Abstract: A method for processing a surface of an item and providing an association using a surface processing system includes receiving an item having a first identification marking on a surface of the item to provide a received item for providing a first identification signal in response to a first interrogation signal and applying a second identification marking to the surface of the item for providing a second identification signal in response to a second interrogation signal. At least one of the first and second interrogation signals is applied to the item to provide at least one of the first and second identification signals. At least one of the first and second identification signals is received in response to the at least one of the first and second interrogation signals. An association is made is determined in response to the first receiving.

Abstract: A circuit element the presence of the circuit element includes first and second capacitor plates disposed over the surface of the substrate in an aligned relationship with each other. The aligned relationship has manufacturing variations in the relative positioning of the first and second capacitor plates and a dielectric layer disposed between the first and second capacitor plates. At least one of the first and second capacitor plates is formed substantially smaller relative to the other of the first and second capacitor plates. The at least one of the capacitor plates is disposed at a predetermined offset in at least one planar direction from an edge of the other of the first and second capacitor plates. The predetermined offset is selected according to the manufacturing variations to prevent variations in the value of capacitance of the capacitor due to the manufacturing variations.

Abstract: Compounds of formula wherein the substituents have the meanings given in claim 1, and agronomically tolerable salts, isomers and enantiomers of those compounds, are suitable for use as herbicides.

Abstract: A field reconfigurable muxponder for use in an optical transport system. The muxponder includes one or more tributary cards, where each tributary card is adapted to receive an optical data signal and conditions the optical data signal into an intermediate data signal constituted in accordance with a tributary interface format. In this way, the muxponder is able to aggregate optical data signals having different protocols and/or different data rates. The muxponder further includes a chassis that is adapted to receive a predefined number of tributary cards and outputs an optical system signal independently from the availability of the optical data signals from the tributary cards. The tributary cards and the chassis integrally form one line card.

Abstract: The invention describes a set of cooking utensils for steaming food, essentially a casserole or main part and another casserole or secondary part which is inserted into the main part, with the novelty that the secondary part remains suspended on some notches provided on the inner walls or sides of the main part. With this system of engagement, the secondary part can have a smaller size than in traditional designs, thereby reducing the cost and the complexity of its manufacturing and simplifying its cleaning and storage.

Abstract: A vaginal cleaning device for the removing menses from a vaginal canal is disclosed. An internal absorbent member configured and adapted to be positioned within the vaginal canal during coitus so as to limit the presence of menses in the vaginal canal during coitus is also disclosed. Still further a cleansing fluid is disclosed for use with the vaginal cleaning device and the internal absorbent member.

Abstract: Methods for creating and enhancing insect resistance in plants are provided. The methods comprise stably introducing into a plant a combination of polynucleotides comprising a sequence encoding a lipase polypeptide having insecticidal activity and a sequence encoding a Bt insecticidal protein, where each of these coding sequences is operably linked to a promoter that drives expression in a plant cell. Plants with enhanced insect resistance and seed thereof are also provided. The methods of the invention may be used in a variety of agricultural systems for controlling insect pests, including propagating lineages of insect-resistant crops and targeting coexpression of insecticidal lipase and Bt insecticidal protein to plant organs that are particularly susceptible to infestation.

Abstract: A tag having a substrate having a surface with a preformed first patterned adhesive disposed over the surface thereof and a first layer of electrically conductive material having a shape corresponding to a desired final pattern for a first electrically conductive trace secured to the surface of the substrate. The preformed first patterned adhesive corresponds to the desired final pattern. A second patterned adhesive is disposed over a portion of a surface area of the tag. An electrically conductive trace is disposed over the second patterned adhesive to adhere the second electrically conductive trace thereto. An electrical connection is provided for electrically coupling portions of the first and second electrically conductive traces to form a tag circuit. The tag circuit can be an LC resonant circuit. The preformed first patterned adhesive can be a flexographic printed layer.

Abstract: A vehicle body panel includes a plastic sheet that forms a portion of an outer skin of a vehicle. Prior to deep-drawing the vehicle body panel, a rear side of the plastic sheet is flame-treated. In one example, the rear side is silica-coated during flame treating. Subsequently, the rear side of the plastic sheet is provided with a foam backing or an injection-molded backing.

Abstract: The invention specifies a circuit arrangement with a phase locked loop (1), which can be used as a mobile radio transmitter, in particular. The reference frequency for the PLL (1), which is provided by means of the source (3), is multiplied by a multiplier (10) and is down-converted to an intermediate-frequency level in a down-conversion mixer (9) using the output signal from the PLL, and is evaluated such that a modulator (13) connected to the input of the oscillator (6) can be trimmed. The inventive principle is used to advantage in two-point modulators and allows inexpensive, integratable mobile radio transmitters with good noise characteristics.

