Abstract: A voltage source converter with a line-side diode rectifier, a load-side inverter with an electronic circuit, a power supply for the electronic circuit, and a slim DC link with a DC link capacitor is described. The slim DC link connects a DC output side of the line-side diode rectifier with a DC input side of the load-side inverter. A buffer capacitor is connected across the power supply, and a decoupling diode and a current limiting circuit are electrically connected in series with the buffer capacitor. The serially connected buffer capacitor, decoupling diode and current limiting circuit are connected in parallel with the DC link capacitor. This arrangement results in a voltage source converter that has an improved service reliability even in unstable power grids, without adding circuit complexity to the line input.

Abstract: A data processing network includes a set of servers, at least one switch module to interconnect the servers, and a management module. The management module consults power state information stored in the network following a power transition and restores power to at least some of the servers and switch modules based on the power state information. The power state information prevents the management module from restoring power to servers and switch modules having incompatible communication protocols. In one embodiment, the plurality of servers and the switch modules are hot-swappable modules that are all inserted into a single chassis. In this embodiment, the server modules and at least one switch module share selected resources of the network including system power. The switch modules and servers may employ Ethernet, fibre channel, optical, and serial communication protocols.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for synchronizing nodes of a communication system comprising the following steps: receipt of a first synchronization message by a first node, whereby the first synchronization message contains a desired receipt time by a first node; correction of a time base of the first node, based on a deviation between an actual receipt time, determined as a result of the base time, and the desired receipt time.

Abstract: A configurable system for automating a control sequence, in particular a motion sequence, has several components which exchange in regular time intervals during the control sequence with each other information via communication relationships. The system selects exactly one system project design from a plurality of system project designs based on the topology and functionality of the components. Each component of the system has a component project design, which is used by the system to design the components according to the corresponding component project designs. Each component arranges the communication relationships of the other components according to its own component project design.

Abstract: A driver information system for a motor vehicle having an operator control for operating the driver information system, a device for detecting travel of the motor vehicle, and a control for limiting and/or preventing an operation of the driver information system via the operator control in the case that motor vehicle travel is recognized, in which a device for detecting the occupancy of a passenger seat of the vehicle is provided, and the control is designed to at least partially cancel the limitation and/or prevent the operation of the driver information system. A driver information system advantageously makes use of a signal that is available in many vehicles and indicates the occupancy of a passenger seat, in order to influence a speed-lock function of the driver information system and, thus, also during vehicle travel, to render possible an operation of the driver information system to a full extent or to an extent that is at least expanded as compared to the speed-lock function.

Abstract: When a blade and/or interconnect device is inserted into the chassis of a powered or live server the procedure is known as hot-plugging. Before power is applied to the hot-plugged blade and/or interconnect device the fabric type of already installed blades and/or interconnect devices is correlated with fabric types of newly hot-plugged blade and/or interconnect device. Depending upon results of the correlation, power to the hot-plugged blade and/or interconnect device is allowed or denied.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the conditioning of a rechargeable battery. The methods include providing a fully charged battery and discharging that battery to a voltage threshold value. The time required to discharge the rechargeable battery to the voltage threshold value is measured and then compared to a reference value. If the discharge time is less than the reference value, the battery is then further discharged. The methods can be applied to rechargeable batteries used in consumer products such as electric shaver and electric toothbrushes. The devices include a rechargeable battery, a second device that detects whether the device is connected to an external energy sources, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit discharges the battery by way of a load only if the device is connected to an external energy source. The devices can include appliances such as an electronic shaver or an electronic toothbrush.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an electronic switching circuit for a scalable communication interface between a first communication connection (16) having a first transmission cycle (17) of a first length, and a second communication connection (12) having a second transmission cycle (13) of a second length, comprising a receive list (5), (7), (15), (19) for the first transmission cycle and a send list (4), (6), (14), (18) for the second transmission cycle, a data telegram (2), (21), (22), (23), (24), (25), (26), (27), (28) received according to the receive list being associated with an element of the send list.

Abstract: In a chassis based server a programmed processor determines the fabric type that allows the maximum numbers of processor modules and switches to be powered on. The processor then allows power to be applied to processor modules and switches whose fabric type is the same as the determined fabric type.

Abstract: A power component assembly for mechatronic integration of power components is disclosed. The assembly includes a circuit board on which a plurality of bare power components is arranged. At least one cooling element is connected to a pressure-mounting frame that holds the power components in thermal contact with the cooling element(s). Heat generated by the power components is thereby dissipated by the cooling element(s).

