Distributing software image creation and configuration among a plurality of client computers. Server computers define jobs related to software image creation. Each of the client computers communicates with the servers to identify, accept, and complete jobs. The server and client computers maintain data structures indicating job availability and status. In the distributed build environment, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and system builders may easily modify, create, and image software in the factory to dramatically reduce resource consumption and time.

In a typical operating system build environment, code is compiled into binary form by a computer. Such an environment has no ability to use external resources for producing operating system runtime images. The build environment can support image creation internal to the computer, but then only can use a limited supply of valuable resources to satisfy the needs of creation of the final operating system image. For example, some existing environments dedicate and configure one computer for building a specific image (i.e., an operating system or application program). However, such systems are inefficient in that the dedicated computer is used solely for building the specific image (e.g., possibly once or twice a day). As such, each dedicated computer idles most of the time. Further, the amount of processing hardware needed grows as the number of different images to be created increases. For example, if images need to be built for six versions or configurations of seven different products, then forty-two dedicated computers are needed to build all the images. The cost of the initial hardware, maintenance, and support for the dedicated machines is substantial. There is a need for a system that can use external resources to create a software image. Further, there is a need for a system for building images that uses a small number of build computers efficiently. In addition, users experience delay and inconvenience as installation and configuration of the operating system are typically performed on an end user's computer. There is a need for a system in which installation and configuration occur during image creation.
Some existing systems allocate tasks to client computers for completion. For example, some existing systems implement distributed compiling in which client computers compile a portion of an application program and a central server links the compiled portions together as the application program. In another example, the SETI@home project distributes tasks to client computers for the analysis of data in search of extraterrestrial life. However, in such systems, the client computers do not create a final product. Further, such systems are not related to the creation of an installed software image.
Accordingly, a system for a distributed build environment for software images is desired to address one or more of these and other disadvantages.

Software image creation in a distributed build environment


Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The method computer program products, and systems can include, for instance: obtaining virtual image data representing a virtual object; and encoding the virtual image data with physical image data to provide a formatted image file, wherein the encoding includes for a plurality of spatial image elements providing one or more data field that specifies physical image information and one or more data field that specifies virtual image information based on the virtual image data so the formatted image file for each of the plurality of spatial image elements provides physical image information and virtual image information, and wherein the encoding includes providing indexing data that associates an identifier for the virtual object to spatial image elements for the virtual object.

Unlike virtual reality systems that allow users to experience a completely virtual or simulated world, augmented reality systems allow users to experience a mixed reality that combines virtual objects with physical real-world objects. Video special effects, as seen in commercials, television programs, and movies, offer a glimpse at some of the possibilities when artificial images can be seamlessly combined with real images for example, cars that seem to dissolve before one's eyes offering cut-away views, or animated characters in the kitchen encouraging kids to eat their breakfast. Unlike video special effects, augmented reality systems support the perception of real special effects or special effects happening right where a person is in real time and in real space. For example, imagine a person walking into a parking lot and looking at a car while wearing special eyeglasses, or looking through the viewfinder of a special video camera, who is then able to see a cut-away view of the car exposing the complete exhaust system perfectly aligned with the real car. That person is perceiving a real special effect or experiencing augmented reality.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Mixing virtual image data and physical image data


The invention provides means for removably attaching ejector pins for an injection molding machine to a movable knock-out plate. The knock-out plate has slidably attached thereto a latch plate to engage ejector pin heads and thereby secure them to the knock-out plate.

Injection molding machines characteristically mount at least two die parts. One die part is mounted to the machine frame, and the other part is mounted to a slide or carriage to close and to open the mold. The classical construction also includes knockout bars to contact a completed part to eject the part from the mold. These can more properly be regarded as ejector pins, and to avoid confusion in this specification they will be described as ejector pins, rather than as knockout bars. These ejector pins are not the pins which are the subject of this invention.
Classical molding machines also include a plate called a knockout plate. This is a very substantial rigid plate which floats relative to the movable mold part in order to actuate the ejector pins.
However, the linkage between the knockout plate and the ejector pins is not a direct one. Instead the ejector pins are mounted to still another plate, which in turn is contacted by knockout bars carried by the knockout plate.
The arrangement of the ejector pins is arbitrary, and is dictated by the configuration of the individual mold. However, the knockout bars which cause the ejector pins to eject the product are located on an array defined by a national standard. This is standard defines where the knockout bars can be mounted. It is not usual for all of these locations to carry a knockout bar at the same time. Instead, again depending on the mold characteristics, perhaps only a central pin will be used, or some pattern of two, three or more of them will be placed at proper locations in the pattern.
The point is that each time a mold is changed, it is likely that the pattern of knockout bars will also have to be changed. It Is usual for the knockout bar to be held to one side of the knockout plate by a headed bolt passed through a hole in the plate and threaded into the knockout bar. This does not appear to be a particular problem, except to the person who must remove and replace the knockout bars. He regards this as a difficult and onerous task. The knockout plate is not removed from the machine for the purpose, and access to the regions where the job is done is very restricted. The worker must work from the side reaching into a narrow region with a wrench of substantial size, often nearly blindly.
It is an object of this invention to provide mounting means which can conveniently be manipulated from outside of this narrow region, preferably by energizing a fluid motor, so that the task is reduced to merely to pulling knockout bars out of sockets where they are not needed, plugging knockout bars into sockets where they are needed, and then actuating a latch to hold them in the socket or sockets.
This arrangement eliminates the inconveniences and delays of the prior art, and enables the knockout bar array to be changed in a matter of only a few minutes instead of the hour or more required for most known machines.

Knockout bar mounting for injection molding machines


Out of a plurality of receiving element antennas (2a) in a receiving antenna (2), with respect to one receiving element antenna (2acenter) as the center, the remaining receiving element antennas (2an) are arranged symmetrically, and with distance from the one receiving element antenna (2acenter), each of the remaining receiving element antennas (2an) is arranged to have a longer distance (Ln) to a position orthogonal to a straight line (A) passing through a position at which each of one or more transmitting element antennas (1a) is arranged.

An antenna device including a transmitting antenna and a receiving antenna is disclosed in, for example, following Patent Literature 1.
In the antenna device disclosed in Patent Literature 1, gain in a forward direction of a radio wave emitted from the transmitting antenna is increased by operating the receiving antenna as a reflector as seen from the transmitting antenna. The forward direction is a 0 degree direction on a front surface of the transmitting antenna.


