Abstract: In a speech recognition and control apparatus, the speech signal is filtered into sub-bands, each sub-band signal sampled and binary quantized to form a digital string which is simplified (data reduced or compressed) by further encoding based on detecting in the string an isolated sample having one binary value surrounded by two samples having the other binary value.

Abstract: The method comprises measuring the voltage induced during the driving pulse in the coil by rotation of the rotor, and interrupting the drive pulse in dependence on the measurement made.The device for carrying out this method comprises a circuit for measuring the induced voltage, a circuit for comparison with a reference value and a circuit for calculating the duration of the drive pulse.

Abstract: The column electrodes of the display device are each formed by an alignment of conducting areas which are electrically connected to each other and which are spaced from each other, while disposed between two successive conducting areas of each electrode, in alignment with said conducting areas is a conducting area of an adjoining electrode. n+1 different reference signals are produced such that the effective value of the difference between two different signals is sufficient to generate an electro-optical effect. The first n signals of said signals are each applied to a line electrode. A signal selected from the above-mentioned n+1 signals is applied to each column electrode said selection being made in dependence on the value of a control signal.

Abstract: The counting circuit described issues a numerical information which is a non-linear function of the number of pulses applied to its input.The circuit comprises dividers which divide by integers K.sub.i the pulses applied to their inputs. A first selector connects the output of one of the dividers to the input of a counter in response to a first signal. The content of the counter is compared with numbers k.sub.i by comparators. The output of one of the comparators is connected to a control circuit by a second selector controlled by a second signal issued by the control circuit in response to a comparison signal.

Abstract: To compensate for frequency variation in the quartz oscillator 4, 6 due to temperature variation, a second quartz oscillator 12, 14 forming a thermal sensor is employed. The beat frequency fB (circuit 16) which is counted in the counter 26 for a period of time T.sub.1 gives a measurement corresponding to temperature. The number which is thus counted is raised to its square and by means of the comparator 30 taken away from the pulses counted by the divider 8 with a periodicity T.sub.T. The system may be used to provide temperature compensation for a time keeping quartz time base.

Abstract: The pressure sensitive element described has an improved barometric coefficient. The sensitive element essentially consists of a piezoelectric tuning fork having a base and a pair of arms. At the end of each arm are provided slots that are parallel to the flanks of the arms. The slots extend all the way through the thickness of the arms. The sensitive element is particularly suited for use in gas pressure measuring sensors.

Abstract: Speech recognition is improved by adaptive update of reference word codes. The apparatus can be used for controlling a piece of equipment and comprises memories which in coded form contains the references of the vocabulary of the machine; a microphone, a coding circuit and a memory for coding and memorizing the word pronounced by the user; a device for displaying the word recognized by the apparatus; and a control circuit for comparing the pronounced word to the different memorized references and for displaying at each repetition of the word the words corresponding to the references in their order of resemblance to the pronounced word. The user is able to train the apparatus easily by repeating a word until the displayed word agrees with what he has said, the coded form of this spoken word then being stored as the reference for the corresponding word of the vocabulary.

Abstract: An electro-acoustic transducer capable of operating as an emitter and as a pick-up for acoustic waves in an ambient medium includes a cover member having an opening for communication with the ambient medium, first and second diaphragms which are spaced from each other within the cover member, the second diaphragm being capable of vibrating under the effect of acoustic waves and being disposed between the first diaphragm and the opening in the cover member, an electromagnet for causing vibrations of the first diaphragm in response to electrical excitation signals when the transducer is operating in the emitter mode, an air cushion contained in a closed chamber separating the two diaphragms or a rigid mechanical connection between the two diaphragms for communicating the vibrations of the first diaphragm to the second diaphragm, and a pair of electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the second diaphragm, which is preferably a sheet of electret, for producing an output signal in response to vibrations of the sec

Abstract: A sensitive element is described for use with a strain sensor, which has low sensitivity to temperature.The sensitive element comprises a support, preferably consisting of a thin plate, on which is secured a piezoelectric resonator preferably shaped as a double tuning-fork. The deformations of the support are transmitted to the resonator thereby modifying the frequency of resonance.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for a high impedance probe for an instrument for measuring electrical voltages, comprising an input field effect transistor 15 connected in a source-follower configuration, a bipolar transistor 17 connected in an emitter-follower configuration and controlled by the transistor 15, a current source 18 serving as a load for the transistor 17, an amplifier 19 having a gain G which is slightly less than unity, the input of the amplifier being controlled by the transistor 15, and finally a resistor 20 which serves as a load for the transistor 15 and which connects the source of the transistor 15 to the output 8 of the amplifier 19, said output also serving as the output of the circuit, which is supplied by a voltage source applied between the current source 18 and the collector of the transistor 17. By virtue of the amplifier 19, the effective load resistance seen by the transistor 15 is R.sub.20 /(1-G), R.sub.20 being the value of the resistor 20.

