All The Claims

1. An apparatus for electrically connecting an electronic device to an electrical relation, comprising:
a first connector having a first magnetic element and having at least one first contact electrically connected to the electronic device; and
a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector, the second connector having a second magnetic element and having at least one second contact electrically connected to the electrical relation,
wherein the at least one first contact comprises a metallic contact extending from a first face of the first connector and biased relative to the first face, and
wherein magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors each comprise a corresponding element to align the first and second connectors in one orientation.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic element comprises a permanent magnet, and wherein the second magnetic elements comprise a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic material capable of magnetic attraction to the first magnetic element.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second magnetic elements comprises a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in an opposing polarity configuration on the connector of the at least one first or second magnetic elements.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one magnetic element comprising the plurality of permanent magnets arranged in the opposing polarity configuration further comprises a magnetically-conductive plate positioned against one side of each of the magnets.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first contact comprises a metallic pin biased relative to the first face by a spring.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second contact comprises a metallic plate positioned on a second face of the second connector so as to be engaged by the metallic pin when the first and second faces are positioned adjacent one another.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors each comprise two axes of symmetry such that the first and second connectors couple together in only two orientations relative to one another.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one first and second contacts of the first and second connectors each comprise:
a first path contact on the connector for establishing a first path of electrical communication between the device and the relation,
wherein the first path contacts form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second connectors each further comprise:
a second path contact on the connector for establishing a second path of electrical communication between the device and the relation,
wherein the second path contacts form electrically conductive relationships with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second connectors each further comprise:
a third path contact on the connector for establishing a third path of electrical communication between the device and the relation,
wherein the third path contracts form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the third contact on each of the connectors comprises a shell positioned symmetrically on the connector.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the third contact on each of the connectors comprises at least two permanent magnet positioned symmetrically on the connector.
14. An electronic device connectable to an electrical relation, comprising:
a housing for internal electronics;
a first connector connectable to the relation, the first connector having a first magnetic element positioned on the first connector and having at least one first contact electrically connected to the electrical relation; and
a second connector connectable to the device, the second connector having a second magnetic element positioned on the second connector and having at least one second contact electrically connected to the internal electronics,
wherein the at least one first contact comprises a metallic contact extending from a first face of the first connector and biased relative to the first face, and
wherein magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.
15. The electronic device of claim 14, further comprising a transformer connected to the first connector and connected to the relation.
16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the first connector comprises a plug attached to the transformer by a cable.
17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the second connector comprises a receptacle attached to the housing of the electronic device.
18. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the first and second magnetic elements each comprise a permanent magnet.
19. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein either the first or second magnetic element comprises a permanent magnet, and wherein the other magnetic element comprises a ferromagnetic material.
20. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the first contact comprises a metallic pin biased relative to the first face by a spring.
21. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the second contact comprises a metallic plate positioned on a second face of the second connector so as to be engaged by the metallic pin when the first and second faces are positioned adjacent one another.
22. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the first and second connectors each comprises two axes of symmetry such that the first and second connectors couple together in only two orientations relative to one another.
23. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein the at least one first and second contacts of the first and second connectors each comprise:
a signal contact on the connector for establishing a signal path between the device and the relation,
wherein the signal contacts of the first and second connectors form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.
24. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein the first and second connectors each further comprise:
at least one forward path contact on the connector for establishing a forward path of electrical communication between the device and the relation,
wherein the forward path contacts of the first and second connectors form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.
25. The electronic device of claim 22, wherein the first and second connectors each further comprise:
at least one return path contact on the connector for establishing a return path of electrical communication between the device and the relation,
wherein the return path contacts of the first and second connectors form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.
26. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the return path contact on each of the connectors comprises a shell positioned symmetrically on the connector.
27. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the return path contact on each of the connectors comprises at least two permanent magnets positioned symmetrically on the connector.