The present invention relates to a process for producing aliphatic and aromatic C2-C6 hydrocarbons by submitting a reformed gas to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The reformed gas used in the present process is produced by autothermal dry reforming of a hydrocarbon feed over a Ni/La catalyst and essentially consists of syngas (H2 and CO), oxygen (O2) and optionally a further component selected from the group consisting of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and inert gas.

It has been previously described that a hydrocarbon feed such as methane can be converted into a product stream comprising more complex hydrocarbons by a process wherein the hydrocarbon feed is first reformed to synthesis gas (syngas) followed by a second step wherein said syngas is converted into a hydrocarbon product stream by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (F-T synthesis).
In WO 03/016250, for instance, such a process is described wherein first a mixture of a hydrocarbon feedstock and steam is subjected to catalytic steam reforming to produce a primary reformed gas, which then is partially combusted with an oxygen-containing gas over a secondary reforming catalyst to produce syngas. Said syngas is used to synthesize hydrocarbons by F-T synthesis. The process according WO 03/016250 is characterized in that the tail gas obtained in the F-T synthesis step is recycled to the primary reformed gas.
In FR 2878858 a combined process for producing hydrocarbons is described that comprises a reforming step wherein a hydrocarbon feedstream is converted into syngas and a F-T synthesis step wherein the produced syngas is converted into a hydrocarbon product stream. The syngas in FR 2878858 is preferably produced by a technology that employs oxygen, such as catalytic autothermal reforming or (catalytic) partial oxidation.
In WO 2006/097440 a process to prepare a F-T synthesis product is described in which a syngas mixture is prepared by (a) pre-reforming a hydrocarbon feed to produce a mixture of methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide; (b) heating of the mixture obtained in (a) to above 650° C.; and (c) performing partial oxidation of the heated mixture of (b) with a source of oxygen.
A drawback of conventional processes for producing hydrocarbons that combine a reforming step and an F-T synthesis step is the non-selective production of carbon dioxide and methane in the F-T synthesis step. This leads to a relatively low C2-C6 hydrocarbon selectivity and renders the process not economical.
The technical problem underlying the present invention is the provision of a process for converting methane (CH4) to a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic C2-C6 hydrocarbons that has an improved selectivity for aliphatic and aromatic C2-C6 hydrocarbons.

Process for producing a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons


An exposure apparatus for exposing an object to be exposed by elastically deforming an exposing mask having a micro-opening pattern so as to bring the exposing mask into contact with the object includes a compression/decompression section for elastically deforming the exposing mask with compression/decompression so as to bring the exposing mask into contact with the object or into detachment from the object; and a controlling section for controlling the compression/decompression operation with the compression/decompression section. The controlling section controls the compression/decompression operation with the compression/decompression section based on control data prepared in advance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus and an exposing method, and, in particular, relates to a light exposure performed in a state that an exposing mask having a micro-opening pattern is elastically deformed so as to come in contact with an object to be exposed.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, along with progress and diversification in lithographic techniques used for manufacturing semiconductor devices and optical devices, various exposing methods have been proposed as emerging lithographic techniques. Among them, an exposing method is proposed in that micro-fabrication is enabled across the light diffraction limit using nearfield light.
An exposure apparatus employing an exposing method using such nearfield light is proposed in that an exposing mask (membrane mask) made of an elastic body is elastically deformed so as to conform to a resist surface of the object for securely contacting the entire resist surface, and the exposure is made using the nearfield light (evanescent light) passing through the micro-opening pattern.
Such an exposure apparatus (evanescent-light exposure apparatus) using the nearfield light includes means for attaching/detaching the exposing mask to/from an object to be exposed. Such means may include a unit composed of high-pressure gas, a pressure control valve, and a pressurized vessel; and a unit composed of a piston drive motor, a piston, a cylinder, and a pressure control vessel (U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,730, U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,482).
In such a conventional exposure apparatus using the nearfield light, when the exposing mask is caused to contact the object or to detach therefrom, if a rapid compression or decompression is made under certain conditions, an impact load beyond an allowable load of the exposing mask, based on a pressure change applied to the mask, may be applied to the exposing mask.
When such an impact load is applied thereto, in addition to problems that the exposing mask is damaged and the life of the exposing mask is reduced, there are possibilities that the exposing mask naturally oscillates; accuracies in attaching/detaching are reduced due to non-smooth attaching/detaching between the exposing mask and the object; and difficulties in application to various exposing masks.

Exposure apparatus and exposing method for elastically deforming a contact mask with control data


A vehicle height adjustment apparatus includes a rear wheel suspension spring that is disposed between a vehicle body and a tire wheel of a vehicle; a rear wheel damper that undergoes an extensional and contractional operation so as to move working oil to dampen vibration of the spring; a support member that supports one end portion of the spring, and moves relative to the damper to change the length of the spring; a jack chamber into which the working oil causing the support member to move relative to the damper flows by the extensional and contractional operation of the damper; a rear wheel electromagnetic valve that adjusts the amount of the working oil flowing into the jack chamber by the degree of opening of the electromagnetic valve; and control device that controls the degree of opening of the electromagnetic valve based on a weight exerted on the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle height adjustment apparatus that adjusts a vehicle height of a motorcycle.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, an apparatus is proposed which increases the vehicle height of a motorcycle while the motorcycle is travelling, and decreases the vehicle height in order for an occupant to easily get on and off the motorcycle at a stop.
For example, a vehicle height adjustment apparatus disclosed in JP-B-H08-22680 has the following configuration. That is, a rear arm is pivotably supported by a rear portion of a vehicle frame of the motorcycle, and a rear wheel is supported in a rear end of the rear arm via a vehicle axle. A hydraulic shock absorbing apparatus is disposed between the rear arm and the vehicle frame via a link mechanism. The hydraulic shock absorbing apparatus has a hydraulic attenuator and a shock absorbing spring. A lid is fitted into a cylinder head aperture, and also functions as a bracket for attachment of a cylinder. A support tube is fixed to the lid while being freely fitted in the circumference of the cylinder. A cylindrical spring seat is inserted in a fitting yet slidable manner into the cylinder and the support tube. The spring seat is intended to support the shock absorbing spring on the opposite side of a bracket of a piston rod. A working oil chamber is formed on an inner side of the support tube. The vehicle height adjustment apparatus pushes the spring seat downwardly against the shock absorbing spring, and extends an oil pressure attenuator by changing the oil pressure of the working oil chamber. Accordingly, a gap between the rear arm and the frame is increased, and thus the vehicle height is increased.


