Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilating system (1) for a dashboard (2) in a motor vehicle or similar. Said ventilation device comprises an airduct (3) for guiding air and an adjustment device (4) for directing air guided to the airduct. The adjusting device also comprises a outlets for discharging the flow of air into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. Said adjusting device is embodied in such a manner that in a first displacement state (a) thereof, the flow of air guided to the passenger compartment of the vehicle exits only from first outlets (6) and in a second displacement state (b) said air exits only through second outlets (7).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for delay line control using receive data. A delay in a Delay-Locked-Loop circuit is controlled by obtaining a plurality of samples of one or more received signals for each unit interval; determining a data eye width in the one or more received signals; and adjusting a delay of at least one clock signal based on the data eye width. For example, the measured data eye width can be compared to a predefined value, such as a desired or ideal value. Generally, the delay is not adjusted in accordance with the present invention until the Delay-Locked-Loop circuit has reached a locked condition based on one or more predefined criteria.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for trimming a phase detector in a delay-locked-loop. A latch that evaluates a phase offset between two signals is trimmed by applying two signals to the latch that are substantially phase aligned; obtaining a phase offset between the two signals measured by the latch; and adjusting a trim setting of one or more buffers associated with the two signals until the phase offset satisfies one or more predefined criteria. The two signals can be a clock signal and an inverted version of the clock signal. The two signals can be a source of phase aligned data generated from a single clock source.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sigma-delta delay control in a Delay-Locked-Loop that employs a delay line to generate a clock signal based on a reference signal. A first value is generated if a clock signal has a time lead relative to a reference signal; and a second value is generated if a clock signal has a time lag relative to a reference signal. The first and second values are accumulated to generate an N bit digital word; and the N bit digital word is reduced to an M bit digital word, where M is less than N. Thereafter, the M bit digital word can be converted to an analog bias signal. The reducing step can be performed, for example, by a sigma-delta modulator. The high frequency quantization noise generated by the sigma-delta modulator can be filtered using a low pass filter. The converting step can be performed by a digital-to-analog converter, such as a master/slave digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: A circuit (e.g., a receiver) has a delay loop (e.g., a voltage-controlled delay loop) and (at least) two phase detectors (PDs), where each PD compares a different pair of clock signals generated by the delay loop. The outputs of the different PDs are then used to generate a control signal for adjusting the delays provided by the delay elements in the delay loop. In one implementation, the control signal indicates that a delay adjustment should be made only if both PDs agree on that adjustment. This multiple-PD technique can reduce jitter that could otherwise result from a non-50% duty cycle in the reference clock signal used by the delay loop to generate its multiple clock signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improved digital-to-analog conversion. The disclosed digital-to-analog converter comprises a master digital-to-analog converter that generates a master analog value, and a slave digital-to-analog converter that generates a slave analog value that is based on the master analog value. The slave analog value can be, for example, substantially proportional to the master analog value. The master D/A converter can be varied during a coarse tuning mode, while the input to the slave D/A can be fixed, for example, to an approximately mid-range value until the master analog value satisfies one or more predefined conditions. Thereafter, during a fine tuning mode, the slave D/A converter can be varied, while the master D/A converter is fixed, so that the output Y is equal to a desired value (within a specified tolerance).

Abstract: An apparatus for bracing a plurality of vertebrae of the human spine has at least two pedicle screws, each having an annular head with an opening therewithin and including a slot therewithin. Each slot extends into the corresponding opening and includes internal threaded portions. A securing screw to be screwed in each slot is provided. A relatively stiff threaded rod is also provided and is to be inserted into the opening in the head of each of the pedicle screws and to be secured by the securing screws. Adjusting nuts are screwed on the rod and at least one cooperates with each head.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchoring element for securing a rod of a device for adjusting a human or animal vertebral column on a vertebra, comprising a retaining means (10) for receiving the rod, a safety element (26) placed on the retaining means and working against the rod, a securing element (14) which can be placed on the body of the vertebra, and a clamping device (12) which is arranged between the retaining means (10) and the securing element (14), comprising a ring-shaped mount (32), a partially conical-segment shaped bearing (28) and an intermediate element (30) which is embedded in the mount (32) and which engages the bearing, whereby the mounting (32) is moveable in a removed state in relation to the bearing (28), whereas the mount (32) is maintained in a clamped state on the bearing (28) by means of the intermediate element (30). The mount (32) is rigidly connected to the retaining means (10) and the bearing (28) is rigidly connected to the securing element (14).

Abstract: An apparatus for bracing a plurality of vertebrae of the human spine has at least two pedicle screws, each having an annular head with an opening therewithin and including a slot therewithin. Each slot extends into the corresponding opening and includes internal threaded portions. A securing screw to be screwed in each slot is provided. A relatively stiff threaded rod is also provided and is to be inserted into the opening in the head of each of the pedicle screws and to be secured by the securing screws. Adjusting nuts are screwed on the rod and at least one cooperates with each head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vertebral body placeholder comprising a cylindrical inner body (14), which can be inserted in a telescopic manner into a coaxially arranged, sleeve-shaped outer body (16). The aim of the invention is to create a vertebral body placeholder that does not unwantedly penetrate spongy vertebrae. To this end, a cap (20, 22) is placed on a face of the inner body (14) and/or on a face of the outer body (16).

