Abstract: A method for protecting mobile electronic devices, such as personal computers or mobile PDAs, against theft or unauthorized use by using a time-switch device. In addition to the conventional log-in protection with a password, operation of the electronic device is blocked by a time-switch device after a defined time period has elapsed. The time-switch device can only be unblocked and the time period reset with manual presentation of a unique identification means which releases the electronic device for further operation.

Abstract: A configuration for securing a slide-in unit in a cage of a computer by plastic retaining rails that are attached on the side of the slide-in unit and guide rails that are secured at the cage. The retaining rails are insertable into the guide rails and securable at the guide rails by resilient elements and resilient stops.

Abstract: A computer mainboard (1), for example for notebook computers, having an integrated graphics component (2), which has at least one signal output (3), and at least one connection (5) for a display unit. A first plug connector (4) having at least one electrical connection is coupled to the signal output (3) of the integrated graphics component (2). A second plug connector (6) is coupled to the connection (5) for a display unit. At least one releasable electrical connection component (8) is provided between the first plug connector (4) and the second plug connector (6).

Abstract: A method and system for payment of the copyright levy for a copyrighted work in digital form permits and promotes copying and further distribution of the copyrighted work to customers who are encouraged to register and pay the copyright levy by the ability to collect a commission payment from subsequent customers to whom they in turn distribute copies of the copyrighted work. An information block that incorporates an identifier for each registered customer is associated with the copyrighted work and is utilized to determine to whom a commission payment is to be made when a subsequent customer registers and pays the copyright levy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for measuring the current consumption of a transistor-controlled load, in particular of an electromotor, whereby a load current (IL) is detected by measuring the controlling current (IT2) of an output bipolar transistor (T1). The controlling current (IT2) is detected using the voltage drop across an internal measuring shunt (R1). As the controlling current (IT2) is substantially smaller than the load current, the power losses are negligible in comparison with a measuring shunt that is connected in series to the load. In addition, there is no need for a controlling unit input, to which an external measuring-circuit voltage is applied.

Abstract: An encryption system (1) and a method for encrypting and decrypting sensitive data during a data interchange between at least two electronic appliances communicating with one another. The encryption system (1) has a data stream module (2) for providing a synchronous data stream as raw material for key generation, a data module (5) for preparing the data for the encryption/decryption, a key generator (6) to which an agreed information portion of the data stream from the data stream module (2) is supplied, an encryption/decryption unit (7) which is connected to the data module (5) and to the key generator (6) and which encrypts/decrypts the sensitive data using a keyword, and an output unit (7) for forwarding the encrypted/decrypted data, the key generator (6) taking the data stream supplied to it and producing a respective keyword for each message which is to be encrypted/decrypted simultaneously on the appliances communicating with one another.

Abstract: A method for protecting a computer system (1) having a choice of various users (3, 4) with various authorizations (3a, 4a), having at least one interface (2) for interchanging data with at least one internal or external peripheral device (5), where the interface (2) is active when the peripheral device (5) has authorization or when the authorization (3a, 4a) of the current user (3, 4) activates the interface (2).

Abstract: An arrangement for cooling heat-generating computer components in a computer housing with a second housing which has a first cooling fan, and a heat exchanger which is integrated into a coolant flow. The heat exchanger is arranged in or on the second housing in such a way that a cooling air flow flows through the heat exchanger before leaving the second housing.

Abstract: A control unit for driving a regulating transistor (2) of a fan arrangement, in which the regulating transistor (2) is connected in series with an electronically commutated fan (1), having control means (5, 6, R1, R2) for the analog driving of the regulating transistor (2) with a control signal (Ucontrol) in a manner dependent on a control input voltage (Uin). The control unit comprises compensation means (R3, R4) for influencing the control signal (Ucontrol) in a manner dependent on an AC voltage component (UAC) of an operating voltage (UB) of the fan arrangement, so that the AC voltage component (UAC) of the operating voltage (UB) is completely or partially compensated for in a voltage across the fan (1).

Abstract: A mass memory device (1) having a plurality of mass memories (2) and having at least two bridge controllers (3) which are coupled to the mass memories (2) by a data bus. A first common cache memory unit (4) is provided, to which the bridge controllers (3) are connected by means of an additional cache synchronization system for the purpose of storing and synchronizing data which are to be stored. A method is provided for operating a mass memory device (1) having a plurality of mass memories (2) and having at least two bridge controllers (3) which can be used to address the mass memories (2), and at least one first common first common cache memory unit (4) which is associated with the bridge controllers (3). All data to be stored are initially stored on the first common cache memory unit (4) and are automatically mirrored on an optional further common cache memory unit (4). The data initially stored in the first common cache memory unit (4) are transferred to the mass memories (2) for storage therein.

