Abstract: To carry out measurements in the vacuum, for example for quality control in the production of semiconductors, conventional stand alone measuring machines are installed. They are very cost, space and time intensive. To enable a process oriented measurement under optimal conditions, a device with a two part case (20, 21) is proposed that can be moved in a vacuum chamber, whereby one part of the case (21) projects into the vacuum chamber and the other part of the case (20) is located outside the vacuum chamber. The case (20, 21) can receive a measurement system (34). In addition, an adjusting device (25), engaging with the case (20, 21), and a counterpull device (39), engaging with the second part of the case (20), are provided.

Abstract: Substrate measurement system including a measurement chamber (30), and a substrate handling chamber (7) possessing substrate transfer means (10) and a substrate container interface (1) arranged to receive a substrate container (8), the handling chamber (7) containing an interface (50) to connect the measurement chamber (30), the measurement chamber (30) containing an interface (51) to connect to the handling chamber (7), and the transfer means (10) being arranged to transfer substrates between the container (8) and the measurement chamber (30) through the handling chamber (7), in which a second measurement chamber (39) is provided, having the same interface (51) as the first measurement chamber (30) to replace the latter chamber (30).

Abstract: A sender (101) creates a voicemail message that includes a plurality of messaging elements that include embedded instructions that define a structure of the message. Other messaging elements may include textual fragments, audio fragments that refer to audio data files that are associated with the message, and/or references to textual fragments and/or audio fragments that are stored at specified locations. The instructions may define a hierarchical menu structure which, when the message is presented to the recipient (106) by a messaging system (104), offers the recipient different navigational choices from which the recipient may select and thus effect the information content of what is presented.

Abstract: A data-processing system provides a method for making a “snapshot” of critical system data areas, right after Power-On Self-Test and before the Remote Initial Program Load (RIPL) begins, by saving a copy of these critical system data areas. The RIPL software then retrieves a complete operating system image over a network and places the complete image in memory. The RIPL software then replaces the saved critical system data to create a system state in which the memory in the system includes the same content as it had just after it was booted, which also frees up the system memory and network support used by the RIPL software. The process then passes control to the appropriate location in the operating system image saved in memory so that the computer may continue the booting process.

Abstract: A micropolarimeter and ellipsometer for obtaining complete optical information of superficially illuminated specimens. A compact construction is designed to facilitate their use. To obtain the simultaneous surface measurement of all optical information from a specimen, the retarder of the micropolarimeter consists of a one-piece retarder array with at least one pixel group, in which the major axis orientations of the individual pixels are distributed over an angular range of 360°. This micropolarimeter can be integrated into the reflected light microscope of an ellipsometer. The result is a compact measurement unit.

Abstract: The invention concerns a micropolarimeter comprising an analyzer (1) and a detector (10) located past the analyzer in the direction of radiation and presenting a number of segments ND which is higher than or equal to 3 (11). The invention seeks to provide a micropolarimeter with no moving parts, with a high polarization index, for use for polychromatic light, so small that it can detect the ray of common lasers in one single measurement step without it being necessary to enlarge it, and capable of being converted in a simple manner into a complete Stokesmeter.

Abstract: The method for assembling and presenting a structured electronic message begins when the sender creates a voicemail message that includes a plurality of messaging elements that include embedded instructions that define a structure of the message. Other messaging elements may include textual fragments, audio fragments that refer to audio data files that are associated with the message, and/or references to textual fragments and/or audio fragments that are stored at specified locations. The instructions may define a hierarchical menu structure which, when the message is presented to the recipient by a messaging system, offers the recipient different navigational choices from which the recipient may select and thus effect the information content of what is presented.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for ensuring that queries presented to a database are safe thus providing solutions to both undecidability and lack of effective syntax issues. In a one aspect of the invention, a method for use in a database system includes obtaining an original query entered by a user. The invention then provides for pre-processing the query before submittal to a database engine associated with the database system wherein a result of the pre-processing operation is to ensure that a query provided to the engine is safe. Safety has a different meaning depending on the application. For example, safety may include ensuring that a query will return an output with finite results or it may include ensuring that certain geometric properties in the query are preserved in the output.

Abstract: Normally, repeated calibration measurements are necessary for the adjustment of the sample and ellipsometer. To achieve an automatic relative adjustment, a sample position detection system that can be adjusted in relation to the ellipsometer and locked in is assigned to the ellipsometer, and where the detection system is connected to an adjusting system that affects the sample table and/or the entire system detection system/ellipsometer. The method for automatic relative adjustment is provided for, that by initially using one sample, the system sample/ellipsometer is adjusted via the symmetry of the detector signal of the ellipsometer, and that the sample position detection system is adjusted and subsequently locked in with the ellipsometer. With all subsequent samples, a relative adjustment of sample and ellipsometer detection system is performed using the signals of the detection system.

