Abstract: Apparatus is provided for estimating a flow rate of a fluent solid material in a generally horizontal pipe having a movable transportation element such as an auger in the pipe for transporting the material along the pipe including distance sensors mounted in the pipe in an upper part of the pipe and arranged to detect the distance of the material in a lower part of the pipe from the sensor. Another sensor is provided to detect the rate of movement of the transportation element for example by detecting the metal of the auger flight. The output from the sensors is fed to a control system for analyzing the output signals from the sensors over time to provide the estimate of flow rate. The sensors can be mounted in a pressurized enclosure to prevent escape of dust though openings for the sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for estimating a flow rate of a fluent solid material in a generally horizontal pipe having a movable transportation element such as an auger in the pipe for transporting the material along the pipe including distance sensors mounted in the pipe in an upper part of the pipe and arranged to detect the distance of the material in a lower part of the pipe from the sensor. Another sensor is provided to detect the rate of movement of the transportation element for example by detecting the metal of the auger flight. The output from the sensors is fed to a control system for analyzing the output signals from the sensors over time to provide the estimate of flow rate. The sensors can be mounted in a pressurized enclosure to prevent escape of dust though openings for the sensors.

Abstract: A smartcard includes a fingerprint sensor and a detector circuit comprising at least first and second electrodes that are insulated from each other and that form an open circuit. The first electrode and the second electrode is arranged in such a manner that. When a user applies a first finger on the fingerprint sensor and uses a second finger to grip the smartcard, the first finger contacts the first electrode and the second finger contacts the second electrode so as to form a loop that closes the open circuit. The detector circuit further comprises a filter circuit connected to the first electrode and to the second electrode, a generator arranged to generate first signals across the terminals of the filter circuit, and processor means arranged to acquire second signals and, from the second signals, to detect whether the first and second fingers include a fake finger.

Abstract: A smartcard includes a fingerprint sensor and a detector circuit comprising at least first and second electrodes that are insulated from each other and that form an open circuit. The first electrode and the second electrode is arranged in such a manner that. When a user applies a first finger on the fingerprint sensor and uses a second finger to grip the smartcard, the first finger contacts the first electrode and the second finger contacts the second electrode so as to form a loop that closes the open circuit. The detector circuit further comprises a filter circuit connected to the first electrode and to the second electrode, a generator arranged to generate first signals across the terminals of the filter circuit, and processor means arranged to acquire second signals and, from the second signals, to detect whether the first and second fingers include a fake finger.

Abstract: A biometric identification method includes the steps of comparing a candidate print with a reference print and of validating the identification according to a certain number of characteristics common to both prints and a predetermined validation threshold. The method includes the steps of creating at least one deceiving print and comparing same with a candidate print. An identification device designed for implementing this method is also provided.

Abstract: A biometric identification method comprising the steps of comparing a candidate print with a reference print and validating identification as a function of a number of characteristics that are common in the two prints and of a predetermined validation threshold, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of altering the biometric characteristics of one of the two prints prior to comparison and of taking the alteration into account during validation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a size marker for electrophoresis, characterized in that it contains several pairs of molecules the sizes of which are selected to allow the generation of a succession of double-peaks in one same electropherogram, said double-peaks being spaced apart two by two by a distance greater than the distance separating the two peaks of a double-peak. The invention also concerns a method for controlling the resolution of an electropherogram produced with a said marker.

Abstract: A biometric identification method includes the steps of comparing a candidate print with a reference print and of validating the identification according to a certain number of characteristics common to both prints and a predetermined validation threshold. The method includes the steps of creating at least one deceiving print and comparing same with a candidate print. An identification device designed for implementing this method is also provided.

Abstract: A decision device for deciding whether an eye having a macula and an optical axis is real or false includes: lighting means emitting an infrared flux towards the eye along an entry axis; an infrared capture means for capturing an image of the eye along an exit axis, the entry and exit axes being aligned with the optical axis so that the macula illuminated by the lighting means under the incidence of the entry axis is seen by the capture means; processing means for detecting, on an image captured by the capture means, whether a peripheral zone representing the iris exists and whether a central zone in the peripheral zone, the color of which is representative of the macula existence, exists, and for delivering information representing this detection; and decision means for deciding whether the eye is real or false according to the information delivered by the processing means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a PCR kit for improving detection of particular nucleic acid motifs and for increasing the reliability of the results obtained. More precisely, the invention proposes to use modified primers having particular characteristics making it possible, during electrophoresis treatment, to detect, on samples containing nucleic acids, the equivalent of a characteristic encoding of particular nucleic acid motifs, this encoding being such that it makes it possible to better detect the presence of these motifs. The invention also proposes a method for detecting nucleic acid motifs of interest (for example STRs, mini-STRs or VNTRs) using such primers. It advantageously finds—but is not limited to—application in the field of capillary electrophoresis.

Abstract: A biometric identification method comprising the steps of comparing a candidate print with a reference print and validating identification as a function of a number of characteristics that are common in the two prints and of a predetermined validation threshold, the method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of altering the biometric characteristics of one of the two prints prior to comparison and of taking the alteration into account during validation.

Abstract: A decision device for deciding whether an eye having a macula and an optical axis is real or false includes: lighting means emitting an infrared flux towards the eye along an entry axis; an infrared capture means for capturing an image of the eye along an exit axis, the entry and exit axes being aligned with the optical axis so that the macula illuminated by the lighting means under the incidence of the entry axis is seen by the capture means; processing means for detecting, on an image captured by the capture means, whether a peripheral zone representing the iris exists and whether a central zone in the peripheral zone, the colour of which is representative of the macula existence, exists, and for delivering information representing this detection; and decision means for deciding whether the eye is real or false according to the information delivered by the processing means.

Abstract: The invention concerns a size marker for electrophoresis, characterized in that it contains several pairs of molecules the sizes of which are selected to allow the generation of a succession of double-peaks in one same electropherogram, said double-peaks being spaced apart two by two by a distance greater than the distance separating the two peaks of a double-peak. The invention also concerns a method for controlling the resolution of an electropherogram produced with a said marker.