Abstract: A low dropout voltage (LDO) regulator comprises an output stage (EtS) of the amplifier (AMP), which has a main output and n auxiliary outputs which can respectively deliver a main control voltage (VGPRINC) and n auxiliary control voltages (VG1, . . . , VGn); and a power stage (EtP) which has a main power transistor (PmosPrinc), controlled at its gate by the main control voltage (VGPRINC), and p power modules (module 1, . . . , module n) of identical layout with p less than or equal to n, respectively having p auxiliary power transistors (PMos1, . . . , PMosn) each controlled at their gate by p auxiliary control voltages (VG1, . . . , VGn). The number p is selected as a function of an intended maximum output current.

Abstract: Surgical devices such as implants or suture fastenings are assembled from a plurality of discrete components, one of which components includes a heat bondable plastic material for bonding the components together. At least two components are bonded to each other by the applying heat to the heat bondable plastic material of one component. The heat bondable plastic material is preferably a polymeric or composite material suitable for surgical applications and implantation in humans, and may be a biodegradable material. A laser may be used as the heat source. The present invention is advantageously embodied in heat bonded fastenings for sutures or K-wires, in which a variety of different suture anchors are usable, including expandable distal suture anchors.

Abstract: A method and system for nesting finishing operations specifies finishing operations for a printfile according to a first architecture, establishes a first communications link from a data source to a print server and carries printer control data for the finishing operations according to the first architecture, matches the printer control data with a predetermined set of rules which define an order in which the finishing operations are performed, establishes a second communications link from the print server to at least one print controller, communicates the finishing operations and the predetermined set of rules to the at least one print controller according to a second architecture, establishes a third communications link from the at least one print controller to at least one post-processing device, communicates the finishing operations to the at least one post-processing device, and performs the finishing operations according to the predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: An electrically adjustable steering column includes a steering column servo-drive with a motor in two planes. The steering column is configured so that an inner shaft, mounted in an outer shaft provides for vertical movement or so that the inner shaft accomplishes the lengthwise movement.

Abstract: Tagging trees are generated and used to facilitate transforming data from relational databases into hierarchical formats, such as in XML documents. Tagging trees contain both XML hierarchical structure information as well a query information that is needed to access different data sources, e.g., databases, to retrieve the information to be placed in the hierarchical structure. A designer optionally creates a mapping script that specifies the transformation from relational databases to the hierarchical format. A tagging tree is created by either parsing that mapping script or by other means. A runtime environment then processes the tagging tree by a depth first traversal. The runtime environment is able to be configured to output a hierarchical data object, such as an XML document, or pipelined to control, for example, SAX processing.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating integrated electronic components. According to the method, an initial structure is produced on the surface of a first substrate. This initial structure incorporates a defined pattern formed from volumes of differentiated materials. At least part of the initial substrate that includes the defined pattern is transferred onto a second substrate, preferably by inverting the first substrate against the second substrate and then removing the first substrate. An additional structure is then produced on the second substrate. This additional structure includes volumes of material placed in correspondence with some of the volumes of differentiated material of the defined pattern. The electronic components thus produced may have a suitable configuration in accordance with technological or geometrical constraints.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium for providing dynamic links to file system snapshots is disclosed. A link corresponding to a file system inode is generated. Upon activation of the link, the snapshot identifier of the most recent snapshot is retrieved and the most recent snapshot is identified. If the most recent snapshot includes an inode corresponding to the file system inode and the file system inode includes a disk address, then the data block referenced by the disk address is retrieved. If the most recent snapshot includes an inode corresponding to the file system inode and the file system inode includes a ditto disk address (or the inode corresponding to the file system inode is not included), then the inode corresponding to the file system inode indicated in the link is retrieved and the data block corresponding to the file system inode is retrieved.

Abstract: Optical semiconductor package and its method of fabrication, which package comprises a semiconductor component (6), a rear face of which is attached to a front face of a mounting and electrical connection support (2) and a front face of which comprises an optical sensor (9), means (11) for electrically connecting the semiconductor component to the support, a transparent chip (12) placed in front of the semiconductor component, which lies at least in front of the optical sensor, and encapsulation means (21) comprising an encapsulation material which envelopes, in front of the support, the periphery of the semiconductor component and of the chip, without covering at least the central part of the front face of this chip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a trigger system for small arms, said system including a hammer, a catch associated with the hammer, a trigger, and a trigger bar which cooperates with the trigger and has a first locking edge for engaging with a first fire locking element of the hammer. The aim of the invention is to create a trigger system which has a low trigger resistance and remains operable even in the event of firing failure. To this end, the trigger bar has a second locking edge for engaging with a second fire locking element of the hammer.

Abstract: An element is deposited by flowing a gas through a solid donor compound that includes the element, and over a substrate. The flow of gas deposits a film of a few monolayers of donor compound on the substrate. An optical radiation source (e.g., a femtosecond laser) which produces optical radiation at an instantaneous intensity sufficient to cause non linear or otherwise enhanced interaction between optical radiation photons and the donor compound is used to decompose the donor compound and deposit the metal on the substrate. After an initial deposit of the donor compound is produced, optical radiation can be absorbed and heat the substrate in the localized area of the deposit in order to accelerate the deposition process by thermally decomposing the donor compound.

