Author: claimsbot

1. In a mobile vehicle having a driver and a plurality of passengers, a near-real-time early-warning security system comprising:
a plurality of data collection devices disposed in and upon strategic locations of said vehicle, for recording a continuous stream of audio and visual information in at least near-real-time responsive to the relationship of said driver and said plurality of passengers to said mobile vehicle;
a plurality of control devices disposed in and proximal to said mobile vehicle, for generating and receiving control signals responsive to the relationship of said driver and said plurality of passengers to said mobile vehicle, for controlling local operation of said mobile vehicle and for establishing mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices;
microprocessor means for controlling which data collection devices of said plurality of data collection devices are active and operational for recording said collected information in and upon strategic locations of said vehicle, and for coordinating said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices;
first communications means for transmitting and uploading a continuous stream of said collected information in at least near-real-time from said plurality of data collection devices to a second communications means disposed remotely of said first communications means;
said first communications means also transmitting and uploading said control signals in at least near-real-time from said plurality of data collection devices to said second communications means;
said second communications means transmitting and downloading said continuous stream of collected information and said control signals received from said first communications means to a plurality of datacontrol centers;
a streaming information collection database for storing said downloaded continuous stream of collected information for analysis and reconciliation with a reference database for identifying incipient or existing troublesome or dangerous situations involving said mobile vehicle and said driver and said plurality of passengers; and
trigger means for alerting enforcement personnel to take immediate remedial action and for generating appropriate control signals responsive to said identification of incipient or existing troublesome or dangerous situations and for transmitting and downloading said appropriate control signals by third communications means from said plurality of datacontrol centers to said plurality of control devices to modify said operation of said mobile vehicle.
2. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a first plurality of data collection devices that are disposed conspicuously.
3. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a second plurality of data collection devices that are disposed clandestinely.
4. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a third plurality of digital video cameras.
5. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a fourth plurality of audio recording devices.
6. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said reference database includes a behavioral pattern database.
7. The early-warning security system recited in claim 6, wherein said reference database includes a GPS database.
8. The early-warning security system recited in claim 6, wherein said reference database includes biometrics information about personnel authorized to function as said driver and said plurality of passengers.
9. The early-warning security system recited in claim 6, wherein said reference database includes biometrics information about suspicious or terrorist personnel who are being sought by law enforcement personnel.
10. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said first communications means comprises cellular communications.
11. The early-warning security system recited in claim 10, wherein said first communications means also comprises satellite communications.
12. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said second communications means comprises cellular communications.
13. The early-warning security system recited in claim 12, wherein said second communications means also comprises satellite communications.
14. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said third communications means comprises broadband networked communications.
15. The early-warning security system recited in claim 14, wherein said third communications means also comprises satellite communications.
16. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said downloaded collected information stored in said collection database is migrated to said reference database responsive to said analysis and reconciliation.
17. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices comprises a first mode wherein power is conserved and said system is in a stand-by or snooze mode until an activation signal is received from said plurality of controldata centers.
18. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices comprises a second mode wherein said system is in an active mode recording said information in at least near-real-time responsive to the relationship of said driver and said plurality of passengers to said mobile vehicle until an alarm signal or stand-by signal is received from said plurality of controldata centers.
19. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices comprises a third mode wherein said system is in an alarm mode effecting immediate remedial action corresponding to said triggering means.
20. The early-warning security system recited in claim 1, wherein said plurality of datacontrol centers includes a plurality of authorized devices adapted for remotely accessing said streaming information collection database.
21. The early-warning security system recited in claim 20, wherein said plurality of remote authorized devices comprise a plurality of suitably configured microcomputers.
22. The early-warning security system recited in claim 20, wherein said plurality of remote authorized devices comprise a plurality of suitably configured hand-held devices.
23. The early-warning security system recited in claim 20, wherein said plurality of remote authorized devices comprise a plurality of suitably configured land-line telephones.
24. The early-warning security system recited in claim 20, wherein said plurality of remote authorized devices comprise a plurality of suitably configured wireless telephones.
