Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for operating a CMOS image sensor including a matrix of pixels arranged in a plurality of lines and columns. Each of the pixels include a photosensor element that accumulates charge carriers in proportion to the illumination. A storage device is able to be coupled to the photosensor element at a determined instant in order to generate a sampled signal, which is representative of the charge carriers accumulated by the photosensor. The storage device is intended to assure storage for the purpose of reading the sampling signal. According to the present invention, when the sampled signal which is stored across the storage means is read, the photosensor element is held at a voltage such that any charge carrier generated by the latter is drained and thus does not disturb the sampled signal stored on the storage device.

Abstract: The variable gain analog-to-digital conversion device (1) for an image sensor comprises at least one N-bit non-linear coarse first converter (21) receiving a pixel voltage signal (Vpix) and at least one M-bit linear fine second converter (22) connected to the first converter (21) in order for the device to supply a binary word of N+M bits relating to the voltage level of the pixel. The first converter (21) comprises comparison means (33) for comparing the voltage level of the pixel with one or more voltage thresholds (V0 to V4) delimiting voltage ranges within the voltage dynamic range of the sensor. The successive voltage ranges represent areas of illumination of the pixel ranging from a weakly lit area to a strongly lit area. The first comparator supplies an N-bit binary word relating to the area of illumination determined for the pixel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable electronic object (1) consisting of a “voice” user interface (2) containing sound signal-reception means (3) and a management unit (8) comprising sound signal-processing means (9a). The invention is characterised in that it also comprises an ambient noise sensor (10) which can be used to measure the level of ambient noise (Bm), said sensor being connected to the aformementioned control unit. The invention is further characterised in that the control unit also comprises comparison means (12a) which are used to compare the measured ambient noise level with a pre-defined noise level (Bo), and control means (13) which are arranged such as to deactivate the sound signal-processing means when the ambient noise level exceeds the pre-defined noise level (Bm>Bo).

Abstract: In order to display images true to the real appearance of the moon during a lunation, particularly in a watch, there is provided a rotating indicator disc (8) arranged behind a circular aperture of a dial and comprising an annular region (20) subdivided into alternatively light (21-25) and dark (26-30) fields by lines of separation (31-40) having different shapes, which can appear in succession in the aperture. The drive means impart primary movements on the indicator disc (8), each of which is large enough to replace one of the lines of separation by another in the aperture, and smaller secondary movements, to produce small movements of the line of separation inside the aperture. This allows a new image of the moon to be given every day, true to reality, with a restricted number of light and dark fields on the indicator disc and a particularly large aperture in relation to the size of the dial. A version with electric driving is disclosed and a version driven by a mechanical watch movement.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for manufacturing a plurality of multi-layered cells, particularly liquid crystal display cells, or electrochemical photovoltaic cells, or a combination of such cells, each cell including at least two superposed sealed cavities each delimited by a sealing frame and filled with a liquid, this method comprising the step of collectively manufacturing a batch of cells including at least three plates common to all the display cells and connected to each other by patterns of sealing material connecting said plates to each other and forming the sealing frames which delimit the cavities of said cells, this method being characterised in that filling holes are pierced through the plates such that each of the cavities of a cell is fed by a different filling hole, each of the filling holes being in communication with at least two cells and feeding the cavities of the same level, i.e.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for monitoring the water resistance of a case (2) of an electronic timepiece (1) including a time base (42) for generating a standard frequency signal and a central processing unit (44) for determining the time from the standard signal, characterized in that it includes an electronic sensor (32) capable of measuring fluctuations in the concentration of a gas in the atmosphere contained in the case (2), the results of the measurement carried out by the electronic sensor (32) being processed by the central processing unit (44) which, in response to the measurement signal, emits, if necessary, an acoustic or visual alarm.

Abstract: The control method allows execution of various functions in an electronic diary watch, which includes, in a case closed by a crystal, a time-keeping circuit and/or a watch movement powered by an energy source, and a dial on which the time is displayed in a digital and/or analogue manner. A determined number of sensors (C1 to C7) are provided with touch sensitive pads arranged on an inner or outer face of the crystal. These sensors are provided for carrying out the various controls of the method when they are individually activated by a user's finger. In order to consult data or parameters, the method includes a first series of steps consisting in displaying different menus (102 to 106) of the diary function on at least one liquid crystal display by activating at least one sensor (C4, C5) of a group of sensors (C4 to C7), and in selecting the menu or record to be consulted (107 to 111) by activating a validation sensor (C1).

