Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a device for the collision detection of objects by traversal of hierarcichal binary bounding BoxTrees, in which each bounding box pair of a hierarchically lower level is derived from a bounding box from the immediately above level by means of cutting off two sub-volumes by means of two parallel cut-planes. For the collision detection of a first and a second object, for each second bounding box of the bounding BoxTree of the second object to be checked for overlapping with a first bounding box of the bounding BoxTree of the first object, an auxiliary bounding box is computed which is axis-aligned in the object coordinate system of the first object and encloses the second bounding box with minimal volume, and with which the overlap check is conducted instead of with the second bounding box, and the computation results from the level immediately above are utilized for computation of auxiliary bounding boxes of lower levels.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for image data computation and for synchronous data output. The invention further concerns an arrangement for producing and reproducing two partial light images which together can be perceived as a light image having a three-dimensional effect. Finally the invention concerns a method of synchronous reproduction of time image sequences by at least two image reproduction devices. The apparatus according to the invention has a master-client structure. A graphics master unit (88) and at least two graphics clients (94) are connected together by way of a first message channel (82) and by way thereof exchange first messages, by means of which computation and projection of the partial images is synchronized.

Abstract: A method for setting the trigger power of transmitter diodes that transmit data via optical paths allows the transmission power to be adjusted and adapted to the communication distance. The trigger power is determined for the present communication distance on the basis of a test signal before data transmission begins. A circuit arrangement implementing the method includes a driver circuit with a switching device that switches a circuit junction point selectively to a supply voltage or to a constant reference voltage, a voltage-controlled resistor which delivers the driver current and is controlled from the circuit junction point, and a voltage-controlled measuring resistor which delivers a measured current with a fixed relationship to the driver current and is controlled from the circuit junction point. Since the set trigger power can be reduced, the power consumption for data transmission can be reduced considerably.

Abstract: A flow sensor component consists of a diaphragm of monocrystalline silicon, the diaphragm having arranged therein filled slots which are filled with a thermally insulating material and which penetrate the diaphragm from a first main surface to a second main surface thereof. The filled slots defining at least one heating area of the diaphragm provided with at least one heating element and at least one detection area of the diaphragm provided with at least one temperature detection element, the filled slots thermally insulating the heating area and the detection area from one another and surrounding the heating area and the detection area completely.

Abstract: A device for contactless testing of structural and/or surface defects of large-surface bodies, especially of slab-shaped materials includes a conveying device with an unsupported area; a source of heat arranged above the plane of conveyance and extending transversally to the direction of conveyance and which radiates heat in lines or strips onto the plane of conveyance; a thermographic camera having at least one camera line aligned transversally to the direction of conveyance and arranged above the plane of conveyance and after the source of heat in the direction of conveyance; and a computer connected to the camera that has a monitor and generates a separate heat image pattern from every camera line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and device for determining the surface friction coefficients of bodies, in particular of catheters. In the invented process, the to-be-examined catheter (1) is pulled with a defined velocity through a gel-like viscoelastic substance (2) and the frictional force required therefor is measured. A defined pressure is applied to this viscoelastic substance in such a manner that a defined surface normal force acts on the catheter surface. By applying a given, defined pressure on the substance, the surface pressure on each area element of the catheter surface is precisely given and can be held constant. By holding the area to which pressure is applied constant, the entire acting normal force can also be held constant and the friction coefficient can be determined for any catheter diameter and for any catheter consistency. Determination of the friction coefficient is reproducible and only depends on the surface friction.

Abstract: A device for the treatment of a flowing gas, such as an exhaust gas, includes at least one pair of smooth electrodes that are arranged opposite each other so that they form between them a discharge space through which a gas flows. For each pair of electrodes, at least one electrode is coated with a dielectric material on a side facing the discharge space. At least one electrode has one or more thickened areas facing the discharge space. The one or more thickened area has at least one opening through which the gas can flow. A device may be used in the cleaning of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines of motor vehicles as well as the cleaning of waste gases of power plants or waste incinerating plants.

Abstract: A power MOS element includes a drift region with a doping of a first doping type, a channel region with a doping of a second doping type which is complementary to the first doping type and which borders on the channel region and the drift region, and a source region with a doping of the first doping type, the source region bordering on the channel region. Furthermore, the power MOS element includes a plurality of basically parallel gate trenches which extend to the drift region and which comprise an electrically conductive material which is insulated from the transistor region by an insulator. The individual gate trenches are connected by a connecting gate trench, a gate contact only being connected in an electrically conductive way to the active gate trenches via contact holes in the connecting gate trench.

Abstract: A novel solar cell is shown, along with a method for the manufacture thereof, whereby molecules whose presence are to be verified and/or substances are deposited on such solar cells and are influenced by chemical or physical parameters to cause a change in the original electric parameters of the solar cells, such as photoelectric current or photoelectric voltage which facilitates the detection of chemical, biochemical and/or physical perimeters and substances on the solar cells. The sensitive molecules and/or substances, under certain conditions, also produce color or transmission changes, so that the photoelectric current of the solar cells change and, therefore can also be used as an indicator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing calibration structures in semiconductor substrates in the manufacture of components, specifically micro-mechanical systems with integrated semiconductor electronic systems. In the method a first layer (3) is structured on a first substrate (4, 5, 6) to produce first areas (2) which are required for the function of the components. Moreover, second areas (1) are produced in the first layer (3), which represent the calibration structures. The second areas (1) present a refractive index different from the refractive index of adjoining areas. Subsequently, the first substrate (4, 5, 6) is joined with a second substrate (12) such that the first layer (3) will be enclosed between the two substrates. Then either the first or the second substrate is thinned down to a residual thickness. The substrate layer with this residual thickness constitutes, for instance, the membrane in a pressure sensor.