25. In a premises having a plurality of occupants, a near-real-time early-warning security system comprising:
a plurality of data collection devices disposed in and upon strategic locations of said premises, for recording a continuous stream of audio and visual information in at least near-real-time responsive to the relationship of said plurality of occupants to said premises;
a plurality of control devices disposed in and proximal to said premises, for generating and receiving control signals responsive to the relationship of said plurality of occupants to said premises, for controlling local operation of said premises and for establishing mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices;
microprocessor means for controlling which data collection devices of said plurality of data collection devices are active and operational for recording said collected information in and upon strategic locations of said premises, and for coordinating said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices;
first communications means for transmitting and uploading a continuous stream of said collected information in at least near-real-time from said plurality of data collection devices to a second communications means disposed remotely of said first communications means;
said first communications means also transmitting and uploading said control signals in at least near-real-time from said plurality of data collection devices to said second communications means;
said second communications means transmitting and downloading said continuous stream of collected information and said control signals received from said first communications means to a plurality of datacontrol centers;
a streaming information collection database for storing said downloaded continuous stream of collected information for analysis and reconciliation with a reference database for identifying incipient or existing troublesome or dangerous situations involving said premises and said plurality of occupants; and
trigger means for alerting enforcement personnel to take immediate remedial action and for generating appropriate control signals responsive to said identification of incipient or existing troublesome or dangerous situations and for transmitting and downloading said appropriate control signals by third communications means from said plurality of datacontrol centers to said plurality of control devices to modify said operation of said premises.
26. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a first plurality of data collection devices that are disposed conspicuously.
27. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a second plurality of data collection devices that are disposed clandestinely.
28. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a third plurality of digital video cameras.
29. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a fourth plurality of audio recording devices.
30. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said reference database includes a behavioral pattern database.
31. The early-warning security system recited in claim 30, wherein said reference database includes a GPS database.
32. The early-warning security system recited in claim 30, wherein said reference database includes biometrics information about personnel authorized to function as said plurality of occupants.
33. The early-warning security system recited in claim 30, wherein said reference database includes biometrics information about suspicious or terrorist personnel who are being sought by law enforcement personnel.
34. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said first communications means comprises cellular communications.
35. The early-warning security system recited in claim 34, wherein said first communications means also comprises satellite communications.
36. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said second communications means comprises cellular communications.
37. The early-warning security system recited in claim 36, wherein said second communications means also comprises satellite communications.
38. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said third communications means comprises broadband networked communications.
39. The early-warning security system recited in claim 38, wherein said third communications means also comprises satellite communications.
40. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said downloaded collected information stored in said collection database is migrated to said reference database responsive to said analysis and reconciliation.
41. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices comprises a first mode wherein power is conserved and said system is in a stand-by or snooze mode until an activation signal is received from said plurality of controldata centers.
42. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices comprises a second mode wherein said system is in an active mode recording said information in at least near-real-time responsive to the relationship of said plurality of occupants to said premises until an alarm signal or stand-by signal is received from said plurality of controldata centers.
43. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices comprises a third mode wherein said system is in an alarm mode effecting immediate remedial action corresponding to said triggering means.
44. The early-warning security system recited in claim 25, wherein said plurality of datacontrol centers includes a plurality of authorized devices adapted for remotely accessing said streaming information collection database.
45. The early-warning security system recited in claim 44, wherein said plurality of remote authorized devices comprise a plurality of suitably configured microcomputers.
46. The early-warning security system recited in claim 44, wherein said plurality of remote authorized devices comprise a plurality of suitably configured hand-held devices.
47. The early-warning security system recited in claim 44, wherein said plurality of remote authorized devices comprise a plurality of suitably configured land-line telephones.
48. The early-warning security system recited in claim 44, wherein said plurality of remote authorized devices comprise a plurality of suitably configured wireless telephones.