Abstract: For optimization of the mode of operation of processor systems, there is proposed a bus connection which divides bus transactions substantially into transactions that must be executed in strictly logical sequence and that do not have to be executed in strictly logical sequence. Subsequently the transactions are again arrayed one after another in serial manner for further processing, with the feature that, in given cases, transactions that do not have to be executed in strictly logical sequence are moved ahead of transactions that must be executed in strictly logical sequence. The result is a gain in time and thus performance for the processor system.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for reducing the noise level of, and for cooling, a Component (1) with moving parts, such as a hard disk in a PC system. The device comprises a Container (2) in which Component (1) is arrayed and in which Ventilation Openings (4) are provided on opposing sides, through which an air stream can flow for cooling the component. In accordance with the invention, Component (1) is completely surrounded by Sound-muting Material (3) in Container (2) and Channels (5) are configured in Sound-muting Material (3) for adducing and exhausting the cooling air.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for fixing a slot angle (5) to the slot field (2) of a computer housing (1). According to the invention, the slot field (2) is adjusted to the geometry of the slot angle, which means that by closing a cover (9) of the computer housing (1) the slot angles (5) are automatically fixed by way of clamping action.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-in connection between a printed-board connector (3) and a mating connector (13), said printed-board connector (3) being provided with a connector shield (6). Between the printed-board connector and the mating connector an I/O board (1) with an opening (2) is interposed via which the printed-board connected and the mating connector can be contacted and fastened to each other. Since the printed-board connector is not screwed together with the I/O board according to the most recent standard, a support element is provided which forces the I/O board (1) against the connector shield (6) of the printed-board connector (3) when the mating connector (13) is screwed together with the printed-board connector (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for matching the phase between the pixel clock of a graphics card and the sampling clock of a flat-panel display with an analog interface in a system comprising flat-panel display, graphics card and computer. Herein the rising edge of a video pulse of a sufficiently bright image spot in the first image column close to the back-porch region is determined. The falling edge of a video pulse at a sufficiently bright image spot in the last image column close to the front-porch region is determined, and the phase is adjusted such that the sampling instant is situated approximately at the midpoint between the rising and falling edges of a video pulse.

Abstract: A method for controlling the information exchange between at least one central computer and a subscriber via a control system. Following a request from the subscriber, the control system receives the data relevant to the subscriber from the central computer in a first control phase. In a second control phase, information transmitted from the subscriber is processed and transmitted to the central computer. The first and the second control phases are defined by a single control program.

Abstract: A display device which displays image information in a form perceivable by a blind person. For this purpose, the display device has a plurality of areally arranged elements (1), which are individually actuatable, and an actuation device for actuation of the elements (1), whereby through the elements (1), electronic image information (7) fed into the evaluation device (16) is tangibly represented through the elements (1). The actuator elements may be arranged areally on a flexible substrate (13), which are individually actuatable, whereby through the actuator elements (11), vibrations and/or heat and/or electrical impulses can be generated.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the setting of the phase between the pixel clock rate of a graphics card and the sampling clock rate of a flat screen having an analog interface includes the steps of setting a flag if the phase of the flat screen has been set by the user. The flag is interrogated upon switching on the flat screen and/or upon a change of the video mode at a computer and/or an exchange of the graphics card and/or upon an exchange of the computer. A display is provided or a setting of the phase is initiated if, during the interrogation, it is ascertained that the flag is not set. A device for monitoring the setting of the phase between the pixel clock rate of the graphics card and the sampling clock rate of the flat screen is also provided.

Abstract: A method for protecting an item of software, wherein at least one challenge means is associated with said protected item of software, and at least one response means accesses one private keying material. The challenge means has no access to said private keying material. The response means proves to the challenge means that the response means has access to the private keying material using an asymmetric probabilistic proof, e.g., zero knowledge proof. The challenge means validates this proof using the public keying material that corresponds to the response means' private keying material.

Abstract: A method for protecting an item of software, wherein at least one challenge is associated with the protected item of software, and at least one response accesses one private keying material. The challenge has no access to the private keying material. The challenge and the response are generating shared secret information, respectively, in accordance with an asymmetric confidentiality scheme. The response proves that it discovered the shared secret and the challenge validates the proof. The challenge proof validation procedure uses the public keying material that corresponds to the response private keying material.