28. A power adapter for connecting internal electronics of a device to a power supply, comprising:
a transformer connected to the power supply;
a first connector connected to the internal electronics;
a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector and connected to the transformer;
means for magnetically coupling the first and second connectors; and
means for maintaining the internal electronics in an electrically conductive relationship with the transformer.
29. The power adapter of claim 28, further comprising means for biasing the electrical connection between the first and second connectors.
30. The power adapter of claim 28, further comprising means for coupling the first and second connectors together in only one orientation.
31. The power adapter of claim 28, further comprising means for symmetrically coupling the first and second connectors together in only two orientations.
32. The power adapter of claim 31, further comprising means for establishing at least three separate paths of electrical communication between the internal electronics and the transformer regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are coupled together.
33. An apparatus, comprising:
an electronic device having a first connector, the first connector having a first magnetic element and having a plurality of first contacts; and
a power adapter connectable to a power source and having a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector, the second connector having a second magnetic element and having a plurality of second contacts,
wherein\u2014
the first and second connectors magnetically couple together in only two orientations relative to one another,
magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,
the first and second contacts form at least three distinct paths of electrical communication between the electronic device and the power adapter, the at least three distinct paths including a signal path for signals, a forward path for direct current power, and a return path for direct current power, and
the first and second contacts form their respective distinct paths of electrical communication with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the first and second connectors are magnetically coupled.
34. An electronic device connectable to an electrical relation, comprising:
a first connector having a first magnetic element and having a plurality of first contacts electrically connected to the electronic device, at least three of the first contacts substantially aligned along a first axis of the first connector; and
a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector and having a second magnetic element, the second connector having a plurality of second contacts electrically connected to the electrical relation, at least three of the second contacts substantially aligned along a second axis of the second connector,
wherein\u2014
the first and second connectors magnetically couple together in only two orientations relative to one another,
magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,
the first and second contacts form at least three distinct paths of electrical communication between the electronic device and the electrical relation, and
the first and second contacts form their respective distinct paths of electrical communication with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the first and second connectors are magnetically coupled.
35. the electronic device of claim 34, wherein at least a first portion of the first magnetic element of the first connector is positioned on one side of the first axis, and wherein at least a second portion of the first magnetic element of the first connector is positioned on another side of the first axis.
36. The electronic device of claim 35, wherein the first portion of the first magnetic element exhibits stronger magnetic attraction than the second portion.
37. the electronic device of claim 35, wherein the first portion of the first magnetic element comprises a first pair of permanent magnets, and wherein the second portion of the first magnetic element comprises a second pair of permanent magnets.
38. The electronic device of claim 34, wherein a first of the distinct paths of electrical communication is formed by a first set of the first and second contacts, each of the contacts of the first set being substantially centered on the axis of its connector, whereby the contacts of the first set form the first distinct path regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.
39. The electronic device of claim 38, wherein at least one second of the distinct paths of electrical communication is formed by at least one second set of the first and second contacts, each of the contacts of the second set being aligned on the axis of its connector and being positioned on both sides of the contacts of the first set, whereby the contacts of the at least one second set form the at least one second distinct path regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.
40. The electronic device of claim 34, wherein the at least three distinct paths of electrical communication comprise:
a signal path for signals between the electronic device and the electrical relation;
a forward path for direct current power between the electronic device and the electrical relation; and
a return path for direct current power between the electronic device and the electrical relation.
41. An electronic device connectable to an electrical relation, comprising:
a first connector having a first magnetic element and having at least more than three first contacts electrically connected to the electronic device; and
a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector and having a second magnetic element, the second connector having at least more than three second contacts electrically connected to the electrical relation,
wherein\u2014
the first and second connectors magnetically couple together in at least two distinct orientations relative to one another, and
magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.
42. An electronic device connectable to an electrical relation, comprising:
a first connector having a first magnetic element and having at least more than three first contacts electrically connected to the electronic device; and
a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector and having a second magnetic element, the second connector having at least more than three second contacts electrically connected to the electrical relation,
wherein\u2014
the first and second connectors magnetically couple together,
magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship, and
the first and second contacts form at least one electrical power path and at least one signal path between the electronic device and the electrical relation.