49. A near-real-time early-warning security system for monitoring in at least near-real-time with a plurality of remotely operated microcomputers the movement of a plurality of individuals relative to environing premises or to associated vehicular travel by accessing a security database containing audio and visual streaming information, said near-real-time early-warning security system comprising:
a plurality of data collection devices disposed in and upon strategic locations proximal to said plurality of individuals, for recording a continuous stream of audio and visual information in at least near-real-time responsive to the relationship of said plurality of individuals to said environing premises or to associated vehicular travel;
a plurality of control devices disposed in and proximal to said plurality of individuals and said environing premises or associated vehicular travel, for generating and receiving control signals responsive to the relationship of said plurality of individuals to said environing premises or associated vehicular travel, for controlling local interaction between said plurality of individuals and said environing premises or associated vehicular travel for establishing mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices;
microprocessor means for controlling which data collection devices of said plurality of data collection devices are active and operational for recording said collected information, and for coordinating said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices;
first communications means for transmitting and uploading a continuous stream of said collected information in at least near-real-time from said plurality of data collection devices to a second communications means disposed remotely of said first communications means;
said first communications means also transmitting and uploading said control signals in at least near-real-time from said plurality of data collection devices to said second communications means;
said second communications means transmitting and downloading said continuous stream of collected information and said control signals received from said first communications means to a plurality of datacontrol centers;
a streaming information collection database for storing said downloaded continuous stream of collected information for analysis and reconciliation with a reference database for identifying incipient or existing troublesome or dangerous situations involving said plurality of individuals and said environing premises or associated vehicular travel; and
trigger means for alerting enforcement personnel to take immediate remedial action and for generating appropriate control signals responsive to said identification of incipient or existing troublesome or dangerous situations and for transmitting and downloading said appropriate control signals by third communications means from said plurality of datacontrol centers to said plurality of control devices to modify said interaction of said plurality of individuals with said environing premises or associated vehicular travel.
50. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a first plurality of data collection devices that are disposed conspicuously.
51. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a second plurality of data collection devices that are disposed clandestinely.
52. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a third plurality of digital video cameras.
53. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said plurality of data collection devices comprises a fourth plurality of audio recording devices.
54. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said reference database includes a behavioral pattern database.
55. The early-warning security system recited in claim 54, wherein said reference database includes a GPS database.
56. The early-warning security system recited in claim 54, wherein said reference database includes biometrics information about personnel authorized to function as said plurality of individuals.
57. The early-warning security system recited in claim 54, wherein said reference database includes biometrics information about suspicious or terrorist personnel who are being sought by law enforcement personnel.
58. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said first communications means comprises cellular communications.
59. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said first communications means also comprises satellite communications.
60. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said second communications means comprises cellular communications.
61. The early-warning security system recited in claim 60, wherein said second communications means also comprises satellite communications.
62. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said third communications means comprises broadband networked communications.
63. The early-warning security system recited in claim 62, wherein said third communications means also comprises satellite communications.
64. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said downloaded collected information stored in said collection database is migrated to said reference database responsive to said analysis and reconciliation.
65. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices comprises a first mode wherein power is conserved and said system is in a stand-by or snooze mode until an activation signal is received from said plurality of controldata centers.
66. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices comprises a second mode wherein said system is in an active mode recording said information in at least near-real-time responsive to the relationship of said plurality of individuals to said environing premises or associated vehicular travel until an alarm signal or stand-by signal is received from said plurality of controldata centers.
67. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said mode of operation of said plurality of data collection devices comprises a third mode wherein said system is in an alarm mode effecting immediate remedial action corresponding to said triggering means.
68. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said plurality of remotely operated microcomputers comprise a plurality of suitably configured desktop devices.
69. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said plurality of remotely operated microcomputers comprise a plurality of suitably configured notebook devices.
70. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said plurality of remotely operated microcomputers comprise a plurality of suitably configured hand-held devices.
71. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said plurality of remotely operated microcomputers comprise a plurality of suitably configured land-line telephones.
72. The early-warning security system recited in claim 49, wherein said plurality of remotely operated microcomputers comprise a plurality of suitably configured wireless telephones.

