All The Claims

1. A method in a multi-partitioned computer data processing system for managing operating systems, the method comprising:
receiving, by the multi-partitioned computer that is concurrently executing a plurality of different operating systems, a request from a particular operating system during the loading of the particular operating system in the multi-partitioned computer data processing system to register the particular operating system for access to hardware in the multi-partitioned computer data processing system, wherein the request includes a key code for the particular operating system operating system; responsive to receiving the request, determining whether the particular operating system is an authorized operating system using the key code; registering the particular operating system if the particular operating system is an authorized operating system;
wherein the determining step includes: comparing the key code to a set of key codes for authorized operating systems; and determining whether a match is present between the key code and any key code in the set of key codes.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
terminating the particular operating system if the particular operating system is an unauthorized operating system.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of key codes is located in a partition profile.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of key codes are defined through a hardware management console.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the partition profile is stored in a nonvolatile memory.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the key code for the particular operating system is embedded within the particular operating system and is a unique key code.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step, the determining step, and the registering step are performed in platform firmware.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
responsive to receiving a call to access the hardware, determining whether the particular operating system is registered;
responsive to receiving the call to access the hardware, determining whether the call is necessary to setup the particular operating system; and
terminating the particular operating system if the particular operating system is not registered and if the call if unnecessary to setup the particular operating system.
9. A method in a multi-partitioned computer for managing operating systems, the method comprising: receiving a request from an operating system during the loading of the operating system in the multi-partitioned computer to register for access to hardware in the multi-partitioned computer, wherein the request includes a key code for the operating system; responsive to receiving the request, using the key code to determine whether the operating system is an authorized operating system; registering the operating system if the operating system is an authorized operating system, wherein the operating system can access the hardware only if the operating system is registered;
wherein the determining step includes: comparing the key code to a set of key codes for authorized operating systems; and determining whether a match is present between the key code and any key code in the set of key codes.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
terminating the operating system if the operating system is an unauthorized operating system.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the set of key codes is located in a partition profile in the computer.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the partition profile is stored in a nonvolatile memory.
13. The method of claim 9, wherein the set of key codes are defined through a hardware management console.
14. The method of claim 9, wherein the key code for the operating system is embedded within the operating system and is a unique key code.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the receiving step, the determining step, and the registering step are performed in platform firmware in the computer.
16. A method in a multi-partitioned computer for managing operating systems, the method comprising: receiving a request from an operating system during the loading of the operating system in the multi-partitioned computer to register for access to hardware in the multi-partitioned computer; determining whether the operating system includes a key code; responsive to determining that the operating system does not include a key code, terminating the operating system; responsive to determining that the operating system includes a key code, using the key code to determine whether the operating system is an authorized operating system; and registering the operating system if the operating system is an authorized operating system, wherein the operating system can access the hardware only if the operating system is registered:
wherein the determining step includes: comparing the key code to a set of key codes for authorized operating systems; and determining whether a match is present between the key code and any key code in the set of key codes.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
terminating the operating system if the operating system is an unauthorized operating system.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the set of key codes is located in a partition profile.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the partition profile is stored in a nonvolatile memory.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the set of key codes are defined through a hardware management console.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein the key code for the operating system is embedded within the operating system and is a unique key code.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein the receiving step, the determining step, and the registering step are performed in platform firmware.

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 support assembly for mounting an item on a structure, said support assembly comprising:
a body;
a plurality of legs attached to said body and extending outwardly therefrom, at least one of said legs being pivotable relatively to said body;
a plurality of clips, each one of said clips attached to a respective one of said legs, said clips being adapted to contact said structure and mount said body thereon; and
a bracket mounted on said body, said bracket adapted to receive said item.
2. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said body has a tapered forward section and a tapered aft section.
3. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least a first and a second of said legs have respective first and second ends oppositely disposed, said first ends of each of said first and second legs being pivotably attached to said body, said clips being respectively attached to each of said second ends of each of said first and second legs.
4. The support assembly according to claim 3, wherein said first and second legs pivot about respective first and second pivot axes.
