Abstract: An arrangement for detecting the condition of a high pressure gas discharge lamp when switched on is described, where a control unit either injects a defined current into the lamp and measures the resulting voltage drop, or it applies a defined voltage to the lamp and measures the lamp current flowing in so doing and, depending on the result, it starts the lamp according to the condition of the lamp thus determined.

Abstract: This invention relates to the structure and design of microprocessor ICs, in particular to the embedding or integration of a non-volatile, so-called flash memory into an ICs. Such a flash memory may be integrated by providing a dedicated flash bus which operationally links the flash memory with one or more microprocessors on the IC. Unfortunately, flash memories have relatively long access times compared to usual modern microprocessors. To achieve that the flash memory keeps pace with the microprocessor(s), a dedicated flash bus (2) links the flash memory (1) to the microprocessor (3), said flash bus (2) having a width m which is greater than the width n of the microprocessor's data bus (8). Preferably, width m is a multiple of width n. A plurality of intermediate storage registers (4) connects the flash bus (2) with the data bus (8) of the microprocessor (3) for performing the width conversion.

Abstract: This invention relates to the structure and design of microprocessor ICs, in particular to the embedding or integration of a non-volatile flash memory (7) into an IC. To integrate such a flash memory into an IC raises some problems which are solved by providing a dedicated flash bus (3) which operationally links the flash memory (7) with one or more microprocessors (1, 2) on the IC. Preferably, the flash bus (3) controls the flash-memory-specific commands and has a width greater than, in particular a multiple of, the width of the microprocessor (1, 2) and/or the flash memory (7) to compensate for the relatively slow access time of the flash memory. It is especially advantageous to structure the system as a master/slave bus system for operating the flash memory (7) and to link the flash bus via bridges (4, 5, 6) to the microprocessor/s (1, 2,) and through a shell (8) to the flash memory (7). For operating such a system, a flash bus arbiter (9) may be necessary or advantageous.

Abstract: A method for detecting faulty switching operations of a first relay whose switching element is connected in series with a load and which, depending on the switch position, interrupts or closes the connection to the load in accordance with switching commands. In this context, a current is detected flowing through a circuit containing the switching element, and a faulty function of the relay, in particular a sticking of the switching element, is detected if the current intensity does not correspond to the current intensity to be expected in accordance with the selected switching position. Further relays, which can be provided in order to commutate the potentials at the load, can be included in the test. The method makes possible a relay test without moving the actuators, assuming the relays are in order. In addition, this generates a time savings, since not all of the relays have to be triggered for the test.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for at least one low-pressure discharge lamp contains an inverter which is connected to a direct-voltage source (UBUS), a load circuit which is connected to the inverter and contains the lamp (LA) and a series resonant circuit, and an evaluating circuit arrangement (M1) which reacts to different operating states of the lamp (LA) and in the case of a defect or removal of the lamp (LA) generates corresponding signals which are used to switch off the inverter. Provided for the purpose of heating the coils (W1, W2) there is a heating transformer, the primary winding (Tp) of which is connected in series with a switch (S3) to the output of the inverter and in any case is connected to the direct-voltage source (UBUS) if the inverter is switched off on account of the heating-coil defect or the removal of the lamp (LA), with the switch (S3) being clocked in this off-phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic-tape-cassette apparatus having a loading mechanism for loading the magnetic-tape cassette from an eject position into a play position and having a magnetic head transport mechanism for moving a magnetic head. To guarantee a trouble-free operation of the magnetic head transport mechanism latching means have been provided in order to latch the magnetic head transport mechanism in dependence upon the position of the loading mechanism.

Abstract: A convertible-top system for a motor vehicle has a signal-processing arrangement for detecting actuating commands and for controlling drive mechanisms for the convertible-top system in open and/or closed loop as a function of the actuating commands. The signal-processing arrangement emits signals, which are a function of the state of the convertible-top system, to at least one operating device of at least one external component not belonging to the convertible-top system. The external components are influenced by way of the control signals.

