All The Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A photomask having an isolated residual pattern formed thereonto, and a translucent film formed on both sides of said isolated independent pattern, with a space pattern part therebetween.
2. A photomask according to claim 1, wherein the line width of said space pattern part is approximately equal to the line width of said isolated residual pattern.
3. A photomask according to claim 1, wherein the transmissivity of said translucent film is in the range from 10% to 60%.
4. A photomask according to claim 1, wherein said translucent film does not cause phase inversion.
5. A photomask according to claim 1, wherein the width of said translucent film is at least equal to the width of said isolated residual film.
6. A method of manufacturing a photomask, comprising:
a step of forming an isolated residual pattern onto a photomask, and
a step of placing a translucent film on both sides of said isolated residual pattern with a space pattern part therebetween, said space pattern part having a width that is approximately the same as the line width of said isolated residual pattern, and said translucent film not causing phase inversion, so as to reduce variation in light intensity caused by defocusing.
7. A method of manufacturing a photomask according to claim 6, wherein the transmissivity of said translucent film is in the range from 10% to 60%.

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 computer-based method for controlling a vapor generator, comprising:
(a) receiving vapor generator control parameters;
(b) directing the operation of a vapor generator for a fixed period, wherein the generator is controlled by the received control parameters;
(c) storing the control parameters and operational data of the vapor generator as a control profile for the vapor generator;
(d) repeating steps (b)\u2013(c) for a predetermined number of iterations;
(e) selecting a stored control profile; and
(f) automatically controlling the operation of the vapor generator with the data of the selected control profile.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control parameters are received by means of a user interface.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control parameters include power range, power supply voltage, heater off time, heater delay time, start resistance value, resistance increment value, maximum power value, liquid material formulation, and pump flow rate.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of iterations is 3.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operational data of the vapor generator includes the power level used to energize the vapor generator to achieve a targeted resistance value.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the stored control profiles can be either desirable or undesirable profiles for controlling the operation of the vapor generator.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein automatically controlling the operation of the vapor generator includes automatically providing power to one or more heaters and initiating fluid delivery to the one or more heaters.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein power can be shut off to the one or more heaters and fluid delivery can be stopped upon occurrence of a predetermined event.
9. The method according to claim 8, where the predetermined event can include one or more of: over resistance, over pressure, under energy, or over power.
10. The method according to claim 8, wherein an event log entry is created upon occurrence of the predetermined event.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) includes pumping a liquid through a capillary sized flow passage and heating the flow passage such that the liquid forms a vapor which exits the flow passage and forms an aerosol in ambient air.
12. A computer-based method for controlling a vapor generator, comprising:
selecting a profile for the operation of a vapor generator; and
automatically directing the operation of the vapor generator based on the data of the selected profile, wherein the data of the selected profile includes:
a voltage of a power supply of the vapor generator for directing power to a heater of the vapor generator;
a power range for energizing the heater; and
a target resistance for the heater.
13. The method according to claim 12, including automatically determining a minimal level of power sufficient to continuously measure resistance and energy without heating the heater.
14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the heater comprises a plurality of heaters.
15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the automatically directing includes pumping a liquid through a capillary sized flow passage and heating the flow passage such that the liquid forms a vapor which exits the flow passage and forms an aerosol in ambient air.
16. A computer-based method for controlling a vapor generator, comprising:
calibrating the operation of a vapor generator with at least two precision resistances, wherein the power level required to energize at least one heater across each of the at least two resistances is recorded upon operation of the vapor generator for a fixed period of time;
calculating a function based on the at least two precision resistances and the corresponding at least two recorded power levels;
calculating the slope of the function as a first correction coefficient;
calculating the intercept of the function on a y axis as a second correction coefficient; and
automatically applying the first and second correction coefficients to software of a controller for directing the operation of the at least one heater of the vapor generator.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first and second correction coefficients correct for variances in resistance within the vapor generator.
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first and second correction coefficients correct for variances in energy being sent to the heater of the vapor generator.
19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the software controls pumping a liquid through a capillary sized flow passage and controls the heater to heat the flow passage such that the liquid forms a vapor which exits the flow passage and forms an aerosol in ambient air.
20. The method according to claim 16, including calculating a polynomial function, based on at least three precision resistances and a corresponding at least three recorded energy levels, to compensate for non-linear behavior of the vapor generator.
