Abstract: A self-standing sandwich structure includes at least one capacitive sensor member and/or at least one heater member for automotive vehicle application. The self-standing sandwich structure includes an upper protective layer that is attached, for manufacturing and storage purposes, to a carrier film member of sufficiently low surface energy for enabling separating the carrier film member and the upper protective layer in a non-destructive manner, a lower protective layer, a bottom adhesive layer that is attached to the lower protective layer, and at least an upper electrically conductive layer arranged between the upper protective layer and the lower protective layer.

Abstract: A self-standing sandwich structure includes at least one capacitive sensor member and/or at least one heater member for automotive vehicle application. The self-standing sandwich structure includes an upper protective layer that is attached, for manufacturing and storage purposes, to a carrier film member of sufficiently low surface energy for enabling separating the carrier film member and the upper protective layer in a non-destructive manner, a lower protective layer, a bottom adhesive layer that is attached to the lower protective layer, and at least an upper electrically conductive layer arranged between the upper protective layer and the lower protective layer.

Abstract: Foil-based PTC heaters are self-regulating, i.e. do not need any electronic control unit (ECU) to limit the maximum heating current. In order to establish different heating power levels the present invention proposes to choose different PTC ratio/onset characteristics. In addition, the print design of the PTC ink can be adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: Foil-based PTC heaters are self-regulating, i.e. do not need any electronic control unit (ECU) to limit the maximum heating current. In order to establish different heating power levels the present invention proposes to choose different PTC ratio/onset characteristics. In addition, the print design of the PTC ink can be adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A PTF (polymer thick film) device (10) comprises a substrate (22, 32), a functional PTF layer (24,34) applied on the substrate and a protective cover (25, 35) applied over the PTF layer, the protective cover being an adhesive tape comprising a carrier layer (27, 37) and a layer of adhesive (26, 36), the carrier layer being coated with the layer of adhesive (26, 36), the layer of adhesive (26,36) having a thickness comprised in the range from 10% to 100% of the print thickness of the PTF layer (24, 34). The PTF layer is a carbon ink layer, a silver ink layer, a graphite ink layer, a carbon-silver ink layer, a carbon-graphite ink layer, a graphite-silver ink layer, a carbon-graphite-silver ink layer or a PTC layer (Positive Temperature Coefficient). The PTF device can be used as an electric heater, e.g for car seats.

Abstract: An occupancy sensor for detecting the occupancy state of an item occupiable by a human or animal occupant, e.g. a seat or a bed, the sensor including a thermistor, to be arranged in compression-dependent heat-conducting relationship with the occupiable item, and a control circuit operatively connected to the thermistor, where the control circuit is configured to derive an occupancy state of the occupiable item from a response of the thermistor to heat generated in or in vicinity of the thermistor.

Abstract: A sheet-type ohmic heating element (10) comprises a substrate sheet (12) having applied thereon a layer of PTC material (14) and a protective cover sheet (16) laid over the layer of PTC material. The protective cover sheet extends beyond the boundary of the layer of PTC material and is affixed to the substrate sheet circumferentially around the boundary of the layer of PTC material. The protective cover sheet and the layer of PTC material are arranged in non-adhesive contact with each other.

Abstract: A method for generating a random number with nRND bits BRi includes providing, in a memory, a static bit table (BFT) with mBFT addressable bits BTj, where 0?j?mBFT?1. The static bit table contains an equal number of “0” bits and “1” bits in a random distribution. In addition, for a bit BRi of said random number with 1?i?nRND, the method further includes generating, by a processor, an address FA in the range between 0 and mBFT?1, selecting, by the processor, the bit BTFA having the address FA from said static bit table, and setting, by the processor, said bit BRi of said random number to equal said bit BTFA from said static bit table (BRi=BTFA).

Abstract: A method for generating random numbers mimics by software the principle of coin flipping by combining different sources of randomness. The random number to be generated is assembled bit by bit from the subsequent results of this “coin flipping simulation”. The method for generating a random number with nRND bits BRi, wherein 0?i?nRND?1, comprises the steps of • providing a random bit table BFT with mBFT addressable bits BTj, wherein 0?j?mBFT?1, said random bit table containing an equal number of “0” bits and “1” bits in a random distribution, and • for a bit BRi of said random number with 0?i?nRND?1, generating an address FA in the range between 0 and mBFT?1, selecting the bit BTFA having the address FA from said random bit table, and setting said bit BRi of said random number to equal said bit BTFA from said random bit table (BRi=BTFA).

Abstract: A method for generating random numbers mimics by software the principle of coin flipping by combining different sources of randomness. The random number to be generated is assembled bit by bit from the subsequent results of this “coin flipping simulation”. The method for generating a random number with nRND bits BRi, wherein 0?i?nRND?1, comprises the steps of • providing a random bit table BFT with mBFT addressable bits BTj, wherein 0?j?mBFT?1, said random bit table containing an equal number of “0” bits and “1” bits in a random distribution, and • for a bit BRi of said random number with 0?i?nRND?1, generating an address FA in the range between 0 and mBFT?1, selecting the bit BTFA having the address FA from said random bit table, and setting said bit BRi of said random number to equal said bit BTFA from said random bit table (BRi=BTFA).

