through the mask without causing the adjustment arm to engage the head of the patient.

Abstract: There is provided a device for use by a user who may wander that comprises an audio unit for generating a first output audible to the user in response to a determination that the user is within a predetermined safe area. The audible output preferably comprises music. There is also provided a method of operating a device that is to be worn or carried by a user, comprising generating a first output audible to the user using an audio unit in the device in response to a determination that the user is within a predetermined safe area.

Abstract: The invention relates to an alignment layer with improved adhesion to liquid crystal (LC) films, to a precursor material used for the preparation of such a layer, to a laminate comprising such a layer and at least one LC polymer film, and to the use of the alignment layer and the laminate for optical, electrooptical, decorative or security uses and devices, wherein the alignment layer and the precursor material comprise at least one reactive mesogen in monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric form.

Abstract: The invention describes a lighting assembly (10, 10?, 20, 20?) for use in a lighting arrangement (2) of a vehicle (1), comprising a projection lens (11, 21) and an array (12, 22) of light sources (S11, . . . , S26), wherein the projection lens (11, 21) and the light source array (12, 22) are arranged according to an asymmetry displacement (?i, ?2, di, d2) of the optical axis (X1, X2) of the projection lens (11, 21), and wherein the light sources (S11, . . . , S26) of the light source array (12, 22) of the lighting assembly (10, 10?, 20, 20?) are individually controllable to adjust a swivel angle (?1, ?2) of a light beam (BL, BH) generated by that lighting assembly (10, 10?, 20, 20?). The invention further describes a controller (3) for controlling the light sources (S11, . . . , S26) of such a lighting assembly (10, 10?, 20, 20?).

Abstract: A method for filling a wash tub (12) of a dishwasher (10) with water, wherein the wash tub (12) comprises a water-collecting sump pot (16) that is fixed to an opening in its bottom and said method forms part of a program cycle for the operation of the dishwasher, said method comprising the subsequent steps of: (i) opening a water inlet (13) of the dishwasher and executing a static filling of the wash tub wherein a circulation pump of the dishwasher is kept deactivated, (ii) detecting a predetermined lower water level (22) inside the sump pot (16), and (iii) starting to measure the time for the static filling when said lower water level (22) is detected.

Abstract: A floor panel assembly includes sheet-shaped floor panels joinable by joining members, each panel being provided on a first edge with a first joining member and, on a second edge, with a second joining member. The first and second joining members of two panels are configured to be joined by a movement of the panels towards to each other. The joining members lock the panels vertically and horizontally. The joining members are provided with a locking element which is deformable, during said joining, from a first position allowing the joining members to be joined, to a second position in which it locks the joining members to each other at least horizontally.

Abstract: Values of components of total carbon dioxide excreted by a subject can be provided. One or more signals may be received conveying information related to a rate of total carbon dioxide excreted by the subject. Based at least in part on the received one or more signals, a first capnometric component and/or a second capnometric component may be determined. The first capnometric component may indicate a rate of metabolic carbon dioxide production. The second capnometric component may indicate a rate of carbon dioxide transfer to or from body compartments of the subject that store carbon dioxide. The first capnometric component and/or the second capnometric component may be presented to a user.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and system for triggering at least one terminal to establish a communication path between the terminal and a server. The method includes transmitting a trigger message to the terminal, the trigger message including timing information indicating when the communication path between the terminal and the server is to be established. The timing information may include a time delay, a time window, or an instruction to randomly select time for establishing the communication path between the terminal and the server.