Abstract: A controller may detect an elevation of a recording medium that is to be printed to, the elevation may result in the printing element of a printing device being negatively affected. The controller may automatically produce a time-limited printing pause of the printing element in which the printing gap between the printing element and the recording medium is temporarily enlarged in order to direct the detected elevation past the printing element. A negative effect on the printing device given the presence of a damaged recording medium may thus be efficiently and reliably avoided or reduced.

Abstract: A controller may detect an elevation of a recording medium that is to be printed to, the elevation may result in the printing element of a printing device being negatively affected. The controller may automatically produce a time-limited printing pause of the printing element in which the printing gap between the printing element and the recording medium is temporarily enlarged in order to direct the detected elevation past the printing element. A negative effect on the printing device given the presence of a damaged recording medium may thus be efficiently and reliably avoided or reduced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating the germination of seeds and growth of seedlings. One aspect of the invention provides a seed kit. The seed kit may comprise a biodegradable germination cup having a base having one or more apertures, a one-piece biodegradable germination pad capable of retaining water and sized to be received in the base of the germination cup without falling through the one or more apertures, and a biodegradable seedling cup sized to receive the germination cup. The seed kit may further comprise other components, such as a growth medium, a seed, a lid/base, a stirring stick, etc. Another aspect of the invention relates to methods wherein a seed is germinated and nurtured to a seedling by using a germination pad, a germination cup, and a seedling cup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for facilitating the germination of seeds and growth of seedlings. One aspect of the invention provides a seed kit. The seed kit may comprise a biodegradable germination cup having a base having one or more apertures, a one-piece biodegradable germination pad capable of retaining water and sized to be received in the base of the germination cup without falling through the one or more apertures, and a biodegradable seedling cup sized to receive the germination cup. The seed kit may further comprise other components, such as a growth medium, a seed, a lid/base, a stirring stick, etc. Another aspect of the invention relates to methods wherein a seed is germinated and nurtured to a seedling by using a germination pad, a germination cup, and a seedling cup.

Abstract: In a method and system for transmitting messages over a data network, the communication task is used which is implemented on a transmitting microcontroller which determines, on the basis of a routing table, which communication system is used to forward the message to which adjacent microcontroller. A dual-ported RAM is provided between two microcontrollers as one type of communication system.

Abstract: In a method and system for transmitting messages over a data network, the communication task is used which is implemented on a transmitting microcontroller which determines, on the basis of a routing table, which communication system is used to forward the message to which adjacent microcontroller. A dual-ported RAM is provided between two microcontrollers as one type of communication system.