21. The computer-based method according to claim 16, wherein the method includes:
calibrating the operation of a vapor generator with at least three precision resistances, wherein the power level required to energize at least one heater across each of the at least three resistances is recorded upon operation of the vapor generator for a fixed period of time;
calculating a linear function based on the at least three precision resistances and the corresponding at least three recorded power levels;
calculating the slope of the linear function as a first correction coefficient;
calculating the intercept of the linear function on a y axis as a second correction coefficient; and
automatically applying the first and second correction coefficients to software of a controller for directing the operation of the at least one heater of the vapor generator.
22. A computer-based system for controlling a vapor generator, comprising:
a controller configured to direct operation of a vapor generator;
a user interface configured to receive control parameters for controlling the operation of the controller, including selection of a vapor generator profile;
at least one heater powered by an energy source according to the selected vapor generator profile; and
at least one pump directing a fluid material through the at least one heater, wherein the at least one heater is energized by the energy source such that the fluid material is vaporized by the heater.
23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to meet a plurality of resistance targets during a vapor generation run.
24. The system according to claim 22, wherein the at least one heater includes a capillary sized flow passage through which the fluid is pumped by the at least one pump, the flow passage having an outlet through which the vaporized fluid is ejected into ambient air so as to form an aerosol.
25. A computer-based system for controlling a vapor generator, comprising:
a user interface module configured to receive control parameters for controlling the operation of the vapor generator;
a profile module configured to automatically create one or more profiles for controlling the operation of the vapor generator based on the received control parameters, wherein the user interface module is further configured to select one or more of the created profiles; and
a heater module configured to energize one or more heaters and to provide for fluid delivery to the one or more heaters based on one or more user-selected profiles.
26. The system according to claim 25, wherein each of the one or more heaters includes a capillary sized flow passage through which the fluid is pumped by a pump, the flow passage having an outlet through which vaporized fluid is ejected into ambient air so as to form an aerosol.
27. A vapor generator control system, comprising a computer system, said computer system including at least one of a software program for controlling a vapor generator, a user interface, a memory, and a profile module configured to receive user-specified control parameters and to create one or more profiles for controlling the operation of a vapor generator.
28. The system according to claim 27, wherein the vapor generator is an aerosol generator which generates timed delivery of an aerosol.
29. A system for controlling a vapor generator, comprising:
means for receiving control parameters;
means for creating one or more profiles for controlling a vapor generator;
means for energizing one or more heaters according to the one or more profiles; and
means for vaporizing a liquid material directed through the one or more heaters.
30. The system according to claim 29, wherein each of the one or more heaters includes a capillary sized flow passage through which the liquid is pumped by a pump, the flow passage having an outlet through which the vaporized liquid is ejected into ambient air so as to form an aerosol.
31. A computer-readable medium encoded with software for controlling the operation of a vapor generator, wherein the software is provided for:
receiving vapor generator control parameters;
directing the operation of a vapor generator for a fixed period, wherein the generator is controlled by the received control parameters;
storing the control parameters and operational data of the vapor generator as a control profile for the vapor generator;
selecting a stored control profile; and
automatically controlling the operation of the vapor generator with the data of the selected control profile.
32. The computer-readable medium according to claim 31, wherein the vapor generator is an aerosol generator and the software directs intermittent or continuous operation of the aerosol generator.
33. A computer program, which, when executed by a computer, implements a vapor generator controller by performing the steps of:
calibrating the operation of a vapor generator with at least two precision resistances, wherein the power level required to energize at least one heater across each of the at least two resistances is recorded upon operation of the vapor generator for a fixed period of time;
calculating a function based on the at least two precision resistances and the corresponding at least two recorded power levels;
calculating the slope of the function as a first correction coefficient;
calculating the intercept of the function on a y axis as a second correction coefficient; and
automatically applying the first and second correction coefficients to software of a controller for directing the operation of the at least one heater of the vapor generator.
34. The computer program according to claim 33, wherein the vapor generator is an aerosol generator and the software directs intermittent or continuous operation of the aerosol generator.
35. The method according to claim 33, including calculating a polynomial function, based on at least three precision resistances and a corresponding at least three recorded energy levels, to compensate for non-linear behavior of the vapor generator.
