Author: claimsbot

1. A retractable clothes dryer vent comprising:
a support;
a duct coupling mounted in the support and having a first duct coupling end, a second duct coupling end opposite the first duct coupling end, and a duct coupling opening extending through the support;
a dryer vent hose having a first hose end extending from the first duct coupling end of the duct coupling and a second hose end opposite the first hose end;
a dryer exhaust coupling extending from the second hose end;
a first retraction guide assembly having a first retraction guide assembly first end mounted to the support and a first guide retraction guide assembly second end anchored to the dryer exhaust coupling; and
a second retraction guide assembly having a second retraction guide assembly first end mounted to the support and a second guide retraction guide assembly second end anchored to the dryer exhaust coupling.
2. The retractable clothes dryer vent of claim 1, wherein:
the first retraction guide assembly comprises:
a first retractable spool assembly mounted to the support; and
a first retractable line extending from a first line first end to a first line second end opposite the first line first end, wherein the first line first end is maintained in the first retractable spool assembly, the first line second end is anchored to the dryer exhaust coupling, and the first retractable line is retractable into the first retractable spool assembly; and

the second retraction guide assembly comprises:
a second retractable spool assembly mounted to the support; and
a second retractable line extending from a second line first end to a second line second end opposite the second line first end, wherein the second line first end is maintained in the second retractable spool assembly, the second line second end is anchored to the dryer exhaust coupling, and the second retractable line is retractable into the second retractable spool assembly.
3. The retractable clothes dryer vent of claim 2, wherein:
the first retractable spool assembly comprises:
a first retracting spool housing mounted to the support;
a first spool mounted and rotatable in the first retracting spool housing and coupled to the first line first end of the first retractable line; and
a first coil spring mounted in the first retracting spool housing and biasing the first spool to retract the first retractable line; and

the second retractable spool assembly comprises:
a second retracting spool housing mounted to the support;
a second spool mounted and rotatable in the second retracting spool housing and coupled to the second line first end of the second retractable line; and
a second coil spring mounted in the second retracting spool housing and biasing the second spool to retract the second retractable line.
4. The retractable clothes dryer vent of claim 2 further comprising:
a plurality of first guide eyelets attached in a first row along a length of the dryer vent hose, the first retractable line extending through the plurality of first guide eyelets; and
a plurality of second guide eyelets attached in a second row along the length of the dryer vent hose, the second retractable line extending through the plurality of second guide eyelets.
5. The retractable clothes dryer vent of claim 4 further comprising:
a first anchor on the dryer exhaust coupling aligned with the first row of first guide eyelets, wherein the first anchor anchors the first line second end of the first retractable line to the dryer exhaust coupling; and
a second anchor on the dryer exhaust coupling aligned with the second row of second guide eyelets, wherein the second anchor anchors the second line second end of the second retractable line to the dryer exhaust coupling.
6. The retractable clothes dryer vent of claim 1, wherein the support comprises:
a vent housing comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, a fourth side wall, and a back wall forming a box shape; and
a flange mounted to an open edge of the vent housing formed by the first side wall, second side wall, third side wall, and fourth side wall;
wherein the duct coupling is mounted in, and the first retraction guide assembly first end and the second retraction guide assembly first end are mounted to, the first side wall of the vent housing.
7. The retractable clothes dryer vent of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a shelf.
8. The retractable clothes dryer vent of claim 1, wherein the support comprises a wire frame.
9. The retractable clothes dryer vent of claim 1, wherein the dryer vent hose is flexible and retractable.
10. The retractable clothes dryer vent of claim 1, wherein the dryer exhaust coupling is an elbow coupling.
11. A method of installing a clothes dryer comprising the steps of:
a) pulling a dryer exhaust coupling of a retractable clothes dryer vent, mounted to a wall of a building, away from the wall, the retractable clothes dryer vent comprising:
a support mounted to the wall;
a duct coupling mounted in the support and having a first duct coupling end, a second duct coupling end opposite the first duct coupling end, and a duct coupling opening extending through the support;
a dryer vent hose having a first hose end extending from the first duct coupling end of the duct coupling and a second hose end opposite the first hose end;
the dryer exhaust coupling extending from the second hose end;
a first retraction guide assembly having a first retraction guide assembly first end mounted to the support and a first guide retraction guide assembly second end anchored to the dryer exhaust coupling; and
a second retraction guide assembly having a second retraction guide assembly first end mounted to the support and a second guide retraction guide assembly second end anchored to the dryer exhaust coupling;

