Author: claimsbot

1. A device for in-situ measurement and recording of at least one parameter in a process, said device comprising:
a sensor for detecting said parameter and converting to a sensor output; and
a data logger coupled to said sensor for receiving and logging said sensor output.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said data logger comprises a timestamping module for recording a timestamp with said sensor output.
3. The device of claim 2 further comprising a communication module for communicating said sensor output.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said communication module comprises a transmitter and a receiver.
5. The device of claim 3 wherein said communication module comprises an RF (radio frequency) communication module.
6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a display device.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein said sensor is configured to detect a presence of electrostatic field.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein said sensor is configured to measure a magnitude of said electrostatic field.
9. The device of claim 8 wherein said sensor is configured to detect a change in said electrostatic field.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein said sensor is configured to detect an electrostatic discharge.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein said sensor is configured to measure a magnitude of said electrostatic discharge.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein said data logger comprises an analog to digital converter (ADC) to convert said sensor output into digital data.
13. The device of claim 12 further comprising signal processing circuitry coupled to said sensor for processing said sensor output.
14. A device for in-situ measurement and recording of at least one parameter in a process, said device comprising:
means for detecting said parameter and converting to a sensor output; and
means for receiving and logging said sensor output.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein said means for receiving and logging comprises a timestamping module for recording a timestamp with said sensor output.
16. The device of claim 13 further comprising means for communicating said sensor output.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein said means for communicating comprises a transmitter and a receiver.
18. The device of claim 16 wherein said means for communicating comprises an RF (radio frequency) communication module.
19. A method for in-situ measurement and recording of at least one parameter in a semiconductor fabrication process comprising a plurality of stages, said method comprising:
(a) monitoring said parameter in a stage of said plurality of stages;
(b) converting said parameter into data;
(c) logging said data and an identification of said stage; and
(d) repeating (a)-(d) for said plurality of stages.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising timestamping said data.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising signal processing said data.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising converting said data into digital data.
23. The method of claim 22 further comprising communicating said digital data and said identification of said stage to a base equipment.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein said parameter comprises electrostatic field.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein said parameter comprises a change in said electrostatic field.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein said parameter comprises an electrostatic discharge.
27. The method of claim 26 further comprising eliminating extraneous electrostatic discharges based on said electrostatic discharge and said electrostatic field.
28. A device for in-situ monitoring of at least one environmental parameter in a photolithographic process comprising a plurality of stages, said device comprising:
at least one sensor for converting said environmental parameter of an associated stage into a sensor output;
an analog to digital converter for converting said sensor output to digital data; and
a communication module to communicate said digital data and an identification of said associated stage of said plurality of stages.
29. The device of claim 28 further comprising a data logger for logging said digital data and said identification of said associated stage.
30. The device of claim 29 wherein said communication module comprises a transmitter and a receiver.
31. The device of claim 29 wherein said communication module comprises an RF (radio frequency) communication module.
32. The device of claim 28 further comprising a display device.
33. The device of claim 28 further comprising a sensor for detecting a presence of electrostatic field.
34. The device of claim 33 wherein said sensor is configured to measure a magnitude of said electrostatic field.
35. The device of claim 34 wherein said sensor is configured to detect a change in said electrostatic field.
36. The device of claim 28 further comprising a sensor for detecting an electrostatic discharge.
37. The device of claim 36 wherein said sensor is configured to measure a magnitude of said electrostatic discharge.
38. The device of claim 28 further comprising signal processing circuitry coupled to said plurality of sensors for processing said sensor output.
39. A device for use in conjunction with a reticle for in-situ monitoring of at least one electrical parameter in a semiconductor fabrication process comprising a plurality of stages, said device comprising:
a sensor for converting said electrical parameter of a stage into a sensor output;
an analog to digital converter for converting said sensor output to digital data;
a data logger comprising a timestamping module for logging said digital data and an identification of said stage; and
an RF (radio frequency) communication module coupled to said data logger.
40. The device of claim 39 wherein said electrical parameter comprises electrostatic field.
41. The device of claim 39 wherein electrical parameter comprises an electrostatic discharge.
42. A method for in-situ measurement and recording of at least one parameter in a semiconductor fabrication process comprising at least one stage, said method comprising:
(a) monitoring said parameter in said stage;
(b) converting said parameter into data; and
(c) logging said data and an identification of said stage.
43. The method of claim 42 further comprising
timestamping said data.
44. The method of claim 43 further comprising:
signal processing said data.
45. The method of claim 44 further comprising:
converting said data into digital data.
46. The method of claim 44 further comprising:
communicating said digital data and said identification of said stage to a base equipment.
47. The method of claim 46 wherein said parameter comprises electrostatic field.
48. The method of claim 46 wherein said parameter comprises an electrostatic discharge.
49. A device for monitoring environmental parameters comprising:
an electrostatic sensor for detecting electrostatic field and converting said electrostatic field into a first output;
an electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensor for detecting an electrostatic discharge and converting said electrostatic discharge into a second sensor output;
an analog to digital converter coupled to said electrostatic sensor and said ESD sensor for converting said first and second sensor outputs to first and second digital data, respectively; and
a data logger comprising a timestamping module for logging said first and second digital data.
50. The device of claim 49 further comprising an RF (radio frequency) communication module coupled to said data logger.
51 A method for localizing electrostatic discharges (ESD) by detecting electrostatic discharges and electrostatic field, the method comprising:
detecting an electrostatic discharge and converting it into a first output;
detecting said electrostatic field and converting it into a second output; and
determining a valid local electrostatic discharge based on said first and second outputs.
52. The method of claim 51 wherein said determining comprises determining said valid local electrostatic discharge when said electrostatic discharge is combined with said electrostatic field having a magnitude that exceeds a predetermined value.
53. The method of claim 52 further comprising converting said first and second outputs to first and second digital data, respectively.
54. A device for localizing electrostatic discharges affecting a unit by detecting an electrostatic discharge and electrostatic field, the device comprising:
an electrostatic sensor for detecting said electrostatic field affecting said unit and generating a first output; and
an ESD sensor for detecting said electrostatic discharge affecting said unit and generating a second output.
55. The device of claim 54 further comprising:
an analog comparator coupled to said first output for generating a comparator output when said electrostatic field has a magnitude exceeding a predetermined value.
56. The device of claim 55 further comprising:
a circuit coupled to said analog comparator and to said ESD sensor for receiving said comparator output and said second output, said circuit configured to generate a valid ESD signal when said comparator output and said second output are detected.
57. The device of claim 54 further comprising:
an analog to digital converter (ADC) coupled to said electrostatic sensor and said ESD sensor for converting said first and second outputs to first and second digital data, respectively.
58. The device of claim 57 further comprising:
a digital comparator coupled to said first data and generating a comparator output when said electrostatic field has a magnitude exceeding a predetermined value.
59. The device of claim 58 further comprising:
a circuit coupled to said digital comparator and to said ADC for receiving said comparator output and said second data, said circuit configured to generate a valid ESD signal when said comparator output and said second data are detected.
60. The device of claim 59 wherein said circuit is an AND gate.
61. The device of claim 60 further comprising:
a data logger comprising a timestamping module for logging said first and second digital data.
62. The device of claim 61 further comprising an RF (radio frequency) communication module coupled to said data logger.
63. A method for localizing electrostatic discharges (ESD) by detecting electrostatic discharges and electrostatic field, the method comprising:
detecting an electrostatic discharge and converting it into a first output;
detecting a change in said electrostatic field and converting it into a second output; and
determining a valid local electrostatic discharge based on said first and second outputs.
64. The method of claim 63 wherein said determining comprises determining said valid local electrostatic discharge when said electrostatic discharge is combined with said electrostatic field changing at a rate that exceeds a predetermined value.
65. The method of claim 64 further comprising converting said first and second outputs to first and second digital data, respectively.
66. A device for localizing electrostatic discharges affecting a unit by detecting an electrostatic discharge and electrostatic field;
an electrostatic sensor for detecting a change in said electrostatic field and generating a first output; and
an ESD sensor for detecting said electrostatic discharge and generating a second output.
67. The device of claim 66 further comprising:
a high pass filter coupled to said first output for generating a high pass filter output when said electrostatic field changes at a rate exceeding a predetermined value.
68. The device of claim 67 further comprising:
a circuit coupled to said high pass filter and to said ESD sensor for receiving said high pass filter output and said second output, said circuit configured to generate a valid ESD signal when said high pass filter output and said second output are detected.
69. The device of claim 68 further comprising:
an analog to digital converter (ADC) coupled to said electrostatic sensor and said ESD sensor for converting said first and second outputs to first and second digital data, respectively.
70. The device of claim 69 further comprising:
a high pass filter coupled to said first data for generating a high pass filter output when said electrostatic field changes at a rate exceeding a predetermined value.
71. The device of claim 70 wherein said high pass filter comprises software codes executable by a microprocessor.
72. The device of claim 70 further comprising:
a circuit coupled to said high pass filter and to said ADC for receiving said high pass filter output and said second data, said circuit configured to generate a valid ESD signal when said high pass filter output and said second data are detected.
73. The device of claim 72 wherein said circuit is an AND gate.
74. The device of claim 73 further comprising:
a data logger comprising a timestamping module for logging said first and second digital data.
75. The device of claim 74 further comprising an RF (radio frequency) communication module coupled to said data logger.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A curable mixture comprising
a) an epoxy resin having more than one 1,2-epoxy group per molecule and
b) as curing catalyst, an imidazole compound of formula I