The invention relates to a stabilizing arrangement for transporting a switch cabinet, with a switch cabinet which comprises a frame stand consisting of vertical and horizontal struts, and with a switch cabinet door fastened on a door side of the frame stand by at least one hinge, so that the switch cabinet door can be pivoted back and forth between an open position in which it is pivoted away from the door side and a closed position in which it rests on the door side, characterized in that at least one positive-locking part is fastened on the door side and which extends away from the door side with its free end and comprises an undercut on its free end, wherein the switch cabinet door comprises a positive receptacle into which receptacle the positive-locking part extends with its free end in the closed position and extends behind the undercut in the closed position.

The stabilizing arrangements known from the prior art have the disadvantage that their construction is designed to be expensive and they require in part a significant expense for material. Therefore, for example, it is provided in CN 204425828 U that the rear wall of the switch cabinet is designed with a double wall in order to impart stability to the switch cabinet.
The invention therefore has the task of further developing a stabilizing arrangement of the initially described type in such a manner that it can be made available with simple and therefore economical technical means. Furthermore, the stabilizing arrangement should be designed in such a manner that that the means provided for the stabilization can be readily removed after the transport, that is, after the switch cabinet housing has reached its final position.
Accordingly, it is provided that at least one positive-locking part is fastened on the door side and which extends away from the door side with its free end and comprises an undercut on its free end, wherein the switch cabinet door comprises a positive receptacle, preferably on its inside facing the door side in the closed position into which receptacle the positive-locking part extends with its free end in the closed position and extends behind the undercut in the closed position.
Therefore, in the described stabilizing arrangement the switch cabinet door is stabilized relative to the frame stand during the transporting of the switch cabinet by the positive-locking part of the frame stand which engages into the positive receptacle of the switch cabinet door, so that the switch cabinet door has the additional function during transport of stabilizing the frame stand in itself. The stabilizing can be improved in that several pairs consisting of a positive receptacle and the positive-locking part which engages in it are provided, for example, in a diametrically opposing manner. As concerns its functionality, the switch cabinet door has the effect of a stiffening strut extending transversely in the door side when given diametrically opposing pairs consisting of a positive receptacle and the positive-locking part engaging in it.
The positive-locking parts can be designed as one-part or multi-partite plastic formed parts or metallic formed parts which can be connected to the frame stand of the switch cabinet via the door side of the frame stand as needed by screws or can be connected in another, detachable manner. In addition, it can be provided, for example, that the positive-locking parts are fixed via the system perforations consisting of fastening receptacles spaced at regular intervals, which perforations are present in any case in customary frame stands. To this end, for example, an insertion nut with an inner thread can be arranged in one of the fastening receptacles whereas the positive-locking part comprises a threaded bolt with which it is screwed into the insertion nut and is therefore fixed to the frame stand.
The free end of the positive-locking part can have a maximum dimension in the direction of the extension direction of the positive-locking part, which dimension corresponds to an inner dimension of the positive receptacle. Furthermore, the free end can have a running contour along which the positive-locking part widens out from its front side to the maximum dimension. Therefore, when the switch cabinet door is pivoted closed, a secure introduction of the free end is also ensured then into the positive receptacle of the switch cabinet door if, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances when the positive receptacle and the positive-locking part meet one another, the two do not align exactly.
The free end can merge in the direction of the extension of the positive-locking part on the undercut into a shaft of the positive-locking part via which the positive-locking part is fixed on the door side. The shaft can have a maximum dimension in the direction vertical to the direction of the extension of the positive-locking part which dimension is smaller than an inner dimension of the positive receptacle. In particular, it is not necessary that the shaft is positively received in the positive receptacle. The function of the stabilizing arrangement can be met already in that, for example, twistings of the switch cabinet frame stand which occurred during the transporting of the switch cabinet are limited to a certain (low) maximally admissible mass.
The positive receptacle can be a perforation in an U-shaped doubling back on the outer circumference of the switching cabinet door. The U-shaped doubling back can be in particular a doubling back on the outer circumference of the door leaf of the switch cabinet door. The door leaf can be doubled back in a U shape toward the inside of the door. Therefore, in the closed position the free end and be received between the two flanges of the U-shaped doubling back which are spaced parallel to one another.
The positive-locking part can comprise a body and fastening means which immovably fixes the body on the door side. The body comprises the free end and a shaft adjacent to it via the undercut via which shaft the positive-locking part borders on the door side, in particular rests on the frame stand.
The body and the fastening means can be constructed as separate structural components. The body can comprise a through bore via which the body is fastened to the door side with the fastening means, in particular with a screw bolt.
The through bore can extend through the body eccentrically and parallel to an axis of symmetry of the body, wherein the shaft comprises a projection on its end facing the door side, which projection is also arranged eccentrically to the axis of symmetry of the body but opposite the through bore relative to the axis of symmetry, and wherein the shaft rests with the projection on a horizontal support of the frame stand.
The body and the fastening means can also be formed in one part, wherein the fastening means, in particular a screw bolt, extends concentrically to the shaft and is formed on a shaft end facing the door side.
The door side can have a rectangular profile frame, wherein two of the positive-locking parts are arranged in a diametrically opposite manner on the profile frame.
Two pairs of positive-locking parts can be arranged on the profile frame, of which the two positive-locking parts of a first one of the pairs and the two positive-locking parts of a second one of the pairs are arranged diametrically opposed, in particular in diametrically opposed corner areas of the profile frame.
The frame stand can have a rectangular bottom frame consisting of four horizontal struts of which one horizontal strut lies in the door side and the at least one holding angle is mounted on this horizontal strut via a fastening flange of the holding angle which is located in the door side, wherein the at least one positive-locking part is fixed on the fastening flange and the fastening flange is preferably fixed on the horizontal strut via a threaded bolt of the positive-locking part.
The switch cabinet can be fastened by the at least one holding angle to at least one sliding board underneath the bottom frame, wherein the bottom frame stands up on a transport pallet under which a forklift can move via the at least one holding angle at a distance from the at least one sliding board.
The bottom frame can comprise a holding angle designed as an L angle, on each of its four corners by which the switch cabinet is fastened to a sliding board, wherein the distance at which the bottom frame is fastened to the at least one sliding board corresponds to a vertical dimension of the switch cabinet base, and wherein the holding angle is fastened to a vertical side of the bottom frame and extends away from the switch cabinet with its standing-up flange, so that a standing-up side of the bottom frame is completely free for the mounting of a switch cabinet on the standing-up side. Corresponding holding angles can be fastened on another horizontal strut of the bottom frame which strut is arranged opposite the horizontal strut in the door side, in particular in a back wall side of the frame stand.
The transport pallet can comprise a border which surrounds at least one sliding board so that the switch cabinet cannot be moved on the transport pallet in the horizontal direction or, in the case of a tilted pallet, in the plane of a standing-up surface of the pallet.