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 liquid composition, such as an ink composition, liquid at room temperature, comprising a solvent, said liquid composition being a liquid composition specifically for printing with a binary deflected continuous jet printing technique wherein said liquid composition forms upon printing drops which are not charged by an electric field, which each have a zero electric charge, which each form a dipole under the effect of an electric field, and which are then deflected by said electric field, characterized in that said liquid composition has all the following characteristics a), b) and c):
a) a conductivity at 20\xb0 C. from 5 to 500 \u03bcScm, still preferably a conductivity at 20\xb0 C. from 5 to 500 \u03bcScm, the value of 500 \u03bcScm being excluded, better a conductivity at 20\xb0 C. from 5 to 400 \u03bcScm, still better a conductivity at 20\xb0 C. from 30 to 400 \u03bcScm, for example from 30 to 200 \u03bcScm;
b) a dynamic viscosity at 20\xb0 C. from 1 to 25 cPs, preferably from 6 to 25 cPs; and
c) a density from 0.8 to 2.5 gcm3, preferably from 1.2 to 2.5 gcm3.
2. The liquid composition according to claim 1, wherein the solvent comprises one or several compound(s), selected from organic solvent compound(s) and water.
3. The liquid composition according to claim 2, wherein said organic solvent compound(s) is(are) selected from among alcohols, in particular, low molecular weight alcohols, for example aliphatic alcohols such as ethanol; ketones, preferably low molecular weight ketones; ethers of alkylene glycols; esters of alkylene glycols and esters of alkylene glycol ethers, such as acetates; dimethyl formamide; N-methyl pyrrolidone; acetals; esters; linear or cyclic ethers; aliphatic, cyclic or linear hydrocarbons; aromatic hydrocarbons; and carbonates such as propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, and dimethyl- and diethyl carbonates; and mixtures thereof.
4. The liquid composition according to claim 1, wherein the solvent represents at least 20% by weight of the total weight of the liquid composition, preferably the solvent represents from 30% to 90% by weight, still preferably from 60% to 80% by weight, of the total weight of the liquid composition.
5. The liquid composition according to claim 2, which is an aqueous composition and wherein the solvent comprises a majority amount by weight of water based on the total weight of the solvent, preferably the solvent comprises 100% of water.
6. The liquid composition according to claim 5, which comprises less than 10% by weight, preferably less than 5% by weight, still preferably less than 1% by weight, better 0% by weight of organic solvent compounds based on the total weight of the composition of the liquid.
7. The liquid composition according to claim 2, which is a non-aqueous, organic composition and in which the solvent comprises a majority amount by weight of one or several organic solvent compound(s) based on the total weight of the solvent, preferably the solvent comprises 100% of one or several organic solvent compound(s).
8. The liquid composition according to claim 7, which comprises less than 10% by weight, preferably less than 5% by weight, still preferably less than 1% by weight of water, better 0% by weight of water, based on the total weight of the liquid composition.
9. The liquid composition according to claim 8, wherein the solvent comprises, preferably consists of, one or several organic solvent compound(s) and optionally water.
10. The liquid composition according to claim 9, wherein said organic solvent compound(s) comprise(s) a majority proportion by weight, based on the total weight of the solvent of one or several volatile organic solvent compound(s), and a minority proportion by weight, based on the total weight of the solvent, of one or several non-volatile organic solvent compound(s); preferably the solvent consists of one or several volatile organic solvent compounds.
11. The liquid composition according to claim 9, wherein the solvent comprises a majority amount by weight based on the total weight of the solvent, preferably consists of, one or several solvent compound(s) selected from ketones with 3 to 10 carbon atoms, such as acetone, butanone (methyl-ethyl-ketone or MEK), pentanone-2 (methyl-propyl-ketone), methyl-3 butanone-2 (methyl-isopropyl-ketone) and methyl-4 pentanone-2 (methyl-isobutyl-ketone or MIK).
12. The liquid composition according to claim 11, wherein, the solvent comprises a majority amount by weight based on the total weight of the solvent, of MEK, preferably the solvent consists of MEK.