47
wherein
R1, R2 and R3 are each independently of the others a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aralkyl having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms, or unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aryl having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and
R4 is alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkenyl having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, alkynyl having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aralkyl having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms or unsubstituted or halo-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aryl having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms.
2. A mixture according to claim 1, comprising as component (a) a liquid or solid polyglycidyl ether or ester.
3. A mixture according to claim 1, comprising as component (a) a liquid polyglycidyl ether or ester.
4. A mixture according to claim 1, comprising as component (b) an imidazole compound of formula I wherein R1 and R2 are each independently of the other a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or phenyl,
R3 is a hydrogen atom or phenyl, and
R4 is alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, alkenyl having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or unsubstituted or substituted benzyl.
5. A mixture according to claim 1, comprising as component (b) an imidazole compound of formula I wherein
each of R1 and R3 is a hydrogen atom,
R2 is phenyl, and
R4 is alkenyl having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or unsubstituted or substituted phenyl or unsubstituted or substituted benzyl,
or wherein
R1 is branched alkyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms,
each of R2 and R3 is a hydrogen atom, and
R4 is unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted benzyl or branched alkyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
6. A mixture according to claim 1, comprising as component (b) an imidazole compound of the formula

48
7. An imidazole compound of formula II

49
wherein
X1, X2 and X3 are each independently of the others a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aralkyl having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms, or unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aryl having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and
X4 is alkenyl having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms or alkynyl having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms,
or wherein
each of X1 and X3 is a hydrogen atom,
X2 is unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aryl having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and
X4 is alkenyl or aryl,
or wherein
X1 is branched alkyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms,
each of X2 and X3 is a hydrogen atom, and
X4 is aryl or branched alkyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
8. An imidazole compound according to claim 7, wherein in formula II
each of X1 and X3 is a hydrogen atom,
X2 is phenyl, and
X4 is alkenyl having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms or unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aryl having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms,
or wherein
X1 is branched alkyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms,
each of X2 and X3 is a hydrogen atom, and
X4 is unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aryl having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms or branched alkyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
9. An imidazole compound according to claim 7, wherein in formula II
X1 is branched alkyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms,
each of X2 and X3 is a hydrogen atom, and
X4 is unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted phenyl, unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted benzyl or branched alkyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms.
10. An imidazole compound according to claim 7 of the formula

50
11. A curable mixture comprising
a) an epoxy resin having more than one 1,2-epoxy group per molecule,
b1) as curing accelerator, an imidazole compound of formula I

51
wherein
R1, R2 and R3 are each independently of the others a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxy having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aralkyl having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms, or unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aryl having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and
R4 is alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkenyl having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, alkynyl having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or halo-, nitro-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aralkyl having from 7 to 20 carbon atoms or unsubstituted or halo-, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkoxy-substituted aryl having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and

c) a curing agent for epoxy resins.
12. A mixture according to claim 11, comprising as component (c) dicyandiamide or a polycarboxylic acid anhydride.
13. A moulded material, coating or bonded material manufactured by curing from a curable mixture according to either claim 1 or claim 11.