Stabilizing arrangement for transporting a switch cabinet


A training device for use in the various martial arts and other competitive sports that responds to a person using the training device. A torso sits on a base, a head is attached to the torso, arms are attached to the torso, and legs may be attached to the torso. Sensors on the torso, head, arms and legs communicate with means for moving the head, torso, arms and legs. A means for controlling the movement of the components can be programmed to move the components in response to, or independently of, the actions of a user of the device.

Punching dummies or other targets (including punching bags, punching targets, and kicking targets) are utilized in physical training to provide a target for the application of force by a user against a device. The punching dummies and other targets may also be used as a part of an exercise regime to assist users in strengthening muscles and in improving their technique in the various martial arts and other competitive sports.
Conventional punching dummies and other targets either remain passive or provide minimal movement. If they do move, the movement is not in response to the movements of a user of the device and they do not provide for programming and varying the types of movements made by the training device or a target. In addition, they do not provide for programming and varying the specific portions of a training device or target that will respond to the actions of a user.
For people wishing to train while simulating a real competitive experience, a sparring partner is required. Practicing specific techniques, such as martial arts arm blocks, requires a partner to strike toward the trainee's direction, something that cannot be done while training alone. Some devices in the past have attempted to simulate human action, such as by having a motorized sword that spins around at a set interval or a mechanized arm that regularly contracts and extends forward and back. These lack an interactive feature and the training device does not respond to user input, but instead simply functions in a repetitive continuous fashion, which makes them highly predictable and reduces their training effectiveness. Practice of competitive sports such as boxing, karate, tae kwon do, aikido, and kung fu for example requires at least two people for best results. However, because it is not always possible for one person to have a partner available, or because it may be dangerous to practice some advanced moves on a human partner, as the next best alternative, a mechanical partner would be most useful.
Another conventional training method is to practice with a stationary, non-interactive dummy (a "punching bag" type dummy). One shortcoming of this conventional approach is that it does not simulate actual conditions or allow the user to practice realistic offensive techniques—and provides no practice at all for defensive techniques. Furthermore, training with a conventional practice dummy does not allow for the practice session to be adjusted to the user's level of expertise.
Currently, those seeking to train or learn the various martial arts and other combat type sports do so either by training with another individual, e.g., a training partner or a professional instructor which can be difficult to schedule at a mutually convenient time and can also be costly, both in fees for the instructor and in fees for gym time. In addition, training with a human training partner may also result in injury to the training partner.
There is a need for such devices for use in training and teaching the various martial arts and other combat type sports such as boxing or any of the various fighting styles employed by competitors in events such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship ("UFC"). There is a need for such a device that contains a central processing unit ("CPU"), i.e., a computer, microchips, or the like that can be programmed to interact with and respond to a user or to operate independently of the actions of a user. This type of device will reduce injuries from sparring with another person, allow for beginners to train using multiple techniques at various speeds, and allows a person to train at any time during the day.


A bone conduction device configured to couple to an abutment of an anchor system anchored to a recipient's skull. The bone conduction device includes a housing and a vibrating actuator movably suspended in the housing and configured to vibrate in response to sound signals received by the bone conduction device The bone conduction device further includes a coupling apparatus configured to attach the bone conduction device to the abutment so as to deliver to the recipient's skull vibrations generated by the vibrating actuator, and a travel limit apparatus configured to limit a range of travel of the housing relative to the coupling apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hearing prostheses, and more particularly, to a bone conduction device having a limited range of travel.
2. Related Art
Hearing loss, which may be due to many different causes, is generally of two types: conductive and sensorineural. Sensorineural hearing loss is due to the absence or destruction of the hair cells in the cochlea that transduce sound signals into nerve impulses. Various hearing prostheses are commercially available to provide individuals suffering from sensorineural hearing loss with the ability to perceive sound. For example, cochlear implants use an electrode array implanted in the cochlea of a recipient to bypass the mechanisms of the ear. More specifically, an electrical stimulus is provided via the electrode array directly to the auditory nerve, thereby causing a hearing percept.
Conductive hearing loss occurs when the normal mechanical pathways that provide sound to hair cells in the cochlea are impeded, for example, by damage to the ossicular chain or ear canal. Individuals suffering from conductive hearing loss may retain some form of residual hearing because the hair cells in the cochlea may remain undamaged.
Individuals suffering from conductive hearing loss typically receive an acoustic hearing aid, referred to as a hearing aid herein. Hearing aids rely on principles of air conduction to transmit acoustic signals to the cochlea. In particular, a hearing aid typically uses an arrangement positioned in the recipient's ear canal or on the outer ear to amplify a sound received by the outer ear of the recipient. This amplified sound reaches the cochlea causing motion of the perilymph and stimulation of the auditory nerve.
Unfortunately, not all individuals suffering from conductive hearing loss are able to derive suitable benefit from hearing aids. For example, some individuals are prone to chronic inflammation or infection of the ear canal thereby eliminating hearing aids as a potential solution. Other individuals have malformed or absent outer ear and/or ear canals resulting from a birth defect, or medical condition such as Treacher Collins syndrome or Microtia. Furthermore, hearing aids are typically unsuitable for individuals who suffer from single-sided deafness (total hearing loss only in one ear). Additionally, in order to prevent undesirable acoustic feedback, hearing aids generally require that the ear canal be occluded, resulting in unnecessary pressure, discomfort, or other undesirable side effects such as eczema.
In contrast to hearing aids, which rely primarily on the principles of air conduction, certain types of hearing prostheses commonly referred to as bone conduction devices, convert a received sound into vibrations. The vibrations are transferred through the skull to the cochlea causing in the generation of nerve impulses, which result in the perception of the received sound. Bone conduction devices are suitable to treat a variety of types of hearing loss and may be suitable for individuals who cannot derive sufficient benefit from acoustic hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc, or for individuals who suffer from stuttering problems.

