Abstract: A slicing machine for foods includes a circular knife with a peripheral cutting edge mounted rotatingly in a substantially vertical position on a machine housing. The knife defines a substantially vertical cutting plane. A knife protection ring is secured to the machine housing and surrounds a substantial portion of the cutting edge. A carriage for receiving a product to be cut is mounted on the housing on one side of the cutting plane for reciprocating movement in a direction parallel to the cutting plane. A scraper is arranged on an opposite side of the cutting plane to cover part of a face of the circular knife. The scraper is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis defined by a pivot bearing so as to be pivotable from an operating position to a cleaning position. The pivot axis is arranged above the center of the circular knife essentially horizontal and parallel to the cutting plane.

Abstract: An anti-tamper shield for an integrated circuit (IC) includes a bond wire which passes through a protective layer such as an epoxy encapsulating layer of the IC. The bond wire carries a signal, such as a steady state current, which allows an active component of the IC, such as a secure processor, to function. The bond wire is carried within and/or proximate to the encapsulating layer such that a decapsulation of the IC will cause a rupture of the electrically conductive member, thereby rendering the processor non-functional. The bond wire may be coupled to the processor in a variety of configurations, including the use of internal or external bond pads, lead frame contacts, and/or directly to a computer board on which the IC is carried. A metallic shield layer may be located between the active component and a top portion of the encapsulating layer to prevent a pirate from using an electron microscope, for example, to survey the active component region.

Abstract: A releasable coupling for motorized machine tools including first and second coupling elements which are uncoupled when a predetermined triggering torque occurs. The first coupling element includes first locking elements, such as balls, while the second coupling element includes corresponding second locking elements, such as recesses. The first coupling element includes a concentric holding element. The holding element is rotatable with respect to the first and second coupling element between an inactive position and an active position. In the inactive position, the holding element allows the first and second locking elements to engage one another to maintain the first and second coupling elements in a coupled arrangement. After the predetermined triggering torque has occurred and the holding element is rotated into the active position, the holding element prevents the first and second locking elements from engaging one another to maintain the first and second coupling elements in a uncoupled arrangement.

Abstract: A bipolar surgical grasping instrument with two grasping arms that are electrically insulated from one another. The two arms are pivotally mounted at the end of a tubular shank, and are coaxially pivotable in opposite directions by toggle lever elements that are activated by a push-and-pull rod displaceable in the tubular shank. The push-and-pull rod and the toggle lever elements of the two arms consist of electrically conducting material and are electrically conductively connected to one another. The first arm is electrically conductively connected to it associated toggle lever elements. The second arm is connected to its associated toggle lever elements via an insulating part, and the second arm is electrically conductively connected via a pivot bearing to the tubular shank. The first arm is rotatably mounted on the tubular shank and electrically insulated from the second arm and from the tubular shank.

Abstract: In order to improve a trailer coupling for motor vehicles, in particular, passenger vehicles, comprising a coupling ball, a ball neck, wherein the coupling neck can be pivoted with the coupling ball as a result of pivoting about a single pivot axis from an operative position into a rest position and vice versa, such that this no longer affects the ground clearance in its rest position it is suggested that a projection of a coupling ball central axis onto the vertical longitudinal plane undergo a rotation through an angle of at least 80.degree. during pivoting of the ball neck about the pivot axis from the operative position into the rest position and that a lowest point of ball neck and coupling ball in the rest position be at least at the level of a lowest point of the ball neck in the operative position.

Abstract: To provide a process for the manufacture of a ceramic part which is a ceramic part resistant to temperature changes and, in particular, suitable also for high temperatures, it is suggested that a formed body be produced by forming and sintering a ceramic material essentially comprising non-oxidic ceramic components and that the ceramic part be produced from the formed body by oxidizing the ceramic material starting from a surface of the formed body.