13. The liquid composition according to claim 11, wherein the solvent further comprises one or several other solvent compound(s), other than the ketone(s), preferably selected from esters, ethers of ethyleneglycol or of propyleneglycol, and acetals, in a total minority amount by weight, based on the total weight of the solvent, for example in an amount from 0.1% to 20% by weight, preferably from 5% to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the solvent.
14. The liquid composition according to claim 1, which further comprises one or several dyes andor pigments.
15. The liquid composition according to claim 14, wherein said dye(s) andor pigment(s) is (are) selected from dyes and pigments known under the name of \u201cC.I. Solvent Dyes\u201d and \u201cC.I. Pigments\u201d, and from among the solid particles not referenced in the \u201cColor Index\u201d (C.I.) such as the particles of metals or of alloys or of mixtures of metals like copper andor silver particles, metal oxides particles, ceramics particles, refractory mineral compounds particles, and particles of any other mineral compound.
16. The liquid composition according to claim 15, wherein said <<Solvent Dye(s)>> is(are) selected from among the C.I. Solvent Black 3, 7, 27, 28, 29, 35, 48, 49, the C.I. Solvent Blue 38, 44, 45, 70, 79, 98, 100, 129, the C.I. Solvent Red 8, 49, 68, 89, 124, 160, 164, the C.I. Solvent Yellow 83:1, 126, 146, 162, the C.I. Solvent Green 5, the C.I. Solvent Orange 97, the C.I. Solvent Brown 20, 52, and the C.I. Solvent Violet 9.
17. The liquid composition according to claim 15, wherein said <<C.I. Pigment(s)>> is(are) selected from among the dispersions of Pigment Blue 15:1, 15:3, 60, of Pigment Green 7, of Pigment Black 7, of Pigment Red 48:2, 144, 149, 166, 185, 202, 208, 214, 254, of Pigment Violet 19, 23, of Pigment Yellow 17, 83, 93, 139, 151, 155, 180, 191, of Pigment Brown 23, 25, 41, or of Pigment White 6.
18. The liquid composition according to claim 14, comprising all in all from 0.05 to 25% by weight of dye(s) andor pigment(s), preferably from 1 to 20%, still preferably from 3 to 10% by weight of dye(s) andor pigment(s) based on the total weight of the liquid composition.
19. The liquid composition according to claim 1, which further comprises a binder consisting of one or several binding polymer(s).
20. The liquid composition according to claim 19, wherein the binding polymer(s) is(are) selected from among (meth)acrylic, vinylic, ketonic, hydroxyaromatic, cellulosic, styrenic, epoxy polymers, polyurethanes, styrene-acrylates, alkoxysilanes, and combinations of two or more thereof.
21. The liquid composition according to claim 19, wherein the binder represents from 1% to 45% by weight, preferably from 5% to 30% by weight, still preferably from 10% to 20% by weight, of the total weight of the liquid composition.
22. The liquid composition according to claim 1, further comprising, one or several plasticizers in an amount of at least 0.05%, preferably 0.1 to 20% by weight of the total weight of the liquid composition.
23. The liquid composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one conductivity salt in an amount from 0.01 to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.01 to 1% by weight, and better from 0.01 to 0.05% by weight, of the total weight of the liquid composition.
24. The liquid composition according to claim 23, wherein said conductivity salt is selected from salts of alkaline metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium, salts of earth-alkaline metals such as magnesium and calcium, and simple or quaternary ammonium salts; these salts being in the form of halides, perchlorates, nitrates, thiocyanates, formates, acetates, sulfates, propionates, trifluoroacetates, triflates (trifluoromethane sulfonates), hexafluorophosphates, hexafluoroantimonates, tetrafluoroborates, picrates, carboxylates and sulfonates.
25. The liquid composition according to claim 1, further comprising one or several additives selected from anti-foam agents; chemical stabilizers; UV stabilizers; surfactants; agents inhibiting corrosion by salts; bactericides, fungicides and biocides; and pH regulating buffers.