Abstract: A method for encrypting a message M of IM-bit length, includes the steps of a) providing a first random bit sequence of IR-bit length, IR?IM; b) subdividing the message M into unitary message strings of IS-bits, wherein IS?IM; c) for each unitary message string, executing an XOR-operation of the unitary message string with IS bits of the first random bit sequence for generating an encrypted unitary string; and d) assembling the encrypted unitary strings into a cipher text. According to the invention the assembly of the cipher text is such, that the positions of the encrypted unitary strings in the cipher text are randomly permuted with respect to the positions of the corresponding unitary message strings in the message. In other words, the step of assembling the encrypted unitary strings into a cipher text includes the step of randomly permuting the positions of the encrypted unitary strings in the cipher text with respect to the positions of the corresponding unitary message strings in the message.

Abstract: A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer 10. The spacer 10 comprises at least one recess 12 defining an active area of the switching element. At least two electrodes and a layer of pressure sensitive material are arranged within the active area of the switching element between the first and second carrier foils in such a way that, in response to a pressure acting on the active area of the switching element, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the elastic carrier foils and an electrical contact is established between the at least two electrodes via the pressure sensitive material. The active area comprises an inner region 14 and a number of outer regions 18, the inner region having a generally convex shape and the outer regions extending outwardly from said inner region.

Abstract: The system comprises one or more storage devices (34) for storing data media, particularly CDs, a read/writer (50), a picking and transfer device (42), a series of rotary platters (22) stacked one on top of the other and each associated with a drive device (60, 62) acting on the periphery of platters to rotate these between a position in which the disks are stored and a position in which the disks can be accessed. Each platter has a slot (28) and when all the platters (22) are in the storage position, the slots (28) define an open channel which allows the transfer device (42) to move vertically.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pressure sensor comprising sensor layers (12, 14) which are made of an elastic, resistive material and are applied to a polymer film that is not represented. (22) embodies a spacer that is coated with an adhesive. One sensor layer (14) is provided with a microstructured surface encompassing spherical structures (20) within an active zone (16). The compression path amounts to 10 micrometers at an extension R of the structures of 50 micrometers. The structures (20) are large compared with a certain surface roughness. The inventive pressure sensor is produced by injection molding, etching, embossing, or by means of an electron beam technique or laser beam technique. Disclosed are variations thereof, which function differently.

Abstract: A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil having a first electrode arrangement applied thereon and a second carrier foil having a second electrode arrangement applied thereon, said first and second carrier foils being arranged at a certain distance by means of a spacer in such a way that said first and second electrodes face each other in an active area of said switching element. At least said second electrode arrangement comprises a resistive layer which faces said first electrode arrangement. In response to a pressure acting on said switching element said first and second electrode arrangements are pressed together, the shape and/or the size of a mechanical contact surface between said first and second electrode arrangements being given by a mechanical response function depending on the amount of pressure applied. According to the invention, said resistive layer has a shape such that an electrical response function of said sensor is decoupled from said mechanical response function.

Abstract: The system comprises one or more storage devices (34) for storing data media, particularly CDs, a read/writer (50), a picking and transfer device (42), a series of rotary platters (22) stacked one on top of the other and each associated with a drive device (60, 62) acting on the periphery of platters to rotate these between a position in which the disks are stored and a position in which the disks can be accessed. Each platter has a slot (28) and when all the platters (22) are in the storage position, the slots (28) define an open channel which allows the transfer device (42) to move vertically.

Abstract: A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil having a first electrode arrangement applied thereon and a second carrier foil having a second electrode arrangement applied thereon, said first and second carrier foils being arranged at a certain distance by means of a spacer in such a way that said first and second electrodes face each other in an active area of said switching element. At least said second electrode arrangement comprises a resistive layer which faces said first electrode arrangement. In response to a pressure acting on said switching element said first and second electrode arrangements are pressed together, the shape and/or the size of a mechanical contact surface between said first and second electrode arrangements being given by a mechanical response function depending on the amount of pressure applied. According to the invention, said resistive layer has a shape such that an electrical response function of said sensor is decoupled from said mechanical response function.

Abstract: A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance from each other by means of a spacer 10. The spacer 10 comprises at least one recess 12 defining an active area of the switching element. At least two electrodes and a layer of pressure sensitive material are arranged within the active area of the switching element between said first and second carrier foils in such a way that, in response to a pressure acting on the active area of the switching element, the first and second carrier foils are pressed together against the reaction force of the elastic carrier foils and an electrical contact is established between the at least two electrodes via the pressure sensitive material. According to the invention said active area comprises an inner region 14 and a number of outer regions 18, said inner region having a generally convex shape and said outer regions extending outwardly from said inner region.

Abstract: One or more storing apparatuses (90) are provided, in which a number of carrier platters (22), stacked one above the other, are individually rotatable around a central column (26). Each carrier platter (22) has a number of depository zones for data carriers and an opening (28), these openings forming in the waiting positions of the individual carrier platters (22) an open continuous shaft (30), through which the individual data carriers are randomly accessible and can be transported by means of a common gripping and transferring apparatus (92) into a writing and reading station (106).