Abstract: The invention relates to a device that permits removal of excess developer particles on the surface of a recording element and comprises a suction conduit (22) having at one end a port (23) in the form of a slot and at its other end a cylindrical chamber (25) which communicates with said conduit. The generators of the chamber run parallel to the port (23). The chamber includes a suction port (32) which is connected to a suction source, and an air inlet port (31) which discharges into the free atmosphere (31).

Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply system for a device designed to cooperate with a portable electronic medium, e.g., a credit or identification card having integrated electronic circuits therein. This system comprises a main power supply circuit (5a) that applies at least one voltage (V) to a processing unit (3) by means of a main supply source (6a) and an auxiliary backup supply circuit (5b) by means of an auxiliary supply source (6b). A detector circuit (7) detects any anomaly of the main source (6a) and automatically connects the auxiliary source (6b) in order to apply the voltage (V) to the unit (3).The invention is more particularly applicable to the supply of a transaction terminal or unit which cooperates with portable electronic mediums, e.g., credit or identification cards.

Abstract: Optoelectronic method of reading the data retained on a magnetic medium (SM) on a plurality of tracks, receiving the data in the form of a plurality of luminous spots (ID.sub.i) projected onto a plane (P) where there are arranged a plurality of photoelectronic transducers aligned in at least one row (BTRPE.sub.ijl), at least two transducers (TRPE.sub.ij, TRPE.sub.(i+l)j) being associated with the same spot. A specified sampling instants the electrical image of the portion of the observed track is obtained in the form of a plurality of analog pulses (S'TRPE.sub.ij, S'TRPE.sub.(i+l)j) which are shifted in parallel, are then transferred into a register where they are shifted in series until an analog output signal (SSR.sub.1) is obtained, after which they are converted into a logic signal having a frequency equal to the frequency (f.sub.E) for writing the data on the magnetic medium SM.

Abstract: A pattern generator for integrated multilayer circuits, comprising a light source (SLI) for each one of the layers, at least one associated reticle (RETMI) bearing patterns to be reproduced thereon and which is transparent to light, and optical means (MPI) for projecting and focusing the image of the patterns on the layer. The generator is characterized in that with a polarizer (POLI) being connected to the source, the reticle comprises a thin layer (GRI) of magnetooptical material with a magnetization which is at right angles to its surface, the image not the patterns being restituted by a light meter (ANALI).

Abstract: A powder suitable for developing latent magnetic images comprising magnetic particles coated with a mixture of a thermoplastic resin and a silane. A method for producing the said powder comprising hot-forming a mixture of magnetic particles, a thermoplastic resin and a silane, cooling and reducing the cooled mass to a fine powder.