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electro-optical display cell (1; 18), particularly a liquid crystal cell, or electrochemical photovoltaic cell comprising: at least one transparent front substrate (2; 20) whose top surface forms the front face (14) of the cell (1; 18); at least one back substrate (8; 22) that may also be transparent or not, whose lower surface (12; 31) forms the back face of said cell (1; 18); a sealing frame (36) joining the front (20) and back (22) substrates and defining a volume (38) for retaining an electro-optically or photo-electrically active medium in a sealed manner; said front (20) and back (22) substrates including on their faces opposite to each other at least one electrode (24, 26) each, these electrodes (24, 26) being intended to be connected by conductive paths (16; 30, 34) to an electrical power or control circuit (10; 56) and defining lateral electric contact zones (28, 32), said cell being characterised in that the conductive paths (30, 34) are each formed of a firs

Abstract: The invention concerns an adaptor (100) adapted to establish an electric connection with a portable electronic instrument (200) and to allow transmission of electric signals. The portable instrument is controlled via at least one control member (210) having first electric contact means (213) accessible from the exterior of the instrument. The control member is capable of occupying a first non pushed-in position and a second pushed-in position. The adaptor includes a support (101) having a pattern cavity (102) dimensioned to receive the instrument. The pattern cavity includes at least one housing (110) in which are arranged second electric contact means (119). The housing is dimensioned to receive the control member, such that, on the one hand, the control member is brought into the pushed-in position and, on the other hand, the first and second electric contacts are brought into contact, when the instrument is placed in the pattern cavity.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electro-optical cell, in particular a liquid crystal display cell (2), or an electrochemical photovoltaic cell, including in particular a first transparent front substrate (4) and a second back substrate (6) which may or may not be transparent, said substrates (4, 6) being joined by a sealing frame that defines a volume (8) for retaining a sensitive material whose physical properties, particularly optical, or electrical properties are capable of changing, said substrates (4, 6) including on their faces opposite each other at least one electrode (14, 16), these electrodes (14, 16) being intended to be connected to an electrical power or control circuit, said cell (2) being characterised in that the sealing frame includes at least one wall (12) structured on one of the two substrates (4, 6) and which defines via its inner lateral face the volume (8) for retaining the sensitive material, the substrates (4, 6) being joined by a sealing frame (30), which occupies at least part of

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing in large numbers a multiplicity of magnetic sensors produced on a semiconductor substrate, these sensors comprising at least one magnetic core produced in an amorphous magnetic material, characterised in that, after integration of the electronic circuits associated with the magnetic sensors, a film of amorphous magnetic material is glued onto the semiconductor substrate, this film being obtained from a band of amorphous magnetic material cut into a plurality of sections which are disposed one beside the other on a support, said film being then structured in order to form the magnetic cores of said magnetic sensors, the semiconductor substrate being finally cut up in order to provide a plurality of individual magnetic sensors.

Abstract: The electronic watch includes analogue display means (1) formed of at least one hand (2) driven by at least one motor (3), a time base (4) for controlling means (8) for driving said motor, a rechargeable power source (9), means (14) for stopping the motor (3) acting particularly on said drive means, and time counting means (18) in synchronism with said analogue display means (1) for a sufficient supply voltage. When the stopping means detect a power shortage, the display means are stopped and the corresponding value of the counting means is stored in storage means and the counting means continue to operate. As soon as the power supply is sufficient again, time difference calculating means (20) send time difference signals (21) between the stored value and the value of the counting means to the drive means in order to reset said analogue display means to the right time.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of manufacturing at least one device (2, 30, 48) defining a volume (8) for retaining a fluid or a sensitive material that is capable of changing its physical properties, particularly its optical properties, via the application of a voltage, or its electrical properties via stress or radiation, said device (2, 30, 48) including at least a first front substrate (4, 38, 56) and at least a second back substrate (6, 32, 50) maintained at a constant distance from each other, these two substrates (6, 32, 50; 4, 38, 56) being joined by a sealing joint (24, 46, 72) which defines the volume (8) for retaining the sensitive medium or fluid, said method being characterised in that it includes the steps of: structuring at least one wall (12, 44, 66), which defines via its inner lateral face the volume (8) for retaining the sensitive medium or fluid, on one of the substrates (6, 32, 50); joining the second substrate (4, 38, 56) to the first substrate (6, 32, 50); introducing a

