Abstract: A method and device for determining the ratio between the actual value of an RC time constant of an RC network embodied in an integrated circuit and a set value of the RC time constant includes first and second reference RC networks each having a resistor and a capacitor. The two RC networks may be oppositely connected in a circuit arrangement between first and second supply potentials, where the product of the resistance and capacitance values of the two RC networks may be equal. A normalized RC time constant may be defined for the two reference RC networks. Successive charge and discharge cycles are implemented during a predetermined evaluation period, the two capacitors being charged in a cycle during a charge time until the potential at a first node of the first reference RC network approximately corresponds to the potential at a second node of the second reference RC network. The two capacitors may be subsequently discharged for a discharge time.

Abstract: The utilization of the capacity of a data transmission system (e.g., a MOST vehicle network) is improved in the event that the operating frequency and channel width of the system do not match the word frequency and word width of the digitized signal. The data words of the digitized signal are decomposed into partial words with a smaller width than that of the channels on which they are transmitted. Consequently, in each individual channel there remains a residual transmission capacity that makes it possible to transmit an identifier for each individual transmitted partial data word. A data sink, connected to the transmission system, uses this identifier to obtain information about the position of the respective partial data word in its original data word. This identifier may be one bit (i.e., a Boolean signal).

Abstract: A circuit for displaying graphics in a digital television receiver includes an MPEG decoder which has as input a video data stream in digital format, a central memory for storing decoded video data and graphics data, a video output unit and a graphics output unit to which video data and graphics data, respectively, are fed from the central memory, a mixer to which an output signal from the video output unit is fed, and a switch through which the output signal of the graphics output unit is selectively fed to the mixer. Horizontal and vertical synchronization signals from the MPEG decoder may be fed to the video output unit, while horizontal and vertical synchronization signals from various sources (including those from the MPEG decoder) may be selectively fed through a multiplexer to the graphics output unit. One buffer memory each may be placed before the video output unit and the graphics output unit, respectively, each memory unit buffering the corresponding data retrieved from the central memory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure transmitter for an overload-proof pressure gauge, comprising a base body, a separating membrane disposed on a pressure-sensitive side of the pressure transmitter and subjectable to a pressure to be measured, a communicating chamber located inside said base body, which receives a pressure transmission medium, said chamber being closed on the pressure-sensitive side by the separating membrane, wherein the coefficient of thermal expansion of the pressure transmission medium is established in such a way that a temperature-induced change in the volume of the communicating chamber equals a temperature-induced change in the volume of the pressure transmission medium.

Abstract: In order to generate a clock signal (fT1) that is coupled to a reference signal (FBAS), especially to an analog video signal, a free-running clock pulse (fT1) is generated from a high-frequency clock pulse (f0) and the reference signal (FBAS) is digitized therewith. In addition, a second clock pulse (fT1) is generated from the high-frequency clock pulse (f0) and the phase deviation between the first clock pulse (fT2) and the second clock pulse (fT1) is determined. The digitized sampling values of the reference signal (FBAS) at the first clock frequency (fT1) are converted, according to the phase deviation determined, into corresponding digitized sampling values having the second clock frequency (fT1) and are used as a target specification for generating the second clock pulse (fT1) thus coupled to the reference signal.

Abstract: The sound reproduction of a multichannel sound reproduction system with a plurality of speakers which is connected to the output of an FM stereo receiver is controlled by a control signal derived from the reception quality. Preferably, the control signal from the FM stereo receiver for controlling the stereo and mono components is also employed to control the multichannel sound reproduction system. For example, stereo, pseudo-stereo or mono reproduction are provided in the multichannel sound reproduction system in response to the stereo component within the output signal.

Abstract: To determine the noise contained in a picture, it is proposed first to determine homogeneous picture regions of the picture (100-102) and then to measure the high-frequency signal component in these homogeneous picture regions (BR). The measurement of the high-frequency signal components is here averaged over many measurement points, i.e. over many homogenous picture regions (BR), and is processed into a noise figure (NOISE_SUM) (103-104). In this way, the quality of the picture can be measured directly in the picture content.

Abstract: A system for use in a motor vehicle includes a wireless receiver that receives, over a wireless communication channel, supplemental information representative of the characteristics of the contents of a playback media, and provides received supplemental information indicative thereof. A playback device receives the received supplemental information and stores the received supplemental information in a non-volatile memory device. The playback unit may generate a request for supplement information in response to and indicative of a playback media inserted into the playback unit. The system may also include a wireless transmitter that receives the request and transmits the received request over the communication channel. In one embodiment, after the data medium has been inserted into the playback unit, the wireless transmitter (e.g.

Abstract: The invention relates to the fabrication and testing of a chip with a package (2) having connecting pins (1) as well as to mounting the package (2) on a board (5), whereby in order to combine the advantages of a package (2) with inline connecting pins (1) with the advantages of a package (2) with offset connecting pins (11, 12), the package (2) is fabricated with inline connecting pins (1) and inserted into a test socket (3) for testing. Immediately before mounting on the board (5), at least one connecting pin, preferably every second connecting pin (12), of the package (2) is bent inward by a bending tool (6) so as to achieve an offset arrangement of the connecting pins (11, 12). The package (2) is preferably mounted on the board (5) using the bending tool (6). A simple, inexpensively produced test socket (3) is sufficient for the purpose of testing the chip. An inexpensively produced guide brace (4), for example, is suitable as a packaging means.