26. The liquid composition according to claim 1, which, when it comprises at least one polymer, is characterized in that said polymer has a weight average molecular mass of more than 70,000 Daltons, preferably from 75,000 to 200,000 Daltons, still preferably from 80,000 to 200,000 Daltons.
27. The liquid composition according to claim 1, which, when it further comprises solid particles, is characterized in that the maximum size of the solid particles is from 2 to 10 \u03bcm, preferably from 2 to 5 \u03bcm.
28. The use of the liquid composition, such as an ink composition, according to claim 1, in a printer or printing head applying a printing technique with a binary deflected continuous jet, wherein said liquid composition forms upon printing drops which are not charged by an electric field, which each have a zero electric charge, which each form a dipole under the effect of an electric field, and which are then deflected by said electric field.
29. A method for marking or treating substrates, supports or objects, for example, porous or non-porous substrates, supports or objects, by spraying on these substrates, supports or objects a liquid composition, such as an ink composition, with a printing technique with a binary deflected continuous jet, wherein said liquid composition forms upon printing drops which are not charged by an electric field, which each have a zero electric charge, which each form a dipole under the effect of an electric field, and which are then deflected by said electric field, characterized in that said liquid composition, such as an ink composition, is the liquid composition, such as an ink composition according to claim 1.
30. A substrate, support or object characterized in that it is provided with a marking obtained by drying andor absorption of the liquid composition according to claim 1.
31. The substrate, support or object according to claim 30, characterized in that the substrate is made of metal, for example, made of aluminium, made of steel; made of glass; made of ceramic; made of a material containing cellulose such as cellophane, paper, optionally coated or glossy paper, cardboard or wood; made of an organic polymer, notably made of a thermoplastic polymer (<<plastic>>), for example selected from among PVDCs, PVCs, polyesters, PETs, polyolefins, such as polyethylenes (PE), polypropylenes (PP); made of poly (methyl methacrylate) PMMA (<<Plexiglas>>); made of a fabric; made of a textile; made of natural or synthetic rubber; or made of any other non-porous or porous substance; or made of a composite of several of the aforementioned materials.

1. Apparatus comprising at least one physical computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when loaded into at least one hardware processor and executed, transform the hardware processor to perform the following:
present a control portion of a user interface on a fixed-size display device;
present a display portion of the user interface on the display device;
present a movable slider on the display device, so that the slider separates the control portion from the display portion;
display a representation of at least one icon in the control portion of the user interface;
receive an indication that the slider has moved on the display screen; and
adjust relative proportions of the control and display areas in response to the indication.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions to receive an indication include instructions to transform the hardware processor to receive an indication that a user has directly manipulated the slider.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising instructions to transform the hardware processor to receive a further indication that the user is activated the icon, and wherein the instructions to receive the indication include instructions to transform the hardware processor to receive an indication that the slider has moved in response to activation of the icon.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising instructions to transform the hardware processor to alter the control portion, in response to the indication to present at least one further icon.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the further icon is associated with a function provided by an application or utility.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions to display a representation of at least one icon include instructions to transform the hardware processor to display at least one icon associated with an application or utility.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the instructions to display a representation of at least one icon include instructions to transform the hardware processor to display a representation of a keypad, and wherein the instructions to present a display portion include instructions to transform the hardware processor to display alphanumeric text entered via the keypad.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising instructions to transform the hardware processor to display a first configuration of the keypad when the slider is in a first position relative to the display device, and to display at least a second configuration of the keypad when the slider is in at least a second position relative to the display device.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising instructions to transform the hardware processor two alter a configuration of a keypad as presented on the split device, in response to detecting that a user has issued at least one explicit command to move the slider.
10. A display device comprising:
a fixed-size hardware display screen operable to provide an input control portion responsive to user input to receive commands from the user, and operable to provide an output display portion for presenting output to the user in response to the commands; and
a separator movable along the display screen, wherein the separator divides the input control portion from the output display portion, and wherein the input control portion and the output display portion are resized relative to one another in response to movement of the separator.
11. The display device of claim 10, wherein the separator is controllable in response to a software-implemented mechanism.
