Abstract: A method for calibrating and aligning a metrology system comprising a machine including multi-axis part-positioning means and a wavefront-measuring gauge embedded in the machine. The gauge is used in determining spatial relationships among the translational and rotational axes, between part surface coordinates and machine coordinates, and between machine coordinates embedded gauge coordinates; in calibrating various components of the machine and the embedded gauge; and in aligning itself to the machine. A complete method comprises the steps of coarsely aligning the machine rotary axes with their respective translational axes and setting nominal zero points for the rotary axes; aligning the embedded gauge mainframe to the machine axes; aligning the embedded gauge focal point onto a spindle axis; determining the spatial offsets between the rotary axes when so aligned; precisely aligning the machine rotary axes with their respective translational axes; and setting precise zero points for the rotary axes.

Abstract: Methods and systems that can be used to dynamically restructure user interfaces into a set of communicating processes. The methods and systems update new and wrapped legacy user interface components for repurposing of user interfaces. The methods and systems provide for changing one or more of at least an appearance, a behavior, and a state or condition of the user interfaces.

Abstract: A secure messaging system is disclosed wherein messages are transmitted to a user based on a feature unique to the user, such as an account number. The user authenticates himself, then messages associated with the user can be displayed.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber load lock purging method and apparatus is disclosed. The purging apparatus includes a purging gas diffusion device disposed in a rear portion of a load lock chamber. The purged gas diffusion device is located proximate the vacuum door and distal from the atmospheric door such that the purge gas diffuses towards the atmospheric door during purging. The purging gas diffusion device is porous and permits a purge gas such as nitrogen to purge a load-lock chamber of oxygen or other contaminants from the load lock. The purge gas diffusion device may be tubular and is positioned in the load lock chamber in an offset channel portion in communication with and offset from a through path portion of the load lock chamber, through which a product, such as a semiconductor wafer may proceed without disruption by the diffusion device.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for air forming an article having a plurality of superimposed fibrous layers. The layers are formed in substantially discrete forming chambers by depositing fibrous material on a forming surface which moves along an arcuate path through the chambers. A first layer is air-formed on the forming surface as the surface moves through the first forming chamber and a second layer is air-formed over the first layer as the surface moves through the second forming chamber.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for air forming an article having a plurality of superimposed reinforced fibrous layers. The layers are formed in substantially discrete forming chambers by depositing fibrous materials on a forming surface which moves along a forming path through the chambers. A first layer is air-formed on the forming surface as the surface moves through the first forming chamber and a second layer is air-formed over the first layer as the surface moves through the second forming chamber. A reinforcing web is embedded in the article during the air-forming process.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a load lock apparatus having an interior configured to receive an object. At least one inlet valve may be flow coupled to the interior of the load lock apparatus, and at least one outlet valve may also be flow coupled to the interior of the load lock apparatus. A controller may be configured to selectively control opening and closing of the at least one inlet valve. The load lock apparatus may include an object receiving mechanism that is movable within the interior of the load lock apparatus to throttle the evacuation of the interior. Several methods of using the system and load lock apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for forming a fibrous web (50) includes a movable, foraminous forming surface (22) and a substantially stationary, vacuum-commutator duct system (24) which is located substantially subjacent the forming surface (22). The vacuum-commutator duct system (24) has an entrance opening (26) that changes in configuration along a longitudinal dimension (30) of the entrance opening (26).

Abstract: A system is provided that includes a load lock apparatus having an interior configured to receive an object. At least one inlet valve may be flow coupled to the interior of the load lock apparatus, and at least one outlet valve may also be flow coupled to the interior of the load lock apparatus. A controller may be configured to selectively control opening and closing of the at least one inlet valve. The load lock apparatus may include an object receiving mechanism that is movable within the interior of the load lock apparatus to throttle the evacuation of the interior. Several methods of using the system and load lock apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wall panel includes an outer surface layer, an oriented strand board layer, and mounting channels. The outer surface layer includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and edges. The oriented strand board layer includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and edges, with the outer surface of the oriented strand board layer being attached to the inner surface of the outer surface layer. The mounting channels are defined along and between the edges of the outer surface layer and the oriented strand board layer, and define a region recessed from the edges of the outer surface layer and the oriented strand board layer.

