Abstract: A photosensitive detector (1) for detecting luminous flashes (2) is provided with a photosensitive diode (3) which is linked to a positive voltage and to ground via a resistor R1 and which is capable of transforming the luminous flashes into electrical signals and a circuit (4) that processes the electrical signals generated by the photosensitive diode (3). The circuit (4) causes electrical signals which correspond to luminous flashes (2) received by the photosensitive diode (3) and which exhibit a fast rise time to be strengthened, and the circuit (4) causes electrical signals which correspond to luminous flashes (2) received by the photosensitive diode (3) and which vary more slowly in intensity to be attenuated. The circuit (4) is linked directly to the photosensitive diode (3) and includes a differentiator circuit.

Abstract: A process and device for the analog convolution of images, especially two-dimensional convolution operations of Gaussian type on a set of image pixels represented by voltages. The voltages are applied to a first set of capacitors. For each capacitor, one terminal is connected to a reference voltage; the other terminal is part of a network of nodes, each of which is insulated from the others. The nodes which are adjacent are connected together for a predetermined duration via a second set of uncharged capacitors. The nodes of the network are then insulated from each other again and the second set of capacitors are discharged. The steps of connecting the nodes together, insulating them from each other, and discharging the second set are repeated. Finally, the new voltages on the nodes of the network, which represent the pixels of a convolved image, are read out.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of mannitol in which:in a first step, a fructose syrup containing less than 15% glucose is subjected to an enzymatic isomerization using at least one enzyme capable of interconverting fructose and mannose, the enzymatic isomerization resulting in the production of a mixture of fructose and mannose containing at least 15% mannose,in a second step, the mixture of fructose and mannose is subjected to a chromatographic separation treatment so as to obtain at least two fractions one of which (fraction X1) is highly enriched with mannose and the other of which (fraction X2) is highly enriched with fructose,in a third step, fraction X2 is at least partially recycled to the top of the enzymatic isomerization step,in a fourth step, fraction X1, highly enriched with mannose, is hydrogenated so as to obtain a mannitol-rich syrup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photosensitive element (1) for detecting flashes of light (2).According to the invention, said photosensitive element (1) includes a control device (4) knowing the instant of the emission of the flashes of light (2) and capable of switching said photosensitive element into one or the other of two different states:a positive accumulation state in which the accumulation capacitor (12) is charged by the light energy from said photosensitive element (1); anda negative accumulation state in which the accumulation capacitor (12) is discharged by the light energy from said photosensitive element (1).

Abstract: A binary resistor network is provided for the labelling of related components of binary or binary-converted images and for artificial vision comprising a plurality of peaks each joined by arches forming binary resistors. Each peak is provided with an elementary processor which enables, with the assistance of a central controller, the association of at least one associative function with each of the arches and a binary constraint with one or more peaks, thus making possible to provide for selective processing of data stored at the site of each of the elementary processors. Each arch of the network is equipped with an associative OR function and forms an accelerated Manchester chain, the establishment time of the network through application of local binary constraints thus being thus linear with the number of peaks.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for estimating the movement of a moving object relative to a reference object. A symbol is formed on the moving object, the symbol having a rectilinear contour with at least two parallel straight lines. The symbol is observed from the reference object and the movement is determined by means of successive projections along two axes having a relative rotary movement with respect to the recorded image of the symbol. The rotary motion is preferably at such a rate that it does not interfere with obtaining images of the straight lines.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a product with a high content of maltitol, characterized by the following steps:catalytic hydrogenation of a maltose syrup,chromatographic fractionation of the maltitol syrup formed during the hydrogenation step,adjustment to the desired dry matter of at least the fraction enriched in maltitol.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of crystalline maltitol comprising successively:catalytic hydrogenation of a saccharified starch milk in a vessel 203,a step of chromatographic fractionation of the hydrogenated syrup in a vessel 204,crystallation and separation of the maltitol crystals in vessels 206 and 207 andrecycling through a pipe 309 emerging from the vessel 207 of the crystallization mother-liquors to the head of the chromatographic fractionation step.

