Abstract: A method of measuring the topography of a large, thin, non-flat specular substrate in a production environment with minimal movement of a majority of the measurement apparatus. A gimbal-mounted reflecting element is used to steer a short coherence length probe beam such that the probe beam is substantially perpendicular to a local surface of the substrate. The probe beam and the reference beam are combined and the resulting interference pattern used to characterize defects on the local surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting defects in a transparent substrate by simultaneously using a combination of bright field and dark field light sources for illuminating the substrate. The apparatus is capable of detecting both inclusions and surface defects simultaneously while the substrate is in motion, simplifying the characterization of substrates in a manufacturing setting.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a transparent substrate provides an index-matching fluid between an index-matched optical coupler and a surface of the transparent substrate. The method repeats, at two or more positions along the surface of the transparent substrate, steps of illuminating an inspection volume within the transparent substrate by directing a ribbon of light through the optical coupler and into the transparent substrate and detecting scattered light from the inspection volume at a detector that is optically conjugate with the inspection volume.

Abstract: A method of measuring the topography of a large, thin, non-flat specular substrate in a production environment with minimal movement of a majority of the measurement apparatus. A gimbal-mounted reflecting element is used to steer a short coherence length probe beam such that the probe beam is substantially perpendicular to a local surface of the substrate. The probe beam and the reference beam are combined and the resulting interference pattern used to characterize defects on the local surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for changing the key of a stringed musical instrument. The machine includes a mounting base, a structure for securing the mounting base to the stringed musical instrument, a housing body to provide a space to accommodate tuning mechanisms, a plurality of control rod assemblies to selectively adjustment for several tunings, a plurality of tuner switch rod assemblies to provide mechanisms to switch between tunings, a set of tuning mechanisms on each control rod assembly for fine adjustment of tuning while in use, a plurality of bridge rollers to adjust height and intonation of strings, a top plate with a plurality of tuner switch screw slots that provide access to the tuner switch rod assemblies, which provide a choice from different tunings, and a lever body to relieve string tension while changing tunings.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting defects in a transparent substrate by simultaneously using a combination of bright field and dark field light sources for illuminating the substrate. The apparatus is capable of detecting both inclusions and surface defects simultaneously while the substrate is in motion, simplifying the characterization of substrates in a manufacturing setting.

Abstract: This utility model has practical and new technique realm of curtain, especially refers to a kind that can provide various installation methods with convenient installation solution. The main components include Upper Track, Curtain Cloth, and Curtain Carrier on the top of the Curtain Cloth, several upward extended Cloth Strap and molded Installation Slot on the side back of the Upper Track. The bottom face of Installation Slot has several Loops. The lateral face of Installation Slot is installed several cramp pieces. The installation of this new model is to embed the holding block to the Installation Slot, and fix the holding block to the window, or make a cloth pipe combined with the Curtain Carrier and Upper Track Installation Slot to adapt with the installation of curtain Installation Rod; or make a loop Cloth Strap combined with the upper Cloth Strap of the Curtain Cloth and the Loops of Upper Track to adapt with the installation of the curtain Installation Rod.

Abstract: A universal removable liner attaches to a Roman shade to block sunlight and provide privacy. The shade retraction mechanism draws the shade up in tiers with one or more lift cords. The liner links to the shade across the top of the shade and at the lift cords, with the tiers formed in the shade lifting the liner in tiers as well. Links between the lift cords and the liner at the shade tier tops are closable loops. A hook-and-loop tape is preattached to the top edge of the liner, while a separate strip of adhesive-backed, mating hook-and-loop tape is furnished for user attachment to the top edge of substantially any tier-lift shade. Once the user joins the shade and liner at the tier tops, the liner forms tiers mirroring the tiers of the shade as the two are raised together.

Abstract: A management information base (MIB) attribute discriminator process is employed for organizing MIB attributes for system network management station (NMS) software. The NMS software monitors and configures network devices having a system object identifier. The devices have agents comprised of software running on an embedded device microprocessor wherein the parameters that an agent can control are described in a management information base (MIB). A MIB definition text file is provided with entries described by grammar and tokens. The MIB definition file is parsed with an information parser class. MIB data is then stored in memory, described by grammar and tokens. The MIB data is then accessed through a MIB definitions interface and using the MIB data with software of the NMS.

Abstract: A computer network management software program in a network management device, with a device description language (DDL) file providing an abstraction of features of a network device in a computer network. The DDL file is a human readable text file. A management application monitors and controls a plurality of the network devices on the computer network. The management application includes a configfile parser package for parsing each of the DDL files during executing of the management application to provide information from each of the DDL files to the management application. The management application also includes a hotsystemsnmp package for polling each of the plurality of network devices according to polling features of the respective network devices as determined by the configfile parser package.

Abstract: An improved, universal, multi-position, tuning mechanism and bridge for stringed musical instruments, designed to provide quick, easy adjustment of the tension of the each string of musical instruments between one of two predetermined tension levels, as well as precise adjustment mechanisms for the traditional tension settings of each string, with all components being safely housed in an easily accessible main body. The present invention includes a support plate mounted to the front surface of the body of a musical instrument. A main body and roller-type bridge are mounted to the top of the support plate. Inside the main body, a plurality of levers, spring loaded plungers and tension adjustment screws are individually adjustable to vary the tension in each string. A multi-tuning lever arm adjusts the tension of the each string between one of two predetermined tension levels. A lever arm adjustment means allows quick and precise adjustment of the tension in each of these two pre-determined settings.

Abstract: Busbar arrangements for aluminum electrolytic cells. In a first aspect, the invention provides at least one generally horizontal collector busbar on each side of the cell and a number of current tapping points along each collector busbar so that current flows along the collector busbar in opposite directions on each side of the taps. This produces changes of sign in the vertical component of the magnetic field acting on the pad in the longitudinal direction and helps to prevent pad instabilities. In a second aspect, the current taps for the collector busbars are vertically disposed so as to convey current well below the level of the metal pad so that adverse magnetic effects caused by further distribution of the current are minimized.

Abstract: A music data compression system is disclosed which includes an analog to digital converter for converting the analog music signal to digital sample signal form, a digital compression filter for compression filtering the digital sample signals, and an encoder for truncated Huffman encoding the compression filter output. An entropy setting unit is included in the system for step control of the signal supplied to the digital compression filter in accordance with one or more threshold levels of the envelope of the music signal, and for reducing the entropy of the signal with increases in the energy level of the music signal. Different codes may be implemented in accordance with the threshold(s), and an identifying code word is inserted in the Huffman encoded stream. A decoder, digital reconstruction filter, and digital to analog converter are used to reconstruct the analog music signal.