Abstract: A method and device for detecting the amplitude and/or the phase position of an intensity-modulated signal, including the following: detecting an instant value of the intensity-modulated signal and of a first reference signal with a frequency differing from the intensity-modulated signal; mixing the first reference signal with the intensity-modulated signal to obtain a mixed-signal value; detecting an instant value of a second reference signal with a frequency differing from both the previously detected signals and of a third reference signal of the same frequency but phase-shifted from the second reference signal; mixing the mixed-signal value with the second reference signal to yield a first measurement value; mixing the mixed-signal value with the third reference signal to yield a second measurement signal value; and calculating the amplitude and/or phase position from the two measurement signal values.

Abstract: An automatic trace shaping method comprises the steps of: setting sets of coaxial equiangular octagons each having sides parallel with a predetermined reference line; performing a process for tentatively disposing the traces each having segments passing between the adjacent vias so that such segments overlap any sides of the equiangular octagons that are set for the vias existing at positions nearest to such segments sequentially for each trace so that at least clearance can be secured from the trace for which the process has been completed immediately before; and performing a process for further correcting positions of the tentatively disposed traces that cannot secure the clearance from the other adjacent tentatively disposed traces so that at least the clearance can be secured from such other tentatively disposed traces sequentially in an order inverse to that in the tentative disposition process for the traces.

Abstract: A shingle and a method of making it is provided in which the rear surface of the shingle is provided with an attached reinforcement layer through which fasteners may be applied when the shingle is applied to a roof.

Abstract: A fragrance release system having a substantially rotationally symmetric container having a chamber accommodating a multitude of particles for deodorizing or fragrancing an open or closed space, the particles comprising a carrier material and at least one fragrance, and the container having a plurality of orifices through which emission of the fragrances of the particles from the accommodation chamber outward is possible, wherein the accommodation chamber (3) of the substantially rotationally symmetric container (2) has a crescent-like cross-sectional shape with a convex front wall (5) and a concave back wall (6).

Abstract: A latch has a latch bolt mounted on a rack and a top gear which engages the rack. The top gear can be driven by an idle gear which is disengageable from a drop gear which in turn is engaged with a lockable drive gear upon rotation of a cam disc. Initial rotation of the cam disc disengages the drop gear. Further rotation of the cam disc moves the top gear so as to permit the rack to move the bolt to the unlatched position. The latch can be operated from one side by the rotation of a lock plug in the drive. The other side of the latch has a turnhandle on the cam disc which unlatches the latch even when the drive gear is locked from the outside.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging optical system for imaging the peripherally extending lateral surfaces (9) of an object (10) on to an imaging plane, comprising a reflecting element (6) and a first angle-reducing element (3, 17) which is arranged downstream of the reflecting element in the beam direction and which reduces the angle between a light beam emanating from the object (10) and the optical axis (12). In order to provide an imaging optical system for imaging the peripherally extending lateral surfaces of objects, which is both simple and inexpensive to produce and also has a large acceptance angle for the incident radiation and which is tolerant in relation to inaccurate positioning of the object, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that arranged upstream of the reflecting element (6) in the beam direction is a second angle-reducing element (13) which reduces the angle between a light beam (1, 1) emanating from the object (10) and the optical axis (12).

Abstract: A method of making a shingle and the shingle made in accordance with such method are provided, in which a shingle-forming layer of shingle material has a plurality of marks applied thereto prior to or after application of decorative granules to its tab region, and wherein the locations of the marks are sensed by a sensor, that then activates and controls the operation and placement of various shingle-completion steps as a function of the placement of the marks.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip-embedded substrate comprising a supporting substrate and an insulating layer thereon, members for the connection to external circuits, and a plurality of semiconductor chips embedded in the insulating layer, wherein at least some of the plurality of semiconductor chips are embedded as a stack or stacks thereof. A method of manufacturing such a semiconductor chip-embedded substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A latch housing assembly has a latch housing and a retainer, wherein the housing includes a wall, and wherein a receiving aperture opens through the wall. The retainer includes a wall from which an insert protrudes. The insert, when disposed within the receiving aperture interlocks therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus transports rod(s) of ice of flaked or chipped ice through a tube to a remote ice bin, in which the ice is broken into nuggets. A method of cleaning the transport tube is also provided in which ice pushes a dry conformable article and a wet conformable articles carrying sanitizing solution through the tube, with the conformable articles preferable being sponges, and with the wet article sanitizing algae, bacteria, etc. during movement through the tube, and with the dry conformable article scraping debris from wall(s) of the tube during transport.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is provided in which a refrigeration cycle is used to produce ice inside an evaporator that is generally horizontally disposed, with a hollow auger being provided with a helical flight thereon, for scraping ice from the inner wall of the evaporator and pushing the ice toward one end of the auger, by which it is compressed and moved by a paddle toward a flange, in which it is delivered to an ice breakup device, by which the ice is diverted into a compression zone, with water being squeezed from the ice and the ice delivered to a transport tube and then to an ice retainer. Filling the retainer or jamming of ice nuggets inside the transport will effect a shut-down of the apparatus. Various water level controls for a water reservoir are provided, whereby the auger is flooded inside and outside, for enhancing ice formation. Nugget-type ice is provided by the ice making apparatus. The apparatus allows for changing the nugget size/shape without negative ice hardness consequences.

Abstract: The invention is intended for use in jewelry industry. A composite set of jewelry ornaments contains decorative elements in the form of settings with stones and a connector with a lock, characterized in that it contains tubular elements and tubular elements in combination with settings with stones. The tubular elements are provided with one or more cross through openings. The settings are provided with eyeholes or through mounting openings. The ratio of length to diameter of tubular elements is in the range of from 1/1 to 30/1. All components of the set are made of precious metals or alloys thereof or plated with precious metals or alloys thereof. Tubular elements may be arcuate or bent at an angle, S-shaped, faceted, e.g., tri-, tetra-, penta-, hexahedral or dome-shaped, or in the form of paraboloid of revolution, or in the form of a series of spheres having equal or different diameters with polished or mat surface or with a combination of both types of surface states, or with shaped surface, e.g.

Abstract: An electromechanical push to close latch has a pawl positioned for linear movement in a housing, with the pawl being biased to the outward extended position. An electric motor operates a cam to change the position of the pawl thereby retracting it into the housing. An electronic circuit board controls the operation of the electric motor under the direction of an outside control signal. The circuit board also senses the position of the pawl to stop the operation of the motor when the pawl is fully retracted. The pawl mounting can be reconfigured for the pawl to extend and thereby operate in a plurality of selectable directions.