Abstract: A method, a system and computer readable medium of securely receiving data on a user's system from a web broadcast infrastructure with a plurality of channels. The method includes encrypting the data using a first encrypting key, wherein the first encrypting key is self-contained with all the information necessary to decrypt the data encrypted with the first encrypting key and encrypting the first decrypting key, using a second encrypting key. Next promotional metadata related to at least part of the encrypted data on a first web broadcast channel for reception by at least one user's system is broadcasted. Broadcasting at least part of the encrypted data over a second broadcast channel and transferring the encrypted first decrypting key, which has been encrypted with the second encrypting key, to the user's system via a computer readable medium.

Abstract: A computer system and method for compiling a program, where the program executes pointer assignments from a source object to a destination object, each source object being addressable through a first pointer and each destination object being addressable through a second pointer. The system and method eliminate write barrier code from association with compiled program code when the first pointer points to a source object whose type is prolific, eliminate write barrier code from association with compiled program code when the second pointer points to a destination object whose type is non-prolific, and associate write barrier code with compiled program code when the source object is non-prolific and the destination object is prolific. Additionally, the system and method can determine not to associate write barrier code with a compiled program code if the second pointer points to a destination object whose type is non-prolific and if the first pointer points to a source object whose type is prolific.

Abstract: A safety device is provided for a motor vehicle with a steering column arrangement having length and height adjustment. The length adjustment contains a slot guidance, which runs linearly in the longitudinal direction of the steering column arrangement, and an engagement mechanism cooperates therewith. The height adjustment contains a swiveling mechanism used for the length adjustment. Moreover, the length adjustment is carried out by the slot guidance and an engagement mechanism guided therein. The height adjustment is carried out by swiveling a steering column arrangement by means of a swiveling mechanism that engages with the engagement mechanism.

Abstract: Surgical devices such as implants or suture fastenings are assembled from a plurality of discrete components, one of which components includes a heat bondable plastic material for bonding the components together. At least two components are bonded to each other by the applying heat to the heat bondable plastic material of one component. The heat bondable plastic material is preferably a polymeric or composite material suitable for surgical applications and implantation in humans, and may be a biodegradable material. A laser may be used as the heat source. The present invention is advantageously embodied in heat bonded fastenings for sutures or K-wires, in which a variety of different suture anchors are usable, including expandable distal suture anchors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coaxial two-component cartridge, with an outer tube and a separate inner tube, both of which tape at one respective end into a respective neck, wherein the inner side of the neck of the outer tube and the outer side of the neck of the inner tube are each provided with locking elements that can be moved into engagement with each other, for a coaxial introduction of the inner tube into the outer tube, such that they fix the inner tube relative to the outer tube coaxially and in a predetermined axial position. The coaxial two-component cartridge distinguishes itself in that the locking elements of the neck of the outer tube are formed by a plurality in the axial direction of successive channels, and the locking elements of the neck of the inner tube are formed by a plurality in the axial direction of successive ribs integral with the neck, and the outer diameter of the neck of the inner tube including the ribs is at least as large as the clearance diameter of the channels.

Abstract: An accessory for a snowboard including a plate adapted to support the feet of a rider, the plate being constructed and arranged to be secured releasably to the snowboard, and having a steering mechanism, which is pivotably mounted onto said plate and which is constructed to extend away from the snowboard in a first arrangement, and to lie substantially parallel to the snowboard in a further arrangement.

Abstract: A method provides a collection of data structures and subroutines in a software toolkit, for developing an application for playing digital content data. The method comprises steps of receiving previously encrypted content data encrypted with an encrypted key from an external source; storing the previously encrypted content data in a library; selecting one or more encrypted content data from the library to play; and decrypting each content data selected to be played with its unique encryption key, wherein the decrypting is performed in a tamper-resistant subroutine for deterring unauthorized access to the instructions for decrypting the content data and for deterring unauthorized access to the encryption key.

Abstract: A system for recognizing the occupancy of a seat, containing elements made of electrically conducting synthetic material, especially strips made of electrically conductive polyurethane. A seat equipped with the system. A method for recognizing seat occupancy whereby an alteration in resistance of the electrically conductive material occurring in a change of weight is detected.

Abstract: A safety for a hand firearm with a firing lever, a firing pin, a safety element allocated to the firing pin, a trigger rod that can be activated by a trigger, and a transmission element, which is coupled to the trigger rod and through which the safety element can be moved from a safety position for blocking the firing pin into a released position for releasing the firing pin. To guarantee a high degree of safety against undesired firing of a shot even for a small trigger path and low trigger weight, the transmission element contains a control element, through which the transmission element can be activated in a predetermined trigger position of the trigger by means of the firing lever for moving the safety element into the released position.

Abstract: A process for producing an integrated electronic circuit. The process begins with the production of a first electronic component and a second electronic component that are superposed on top of a substrate. A volume of temporary material is formed on the substrate at the position of the second electronic component. The first electronic component is then produced above the volume of temporary material relative to the substrate, and then the second electronic component is produced using at least one shaft for access to the temporary material. The first electronic component may be an active component and the second electronic component may be a passive component.