b) attaching the dryer exhaust coupling to a dryer exhaust tube of the clothes dryer; and
c) moving the clothes dryer to an operational position at the wall with the dryer exhaust coupling attached to the dryer exhaust tube located vertically below the duct coupling.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein step a) comprises the substep of extending a first retractable line from a first retractable spool assembly of the first retraction guide assembly and extending a second retractable line from a second retractable spool assembly of the first retraction guide assembly;
the first retraction guide assembly comprising:
a first retractable spool assembly mounted to the support; and
a first retractable line extending from a first line first end to a first line second end opposite the first line first end, wherein the first line first end is maintained in the first retractable spool assembly, the first line second end is anchored to the dryer exhaust coupling, and the first retractable line is retractable into the first retractable spool assembly; and

the second retraction guide assembly comprising:
a second retractable spool assembly mounted to the support; and
a second retractable line extending from a second line first end to a second line second end opposite the second line first end, wherein the second line first end is maintained in the second retractable spool assembly, the second line second end is anchored to the dryer exhaust coupling, and the second retractable line is retractable into the second retractable spool assembly.
13. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of attaching the support of the retractable clothes dryer vent to the wall.
14. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of inserting a vent housing of the support between a pair of studs in the wall and mounting a flange of the support to the wall, wherein the support comprises:
the vent housing comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, a fourth side wall, and a back wall forming a box shape; and
the flange mounted around an open edge of the vent housing formed by the first side wall, second side wall, third side wall, and fourth side wall;
wherein the duct coupling is mounted in, and the first retraction guide assembly first end and the second retraction guide assembly first end are mounted to, the first side wall of the vent housing.
15. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of attaching the second duct coupling end of the duct coupling to a duct leading outside the building.

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. A method of extracting data from an overlay target, the method comprising:
(a) providing image information or one or more intensity signals of the overlay target;
(b) obtaining an overlay error from the overlay target by analyzing the image information or the intensity signal(s) of the overlay target;
(c) obtaining a systematic error metric from the overlay target by analyzing the image information or the intensity signal(s) of the overlay target; and
(d) obtaining a noise metric from the overlay target by applying a statistical model to the image information or the intensity signal(s) of the overlay target.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the systematic error metric is obtained by obtaining an asymmetry value of portions of the overlay target which are designed to be symmetrical.
3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the systematic error metric is obtained by obtaining a first asymmetry value at a first orientation of the overlay target and a second asymmetry value at a second orientation of the overlay target, wherein the first orientation is perpendicular to the second orientation.
4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the noise metric is obtained by applying one or more algorithms selected from a group consisting of a statistical algorithm, an integrated noise algorithm, an integrated derivative algorithm, and a signal-to-noise algorithm.
5. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining a quantitative metric on a quality of the overlay error based on the systematic metric andor the noise metric.
6. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising determining a stepper correction based on the overlay error and the determined quantitative metric.
7. A method as recited in claim 5, further comprising determining whether one or more wafers associated with the target pass or fail based on the overlay error and the determined quantitative metric.
8. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the overlay error is obtained from a target that is in a development inspection stage (DI) prior to performance of a next process step or a final inspection of the overlay target (FI).
9. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising determining a DIFI bias associated with the overlay target, wherein the DIFI bias prediction is based on the systematic error metric.
10. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising adjusting the overlay error by the determined DIFI bias.
11. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising identifying the overlay error as a flyer when the systematic andor noise metric does not meet a predefined specification.
12. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising repeating operation (a) through (d) for a plurality of targets.
13. A method as recited in claim 12, further comprising:
for each overlay error, determining a quantitative metric on a quality of the overlay error based on the systematic metric andor the noise metric for such overlay error;
analyzing the overlay errors and their quantitative metrics to determine a characteristic associated with the overlay targets.
14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the characteristic is a stepper correction.
15. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the characteristic is a DFFI bias.
16. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the characteristic is a determination as to whether there is a process excursion for the plurality of product wafers.
17. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the characteristic is a determination as to whether a different overlay error measurement mode or recipe or an alternative overlay target is to be used for a current overlay target.
18. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the quantitative metric for each overlay error is a confidence level for each overlay error.
19. A computer system for extracting data from an overlay target, comprising:
one or more processors;
one or more memory, wherein at least one of the processors and memory
(a) provide image information or one or more intensity signals of the overlay target;
(b) obtain an overlay error from the overlay target by analyzing the image information or the intensity signal(s) of the overlay target;
(c) obtain a systematic error metric from the overlay target by analyzing the image information or the intensity signal(s) of the overlay target; and
(d) obtain a noise metric from the overlay target by applying a statistical model to the image information or the intensity signal(s) of the overlay target.
20. An overlay metrology tool for extracting data from an overlay target, comprising:
an optical measurement system for obtaining images of the overlay target; and
the computer system of claim 19.
21. A computer system as recited in claim 19, wherein the at least one of the processors and memory further analyze the overlay error based on the systematic metric andor the noise metric.

