Abstract: The radiofrequency signal receiver (1) includes means (3) for receiving and shaping radiofrequency signals into intermediate signals (IF), a correlation stage (7) which includes several correlation channels (7′) for receiving the intermediate signals (IF), microprocessor means (12) connected to said correlation stage for the transfer of control and/or data signals. The receiver also includes channel selection means, such as a priority decoder (13), connected to all the channels (7′) of the correlation stage (7) and to the microprocessor means (12). These selection means allow the channel with the highest priority among the operating channel or channels which have each transmitted an interruption signal for a data transfer from the selected channel to the microprocessor means (12), to be placed first in a virtual channel, in accordance with a defined order of priority for all the channels.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a liquid crystal display device (1) including a substrate (2) arranged on a front side, i.e. arranged on the side receiving an incident light, and a second substrate (4) arranged on a back side, so that this second substrate (4) extends facing the front substrate (2) and parallel thereto, the first and second substrates (2, 4) being connected via a sealing frame (6) in order to delimit between them a cavity for containing the liquid crystals (8) and including on their opposite faces a first (10) and a second (12) group of electrodes respectively, the display device (1 ) being connected to a control circuit for the electrodes (10, 12), this circuit being able to supply suitable control voltages to selected electrodes in order to modify the optical conditions of the liquid crystal (8) at the crossing point of the electrodes in question, i.e.

Abstract: The numerically controlled oscillator (8) is mounted in particular in a radiofrequency signal receiver which further includes means (3) for receiving and shaping the radiofrequency signals, a correlation stage (4) and a clock signal generator. The oscillator receives at one input a clock signal with a first frequency (CLK) which clocks the oscillator operations, and a binary word of several bits (Nb) to provide at one output at least an output signal (Mb) with a frequency determined as a function of said binary word and the clock signal. The oscillator includes a first accumulation stage (12) for a first number of most-significant bits (Ob) of the binary word and a second accumulation stage (12) for a second number of least-significant bits (Pb) of said binary word. The first accumulation stage is clocked at the first clock frequency (CLK) to supply the determined frequency output signal (Mb), while the second stage is clocked at a second clock frequency (CLK/N) N times lower than the first clock frequency.

Abstract: The correlation and demodulation circuit (6) in particular for a pseudo-random code radio-frequency signal receiver (1) includes a correlation stage (7) connected to control means (12) in particular for configuring said correlation stage in normal operating mode or in test mode. In normal operation said stage receives intermediate signals (IF) corresponding to the radio-frequency signals shaped in means (3) for receiving the modulated signals from the receiver. Said intermediate signals are correlated in a correlator control loop (8) of said correlation stage (7) with a replica of the first code supplied by a code generator (25). The code generator (25) is adapted via control means (12) to generate a replica of a pseudo-random code of shorter repetition length than the pseudo-random code of the radio-frequency signals.

Abstract: Planar magnetic sensor, made in particular via CMOS techniques on a semiconductor substrate (1) of for example parallelepiped shape. It includes an amorphous ferromagnetic core (10) in the shape of a Greek cross which occupies the two diagonals of the square defined by the outer contour (90) of the excitation coil (9), the latter being made in the form of a planar winding of square shape. One thus measures, via flat detection coils (70, 80 and 71, 81) which are mounted in series and in a differential arrangement, the two orthogonal components (H1, H2) of the external magnetic field (Hext).

Abstract: The watch is provided with a circular row of capacitive keys defined by transparent electrodes (21 to 32) arranged on the inner face of the crystal (5) of the watch and connected to a detection device via a multiplexer. These keys are activated by the person wearing the watch placing a finger (38) on the crystal facing one of the electrodes. The watch further includes means for detecting the position of at least one of the hands (8, 9) by means of the same detection device, using the electrodes (21 to 32) of the capacitive keys and/or other fixed electrodes (51).