5. The support assembly according to claim 4, wherein said first and second pivot axes are oriented parallel to and positioned adjacent to one another.
6. The support assembly according to claim 5, wherein each of said first and second legs comprises a plurality of gear teeth respectively positioned on said first ends thereof, said gear teeth on said first leg being in meshing engagement with said gear teeth on said second leg thereby coordinating pivoting motion of said first and second legs about said first and second pivot axes.
7. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said clips comprises an arcuate band.
8. The support assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a ball joint positioned between at least one of said legs and one of said clips, said ball joint effecting attachment of said at least one clip to said at least one leg.
9. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises a plurality of fingers projecting from said body.
10. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises:
a first and a second finger positioned in spaced relation along a first side of said body and projecting therefrom;
a first rail extending between said first and second fingers;
a third and a fourth finger positioned in spaced relation along a second side of said body opposite to said first side thereof, said third and fourth fingers projecting from said body;
a second rail extending between said third and fourth fingers.
11. The support assembly according to claim 1, wherein said bracket comprises:
a first and a second finger positioned in spaced relation on opposite sides of said body and projecting therefrom.
12. The support assembly according to claim 11, wherein:
said first and second fingers are attached to said forward section, said bracket further comprising:
a third and a fourth finger positioned in spaced relation on opposite sides of said aft section of said body and projecting therefrom.
13. The support assembly according to claim 12, further comprising:
a first rail extending between said first and said third fingers; and
a second rail extending between said second and fourth fingers.
14. A support assembly for mounting an item on a structure, said support assembly comprising:
an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a forward section and an aft section;
first and second legs projecting outwardly from said forward section;
third and fourth legs projecting outwardly from said aft section;
a respective clip attached to an end of each said leg, said clips being adapted to contact said structure and mount said body thereto; and
a bracket mounted on said body, said bracket adapted to receive said item.
15. The support assembly according to claim 14, wherein said legs are pivotably mounted on said body.
16. The support assembly according to claim 14, wherein said first and second legs are pivotable about respective first and second axes.
17. The support assembly according to claim 16, wherein said first and second axes are oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis.
18. The support assembly according to claim 16, wherein said first and second axes are arranged parallel to one another.
19. The support assembly according to claim 18, wherein each of said first and second legs comprises a plurality of gear teeth positioned on a first end thereof, said gear teeth on said first leg being in meshing engagement with said gear teeth on said second leg thereby coordinating pivoting motion of said first and second legs about said respective first and second axes.
20. The support assembly according to claim 14, wherein said third and fourth legs are pivotable about respective third and fourth axes.
21. The support assembly according to claim 16, wherein said third and fourth axes are oriented transversely to said longitudinal axis.
22. The support assembly according to claim 16, wherein said third and fourth axes are arranged parallel to one another.
23. The support assembly according to claim 22, wherein each of said third and fourth legs comprises a plurality of gear teeth positioned on a first end thereof, said gear teeth on said third leg being in meshing engagement with said gear teeth on said fourth leg thereby coordinating pivoting motion of said third and fourth legs about said respective third and fourth axes.
24. The support assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a ball joint positioned between at least one of said clips and one of said legs, said ball joint effecting attachment of said at least one clip to said one leg.
25. The support assembly according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said clips comprises an arcuate band.
26. The support assembly according to claim 14, wherein said bracket comprises:
a first and a second finger positioned in spaced relation on opposite sides of said body and projecting therefrom.
27. The support assembly according to claim 26, wherein:
said first and second fingers are attached to said forward section, said bracket further comprising:
a third and a fourth finger positioned in spaced relation on opposite sides of said aft section of said body and projecting therefrom.
28. The support assembly according to claim 27, further comprising:
a first rail extending between said first and said third fingers; and
a second rail extending between said second and fourth fingers.