12. The display device of claim 10, wherein the separator is controllable in response to a hardware-implemented mechanism.
13. The display device of claim 10, wherein the separator is responsive to user actions to slide relative to the display screen, and wherein the output control portion is operative to present different sets of icons in response to movement of the separator.
14. The display device of claim 10, wherein the separator is operative to slide relative to the display screen in response to a user activating at least one icon presented in the input control portion.
15. A computer-based device comprising:
at least one instance of processing hardware;
at least one instance of display hardware;
at least one bus system coupled to communicate with the processing hardware and the display hardware; and
at least one computer-readable storage medium coupled to communicate with the processing hardware via the bus system, wherein the storage medium is encoded with computer-executable instructions that, when loaded into the processing hardware, transform the processing hardware to present a user interface on the display hardware, wherein the user interface is divided into an output display portion and an input control portion that are separated by a movable separator, wherein the user interface is responsive to re-positioning of the separator to resize the output display portion and the input control portion, wherein the user interface includes at least one icon presented in the input control portion, and wherein the user interface is responsive to activation of the icon to present content in the output display portion.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the input control portion is operative to present at least one further icon in the input control portion in response to the user repositioning the separator.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the icon represents an application or utility installed on the device, and wherein the further icon represents a function of associated with the application or utility.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein the icon represents at least a portion of one configuration of a keypad, and wherein the further icon represents at least a portion of a further configuration of the keypad.
19. The device of claim 15, wherein the icon represents a keypad presented in the input control portion, and wherein the output display portion is operative to display alphanumeric data entered by the user through the keypad.
20. The device of claim 15, wherein the input control portion is operative to present a plurality of icons that represent respectively a plurality of applications installed on the device, and wherein at least one of the icons is responsive to user activation to present a further plurality of icons associated with one of the applications associated with the activated icon.

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 substrate table assembly for an immersion lithography apparatus, the substrate table assembly comprising:
a substrate table to support a substrate; and
a gas handling system to provide a gas to a region between the substrate table and a substrate mounted on the substrate table, wherein the gas provided by the gas handling system has a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 100 mW(m\xb7K) at 298 K,
wherein the substrate table comprises a supply port to supply the gas from the gas handling system to the region between the substrate and the substrate table, and an extraction port to extract fluid from the region, the extraction port comprising a peripheral extraction port configured to provide a laterally inward flow of ambient gas, immersion fluid, or both, from a region adjacent to the periphery of the substrate and configured to extract at least some of the gas at a same time as providing the inward flow, wherein the substrate table is configured to provide an open flowpath underneath the substrate when provided on the substrate table, that connects the supply port and the peripheral extraction port and configured to allow the gas from the supply port to cover a majority of the bottom surface of the substrate when provided on the substrate table.
2. The substrate table assembly according to claim 1, wherein the supply and extraction ports are configured to provide a laterally outward flow of the gas provided by the gas handling system in a region directly adjacent to the peripheral extraction port.
3. The substrate table assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a peripheral flow restricting structure in the form of a closed path to restrict flow of fluid between a laterally inner and a laterally outer portion of the region between the substrate and the substrate table, relative to a center of the substrate andor substrate table.
4. The substrate table assembly according to claim 3, wherein the peripheral flow restricting structure comprises an inner peripheral flow restricting structure and an outer peripheral flow restricting structure, the inner peripheral flow restricting structure being surrounded by the outer peripheral flow restricting structure.
5. The substrate table assembly according to claim 4, wherein the peripheral extraction port is located between the inner and outer peripheral flow restricting structures.
6. The substrate table assembly according to claim 5, further comprising an intermediate peripheral flow restricting structure between the inner and outer peripheral flow restricting structures.
7. The substrate table assembly according to claim 6, wherein the peripheral extraction port is located within at least two of the regions between adjacent peripheral flow restricting structures.
8. The substrate table assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer gas supply port configured to supply buffer gas to the region between the substrate table and a substrate mounted on the substrate table.
