Author: claimsbot

1. A process adapted to enable an automatic layout of a composite multimedia message on at least one page and an automatic display of said composite multimedia message on a screen of a terminal, the process compnrising forming the composite multimedia message from a selection, performed from a keyboard of the terminal, of at least one initial multimedia message, and then from an automatic analysis of the contents of the initial multimedia message, a number of said at least one page being less than or equal to a number of said initial multimedia messages.
2. The process according to claim 1, further comprising:
a) manually displaying, from the keyboard of the terminal, a plurality of initial multimedia messages on the screen of the terminal;
b) manually selecting, from the keyboard of the terminal, at least one initial multimedia messages from the group of at least one displayed initial multimedia messages message;
c) manually validating the selection made in step b);
d) automatically analysing and recording sequential data of the at least one selected initial multimedia messages;
e) automatically analysing and recording semantic data of the at least two selected initial multimedia message;
f) automatically analysing and recording relational data between the at least two selected initial multimedia message;
g) automatically determining, according to recorded date sequential, semantic and relational, at least two transformed multimedia messages corresponding respectively to the selected initial multimedia messages;
h) automatically laying out on at least one page having a first format, a composite multimedia message formed from the at least one transformed multimedia message;
i) automatically displaying the composite multimedia message on the terminal screen while keeping the dimensional ratio of the first format;
j) manually validating, from the terminal keyboard, the display of the composite multimedia message.
3. The process according to claim 2, characterized in that the step of automatically analysing and recording of semantic data (4) is performed before the step of automatically analysing and recording of sequential data.
4. The process according to claim 2, characterized in that the transformed initial multimedia messages is identical to the selected initial multimedia messages.
5. The process according to claim 2, characterized in that the first format of the single page is selected manually, from the terminal keyboard.
6. The process according to claim 2, characterized in that the automatic determination of the transformed multimedia message is performed also using the analysis rules that depend on a context linked to the multimedia message.
7. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that the display of several pages is performed by displaying successively said pages on the screen of the terminal manually from the keyboard, or automatically according to a set display time.
8. The process according to claim 2, characterized in that it also comprises, after the automatic display of the composite multimedia message, the steps of:
a) manually invalidating, from the terminal keyboard, the display of the composite multimedia message.
b) automatically layinz out the composite multimedia message on at least one page having a second format different than the first format;
c) automatically displaying the composite multimedia message on the screen of the terminal.
9. The process according to claim 8, characterized in that the invalidation is performed (n) times, (n) being a number of available different formats enabling layout of the composite multimedia message to be performed.
10. The process according to claim 9, characterized in that (n) is an integer between one and ten.
11. The process according to claim 2, characterized in that the selected initial multimedia message comprises a digital image.
12. The process according to claim 2, characterized in that the selected initial multimedia message comprises a digital image and at least one text message.
13. The process according to claim 2, characterized in that the selected initial multimedia message comprises a digital image, at least one text message and audio data.

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 protective device for the safety-related shutdown of an electrical unit, comprising:
a first input for receiving a switch-off signal;
a second input for receiving a switch-on signal in the form of a switch-on pulse;
an output for driving the electrical unit; and
a pulse processing device for setting the protective device to an activation state, in which it is switchable on when the switch-off signal is not applied, for a predetermined period of time from reception of the switch-on pulse, wherein
the pulse processing device includes a timing element which provides an acknowledgment command for maintaining the activation state for a predetermined time after the switch-on pulse.
2. The protective device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch-on signal originates from an on pushbutton.
3. The protective device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch-off signal originates from a latchable emergency-stop pushbutton.
4. The protective device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical unit is an actuator.
5. The protective device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inputs and outputs include a plurality of channels.
6. The protective device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the falling edge and both edges of the switch-on pulse are evaluated by the pulse processing device for setting the protective device to the activation state.
7. The protective device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined period of time for the activation state corresponds to at least one of the activation time of the electrical unit and a further protective device.
8. The protective device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical unit is a contactor.
9. A protective system having a plurality of protective devices as claimed in claim 1, connected in cascade fashion, a first input of a second of the plurality of protective devices being driven by the output of a first of the plurality of protective devices.
10. The protective system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the inputs of the plurality of protective devices are connected to a common on pushbutton.
11. A method for safety-related switching of an electrical unit, the method comprising:
receiving a switch-off signal;
switching the electrical unit off;
receiving a switch-on signal in the form of a switch-on pulse;
switching the electrical unit on, the electrical unit being switchable on for a predeterminable period of time after reception of the switch-on pulse; and