43. An electronic device connectable to an electrical relation, comprising:
a first connector having a first magnetic element and having a plurality of first contacts electrically connected to the electronic device; and
a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector and having a second magnetic element, the second connector having a plurality of second contacts electrically connected to the electrical relation,
wherein\u2014
the first and second connectors magnetically couple together in at least more than one orientation relative to one another,
magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,
the first and second contacts form at least one electrical power path and at least one signal path between the electronic device and the electrical relation, and
the first and second contacts form the at least one electric power path and the at least one signal path regardless of which of the at least more than one orientations the first and second connectors are magnetically coupled.
44. The electronic device of claim 43, wherein the first connector comprises at least more than three of the first contacts, and wherein the second connector comprises at least more than three of the second contacts.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-20. (canceled)
21. A method for an engine coupled with an automatic transmission, the engine including a cylinder having a direct fuel injector and a spark plug therein, comprising:
performing a single-spark ignition combustion;
discontinuing the single-spark combustion responsive to idle-stop operation; and
during a direct-start from engine rest, performing multi-strike ignition operation per combustion cycle via the spark plug for a first firing combustion cycle from rest in the cylinder following the discontinuation of combustion operation.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the spark plug provides 2 sparks per combustion cycle.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein, before the direct-start, a resting position of a piston within the cylinder is less than a resting position of additional pistons included in the engine, the resting position of the pistons being measured from a top dead center of each cylinder when the pistons were at rest prior to the multi-spark ignition operation.
24. The method of claim 21, further comprising adjusting a quantity, timing, andor duration of spark ignition events included in the multi-strike ignition operation based a resting position of a piston within the cylinder, the resting position of the piston measured from a top dead center of the cylinder when the piston was at rest prior to the multi-strike ignition operation.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein a quantity of spark discharge events, included in the multi-strike ignition operation, inversely corresponds to resting position of the piston.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising decreasing a duration of spark discharge events, included in the multi-strike ignition operation, in response to an increase in temperature of the engine.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising increasing a quantity of spark discharge events, included in the multi-spark ignition operation, in response to a decrease in a fuel rail pressure.
28. The method of claim 27, further comprising increasing the quantity and the duration of the spark discharge events, included in the multi-strike ignition operation, in response to an adjustment of the transmission into an engaged configuration from a disengaged configuration or in response to a decrease in the transmission oil temperature.
29. The method of claim 21, wherein the direct-start is inhibited when a temperature of the internal combustion engine is below a threshold value.
30. The method of claim 21, further comprising directly injecting fuel into the combustion chamber, preceding the multi-strike ignition operation and subsequent to discontinuation combustion operation.
31. A method for operation of a vehicle having an engine including one or more combustion chambers, a fuel delivery system including a direct fuel injector coupled to each combustion chamber, an ignition system including one or more spark plugs coupled to each combustion chamber, a piston disposed within each combustion chamber, and an intake and an exhaust valve coupled to each combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine providing motive power to the vehicle and the internal combustion engine coupled with an automatic transmission in the vehicle, the method comprising:
during a first start from engine rest, when a duration following idle-stop operation is below a threshold value, directly starting the engine from rest with a first combustion event including multi-strike ignition operation per combustion event, where a first amount of starter motor assistance to the engine is provided, where a quantity and a duration of the spark discharge events, included in the multi-strike ignition operation, are adjusted in response to an adjustment of the transmission into an engaged configuration from a disengaged configuration; and
during a second start from engine rest, when the temperature of the engine is below a threshold value and an operator initiated ignition signal has been received via the vehicle, starting the engine from rest with a second combustion event including only a single strike ignition operation per combustion event, where a second amount of starter motor assistance to the engine is provided, the second of starter motor assistance greater than the first amount of starter motor assistance.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein directly starting the engine includes directly injecting fuel into the combustion chamber, preceding to the first combustion event.