Abstract: The present invention concerns an antenna arrangement (29) including: an antenna (A) able to transmit data in the form of a radiofrequency signal; a transmitter (32) including a preamplifier (33) and a first transistor (36) connected in cascade, this transmitter being able to provide a radiofrequency signal containing the data to be transmitted to the antenna; and coupling means (30) connected between the antenna and the transmitter, and including a phase lag circuit (42) able to achieve the coupling of the antenna and the transmitter. The coupling means further include switching means (43) connected between the system's earth and the source terminal of the first transistor of the transmitter, so as to be able to switch the latter to an ON state, respectively to an OFF state, when said antenna is, respectively is not, in transmission phase.

Abstract: Clockwork movement fitted with a generator powering the circuit for regulating the rotation of the generator rotor. This generator is formed of at least one coil (11a, 11b, 11c) placed between magnets respectively secured to two flanges (8) mounted at the ends of a shaft of the rotor (5). The coils are arranged on a substrate (6) one part of which, carrying at least one coil, includes means allowing said coil to be moved relative to the rotor. There is also provided a device for adjusting and memorising the position of said stator part (1, 15). The adjustment of the position of said stator part allows the amplitude of the induced voltage across the terminals of the coils (11) to be adjusted.

Abstract: The assembly includes on the one hand a first device I determining a first colour, said device being formed of a liquid crystal display module (CL; CL1, CL2), including at the front and at the back a linear polariser (PAb1, PAb2) selective of said first colour, and on the other hand a second device 11 including a coloured filter (Fy) corresponding to the second colour. The assembly is characterised in that the axes of polarisation of the selective polarisers (PAb1, PAb2) are parallel to each other, in that the coloured filter (Fy) includes at the front a reflective polariser (PR1) whose axis of polarisation is parallel to the axes of polarisation of the two polarisers (PAb1, PAb2), and at the back a reflective element (R, PR2), and in that a control unit (7) enables a switching configuration to be defined displaying an item of information in the first colour on a background corresponding to the second colour or vice versa.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a structure forming an antenna (10) intended for a portable unit of small volume, such as a timepiece, and including a radiating element (20) of substantially rectangular shape arranged at a determined distance from a ground plane and short-circuited with this ground plane by one (20b) of its ends (20a, 20b), the opposite end (20a) of said radiating element (20) being left free. According to the present invention, said structure (10) includes a case (11) forming an integral part of said ground plane and including at least a cover (12), a bottom (14), and a lateral wall (13b) facing which is arranged said radiating element (20), said case (11) forming a shielded housing able to accommodate all or part of an electronic circuit and/or other components of the portable unit. The present invention also concerns a timepiece incorporating the aforementioned antenna structure.

Abstract: A zirconia based article having a core of ZrO2 and/or partially reduced ZrO2, is characterized in that it includes, over at least part of its surface, a superficial layer integral with the article, the thickness of the superficial layer including a plurality of regions of which one external region is formed of zirconium nitride having a gold metallic appearance.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a finished or semi-finished zirconia-based article having a gold metallic external appearance, the method including the steps of: providing at least one zirconia article previously shaped into its finished or semi-finished shape; partially reducing the zirconia forming said article; placing said article in a reaction vessel in which a plasma is generated from ammonia, or a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen, or a combination of this gas and this mixture; and maintaining the article in the plasma for a period of at least 5 minutes, while adjusting the conditions so that the average temperature of the article is settled between 500 and 900° C.

Abstract: The invention concerns a subassembly intended to be mounted in a portable device enabling the reception and/or emission of radio diffused messages as well as the selection of predetermined digital information. This subassembly comprises an antenna (4) and position sensors (6.1 to 6.12) disposed an a same isolating support (30). The subassembly is realised in manner such that mutual perturbations created by the combination of the antenna (4) and the position sensors (6.1 to 6.12) are avoided. The invention further relates to a horological piece (1) comprising such a subassembly wound in a peripheral region of the watch case (2).

Abstract: Electrochemical system for measuring a value representing the coagulation time of a drop of whole blood including: an electrochemical sensor in the shape of a strip of small dimensions bearing at least a reference electrode and a working electrode on which a specific reagent is immobilized, including at least one chemical substrate one terminal link of which can be cut off by the thrombin enzyme to give charged groups (LG), and a measuring apparatus intended to receive said sensor allowing a given voltage or current to be imposed across the electrodes of the sensor, the electric signal resulting from the migration of the charged groups to be processed, said signal to be correlated with a value representing the coagulation time, and said value to be displayed on a display panel. The specific reagent preferably includes an oligopeptidic derivative as a substrate, a thromboplastin and a buffer medium.

Abstract: Timepiece including a clockwork movement (2) provided with an analogue display (14). The wheel (4) includes a plate (8) with a toothing (6) defined by its external edge and a shaft (10). A device for detecting the angular position of the wheel (4) includes a magnetic or capacitive sensor (20) whose detection element, in particular a flat spiral coil (24), is used for detecting a variation in presence of the material, in particular a non magnetic conductive metal, forming the plate (8). The plate has at least one opening (16) situated in the intermediate region thereof between a central hole (18), and the tooth (6). The opening (16) defines a reference geometric semi-axis of the wheel (4) whose angular position is determined by the detection device provided.

Abstract: A generator (50) able to be fitted to a clockwork system including a crystal (51a) used as a time base, includes a first oscillator (51) able to supply a first frequency (f1), a second oscillator (56) able to supply a second frequency (f2), a divider (60) able to supply a third frequency (f3) from the second frequency, a comparator (52) able to compare the third and first frequencies, and a control loop including a filter (54) connected to the comparator and able to control the second oscillator. The generator is characterised in that it includes a component (58) able to provide an indicator (LCK) containing the state of the loop, and in that the filter (54) can receive the indicator (LCK) and, in response, have a narrow (or respectively wide) band, when the loop is (or respectively is not) locked.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a watertight apparatus capable of being immersed in a liquid, for example a watertight watch, including a case (1) with an inner chamber (10) communicating with the exterior, the chamber being separated from the exterior by a membrane (17) which can be deformed, defining, on one side, a non-watertight outer zone and, on the other side, a watertight inner zone, in which is housed, in association with the membrane, an acoustic transducer (22), the membrane being fixed by its peripheral edge (17A) in the chamber (10) and applied via elastic memeber (20) towards its periphery, but at a distance from the edge, against a support surface (12) arranged in the inner chamber (10).

Abstract: A device of small dimensions includes a two coaxial wheels (4, 6) respectively including two plates (44, 46) parallel to each other. A sensor (10) including a detection element (14).formed by a magnetic or capacitive element, in particular a flat spiral coil, is provided for detecting the angular position of both of the two wheels. In order to do this, the sensor (10) detects the presence or absence of an active material above the detection element (14). For this purpose, each of plates (44) and (46) has at least one inactive region for the sensor and is formed at least partially of active material for the sensor. The sensor is arranged relative to the wheel the closest to the detection element in such a way that the latter is at least in part above or below said at least one inactive region in at least one determined angular position of said wheel so as to allow the sensor to detect the angular position of the wheel whose plate (44) is furthest from the detection element (14).

Abstract: A zirconia based article having a core of ZrO2 and/or partially reduced ZrO2, characterized in that it includes, over at least part of its surface, a superficial layer integral with the article, the thickness of the superficial layer including a plurality of regions of which one external region is formed of zirconium nitride having a gold metallic appearance.

Abstract: The invention concerns astronomic watches capable of indicating the position of heavenly bodies of the solar system with respect to the Earth and to the zodiac. The watch according to the invention is an electronic watch including: a time base (1) for generating a standard frequency signal, a circuit (2) for determining the current time and date from said standard frequency signal, this current date including the day of the month, the month and the year, a manual control system (7; 21, 22, 23) allowing each of said heavenly bodies to be selected, a display system (6; 14, 15, 16, 20), and means (3, 4, 5) for determining the position of a selected heavenly body with respect to the Earth and to the signs of the zodiac and for causing this position to be indicated by the display system. Preferably the watch according to the invention is designed to allow the position of a heavenly body to be indicated at a date other than the current date which can be a past or future date.