Abstract: In a surgical applicator for U-shaped clips comprising a handle, a tubular shaft adjoining the handle, a forceps-type applicator tool at the free end of the tubular shaft and a clip magazine in the tubular shaft, a closing mechanism arranged in the tubular shaft for the applicator tool, the closing mechanism being actuatable from the handle, and an advancing mechanism arranged in the tubular shaft for the clips, the advancing mechanism likewise being actuatable from the handle and pushing the clips forwards in a path of advance leading into the applicator tool, in order to prevent unintentional pushing-back of the clips in the applicator before the final application, it is proposed that a restraining nose project resiliently between the forceps-type legs of the applicator tool and into the path of advance of the clips, the restraining nose being resiliently displaced by the forwardmost clip out of the path of advance thereof when the forwardmost clip is pushed past into the applying position, and the restrain

Abstract: A woody group material and cement are combined to form a construction material. The material has an aggregate of finely split pieces formed by splitting wood, bamboo or the like in a fiber direction. The split pieces are formed in one or more layers and are surrounded by, and buried in, a mortar. A construction material can be provided which is fire resistant and has a strength comparable to a lumbered product such as wood material obtained by cutting raw wood. The finely split pieces of wood, bamboo or the like are very strong and tough because they closely adhere to the mortar. Moreover, it is possible to use a fiber structure of raw material. Since the finely split pieces can use a small diameter wood, lumbering byproducts, and other waste material, it is possible to achieve effective use of forest resources and low manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for receiving a packet stream having fixed length packets. Data carried in the packet stream is selectively processed for output to a computer. A packet identifier filter selects particular packets from the recovered packet stream. A computer disk controller receives the packets selected by the filter and manages the transfer of packet data from the packets to and from a buffer. A data bus is coupled to the disk controller for communicating the packet data from the buffer to the computer. A data compression stage prior to the disk controller compresses packets from the recovered packet stream in order to provide a gap between data carried by successive packets to be provided by the disk controller. In this manner, a low cost disk controller chip can be used to control the buffering of data in a cable or satellite television modem that provides, e.g., Internet access.

Abstract: A high-frequency switching distributor has a simple construction that is as free of intersections as possible. The distributor includes two or more distributor circuits arranged in two planes on top of one another in a circuit board. Each distributor circuit has an input terminal, and a line connecting the input terminal to a branching circuit. The branching circuit branches into N branch lines, where each branch line has a switch for switchably connecting the branch line to one of N associated output terminals. The output terminals of the two or more distributor circuits are connected to one another.

Abstract: A sheet has a number of slots laterally defining elements with fold lines extending between said slots. One end of the sheet is attached to the bottom surface of a box and the other end is attached to the inner surface of a lid hinged to the box. The elements can be spatially unfolded, forming at least one plane parallel to one of the said surfaces when it is substantially perpendicular to the other surface, and so that the scenery construction is folded on itself when the lid is swung down on the box.

Abstract: The integrity of a group of secure processing elements in a communication system is ensured with a validation scheme. Member elements are checked by adjacent members to determine whether a member has been tampered with or operatively removed from a group. If a member is found to be untrustworthy, propagation of group characteristic information to that member will be halted. The group characteristic information defines the group, and is required by each group member in order to function. The untrustworthy member is therefore effectively exiled from the group. An efficient network topology minimizes inter-member message traffic while maintaining group robustness.

Abstract: Auxiliary data is transported in a conventional audio signal by hiding the data in the form of colored noise. The colored noise has a spectrum that simulates the spectrum of the primary audio signal. The data to be transported is first converted to a spread spectrum signal. The primary audio signal is analyzed to determine its spectral shape. The same spectral shape is imparted to the spread spectrum signal, which is then combined with the primary audio signal for transmission. The spectral shaping can be performed using time domain modeling and synthesis such as linear predictive coding or by using subband coding techniques such as fast Fourier transforms. A plurality of different auxiliary information streams can be transported on the audio signal. By adjusting the gain of individual spread spectrum signal carrier(s) and the power of the colored noise, the auxiliary information stream(s) can be rendered inaudible in the primary audio signal, or at any desired level below or above an audible threshold.

Abstract: A control unit provides unified control of various consumer electronic appliances such as a television, video cassette recorder, and home stereo system through remote control (e.g., infrared) signals. A receiver portion of an interface module positioned over the built-in remote control signal receiver of the appliance intercepts signals from a hand-held remote control operated by a user. The signals are routed to a control unit (such as a set-top television converter) where control logic determines a desired control action. A corresponding control action signal is routed back to a transmitter portion of the interface module and is received by the built-in remote control signal receiver of the appliance to be controlled, thereby resulting in the desired control action. The apparatus provides additional functions and increases user convenience and access to video, audio, and data signals provided via a cable television, direct satellite broadcast or similar service provider.

