Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for predicting trajectories for real-time capture of video and object tracking, while adhering to smoothness constraints so that predictions are not excessively jittery. In one embodiment, a temporally consistent search and learn (TC-SEARN) algorithm is applied to train a regressor for camera planning. A automatic broadcasting application first receives video input captured by a human-operated camera and another video input captured by a stationary camera with a wide field of view. The automatic broadcasting application extracts feature vectors and pan-tilt-zoom states from the stationary camera input and human-operated camera input, respectively. The automatic broadcasting application further applies the TC-SEARN algorithm to learn a sequential regressor for predicting camera trajectories, based on the extracted feature vectors and pan-tilt-zoom states.

Abstract: A production system of a water-absorbent core. The supplying component thereof is configured to convey the fluffy cotton to the starting end of the transmission component, and the plurality of outlets of the supplying component for conveying the mixture of the fluff pulp and the hot-melt fibers to the transmission component are all located in the middle portion of the transmission component, the feeding port for conveying the super absorbent polymer to the transmission component and the outlets are arranged alternately along the transmitting direction of the transmission component, and each feeding port is located between the two outlets; the vacuum adsorption device can cause the mixture to be absorbed on the transmission component; the hot air penetration device performs hot air penetration treatment on the laminate; and the ultrasonic cutting device of the slitting mechanism is configured to ultrasonically cut the laminate after the hot air penetration treatment.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for mimicking human camera operation with an autonomous camera system. In one embodiment, camera planning is formulated as a supervised regression problem in which an automatic broadcasting application receives one video input captured by a human-operated camera and another video input captured by a stationary camera with a wider field of view. The automatic broadcasting application extracts feature vectors and pan-tilt-zoom states from the stationary camera and the human-operated camera, respectively, and learns a regressor which takes as input such feature vectors and outputs pan-tilt-zoom settings predictive of what the human camera operator would choose. The automatic broadcasting application may then apply the learned regressor on newly captured video to obtain planned pan-tilt-zoom settings and control an autonomous camera to achieve the planned settings to record videos which resemble the work of a human operator in similar situations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process monitoring method, and an associated metrology apparatus. The method comprises: comparing measured target response spectral sequence data relating to the measurement response of actual targets to equivalent reference target response sequence data relating to a measurement response of the targets as designed; and performing a process monitoring action based on the comparison of said measured target response sequence data and reference target response sequence data. The method may also comprise determining stack parameters from the measured target response spectral sequence data and reference target response spectral sequence data.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for mimicking human camera operation with an autonomous camera system. In one embodiment, camera planning is formulated as a supervised regression problem in which an automatic broadcasting application receives one video input captured by a human-operated camera and another video input captured by a stationary camera with a wider field of view. The automatic broadcasting application extracts feature vectors and pan-tilt-zoom states from the stationary camera and the human-operated camera, respectively, and learns a regressor which takes as input such feature vectors and outputs pan-tilt-zoom settings predictive of what the human camera operator would choose. The automatic broadcasting application may then apply the learned regressor on newly captured video to obtain planned pan-tilt-zoom settings and control an autonomous camera to achieve the planned settings to record videos which resemble the work of a human operator in similar situations.

Abstract: A method to determine an overlay error between a first structure and a second structure, wherein the first structure and second structures are on different layers on a substrate and are imaged onto the substrate by a lithographic process, the method comprising: obtaining an apparent overlay error; obtaining a systematic error caused by a factor other than misalignment of the first and second structures; and determining the overlay error by removing the systematic error from the apparent overlay error. The method may alternatively comprise obtaining apparent characteristics of diffraction orders of diffraction by an overlapping portion of the first and second structures; obtaining corrected characteristics of the diffraction orders; determining the overlay error from the corrected characteristics; and adjusting a characteristic of the lithographic process based on the overlay error.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention is a preparation method for a phosphonic salt, comprising the step of: reacting 3,7,11-trimethyldodec-1,4,6,10-tetraene-3-ol with triarylphosphine and an acid in an alcohol solvent at 50-100° C. to form the phosphonic salt, wherein the acid is a sulfamic acid or methanesulfonic acid, and the alcohol solvent is a straight chain monohydric alcohol containing 1-5 carbon atoms. The method is performed in nearly neutral conditions, greatly reducing the generation of impurities and greatly obtaining phosphonic salt with an increased E content. The yield of lycopene obtained by using the phosphonic salt as a raw material is high.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for predicting trajectories for real-time capture of video and object tracking, while adhering to smoothness constraints so that predictions are not excessively jittery. In one embodiment, a temporally consistent search and learn (TC-SEARN) algorithm is applied to train a regressor for camera planning. A automatic broadcasting application first receives video input captured by a human-operated camera and another video input captured by a stationary camera with a wide field of view. The automatic broadcasting application extracts feature vectors and pan-tilt-zoom states from the stationary camera input and human-operated camera input, respectively. The automatic broadcasting application further applies the TC-SEARN algorithm to learn a sequential regressor for predicting camera trajectories, based on the extracted feature vectors and pan-tilt-zoom states.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an approach for mimicking human camera operation with an autonomous camera system. In one embodiment, camera planning is formulated as a supervised regression problem in which an automatic broadcasting application receives one video input captured by a human-operated camera and another video input captured by a stationary camera with a wider field of view. The automatic broadcasting application extracts feature vectors and pan-tilt-zoom states from the stationary camera and the human-operated camera, respectively, and learns a regressor which takes as input such feature vectors and outputs pan-tilt-zoom settings predictive of what the human camera operator would choose. The automatic broadcasting application may then apply the learned regressor on newly captured video to obtain planned pan-tilt-zoom settings and control an autonomous camera to achieve the planned settings to record videos which resemble the work of a human operator in similar situations.

