Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a server (1) for implementation of central standby functions in an (in-home) network with devices (11-16) connected thereto. The standby server (1) contains a central processor (3), a mass memory (4) and interfaces (2, 5, 6) for the network connection. When one of the devices (11-16) is shut down, it sends corresponding information and where applicable data to the server (1) whereupon the latter takes over the standby functions for the device. In particular the server (1) can temporarily store data directed to the device as long as this is switched off, or pass on with time delay data to be transmitted by the device. Centralization of the standby functions in a special server reduces the energy consumption and improves the speed of data transmission.

Abstract: In the case of known switched-mode power supplies with integrated preconditioner, the control curves are largely U congroent, but deviate from one another in low-load operation, whereby the unregulated intermediate circuit voltage increases. To improve efficiency in low-load operation, closed-loop control of the burst cycle is effected on the primary side of the voltage rns- former. The intermediate circuit voltage is limited to a permissible limit value. The closed-loop control device in the switching stage taps the intermediate circuit voltage at a voltage divider which is arranged between the preconditioner functional unit and the switching stage. An assembly additionally monitors the output voltage, for example by means of an optocoupler. Burst mode corn- pnses one or more burst cycles. A burst cycle is started when the intermediate circuit voltage reaches its limit value. At this time, the voltage transformer is switched off. A burst cycle ends when the output voltage reaches a minimum value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling module (1) via which communication becomes possible between different electronic appliances of an (in-home) network (30). To this end, the coupling module (1) can be expanded in modular fashion with transmitter and receiver modules (20-27), which in each case create a network interface with the electronic appliances, with the associated transmission protocol in each case. The coupling module (1) may preferably independently detect the connected appliances, and pass on incoming information to the particular addressee in the appropriate protocol.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of transmitting information between an information transmitter and an information receiver, the potential difference of which moves in cycles between a minimum value and a maximum value and is situated at the minimum value for regular intervals; having the steps: provision of information over the time interval or determining the time interval in which the potential difference between information transmitter and information receiver assumes its minimum value; closing of a switching means of the information transmitter in relation to an information memory assigned to the information receiver, only within the time interval; and transmission and storage of the information in the information memory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a converter comprising switching elements for chopping a direct voltage, in which turn-on phases of the switching elements alternate with one another, and comprising a circuit arrangement with resonant circuit elements processing the chopped direct voltage and serving for the supply of an output voltage. To improve such a converter in such a way that zero voltage switching (ZVS) can be ensured in an extended range of converter operations with possibly inexpensive converter modifications, it is proposed that the length of the dead-time phases, which are present between two consecutive turn-on phases and during which the switching elements are turned off, is automatically adapted so that switching losses, which occur particularly when the switching elements are turned on, can be minimized.

Abstract: A multimode switched-mode power supply operates in a first control mode when the output power supplied is lower than a predetermined value, and in a second control mode when the output power supplied is higher than said predetermined value. The switched-mode power supply comprises a series arrangement of a switch (S1) and an inductor (L; Lp), the series arrangement being coupled to receive a DC input voltage (Vin). A control circuit (CC) controls the on and/or off times of the switch (S1) to generate a periodical inductor current (Ip) in the inductor (L; Lp). In the first control mode, a peak value of the inductor current (Ip) is substantially constant, independent of the power supplied. The substantially constant peak value is substantially equal to a peak value of the inductor current (Ip) at an instant when the second control mode is altered into the first control mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a converter comprising

Abstract: A switched mode power supply includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. A primary current flows through the primary winding during a first time period and a secondary current flows through the secondary winding during a second time period. A first switching device is connected in series to the primary winding, and a second switching device is connected in series to the secondary winding. In addition, the power supply includes primary and secondary control units. The secondary-side control unit switches the second switching device to control the power supply output by changing the energy returning back to the transformer during the second period of time. The primary-side control unit switches the first switching device to limit the supplied energy supplied by the transformer during the first period of time toward the input of the switched mode power to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A switched-mode power supply includes a transformer (L.sub.p, N), having its primary winding arranged to receive electric energy from an energy source (U.sub.in) in periodically recurring time intervals (t0 to t1), and having at least one secondary winding enabling the energy to be taken from the transformer (L.sub.p, N), and to be applied to a storage inductance (L.sub.o) and a load impedance (C.sub.o, R.sub.L) by a rectifier arrangement (D1 to D4). An improved efficiency is obtained with a circuit of low complexity in that the rectifier arrangement (D1 to D4) includes three current paths, of which a first current path is adapted to supply energy to the storage inductance (L.sub.o) and to the load impedance (C.sub.o, R.sub.L) during the time intervals (t0-t1), a second current path is adapted to demagnetize the transformer (L.sub.p, N) via its secondary winding and the load impedance (C.sub.o, R.sub.L), and the third current path is adapted to demagnetize the storage inductance (L.sub.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for generating at least a DC output voltage (at 18, 19) from an at least substantially sine-shaped AC input voltage (at 2, 3) of a first frequency by a first rectifier arrangement (1) to which the AC input voltage can be applied (at 2, 3) and which has a DC output (4, 5) from which a rectified voltage is obtainable, a first inductance (6), a second rectifier arrangement (7) and a first filter capacitance (8) which, in this order, constitute a series arrangement connected parallel to the DC output (4, 5), a switched-mode power supply (9) having two input terminals (10, 11) with which it is arranged parallel to the first filter capacitance (8) and between which it includes a series arrangement of a second inductance (12) and a switching device (13) which is alternately switchable in the conducting state and in the blocked state at a second frequency and from which the DC output voltage(s) is (are) obtainable (at 18, 19), as well as a first control capacitance (23) by which the junction poi