Abstract: A watch display comprises time display hands (3, 4) and a reflecting digital display (5) which acts as dial for the hands, the display being transparent under the effect of an electric field and opaque in the absence of the field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dark colored composition based on liquid crystals, especially for use in a dichroic display cell. It comprises a mixture of liquid crystals and of dyes respectively red, yellow and blue. The red dye is the 4,4'-bis(p-dimethylamino-phenylazo)-2-methyl-azobenzene; the yellow dye is the 4,4'-bis(p-methoxy-phenylazo)-2-methyl-azobenzene; and the blue dye in an anthraquinonic dye of formula (III), ##STR1## in which A is ##STR2## and B is H or ##STR3## where R and R', indentical or different, are a lower alkyl or alkoxy group, one of the A and B being H when the other is not H.

Abstract: The sphygmomanometer comprises an arm band having an inflatable cuff and a microphone, and an instrument connected to the arm band, which contains the necessary pneumatic and electronic elements. By means of the microphone and an amplifier, electrical signals corresponding to the Korotkoff sounds are generated during the decompression phase, and are applied to a discriminator. At the appearance of the first and the last signals, corresponding to the Korotkoff sounds, and each having an amplitude at least equal to a threshold value U.sub.R, the pressure in the cuff is measured and stored in memory as the systolic pressure and diastolic pressure respectively. During the decompression phase, the threshold value U.sub.R is first decreasing like a value proportional to the pressure in the cuff; then it increases at appearance of each signal corresponding to a Korotkoff sound and exceeding the instananeous value of the threshold level U.sub.R, after which it decreases again.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for a controllable frequency oscillator using integrated variable-capacitance capacitors.The circuit is a MOS type. Each of the variable capacitance capacitors comprises a n.sup.+ -p junction at the interface of a first region of n.sup.+ conductivity type and a second region of p conductivity type, which are formed in a semiconductor substrate of n type. The first and second regions emerge at the surface of the semiconductor wafer. A decoupling capacitor is associated with the variable-capacitance capacitor by the formation of a stack arrangement comprising the portion of insulating oxide layer covering the surface portion of the wafer at which said first region emerges and an electrically conducting layer covering said insulating layer portion.

Abstract: An electronic watch having a case and a case back, a digital display, an integrated circuit, a battery and a fixed photo-electric pick-off placed on the module facing a window. The pick-off is for preference a photo-diode and its functioning is controlled by obstructing with a finger the window so as to prevent the ambient light from lighting the pick-off. According to the invention, the control system of the watch has the advantage of being insensitive to electrical parasites, of consuming little current, of being only slightly dependent upon the intensity of ambient light and of being simple to fabricate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device for reducing the consumption of a stepping motor by automatically adapting the duration of each drive pulse supplied to said motor to the mechanical load that its rotor is to drive.The method comprises forming each drive pulse by a series of elementary pulses separated by interruption periods, and determining the mechanical load by measuring, during said interruption periods, a parameter which is representative of the variation in the voltage induced in the winding (11a) of the motor by the rotary movement of the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device for controlling a stepping motor of a timepiece, which permit the power of each drive pulse to be adapted to the value of the electromotive force (V) and/or the internal resistance (R*) of the power supply source (10).In accordance with the invention, at a given moment, a value of a chopping rate (Ha) is determined in dependence on the value of the electromotive force V and/or the internal resistance R* of the power supply source (10), said value being stored, and the chopping rate of each control pulse being adjusted to the stored value.The control device comprises means (13) for supplying a chopping signal (M) to a drive circuit (12) of the motor (11). The chopping rate is determined by information contained in a memory (14). The stored information is periodically corrected in dependence on the value of the electromotive force (V) and/or the internal resistance (R*) of the power supply source (10).

Abstract: The motor assembly comprises a bidirectional stepping motor having a coil, a stator provided with a central opening in which is mounted for rotation about an axis a rotor including a permanent magnet which is magnetized along an axis of magnetization, and positioning means for defining two rest positions of the rotor in which the axis of magnetization of the magnet is directed along an axis of static equilibrium. The stator is formed of two pole pieces which partly surround the rotor and are interconnected by two intermediate parts and by four isthmuses in such a manner that the intermediate parts are intersected by the axis of static equilibrium and that two isthmuses which are opposite each other in relation to the axis of rotation of the rotor are located in one direction making with the axis of static equilibrium an angle of between 30.degree. and 60.degree..

Abstract: There is disclosed blood pressure measuring equipment comprising a sleeve with an inflatable chamber and a microphone, and an appliance connected by a line with the sleeve. The appliance comprises a pressure sensor and a differentiator connected to the sensor output. The differentiator is connected with a regulator which in operation regulates a vent valve in such a manner that the pressure in the chamber during the measurement phase, in which the systolic and diastolic pressures are measured, reduces at a constant rate. A Korotkoff tone identifier, which is connected through further elements with the microphone and the differentiator, ensures that only those signals from the microphone which occur simultaneously with a heartbeat-induced pressure fluctuation are delivered as Korotkoff tones and evaluated for determination of the systolic and diastolic pressure.

Abstract: The method comprises measuring the voltage induced during the driving pulse in the coil by rotation of the rotor, and interrupting the drive pulse in dependence on the measurement made.The device for carrying out this method comprises a circuit for measuring the induced voltage, a circuit for comparison with a reference value and a circuit for calculating the duration of the drive pulse.