36. The computer program according to claim 33, wherein the computer program implements the vapor generator controller by further performing the steps of:
calibrating the operation of a vapor generator with at least three precision resistances, wherein the power level required to energize at least one heater across each of the at least three resistances is recorded upon operation of the vapor generator for a fixed period of time;
calculating a linear function based on the at least three precision resistances and the corresponding at least three recorded power levels;
calculating the slope of the linear function as a first correction coefficient;
calculating the intercept of the linear function on a y axis as a second correction coefficient; and
automatically applying the first and second correction coefficients to software of a controller for directing the operation of the at least one heater of the vapor generator.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of receiving a plain old telephone system (POTS) telephone call on an Internet Protocol (IP)-based device connected to an IP-based Local Area Network (LAN), comprising:
receiving the incoming POTS telephone call; and
selectively forwarding the incoming POTS telephone call to the IP-based device over the IP-based LAN using IP-based communications.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein selectively forwarding the incoming POTS telephone call to the IP-based device over a LAN using IP-based communications comprises at least one of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications, H.323 compliant communications, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), Simple Gateway Control Protocol (SGCP), Internet Protocol Device Control (IPDC), Realtime Transport Protocol (RTP), or packetized .wav files.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein selectively forwarding comprises:
waiting a first preselected number of rings to answer the incoming POTS telephone call; and
forwarding the incoming POTS telephone call to a preselected IP address corresponding to the IP-based device over the IP-based LAN as an IP-based telephone call if the incoming POTS telephone call remains unanswered after the first preselected number of rings.
4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:
if the IP-based device does not answer the IP-based telephone call after a second preselected number of rings, providing a prompt to record a message; and
recording the message if desired by a caller.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein selectively forwarding comprises providing a caller an audio menu with options to either forward the incoming POTS telephone call to a preselected IP address corresponding to the IP-based device or record a message.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein selectively forwarding comprises in response to caller identification information (Caller-ID) either forwarding the incoming POTS call to the preselected IP address or providing a caller with an audio prompt to record a message.
7. A method of placing a telephone call from an Internet Protocol (IP)-based device on a Local Area Network (LAN) to a plain old telephone system (POTS) line, comprising:
initiating an IP-based telephone call from an IP-based device in communication with a LAN;
receiving the IP-based telephone call at a computer on the LAN;
translating the IP-based telephone call into a POTS telephone call; and
routing the POTS telephone call over a POTS line.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein initiating an IP-based telephone call comprises initiating a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone call.
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein initiating an IP-based telephone call comprises inputting a destination telephone number.
10. The method according to claim 7, wherein receiving the IP-based telephone call at a computer on the LAN comprises receiving the IP-based telephone call at the computer connected to the LAN and to the POTS line.
11. The method according to claim 7, wherein routing the POTS telephone call comprises routing the POTS telephone call through a local exchange carrier (LEC).
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising routing the POTS telephone call through a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
13. A method of placing and receiving IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network, the method comprising:
providing an IP-based device configured for communicating IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network;
providing a computer operable for communication with the IP-based device over the IP-based network and in communication with a plain old telephone system (POTS) telephone line;
in response to receiving an incoming POTS telephone call at the computer, selectively forwarding the incoming POTS telephone call to the IP-based device over the IP-based network;
in response to initiating an IP-based telephone call from the IP-based device, receiving the IP-based telephone call at the computer, translating the IP-based telephone call into a outgoing POTS telephone call and routing the outgoing POTS telephone call through the POTS telephone line.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein communicating IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network comprises at least one of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications, H.323 compliant communications, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), Simple Gateway Control Protocol (SGCP), Internet Protocol Device Control (IPDC), Realtime Transport Protocol (RTP), or packetized .wav files.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein selectively forwarding comprises:
waiting a preselected number of rings to answer the incoming POTS telephone call; and
routing the incoming POTS telephone call to a preselected IP address corresponding to the IP-based device over the IP-based network as an IP-based telephone call if the incoming POTS telephone call remains unanswered after the preselected number of rings.
16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:
if the IP-based device does not answer the IP-based telephone call after a second preselected number of rings, providing a prompt to record a message; and
recording the message if desired by a caller.
17. The method according to claim 13, wherein selectively forwarding comprises providing a caller an audio menu with options to either forward the incoming POTS telephone call to a preselected IP address corresponding to the IP-based device or record a message.
18. The method according to claim 13, wherein selectively forwarding comprises in response to caller identification information (Caller-ID) either forwarding the incoming POTS call to the preselected IP address or providing a caller with an audio prompt to record a message.
19. The method according to claim 13, wherein initiating an IP-based telephone call comprises inputting a destination telephone number.
20. The method according to claim 13, wherein routing the outgoing POTS telephone call comprises routing the outgoing POTS telephone call through a local exchange carrier (LEC).
21. The method according to claim 20, further comprising routing the outgoing POTS telephone call through a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
22. A system for placing and receiving IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network, comprising:
an IP-based device configured for IP-based communication over an IP-based network;
a computer configured for communication with a plain old telephone system (POTS) line and configured for IP-based communication with the IP-based device over the IP-based network; and
the IP-based device further configured to receive and send IP-based telephone calls using the computer and the POTS line.