1. A method for cleaning a porous polymeric membrane contained in a tank of a wastewater treatment plan including a membrane bioreactor, the method comprising:
introducing a first cleaning solution including a chlorine-based oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of chlorine, hypochlorites, chlorites, chlorates, perchlorates, and chloramines to a tank containing the membrane;
contacting at least a portion of the membrane with the first cleaning solution for a first time period;
introducing a second cleaning solution including a reducing agent directly to the tank containing the membrane and the first cleaning solution after the first time period has elapsed, the second cleaning solution neutralizing an oxidizing residual of the first cleaning solution and forming an acid species from a reaction between the first cleaning solution and the second cleaning solution;
soaking at least a portion of the membrane with the acid species for a second time period; and
discharging a solution including the acid species from the tank after the second time period has elapsed;
adjusting the pH level of the discharged solution including the acid species;
introducing the discharged acid species into a head of the wastewater treatment plant; and
mixing the discharged acid species with an incoming wastewater flow into the wastewater treatment plant.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the membrane is a hollow-fiber membrane.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the oxidizing agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium hypochlorite and monochloramine.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the reducing agent is selected to neutralize the oxidizing residual from the oxidizing agent.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of bisulphites, metabisulfites, sulphites, and thiosulfates.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group consisting of sodium metabisulfite, sodium thiosulphate, and sodium bisulfite.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second cleaning solution further includes an enhancing agent.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the enhancing agent is a surfactant or a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of polycarboxylic acids and salts thereof.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the enhancing agent is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, a salt thereof, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), a salt thereof, oxalic acid, and a salt thereof.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein a concentration of the enhancing agent is between 0.01 wt % and 1.0 wt %.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the concentration of the enhancing agent is 0.5 wt %.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein a concentration of the oxidizing agent in the first cleaning solution is between 0.01 wt % and 2 wt %.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the concentration of the oxidizing agent in the first cleaning solution is approximately 0.1 wt %.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein a concentration of the reducing agent is between 0.01 wt % and 2 wt %.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the concentration of the reducing agent is approximately 0.15 wt %.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first time period is at least about three hours, and wherein the second time period is at least about two hours.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the membrane is cleaned at ambient temperature and pressure.
18. The method of claim 1, further comprising recirculating at least one of the first cleaning solution and the acid species in the tank.
19. The method of claim 1, further comprising filtering at least one of the first cleaning solution and the acid species through the membrane from an outside wall of the membrane to a lumen of the membrane.
20. The method of claim 1, further comprising soaking the membrane in the first cleaning solution.
21. The method of claim 1, further comprising air scouring the membrane while contacting the membrane with at least one of the first cleaning solution and the acid species.
22. The method of claim 1, wherein the second solution is introduced while backwashing the membrane.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein the first cleaning solution targets organic membrane foulants, and wherein the acid species targets inorganic membrane foulants.
24. A method of facilitating cleaning of a porous polymeric membrane in place, the porous polymeric membrane being contained in a tank of a wastewater treatment plant including a membrane bioreactor, the method comprising:
providing a first cleaning solution including at least one chlorine-based oxidizing agent selected from the group consisting of chlorine, hypochlorites, chlorites, chlorates, perchlorates, and chloramines and a second cleaning solution including at least one reducing agent; and
providing instructions to:
contact at least a portion of the membrane with the first cleaning solution in a membrane tank for a first time period to target organic membrane foulants;
introduce the second cleaning solution directly to the membrane tank including the first cleaning solution after the first time period has elapsed, a mixture of the first cleaning solution and the second cleaning solution forming an acid species from a reaction between the first cleaning solution and the second cleaning solution;
recirculate the acid species through the membrane; and
contact at least a portion of the membrane with the acid species for a second time period of at least about two hours to target inorganic membrane foulants;
discharge a solution including the acid species after the second time period has elapsed;
adjust a pH level of the discharged solution including the acid species;
introduce the acid species into a head of the wastewater treatment plant after the second time period has elapsed; and
mix the acid species with an incoming wastewater flow into the wastewater treatment plant.

