Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric actuator (1) for driving a movable part (2), for example a rotor, having an elongate piezoelectric resonator (3), which serves to perform longitudinal vibrations and which is acted upon by elastic means (10), for example a spring (10). The elastic means (10) acts upon the piezoelectric resonator (3) mainly in the longitudinal direction (11) and serves to exert a force on the resonator (3) in a direction towards the movable part (2), the resonant frequency of the elastic means (10) being substantially smaller than the resonant frequency of the piezoelectric resonator (3), and the piezoelectric resonator (3) is guided by at least one guide element (4, 5) in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction (11). This enables the resonator (3) to vibrate as freely as possible, which leads to a higher efficiency.

Abstract: A user control interface is provided that is location dependent. Context control parameters are associated with location, and the user control interface is customized to the context within which the device is being operated. The control interface includes the presentation of context sensitive information and the communication of corresponding context sensitive user commands via the interface. The location determination is effected using any number of commonly available techniques, such as direct entry, infrared sensors and active badges for relative positioning, as well as the conventional absolute positioning devices such as LORAN and GPS. Preferably, the device communicates with a remote information source that provides the context sensitive control information. The remote information source may be a home network server, an Internet server, a public service network, or other communication network.

Abstract: A power converter apparatus employing a capacitively coupled feedback network for facilitating bi-directional communication between a primary and secondary side of the converter while maintaining direct current isolation.

Abstract: A write/read device (1) for the contactless communication with at least one transponder has a first encoder (4) for coding a data block (DB) in accordance with a first coding method, which first encoder (4) can generate at the most a given number of N coding signals (KI) per data block (DB) in accordance with this first coding method, and has a second encoder (9) for coding a data block (DB) in accordance with a second coding method, which second encoder (9) can generate at the most a given number of M coding signals (KI) per data block (DB) in accordance with this second coding method, and has a selection circuit (10) for the selection between the coding signals (KI) supplied by the first encoder (4) and the coding signals (KI) supplied by the second encoder (9).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for translating a voltage control signal to switch a drive output, having a circuit with a pair of branches, each branch having a pull down device, respective branches receiving complementary components of the voltage control signal; a pull up device, in series with a respective pull down device, and each being driven by a positive feedback signal reflecting a state of conduction of the pull up device; and a current blocking device, in series with the pull up device, having a control input for impeding a current flowing in series to a respective pull down device. One current blocking device is controlled to selectively block a current flow through one of the branches, while permitting current flow through the other branch. The state of the voltage control signal is switched, current flow through both branches is resumed. In a preferred embodiment, the complementary components of the voltage control signal are formed with an inverter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply for X-ray generators which includes at least one inverter, at least one transformer and at least one voltage cascade for generating a supply voltage for an X-ray tube. In order to increase the output power that can be achieved while ensuring at the same time a comparatively low weight and a small ripple or output capacitance, the voltage cascade is configured in respect of its capacitances and the stray inductance of the transformers in such a manner that it can operate in the resonance mode under appropriate control of the inverter. For said features it is particularly beneficial to use a two-phase or three-phase configuration which can be integrated with an X-ray system so as to form a compact tank generator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging method for determining propagation parameters of transient shear wave front, comprising steps of forming transient shear waves in a tissue (5), acquiring ultrasonic image data (S,S*) of the tissue, along image lines (l), during a time delay (TSW) for a transient shear wave front to propagate over a depth (z) in said tissue, estimating the tissue velocity (V) for each line, constructing a tissue velocity image sequence [I(V)] from the ultrasonic data (S,S*) and the tissue velocities (V) on the lines, and deriving the velocities (CSW) of the shear wave front at instants of the sequence. Tissue parameters such as elasticity are then calculated from said front velocity. The invention also relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system having processing means (100, PROCESSING1, PROCESSING2) for carrying out this method. The processing means may be a computer program product having instruction to this end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising the provision of a dual damascene structure (20). This dual damascene structure (20) comprises a metal layer (1) with thereon a first dielectric layer (2) provided with a via (3). A second dielectric layer (5) is applied on the first dielectric layer (2) and is provided with an interconnect groove (6). The via (3) and the interconnect groove (6) are filled with a metal which forms a metal lead (9) with a top (10). The method further comprises the following steps: removing the second dielectric layer (5), applying a disposable layer (12) to the first dielectric layer (2) and the metal lead (9), planarizing the disposable layer (12) down to the top (10) of the metal lead (9), applying a porous dielectric layer (13) on the disposable layer (12), removing the disposable layer (12) through the porous dielectric layer (13) so as to form air gaps (14).

Abstract: A collection management system, or virtual jukebox, is provided for a collection of recordings that is independent of the physical media upon which the material is recorded. The system forms a part of a network that includes storage media and playback devices, and provides an easy to use system for collection cataloging, archiving, and retrieval. In a preferred embodiment, a collection management system resides on a consumer electronic (CE) device, or a personal or home computer (PC), and the collection includes recordings that are stored on one or more hard drives associated with the CE device or the PC. The collection management system includes a user interface that facilitates the retrieval of recordings for playback from one or more storage devices, based on an individual selection of genre, author, and so on.

Abstract: A data processor comprises an arithmetic logic unit [ALU] for carrying out an arithmetic or logic operation on a first and second input data [OP1, OP2]. It further comprises a stack [STCK] for storing data and for applying a data having a certain position [P(1)] in the stack to the arithmetic logic unit [ALU] as the first input data [OP1]. The data processor can execute an instruction [INSTR] which comprises an address [ADDR] indicating a memory location [REG(i)] among a plurality of memory locations [REG]. The address [ADDR] causes a data, which is contained in the memory location [REG(i)] that it indicates, to be applied to the arithmetic logic unit [ALU] as the second input data [OP2].

