Abstract: A playback apparatus includes a data source (1) that provides a data stream signal (d0), and a device (2) responsive to the data stream signal. The device forms a first data stream (d1) in a first data format (F1), wherein the first data stream (d1) includes a data field (D1) that is encoded in a second data format (F2). A code converter (3) is responsive to the first data stream (d1), and converts selected parts of the first data stream (d1) to a second data stream (d2) that has data encoded in a third data format (F3). An output decoder (5) forms playback signals from the second data stream (d2). The playback signal may be audio and/or video signals that are presented to the appropriate audio transducer or display device for presentation to a playback apparatus user(s).

Abstract: The present invention refers to a resilient glide for a chair's leg for minimizing the noise that normally occurs when a chair is moved along a floor. The glide comprises a flexible element with a small contact area against the floor in order to minimize friction. The flexible element comes off from a contact surface for the chair's leg arranged in a sleeve intended to surround the leg and is forming an integral part of said sleeve.

Abstract: A method for reducing DC offset from a receiver signal. The method includes jointly (i.e., simultaneously) estimating such DC offset and channel impulse response, and reducing the DC offset in accordance with the estimated DC offset and the estimate of the channel impulse response.

Abstract: An interface system for introducing a non-gaseous sample as a predetermined gaseous form into an analytical instrument which comprises a substrate that receives the non-gaseous sample and a directed energy source that heats at least a portion of said substrate containing the non-gaseous sample to convert the sample to the predetermined gaseous form.

Abstract: A navigation unit, especially for vehicles, with a data bus, a data memory on which a plurality of map information items and navigation data are stored, with a navigation computer, connected to the data bus, for route planning, with a data processing unit, connected to the data bus, for processing the data into picture information, the data processing unit containing a picture memory for storing the picture information, with a monitor, connected to the data processing unit, on which the picture information can be displayed, with a communication block with a control unit for entering the start location, intermediate destination, and/or final destination of a trip, such that the data processing unit contains a map memory for storing road map information.

Abstract: A mode transformer that enables low-loss coupling between optical modes of two waveguides with different index difference. The mode size and the effective index are gradually changed between two waveguides to gradually transform the mode shape, size, and speed with minimum power loss. The mode transformer is useful for coupling the mode of an optical fiber waveguide with low index difference to the mode of a planar high index difference waveguide, and vice versa.

Abstract: A two-stage gear mechanism includes a drive shaft having a first gear stage disposed in a fixed housing and containing planetary wheels. The two-stage gear mechanism also includes a second gear stage, driven by the first gear stage and meshing with a drive shaft. Each of the planetary wheels is formed as a stepped double gear wheel with a first gear wheel that engages the drive shaft, and with a second gear wheel that points toward the direction of the output side. The bearing axles of each of the planetary wheels are disposed spatially fixed within the housing. The second gear wheels of the planetary wheels mesh with a hollow wheel of the second gear stage, the hollow wheel being non-rotationally coupled to the drive shaft.

Abstract: An EPROM structure for a nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes a plurality of memory cells that each include a floating gate transistor (6) that can be programmed by hot electrons and erased by UV light. An additional, common gate capacitance (7) is associated with each memory cell to raise the potential at the floating gate transistor (6) to the level required for writing by applying to the gate capacitances a predetermined voltage, common to all the memory cells.

Abstract: A planar waveguide that has a graded index layer at the core/cladding interface to reduce scattering losses due to core/cladding interface roughness. The refractive index at the core/cladding interface is changed from that of the core to that of cladding gradually by having a graded index layer. The graded index layer reduces the scattering of light traveling in the waveguide by reducing the effect of the roughness at the abrupt interface between the core and the cladding. Using a proper design, the graded index layer also minimizes the modal and polarization dispersion of the optical mode traveling in the waveguide.

Abstract: A probe card characterizes optical structures formed on a MEMS wafer. The probe includes a substrate having a circuit thereon. The substrate has an opening wherein a plurality of metal probes, electrically coupled to the circuit, pass through the opening. The probe card further includes an optical test device electrically coupled to the circuit. The optical test device includes a light source and a photosensitive area. The photosensitive area receives directly light reflected from the optical structures. The optical test device can be positioned directly over the opening, or the optical test device can be positioned on a periphery of the opening. Furthermore, the optical test device can be positioned so as to provide a test light beam that is parallel to the wafer to test pop-up optical MEMS components. The optical test device also may be positioned between the probe card and the MEMS wafer.

