Abstract: Device for inductive power supply and guidance of a moving object, with a primary inductance element extending as a conductive loop along a path provided for the object. A secondary inductance element is arranged on the object and can be coupled magnetically with the primary inductance element for power transmission. Several receiver inductance elements are arranged on the object and output measurement signals dependent on the magnetic field of the primary inductance element. An evaluation device determines a measure for the position of the object with reference to the conductive loop from the measurement signals. A regular arrangement of receiver inductance elements is provided, which extends on the object at least perpendicular to its direction of motion. The receiver inductance elements are simultaneously also connected to a data receiver device, which contains a way for extracting a data signal from the output voltage of at least one of the receiver inductance elements.

Abstract: A digital circuit operating frequency characterizer provides a combination of frequency and duty cycle characterization. The digital circuit operating frequency characterizer includes a programmable frequency generator, a programmable edge variator, a test engine, and a control circuit. The programmable frequency generator provides one or more output signals, and the programmable edge variator is coupled to one or more outputs of the programmable frequency generator for adjusting duty cycle. The test engine uses the outputs from the programmable edge variator and/or programmable frequency generator to apply a defined test signal sequence to a circuit under test and produce a status output after evaluating the outputs received from the circuit under test. The control circuit is connected to the control inputs of the programmable frequency generator, programmable edge variator, and the status output of the test engine.

Abstract: A random number generator includes a flip-flop in which an output state (0 or 1) becomes definite according to a phase difference between signals inputted to two input units, a delay unit for producing the phase difference in these two input signals, and a feedback circuit for controlling the phase difference so that an occurrence ratio of 0 or 1 of an output from the flip-flop by the input signals is constant within a specified repetition cycle.

Abstract: An elongate spring pad for a sheet ironing machine includes an elongate backing strip, coil springs, and top plates. The backing strip encircles a roller of a sheet ironing machine. The coil springs are longitudinally spaced along the backing strip. Each coil spring has a connecting portion at a first end engaging the backing strip and a fixing portion at a second, opposite end that transverses the coil spring. Each of the top plates is provided on the second end of the respective coil spring. Positioning means on each top plate engage the respective coil spring. A claw projects outwardly from the top plate for releasably engaging a felt cover. Each top plate contacts an adjacent top plate so that there are no spaces therebetween.

Abstract: An improved voltage tolerant protection circuit for input buffer comprising a transmission gate circuit receiving input from the pad for passing the input signal to the input of the input buffer, a control signal generator electrically coupled between the transmission gate circuit and the pad to provide a control signal for operating the transmission gate circuit, and an N-Well generation circuit electrically coupled between the pad and the transmission gate circuit, and also electrically coupled to the control signal generator for generating a bias signal for the transmission gate circuit and the control signal generator. Thus, the present invention provides a voltage tolerant protection circuit that prevents electrical stress on transistors, minimizes power supply consumption and transfers signals without any change in amplitude.

Abstract: A method and system for preserving the integrity of a negotiation that includes providing an architecture which includes a center A, and a plurality of users B.sub.1, B.sub.2, . . . , B.sub.n. each user B.sub.i generates an input X.sub.i, which is input to the center A. The center A computes and publishes a function F(X.sub.1, X.sub.2, . . . , X.sub.n) based on the input messages it receives. Each user B.sub.i (1<=i<=n) communicates with the center A, exclusively. Center A publishes additional information which lets each of the users verify that F was computed correctly, and prevents a coalition of any one subset of the users from learning anything which cannot be computed just from the output of the function, F(X.sub.1, . . . ,X.sub.n), and from their own inputs, or information about the inputs of other users.

Abstract: For indicating on a data medium (9) a sector referenced by a binary word (16) formed of a number M of first bytes each comprising a number L of bits, the method includes steps of etching onto the data medium locally at this sector a succession of M second bytes each corresponding to a first byte, each second byte being equal to a vector of N components, each with a value of +1 or ?1, such that N=2L?1 and such that the scalar product of said vector with any other vector to which another second byte is equal, is at most equal to +1. The data medium (9) is, for example, an optical disk.

Abstract: A device for power factor correction in a forced switching power supply unit is provided. The device includes a converter and a control device coupled to the converter so as to obtain from an input alternating mains voltage a direct regulated voltage on the output terminal. The converter includes a power transistor, and the control device includes an error amplifier having its inverting terminal coupled to a first signal that is proportional to the regulated voltage and its non-inverting terminal coupled to a reference voltage. A drive circuit of the power transistor is coupled to the output terminal of the error amplifier. The control device also includes a circuit for generating a current signal that is representative of the effective input voltage. The current signal is coupled to the inverting terminal of the error amplifier to vary the regulated voltage in reply to variations in the effective input voltage.

Abstract: A procedure is provided for identifying an operating mode of a device, such as an EEPROM memory that communicates according to a communication protocol, such as “I2C” (Inter Integrated Circuit). The signal is an “ACK” or “ACKNOWLEDGE” signal. At least one operating mode of a device is identified by a time lag from the time the signal (ACK) is transmitted relative to the time foreseen by the protocol for the signal. This approach can be used to verify that the test mode commands (read or write) have been taken into account correctly.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved lenticular display unit for advertising, information, or decoration. The unit comprises means for maintaining the required spatial relationship between the indicia carrier, on which the information to be displayed is contained, and the lenticular panel containing the lenses used to display the information. In some embodiments, the unit employs spring means for maintaining the required spatial relationship, which is maintaining the required distance between the indicia carrier on which the information to be displayed is contained, and the lenticular panel containing the lenses used to display the information.