Abstract: A garden hose attachment for cleaning an underside of a vehicle is provided including at least one elongated rigid tube having a pair of ends. At least one elbow conduit is coupled to one of the ends of the rigid tube. A spray nozzle is connected to the elbow conduit. Also included is a spray gun mounted to one of the ends of the rigid tube. Upon the depression of a trigger of the spray gun, water is sprayed from the spray nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a computer prosody user interface operable to visually tailor the prosody of a text to be uttered by a text-to-speech system. The prosody user interface, permits users to alter a synthesized voice along one or more dimensions on a word-by-word basis. In one embodiment of the present invention, the prosody user interface is operable to alter the speaking rate relative word duration and the word prominence of a synthesized voice. Specifically, one or more words are selected using presentation means, and speech parameters corresponding to the speaking rate relative word duration and the word prominence are manipulated using speech parameter manipulation means. Modifications to the speech parameters are accompanied by visual changes to the presentation means, thereby providing a visual feel to the computer prosody user interface.

Abstract: A new application language called the MAWL language and a compiler for the new application language called the MAWL compiler are provided for use by programmers of World Wide Web services. The MAWL language and the MAWL compiler may be used to provide any World Wide Web service, but they are especially useful for programming interactive services. The MAWL language provides an expressive typing capability. Through this expressive ability World Wide Web services that have defined states, sequences and sessions are straightforward where previously such capabilities do not exist. Further, the MAWL compiler performs error checking for common errors and self-consistency before actual compiling so run-time error checking is avoided. Together the MAWL language and the MAWL compiler greatly increase the productivity of the World Wide Web programmer and the complexity of the World Wide Web services that can reliably be provided.

Abstract: A barrier is used to synchronize parallel processors. The barrier is "fuzzy", i.e. it includes several instructions in each instruction stream. None of the processors performing related tasks can execute an instruction after its respective fuzzy barrier until the others have finished the instruction immediately preceding their respective fuzzy barriers. Processors therefore spend less time waiting for each other. A state machine is used to keep track of synchronization states during the synchronization process.

Abstract: A barrier is used to synchronize parallel processors. The barrier is "fuzzy", i.e. it includes several instructions in each instruction stream. None of the processors performing related tasks can execute an instruction after its respective fuzzy barrier until the others have finished the instruction immediately preceding their respective fuzzy barriers. Processors therefore spend less time waiting for each other. A state machine is used to keep track of synchronization states during the synchronization process.

Abstract: A speech synthesis method employs an acoustic element database that is established from phonetic sequences occurring in an interval of a speech signal. In establishing the database, trajectories are determined for each of the phonetic sequences containing a phonetic segment that corresponds to a particular phoneme. A tolerance region is then identified based on a concentration of trajectories that correspond to different phoneme sequences. The acoustic elements for the database are formed from portions of the phonetic sequences by identifying cut points in the phonetic sequences which correspond to time points along the respective trajectories proximate the tolerance region. In this manner, it is possible to concatenate the acoustic elements having a common junction phonemes such that perceptible discontinuities at the junction phonemes are minimized. Computationally simple and fast methods for determining the tolerance region are also disclosed.

Abstract: A micropolarimeter comprises an analyzer (1) and a detector (3), which is typically a photodetector array. The detector has a circular configuration of a number N of sectors. Analyzer (1) and detector (3) form a unit with the analyzer assigning different polarization values to the sectors. Analyzer and the detector contain no moving parts. Three different embodiments are proposed for the analyzer: a glass cone, covered with a polarizing thin film stack, a metal grid polarizing array, and an array of polarizing waveguides. The micropolarimeter (14) is used preferably in a microellipsometer system which can serve as a tool for film diagnostics, especially optical characterization of thin films.

Abstract: A sensor head (1) is described, which has a spacer (5b) between a carrier element (2) and the spring arm (7), which, perhaps carries a sensor tip (9) at the free end; the spacer defines the distance d between the spring arm (7) and the carrier element (2). In a preferred embodiment, the spacer (5b) comprises a sacrificial layer (5a), which is etched out, except for the spacer (5b), after the formation of a corresponding layer system between the spring arm (7) and the carrier element (2). The carrier element (2) and the spring arm (7) are each provided with a reflecting layer (4 and 6). In accordance with another specific embodiment, plasmonactive layers can also be provided.

Abstract: A ship of the 50 ton class includes a deep-V hull shape which is a partially monohedron fully planing hull with a hand chine and two bottom risers, a water jet propulsion system cooperating with a motor, and control apparatus for controlling the motor and propulsion system. Preferably, the motor is a 16 cylinder marine diesel engine having a maximum speed of between about 1800 and 2100 rpm and a maximum power of about 1900 kW, while the water jet is a high speed, high rpm water jet having a maximum water jet speed of between about 1400 and 1600 rpm, the water jet coupled to the motor by means of a reduction gear between about 1:1.15 and 1:1.