23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the IP-based communication comprises Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
24. The system according to claim 22, wherein the computer is further configured to wait a preselected number of rings for a user to answer an incoming POTS call and selectively forwarding the incoming POTS call to the IP-based device having a preselected IP address over the IP-based network if the incoming POTS call remains unanswered after the preselected number of rings.
25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the computer is further configured to provide a prompt to record a message if the IP-based device does not answer the IP-based telephone call after a second preselected number of rings and recording the message if desired by a caller.
26. The system according to claim 22, further comprising a telephone in communication with the computer and POTS line for the user to answer the incoming POTS call.
27. The system according to claim 22, wherein the IP-based device comprises a laptop computer.
28. The system according to claim 22, wherein the IP-based device comprises a personal digital assistant (PDA).
29. The system according to claim 22, wherein the IP-based network comprises a Local Area Network (LAN).
30. The system according to claim 22, wherein the IP-based network comprises a wireless network.
31. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing a method of placing and receiving IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network, the method comprising:
providing an IP-based device configured for communicating IP-based telephone calls over an IP-based network;
providing a computer operable for communication with the IP-based device over the IP-based network and in communication with a telephone connected to a plain old telephone system (POTS) telephone line;
in response to receiving an incoming POTS telephone call at the computer, selectively forwarding the incoming POTS telephone call to the IP-based device over the IP-based network;
in response to initiating an IP-based telephone call from the IP-based device, receiving the IP-based telephone call at the computer, translating the IP-based telephone call into a outgoing POTS telephone call and routing the outgoing POTS telephone call over the POTS telephone line.
32. The computer-readable medium according to claim 31, wherein the computer-readable medium is selected from the group consisting of compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), Zip Disk, Memory Stick, SD Card, floppy disk, read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), nonvolatile electrically block-erasable programmable read only memory (Flash).
33. The computer-readable medium according to claim 31, wherein the computer-readable medium comprises mass storage on a server configured for downloading software over a network.

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. In a combination of an agricultural utility vehicle detachably coupled to an attachment including at least one electrical load with which an agricultural working function can be carried out, a device for supplying electricity to the vehicle and attachment, comprising:
first and second electrical interfaces respectively carried by said vehicle and said attachment and being detachably coupled to each other, an electrical generator carried by said vehicle for generating alternating electrical current, with said generator being coupled for delivering said alternating electrical current to said first electrical interface;
at least one electric transformer being electrically connected to said second electrical interface, and being electrically connected to said electrical load, whereby said transformer operates to transform the current received from said generator before it is made available to said electrical load.
2. In a combination of an agricultural utility vehicle detachably coupled to an attachment including at least one electrical load with which an agricultural working function can be carried out, a device for supplying electricity to the vehicle and attachment, comprising:
first and second electrical interfaces respectively carried by said vehicle and said attachment and being detachably coupled to each other, an electrical generator carried by said vehicle for generating alternating electrical current, with said generator being coupled for delivering said alternating electrical current to said first electrical interface;
at least one electric transformer being electrically connected to said second electrical interface, and being electrically connected to said electrical load, whereby said transformer operates to transform the current received from said generator before it is made available to said electrical load; and
at least one rectifier is carried by said attachment and is electrically coupled to said transformer, whereby said rectifier operates to convert alternating transformed current received from said transformer to direct current.
3. In a combination of an agricultural utility vehicle detachably coupled to an attachment including at least one electrical load with which an agricultural working function can be carried out, a device for supplying electricity to the vehicle and attachment, comprising:
first and second electrical interfaces respectively carried by said vehicle and said attachment and being detachably coupled to each other, an electrical generator carried by said vehicle for generating alternating electrical current, with said generator being coupled for delivering said alternating electrical current to said first electrical interface;
at least one electric transformer being electrically connected to said second electrical interface, and being electrically connected to said electrical load, whereby said transformer operates to transform the current received from said generator before it is made available to said electrical load; and
one of said vehicle and attachment includes a power converter coupled for converting direct electrical current to and alternating current of predefined frequency and amplitude, with said power converter being located one of between said generator and said first electrical interface or between said transformer and said at least one electrical load.