Abstract: A projection-type color image display system uses a reflective liquid crystal (LC) light modulator (24) and a polarizing beam-splitter (22) for separating the incoming and reflected light. Light from the source arrives on a first axis (28) and is reflected outward, with the imposed image, along a second axis (30) through a projection lens (26). In order to produce a high contrast image, a pre-polarizer (36, 42, 48) and/or post-polarizer (44, 50) are used to restore the selectivity and, consequently, optical system contrast for the wide “cone of acceptance” of light rays which are common in projection systems. In order to improve the system contrast, the pre- and/or post-polarizer is arranged along the first and second axis, respectively, with its polarizer absorbing axis extending parallel to the normal n of the reflective surface (34, 46) of the PBS.

Abstract: The reconstruction in Cone-beam CT scanner requires a high accuracy of the tabletop (1) position determination. In sequential as well as in helical acquisitions projection data (20) from different tabletop (1) positions are combined. Additional position markers, manufactured as insertions (10) of a contrast material relative to the material of the tabletop (1), are introduced into the tabletop (1). These insertions (10) allow the determination of the true position of the tabletop (1) from projection data. This information can be used to either control the scanner mechanics or as a correction information for the reconstruction process.

Abstract: According to a particular example application, the present invention is embodied in the form of first and second current-steering sections arranged to steer a differential current input signal. Each of the first and second current-steering sections is current driven via differential current paths. The first current-steering section configured and arranged to source current and thereby drive the second current-steering section. Another aspect of the invention employs stacked Gilbert cells, as described above, to form a variable gain amplifier (“VGA”) circuit that achieves a large dynamic range, a wide frequency response and improved linearity, while consuming relatively low amounts of power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a luminaire comprising a housing (1) which defines an internal space containing at least one light source formed by a light-emitting diode (LED) (2) and optical means (4) for guiding the light emitted by the LED (2) to the exterior of the housing (1). The LED (2) is mounted to a support (3) connected to the housing (1), and the optical means (4) are held between a retaining element (10) connected to the housing (1) and the support (3) of the LED (2).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including semiconductor elements having semiconductor zones (17, 18, 24, 44, 45) formed in a top layer (4) of a silicon wafer (1) situated on a buried insulating layer (2). In this method, a first series of process steps are carried out, commonly referred to as front-end processing, wherein, inter alia, the silicon wafer is heated to temperatures above 700° C. Subsequently, trenches (25) are formed in the top layer, which extend as far as the buried insulating layer and do not intersect pn-junctions. After said trenches have been filled with insulating material (26, 29), the semiconductor device is completed in a second series of process steps, commonly referred to as back-end processing, wherein the temperature of the wafer does not exceed 400° C. The trenches are filled in a deposition process wherein the wafer is heated to a temperature which does not exceed 500° C.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for calculating estimated time stamps ìt in video distribution apparatus, MPEG-2 program encoders, multiplexers, splicers. True times Yt of a data packet number t having the linear form: Yt=Yt−1+&bgr;t, &bgr;t=&bgr;t−1+&eegr;t, with &eegr;t being a small perturbation relative to the linear relation between time and packet number. The true times of data packet number t are observed as: ot=Yt+&egr;t, where &egr;t is an observational error. The estimated time stamps are produced according to: ìt=ìt−1+&bgr;t and such that the value of &bgr;t is made dependent on the exceeding by #ot−ìt−1−&bgr;t−1 # of max[&egr;t]. The results are accurate and smooth estimated time stamps.

Abstract: In a video signal processing method, video signal parts are labeled (L) as non-matchable parts (N-M) if reliable motion or depth information (d1, d2) cannot be obtained for such parts (N-M), motion or depth information (d1, d2) is generated for the video signal (V), and motion or depth information (d1, d2) is produced for the non-matchable parts (N-M) of the video signal (V) from the motion or depth information generated for the video signal (V).

Abstract: A method of reducing the thickness t of a layer of material on a substrate when the substrate is exposed to an etchant for a span of time sufficient to reduce t to a value to, at which point exposure to the etchant is interrupted, includes the thickness to being determined using monitoring means which, at any given instant, allow determination of the depth &Dgr;t of material which has been etched away. The method further includes the monitoring means being embodied as a resonant crystal whose resonant frequency f at any given instant is a function of the mass m of the crystal at that instant. The crystal is coated with a layer of reference material of thickness d, which material can be etched using the same etchant as for the material on the substrate. The crystal is exposed to the etchant simultaneously with the substrate, thus causing m to decrease as reference material is etched away, a decrease Am in m corresponding to a decrease &Dgr;d in d, in turn corresponding to a decrease &Dgr;t in t.

Abstract: In the manufacturing process of color display tubes with a dotted screen pattern, to form the screen (11), a segmented lens (3) is used for exposing the display window (4) in order to apply a structure of a black matrix layer and a layer with electroluminescent material to it. Principally, a segmented lens (3) gives rise to a phenomenon that is called facet marking; this is a result of the fact that the images of consecutive facets (12) of the lens on the screen (11) are disjunct or partly overlap, giving dark lines (42) or bright lines (44). In present day color display tubes—especially for use as computer monitors—it is getting more and more important to reduce facet marking as far as possible. It is proposed to manufacture the segmented lens (3) according to a new process in which the mold (30) for the manufacture of said segmented lens is significantly changed.

Abstract: A user of a handheld communication device selects in a foreground process portions of an electronic document. In a background process a new document is prepared that comprises the selected portions. The user selects the address for forwarding the new document, and the new document gets sent in a background process.