Bone conduction device having limited range of travel


A powertrain has an electric torque converter that includes an electric motor/generator, and a differential gear set having a first member, a second member, and a third member. The powertrain includes a layshaft transmission having a first input member connected to the first member, a second input member connected to the second member, and having a plurality of selectively engageable torque-transmitting mechanisms each of which is selectively engageable to establish a different respective speed ratio through the transmission. At least one controller is provided, and the motor/generator is connected for common rotation with the third member and is controlled by said at least one controller to establish a speed of the third member that permits synchronous engagement and disengagement of the torque-transmitting mechanisms to shift from one of the respective speed ratios to a successive one of the respective speed ratios. A method of controlling the powertrain is also provided.

A dual clutch transmission typically has dual input clutches or dual output clutches that are alternately engaged and disengaged in a slipping manner to alternate torque transferred from an input member to the different layshafts of the transmission as the transmission progresses through the available speed ratios. Such launch clutches have inherent heat and spin losses.
Single-motor hybrids usually require clutch-to-clutch shifts (i.e., shifts that involve energy losses) with associated spin losses and pump power requirements. Two-motor hybrid transmissions may allow synchronous shifts, but are typically expensive and difficult to package.

Hybrid powertrain with layshaft transmission and electric torque converter and method of controlling same


A linear systolic array Montgomery multiplier circuit that concurrently processes two separate Montgomery multiplications on alternate clock cycles, without a requirement to have any common parameters between the two multiplications. Multiples of two different parameters are stored in storage elements for each multiplication. Two sets of these multiples, one set for each of the two multiplications, are stored in separate storage banks and accessed on alternate clock cycles by each processing element in the array. Two sequences of control codes for the two multiplications are interleaved as they are fed into a first processing element.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains generally to computers. In particular, it pertains to a linear systolic array Montgomery multiplier.
2. Description of the Related Art
Exponentiation of large numbers has many uses, including public key encryption such as the Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) algorithm for data encryption and decryption. A common approach to performing the exponentiation, known as the xe2x80x98square and multiplyxe2x80x99 technique, performs a square operation (multiplying the accumulated result by itself) for each bit in the exponent, and a xe2x80x98multiplyxe2x80x99 operation (multiplying the accumulated result by a base number) for every xe2x80x981xe2x80x99 bit in the exponent. Assuming an equal number of xe2x80x981xe2x80x99s and xe2x80x980xe2x80x99s in the average exponent, a typical exponentiation using 1024-bit numbers requires over 1500 operations, with each operation involving 1024-bit numbers.
Montgomery multipliers are frequently used to perform the RSA and similar algorithms more efficiently by using a transform. Montgomery multipliers perform a transform of the operation needed for exponentiation by performing the operation Axc3x97B mod M (the remainder of A times B divided by M), and for large numbers is much more efficient than a direct approach to performing the math. Some Montgomery multipliers use a linear systolic array, i.e., a chain of identical processing elements (PEs), with each PE working on a portion (typically four bits) of each of the large numbers involved. The chain contains enough PEs to hold the largest of the numbers involved, including interim results. Carries and other interim values of the operation are fed in both directions between adjacent PEs.
Because of the clocked chain design of a linear systolic array Montgomery multiplier (LSAMM), each PE processes data for one clock cycle, then waits for one clock cycle to receive interim values from the adjacent PEs. Adjacent PEs are one clock cycle out of sync, i.e., the odd-numbered PEs are processing while the even-numbered PEs are waiting, and vice-versa. This means that each PE is idle half the time, and those idle cycles represent wasted resources. The idle cycles, which can be considered a separate channel, can be used to perform another operation. However, in a conventional LSAMM circuit, two of the three parameters (e.g., B and M) must be the same in both channels. With this limitation, the conventional approach to utilizing some of these wasted cycles in a square-and-multiply operation is to perform the squares for an exponentiation in one channel, and to perform the multiplies for the same exponentiation in the alternate channel. Since the average exponent contains a xe2x80x981xe2x80x99 in approximately half the bit positions, only half the cycles in the alternate channel are used for multiplies, while the remaining cycles in that channel, about 25% of the total cycles in both channels, remain idle and wasted.

Montgomery multiplier with dual independent channels


A novel small-scale replica bowling game is disclosed. The game is a realistic simulation of the game of either 5 pin or 10 pin bowling on an approximate 1:6 scale. The game comprises a player operated pin reset mechanism which is operable from the player end of the game as well as a gravity operated ball return mechanism.

The game of bowling a is a very popular pastime in both its 10 pin and 5 pin forms. However, because of the physical requirements of bowling lanes, it may not be played in most homes. Consequently, there have been many bowling games developed which are meant to simulate bowling and which are down-sized so that they may be enjoyed at home or in other smaller indoor spaces.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,220 issued to Burtchett, there is described a portable bowling alley with a ball return mechanism. The disadvantage to this portable game is that there is no way of resetting or clearing the pins after they have been knocked down, other than walking from one end of the game to the other and resetting or clearing each pin by hand.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a replica small scale bowling game which realistically simulates the game of bowling, permits the player to reset or clear the pins from the player end of the game and has a ball return mechanism.


An infrared-type gas detector is provided with a Fabry-Perot filter through which infrared having a predetermined wavelength is selected to pass, a first detection unit for receiving the infrared having passed through the Fabry-Perot filter and outputting a detection signal corresponding to an absorption amount of the infrared, and a case member having a window portion through which the infrared passes and housing therein the first detection unit and the Fabry-Perot filter in an inner space of the case member. The case member has at least one ventilation portion through which the inner space of the case member is communicated with the exterior of the case member.