1. A method for controlling a television signal receiver having an emergency alert function, comprising:
receiving an input representing a geographical area; and
providing a masked list of emergency events responsive to the input, wherein the masked list of emergency events represents a subset of all emergency events associated with the emergency alert function.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the geographical area is represented by a FIPS location code.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprised of enabling a user to select an emergency event from the masked list of emergency events.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprised of:
receiving emergency alert signals indicating an occurrence of the selected emergency event; and
providing an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprised of:
receiving emergency alert signals indicating an occurrence of an emergency event not included in the masked list of emergency events; and
providing an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the received input represents a plurality of geographical areas;
each of the geographical areas includes at least one masked event; and
the masked list of emergency events excludes the masked events common to all of the geographical areas.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of geographical areas are represented by a corresponding plurality of FIPS location codes.
8. A television signal receiver having an emergency alert function, comprising:
a memory operative to store data associated with the emergency alert function; and
a processor operative to receive an input representing a geographical area and enable generation of a masked list of emergency events responsive to the input using the data in the memory, wherein the masked list of emergency events represents a subset of all emergency events associated with the emergency alert function.
9. The television signal receiver of claim 8, wherein the geographical area is represented by a FIPS location code.
10. The television signal receiver of claim 8, wherein a user selects an emergency event from the masked list of emergency events.
11. The television signal receiver of claim 10, further comprising:
a tuner operative to tune a frequency including emergency alert signals indicating an occurrence of the selected emergency event; and
wherein the processor enables an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals.
12. The television signal receiver of claim 8, further comprising:
a tuner operative to tune a frequency including emergency alert signals indicating an occurrence of an emergency event not included in the masked list of emergency events; and
wherein the processor enables an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals.
13. The television signal receiver of claim 8, wherein:
the input received by the processor represents a plurality of geographical areas and each of the geographical areas includes at least one masked event; and
the masked list of emergency events excludes the masked events common to all of the geographical areas.
14. The television signal receiver of claim 13, wherein the plurality of geographical areas are represented by a corresponding plurality of FIPS location codes.
15. A television signal receiver having an emergency alert function, comprising:
memory means for storing data associated with the emergency alert function; and
processing means for receiving an input representing a geographical area and enabling generation of a masked list of emergency events responsive to the input using the data in the memory means, wherein the masked list of emergency events represents a subset of all emergency events associated with the emergency alert function.
16. The television signal receiver of claim 15, wherein the geographical area is represented by a FIPS location code.
17. The television signal receiver of claim 15, wherein a user selects an emergency event from the masked list of emergency events.
18. The television signal receiver of claim 17, further comprising:
tuning means for tuning a frequency including emergency alert signals indicating an occurrence of the selected emergency event; and
wherein the processing means enables an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals.
19. The television signal receiver of claim 15, further comprising:
tuning means for tuning a frequency including emergency alert signals indicating an occurrence of an emergency event not included in the masked list of emergency events; and
wherein the processing means enables an alert output responsive to the emergency alert signals.
20. The television signal receiver of claim 15, wherein:
the input received by the processing means represents a plurality of geographical areas and each of the geographical areas includes at least one masked event; and
the masked list of emergency events excludes the masked events common to all of the geographical areas.
21. The television signal receiver of claim 20, wherein the plurality of geographical areas are represented by a corresponding plurality of FIPS location codes.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An apparatus, comprising:
an assembly that connects various parts of the apparatus;
a back that provides support for at least a person’s back or shoulders;
a floating lumbar support, which provides support for a person’s lower back, attached to the assembly;
a seat that is adjustable between forward tilted and reclined positions;
a plurality of rollers, disposed on the assembly, on which the seat is oriented in an at-rest position while the person is in an upright position and oriented in a rolling position when the person is in motion;
a central column, attached to the assembly, on which the seat can spin; and
a lower torsion spring connected to the seat and disposed on the assembly allowing controlled movement of the seat,
wherein the floating lumbar support is connected to the seat at a pivot location, and
wherein the seat further comprises a contoured lower surface that is slidable over at least one of the plurality of rollers.