Abstract: The disclosure relates to a coupling assembly for connecting an optionally drivable secondary driveline to a permanently driven primary driveline, comprising a friction coupling and an axial setting device. The friction coupling has a first coupling part and a second coupling part which are rotatable around an axis of rotation A and which, by axial forces, can be coupled to one another for transmitting torque. The axial setting device is configured for actuating the friction coupling, wherein the axial setting device comprises a first ring which is at least indirectly axially supported relative to a fixed component and a second ring which is supported at least indirectly relative to the first ring and which, when at least one of the first and second rings; is rotated around the axis A, is axially displaceable, wherein, for rotating the at least one of the first and second rings there is provided a linear driving mechanism.

Abstract: A near-field-communication (NFC) system includes an NFC-enabled indicia reader and a second NFC-enabled device. The NFC-enabled indicia reader is configured to receive software-configuration data from another NFC-enabled device. The NFC system is configured to update the NFC-enabled indicia reader with the software-configuration data of the second-NFC enabled device when the indicia reader is positioned in proximity to the second NFC-enabled device.

Abstract: A power transfer unit assembly for a vehicle. The power transfer unit includes a housing, an internal variable speed differential positioned within the housing, a first front side shaft rotatively connected to the differential, a second front side shaft rotatively connected to the differential, an input shaft interconnected to at least one of the first and second side shafts, and at least one shifting mechanism for engaging at least one of the first and second shafts with at least one mode selection gear set. Engagement of the mode selection gear set transfers torque through the input shaft to selectively engage with a second gear set interconnected to a power transfer final drive unit assembly having an internal variable speed differential.

Abstract: The invention elates to an electric drive assembly for a multi-axle driven motor vehicle which comprises an internal combustion engine, a multi-step transmission with an output shaft for driving a rear axle, as well as an optionally driveable front axle. The drive assembly comprises an electric machine (6), a reduction gearing (7) drivingly connected to the electric machine (6), a driveshaft (9) drivingly connected to the reduction gearing (7) and drivingly connectable to a front propeller shaft (65) for driving the front axle, and a housing 5 in which the electric machine (6) and the reduction gearing (7) are arranged. The housing (5) comprises connecting means (16) for connecting the drive assembly (2) to the multi-step transmission. The electric drive assembly is designed such that, with the electric drive assembly mounted at the multi-step transmission (56), a rear propeller shaft (57) can be connected at least indirectly to the output shaft of the multi-step transmission for driving the rear axle.

Abstract: A handle for an electronic-device case includes a hand strap and a switch. The switch may be integrated into the hand strap such that when the user secures his or her hand to the electronic-device case with the hand strap, the switch is accessible to the secured hand, thereby enabling one-handed operation of the electronic device.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a system and method for providing a continuous communication link between a server computer and a symbol reading device, and a novel symbol reading device adapted for use in such a system. The system greatly simplifies the remote management, diagnostic evaluation, and monitoring of symbol reading devices, especially those devices connected to host devices that are not PC-based or running a complete operating system.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a channel region disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectric disposed on the channel region and a drift region disposed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the channel region. The apparatus can further include a field plate having an end portion disposed between a top surface of the semiconductor substrate and the gate dielectric The end portion can include a surface in contact with the gate dielectric, the surface having a first portion aligned along a first plane non-parallel to a second plane along which a second portion of the surface is aligned, the first plane being non-parallel to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate and the second plane being non-parallel to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A parking lock assembly for a motor vehicle is described that has at least one electrically drivable driving axle. The parking lock comprises an electric drive, a shaft which is arranged in the driveline of a motor vehicle and which is drivable by the electric drive, as well as a locking mechanism which is controllable in the locking sense in order to prevent a rotational movement of the shaft and which is controllable in the opening sense in order to release the shaft. The electric drive is controllable in order to transmit torque to the shaft if, in spite of the locking mechanism being controlled in the opening sense, the shaft is prevented from carrying out a rotational movement. Furthermore, a method of actuating such a parking lock assembly is described.

Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a channel region disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectric disposed on the channel region and a drift region disposed in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the channel region. The apparatus can further include a field plate having an end portion disposed between a top surface of the semiconductor substrate and the gate dielectric The end portion can include a surface in contact with the gate dielectric, the surface having a first portion aligned along a first plane non-parallel to a second plane along which a second portion of the surface is aligned, the first plane being non-parallel to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate and the second plane being non-parallel to the top surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An actuating assembly for connecting a driving axle in the driveline of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The actuating assembly comprises a pump for generating a hydraulic pressure; a pressure accumulator which can be filled by the pump with a hydraulic fluid for generating a pre-pressure; a first hydraulic actuating unit for actuating a first coupling; a second hydraulic actuating unit for actuating a second coupling; wherein at least one of the two first or second hydraulic actuating units can be loaded by the pressure accumulator with hydraulic pressure and, after the pressure accumulator has been at least partially emptied, can be additionally loaded by the pump, wherein the associated first or second coupling can be actuated in the closing sense. Furthermore, a drive assembly having an inventive actuating assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a multi-axle driven motor vehicle is disclosed herein. The drive assembly comprises a differential unit having a rotational axis, an input part and two output parts drivably connected to the input part, an externally controllable selectable coupling, and an externally controllable locking coupling. The output parts have a compensating effect among each other. The externally controllable selectable coupling is for drivably connecting the differential unit to a drive source. The externally controllable locking coupling is for locking the compensatory movement between both output parts of the differential unit. The selectable coupling and the locking coupling are arranged coaxially to the rotational axis.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a motor vehicle driven by a plurality of axles includes a differential unit, an externally controllable hang-on coupling, an externally controllable locking coupling, a first hydraulic actuating unit, and a second hydraulic actuating unit. The differential unit includes an input part that is rotatably drivable around an axis of rotation, and two output parts drivingly connected to the input part. The hang-on coupling drivingly connects the differential unit and a driveshaft. The locking coupling locks the differential movement between the two output parts of the differential assembly. The first hydraulic actuating unit actuates the hang-on coupling and the second hydraulic actuating unit actuates the locking coupling. The first hydraulic actuating unit, the hang-on coupling, the second hydraulic actuating unit and the locking coupling are arranged coaxially relative to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal can comprise a hand-held housing, a microprocessor disposed within the housing, a display incorporated into the housing and equipped with a backlight, a display adapter configured to control the display, a video memory configured to store data representing images displayed by the display, and a wireless communication interface at least partially disposed within the housing. The mobile communication terminal can be configured, responsive to detecting a byte sequence representing an image of decodable indicia being transferred to the video memory, to increase an intensity of the backlight to a pre-defined level, increase a timeout associated with the backlight to a pre-defined value, disable a power save mode for the display, and/or change a display color scheme to a pre-defined color scheme.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for sharing control of a customer service provided by a contact center. The method may include: receiving, from a customer, a customer contact to request the customer service; communicating by use of a communication channel between the customer and the contact center in order to provide the customer service; receiving a join request, from the customer, to join an outside party to the customer service; and joining the outside party to the customer service.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for optionally connecting a driving axle in a motor vehicle having multiple driving axles is disclosed. The coupling assembly comprises an externally controllable friction coupling with a coupling input part and an output part. The input part is rotatingly drivable around an axis of rotation A. A differential drive with an input element and two output elements which are drivingly connected to the input element, are also included. The input element of the differential drive is arranged coaxially relative to the coupling output part and drivably connected to the coupling output part for the purpose of transmitting torque. A driveline assembly having such a coupling assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-section telescoping pole including a tubular first section having a female end and an interior which defines an axial path. A second section has a male end slidably engaged within the interior of the first section through the female end and being slidable along the axial path. An internal annular groove is provided adjacent a distal end of the pole section remote from a proximal end and having a button receiving opening in the annular groove. The annular groove is configured to capture the button when the first and second sections are telescopically extended so that once the button has been captured in the groove, all that the user need do thereafter is to rotate one pole section relative to another to align the button now captured in the groove with the button receiving opening to secure the two pole sections together.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly for the driveline of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The parking brake assembly comprises a locking mechanism, an actuator and an unlocking mechanism. The locking mechanism is able to inhibit and release the rotational movement of a shaft in the driveline of a motor vehicle. The actuator actuates the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism comprises a locking element which is linearly movable by the actuator, and a latching element which cooperates with the locking element. The locking element can be transferred into a first axial position in which the latching element assumes a releasing position in which the shaft is rotatable, and wherein the locking element can be transferred into a second axial position in which the latching element assumes a closing position in which the latching element inhibits a rotational movement of the shaft. The unlocking mechanism forcibly unlocks the locking mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-section telescoping pole for manipulating a tool. Sections of the pole have apertures. A pinch safety locking assembly includes a button configured for movement by a digit on a user's hand to a first position by a first resilient member when received in aligned first and second apertures to restrain the second section from moving relative to the first section and to a second position against a resistance provided by the first resilient member and against an elastic stop to permit relative longitudinal movement between the first and second sections. The pinch safety locking assembly is additionally configured to facilitate assembly by movement of the button by use of an excessive force to a third position against a combined resistance of the first resilient member and the elastic stop to permit relative movement between the pinch safety locking assembly and the second section.

Abstract: An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor, a communication interface, an NFC reading device, and an EIR device, all communicatively coupled to the system bus. The EIR reading device can be provided by a bar code reading device, an RFID reading device, or a card reading device. The EIR device can be configured to perform outputting raw message data containing an encoded message or outputting decoded message data corresponding to an encoded message. The EIR terminal can be configured, responsive to completing a decoding operation by the EIR device, to initiate a payment operation using the NFC reading device. The EIR terminal can be further configured, responsive to receiving a response from an NFC tag supporting a payment protocol, to transmit a payment operation request to an external computer.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for sharing control of a customer service provided by a contact center. The method may include: receiving, from a customer, a customer contact to request the customer service; communicating by use of a communication channel between the customer and the contact center in order to provide the customer service; receiving a join request, from the customer, to join an outside party to the customer service; and joining the outside party to the customer service.