Abstract: A multi-layered composite building material is provided which allows effective utilization of forest resources by using so-called low quality materials such as small-diameter wood, old wood, pieces of wood produced as byproducts of lumbering, and/or bamboo. The material can meet various requirements and properties, and can be produced at a low cost. In a structural layer, an adhesive agent is applied to a plurality of finely split pieces which are formed by finely splitting a raw material such as wood or bamboo. The finely split pieces are arranging in parallel to a fiber direction. A shock/vibration-absorbing layer is formed by applying an adhesive agent to small pieces of wood and bamboo and the like. Structural layers and shock/vibration-absorbing layers are alternately arranged to provide a multi-layered structure. The structure is press-molded to a predetermined thickness and optionally heated such that the layers are adhered together to produce the composite multi-layered material.

Abstract: An omnibus with steered front wheels as well as steered and driven rear wheels, the rear wheels being arranged in the region of a rear end of the omnibus such that wheel housings associated with the rear wheels are arranged essentially at the rear end and/or outside the passenger compartment. A particularly compact and economical drive is obtained due to fact that the drive for the rear wheels comprises an electric drive, wherein the rear wheels are driven by wheel hub motors free of slip and the wheel hub motors are designed as electric motors.

Abstract: A memory control and management system efficiently multiplexes access to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) among several client processes in an MPEG or similar digital television delivery system or the like. These processes can include, for example, an on-screen display (OSD) graphics processor, a microprocessor interface, graphics accelerator functions, and audio and data processors. An arbiter receives packetized data from an MPEG transport layer for distribution to an associated DRAM. The arbiter sequentially time-multiplexes access to the DRAM by the client processes according to priority criteria, including the bandwidth requirements of the client processes, and whether a client process is requesting access. Access is granted for a predetermined period as long as the client is requesting access.

Abstract: A device for a door hinge structure of the snap-in type, where the hinge has a first hinge flap designed to be secured to a door frame and pivotally attached to a second hinge flap in the form of an insertion part which can be snapped into an insertion pocket in a receiving part that is secured to an end portion of a door leaf. The receiving part has a spring-loaded peg which is slidably mounted in a slide that is moveable parallel to the depth direction of the insertion pocket. The slide forms steplessly adjustable threaded engagement with an axially immoveable, rotatable adjusting screw, provided in the receiving part, and the peg is moveable transverse to the insertion pocket for releasable engagement with a hole or a cut-out portion in the insertion part, whereby the length of insertion of the insertion part in the depth direction of the insertion pocket is steplessly adjustable.

Abstract: In order to improve a gear change system for bicycle derailleur gears, comprising a first chain changer for shifting the chain to different chain wheels on the pedal-crank side, a second chain changer for shifting the chain to different pinions on the wheel side, and a gear change device with a first switching unit for the first chain changer and with a second switching unit for the second chain changer and with a manually operated switching element by means of which both switching units can simultaneously be actuated so that by means of the latter the chain can simply be shifted to chain wheel/pinion combinations selected for a gear sequence and from a switched gear a transition is possible only to the next closest gear in the gear sequence, in such a way that a great degree of ease and comfort in switching can be achieved with the least possible effort, it is proposed that the first chain changer is a mechanical chain changer mechanically controllable through the first switching unit, and that the second ch

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for implementing an interactive program guide on an information network. A plurality of database pages are communicated over the information network. Each page corresponds to a time slot over which events are available on the network. Schedule data for each event to be included in the interactive guide is inserted into the database page for the time slot during which the event is to be provided. The database pages are transmitted via the information network at a transmission rate selected to enable the recovery of a particular database page within a predetermined acquisition time limit, for retrieval of schedule data for the time represented by that page. Schedule information for a current time period can be provided in a trickle data stream with future scheduling information provided in a demand data stream. The demand data stream is transmitted at a substantially higher rate than the trickle data stream.