33. The method of claim 31, further comprising adjusting the multi-strike ignition operation, the adjusting including an adjustment of at least one of a quantity, timing, andor duration of the spark events included in the multi-strike ignition operation based on a resting position of a piston in a combustion chamber carrying out the first combustion event during the direct-start, the resting position measured from the top dead center of the combustion chamber while the piston is at rest prior to the direct-start.
34. The method of claim 31, further comprising adjusting the first combustion event, the adjusting including adjustment of at least one of a quantity, timing, andor duration of the spark events included in the multi-strike ignition operation.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the first combustion event is implemented in a combustion chamber having a piston with a resting position less than the resting position of the additional pistons included in the engine, the resting positions of the pistons measured from a top dead center of the combustion chamber while the piston is at rest prior to the multi-spark ignition operation.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein the multi-strike ignition operation is applied to one or more combustion chamber(s) including a piston having a resting position below a threshold value, the resting position of the pistons measured from a top dead center of the combustion chamber while the piston is at rest prior to the multi-spark ignition operation.
37. The method of claim 31, wherein the control system increases a quantity of spark discharge events, included in the multi-strike ignition operation, in response to a decrease in a resting position of the piston within the combustion chamber, the resting position measured from the top dead center of the combustion chamber while the piston is at rest prior to a direct-start, the increase in the quantity of the spark discharge events is adjusted between two or more direct-start.
38. A method for operating an engine cylinder with a direct fuel injector and spark plug coupled therein, the engine coupled with an automatic transmission in a vehicle, comprising:
during a first start following idle-stop operation, starting the engine from rest with multi-strike ignition operation per combustion event and with a first, lesser, amount of starter motor assistance, where one or more of a quantity and a duration of the spark discharge events, included in the multi-strike ignition operation, is adjusted responsive to a condition of the transmission; and
during a second start from engine rest, when temperature of the engine is below a threshold value, starting the engine from rest with single-strike ignition operation per combustion event and with a second, greater, amount of starter motor assistance.

1-13. (canceled)
14. A method for strapping groups, bundles, or packaged goods, the method comprising:
placing or tensioning at least one strapping band horizontally or vertically or diagonally around an exterior of the group, bundle, or packaged good, the strapping band forming either an open or a closed ring tensioned to form a firm assembly of the group, bundle or packaged goods;
feeding the strapping band via a magazine to at least one application head for applying the strapping to the group, bundle, or packaged good, the strapping band extending and being conveyed largely without being guided or in a free-floating manner, at least within an operating range of the application head.
15. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein the strapping band extends and is conveyed largely without being guided or in a free-floating manner between the magazine or a band guide section allocated to or arranged downstream from the magazine, and the application head.
16. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein the at least one application head follows the group, bundle, or packaged good being conveyed on a horizontal conveying device at least throughout a strapping or band tensioning process in a parallel orientation and an approximately synchronous movement, the at least one application head being subsequently conducted to another group, bundle, or packaged good to be strapped, and wherein a segment of the strapping band extending free-floatingly or in a largely guide-less manner is held or refed between the application head, which moves cyclically or oscillatingly, and the magazine or a band guide section allocated to or arranged downstream from the magazine, with a band tension or a band sag of the segment of the strapping band ranging within predefineable limits between a maximum permissible sag and a band tension not to be exceeded.
17. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein a band tension between the application head on the one end and the magazine or a band guide section on the other end is readjusted either on a permanent basis or at regular intervals, thereby allowing for multiple input values varying throughout the process of strapping group, bundle, or packaged good and in the process of conducting motions of the at least one application head.
18. The method as recited in claim 14 wherein a new strapping band end is fed from the magazine to the at least one application head by an automatically controlled approach or by a docking mechanism of the application head to the magazine or to a band guide section arranged downstream from the magazine and by an automatic threading of the strapping band into the application head while the strapping band is simultaneously being refed from the magazine.