providing an acknowledgement command for maintaining an on state of the electrical unit for a predetermined time after the switch-on pulse is received, wherein at least one of the falling edge and both edges of the switch-on pulse are evaluated in order to start the predeterminable period of time in which the electrical unit is switchable on.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the switch-on signal originates from an on pushbutton.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the switch-off signal originates from a latchable emergency-stop pushbutton.
14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the electrical unit is an actuator.
15. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the switch-on and switch-off signals are received on a plurality of channels.
16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the predeterminable period of time for switching on the electrical unit corresponds to at least one of the activation time of the electrical unit and a further protective device.
17. A method for safety-related switching of a plurality of protective devices connected in cascade fashion, a second of the plurality of protective devices being connected with the aid of a first of the plurality of protective devices in accordance with the method as claimed in claim 11.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the switch-on signal makes all of the plurality of protective devices available simultaneously.
19. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the electrical unit is a contactor.

1. A hub and shaft assembly, comprising:
a substantially cylindrical shaft comprising a recessed flat portion formed on a substantially cylindrical side of the shaft, the flat portion being associated with an insertion end of the shaft; and
a hub configured to selectively receive a portion of the shaft, the hub comprising:
a body having an axial bore therethrough, the axial bore being at least partially circumferentially bounded by an axial bore wall having an axial bore inner surface, the axial bore inner surface coinciding with a region of the axial bore wall at which a diameter of the axial bore wall is at a minimum;
a shaft entry surface of the axial bore wall at least partially bounding an entry into the axial bore;
a set screw hole that extends through the axial bore wall and at least partially defines a set screw opening into the axial bore;
an alignment feature at least partially protruding from the axial bore inner surface and into the axial bore, at least a portion of the protruding portion of the alignment feature being located between the shaft entry surface of the axial bore wall and at least a portion of the set screw opening wherein upon an initial longitudinal insertion of the insertion end of the shaft into the axial bore past the shaft entry surface, a portion of the shaft is in longitudinal alignment with a portion of the axial bore inner surface and at least a portion of the protruding portion of the alignment feature is received in a space between the flat portion of the shaft and the axial bore inner surface; and
a concavity of the axial bore wall having a concavity total volume substantially similar to an alignment feature total volume of the alignment feature, wherein the concavity total volume exists contemporaneously with the alignment feature total volume and wherein the concavity total volume is open through both the axial bore inner surface and the shaft entry surface; and
wherein a longitudinal distance between at least a portion of the concavity and the set screw hole is less than a shortest longitudinal distance between the shaft entry surface and the set screw hole.
2. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:
a second alignment feature at least partially protruding from the axial bore inner surface and into the axial bore, at least a portion of the protruding portion of the second alignment feature being located between the shaft entry surface of the axial bore wall and at least a portion of the set screw opening.
3. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second alignment feature is substantially formed as a mirror image of the alignment feature.
4. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 3, wherein the mirror image is formed relative to a bisection plane that substantially intersects at least one of a central axis of the axial bore and a central axis of the set screw hole.
5. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion extends circumferentially along the axial bore inner surface, the protrusion comprising a circumferentially central peak that extends a maximum distance into the axial bore.
6. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:
a blade assembly interface of the axial bore wall at least partially located between the shaft entry surface of the axial bore wall and at least a portion of the set screw hole.
7. A hub and shaft assembly, comprising:
a shaft comprising a longitudinal flat portion associated with an insertion end of the shaft; and
a hub configured to selectively receive a portion of the shaft, the hub comprising:
a body having an axial bore therethrough, the axial bore being at least partially circumferentially bounded by an axial bore wall having an axial bore inner surface;
a shaft entry surface of the axial bore wall at least partially bounding an entry into the axial bore;
an alignment feature at least partially protruding from the axial bore inner surface and into the axial bore, the alignment feature comprising a protruding portion that extends circumferentially along the axial bore inner surface, the alignment feature being located and configured to resist receipt of the flat portion through the entry at least partially bounded by the shaft entry surface into the axial bore and into longitudinal alignment with the axial bore inner surface unless the shaft is angularly oriented relative to the alignment feature so that the flat portion generally faces the alignment feature; and
a concavity of the axial bore wall having a concavity total volume substantially similar to an alignment feature total volume of the alignment feature, wherein the concavity total volume exists contemporaneously with the alignment feature total volume, wherein the concavity extends from the drive-shaft entry surface longitudinally into the axial bore wall, and wherein the concavity total volume is accessible through both the axial bore inner surface and the shaft entry surface.
8. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 7, further comprising:
a second alignment feature that is circumferentially offset from the alignment feature, the second alignment feature substantially being a mirror image of the alignment feature.
9. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 8, further comprising:
a set screw hole that extends through the axial bore wall and at least partially defines a set screw opening into the axial bore;
wherein at least a portion of the alignment feature and the second alignment feature is located between the shaft entry surface of the axial bore wall and at least a portion of the set screw opening.
10. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 7, further comprising:
a second alignment feature that is circumferentially offset from the alignment feature.
11. A hub and shaft assembly, comprising:
a shaft comprising a longitudinal flat portion associated with an insertion end of the shaft; and
a hub configured to selectively receive at least a portion of the shaft, the hub comprising:
a body having an axial bore therethrough, the axial bore being at least partially circumferentially bounded by an axial bore wall having an axial bore inner surface, the axial bore inner surface coinciding with a region of the axial bore wall at which a diameter of the axial bore wall is at a minimum;
a shaft entry surface of the axial bore wall at least partially bounding an entry into the axial bore;
an alignment feature at least partially protruding from the axial bore inner surface and into the axial bore, the alignment feature comprising a concavity that extends into the axial bore inner surface from the shaft entry surface of the axial bore wall, and a protrusion that extends into the axial bore from the axial bore inner surface, wherein the concavity has a concavity total volume substantially similar to an alignment feature total volume of the alignment feature, wherein the concavity total volume exists contemporaneously with the alignment feature total volume, and wherein the concavity extends beyond the shaft entry surface longitudinally into the axial bore wall; and
a second alignment feature at least partially protruding from the axial bore inner surface and into the axial bore, the second alignment feature being circumferentially offset from the alignment feature and the second alignment feature being substantially a mirror image of the alignment feature;

