Abstract: An RC type oscillator (10) is integrated into a processor circuit (2) of a mobile device (1). This oscillator is used to set the pace of the activity of the processor circuit during periods when the mobile device is on standby. The frequency drift due to the temperature variations of the oscillator is concerted by a regular calibration of the oscillator by a faster oscillator recognized to be stable. This embodiment gives gain in space and a reduction in cost.

Abstract: In order to facilitate the making of thermal printers for portable payment terminals, for example, a heat sink is made. To this heat sink, there is fixed a print head comprising two protruding features, on which there abuts a pin of a paper feed roller. Furthermore, the assembly formed by the head and the heat sink is fixed to the frame of the printer by two elastic links reacting in different directions and countering the positioning of the roller. The paper feed roller is thus placed flat against the print head, thus giving homogeneous contact between the head and the paper and the efficient positioning of the roller with respect to the print head.

Abstract: Print data adaptation means (67) include data conversion means (37) which are adapted to convert the received scan data (SD1) into printable print data (PD2) in accordance with first conversion information (CI1), which print data (PD2) can be printed by thermal printing means (44) set to a first print mode, and which conversion means (37) are adapted to convert received scan data (SD1) into printable print data (PD2) in accordance with second conversion information (CI2), which print data (PD2) can be printed by the thermal printing means (44) set to a second print mode, the printing row feed (RD1) of the thermal printing means (44) in the first print mode of the thermal printing means (44) corresponding substantially to the printing dot size (DP) and the printing row feed of the thermal printing means (44) in the second print mode of the thermal printing means (44) being smaller than the printing dot size (DP).

Abstract: Using an inertial master box mounted on a carrier for measuring its movements with respect to a geographic frame of reference of fixed directions along three axes Xg, Yg, Zg, a measuring method provides for continuously measuring an orientation of a frame of reference Xm, Ym, Zm tied to the inertial master box. Positioning is provided by applying a sequence of cycles of eight inversions of the inertial master box while keeping the axis Ym in a direction parallel to the axis Yg. A first motor causes a gimbal to pivot on a first axle secured to the carrier, while a second motor causes the inertial master box to pivot about a second perpendicular axle secured to the gimbal. A processor calculates three attitude angles by running a first inertial navigation program of the strapdown type and controls the first and second motors by running a second program.

Abstract: A gyroscopic measuring apparatus with a mechanical resonator comprises at least four identical, parallel vibrating beams integral with a common base and having the same natural frequency. Each beam supports piezoelectric elements for excitation purposes and for detecting vibration of the beam. The base is cruciform and the beams are disposed respectively at ends of branches of a cross formed by the base.

Abstract: Composite bearing with double ball bearings (4) for the rotary support of a rotating shaft (1) of a very high precision device, wherein this bearing with double ball bearings is constituted by the juxtaposition of two bearings with single ball bearings having two respective corresponding races (51, 52), interior or exterior, tightened axially against one another with a predetermined pre-stress, characterized in that the two races (51, 52) maintained tightened against one another with said pre-determined pre-stress are welded (9) to each other by their co-operating faces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a radio communication terminal, such as for example, a mobile telephone, which has access to a satellite-based communication network. In the course of one and the same communication, the terminal transmits information via an up pathway and receives information via a down pathway. One of the two pathways, up or down, is cellular and the other pathway is satellite-based.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piezoelectric motor having a rotor and supply means (S0, S1) for supplying an electrical control voltage to at least one piezoelectric element (9) of the stator. According to the invention, the supply means (S0, S1) are arranged to supply an electrical control voltage having a DC component (V0) for shifting towards the expansion state of the piezoelectric elements (9).

Abstract: An antitheft method for a mobile telephone for a cellular network comprises: assigning a provisional identity number to the mobile telephone before a definitive identity number is assigned to the mobile telephone; counting the cumulative duration of operation as long as the definitive identity number has not been assigned; and disabling the operation of the mobile telephone when the cumulative duration of operation reaches a time limit.

Abstract: A device (1), particularly a facsimile apparatus, has a reversible motor (26), an intermediate transmission gear (29) which is drivable by the motor (26), and three drive wheels (44, 48, 51) which are drivable with the aid of the intermediate transmission gear (29). The intermediate transmission gear (29) includes a basic member (30) which is drivable by the motor (26), a control member (36), and a drive member (37). A first unidirectional coupling of the basic member (30) and the control member (36), and a second unidirectional coupling of the basic member (30) and the drive member (37) are constructed to transmit power in opposite directions of rotation (31, 32). The control member (36) is adapted to selectively establish a drive transmission between the motor (26) and at least one drive wheel (44, 48, 51), and the drive member (37) is adapted to drive the drive wheels (44, 48, 51).