Abstract: A method for detecting a transient in a discrete-time audio signal is performed completely in the time domain and includes the step of segmenting the discrete-time audio signal as to generate consecutive segments of the same length with unfiltered discrete-time audio signals. The discrete-time audio signal in a current segment is filtered. Either the energy of the filtered discrete-time audio signal in the current segment is compared with the energy of the filtered discrete-time audio signal in a preceding segment or a current relationship between the energy of the filtered discrete-time audio signal in the current segment and the energy of the unfiltered discrete-time audio signal in the current segment is formed and this current relationship compared with a preceding corresponding relationship. Whether a transient is present in the discrete-time audio signal is detected using one and/or the other of these comparisons.

Abstract: A force/torque sensor has a semiconductor region which is adapted to be subjected to a force or torque. Two control electrodes are provided on a first and a second side of the semiconductor region, the sides being arranged in spaced, opposed relationship with one another, and a current through the semiconductor region being producible between the control electrodes. Two sensor electrodes are provided on a third and a fourth side of the semiconductor region, the sides being also arranged in spaced, opposed relationship with one another and extending essentially at right angles to said first and second sides. A force or torque applied to the semiconductor region is determinable by detecting a voltage present between the sensor electrodes when a current flows between the control electrodes. The semiconductor region is formed by the channel of a field effect transistor, the drain an source electrodes of said field effect transistor defining the control electrodes.

Abstract: In a method for vertically integrating active circuit planes, a first substrate having at least one integrated circuit in a first main surface thereof and further having connecting areas for the integrated circuit as well as outer connecting areas on the first main surface is provided in a first step. A second substrate having at least one integrated circuit in a first main surface thereof and further having connecting areas for the integrated circuit as well as open or openable areas on the first main surface is provided. The first main surfaces of the first and second substrates are joined in such a way that the connecting areas of the first substrate are connected to those of the second substrate in an electrically conductive manner in such a way that the outer connecting areas of the first substrate are in alignment with the open or openable areas of the second substrate. Subsequently, the second substrate is thinned and the outer connecting areas are exposed through the open or openable areas.

Abstract: In a proportioner for proportioning a fluid flow (&phgr;) from an input side of a first proportioning element (10) to an output side of a second proportioning element (10), the first and second proportioning elements comprise a membrane (12) provided with at least one opening (16) acting as a flow resistor for a medium to be proportioned, and a pressure sensor (14) integrated in the membrane (12) and used for detecting a pressure difference between the input side and the output side of the proportioning element (10). The proportioner comprises a pressure transducer for input-side application of a pressure to the medium to be proportioned. The first and the second proportioning element (10) are arranged in succession so as to permit, on the basis of the pressure drop across the membranes (12) of the two proportioning elements (10), the detection of clogging or blocking of the respective flow resistor provided in these membranes (12).

Abstract: In a method for producing a titanium monophosphide layer, a carrier is first placed in a reactor. Thereafter, a TiN layer is deposited on the carrier by supplying TiCl4 ad NH3 into the reactor. The TiN layer is annealed immediately after deposition of the TiN layer while PH3 is supplied to the reactor, in order to form the titanium monophosphide layer on the TiN layer.

Abstract: A method and a device for entropy encoding and associated decoding make use of a code consisting on the one hand of a code table with reversible code words (12) and comprising on the other hand an escape region for information words to be coded which are located outside the region (14) defined by said code table. Said region can be selected in such a way that a major part of the information words is coded with symmetrical code words by the code table. On the one hand, it is thus possible to carry out, in addition to forward decoding, also backward decoding (24) and on the other hand, use of reversible code words allows for rapid recognition of errors in a code word stream transmitted over a non-ideal channel.

Abstract: The patent relates to a method for spectroscopic and spectrofluorimetric determination of the interaction between materials. The determination takes place using apparatus consisting of several basins.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the movement of a support relative to a base by movement devices whose degrees of freedom of movement define a non-orthogonal coordinate system. For achieving a dynamic behavior corresponding to that of a machine with orthogonal directions of movement, non-orthogonal actual-condition values of the movement devices are detected, transformed into orthogonal coordinates, and, on the basis of the transformed actual-condition values and the predetermined target-condition values, operating values in orthogonal coordinates are determined, which are then transformed into non-orthogonal coordinates and transmitted to the individual movement devices. In addition, a device for controlling the movement of the support is provided, as well as a machine tool with a hexapodal suspension of the support, which has provided thereon a machining device.

Abstract: A digital displacement encoder that includes a mechanical actuator constructed and arranged to be displaced to one of a null and a plurality of activation positions in response to an externally-provided force. Also included is a conductive member constructed and arranged to be positioned to one of a plurality of intermediate positions in response to the change in position of the mechanical actuator. A contact array comprising a plurality of activation signal contacts is fixedly disposed proximate to the conductive member. Also included is a digital signal generator comprising one or more electrical circuits electrically coupled to the plurality of activation signal contacts, and one more terminals at which output signals are provided. The conductive member electrically contacts a predetermined one or more of the plurality of activation signal contacts when the mechanical actuator is in each of the plurality of positions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an obstetric forceps for grasping a baby during childbirth, the forceps having blades which are approximately adapted to the shape of a baby's head, are made of a rigid material and have contact surfaces for grasping the baby's head, the contact surfaces being provided with at least one device for detecting the pressure prevailing between the contact surfaces and the baby's head.