Abstract: A level-shifter architecture with high-voltage driving capability and extremely low power consumption, exploiting dynamic control of the charge on the gate electrodes of the high-voltage output transistors, is provided. The architecture can be integrated in CMOS technology and can be applied to various applications, including monolithic integration of high-voltage display driver circuits in battery-powered applications.

Abstract: The present invention is a lighting device for an electronic or electromechanical apparatus such as a timepiece of the wristwatch type. The invention includes a device displaying time-related or other information, this lighting device including a light source for lighting the display device. The lighting device is characterized in that the light source is also able to measure the intensity of the ambient light. The invention also concerns a method for controlling the lighting of an apparatus of the aforementioned type.

Abstract: A low power RF receiver (1) has an antenna (2), a reception and shaping stage (3) for the radio-frequency signals provided by the antenna, a 12-channel correlation stage (7) receiving intermediate signals (IF) shaped by the reception stage (3), and a microprocessor (12) connected to the correlation stage for calculating X, Y and Z position, velocity and time data as a function of data provided by the radio-frequency signals, such as GPS signals, transmitted by satellites. Each channel includes a correlator (8) associated with a controller (9), which also includes a digital signal processing algorithm to allow all the synchronisation tasks for acquiring and tracking a satellite to be performed autonomously when the channel (7?) is set in operation, and to lock onto the satellite. Buffer registers (11) are placed at the interface between the correlation stage (7) and the microprocessor (12) for the mutual transfer of data.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece including a mechanical power source (1) coupled, on the one hand, to first means (5) displaying time related information and, on the other hand, to a generator (2), a regulator circuit (6) for enslaving the generator frequency to a reference frequency, said regulator circuit including switching means (7) arranged for electrically braking the generator when the generator frequency is higher than the reference frequency, and second power-reserve display means (12a) controlled by means for measuring the power-reserve (12b), said timepiece being characterised in that it further includes means (11) for accumulating the electrical energy dissipated during the generator braking periods and means (13) for actuating said second display means to display the power-reserve by means of the electrical energy accumulated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mixer, in particular for an dual conversion receiver. The mixer includes a first variable transconductance stage (A) controlled by a high frequency carrier signal, this first stage including first (37) and second (38) terminals delivering a first signal; and a second stage (B) connected to said first terminal of the first stage including, in parallel, first (T32) and second (T33) switching means respectively controlled by first (in2) and second (in2b) phase opposition control signals at a first intermediate frequency (IF1), these first and second switching means being powered by a substantially equal current supplied by polarisation means (34). The mixer according to the invention is characterised in that it further includes means (T36) for modulating said first signal delivered by said first stage by means of a third control signal (in3) at a second intermediate frequency (IF2).

Abstract: A second device (24) is mounted on a first device (22) formed of a liquid crystal (27) display cell (26) at the front of which is arranged a first linear polarizer (40), of a liquid crystal (29) optical valve (28) at the back of which is arranged a second polarizer (44) and means (23) for controlling the valve (28) and the cell (26) from a switched state to a non switched state. When the cell (26) is switched to display a data item, by associating a first light or dark device (22) with a second absorbent or reflective polarizer (44), an inversion of the contrast in said data is obtained by switching the valve (28).

Abstract: The electrodes (7) and the contact zones (15) are structured in a film of a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), deposited on a transparent support (1) possibly coated with an intermediate film (3), while being separated by dielectric spaces (9) formed by nano fissures (11) obtained by UV radiation and passing through the TCO film. A protective film (13) can coat the electrodes (7) and the dielectric spaces (9).