Abstract: The imaging apparatus comprises a detector constituted by a two-dimensional matrix of opto-electronic sensors and by correction means for correcting the output signals in order to compensate for the differences between the response characteristics of the various sensors by applying respective offset values and stored gains thereto. An optical plate is temporarily interposed on the inlet beam, which plate is sufficiently diffusing to make the illumination received from the observed scene uniform over all of the sensors. The offset value for each sensor is calculated from the output signals of the sensors while they receive the uniform illumination, taking the stored gains into account.

Abstract: A cartridge for consumable product for a printer includes an electronic chip for storing technical data characteristic of the consumable product and for controlling printing. The chip is arranged to be read by the printer, and the chip is disposed on a removable support card. The chip stores one or more parameters for controlling printer operation and is arranged for the downloading of technical data from a server.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring current carried by a conductor has a differential voltage amplifier having inputs for connection to the conductor at two spaced-apart points thereof, constituting the ends of a segment. A circuit which converts an output voltage of the amplifier into a current value incorporates a microcontroller associated with a programmable memory storing a calibration table in digital form.

Abstract: In the device for controlling the recharging of a battery (2) from a current generator (1), one applies the process according to which: the value of the charging current is varied cyclically from an initial value, the temperature of the battery (2) is monitored so as to search for and measure therein a corresponding variation of the temperature, and the value of the current is reduced if the temperature variation exceeds a target threshold (14). The invention applies to portable terminals.

Abstract: The acceleration detector for a tire of a motor vehicle comprises an elastically deformable membrane and, fixedly attached to the membrane, a test mass to deform it under the effect of acceleration, and an acceleration strain gauge sensitive to the deformations of the membrane under the effect of an acceleration force exerted by the test mass.

Abstract: A chip card comprising a card made from a plastics material (1) capable of elastically withstanding a relative bending and in which a microelectronic data processing chip (4) is encased, a thin microelectronic wafer (5) made from a semiconductor material, such as a finger print sensor, additionally being joined to the card (1). Said wafer (5) is sub-divided into a small number of juxtaposed chips (7) disposed in a given pattern and separated from one another by a predetermined distance (d) which is sufficient for each separating strip (8) of plastics material to be slightly bent without causing adjacent chips (7) to become unstuck and/or rupture; electrical links are established between the chips to provide electrical continuity.

Abstract: In a mobile telephone, it is planned to divide the functions usable by this mobile telephone into basic functions and comfort functions. It is planned that access to the comfort functions should be possible only if, in a test of comparison, an operator code stored in a memory of the mobile telephone corresponds to an operator code stored in a security circuit delivered by this operator when a purchaser purchases the mobile telephone, at the same time as he takes out a subscription with this operator. It is shown that, by acting in this way, it is possible to modulate the price of the subscription which may be attractive as well as the availability of the comfort functions of the mobile telephone. This can be done in such a way that economic profitability is ensured either by encouraging the user to keep his subscription with this operator or pay a fee to the operator a fee corresponding to an additional amount that absorbs the cost of the mobile telephone.

Abstract: To facilitate the customization of instruments, especially mobile telephones whose operation is validated by a chip card, it is planned to use a cargo chip card provided in its memory firstly with complementary function elements and, secondly, with unloading units. As and when the functions are unloaded into the mobile telephone, the units are obliterated. It is shown that in this way the distribution of the services is organized in a simple manner in preventing piracy on the one hand and complicated procedures on the other.

Abstract: A cable including optical fibers (1) surrounded by a sheath (2) comprising at least one layer in which at least two elongate reinforcement members (4) extend, the cross section of the sheath having a substantially oval outline (5) presenting a minor axis (5.1), and the reinforcement members being disposed symmetrically on either side of the minor axis.

Abstract: The gyroscopic sensor has a bell-shaped resonator which is fixed along its axis on a substrate. It has a circular edge lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis and at a distance from the point where the resonator is fixed. The substrate carries detection and excitation electrodes that co-operate with the resonator. The detection electrodes are sensitive to an axial component of resonator vibration and the energization electrodes cause vibration at resonance by exerting axial forces.