wherein the alignment feature and the second alignment feature are located and configured to resist receipt of the flat portion through the entry at least partially bounded by the shaft entry surface into the axial bore and into longitudinal alignment with the axial bore inner surface unless the shaft is angularly oriented relative to each of the alignment feature and the second alignment feature so that the flat portion generally faces each of the alignment feature and the second alignment feature; and
wherein the concavity total volume is open toward both the axial bore inner surface and the shaft entry surface.
12. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the alignment feature and the second alignment feature comprises a protruding portion that extends circumferentially along the axial bore inner surface, the protruding portion comprising a substantially circumferentially central peak that extends a maximum distance into the axial bore.
13. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 11, wherein the mirror image is formed relative to a bisection plane associated with a central axis of the axial bore.
14. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 11, further comprising:
a set screw hole that extends through the axial bore wall and at least partially defines a set screw opening into the axial bore;
wherein the mirror image is formed relative to a bisection plane associated with a central axis of the set screw hole.
15. The hub and shaft assembly according to claim 11, further comprising:
a set screw hole that extends through the axial bore wall and at least partially defines a set screw opening into the axial bore;
wherein at least a portion of a protruding portion of at least one of the alignment feature and the second alignment feature is located between the shaft entry surface of the axial bore wall and at least a portion of the set screw opening.
16. A hub and shaft assembly, comprising:
a shaft comprising a longitudinal flat portion associated with an insertion end of the shaft; and
a hub configured to selectively receive at least a portion of the shaft, the hub comprising:
a body having an axial bore therethrough, the axial bore being at least partially circumferentially bounded by an axial bore wall having an axial bore inner surface;
a shaft entry surface of the axial bore wall at least partially bounding an entry into the axial bore;
a set screw hole that extends through the axial bore wall and at least partially defines a set screw opening into the axial bore;
an alignment feature at least partially protruding from the axial bore inner surface and into the axial bore, at least a portion of a protruding portion of the alignment feature being located between the shaft entry surface of the axial bore wall and at least a portion of the set screw opening, wherein a concavity of the axial bore wall has a concavity total volume substantially similar to an alignment feature total volume of the alignment feature, wherein the concavity total volume exists contemporaneously with the alignment feature total volume, wherein a longitudinal distance between at least a portion of the concavity and the set screw hole is less than a shortest longitudinal distance between the shaft entry surface and the set screw hole, and wherein the concavity total volume is accessible via the axial bore inner surface and the shaft entry surface; and
a second alignment feature substantially similar to the alignment feature and circumferentially offset from the alignment feature;

