Abstract: The application concerns a method for creating maps in an automatic manner using sub-maps created randomly and combined by statistical accumulation. The measurements from information sensors, positioned on mobile platforms, are sent to reception means disposed randomly and independent of each other and transmitting the received information to a random computer processing layer. The random processing layer, creates within same random sub-maps as the information received by the computer network becomes available, the random sub-maps being dispersed arbitrarily in the random processing layer, access pointers being associated with the random sub-maps in order to make it possible to find them. An organising layer, using the access pointers, carries out the statistical recombination of the random sub-maps dispersed in the random processing layer with a view to reconstructing the desired final map or maps.

Abstract: The application concerns a method for creating maps in an automatic manner using sub-maps created randomly and combined by statistical accumulation. The measurements from information sensors, positioned on mobile platforms, are sent to reception means disposed randomly and independent of each other and transmitting the received information to a random computer processing layer. The random processing layer, creates within same random sub-maps as the information received by the computer network becomes available, the random sub-maps being dispersed arbitrarily in the random processing layer, access pointers being associated with the random sub-maps in order to make it possible to find them. An organising layer, using the access pointers, carries out the statistical recombination of the random sub-maps dispersed in the random processing layer with a view to reconstructing the desired final map or maps.

Abstract: A method of acquiring, compressing and transmitting satellite images, characterized in that in a systematic manner: an image is acquired (101); (102) the image is processed by an image preprocessing step providing a value characteristic of the image and an image preprocessed by recognizing predetermined natural objects in the acquired image and replacing the natural objects by standard objects; the characteristic value is compared (103) with a table of values, each value of which is associated with a compression algorithm; the compression algorithm corresponding to the characteristic value is implemented (104) by compression elements for compressing the image; the compressed image is transmitted (105) to a remote image reception device by transmission elements.

Abstract: A device, referred to as a satellite grid, includes a plurality of reception and storage ground stations (5) provided with a storage unit (13), each station (5) including elements for receiving observation data from at least one satellite orbiting around the Earth. Each station (5) is connected to at least one digital network (15) and includes at least one management module so that the different stations cooperate together in order to provide a permanent and transparent shared access to the observation data coming from at least one satellite and stored in the different stations (5), wherein the satellite grid is adapted to be accessible and viewed as a single computer resource from any access point in the network (15).

Abstract: A method of acquiring and repatriating satellite data representative of a zone in space, termed the target zone, and an instrument for acquiring and repatriating satellite data including a plurality of satellites (1, 100), a plurality of terrestrial receiving stations (50, 51, 52, 53, 54), the instrument includes, for each item of data received by a receiving station (50, 51, 52, 53, 54), termed the receiving station, originating from the space layer: elements for determining a receiving station (50, 51, 52, 53, 54) intended for storing this item of data, termed the receiving station competent in respect of this item of data, and a terrestrial digital network for routing this item of data from the station receiving this item of data to the receiving station competent in respect of this item of data.

Abstract: An instrument for of observation images exhibits a high ground resolution and a high frequency of coverage of the Earth. Such an instrument includes a spatial images acquisition layer (1) including satellites (4), a terrestrial images processing layer (3), including images processing devices (5), and a telecommunications layer (2) that is suitable to ensure a transfer of the images from the spatial layer (1) to the terrestrial layer (3), wherein each satellite (4) includes at least one images acquisition device with fixed aim exhibiting a spatial resolution of the order of one meter; each images processing device (5) includes at least one communications line (8) coupling the images processing device (5) and at least one immediately adjacent images processing device, a processing unit that is suitable to process the images received, element for storage of the processed images, and a connection to a digital network.

Abstract: A method of acquiring and repatriating satellite data representative of a zone in space, termed the target zone, and an instrument for acquiring and repatriating satellite data including a plurality of satellites (1, 100), a plurality of terrestrial receiving stations (50, 51, 52, 53, 54), the instrument includes, for each item of data received by a receiving station (50, 51, 52, 53, 54), termed the receiving station, originating from the space layer: elements for determining a receiving station (50, 51, 52, 53, 54) intended for storing this item of data, termed the receiving station competent in respect of this item of data, and a terrestrial digital network for routing this item of data from the station receiving this item of data to the receiving station competent in respect of this item of data.

Abstract: A device, referred to as a satellite grid, includes a plurality of reception and storage ground stations (5) provided with a storage unit (13), each station (5) including elements for receiving observation data from at least one satellite orbiting around the Earth. Each station (5) is connected to at least one digital network (15) and includes at least one management module so that the different stations cooperate together in order to provide a permanent and transparent shared access to the observation data coming from at least one satellite and stored in the different stations (5), wherein the satellite grid is adapted to be accessible and viewed as a single computer resource from any access point in the network (15).

Abstract: A method of acquiring, compressing and transmitting satellite images, characterized in that in a systematic manner: an image is acquired (101); (102) the image is processed by an image preprocessing step providing a value characteristic of the image and an image preprocessed by recognizing predetermined natural objects in the acquired image and replacing the natural objects by standard objects; the characteristic value is compared (103) with a table of values, each value of which is associated with a compression algorithm; the compression algorithm corresponding to the characteristic value is implemented (104) by compression elements for compressing the image; the compressed image is transmitted (105) to a remote image reception device by transmission elements.

Abstract: An instrument for of observation images exhibits a high ground resolution and a high frequency of coverage of the Earth. Such an instrument includes a spatial images acquisition layer (1) including satellites (4), a terrestrial images processing layer (3), including images processing devices (5), and a telecommunications layer (2) that is suitable to ensure a transfer of the images from the spatial layer (1) to the terrestrial layer (3), wherein each satellite (4) includes at least one images acquisition device with fixed aim exhibiting a spatial resolution of the order of one metre; each images processing device (5) includes at least one communications line (8) coupling the images processing device (5) and at least one immediately adjacent images processing device, a processing unit that is suitable to process the images received, element for storage of the processed images, and a connection to a digital network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera device for mounting on board a spacecraft, the camera device having at least one observation sensor and displacement means (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) for controlled displacement of said device relative to the spacecraft with at least one degree of freedom, the device being characterized in that said displacement means comprise at least one transducer of an active material suitable for deforming dynamically under the effect of a variable electric and/or magnetic field, together with driver means suitable for controlling the transducer so as to displace the observation sensor in compliance with a variable control relationship adapted to compensating movements induced by the flight dynamics of the satellite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera device for mounting on board a spacecraft, the camera device having at least one observation sensor and displacement means (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) for controlled displacement of said device relative to the spacecraft with at least one degree of freedom, the device being characterized in that said displacement means comprise at least one transducer of an active material suitable for deforming dynamically under the effect of a variable electric and/or magnetic field, together with driver means suitable for controlling the transducer so as to displace the observation sensor in compliance with a variable control relationship adapted to compensating movements induced by the flight dynamics of the satellite.

Abstract: A keyboard with capacitive keys is operable through a thick dielectric wall which may be integral therewith. The keyboard may be installed inside an agency or store and coupled to a micro-informatic system providing audiovisual information selected at the request of a passer-by on the street operating the keyboard through a thick shop window. The keyboard includes a base panel (1) made of insulating material provided with Cnm electrodes integrated into the panel. with a free running oscillator being associated with each electrode key. A method of scanning the keyboard is provided.