Abstract: A system and method for collaborative multimedia production by users at different geographic locations. The users produce sequencer data at a plurality of sequencer stations connected via a network. The sequencer stations encapsulate sequencer data units into broadcast data units and upload and download broadcast data units to and from a server, in response to user commands received at the sequencer stations.

Abstract: A chassis controller can identify a blade that spans more than one power plane. If power is healthy and available on all power planes then the blade may be granted permission to power on. The chassis controller validates that when a blade spans multiple power planes that the necessary power is available before permitting the blade to go to fully power operation.

Abstract: Methods and devices for the conditioning of a rechargeable battery. The methods include providing a fully charged battery and discharging that battery to a voltage threshold value. The time required to discharge the rechargeable battery to the voltage threshold value is measured and then compared to a reference value. If the discharge time is less than the reference value, the battery is then further discharged. The methods can be applied to rechargeable batteries used in consumer products such as electric shaver and electric toothbrushes. The devices include a rechargeable battery, a second device that detects whether the device is connected to an external energy sources, and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit discharges the battery by way of a load only if the device is connected to an external energy source. The devices can include appliances such as an electronic shaver or an electronic toothbrush.

Abstract: A system and method for collaborative multimedia production by users at different geographic locations. The users produce sequencer data at a plurality of sequencer stations connected via a network. The sequencer stations encapsulate sequencer data units into broadcast data units and upload and download broadcast data units to and from a server, in response to user commands received at the sequencer stations.

Abstract: System and method for introducing redundancy mechanisms into a communication system, comprising the following steps:

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for transmitting data by means of a first data network 1 having first means for transmitting data in at least one first transmission cycle, the first transmission cycle being subdivided into a first area 4 for transmitting real-time-critical data and a second area 5 for transmitting non-real-time-critical data, and by means of a second data network 2 having second means for transmitting data in at least one second transmission cycle, the second transmission cycle being subdivided into a third area 7 for transmitting real-time-critical data and into a fourth area 8 for transmitting non-real-time-critical data, and with a switching unit 13 for transmitting real-time-critical data of the first area into the third area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a synchronous, clocked communication system, for example a distributed automation system, the stations of which can be arbitrary automation components which are coupled to one another via a data network (1) for the purpose of mutual data exchange. In this arrangement, all possible bus systems such as, e.g. field bus, professional field bus, Ethernet, industrial Ethernet etc. are available for use as the data network (1) of the communication system. One station of this communication system is designated as timing generator and ensures the distribution and maintenance of the communication clock used to and by all stations. The timing generator can also introduce a relative clock (9) in the entire communication system at all stations via the same mechanism. This station is thus also the master of the relative clock (9) or the applicable relative time (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for the control of a first station (2) in a switched data network (1) by a second station (9) in the switched data network (1), the communication between stations of the switched data network (1) taking place via one or more point-to-point connections in transmission cycles which are synchronous with one another; for the transmission of a reference value from a first station (2) of a switched data network (1) to a second station (9) of the switched data network (1), the communication between stations of the switched data network (1) taking place via one or more point-to-point connections in transmission cycles which are synchronous with one another; for the transmission of input values and output values between an input/output station (45) and a control unit (40) via a switched data network (1); for the transmission of a data telegram with applications data via a switched data network (1); and for the generation of a relative clock (68) in a station (58) of a switc

Abstract: The invention relates to a synchronous clocked communication system, for example a distributed automation system, the stations of which can be arbitrary automation components and which are coupled to one another via a data network (1). Using the disclosed method for integrating decentralized input/output modules (2, 3), these decentralized input/output modules (2, 3) can be linked into the synchronous clocked communication system in such a manner that they can use their characteristics unrestrictedly. Thus, in particular, the detection of input signals and the output of output signals is possible in a deterministic and synchronous manner in the decentralized input/output modules 2, 3. In addition, the disclosed method enables input signals to be detected with an accuracy of less than the length of one communication cycle of the communication system and to support the switching of output signals in smaller time granularities than the length of one communication cycle which, in particular, finds use, e.g.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for determining the status of a primary or secondary battery in which said battery is discharged to a specific residual charge. Following a replacement or full charge of the battery, the invention provides for a measurement of the time which elapses until the battery voltage has dropped to a first voltage threshold value. Then the first voltage threshold value is lowered by an amount dependent on the measured discharge time. It is only the dropping of the battery voltage to the lowered voltage threshold value which is taken as an indicator for the battery's discharge to the residual charge.