wherein insertion of the shaft into the axial bore and into longitudinal alignment with the axial bore inner wall through the entry at least partially bound by the shaft entry surface requires that the flat portion be oriented relative to the alignment feature and relative to the second alignment feature so that the flat portion generally faces each of the alignment feature and the second alignment feature prior to the flat portion being longitudinally aligned with a portion of the set screw hole.

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 semiconductor device structure, comprising:
a first structure comprising at least one of a semiconductive material and a conductive material;
a second structure adjacent the first structure, the second structure comprising insulative material and forming an interface with at least a portion of the first structure;
passivation species permeating at least a portion of the first structure at the interface, the passivation species comprising hydrogen species derived from ammonia such that a concentration of dangling silicon bonds present at the at least a portion of the first structure is at most about 109 to about 1010 dangling silicon bonds per square centimeter; and
an encapsulant layer positioned over at least the first structure so as to substantially contain the passivation species in the presence of at least the portion of the first structure.
2. The semiconductor device structure of claim 1, wherein the second structure comprises the encapsulant layer.
3. The semiconductor device structure of claim 1, wherein the encapsulant layer comprises silicon nitride.
4. The semiconductor device structure of claim 1, wherein the first structure comprises semiconductive material and the second structure comprises a transistor gate oxide.
5. The semiconductor device structure of claim 1, wherein the first structure comprises a capacitor electrode and the second structure comprises a capacitor dielectric.
6. The semiconductor device structure of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen species prevents unwanted changes in voltage across the second structure.
7. The semiconductor device structure of claim 1, wherein the encapsulant layer substantially prevents the hydrogen species from passing therethrough at process temperatures of at least about 600\xb0 C.
8. The semiconductor device structure of claim 1, wherein the encapsulant layer substantially prevents the hydrogen species from passing therethrough at process temperatures of at least about 400\xb0 C.
9. A passivating system for use in semiconductor device structures, comprising:
hydrogen species derived from ammonia for permeating and passivating at least an interface between a first structure comprising at least one of a semiconductive material and a conductive material and a second structure comprising an insulative material, such that the hydrogen species reduces a concentration of dangling silicon bonds at the interface by about two orders of magnitude; and
an encapsulant layer positioned so as to substantially prevent the hydrogen species from escaping the interface.
10. The passivating system of claim 9, wherein the encapsulant layer comprises a silicon nitride.
11. The passivating system of claim 9, wherein the encapsulant layer is configured to substantially contain the hydrogen species at process temperatures of at least about 600\xb0 C.
12. The passivating system of claim 9, wherein the encapsulant layer is configured to substantially contain the hydrogen species at process temperatures of at least about 400\xb0 C.
13. The passivating system of claim 9, wherein the second structure comprises the encapsulant layer.
14. The passivating system of claim 9, wherein the hydrogen species substantially prevents unwanted voltage changes across the second structure.
15. The passivating system of claim 9, wherein the first structure comprises semiconductive material and the second structure comprises a transistor gate oxide.
16. The passivating system of claim 9, wherein the first structure comprises a capacitor electrode and the second structure comprises a capacitor dielectric.
17. The passivating system of claim 9, wherein the encapsulant layer has a thickness of about 20 angstroms or less.
18. The passivating system of claim 9, wherein the hydrogen species reduces a concentration of dangling silicon bonds present at the interface to at most about 109 to about 1010.