Abstract: Retaining rails with which a slide-in module can be fixed in a mounting cradle. It being possible for the retaining rails to be attached laterally to the slide-in module. Accordingly, the retaining rails are characterized in that they have a plastic element and a metal element. The metal element encloses at least certain portions of the plastic element, and in that the metal element has resilient retaining elements for interaction with guiding elements of the mounting cradle and in that the plastic element has resilient portions for establishing lateral tolerance compensation with respect to the sidewalls of the mounting cradle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating peripheral units of a computer on a bus. The maximum number of peripheral units is ascertained and an optimal clock frequency, which corresponds to the number ascertained and at which the bus is operated, is determined.

Abstract: A computer system comprising a CPU, a data bus, components and a communication module for the administration of the CPU or components. The communication module comprises a data interface coupled to the data bus of the computer system. The user interface comprises a display unit and a control panel. A control unit is coupled to the user interface and the data interface for transmitting data to and from the CPU or components using the data bus. A memory is provided for the storage of configuration parameters and status information, which is coupled to the control unit via a memory bus. The communication module is adapted for obtaining system information of the components without using the CPU of the computer system and performing a configuration of the components using the configuration parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a data processing apparatus having temperature sensors, at least one fan for cooling the data processing apparatus, and a monitoring unit connected to the temperature sensors and to one or more fans. The monitoring unit controls the fans as a function of measured values from the temperature sensors. The data processing apparatus also includes at least one hard disk that has a temperature sensor. According to the invention, the data processing apparatus is characterized in that an interface apparatus is provided for checking the hard disk temperature sensor or sensors and for supplying the measured temperature values for the monitoring unit.

Abstract: A cooling device for an electric machine with thermal zones having interactions with one another is proposed, each of the thermal zones containing a heat source and a temperature sensor, and at least one cooling means, a controlling element connected to the temperature sensor being allocated to each thermal zone for activation of the at least one cooling means. The cooling device is characterized by the fact that outputs of a plurality of controlling elements can be connected to the at least one cooling means. In an inventive cooling device, a plurality of controlling elements can act on one or more cooling means, whereby cooling means are supported or completely replaced by other existing cooling means.

Abstract: An access protection system for a computer, the invention taking which takes advantage of the fact that every transportable storage medium has an individual identifier. This individual identifier is used as an access key for the computer instead of a password.

Abstract: A method for detecting commutation pulses of a fan motor with continuous measurement and storage of voltage values that are proportional to the fan current within predetermined time intervals. The measured voltage values are continuously evaluated by comparing two measured values that were obtained at different times. A result signal is outputted if the deviation between the compared measured values fulfills a predetermined constraint.

Abstract: A power supply for an electrical appliance has a female connector for an electrical plug, in which case the power supply can be removed from the electrical appliance for installation or servicing purposes. In order to prevent electrical connection of the power supply when it is in the removed state, the power supply is provided with an insertion protection device, which prevents insertion of the electrical plug when the power supply is in the removed state.

Abstract: A data processing system with a plurality of hardware and software components, wherein the components can be controlled by finite automata. The data processing system includes at least one finite sample automaton which is defined so as to be suitable for controlling and monitoring pre-determined component types. Finite automata can be configured for the control of one component on the basis of the defined sample automaton (automata) in conjunction with component-specific parameters, and an event-controlled automaton control component (5) is provided which is constructed for the configuration, instantiation and deletion of finite automata.

Abstract: A data processing configuration with a first circuit configuration (1) that connects a first communication bus (2) with a second communication bus (3). The first circuit configuration (1) is the bus master of the first communication bus (2). Furthermore, a second circuit configuration (4) is connected with the first communication bus (2). By employing a wait signal (11), which is generated in the second circuit configuration (4) and transmitted to the first circuit configuration (1), it is possible to expand read and write access to the first communication bus (2) to any random number of clock cycles.

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.