Abstract: A ventilation unit for a motor vehicle passenger compartment has an air feeding channel and an outflow area. The outflow area includes a first and second component that can be placed in different positions relative to each other. Various closing surfaces of the first and second components are variously positionable in relation to each other to produce air flows of differing angle into the passenger compartment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vertebral body placeholder having a cylindrical inner body (14), which can be telescopically inserted into a coaxially arranged sleeve-shaped outer body (16). A detent device that works in one direction is arranged between the inner body (14) and the outer body (16). A number of detent projections (22) are arranged in succession in an axial direction and form a row (20) of detent projections. A number of detent notches (26) are arranged in succession in an axial direction while corresponding to the row (20) of detent projections. Said detent notches form a row (24) of detent notches that completely or partially accommodate the row (20) of detent projections. The invention also relates to a method for assembling said vertebral body placeholder. The aim of the invention is to create a vertebral body placeholder whose overall height can be easily and reliably adjusted, particularly, during implantation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ventilating system (1) for a dashboard (2) in a motor vehicle or similar. Said ventilation device comprises an airduct (3) for guiding air and an adjustment device (4) for directing air guided to the airduct. The adjusting device also comprises a outlets for discharging the flow of air into the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle. Said adjusting device is embodied in such a manner that in a first displacement state (a) thereof, the flow of air guided to the passenger compartment of the vehicle exits only from first outlets (6) and in a second displacement state (b) said air exits only through second outlets (7).

Abstract: The vertebral column segment is designed for being implanted into a human vertebral column (10). The vertebral column segment comprises a vertebral body insert (42) and or comprises an intervetebral disc (22) with the associated upper and/or lower vertebral body fragment (28, 34) and/or comprises a vertebral arch (28, 30), particularly provided with the diverse extensions. According to the invention, the intervertebral disc (22) is made from a genetically manipulated animal intervertebral disc, or the vertebral body insert, the vertebral body fragments (24, 34), the vertebral arch (28, 30) and/or the extensions are made of genetically manipulated animal bones.

Abstract: An apparatus for bracing a plurality of vertebrae of the human spine has at least two pedicle screws, each having an annular head with an opening therewithin and including a slot therewithin. Each slot extends into the corresponding opening and includes internal threaded portions. A securing screw to be screwed in each slot is provided. A relatively stiff threaded rod is also provided and is to be inserted into the opening in the head of each of the pedicle screws and to be secured by the securing screws. Adjusting nuts are screwed on the rod and at least one cooperates with each head.

Abstract: An apparatus for bracing a plurality of vertebrae of the human spine has at least two pedicle screws, each having an annular head with an opening therewithin and including a slot therewithin. Each slot extends into the corresponding opening and includes internal threaded portions. A securing screw to be screwed in each slot is provided. A relatively stiff threaded rod is also provided and is to be inserted into the opening in the head of each of the pedicle screws and to be secured by the securing screws. Adjusting nuts are screwed on the rod and at least one cooperates with each head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vertebral column segment for implanting into a human vertebral column (10). Said vertebral column segment comprises a vertebral body insert (42) and or comprises an intervertebral disc (22) with the associated upper and/or lower vertebral body fragment (28, 34) and/or comprises a vertebral arch (28, 30), particularly provided with the diverse extensions. According to the invention, the intervertebral disc (22) is made from a genetically manipulated animal intervertebral disc, or the vertebral body insert, the vertebral body fragments (24, 34), the vertebral arch (28, 30) and/or the extensions are made of genetically manipulated animal bones.

Abstract: An apparatus for bracing a plurality of vertebrae of the human spine has at least two pedicle screws, each having an annular head with an opening therewithin and including a slot therewithin. Each slot extends into the corresponding opening and includes internal threaded portions. A securing screw to be screwed in each slot is provided. A relatively stiff threaded rod is also provided and is to be inserted into the opening in the head of each of the pedicle screws and to be secured by the securing screws. Adjusting nuts are screwed on the rod and at least one cooperates with each head.

Abstract: An apparatus for bracing a plurality of vertebrae of the human spine has at least two pedicle screws, each having an annular head with an opening therewithin and including a slot therewithin. Each slot extends into the corresponding opening and includes internal threaded portions. A securing screw to be screwed in each slot is provided. A relatively stiff threaded rod is also provided and is to be inserted into the opening in the head of each of the pedicle screws and to be secured by the securing screws. Adjusting nuts are screwed on the rod and at least one cooperates with each head.

Abstract: An apparatus for bracing a plurality of vertebrae of the human spine has at least two pedicle screws, each having an annular head with an opening therewithin and including a slot therewithin. Each slot extends into the corresponding opening and includes internal threaded portions. A securing screw to be screwed in each slot is provided. A relatively stiff threaded rod is also provided and is to be inserted into the opening in the head of each of the pedicle screws and to be secured by the securing screws. Adjusting nuts are screwed on the rod and at least one cooperates with each head.