Abstract: A method for accurately synthesizing a full-aperture data map from a series of overlapped sub-aperture data maps. In addition to conventional alignment uncertainties, a generalized compensation framework corrects a variety of errors, including compensators that are independent in each sub-aperture. Another class of compensators (interlocked) include coefficients that are the same across all the sub-apertures. A constrained least-squares optimization routine maximizes data consistency in sub-aperture overlap regions. The stitching algorithm includes constraints representative of the accuracies of the hardware to ensure that the results are within meaningful bounds. The constraints also enable the computation of estimates of uncertainties in the final results. The method therefore automatically calibrates the system, provides a full-aperture surface map, and an estimate of residual uncertainties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (20) for forming a fibrous web (50) includes a movable, foraminous forming surface (22) and a substantially stationary, vacuum-commutator duct system (24) which is located substantially subjacent the forming surface (22). The vacuum-commutator duct system (24) has an entrance opening (26) that changes in configuration along a longitudinal dimension (30) of the entrance opening (26).

Abstract: A method for measuring the performance of a large computer network is defined. The method provides a method of defining and characterizing the population of interest and interesting sub-populations; a method of providing a sampling list of nodes that represent the population; measuring the performance of destinations in the sampling list; recording raw data therefrom; reducing the raw data and providing presentations of information indicative of one or more of the sub-populations in ways that address questions of interest.

Abstract: A data collection system for collecting data concerning participant response to broadcast material. The system comprises broadcast material, a plurality of data collection units and a central controller. The broadcast material contains a combination of an audience content portion, which is presented to the participant, and a data content portion which is not presented to the participant but has a content capable of identifying the content of the audience content portion currently being broadcast for presentation to the participant. The data collection units collect and store the data content portions pertaining to participant response to broadcast material and the data content portions stored by the collection unit can be read by the central controller and used for a variety of purposes.

Abstract: A method for monitoring of network performance is defined. The method includes the steps of defining and characterizing the population of interest (the set of hosts and networks in which there is interest); choosing a set of destinations that represent the population (pinglists) including categorization structure (viewlists); monitoring the destinations in the pinglists from one or more vantage points (beacons) and collecting information therefrom; compiling and summarizing the data in ways that address questions of interest about the population; and providing an appropriate interpretation of the analysis in terms of the questions of interest.

Abstract: A method for iterative development and testing of software comprises determining the software functionalities, determining program modules by functionality, defining relationships and dependencies between the program modules, designing and testing each program module, and integrating all of the program modules into a final software product. Each program module or combinations of program modules may be sent to Beta testers.

Abstract: A charge exchange device, typically used in an ion beam accelerator, includes a charge exchange tube defining a charge exchange chamber and beam ports for allowing an ion beam to enter and exit the charge exchange tube, a containment tube mounted external to the charge exchange tube, the containment tube having an entrance port for a charge exchange material, and at least one intermediate tube mounted between the charge exchange tube and the containment tube. The charge exchange tube and the at least one intermediate tube have at least one set of flow ports that are aligned on opposite sides of the charge exchange chamber to permit columnated flow of the charge exchange material into and through the charge exchange chamber. Leakage of the charge exchange material through the beam ports is reduced in comparison with prior art charge exchange devices.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the internet is defined. An embodiment of the invention invovles the following steps: providing a traceroute specification and a set of global defaults; parsing the specification into its constituent parts; setting up a transaction request message; creating a TCP/IP socket and setting up input/output access to it; and for each potential “hop” up to the maximum allowed, sending a “ping” to the destination with the max allowed hops for that “ping” and setting the message to one more than the ping to the previous potential hop (where the numbering started at one); noting the timestamp for that ping transmission; waiting for a reply from the ping; noting the timestamp for that reply when it arrives and then calculate the time taken from transmit to reply; and closing the socket and server connection.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting operational data is defined. An input list is provided. While there are more destinations left in the input list, the next specification is read, that ping is performed while its performance is timed (described in more detail below), and, the measurements are written to a data log. The logic of the measurement for a given destination and a set of global defaults is performed by the steps of: parsing the specification into its constituent parts; setting up the transaction request message; creating a TCP/IP socket and setting up input/output access to it; sending a “ping” to the destination; noting the timestamp for that ping transmission; waiting for a reply from the ping; noting the timestamp for that reply when it arrives; and calculating the time taken from transmit to reply. The socket and server connection can then be closed.