Abstract: In a tape deck for a magnetic-tape-cassette apparatus, a magnetic head is mounted on a magnetic-head mount in which the magnetic-head mount is arranged on a carrier element mounted on a deck plate and in which the magnetic head is movable in different positions relative to a transport path of a magnetic tape for different modes of operation. The magnetic-head mount is supported on the carrier element so as to be pivotable within given limits and so as to be movable substantially in a direction approximately perpendicular to the transport path of the magnetic tape in such a manner that at the location of the transducing gap the magnetic head is in a substantially parallel alignment relative to the transport path of the magnetic tape in at least two positions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a loading mechanism in a tape deck of a magnetic-tape-cassette apparatus, for moving a magnetic-tape cassette from an eject position of the loading mechanism into a play position of the loading mechanism. The mechanism comprises a cassette holder for holding the magnetic-tape cassette and a first lift plate, by means of which the cassette holder is movable between an intermediate position of the loading mechanism and the play position of the loading mechanism substantially in a vertical loading direction. The first lift plate and the cassette holder are movable from the eject position into the intermediate position in a horizontal loading direction, and a lift element is arranged on a frame so as to be rotatable and so as to be movable in the horizontal loading direction. The cassette holder, the lift element and the first lift plate are movable from the intermediate position into the eject position and vice versa in the horizontal loading direction.

Abstract: A magnetic-tape-cassette apparatus includes a tape deck having winding mandrels (5) which are rotatably supported on bearing spindles (3), these winding mandrels being adapted to engage winding-mandrel holes in the magnetic-tape cassette (11), and each have at least one coupling fin (10a, 10b, 10c) arranged on its circumference. To facilitate lowering of the cassette (11) onto the winding mandrels (5) and to preclude any problems which could then arise, the winding mandrels (5) are mounted on the bearing spindles (3) so as to be axially movable in a range of axial movement and are each pre-loaded towards a preferred axial position by at least one spring (9).

Abstract: A windshield wiping arrangement with at least one wiper arm (11) is disclosed, which is operated by an electromotor (10) with reversible rotational direction. A time determination device (19) is provided, which determines the time (T.sub.n ; T.sub.n+1 ; T.sub.n+2 ; T.sub.n+3 ; T.sub.n+4) following the triggering of a wiping operation. Furthermore, a time presetting device (22) is provided, which presets a maximum allowable time (T.sub.max ; T.sub.max,n+1 ; T.sub.max,n+2 ; T.sub.max,n+3) for the duration of half of a wiping cycle. A comparator (21) detects a possibly existing time overrun and, with a time overrun signal (27), triggers a wiping operation in the opposite direction relative to the preceding wiping operation by reversing the electromotor (10). The windshield wiping arrangement according to the invention makes it possible to maintain a limited wiping operation when a blocking occurs (B1, B2, B3), as can be caused, for example, by a snow load on a windshield to be cleaned.

Abstract: A windscreen wiper device includes at least one wiper arm (10) that is driven by an electric motor (11), whose rotary direction is variable at least in the respective extreme position. Upon the change of rotary direction, the electrical power made available to the electric motor (11) is reduced. The rated power is not made available until either a specified time has elapsed or a specified position of the wiper arm (10) has been reached. For specifying a reduced electrical power, a reduction in the current flowing through the electric motor (11) is especially well-suited. The windscreen wiper device according to the invention makes for a slight thermal load on both the electric motor (11) and the drive stage (19).

Abstract: A switching device in an auto-reverse deck for a magnetic-tape-cassette apparatus, in which a first pressure roller (24) mounted on a first pressure-roller lever (20), for a first tape-transport direction, can be applied to a first capstan (36) in a first operating position of the switching device and a second pressure roller (25) mounted on a second pressure-roller lever (21), for a second tape-transport direction, can be applied to a second capstan (37) in a second operating position of the switching device, in which a magnetic head is arrangeable on a carrier element (2) mounted on a deck plate (1) and is movable in different positions relative to a transport path of a magnetic tape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device in an auto-reverse deck for a magnetic-tape-cassette apparatus, comprising a drive mechanism which is pivotable in a pivoting range between a first and a second reel-disc wheel (51, 52), by means of which drive mechanism the first reel-disc wheel (51) is drivable in a first operating position of the switching device for a first tape-transport direction and the second reel-disc wheel (52) is drivable in a second operating position of the switching device for a second tape-transport direction, the drive mechanism acting upon a movably supported actuating lever (5) during the pivotal movement between the two operating positions and a pivotal lever (44) being provided which carries a pivotal wheel (50), and the pivotal lever (44) being coupled to an intermediate wheel (41), particularly by means of a friction coupling (45), which intermediate wheel meshes with the pivotal wheel (50).

