Abstract: A pixel image sensor has an isolation barrier and diffusion well connected to a biasing voltage to prevent substrate charge leakage caused by photoelectrons generated in the substrate beneath a photon sensing area of the pixel image sensor from drifting to a storage node. An opaque metallic silicide layer is deposited on and a metal shield is fabricated above the storage node and storage node control transistor switches to prevent light from impinging on the storage node and storage node control transistor switches and thus preventing generation of photoelectrons at the storage node and storage node control transistor switches. A guard ring surrounds the photo sensing area, the storage node, and the storage node control transistor switches and is in contact with the biasing voltage and reduces cross-talk from photoelectrons drifting from adjacent image sensors.

Abstract: A suspension device is for at least one drive part (10) that is to be cushioned. The drive part can be connected to an accumulator device (12) by a first valve unit (28) and to a tank connection (46) by a second valve unit (34) to transport fluid. The device is provided with a pressure compensation device (50), which when actuated compares the respective prevailing pressures in the drive part (10) and the accumulator device (12) to generate a common pressure level. This comparison permits the pressure level to be rapidly compensated in advance when the actual suspension is enabled in the form of the accumulator device, in such a way that the suspension pressure employed exactly matches the pressure of the respective drive part in the form of a hydraulic or working cylinder that prevails in the later as a result of the preceding load actuation operations.

Abstract: A system for decoding data, such as travel and traffic information, configured in data blocks embedded in an electromagnetic signal, such as a broadcasted radio signal, has been developed. The system includes a method and receiver for decoding the data with a background tuner in a manner that does not impair the ability of the background tuner to demodulate other signals. While a main tuner is tuned to demodulate a first electromagnetic signal to produce a data stream, the background tuner is switched to decode the data blocks only when the data blocks are expected to be received. In the remaining time, the background tuner is free to demodulate other signals to support a diversity or other function. If a data block is not received, or not received when expected, the background tuner returns to demodulating one or more other frequencies after a predetermined time interval has elapsed.

Abstract: A base sheet is spanned over a lower roller, and an upper roller pulls a cover sheet along a path and presses it against the base sheet at the lower roller. A preheater housing along the path upstream of the rollers is formed with a chamber open toward the path. A radiant heater in the chamber is directed transversely at the path so as to heat the cover sheet passing along the path. A sensor along the path adjacent the chamber detects atmosphere around the chamber and generates an output when the detected atmosphere indicates an unsafe hot condition of the cover sheet. A shutter can shift between a retracted position offset from the chamber and an advanced position closing the chamber. A controller connected to the sensor shifts the shutter from the retracted position to the advanced position when the output is generated by the sensor.

Abstract: Polyvinyl-alcohol-stabilized redispersible powders which have plasticizing properties are obtained by drying polyvinyl-alcohol-stabilized aqueous dispersions of polymers of one or more monomers from the group of vinyl esters of optionally branched C1-18 alkylcarboxylic acids, (meth)acrylic esters of optionally branched C1-15 alcohols, dienes, olefins, vinylaromatics and vinylhalides, in the presence of a copolymer formed from a) one or more monomers from the group of ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and their anhydrides, each having 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and salts thereof, b) one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds containing sulfonic, sulfuric, and/or phosphonic acid groups, and salts thereof, and c) one or more monomers from the group consisting of vinyl esters of optionally branched C1-18 alkylcarboxylic acids and (meth)acrylic esters of optionally branched C1-15 alcohols.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric switch, especially a piezo switch, with optical and/or mechanical feedback of the switching operation. The switch contains at least one switching element, especially beneath a cover panel, which can be activated by means of an activating element. This causes a switching signal to be generated and guided out via electrical contacts. The activating element itself is configured in the form of a passive luminous body consisting of an at least translucent material, which can be illuminated by active luminous means. The mechanical feedback of the switching operation can take place using a vibrator which is activated by the switching operation that has been initiated and conveys a vibrating motion to the luminous body.

Abstract: A method of testing circuit boards, in particular non-componented circuit boards in which the level of the surface of a circuit board to be tested is detected automatically in a contacting process, and the further contacting operations are then controlled on the basis of the level detected. By this process, the control of the movement of the test probes of the finger tester effects automatic matching to the level, which is of particular advantage in the testing of flexible circuit boards, since their surface may have a three-dimensional form.

Abstract: Internal door cladding with an airbag for head and/or shoulder side-collision protection in the event of a side collision and/or rollover, the airbag directional shoot for the airbag being provided with an outlet opening for deploying the airbag in the direction of a head and/or shoulder area and with at least one flap for closing the outlet opening.

Abstract: The invention is based on an apparatus and a method for scanning specimens (1) using an optical imaging system (3) and a scanning stage (2), images of the specimen (1) being acquired by means of a camera (4), and/or measurements on the specimen (1) being made by means of an optical measurement device (5), at specimen points Xp, Yp. For that purpose, the scanning stage (2) is calibrated by obtaining and storing height values Z at different calibration positions X, Y of the scanning stage (2), and thereby generating a running height profile of the scanning stage (2). For the scanning of specimens (1), the specimen height positions Zp at specimen points Xp, Yp are determined by means of a reference height Zref of the specimen (1) together with the running height profile of the scanning stage (2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically focusing a miniature digital camera module (MUT) is described. A MUT is loaded onto a test fixture and aligned with an optics system of a test handler. Focus targets contained within two target wheels are positioned over an optical centerline above the digital camera module using stepper motors. A field lens is positioned to focus an image of the targets onto the lens opening of the MUT. The image can be of a single target or a combination of targets contained on the target wheels at various optical distances from the MUT. A focusing unit adjusts the lens cap of the MUT for a best focus setting and after the MUT has been tested the best focus setting if physically fixed by permanently connecting the lens cap to the body of the MUT.

Abstract: In an electrophotographic printer or copier, toner images of images to be printed onto a printing substrate are generated and fixed, causing sliding characteristics to be worsened. In order to remedy this problem, a moistening device is provided that applies on the printing substrate a moistening agent made from a moistening fluid and a lubricant dissolved therein. Two problems are thus solved: the printing substrate is moistened and simultaneously lubricated.

Abstract: A method for processing digital map data for route determination is provided that includes dividing a region into a plurality of zones, and for the zones, automatically determining at least one cost value for at least one direction of travel of the zone based on the digital map data of the zone and a predetermined cost criterion. A method for determining a route between two points is provided that includes dividing a region into a plurality of zones, for the zones, automatically determining at least one cost value for at least one direction of travel of the zone based on the digital map data of the zone and a predetermined cost criterion, and automatically determining at least one sequence of zones connecting the two points, where each zone of the sequence may be adjacent to another zone of the sequence, such that the sum of the cost values of the zones of the sequence may be optimized.