19. A strapping station for strapping group, bundles, or packaged goods having at least one strapping band placed or tensioned approximately horizontally or vertically or diagonally around the exterior of a group, a bundle, or a packaged good, the strapping band forming either an open or a closed ring tensioned to form a firm assembly of the group, bundle, or packaged good, the strapping station comprising:
a horizontal conveying device for conveying the groups, bundles, or packaged goods to be strapped;
at least one application head conductable individually from above to the group, bundle, or packaged good and movable in a conveying direction in parallel and approximately in synchrony with the respective group, bundle, or packaged good to be strapped for the duration of at least one strapping and band tensioning cycle; and
a magazine having a continuous supply, the strapping band being unrolled from the continuous supply, the strapping band extending and being conveyed largely without being guided or in a free-floating manner, at least within an operating range of the application head.
20. The strapping station as recited in claim 19 further comprising a band guide section arranged between the magazine with the continuous supply of strapping band and the at least one application head, the band guide section being used for refeeding or retracting a freely conducted segment of the strapping band between the application head, the application head moving cyclically or oscillatingly, and the continuous supply of the magazine, and wherein the strapping band extends and is conveyed largely without being guided or in the free-floating manner between the magazine or the band guide section and the application head.
21. The strapping station as recited in claim 20 wherein the band guide section is associated with an adjustment device for adjusting band tension between the continuous supply or the magazine and the at least one application head, thereby taking into account application head usage of strapping band and superimposed vertical and horizontal movements while a strapping cycle is being performed or while shifting to a further group, bundle, or packaged good to be strapped.
22. An adjustment or control method for adjusting or controlling a band tension of a strapping band being freely conducted between a magazine with a continuous supply and a movable application head, a segment of the strapping band being conducted in a guide-less or free-floating manner, the method comprising:
holding or refeeding the segment within an operating range of the application head or between the between the application head, the application head moving moves cyclically or oscillatingly, and the magazine with the continuous supply or a band guide section allocated to or arranged downstream from the magazine, the band tension or a band sag of the segment ranging within predefineable limits between a maximum permissible sag and a band tension not to be exceeded.
23. The adjustment method as recited in claim 22 wherein the band tension between the application head on the one end and the magazine with the continuous supply or the band guide section on the other end is readjusted either on a permanent basis or at regular intervals, thereby allowing for multiple and variably changing input values.
24. The adjustment method as recited in claim 22 wherein a first input value is derived from a regular refeeding line section, which is required for compensating for the length of strapping band used up for strapping a group, bundle, or packaged good, or wherein a second input value is based on a timely refeeding of the band during the strapping process that is being performed by the application head.
25. The adjustment method as recited in claim 24 wherein a third input value is derived based on a temporarily fluctuating refeeding or retracting due to the oscillating movements of the application head while following the group, bundle, or packaged good to be strapped.
26. The adjustment method as recited in claim 25 wherein the band tension is adjusted by acquiring a control variable for the controlled refeeding or retracting of the strapping band in the band guide section, the control variable being based on permanently taking into account and offsetting against each other at least two of the first, second and third input values.
27. The adjustment method as recited in claim 26 wherein the control variable is based on all three of the first, second and third input values.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. In a substitutional electroless gold plating liquid for plating gold on a substrate by substitution with a metal in the substrate, the improvement comprising said gold plating liquid consisting essentially of a cyanide free water-soluble gold compound and a pyrosulfurous acid compound and, optionally, at least one of a sulfurous acid compound as a stabilizer and an aminocarboxylic acid compound as a complexing agent.
2. The substitutional electroless gold plating liquid of claim 1, further containing a sulfurous acid compound.
3. The substitutional electroless gold plating liquid of claim 1, further containing an aminocarboxylic acid compound.
4. The substitutional electroless gold plating liquid of claim 1, further containing a sulfurous acid compound and an aminocarboxylic acid compound.
5. The substitutional electroless gold plating liquid of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble gold compound is present in an amount of 0.5-20 gL, as the gold concentration in the plating liquid.