29-54. (canceled)
55. In combination, a container for holding a liquid and a support assembly for mounting said container on an aerobar of a bicycle, said support assembly comprising:
a body;
a plurality of legs attached to said body and extending outwardly therefrom, at least one of said legs being pivotable relatively to said body;
a plurality of clips, each one of said clips attached to a respective one of said legs, said clips being adapted to contact said structure and mount said body thereon; and
a bracket mounted on said body, said bracket adapted to receive said container; said container comprising:
a first vessel having a first opening;
a second vessel having a second opening, said first and second vessels being joined to one another at said first and second openings and defining an internal volume;
a tube mounted on one of said first and second vessels and extending into said internal volume; and
a collar positioned between said first and second vessels.
56. In combination, a container for holding a liquid and a support assembly for mounting said container on an aerobar of a bicycle, said support assembly comprising:
an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a forward section and an aft section;
first and second legs projecting outwardly from said forward section;
third and fourth legs projecting outwardly from said aft section;
a respective clip attached to an end of each said leg, said clips being adapted to contact said structure and mount said body thereto; and
a bracket mounted on said body, said bracket adapted to receive said container; said container comprising:
a first vessel having a first opening;
a second vessel having a second opening, said first and second vessels being joined to one another at said first and second openings and defining an internal volume;
a tube mounted on said first vessel and extending into said internal volume; and
a collar positioned between said first and second vessels.

1. A micromechanical sound transducer comprising:
a substrate arrangement;
a membrane support structure comprising a layer of first membrane support material adjacent to the substrate arrangement and a layer of second membrane support material at an interface of the layer of first membrane support material opposite to the substrate arrangement, wherein the first membrane support material has a first etching rate relative to a particular etching agent and the second membrane support material has a second etching rate relative to the particular etching agent that is lower than the first etching rate;
an aperture in the membrane support structure delimited by a tapered surface of the layer of second membrane support material; and
a membrane that is exposed to the aperture and is fixed to the layer of second membrane support material at a surface of the second membrane support material opposite to the tapered surface.
2. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 1, wherein the substrate arrangement comprises a silicon bulk and an oxide layer adjacent to a main surface of the silicon bulk.
3. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 1, wherein the membrane support structure comprises a layer of fifth membrane support material at an interface to the layer of second membrane support material opposite to the layer of first membrane support material, wherein the fifth membrane support material has a fifth etching rate relative to the particular etching agent that is lower than the second etching rate, and wherein the layer of fifth membrane support material comprises a second tapered surface delimiting the aperture and having a different angle than the tapered surface on the layer of second membrane support material.
4. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 1, wherein the membrane support structure further comprises a third membrane support material adjacent to the second membrane support material and having a further tapered surface, and wherein the membrane is also fixed to the further tapered surface of the third membrane support material.
5. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 1, wherein the first membrane support material has a thickness between 400 nm and 800 nm.
6. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 1, wherein the second membrane support material has a thickness between 100 nm and 200 nm.
7. A micromechanical sound transducer comprising:
a substrate;
a membrane support structure overlying the substrate;
an aperture in the membrane support structure disposed such that a tapered surface spaces the membrane support structure from the substrate; and
a membrane that is fixed on and extends beyond the membrane support structure, the membrane being spaced from the substrate at least by the membrane support structure.
8. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 7, wherein the membrane support structure comprises a layer of first membrane support material adjacent the substrate and a layer of second membrane support material that is spaced from the substrate by the layer of first membrane support material, the first membrane support material being different than the second membrane support material.
9. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 8, wherein the first membrane support material has a thickness between 400 nm and 800 nm.
10. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 8, wherein the second membrane support material has a thickness between 100 nm and 200 nm.
11. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 8, wherein the first membrane support material comprises at least one of a silicon oxide or tetraethyl orthosilicate and wherein the second membrane support material comprises an oxynitride.
12. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 11, wherein the layer of first membrane support material has a thickness between 400 nm and 800 nm and wherein the layer of second membrane support material has a thickness between 100 nm and 200 nm.
13. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 8, wherein the tapered surface is formed in the layer of second membrane support material such that the layer of second membrane support material has a decreasing thickness over a lateral extent over the substrate.
14. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 13, wherein the membrane support structure comprises a layer of third membrane support material at an interface to the layer of second membrane support material opposite to the layer of first membrane support material, wherein the third membrane support material comprises a second tapered surface delimiting the aperture and having a different angle than the tapered surface on the layer of second membrane support material.
15. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 14, wherein the membrane is fixed on the third membrane support material.
16. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 15, wherein the third membrane support material comprises an oxynitride and has a thickness between 100 nm and 300 nm.
17. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 13, wherein the first membrane support material has a first etching rate relative to a particular etching agent and the second membrane support material has a second etching rate relative to the particular etching agent, the second etching rate lower than the first etching rate.
18. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 17, wherein the membrane support structure comprises a layer of third membrane support material at an interface to the layer of second membrane support material opposite to the layer of first membrane support material, wherein the third membrane support material has a fifth etching rate relative to the particular etching agent that is lower than the second etching rate, and wherein the layer of third membrane support material comprises a second tapered surface delimiting the aperture and having a different angle than the tapered surface on the layer of second membrane support material.
19. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 8, wherein the aperture in the membrane support structure is delimited by a tapered surface of the layer of second membrane support material.
20. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 19, wherein the membrane is exposed to the aperture and is fixed to the layer of second membrane support material at a surface of the second membrane support material opposite to the tapered surface.
21. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 8, wherein the membrane is exposed to the aperture and is fixed to the layer of second membrane support material.
22. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 7, wherein the substrate comprises a silicon bulk.
23. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 22, wherein the substrate further comprises an oxide layer adjacent to a main surface of the silicon bulk.
24. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 7, wherein the membrane support structure comprises a second tapered surface opposite the tapered surface.
25. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 24, wherein the second tapered surface has a different angle than the tapered surface.
26. The micromechanical sound transducer according to claim 24, wherein the membrane is fixed to the second tapered surface.

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. Method of detecting implants in a jaw or a implant impression in a jaw impression, comprising the steps of:
inserting a gauging member into the implant or into the implant impression
scanning the jaw or the impression thereof together with the gauging member
detecting the position and orientation of the implant in the jaw or the jaw impression with the scan data obtained
wherein
a set of data representing the individual shape of the gauging member is used for determining the position and orientation.
2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a gauging member is scanned independent of a jaw or a jaw impression at least in a portion that can be inserted into an implant or an implant impression, and at least in a portion which is scanned after insertion to determine the individual shape of the gauging member.
3. Method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the scanning is implemented in that the shape of the gauging member is determined at an accuracy of up to 5 \u03bcm.
4. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the determination of the position and orientation of the implant or the implant impression is carried out by a computer which is informed by a user which among a plurality of sets of data represents the individual shape of the gauging member.
5. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the determination of the position and orientation of the implant or the implant impression is carried out by a computer, wherein the computer is adapted such that by a comparison of the data obtained by scanning the jaw or the impression thereof together with the gauging member with the sets of data stored on the computer the set of data is determined that represents the individual shape of the gauging member.
6. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the steps of claim 1 are carried out successively for at least two implants or implant impressions.
7. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of gauging members are inserted simultaneously and are scanned.
8. Method for determining the shape of a gauging member by scanning at least one portion which can be inserted into an implant or an implant impression, and at least a second portion which can be scanned after insertion to determine the individual shape of the gauging member.
9. Gauging member for insertion into an implant andor an impression thereof in combination with a set of data, which represents the individual shape of the gauging member.
10. Gauging member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gauging member is rotationally symmetrical at least in the portion that can be inserted into an implant or an impression thereof.
11. Gauging member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gauging member is not rotationally symmetrical in the portion that can be inserted into an implant or an impression thereof.
12. Gauging member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gauging member comprises at least two planar surfaces.
13. Gauging member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gauging member comprises at least one spherical shape or at least parts thereof, including a hemi-spherical shape.
14. Gauging member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the gauging member comprises an identification, wherein the identification is preferably given by the shape of the gauging member.
15. Set of different gauging members as claimed in claim 9.
16. Method, comprising the following steps:
determining the position and orientation of a portion of a gauging member in a set of scanning data, and
determining the position and orientation of an implant in the set of scanning data by using a set of data representing the individual shape of the gauging member.
17. Computer-readable data carrier with instructions for a computer for carrying out a method as claimed in claim 16.