Abstract: A method to determine an overlay error between a first structure and a second structure, wherein the first structure and second structures are on different layers on a substrate and are imaged onto the substrate by a lithographic process, the method comprising: obtaining an apparent overlay error; obtaining a systematic error caused by a factor other than misalignment of the first and second structures; and determining the overlay error by removing the systematic error from the apparent overlay error. The method may alternatively comprise obtaining apparent characteristics of diffraction orders of diffraction by an overlapping portion of the first and second structures; obtaining corrected characteristics of the diffraction orders; determining the overlay error from the corrected characteristics; and adjusting a characteristic of the lithographic process based on the overlay error.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for optimizing power output of a wind farm. The method includes determining baseline loading condition(s) for wind turbines of the wind farm and defining a baseline threshold value for the load sensors. Another step includes identifying at least one wind turbine having at least one load sensor operating below the baseline threshold value. An upgrade is then provided to the identified wind turbine. In response to the upgrade, the method includes determining whether the load sensor of the identified wind turbine continues to operate below the baseline threshold value. The method also includes classifying an additional load sensor(s) of an additional wind turbine with respect to the load sensor of the identified wind turbine to determine whether to provide the additional wind turbine with the upgrade.

Abstract: Some embodiments are associated with a support vector machine having model parameters. According to some embodiments, a set of evaluation data may be received and a computer processor may automatically tune the model parameters during a training process using the set of evaluation data. The automatically tuned model parameters for the support vector machine may then be output directly from the training process.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention is a method for synthesizing 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatriene-1,8-dialdehyde.

Abstract: Disclosed is a preparation method of the lycopene intermediate 3-methyl-4,4-dialkoxy-1-butaldehyde. The preparation method comprises the following steps: (1) reacting 2-methyl-3,3-dialkoxy-1-halopropane with magnesium powder in the solvent of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 45˜65° C. to generate a mixture of Grignard reagents under the protection of an inert gas; and (2) adding N,N-disubstituted carboxamide to the mixture of Grignard reagents and reacting at a temperature of 10° C.˜35° C. to obtain 3-methyl-4,4-dialkoxy-1-butaldehyde. The process route of the present invention is simple and direct, the operation is easy, the conditions are mild and the yield is good, and thus the invention has commercial value.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention is a preparation method for a phosphonic salt, comprising the step of: reacting 3,7,11-trimethyldodec-1,4,6,10-tetraene-3-ol with triarylphosphine and an acid in an alcohol solvent at 50-100° C. to form the phosphonic salt, wherein the acid is a sulfamic acid or methanesulfonic acid, and the alcohol solvent is a straight chain monohydric alcohol containing 1-5 carbon atoms. The method is performed in nearly neutral conditions, greatly reducing the generation of impurities and greatly obtaining phosphonic salt with an increased E content. The yield of lycopene obtained by using the phosphonic salt as a raw material is high.

Abstract: Provided in the present invention is a method for synthesizing 2,7-dimethyl-2,4,6-octatriene-1,8-dialdehyde.

Abstract: Disclosed is a preparation method of the lycopene intermediate 3-methyl-4,4-dialkoxy-1-butaldehyde. The preparation method comprises the following steps: (1) reacting 2-methyl-3,3-dialkoxy-1-halopropane with magnesium powder in the solvent of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of 45˜65° C. to generate a mixture of Grignard reagents under the protection of an inert gas; and (2) adding N,N-disubstituted carboxamide to the mixture of Grignard reagents and reacting at a temperature of 10° C.˜35° C. to obtain 3-methyl-4,4-dialkoxy-1-butaldehyde. The process route of the present invention is simple and direct, the operation is easy, the conditions are mild and the yield is good, and thus the invention has commercial value.

Abstract: A broadband ellipsometer is disclosed with an all-refractive optical system for focusing a probe beam on a sample. The ellipsometer includes a broadband light source emitting wavelengths in the UV and visible regions of the spectrum. The change in polarization state of the light reflected from the sample is arranged to evaluate characteristics of a sample. The probe beam is focused onto the sample using a composite lens system formed from materials transmissive in the UV and visible wavelengths and arranged to minimize chromatic aberrations. The spot size on the sample can be less than 3 mm and the aberration is such that the focal shift over the range of wavelengths is less than five percent of the mean focal length of the system.

Abstract: A broadband ellipsometer is disclosed with an all-refractive optical system for focusing a probe beam on a sample. The ellipsometer includes a broadband light source emitting wavelengths in the UV and visible regions of the spectrum. The change in polarization state of the light reflected from the sample is arranged to evaluate characteristics of a sample. The probe beam is focused onto the sample using a composite lens system formed from materials transmissive in the UV and visible wavelengths and arranged to minimize chromatic aberrations. The spot size on the sample can be less than 3 mm and the aberration is such that the focal shift over the range of wavelengths is less than five percent of the mean focal length of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining the spectral outputs of multiple light sources to provide a high-efficiency broad-band illuminator for optical metrology is disclosed. The illuminator combines the output radiation from a plurality of broad-band lamps in a novel optical arrangement that creates a virtual source and avoids the use of beam-splitters. Consequently, the illuminator offers increased performance at reduced cost. The illuminator can be optimized and configured for application in a broad class of optical metrology instruments.