Generally, an infrared-type gas detector is provided to detect a concentration of a detected gas according to an absorption amount of infrared which has a particular wavelength and absorbed by the detected gas. For example, with reference to JP-7-286809A and JP-2001-228326A, the infrared-type gas detector is provided with a Fabry-Perot filter.
The Fabry-Perot filter has a fixed mirror and a moving mirror which faces the fixed mirror and is separated from the moving mirror with a predetermined gap. A predetermined voltage is applied between a fixed electrode arranged at the fixed mirror and a movable electrode arranged at the moving mirror, so that the moving mirror is displaced. Thus, the infrared having a desirable wavelength corresponding to the gap which varies in response to the displacement of the moving mirror can be selected to pass. Therefore, the infrared-type gas detector having the Fabry-Perot filter can detect the infrared having multiple wavelength fields by a single infrared receiving element.
Moreover, as disclosed in JP-11-142245A, an infrared-type gas detector is provided with a Fabry-Perot filter and an infrared receiving element which are packaged in an inner space of a can. The inner space is hermetically closed.
However, in the case where the Fabry-Perot filter and the infrared receiving element are can-packaged, the pressure of the inner space will increase due to the increase of the temperature of the inner space because of the heating of the can package due to the infrared or the heat generation of a driving element (for driving Fabry-Perot filter, for example) arranged in the inner space. That is, unevenness will occur in the gap of the Fabry-Perot filter due to the variation (that is, variation of resistance due to gas) in the pressure of the inner space, even when the applied voltage is same.


A process for preparing polyurethane foams comprising reacting polyol with polyfunctional isocyanate in the presence of an auxiliary blowing agent comprising 1 monofluoro 1,1 dichloroethane. The amount of auxiliary blowing agent used is from 60 to 80 wt % of the amount of conventional auxiliary blowing agent consisting of trichlorofluoromethane that would be required to obtain comparable foam density and either firmness or compressive strength.

This invention relates to polyurethane foam and a method of manufacturing polyurethane foam.
Polyurethane foam is conventionally manufactured by reacting polyols with polyfunctional isocyanates in the presence of a small amount of water. Carbon, dioxide is generated in the reaction between isocyanate and water and acts as the primary blowing agent. Commonly a chlorofluoroalkane, usually trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) is added to the reaction mixture as an auxiliary blowing agent. Other auxiliary blowing agents such as methylene chloride and methylene chloride/chlorofluoroalkane blends may be used, but these blowing agents are difficult to handle due to their toxicity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,644 (E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company) discloses polyurethane foams prepared using 1,1 dichloro 2,2,2, trifluoroethane (CFC-123) as the auxiliary blowing agent. This blowing agent is less efficient than CFC11, so more of it is required to make foams of comparable density.


A mobile data terminal which is located proximate to a cellular telephone unit is used to provide customer location information from a foreign cellular telephone service region to the cellular telephone service region in which the customer is a cellular telephone service subscriber. The mobile data terminal provides identification data to a mobile data base radio station located in the foreign cellular telephone service region. The cellular telephone network control center of the cellular telephone service region in which the customer is a subscriber is informed of the foreign cellular telephone service region in which the customer is currently located, possibly through the use of a national clearing house. In this manner, the customer can be reached on the cellular telephone unit in the foreign cellular telephone service region.

Cellular telephone service in the United States is provided by numerous companies which provide service in separate geographical regions. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has licensed two cellular carriers in each Metropolitan Service Area (MSA) and Rural Service Area (RSA), of which there are 306 and 428, respectively. The service area within each individual region is divided into many distinct sub-regions, commonly referred to as cells.
Each cell within a region contains a single cell-site control system (CSC), which is composed of a processor, one or more radio receiver/transmitters, and one or more radio antennas. The CSCs in a region are connected to a network control system (NCS), which controls all cellular telephone connections within that region. The NCS is, in turn, connected to one or more wireline telephone company central offices (COs) in the region.
Each CSC is responsible for all customers having a cellular telephone presently located in the corresponding cell. In particular, when a cellular telephone is turned on, it may transmit a signal indicating that it is ready to place and/or receive calls. This signal is received by CSCs in the immediate area. The received signals are then fed to the NCS. The CSC that receives the signal the strongest is generally the CSC that is contained in the cell in which the cellular telephone is located. As such, the NCS makes the particular CSC responsible for supporting calls involving that cellular telephone.
If a call is placed or received by that telephone, the NCS transmits the voice signals, as well as the data signals necessary for setting up and controlling the voice signals, to the responsible CSC. The CSC sends a data message to the mobile telephone, assigning that telephone an unoccupied pair of frequencies in which signals are to be transmitted and received (the transmitting frequency being different than the receiving frequency). Thereafter, all of the signals transmitted during the cellular phone call are handled by the responsible CSC on the assigned frequencies.
If, during a conversation, the cellular telephone, which may be located in an automobile, for example, moves from one cell to another, signals may be received stronger by the CSC in the new cell, in which case, the NCS may make the CSC in the new cell responsible for that cellular telephone, and the call in progress is handed-off to the new cell.
However, because different companies provide cellular telephone service to the various regions throughout the United States, complications may arise when a customer of a first company which services a first (home) region is located in a second (foreign) region serviced by a second company ("roaming"). Some cellular carriers have entered into roaming agreements pursuant to which they will provide service to each other's subscribers. Indeed, the NCSs of the regions may, but need not, be connected to support such conversations. As such, placing a call by a customer in a foreign region may be as simple as dialing the area code and number. Calls originated by the roaming subscriber are handled by the foreign systems, and applicable charges are billed to the subscriber's home system operator. Substantial premiums may apply to calls originated by roaming subscribers.
However, problems arise in locating a customer in a foreign region (serviced by a different company) so that calls can be received by the customer. In a cellular telephone system having a "Standard Roaming" feature, a party desiring to reach a customer in a foreign region must know the particular foreign region in which the customer is located, which of the two systems in the foreign region is providing service to the roaming cellular telephone, and the access number of the NCS of the service providing system in the foreign region. The party must then dial the access number followed by the area code and local number in order to call the customer.
In a cellular system having a "Follow Me Roaming".RTM. feature (registered trademark of GTE Mobilnet), once a customer enters a foreign region, he may press particular buttons on his cellular telephone in order to activate Follow Me Roaming, i.e., he may transmit a signal to the nearest CSC in order to notify the NCS in the foreign region and, in turn, the NCS in the home region that he is presently located in the foreign region. A party desiring to call the customer would then need to dial only the area code and local number, because the home NCS knows to which foreign NCS to route the call, i.e., the home NCS knows in which foreign region the customer is located.
The customer must activate Follow Me Roaming in each new region into which the customer travels by pressing the particular buttons on the cellular phone. Inconvenience to the cellular telephone user arises because (a) the subscriber must first know that he/she has, in fact, entered into a foreign cellular service area, (b) the subscriber must manually activate the Follow Me Roaming feature, and (c) when on an extended journey which traverses many foreign cellular service areas, the subscriber must continually be aware of his/her entering into a new area and must activate the Follow Me Roaming feature again and again. Deactivation of Follow Me Roaming is achieved by pressing other buttons on the cellular phone.
To eliminate this inconvenience on the customer, it is also known for a cellular telephone to provide identification information (i.e., the I.D. of the unit's home NCS) automatically, immediately after being turned on in a foreign region. As in systems having Follow Me Roaming, the foreign NCS then notifies the home NCS of the whereabouts of the customer, allowing callers to dial only the local telephone number in order to reach the customer. However, such a feature is not available in many regions of the United States.
Moreover, when a call is forwarded to a cellular telephone subscriber in a foreign region, the subscriber is charged for the air time and for the long distance portion of the call, even if the subscriber receives an unwanted ("nuisance") call.