Abstract: The retina is constituted by an array of cells formed on a substrate and each comprising a photosensitive element, means for converting a signal delivered by the photosensitive element into a binary information, storage means connected to the converting means and an elementary processor formed on the substrate and connected to the storage means. The storage means are arranged as a bidimensional array of shift registers to allow transfer of binary information from one cell to the neighboring ones, and the shift registers and elementary processors are connected in parallel to control inputs so as to control the acquisition of an image by simultaneously storing of the binary informations, the realization of simultaneous and parallel processings on the stored binary informations, and the write-in of the results in the storage means. Thus, successive processing steps of the image can be performed on the retina itself, the image being re-written on itself after each step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fermentation process. This process is characterized by the fact that recourse is had, as a proteinic nutrient substance introduced into the fermentation medium, to an effective amount of potato protein obtained by coagulation from red waters.

Abstract: Sugarless hard candy comprising, on the one hand, as sugarless boiled sugar, a hydrogenated starch hydrolysate prepared from a starch hydrolysate having a D.E. of 42 to 60, on the other hand, a quantity of gum arabic between 1% and 8% by weight with respect to the finished product, preferably between 2% and 6% by weight, and/or an amount of CMC between 0.2 and 2% by weight with respect to the finished product, preferably between 0.3 and 1.2%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for continuous separation of mixtures of sugars and/or polyols. The mixture is fed to an installation comprised of at least 3 adsorbent filled columns connected in series. The columns represent absorption, enrichment and desorption zones respectively. The process provides for the continuous sequential operation of the columns as absorption, enrichment and desorption zones.

Abstract: Process for hard coating with sorbitol. On the one hand, a sorbitol syrup having a concentration of 60 to 85% by weight is supplied on a moving bed of cores to be coated and, on the other hand, the temperature prevailing in the bed is kept at a value comprised between 50.degree. and 10.degree. C. The present coating process applies conveniently to cores of the "without sugar" type in the field of confectionery and pharmaceutical products.

Abstract: The invention relates to noncariogenic and sugarless chewing gum, and a process for manufacturing it.The chewing gum according to the invention is constituted by gum, by an aqueous softening agent and by one or several solid sweetening agents, of which notably mannitol, wherein the aqueous softening agent is at least partly constituted by a hydrogenated starch hydrolysate containing:less than 3% of polyols of DP higher than 20,less than 60% of maltitol (DP 2) andless than 19% of sorbitol (DP 1),the balance to 100 being constituted by a mixture of polyols of DP 3 to 20, the content of the final chewing gum in hydrolysate being from 5 to 35% in weight, preferably from 10 to 30% by weight, whereas its mannitol content decreases when the content of hydrolysate increases.

Abstract: The invention relates to a corn-steeping process. In this process the temperature of the steeping water decreases from silo to silo and the cycling ratio is comprised between 0.8 and 1.2 m.sup.3 per ton of commercial corn.The Corn-Steep obtained can be applied especially in the manufacture of penicillin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of .alpha.-hydroxy- and .alpha.-amino-carboxylic acids from sugary media containing them.According to the process of the invention:in a first phase, the mixture from which it is proposed to recover the .alpha.-hydroxy- or .alpha.-amino-carboxylic acid and which contains the latter in the form of its calcium salt is contacted with a cationic resin in the calcium form for a sufficient time to reach optimal adsorption of said calcium salt and then,in a second phase, the previously saturated resin is eluted by resorting to water.The process according to the invention enables the quantitative production of a pure calcium salt.

Abstract: Insoluble enzymatically active particles are produced by forming an intimate mixture of a jellifying protein such as gelatin and microbial cells containing an enzyme such as glucose isomerase, passing the mixture through a die to produce threads, passing the threads into cold water to jellify the threads, contacting the jellified threads with a crosslinking agent and cutting the resultant crosslinked threads into pieces.