Abstract: An airbag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system includes an airbag (22) and a gas generator (10) that is connected via at least one first outflow opening (18) to an airbag chamber (28), the airbag chamber (28) being at least partially formed by the interior of the airbag (22), an actuator unit (36) being provided on the gas generator (10) and, when the actuator unit (36) is activated, it releases a traction element (50) that causes a pressure reduction in the airbag (22), an activation of the actuator unit (36) also leading to an opening of a second outflow opening (20) in the gas generator (10), which vents generator gas to an environment without this vented gas flowing into the airbag chamber (28). Moreover, the invention relates to a method of restraining a vehicle occupant with such an airbag module.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor circuit comprising a photodiode, a storage node, and a transfer gate between the photodiode and storage node, where the potential barrier between the photodiode and the storage region is maintained during charge accumulation, thereby preventing charge tunneling between the photodiode and the storage region. This is achieved by electrically connecting the transfer gate, which controls charge transfer between the photodiode and the storage region, to the storage region. Connecting the transfer gate to the storage region maintains the potential barrier between the photodiode and the storage region at a threshold voltage during the charge integration period which prevents charge tunneling between the photodiode and the storage node. The threshold voltage is determined by the implant levels used to form the active pixel sensor and can be optimized by using optimum implant levels. This prevention of charge tunneling between the photodiode and the storage node eliminates image lag.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for inspection of a wafer, encompassing at least one incident-light illumination device that radiates an illuminating light beam which is incident obliquely onto a surface of a wafer to be inspected, and an image capture device for capturing an image of the surface in a dark-field arrangement. The wafer inspection apparatus is characterized in that at least one deflection device is provided in order to deflect an associated illuminating light beam onto the surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A gas bag module for a motor vehicle steering wheel includes a gas bag (10), a gas generator (12) mounted so as to be capable of swinging, a generator carrier (16), means (18) for bracing the gas bag (10) on the generator carrier (16), and an elastically deformable, in relation to the central axis (A) of the gas bag module encircling sealing element (24). The sealing element (24) is fastened by its free edges directly or indirectly to the gas generator (12) and to the generator carrier (16), respectively. A section (26) of the sealing element (24), which is free before a filling of the gas bag (10), is deflected by the pressure occurring in the interior of the gas bag on filling of the gas bag (10), so that it comes directly or indirectly in abutment with a support surface (22; 28).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous colloidal gold solution, comprising (a) nano-particular gold particles, (b) a compound having a polar tertiary amino group conjugated via a hydrophobic aromatic residue with a weaker alkaline group, and (c) a stabilizer comprising a mercapto group (—SH) and an acidic group, in particular a sulfonic acid group (—SO3?). This gold solution uses an ecologically compatible medium and is suited in an especial manner or writing and for printing, also for inkjet printers, since it has a long-term storage life and generates an attractive metal-like gold sheen.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing a second toner image fixing on a toner image on a carrier material includes a second fixing unit in the carrier material transport path. The second fixing unit is in a burn-in unit that is spaced by a cooling distance from the printer or copier and its toner fixing unit. The first fixing unit of the printer or copier fixes the toner image in a first fixing condition and the second fixing unit fixes the toner image in a second fixing condition. For printers or copiers that perform two sided printing and have front and back side fixing units, the burn-in unit also has front and back side fixing units for fixing the toner image in the second fixing condition. A controller may be provided to reduce the heat energy applied to the first fixing unit in the printer or copier to partially fix the toner image so that the second fixing unit further fixes the toner image.

Abstract: A connector includes two housings, a chamber block, and a seal. Passages arranged in a configuration extend through first housing top wall into first housing. Chamber block has chambers arranged in the configuration. Seal has openings arranged in the configuration and attaches to chamber block such that openings align with chambers. First housing houses chamber block and seal such that first housing top wall and chamber block sandwich seal and passages, openings, and chambers align. Second housing has plugs arranged in the configuration. Housings attach together such that first housing side wall and seal sandwich second housing side wall whereby seal seals housings and such that plugs extend into respective sockets in chambers. Electrical leads extend through the aligned passages, openings, and chambers and contact sockets to electrical connect with plugs. The seal simultaneously seals first housing in a region in which leads enter first housing and seals between housings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for illuminating and inspecting a specular surface, comprising a light source, a collector optics for collecting the light from the light source, a homogenizing optics for transmitting the light from the collector optics having a first micro-lens array downstream of the collector optics, and a second micro-lens array downstream of the first micro-lens array, a Fourier optics for transmitting the light from the homogenizing optics onto the specular surface, an objective optics, and a detector for receiving an image, wherein the collector optics and the first micro-lens array project the light source onto the second micro-lens array and wherein the second micro-lens array and the Fourier optics project the first micro-lens array onto the specular surface, and wherein the objective optics projects the specular surface onto the detector.