Cellular telephone locator using a mobile data system


A method of assigning channels (each having a center frequency from a frequency set) to a set of sound sources for a live entertainment event performance, said sound sources having a hierarchy of importance to entertainment event success. First, the frequencies are ranked in terms of susceptibility to interference from intermodulation products created by the frequency set. Then, high importance sound sources are assigned the most reliable channels—that is, those having a center frequency that has a relatively low susceptibility to interference from intermodulation products.

When coordinating RF transmitters it is important to take into account the phenomenon of intermodulation (IM) distortion. Intermodulation distortion is caused by non-linear amplifiers and signal processing used in most audio hardware. Intermodulation distortion between two or more frequencies will form additional frequency signals (intermodulation products). These new signals occur at the sum and difference frequencies of the original signals and at multiples of those sum and difference signals. If intermodulation products fall within the bandwidth of a receiver, intermodulation interference may occur.
Those configuring wireless equipment for a live entertainment event, typically referred to as "RF coordinators," are faced with many challenges. Typically, for a concert or a sporting event, multiple systems independently operating in parallel communicate by means of wireless signals. These systems may collectively use dozens of wireless channels, each typically having a width on the order of 25 KHz.
In a live concert, there are wireless channels assigned to lead singers, various accompanying instruments, backup singers, in-ear monitors worn by musicians, and two-way radio communications between people coordinating the performance. In addition, if there is news coverage of the event the news reporters will have wireless communication devices, also competing for clean spectrum space.
Sporting events also have a pall mall assortment of sound sources that must be transmitted wirelessly to receivers. Coaches and assistant coaches are connected by wireless units. News crews are equipped with wireless communication devices.
Moreover, clean spectrum space is not necessarily easy to find, as the 470 MHZ to 700 MHZ spectrum typically used for live events is, for the most part, shared with UHF TV stations. Because of this, even the same concert, with the same set of performers and instruments, cannot have the same wireless channel assignments from one city to the next on a multi-city tour.
Avoiding interference caused by intermodulation products is a critical issue in this environment. There are software tools available to assist an RF coordinator in assigning channels to their wireless equipment. The current state of the art is for the software tool to perform an intermodulation analysis and compute a frequency set. The resultant frequency set includes a list of frequencies that are guaranteed to be "intermodulation-compatible"—that is, the intermodulation products computed from the frequencies in the frequency set are guaranteed to be a specified distance removed from each frequency in the set. Sometimes, when intermodulation analysis is performed using strict criteria for frequency survival then the resultant frequency set is too small to accommodate all the audio gear that requires channel assignments. In this case the intermodulation analysis can be repeated using less stringent frequency survival criteria, and this results in a frequency set that contains more members but which is also less reliable than one computed using stricter criteria. Typically, all frequencies in a frequency set are treated as being equally reliable and the RF coordinator typically assigns them, in no particular order, to their wireless equipment. To be more exact, an RF coordinator assigns channels to their wireless equipment, where a channel is a frequency band (typically 25 KHz wide) whose center frequency is a member of the frequency set.

Method for configuring wireless links for a live entertainment event


Microparticle of cellulose acetate and derivatives thereof characterized by being water soluble, having a large interior void space and having a plurality of open exterior surface pores. These water soluble microparticles can be loaded with a chemical selected from the group consisting of pharmaceuticals, dyes, flavorings, agriculturals, solid catalysts and fragrances. The microparticles are produced by forming spherical droplets of a dope of water soluble cellulose acetate and water soluble derivatives of cellulose acetate with a solvent therefor, precipitating the spherical droplets in a bath of a precipitant for water soluble cellulose acetate and water soluble derivatives of cellulose acetate, separating the excess precipitant from the microparticles, enriching the microparticles with the precipitant by contacting the microparticles one or more times with a solution of the precipitant, removing rapidly under vacuum substantially all of the precipitant from the microparticles, and recovering the resulting water soluble microparticles.

The present invention relates to the formation of microparticles of water soluble cellulose acetate and water soluble derivatives of cellulose acetate.
Microparticles of cellulose organic esters generally and microparticles of cellulose acetate particularly are known in the art. Such particles are used for immobilization of enzymes, filter packings, chromatographic packings and the controlled release of chemicals. Various methods of forming cellulose organic ester particles are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,390,691 and 4,461,892 to Nishikawa et al disclose processes for preparing porous spherical cellulose particles which include suspending a cellulose ester solution dissolved in a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent into an aqueous solution, evaporating the solvent to form spherical particles and saponifying the spherical particles. However, these microparticles are not soluble in water thus the uses thereof are somewhat restricted especially with respect to the controlled release of chemicals and as catalyst carriers.
Water soluble cellulose acetate films and fibers and processes for producing them are known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 2,129,052 to Fordyce, U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,082 to Creamer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,482,011 to Bohrer and U.K. Patent No. 696,903 to Davoud all disclose that water soluble and water susceptible cellulose acetate film and fibers can be produced by utilizing various esterification and/or hydrolysis techniques on cellulose acetate which is normally insoluble in water. Additionally, Russian Patent No. 1740744 discloses using water soluble cellulose acetate as a tablet binder for use by the pharmaceutical industry. However, there is no disclosure of the formation of water soluble cellulose acetate microspheres.