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. A stringed musical instrument for producing music sound comprising:
an instrument body having a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction;
at least one string stretched in said longitudinal direction over said instrument body;
a connector connected between one end of said instrument body and one end of said at least one string; and
a tailpiece unit provided at the other end of said instrument body, and including
a tailpiece connected to the other end of said at least one string, a tail wire connected at one end thereof to said tailpiece and keeping said tailpiece spaced from said instrument body,
a fastener made of a certain sort of material less influenced in variation of humidity rather than wood and securing said tail wire to said instrument body, and
a blindfold supported by said instrument body and preventing said tail wire and said fastener from eyes of users.
2. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 1, in which said instrument body has a center stem without a hollow space serving as a resonator and a framework connected to said center stem.
3. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a vibration-to-electric signal converter so as to convert vibrations of said at least one string to an electric signal.
4. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 2, in which said electric signal is converted to electric tones fallen within a compass same as the compass of an acoustic violin.
5. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 2, in which said electric signal is converted to electric tones fallen within a compass same as the compass of an acoustic viola.
6. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 1, in which said instrument body has plural plates defining a hollow space serving as a resonator for enlarging loudness of tones produced through vibrations of said at least one string.
7. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 6, in which said at least one string and other strings produces acoustic tones fallen within a compass same as an acoustic violin.
8. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 6, in which said at least one string and other strings produces acoustic tones fallen within a compass same as an acoustic viola.
9. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a chinrest supported by said instrument body, and said chinrest and said blindfold have a unitary structure.
10. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 1, in which said instrument body has a center stem made of wood, and
said fastener includes
a saddle plate made of said certain sorts of material and formed with at least one hole and at least one threaded hole,
at least one wood screw driven into said center stem for pressing said saddle plate to said center stem and
at least one bolt driven into said at least one threaded hole for pressing said tail wire to said saddle plate.
11. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 10, in which said tailpiece is provided over a major surface of said center stem, and said tail wire extends from said tailpiece through an end surface of said center stem to another major surface of said center stem, wherein said saddle plate is pressed to said another major surface by means of said at least one wood screw.
12. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 11, in which said blindfold extends from a space over an area of said major surface where said tail wire extends through over said end surface to a space over an area of said another major surface where said saddle plate is pressed.
13. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 1, in which said instrument body has a center stem made of wood, and
said fastener includes at lest one wood screw driving into said center stem for pressing said tail wire to said center stem.
14. The stringed musical instrument as set forth in claim 1, in which a player rubs said at least one string with a bow so as to give rise to vibrations of said at least one string.
15. A tailpiece unit used for a stringed musical instrument, comprising:
a tailpiece connected to an end of at least one string of said stringed musical instrument;
a tail wire connected at one end thereof to said tailpiece, and keeping said tailpiece spaced from an instrument body of said stringed musical instrument;
a fastener made of a certain sort of material less influenced in variation of humidity rather than wood, and securing said tail wire to said instrument body; and
a blindfold supported by said instrument body, and preventing said tail wire and said fastener from eyes of users.
16. The tailpiece unit as set forth in claim 15, in which said fastener includes
a saddle plate made of said certain sorts of material and formed with at least one hole and at least one threaded hole,
at least one wood screw driven into a wood piece of said instrument body for pressing said saddle plate to said wood piece and
at least one bolt driven into said at least one threaded hole for pressing said tail wire to said saddle plate.
17. The tailpiece unit as set forth in claim 16, in which said tailpiece is provided over a major surface of said wood piece, and said tail wire extends from said tailpiece through an end surface of said wood piece to another major surface of said wood piece, wherein said saddle plate is pressed to said another major surface by means of said at least one wood screw.
18. The tailpiece unit as set forth in claim 17, in which said blindfold extends from a space over an area of said major surface where said tail wire extends through over said end surface to a space over an area of said another major surface where said saddle plate is pressed.
19. The tailpiece unit as set forth in claim 15, in which said fastener includes at lest one wood screw driving into a wood piece of said instrument body for pressing said tail wire to said wood piece.
20. The tailpiece unit as set forth in claim 15, in which said blindfold is an extension of a chinrest supported by said instrument body.