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.