Abstract: An apparatus for switching a cook top having at least one cooking area, includes a clocking relay for clocking operation of a heating device of a cooking area, a control device for driving the clocking relay, a relay coil current measurement device for measuring the current through a relay coil of the clocking relay, and an evaluation device for assessing faulty operation of the cook top on the basis of the current through the relay coil of the clocking relay, as measured by the relay coil current measurement device. A method for assessing faulty operation of a cook top having at least one cooking area, is also provided.

Abstract: An infrared momentary-contact switch for a control device of a domestic appliance, has a transmitter which emits infrared radiation and a receiver which receives infrared radiation. The transmitter and receiver are disposed behind a cover through which at least some of the infrared radiation passes. In order to achieve a good ratio of useful signal to interference signal for the momentary-contact switch, the transmitter has an associated first optical fiber element and the receiver has an associated second optical fiber element. The ends of these optical fiber elements which respectively face away from the transmitter and receiver are adjacent one another and adjoin the cover. A control device is also provided.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive pushbutton switch includes an optical sensor, in particular an infrared sensor, and an evaluation circuit. The evaluation circuit is able, through the use of a reference device, to set a sensitivity of the optical sensor in dependence on a detected basic level of an evaluation signal.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive momentary-contact switch has an optical sensor, particularly an infrared sensor, and an evaluation circuit. The evaluation circuit is able to identify a malfunction in the optical sensor, so that the momentary-contact switch can be switched off, for example, for safety reasons. Therefore, it is possible to identify a malfunction in the optical sensor.

Abstract: An infrared momentary-contact switch for a control device of a domestic appliance, has a transmitter which emits infrared radiation and a receiver which receives infrared radiation. The transmitter and receiver are disposed behind a cover through which at least some of the infrared radiation passes. In order to achieve a good ratio of useful signal to interference signal for the momentary-contact switch, the transmitter has an associated first optical fiber element and the receiver has an associated second optical fiber element. The ends of these optical fiber elements which respectively face away from the transmitter and receiver are adjacent one another and adjoin the cover. A control device is also provided.

Abstract: An operating device for an electrical and/or electronic apparatus is adapted to the operating behavior of a user. The apparatus has a plurality of operating states which can be chosen or set by way of the operating device. The selection and/or setting, by the user, of the operating states is stored in a memory. A number of how often a given user input is implemented is ascertained and, for the next selection and/or setting of an operating state, that one which is implemented most frequently is suggested. An operating device for carrying out the method has a memory for storage of the implemented selections and/or settings of operating states, a counter for ascertaining the number of how often a selection and/or a setting is implemented, a calculator for ascertaining the frequency of a selection and/or setting and a comparator for ascertaining the most frequently implemented selection and/or settings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing constant-weight thrombin inhibitors of the formula I where n is 0, 1, 2, and tautomers thereof, wherein an aqueous solution of the active substance is spray dried.

Abstract: A system for validating network communication, such as e-mail. A person sending information to a previously unverified recipient first enters “Address Book” information about the unverified recipient into the sender's e-mail system. Part of this initial information includes the recipient's e-mail address and a way of communicating with the intended recipient other than by using the e-mail address. For example, regular mail, fax, or other means can be specified. When the sender sends the information to the intended recipient, the recipient is not able to receive the information until an identification code is entered by the intended recipient. The identification code is transferred via the different way of communicating that does not use the intended recipient's e-mail address. For example, the code can be sent via fax. The intended recipient then logs on to the e-mail system and enters their user name and the code.

Abstract: A process for preparing (+)-exo-6-phenyl-3-azabicyclo[3.2.0]heptanes of the formula I where R is hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, fluorine or methoxy, which comprises photocyclizing a bisallylammonium salt of the formula II where R has the meanings given above and X− is an anion, in an inert solvent in a glass apparatus with addition of sensitizer and precipitating using (−)-ditoluoyltartaric acid the desired (+)-exo-isomer I as ditoluoyltartrate from the resulting mixture, with or without recrystallization of this tartrate from an alcohol/water mixture.

Abstract: A metallic access test extender includes an office unit and a remote unit coupled to the office unit via a digital transmission system. A voltage controlled current source is included in the office unit and a voltage controlled voltage source in the remote unit. The voltage controlled current source is responsive to the voltage and current sensed at the remote unit load, and the voltage controlled voltage source is responsive to the voltage and current sensed at the input to the office unit. A shunt admittance which has a high impedance at DC and low frequencies is coupled to the office unit load.