Abstract: The invention relates to cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations for improving the quality of the hair and stimulating the growth of the hair, which preparations are based on A) alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and/or ammonium salts of thiocyanic acid in combination with B) at least one component, selected from estrogens, sulfur, sulfide ions, vasodilators, skin-active vitamins, inorganic selenium compounds, amino acids, protein hydrolyzates and carboxylic acids physiologically occurring in the skin or mixtures thereof. The preparations may optionally be in admixture with per se known auxiliary and carrier materials for hair cleaning and hair care agents. A synergistic improvement in the quality of hair and stimulation of hair growth is observed by combining the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and/or ammonium salts of thiocyanic acid, with at least one of the component B) materials.

Abstract: A magnetic-tape-cassette apparatus, with a detection mechanism in order to handle magnetic-tape cassette types (3, 13) with different tape-recording standards and housing configurations, which detection mechanism senses the cassette side wail (8, 17) having the access openings (8, 17) and comprises a sensing element which upon insertion of a cassette, depending on the cassette type, either moves past this cassette wall (8, 17) or engages a guide profile in order to be positioned before a sliding cover of this cassette type and move said cover so far that the access openings are exposed, the detection mechanism (41) being activated upon insertion of a magnetic-tape cassette in a longitudinal direction in which the tape spools are juxtaposed in that the short side wall which faces forward during insertion moves the sensing pin without the sliding cover at this instant already being urged towards the position in which it exposes the access openings, and as insertion proceeds the sensing pin moves to the long cas

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic-tape-cassette apparatus having a deck for playing magnetic-tape cassettes, which comprises a loading mechanism including a cassette holder (23) adapted to receive a magnetic-tape cassette (2) and having a holder wall (23e) which guides a cassette wall and which carries laterally projecting pins (23a/b), which pins are guided in lift slots (22b) in a lift slide (22), which slots are inclined relative to the vertical, to lower the cassette holder (23) into a play position and to lift the holder into an eject position, the lift slots (22b) being formed in a lift wall of the lift slide (22), which is movable between a forward and a backward end position, which carries along the cassette holder (23) over a part of its path of movement, and which is movably guided in a parallel first and a second rail (1f, 1n) on the deck plate of the apparatus, in whichthe first rail (1f) is arranged at the location of the lift wall provided with the lift slots (22b) through which the pins (23a/

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic-tape-cassette apparatus comprising a motor which drives the reel discs via a reel-drive mechanism (5) and which also drives a longitudinally movable servo rod (9) actuating a head support (26), a switching member (18) and a loading mechanism (21) comprising a lift slide (22) and, coupled thereto, a cassette holder (23), which are movable, between an eject position and an upper play position, in which upper play position the cassette holder (23) can be moved into a lower play position, a loading drive (10) being provided by means of which the loading mechanism (21) is engageable and disengageable and which can be driven by parts (6) of the reel-drive mechanism (5), in which apparatus engagement and disengagement is effected by means of a control rod (14) carried by the servo rod (9), the loading drive (10) and the parts (6) of the reel-drive mechanism (5) driving the latter being in driving engagement with the lift slide (22) at the same side of the deck plate on which the l

Abstract: The invention is directed to a multi-processor system which includes at least two processors. The system carries out a first sequence of steps when power is switched on and, for a restart during operation, executes a second sequence of steps. The system distinguishes between power on and a restart and selects, the corresponding step sequence. In addition, a check is provided as to whether the number of resets of a processor has exceeded a pregiven threshold. In this case, a processor is transferred into the standby state for the operating cycle which is then running.

Abstract: A method is presented for determining at least one end position of a displacement device (14) in a motor vehicle, wherein the displacement device (14) can be driven in the direction of its end positions and, in order to determine the particular end position, the displacement device (14) is driven to this end position and, on reaching this end position, the position of the displacement device is stored as representing the end position. Storage of the position of the displacement device of the particular end position takes place when the control variable of the displacement device has reached a particular predetermined value and/or has maintained this value for a predetermined period of time. This method is utilized in an advantageous manner to determine the end positions of a power actuator of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle.