Abstract: A dispenser apparatus having a guiding plate (59) and a cylindrical extension (74) with a groove (75), the cylindrical extension preferably being coupled to a cover (22) for enabling backwards movement of a disposable strip (34) in the apparatus prior to the separation of a disposable zone (Z1 to Z9) of the strip. The strip can be moved forward step-by-step, after it has been inserted into the apparatus, via a sliding button (23) which acts on a cursor (35) to which the strip (34) can be coupled and which can circulate into a passage (29) provided in the case (20) of the apparatus. The apparatus is particularly applicable to dispensing devices for objects such as medical tablets, and to blood sugar level measuring devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing multizone disposable testing strips which are inserted in the apparatus by a user. The apparatus has, for the strips (34), a circulation passage (29) in which a cursor (35) is able to slide, each strip being able to be coupled to the cursor. Ratchet members (54, 57, 62a to 65), associated with a driving member attached to the cursor, are arranged so as to enable the step by step movement of the cursor in the direction of the opening (28) of the passage (29) from any position in which the cursor can be, this being achieved via a direct driving of the cursor. Accordingly, it is always possible to bring the cursor back into a position where it is near said opening. The apparatus can be applied to object dispensing devices, such as medical tablets, or to blood sugar level measuring devices.

Abstract: An identification arrangement for a character transcribed onto a surface has sensors, circuits for periodically detecting the state of the output signals from the sensors, and a change-of-state detector for determining which, among the output signals, is in a high state. Each of the output signals in a high state is compared with the output signal which had been produced by the same sensor during detection of the preceding state. A storage unit stores an identifier corresponding to the sensors for which a change of state has thus been detected, the stored identifiers thus forming a sequence of identifiers corresponding to the transcribed character. The stored sequence of identifiers is compared with at least one sequence of reference identifiers in order to identify the transcribed character.

Abstract: The portable precision watch, additionally to time-keeping functions, also comprises a GPS receiver with antenna, evaluation electronics, a compass, a destination coordinate memory, an input element and a display element. With the evaluation electronics the coordinates of the location and the direction to the destination are computed and are made directly viewable as a vector display in the display element. Thus a very compact precision watch is provided which may be personally carried everywhere and worldwide, and directly displays the direction to any destination, in particular as a pocket watch or wrist watch.

Abstract: The integrated circuit (11) of this timepiece comprises means (16, 17, 18) for comparing the frequency of a time base (12, 13) to the frequency of the generator (1). The error signal thereby generated is examined by a wired logic (20) allowing verification of whether this signal passes distinct threshold values.Passing of two of these values allows an electric brake (22) of the generator to be controlled so that from a certain degree of depletion of the power reserve of the barrel (5), the second hand moves periodically right away over an angle of several seconds inviting the wearer of the timepiece to rewind the spring (6) of the barrel (5).

Abstract: In order to avoid any risk of detachment where conductors or current paths are provided through the sealing frame (7) which, with the support plates (1,2) defines a chamber (11) enclosed in a seal tight manner at the centre of the cell, the electrodes (3A, 4) situated inside this chamber are connected to respective electrical contacts (6) by means of strips of conductive adhesive (9) extending from the inside to the outside of the chamber. These strips of adhesive may also be used to connect two electrodes to each other.

Abstract: An electric cell comprises first and second parallel flexible substrates, set apart from each other at a determined spacing, carrying electrodes on their opposing faces, the substrates enclosing between them a layer of sensitive material which can change its physical properties, in particular its optical properties, as a result of a voltage applied to the electrodes, or change its electrical properties as a result of stress or radiation passing through one of the substrates, the sensitive material being protected from contact with the atmosphere by a sealing frame which connects, in a sealed manner, peripheral parts of the substrates, said frame having a width parallel to the substrates.

Abstract: The timepiece comprises an electrical energy generator (3) comprising a rotor (3a) and means (3b) for supplying said electrical energy in response to rotation of said rotor (3a), a source of mechanical energy (2), measuring means (Trig) coupled to said generator (3) for producing measurement pulses of the angular frequency of an alternating voltage supplied by the generator (3), braking means (K) responsive to a braking command signal for applying a braking torque to said rotor (3a), an electronic circuit (1) comprising reference means (Osc) for producing a reference signal (FR), and slaving control means (Div, Cmp, Tmr) arranged to control said braking means (K) when said measurement pulses are ahead with respect to the reference signal.

Abstract: The angular speed measuring device comprises:a transducer (1) intended to rotate at said angular speed;means (9) for generating a mechanical vibration of said transducer (1) in response to an excitation signal (OSC), this mechanical vibration comprising a parasite component and at least one useful component having an amplitude which is representative of said angular speed, andmeans for producing an electric detection signal (DET) representative of said mechanical vibration and also comprising a parasite component and at least one useful component having an amplitude which is representative of said angular speed.The device is characterized in that it further comprises processing means (23) for obtaining from said electric detection signal (DET), an analog measurement signal (S") the amplitude of which only depends on said useful component of the electric detection signal (DET), the parasite component of the electric detection signal being eliminated.

Abstract: Delay locked loop intended to be used in a receiver of signals emitted by a GPS satellite, comprising a pseudo-random code generator (35), a local oscillator (34), a modulator (14) for modulating said pseudo-random code with the output signal of said local oscillator (34), a plurality of signal channels (C1, C2, C3) connected to the output of said modulator (14) and each comprising a pass-band filter (48 to 50). A data processing unit (11) is adapted to control the central frequency of the output signal of said local oscillator as a function of the output signal of said signal detection circuit and to control the central frequencies and the bandwidth of said pass-band filters (48 to 50) in several steps during said acquisition phase, so that said pass-band filters divide up, at each step, one of the pass-bands of the preceding step into non-overlapping pass-bands.

Abstract: A watch for indicating the direction of a predetermined locality from a plurality of defined geographic regions. Such watch comprises an arrangement (28, 40) for detecting the direction of terrestrial magnetic north and means (22, 46, 14) for indicating the direction of a predetermined locality from any geographic region whatsoever comprised within a plurality of defined geographic regions. Moreover the watch comprises means (18, 19, 20) operable by a user of the watch in order to furnish a code number to an electronic managing and control unit (22). This number, chosen among a plurality of numbers, forms a code corresponding to the geographic region in which the user is located. With the help of such code number, the electronic unit (22) can determine the mean magnetic azimuth corresponding to the region in which the user is located by means of a memory (26) in which is stored a plurality of mean magnetic azimuths respectively corresponding to said plurality of geographic regions.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electronic power module comprising several integrated power circuits which may, for example, be insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of manufacturing a black zirconia-based article, characterized in that it includes successive steps consisting of: producing a first mixture comprising a zirconia powder, 3 to 70% by weight of a stabilizer selected from the group of oxides comprising yttrium oxide, magnesium oxide, cerium oxide and calcium oxide, 1% to 10% by weight of a pigment selected from the group formed on the one hand by a cobalt oxide and iron oxide powder and on the other hand, by a spinel CoFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 powder; producing a second mixture comprising said first mixture and a binder; producing a granulated mixture by granulating said second mixture; forming a rough model by giving said second granulated mixture the shape of the desired article; sintering in air for at least 30 minutes at a temperature less than 1,400.degree. C. when said pigment is a cobalt oxide and iron oxide powder and less than 1,600.degree. C. when the pigment is a spinel CoFe.sub.2 O.sub.

Abstract: This apparatus operates with disposable strips which are inserted therein by a user. It comprises a circulation passage (29) for the strips (34) wherein a cursor (35) is able to slide, each strip being able to be coupled to the cursor. A mechansim is provided so that the cursor (35) is able to move in the passage (29) only if it is coupled to a strip. Moreover, the cursor (35) remains blocked in the vicinity of the opening (28) of the circulation passage when no strips (34) are present. This invention can be applied in particular to objects dispensing devices such as medical tablets or to blood sugar level measuring devices.

Abstract: Horlogical piece intended to be worn on the wrist including either a dipole antenna (4) or a slot antenna (30; 40) and a first case (5) comprising organs (7, 8, 10) for displaying the time, and a micro receiver (6). The horlogical piece further comprises a second case (2) intended to receive the first case (5) such that the exterior surface of the first case and the interior surface of the second case defined a mounting slot (25). The antenna (4; 30; 40) comprises a dielectric substrate (13; 33; 43), and at least one printed circuit conductive element (11, 12; 31; 41) fixed the substrate (13; 33; 43).In addition, the antenna (4; 30; 40) is located in the mounting slot (25) such that it is wound around the first case (5).

Abstract: This timepiece comprises a barrel (1), a spring (1a), hands (5) and an electric energy generator (2) intended to provide, by way of a rectifier (4) a continuous voltage to a regulating circuit (6). This regulating circuit controls the speed of the generator in such a way so as to impose to the hands a rotational speed which corresponds to a correct indication of the current time. The regulating circuit comprises a transistor (10) for short-circuiting the generator and for braking it when said regulating circuit observes that the generator is rotating at a speed which is too large to ensure a correct indication of the time.Means (13 to 17) are provided for counting the number of times that the generator is braked during periods of predetermined duration and means for providing, as a function of the result of this counting, a visual indication of the power reserve.

Abstract: The arrangement (42) according to the invention is formed by a watch comprising a dial (8) on which is shown a map (14) centered on a given geographic location, Mecca in particular. The arrangement (42) comprises a device (48) for indicating the direction of the terrestrial magnetic north and a device (16) enabling the angular positioning of the map in the general plane of the arrangement (42) corresponding to the plane of the dial (8). The different geographic regions shown on the map (14) are graphically arranged so that any point whatsoever of the contours of such regions substantially shows an angular spread (.OMEGA.), relative to a center of reference (22) corresponding to the above-mentioned given geographic location and to a reference direction (24) equal to the magnetic azimuth of the great circle passing through said point and the reference point (22) augmented by 180.degree..

Abstract: A method for obtaining a finished or semi-finished item in sintered zirconia having a metallic appearance comprises the steps of providing at least one previously shaped and sintered zirconia item in its finished or semi-finished shape, placing the item in an oven in which there is a plasma containing hydrogen, bringing the item to a temperature of around 800.degree. C. or more, and maintaining the item at this temperature for a period of time from around a quarter of an hour to three hours, preferably two hours.

Abstract: Hydrophobic liquid salts of the general formula ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and each represent a straight or branched chain alkyl radical, a fluoroalkyl radical or an alkoxyalkyl radical of 1 to 8 carbon atoms; and R.sub.2, R.sub.4, and R.sub.5 are the same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical with 1 to 3 carbon atoms.The invention has applications as an electrolyte solvent in electrochemical photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: An angular speed measuring device includes an oscillator for producing an excitation signal which induces mechanical vibrations in a rotating tuning fork, and an analog processing circuit for processing an electrical detection signal derived from the tuning fork. The analog processing circuit comprises a temperature-independent phase shifter responsive to the excitation signal for producing two signals in quadrature. The quadrature signals are applied to two multipliers which also receive the detection signal. The output signals from the multipliers are dependent on the fixed phase shift .phi. between the excitation signal and the detection signal, which is fixed for a given tuning fork, and on the variable phase shift .psi. which is a function of the rotational speed of the tuning fork, but the multiplier output signals are independent of temperature. After A/D conversion, the multiplier output signals are processed in a microprocessor to determine the angular speed.