Abstract: A protection circuit (1) is coupled to a processor (2) and a memory device (3) which preferably form a physical unit, and prevents unauthorized access to the memory device (3) by combining internal and/or external signals (s2, s3, s4; s1) in a logic device (5) for detecting the unauthorized access. These signals are control signals of the processor-memory system and correspond to the status of the latter. In the event of an unauthorized memory access, the logic device (5) disables an externally accessible data interface (6) and/or inhibits the control signals (s5) necessary for access to the memory device (3).

Abstract: A device for processing a first video signal and a second video signal that contain image data which overlap within a combined picture includes a processing element and a controller. The processing element receives the first video signal containing first image pixel data and receives the second video signal containing second image pixel data, and processes the first video signal and the second video signal to generate a third video signal indicative of an overlap region of images formed by the first and second video signals.

Abstract: A system for decoding an electrical input signal includes a filter that impresses a variable gain on the portion of input signal to deemphasize a spectral region of the input signal. The variable gain is set as a function of a variable gain control signal. A frequency detector generates the variable gain control signal in accordance with a frequency value wherein approximately one-half of the energy of the input signal is below the frequency value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sound system for a motor vehicle and to a process for specifying the functional scope of such. The sound system (1) for a motor vehicle comprises a control unit (2), and several input units (3, 3a) for operating the system (1), as well as display units (4) and several units (5, 11) to generate the source data in the form of sound or video data. The sound data are amplified in an amplifier unit (6), and are conducted to several loudspeakers (7). The units are linked to one another via a bus (8) with a ring topology. Both source data and control data are transmitted over the bus. The functional scope of the individual input units (3, 3a) is specified by means of a priority value of the input units (3, 3a). This priority value is stored in the memory (12) of each input unit (3, 3a).

Abstract: An electric beverage maker includes a lower, water boiling vessel, a funnel extending into the lower vessel and having an upper compartment for receiving a beverage, and an upper vessel mounted over the funnel to receive water which has passed up the funnel through the compartment, and from which the beverage is dispensed. The lower vessel is formed with an opening in its lower region, which is closed by a thick film electric heater. The heater is controlled by a control which operates to disable the heater until such time as the control is reset manually by a user.

Abstract: The receiving device contains at least two television channel selection devices to convert high-frequency signals into intermediate-frequency signals, at least two video demodulation devices to convert the intermediate-frequency signals into picture signals, at least two audio demodulation devices to convert the intermediate-frequency signals into audio signals, and one intermediate-frequency switching device to switch the audio- and video-demodulation devices to the television channel selection devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter (10) for neural blockades in anaesthesia. Said catheter consists of a flexible plastic tube in which a wire (16) is arranged for electrostimulation. The distal end of said wire (16) is conductively applied to a contact tip protruding out of the catheter (10). Said contact tip consists of a stopper (12) and a cap (14) which are positioned in the catheter (10), the cap being arranged in front of the distal end of said catheter (10) and covering the edge of the front surface thereof.

Abstract: A data-directed frequency-and-phase lock loop for an offset-QAM modulated signal comprises a first multiplier that multiplies the signal by the output of a VCO. The output of the first multiplier is phase-shifted by a second multiplier, then convolved by a third multiplier. The output of the third multiplier is split, with each portion being passed through a frequency-shift multiplier and a frequency-and-phase lock loop. The output of the two frequency-and-phase lock loops is summed and returned to the VCO to complete the feedback loop.

Abstract: A data-directed frequency-acquisition loop capable of generating a frequency error having a magnitude and direction from a double sideband suppressed signal comprises a first multiplier that multiplies the signal by the output of a VCO. The output of the first multiplier is convolved by a second multiplier. The I output of the second multiplier passes through a first low-pass filter. The filtered I output and the Q output are then multiplied by a third multiplier. The output of the third multiplier is filtered through a second low-pass filter, amplified, and return to the VCO to complete the feedback loop.

Abstract: An electrical plug connector assembly includes a socket connector and a plug connector. The socket connector includes a housing within which a U-shaped contact spring physically contacts a fixed contact part to establish an electrical connection. The U-shaped contact spring is disposed horizontally within the housing, in such a way that an imagined bending axis of the U-shaped contact spring lies parallel to the plug direction. The horizontal arrangement of the U-shaped contact spring within the housing makes it possible for the socket connector to have a relatively flat structure. A preferred application of such a plug connector unit is within a mobile telephone.

Abstract: A device for producing electrical discharges in an aqueous medium which comprises a first electrode and a second electrode comprised of a superalloy having a cobalt content of greater than 8% by weight or optionally a nickel content of greater than 8% by weight. A high electrical voltage is applied to the electrodes to produce a voltage discharge into the medium that creates a pressure wave in the medium. The electrodes of the device exhibit high thermal shock resistance during discharge thereby reducing tip burnout.