Abstract: A technique for exchanging messages in a computer network using a public data template and a message transfer protocol with interdependent request and confirmation messages is described. A request message includes a first data structure obtained by packing application data that requires confirmation in the public data template. A network component receiving the request message unpacks the application data and provides the unpacked application data to a confirmation process. At the same time, the unpacked application data provided to the confirmation process is repacked in the public data template to generate a second data structure. The second data structure is sent with a confirmation message via the computer network to the sender of the request message. By comparing the content of the first data structure with the content of the second data structure, inconsistencies degrading the accuracy and trustworthiness of the confirmation process may be detected.

Abstract: An interchangeable objective for integrated rangefinder cameras is described, having a mechanically mounted objective head (1) and a spiral (14) with a bayonet fitting (15), the spiral (14) containing a spiral mechanism (16) for driving an objective head carrier (17) that is guided axially in a straight line and formed as a cylindrical ring, and a focusing ring (18) which is connected to the spiral mechanism (16) and can be actuated from outside, and is characterized in that, for the purpose of inserting a rear mount part (5) of the objective head (1) into the objective head carrier (17), the focusing ring (18) can be released from the spiral mechanism (16) by removing radially oriented connecting means (19) and can be pushed onto a front mount part (3) of the objective head (1), a threaded ring (7) is rotatably mounted on a central mount part (4) of the objective head (1), and the threaded ring (7) can be screwed (26) onto the objective head carrier (17) in order to connect the objective head (1) to the latt

Abstract: A method for determining billing information for a tag application process for billing a customer using the tag application process, includes the steps of determining a cost component of said tag fabrication process and determining billing information in accordance with said cost component. The customer is billed in accordance with said determined billing information.

Abstract: A web-based method and system that facilitates business transactions, including the raising of capital in global financial markets via the Internet is described. Users of the system design, structure, analyze and execute business transactions over the Internet. Users of the system described include issuers, financial institutions, intermediaries, other professional advisors (law firms, accounting firms, translation agencies, etc.) and end investors. A security means controls access to the system and restricts access to the system to only qualified users. Users of the system design and diagram a transaction structure, assign corresponding attributes to the structure design. The structure design and corresponding attributes are stored in a database. The transaction is posted as a notice or interest onto the system, wherein a user maintains the posting. A database of user and transaction information is compiled and maintained.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an automatic time-setting system for a portable object having an horological function. The present invention also concerns a portable object having an horological function capable of being automatically set to the right time, such as an electronic timepiece. According to the present invention, the portable object (100) includes means (11) for receiving an acoustic time-setting signal (50) and means (12, 13) for deriving time-setting indications (ho, mo) from this acoustic time-setting signal (50) allowing said time indication of the portable object (100) to be corrected. According to the present invention, the portable object may advantageously be set to the right time via an acoustic time-setting signal (50) transmitted for example by the loud speaker of a personal computer, a television, a radio or a telephone receiver.

Abstract: A container for the shipping and display of goods includes a box formed from a first blank. The box includes a front panel having upper and lower flaps, a first side panel having upper and lower flaps, a second side panel having upper and lower flaps, and a rear panel having upper and lower flaps. A breakaway panel defined by a first line of weakness is formed within a portion of one or more of the aforesaid panels. A breakaway assist panel is formed from a distinct, separate second blank. The breakaway assist panel is adhered to the breakaway panel to facilitate separation of the breakaway panel from the box, by first pulling on the breakaway assist panel to rupture the first line of weakness and then removing the joined breakaway panel and breakaway assist panel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition, which is primarily energy sensitive in the near infrared and infrared region, and which comprises a dual polymer system, an infrared absorbing material that absorbs at the desired wavelength, an acid generating compound, and, optionally, an acid stabilizing compound. The composition may be applied to the proper substrate and is useful to provide offset lithographic printing plates, color proofing film or photoresist.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for adjusting an energy absorbing system of an automobile vehicle steering column mounted in a support assembly which is connected to and attached to the structure of the vehicle by fixing devices each having a respective fixing axis. At least one fixing device includes at least one energy absorbing capsule disposed in the support assembly on a retaining axis and clamped in the support assembly by fastening devices. The fixing axis and the retaining axis coincide. The fastening devices are independent of the fixing devices and include a nut and a rod shoulder in order to allow adjustment to achieve the required clamping of the fastening devices to obtain the required energy absorption. Adjustment of the clamping of the energy absorbing capsule or capsules is therefore independent of the clamping of the devices for fixing the support assembly to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing the location of user input is disclosed. The apparatus may include a display unit including a screen having a resistive coating disposed on its surface. The apparatus may utilize a sensing signal emanating from the screen through the resistive coating. A sensor array may be disposed about the screen, and sensing electronics are provided to determine the location of user input on the screen by sensing localized deviations in the amplitude of the sensing signal.

Abstract: A longitudinally curved building panel, such as a wall or ceiling panel, comprising upstanding lateral side flanges having a plurality of stress-reduction apertures and a mounting bracket for suspending a pair of adjacent building panels.