9. The substrate table assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gas handling system comprises a continuous flow system to provide a continuous flow of the gas having a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 100 mW(m\xb7K) at 298 K at a substantially constant pressure, the pressure being lower than atmospheric pressure.
10. A substrate table assembly for an immersion lithography apparatus, the substrate table assembly comprising:
a substrate table to support a substrate; and
a gas handling system to provide a gas to a region between the substrate table and a substrate mounted on the substrate table, wherein the gas provided by the gas handling system has a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 100 mW(m\xb7K) at 298 K,
wherein the substrate table comprises a supply port to supply the gas from the gas handling system to the region between the substrate and the substrate table, and an extraction port to extract fluid from the region, the extraction port comprising a peripheral extraction port configured to provide a laterally inward flow of ambient gas, immersion fluid, or both, from a region adjacent to the periphery of the substrate and configured to extract at least some of the gas at a same time as providing the inward flow, wherein the substrate table is configured to provide an open flowpath underneath the substrate when provided on the substrate table, that connects the supply port and the peripheral extraction port and configured to allow the gas from the supply port to cover a majority of the bottom surface of the substrate when provided on the substrate table, and
wherein the substrate table comprises a through-hole having an opening into the region between the substrate and the substrate table.
11. The substrate table assembly according to claim 10, further comprising a through-hole flow restricting structure surrounding the opening of the through-hole.
12. The substrate table assembly according to claim 10, further comprising a through-hole extraction port to extract fluid from the region adjacent to the opening of the through-hole.
13. The substrate table assembly according to claim 12, wherein the through-hole flow restricting structure comprises an inner through-hole flow restricting structure and an outer through-hole flow restricting structure, both surrounding the opening of the through-hole, the through-hole extraction port being located between the inner and outer through-hole flow restricting structures.
14. The substrate table assembly according to claim 13, further comprising an intermediate through-hole flow restricting structure between the inner and outer through-hole flow restricting structures.
15. The substrate table assembly according to claim 14, wherein the through-hole extraction port is located within at least two of the regions between adjacent though-hole flow restricting structures.
16. The substrate table assembly according to claim 10, further configured to supply a flow of buffer gas towards the substrate through the through-hole.
17. The substrate table assembly according to claim 10, wherein the substrate table comprises a through-hole supply port to supply the gas having a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 100 mW(m\xb7K) at 298 K to the through-hole such that in at least a portion of the through-hole a gas flow away from the substrate is established.
18. The substrate table assembly according to claim 10, wherein the through-hole is configured to provide access to a pin for use during mounting or unmounting of the substrate from the substrate table or to a pin for alignment of the substrate table relative to a mounting block for the substrate table.
19. A device manufacturing method, comprising:
projecting a patterned beam of radiation through an immersion liquid confined to a space between a projection system and a substrate;
providing gas to a region between the substrate and a substrate table using a supply port, wherein the gas has a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 100 mW(m\xb7K) at 298 K;
providing a laterally inward flow of ambient gas, immersion liquid, or both, from a region adjacent to the periphery of the substrate using a peripheral extraction port; and
extracting at least some of the gas using the peripheral extraction port at a same time as providing the inward flow, wherein there is an open flowpath underneath the substrate that connects the supply port and the peripheral extraction port and wherein the gas from the supply port covers a majority of the bottom surface of the substrate.
20. A device manufacturing method, comprising:
projecting a patterned beam of radiation through an immersion liquid confined to a space between a projection system and a substrate;
providing gas to a region between the substrate and a substrate table using a supply port, wherein the gas has a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 100 mW(m\xb7K) at 298 K;
providing a laterally inward flow of ambient gas, immersion liquid, or both, from a region adjacent to the periphery of the substrate using a peripheral extraction port; and
extracting at least some of the gas using the peripheral extraction port at a same time as providing the inward flow, wherein there is an open flowpath underneath the substrate that connects the supply port and the peripheral extraction port and wherein the gas from the supply port covers a majority of the bottom surface of the substrate,
wherein the substrate table comprises a through-hole having an opening into the region between the substrate and the substrate table.