Abstract: Disclosed is a method of severing a fiber length projecting out of the end face of a plurality of ferrules. The ferrules are mounted in a polishing fixture. Image processing establishes the fiber cleaving plane. Relative movement between the laser beam and the ferrule severs the fiber protruding out of the ferrule end-face. Excess epoxy that may be present on the ferrule end-face is removed concurrently with the fiber severing process. The method includes cleaning and inspection of ferrules.

Abstract: The present invention provides, according to a first aspect, a method for the examination of specimen with a beam of charged particles. The method provides one or more images of the specimen made with different view angles, so that, compared to a single image of the specimen, a lot of additional information about the specimen can be accessed. The different view angles (angles of incidence) are achieved by tilting the beam between the two images and moving the specimen to a new position so that the displacement of the beam caused by the tilting of the beam is compensated. Accordingly, while displaying/recording the second image the beam scans over the same area as it has scanned while displaying/recording the first image.

Abstract: An interface (101) in a computer system has an port (150) which is coupled to a memory via a first bi-directional data path (104) and coupled to a peripheral device via a communication path (106). The interface (101) has a controller (170) with an enable portion (176) and a pointer register (160). The pointer register (160) provides a movable pointer (165) to memory entries of data queues. The enable portion (176) continuously receives control signals from the memory (130) and sends enable signals to a port (150). A queue of memory entries is transmitted through the first path (104), the port (150) and the second path (106) or vice versa as long as control signals stored in the queue itself allow a transmission.

Abstract: A computer system (100) comprises a processor (110), a memory (300), an interface (101) and peripheral devices (120-1, 120-2, 120-3). The interface has a pointer generator (160), a port (150), a decoder (170), and a parameter register (180). The port (150) transmits data words D(k) (380-k) from the memory (300) to the peripheral devices (120-1, 120-2, 120-3) or vice versa. Communication parameters are stored as parameter sets {P.sub.m } in parameter fields (185-m) of the parameter register (180). The decoder (170) selects a parameter set {P.sub.i } using from control words C(k) stored in the memory (300). Data queues can simultaneously be transmitted to two or more peripheral devices (120-1, 120-2, 120-3).

Abstract: An interface (101) in a computer system has an port (150) which is coupled to a memory via a first bidirectional data path (104) and coupled to a peripheral device via a communication path (106). The interface (101) has a controller (170) with a trigger buffer (175) and a pointer register (160). The pointer register (160) provides a movable pointer (165) to memory entries of data queues. The trigger buffer (175) continuously receives and accumulates trigger signals (1 2 3) and sends start signals to the pointer register (165). A queue is transmitted through the first path (104), the port (150) and the second path (106) or vice versa when a first trigger (e.g., (1) signal arrives. The trigger buffer (175) receives further trigger signals (e.g., (2) and accumulates them in a trigger buffer (175) before it sends start signals (e.g., ) for further transmissions. Optionally, interface 101 provides start signals after prioritizing trigger signals.