4. In a combination of an agricultural utility vehicle detachably coupled to an attachment including at least one electrical load with which an agricultural working function can be carried out, a device for supplying electricity to the vehicle and attachment, comprising:
first and second electrical interfaces respectively carried by said vehicle and said attachment and being detachably coupled to each other, an electrical generator carried by said vehicle for generating alternating electrical current, with said generator being coupled for delivering said alternating electrical current to said first electrical interface;
at least one electric transformer being electrically connected to said second electrical interface, and being electrically connected to said electrical load, whereby said transformer operates to transform the current received from said generator before it is made available to said electrical load; and
said transformer is embodied and connected in such a way that a secondary side of said transformer has a neutral point, with the result that electrical energy can be fed into a power system referred to ground.
5. In a combination of an agricultural utility vehicle detachably coupled to an attachment including at least one electrical load with which an agricultural working function can be carried out, a device for supplying electricity to the vehicle and attachment, comprising:
first and second electrical interfaces respectively carried by said vehicle and said attachment and being detachably coupled to each other, an electrical generator carried by said vehicle for generating alternating electrical current, with said generator being coupled for delivering said alternating electrical current to said first electrical interface;
at least one electric transformer being electrically connected to said second electrical interface, and being electrically connected to said electrical load, whereby said transformer operates to transform the current received from said generator before it is made available to said electrical load; and
further including at least one electrical filter for filtering out interference signals being electrically coupled between said transformer and said at least one electrical load.
6. In a combination of an agricultural utility vehicle detachably coupled to an attachment including at least one electrical load with which an agricultural working function can be carried out, a device for supplying electricity to the vehicle and attachment, comprising:
first and second electrical interfaces respectively carried by said vehicle and said attachment and being detachably coupled to each other, an electrical generator carried by said vehicle for generating alternating electrical current, with said generator being coupled for delivering said alternating electrical current to said first electrical interface;
at least one electric transformer being electrically connected to said second electrical interface, and being electrically connected to said electrical load, whereby said transformer operates to transform the current received from said generator before it is made available to said electrical load; and
further including at least a second transformer connected in parallel with the first mentioned transformer, said attachment including at least a second load connected to said second transformer, with said attachment including at least two separate sections, and said first and second transformers respectively being arranged on said two separate sections.
7. In a combination of an agricultural utility vehicle detachably coupled to an attachment including at least one electrical load with which an agricultural working function can be carried out, a device for supplying electricity to the vehicle and attachment, comprising:
first and second electrical interfaces respectively carried by said vehicle and said attachment and being detachably coupled to each other, an electrical generator carried by said vehicle for generating alternating electrical current, with said generator being coupled for delivering said alternating electrical current to said first electrical interface;
at least one electric transformer being electrically connected to said second electrical interface, and being electrically connected to said electrical load, whereby said transformer operates to transform the current received from said generator before it is made available to said electrical load; and
said attachment is of an expandable modular construction including at least two modules, and at least two transformers being provided on said attachment with one transformer being assigned to each module.
8. In a combination of an agricultural utility vehicle detachably coupled to an attachment including at least one electrical load with which an agricultural working function can be carried out, a device for supplying electricity to the vehicle and attachment, comprising:
first and second electrical interfaces respectively carried by said vehicle and said attachment and being detachably coupled to each other, an electrical generator carried by said vehicle for generating alternating electrical current, with said generator being coupled for delivering said alternating electrical current to said first electrical interface;
at least one electric transformer being electrically connected to said second electrical interface, and being electrically connected to said electrical load, whereby said transformer operates to transform the current received from said generator before it is made available to said electrical load;
said alternating current supplied by said electrical generator is three phase;
a power converter arrangement being mounted on said vehicle and electrically coupled to said generator, said power converter arrangement being operated to supply three-phase alternating electrical current to said first electrical interface, and said transformer being a three-phase isolating transformer.
9. In a combination of an agricultural utility vehicle detachably coupled to an attachment including at least one electrical load with which an agricultural working function can be carried out, a device for supplying electricity to the vehicle and attachment, comprising:
first and second electrical interfaces respectively carried by said vehicle and said attachment and being detachably coupled to each other, an electrical generator carried by said vehicle for generating alternating electrical current, with said generator being coupled for delivering said alternating electrical current to said first electrical interface;
at least one electric transformer being electrically connected to said second electrical interface, and being electrically connected to said electrical load, whereby said transformer operates to transform the current received from said generator before it is made available to said electrical load; and
said at least one transformer is configured for supplying at least two circuits with voltage at different levels.
10. The combination, as defined in claim 9, wherein said at least one transformer includes first and second rectifiers respectively located for supplying said at least two circuits with direct current.
11. The combination, as defined in claim 10, wherein a second transformer identical to said at least one transformer is connected to said second electrical interface in parallel with said at one transformer.