Preparation of water soluble cellulose acetate microspheres


A method performed by one or more processing devices includes obtaining a definition of a data structure; obtaining a definition of one or more operations to be performed on the data structure, the definition of the one or more operations being in accordance with a first syntax; receiving a request for instructions to perform the one or more operations on the one or more fields of the data structure, the instructions being in accordance with a second syntax; generating a translation of the definition of the one or more operations from the first syntax to the second syntax; generating instructions for accessing the one or more fields of the data structure; and generating the instructions in accordance with the second syntax for performing the one or more operations on the one or more fields of the data structure.

A developer can write a computer program to perform operations on a data structure. Generally, an operation includes an action resulting from an instruction. In an example, the computer program is written in a programming language. In this example, the developer wants to use the operations in another computer program, which uses another, different programming language. To use the operations in the other programming language, the developer re-writes the operations in the other programming language.

Generating a translation of operations for a data structure


To create silicon boronitride layers that are utilized as intermetallization layers and/or as final passivation layers, the present invention provides a method wherein fluid initial compounds that already molecularly contain a part of the target composition of the silicon boronitride layer to be produced are utilized, and deposited through chemical vapor deposition in an alternating electromagnetic field. The silicon boronitride layers produced in this fashion have a dielectric constant whose value is below 4 .epsilon..sub.o and are distinguished by good insulating and blocking properties and by a high break down strength.

The present invention is directed to a method for producing a silicon boronitride layer having a dielectric constant .epsilon. of less than 4 .epsilon..sub.o by chemical vapor deposition in an alternating electromagnetic field.
Dielectric layers are required for intermetallization layers and final passivation layers in VLSI semiconductor circuits. These dielectric layers should exhibit low dielectric constants, good insulation and blocking properties, and have high break down strengths. The dielectric layers should also exhibit an optimally conformal step coverage of the layers lying therebeIow and should not have a hygroscopic effect.
In recent years, silicon nitride, deposited through plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition methods (PECVD), has been increasingly utilized as a dielectric layer. In this respect, silicon nitride has replaced phosphorosilicate glass, which exhibits the unfavorable property of hygroscopicity. The silicon nitride layers provide good insulating properties and barrier properties against humidity and alkali ions. Moreover, siIicon nitride layers exhibit good step coverage and a high break down strength.
But, despite the advantages provided by the silicon nitride layers, the dielectric constant of these layers is relatively high (.epsilon.=7 .epsilon..sub.o), compared to that of phosphorosilicate glass or other silicon oxide layers (.epsilon.=4 .epsilon..sub.o). The relatively high dielectric constant results in parasitic leakage currents and relatively great delays in the transmission time between individual components. The articles by M. Maeda and Y. Arita, in the Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 53, 1982, pages 6852ff and K. M. Mar and G. M. Samuelson, in Solid State TechnologY, Vol. 23, 9810, pages 137ff, provide a detailed discussion of this problem.
Boronitride layers are known that can be deposited by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD). The boronitride layers are chemically inert and temperature stable. Moreover, they have a low dielectric constant of .epsilon.=2.7 .epsilon..sub.o. However, boronitride layers are not stable with respect to atmospheric humidity, specifically in high-boron films. Discussions on investigations with respect to the APCVD deposition of boronitride layers are set forth in, for example, articles by M. Rand and J. F. Roberts in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 115, 1968, pages 423ff and S. B. Hyder and T. O. Yep in the Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol. 123, 1976, pages 1721ff.
According to Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol. 9, No. 126 E 318, 1985, a ring-shaped molecule B.sub.3 N.sub.3 H.sub.6 can be used as an initial substance. In the alternative, according to W. Schmolla and H. Hartnagel in Solid State Electronics, Vol. 26, No. 10, 1983, pp. 931 ff , B.sub.3 N.sub.3 H.sub.3 (CH.sub.3) .sub.3, that is likewise a ring-shaped molecule, can be used as an initial substance.
In order to improve the moisture resistance of boronitride films, M. Maeda and T. Malino in the Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 26, No. 5, 1987, pages 660-665 proposed a mixed nitride of silicon boronitride (SiBN). By utilizing what is referred to as a parallel plate PECVD reactor, utilizing a gas mixture composed of SiH.sub.4, B.sub.2 H.sub.6, NH.sub.3, and Ar, this amorphous silicon boronitride is deposited. However, the method requires the installation of gas feeds and that therefore result in a complicated structure, wherein the composition of the gas mixture is difficult to control.

Method for producing silicon boronitride layers


A displacement detecting device includes: a diffraction grating having a relief shape; an irradiation optical system adapted to irradiate two beams onto the diffraction grating as p-polarized light; a reflection optical system adapted to reflect two first diffracted lights generated when the two beams is diffracted by the diffraction grating, and cause the first diffracted lights to be incident again on the diffraction grating as p-polarized light so as to generate two second diffracted lights; an interference optical system adapted to cause the two second diffracted lights to interfere with each other to obtain interference light; a light receiving section adapted to receive the interference light; and a position information detecting section adapted to detect position information of the diffraction grating based on an interference signal. The period of the relief of the diffraction grating is no more than 1.5 times the wavelength of coherent light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a displacement detecting device adapted to detect displacement of a surface-to-be-measured with high accuracy with a non-contact sensor that uses light.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, displacement detecting devices are widely used as devices for measuring displacement and shape of a surface-to-be-measured.
Among such displacement detecting devices, there is a type of displacement detecting device adapted to irradiate light on a diffraction grating fixed to a surface-to-be-measured, and detect the phase change of a diffracted light generated accompanying the displacement of the object-to-be-measured.
For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 4023923 (referred to as "Patent document 1" hereinafter) discloses an art in which a coherent light emitted from a light source is split into two coherent lights, and the two coherent lights are incident on a diffraction grating. Two diffracted lights generated by the two coherent lights incident on the diffraction grating are reflected by a reflection optical system so as to be incident again on the diffraction grating.
By such a method, the light once diffracted is reflected by the reflection optical system and diffracted again by the diffraction grating, and thereby it is possible to improve detection resolution.
Particularly, in the art disclosed in Patent document 1, the coherent light incident on the diffraction grating forms an image on the diffraction grating. Further, the diffracted light is reflected in such a manner that the diffracted light diffracted by the diffraction grating is collimated into a parallel light by an imaging section, so that the light is constantly perpendicularly incident on a reflector.
With such an arrangement, the deviation of the image position of the diffracted light on the grating can be prevented, and the deviation of the optical axis of the diffracted light can also be prevented. Thus, it is possible to perform position detection with high accuracy.

Displacement detecting device with a polarization change to a twice-diffracted beam