Abstract: An optical switch operating with an optical pumping source. The switch includes a microcavity structure that is resonant with both the pumping source and the input optical signal. The microcavity structure includes a cavity in between two reflectors. The input optical signal is switched from one to zero, by varying the pump source intensity. The microcavity provides amplification of the pumping energy allowing for a nonlocal optical power source. In addition it also provides a way for fast optical modulation of the input optical signal using continuous wave pumping source.

Abstract: A microphone system including a microphone for inputting voice data, an output for transmitting the voice data to a device connectable thereto; and a circuit which operates to mute the voice data and provide a signal to the device in order to maintain a suspended state of operation in the device. The device may be a computer that is responsive to voice data, for example, by utilizing voice recognition software.

Abstract: An at least second-order active filter circuit includes an operational amplifier (Op) whose frequency response, in conjunction with an RC network (R1, R2, C1, C2), serves to set a predetermined low-pass characteristic. The frequency response of the operational amplifier (Op) forms an integral part of this low-pass characteristic.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device containing a tube for a varied flow, comprising a tube being fixed in both its ends, whereby the tube is arranged to be stretched or shortened by longing or shortening of the distance between said attachment points.

Abstract: A circuit testing apparatus includes a controlling processor for controlling stimulus signals to be applied to a circuit under test and for processing and storing response signals generated by the circuit under test in response to the stimulus signals. The stimulus signals are generated by a driver portion of a receiver/driver circuit coupled to a pin on the circuit under test. The driver includes an output stage circuit coupled to the pin on the circuit under test. The output stage circuit includes a linear amplifier circuit which receives a control signal via the controlling processor and generates from the control signal a drive signal to be applied to the circuit under test. The linear amplifier allows the driver to produce a drive signal with a high level of voltage and timing accuracy and, in the case of digital square pulse signals, a high level of pulse symmetry.

Abstract: The present invention related to Parvilucifera infectans, a new parasitic organism described by Noren and Moestrup (in prep. “Parvilucifera infectans, gen. et. spec.nov. A parasitic dinoflagellate infecting thecate dinoflagellates.”) capable of infecting and killing several toxic or potentially harmful dinoflagellates, method for infecting toxin producing dinoflagellates, and method for propagating P. infectans.

Abstract: A wideband impedance attenuator includes a phase-locked loop filter, a voltage-controlled oscillator connected to the phase-locked loop filter during transmit, and an impedance circuit connected to the phase-locked loop filter and the voltage controlled oscillator. The impedance circuit is a scaled version of the phase-locked loop filter. Moreover, the wideband impedance attenuator attenuates a Gaussian frequency shift key modulation signal by a factor of 1/(N+1) using the impedance circuit, which has an impedance of N*Z(s), and the phase-locked loop filter, which has an impedance of Z(s). An output frequency is generated using a voltage-controlled oscillator wherein the output frequency corresponds to the attenuated Gaussian frequency shift key modulation signal. In addition, a comparator compares a voltage of an output from the programmable gain amplifier with a voltage necessary to produce a predetermined frequency shift in a voltage-controlled oscillator to produce a gain signal.

Abstract: A device for generating shock waves, specifically for medical applications, has electrodes arranged in a liquid medium, a high voltage being applied to the electrodes to generate an electrical breakdown. Particles added in powder form are suspended in the liquid medium. In order to maintain the particles in suspension, a thixotropic additive is added to the liquid medium.

Abstract: A direct current offset correction system is disclosed for use in an analog signal processing system. The offset correction system includes a comparator unit for comparing the polarity of signals from an analog signal channel and producing a binary output signal. The system also includes a digital accumulator unit that is coupled to the comparator output signal for providing an accumulated average signal over a predetermined period of time. The system also includes a threshold corrective signal unit for determining whether the accumulated signal is within a defined threshold window of acceptable values. The system further includes a correction unit for applying a corrective signal to the analog signal channel.