Abstract: A beacon is placed at a specific location, such as a bus stop and has a local communicator which transmits a code to a mobile telephone. The code identifies a predetermined item of information stored on a remote server, such as a bus timetable document. This information is retrieved by the mobile telephone using its network communicator. The mobile telephone then transmits a copy of the information to the beacon which stores it in its cache and also displays the document to its user. A PDA, which lacks a network communicator, is then able to retrieve the cached information directly from the beacon using only its local communicator. The PDA then displays the bus timetable document to its user.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for identifying evolving regions in a graph of interrelated nodes representing a computer system environment. The method includes generating a series of samples (302) of the environment. Each sample includes a plurality of interrelated nodes (502) and at least one edge (504) classified into a plurality of at least one of node type and edge type, respectively. A summary (900) of the plurality of at least one of node type (502) and edge type (504) is created for the series of samples (302). A summary instance (312) of the summary (900) is created for each sample. At least one summary instance (312) is compared to at least one subsequent summary instance (314) and at least one result (318) is stored in memory (106). A successive behavior is characterized for one or more of the at least one of the node type and the edge type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portal washing facility for motor vehicles, in particular passenger motor vehicles, that includes a portal device that can move relative to the motor vehicle in its longitudinal direction, has at least one horizontal washing brush that is height-adjustable on the portal device, and at least one side washing brush that can move transverse to the direction of motion of the portal device. In order to have an effective, brushless high-pressure washing, in addition to washing with conventional washing brushes, at least one lateral high-pressure washing device is provided on the portal device and is used for high-pressure cleaning of the side surfaces and of the front and rear surfaces of the motor vehicle and can be driven along at least one traverse of the portal device transverse to the direction of motion of the portal device.

Abstract: A handgun, particularly an automatic pistol, with a grip piece, a breech that can be longitudinally displaced relative to the grip piece, and a breechblock mechanism that can be actuated on both sides and serves for holding the breech in its open position. The breechblock mechanism has a breechblock lever that is realized in the form of a one-piece punched and bent part and has two lateral parts that are integrally connected to one another by a crosspiece, as well as operating parts that are integrally connected to the respective lateral parts.

Abstract: A personal emergency communication system includes a user-carried portable communication unit having a single button, which when depressed by the user, wirelessly sends a call request signal to a base unit. The base unit initiates a telephone call through a dial-up network to an emergency response center and places an operator at the emergency center in wireless voice communication with the portable unit when the call is connected. A speech synthesizer operating in combination with automated voice messages stored in the base unit are used to advise the user of the status of the call, and to provide the user with verbal confirmation that functional systems of the base unit are operating properly.

Abstract: A box for shipping temperature sensitive or perishable goods made from a double walled combined web having an inside barrier layer, a first paper liner bonded to the inside barrier layer, a first paper flute medium bonded to the first paper liner, an outside barrier layer, a second paper liner bonded to the outside barrier layer, a second paper flute medium bonded to the second paper liner, and a sandwich of a barrier layer bonded between third and fourth paper liners. The flute mediums are bonded, respectively, to the third and fourth paper liners.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring a system in which a fluid flows and which is characterized by a change in the system with time in space. A preselected place in the system is monitored to collect data at two or more time points correlated to a system event. The data is indicative of a system parameter that varies with time as a function of at least two variables related to system wash-in and wash-out behavior. A calibration map is made on a calculated basis with each pixel or voxel representative of a color hue indicative of wash-out behavior and a color intensity indicative of wash-in behavior. The calibration map serves as a criteria for selecting the time points. Software and a data processing system are provided to develop a color coded output map. The calibration map, the color coded output map and image of the preselected place are also novel implementations.

Abstract: A method and system for forming a data table in memory on an end user system. The data table forming a library index of storage locations to electronic digital content in memory. The method consists of retrieving an encrypted file from storage. The file has a beginning, an end and a trailer section located just prior to the end. The file is read from the end a predetermined distance to verify if an identifier is present. Reading and decrypting the trailer section from the file read. Determining if there are any updates in the trailer section. In the case there are no updates in the trailer section then decrypting the reference table containing one or more data table location indicators for data items with the first decrypting key. Next, decrypting one or data items with the first decrypting key. Populating the data table with data items at locations specified in the reference table.

Abstract: A method and system for exchanging online data information messages between at least two computer terminal nodes through data communication networks. Each data information message includes a definition of an online information data structure, a query syntax, a data query, a definition of data information navigation techniques such as sorting, filtering, On-Line Analytical Processing (OLAP) operations and data-mining or data-warehousing techniques, and a definition of information representation methods such as graph, a map, a summary table or a data records table. The information messages can be browsed and navigated through online data results and their graphical representation based on said information message definition, wherein the data is retrieved from at least one common database.

Abstract: The backrest (2) of an automobile vehicle seat includes a framework (21), a padding (3), a padding cover (4) covering the front face and the sides of the backrest and a padding screen (7) for the rear face of the backrest. It includes a rigid back panel shield frame (6) with at least two lateral sides (62) and a bottom side (63), the said shield frame being adapted to be attached to the framework (21) of the backrest to cover the lateral edges of the framework and a bottom part of the rear of the backrest, the shield frame (6) including towards an inner edge at least one groove (64) adapted to accommodate and hold an edge (44) of the cover and an edge (71) of the screen, the said cover covering the shield frame.