Abstract: A controller for microinstructions grouped into microprogram segments, each of which defines a base of a microprogram segment which is to be executed, includes a bank of addressable base registers. Each register in the bank stores an indication of a base in the memory. Registers in the bank are addressed so that the addressed register derives a signal indicative of the base address. Included are an address register for the memory and an output register for microinstructions read from the memory. The address and output registers respectively have outputs and inputs coupled to an address input and a read output of the memory. An adder has inputs responsive to the base indicating signal of the addressed register and to an output of the memory output register. The adder has an output coupled to an input of the address register. The output of the memory output register is coupled to an input of the means for addressing registers in the register bank to control which register of the base register bank is addressed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for converting electric signals representing data into a group of raised dots constituting the image of said data and comprises a magnetic recording medium (10) provided at its surface with hollow cells which, after being magnetized by a recording unit (14) are capable of attracting balls (16) contained in a trough (15). The balls attracted in this way are received and held in the cell and form a group of raised dots at the surface of the medium (10). The raised dots can function as reading devices for the blind or for people with poor eyesight or can be used to imprint a tape or other medium.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for controlling and monitoring a modular power supply system for supplying power to a data processing system and the like that includes a plurality of power sources allocated among a plurality of power supply subsystems in a predetermined configuration. Each subsystem is interfaced to the control bus of a control unit that includes a microprocessor by an addressable interface unit that controls the power sources in response to control signals from the control unit and that monitors the power sources and the devices powered by such sources and supplies monitor signals to the control unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to magnetic printers and, more particularly, to an apparatus for applying solid developer particles to the recording drum of a non-impact printer. This apparatus comprises, on the one hand, a conveyor roller (22) which brings the developer particles from a particle storage or supply tank (15) to the vicinity of the recording drum (10) and, on the other hand, a baffle plate or deflector (23) positioned between the roller (22) and the drum (10). The roller (22) is coated with magnetized strips having on their outer surfaces magnetic helicoidal lines such that on two adjacent strips the pitch of the magnetic lines of one strip is opposed to that of the other strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for positioning and holding a screen carrier in a serigraphic machine. The positioning and holding apparatus is essentially constituted by two parallel grooves (21, 22) machined in the screen carrier (10) and cooperating stops and a side latch mechanism on the machine. The two grooves have at least one extremity opening on the same edge (C1) of the screen carrier. In these two grooves (21, 22) are respectively mounted the two stops (23, 24) which are designed to come respectively into contact with two fixed reference pins carried by the serigraphic machine. During insertion of the screen carrier, by sliding in its plane along two sides of the serigraphic machine, the two reference pins ride in the respective slots contacting the stops when the screen carrier is inserted fully. A latch locking arrangement is provided on the machine or maintaining and holding the screen carrier in position once the reference pins are in contact with the associated stops.

Abstract: A central sub-system of a data processing system, including an operator console controlling a service processor, is divided into several sub-units, functioning separately from each other. The sub-units include processors that are connected together and to a common controller for a common memory unit by data, address and control buses. Each sub-unit includes a configuration device that stores an appurtenance indicator derived from the service processor in response to sub-unit initialization, and enables its associated sub-unit to exchange data with the memory unit. The sub-unit having the highest priority of the sub-units attempting to access the memory units is connected to the memory unit by the controller. A single configuration memory stores an indication of the sub-units in service in the central sub-system. The configuration memory is addressed each time the memory unit is addressed by a signal indicative of the appurtenance indicator derived from the selected sub-unit.

Abstract: The user has a credit card incorporating electronic devices and/or circuits. The facility which is to be protected has an electronic device and/or circuit analogous to that of the credit card. The devices of the credit card and of the facility contain in their respective memories a secret code S, an identification code I.sub.n, and a program p. The facility which is to be protected has available a generator of a random code E which is transmitted into each of the devices when a request for access is made. The devices within the card and the facility each calculate the function R=p(S, E, I.sub.n), and a comparator situated in the facility which is to be protected compares the functions supplied by each of the devices to allow or deny access of the person to the said facility.

Abstract: A magnetic tape reel is secured to a reel drive motor shaft by a device including a hub secured to the shaft, a plurality of shoes, and actuating means for thrusting the shoes against the reel and for releasing them from contact with the reel. The securing device includes a cam mounted on the shaft in combination with a locking device including the cam periphery. The locking device thrusts the shoes against the object and is operated by rotation of the motor. The cam is immobilized in rotation while the shoes are locked.

Abstract: A data byte element E located at position d in entry i of memory section M.sub.a having reference entry TR is addressed. Memory section M.sub.a is one section of a table in a data processory memory, such that each of the entries in section M.sub.a has a predetermined number (t) of elements E. Signals having values related to the values of i, t and TR of several memory sections are stored in a storage device and read out when the storage device is addressed. A signal related to the value of d is also derived as a result of read-out from the storage device. The signals having values related to the values of i, t, TR and d are combined to derive an addressing signal for element E in memory section M.sub.a of the table of the data processing memory. An address circuit for the data processing memory responds to the addressing signal to addressing element E in memory section M.sub.a.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the compensation of voltage variations of the electrical AC polyphase power line for an AC-DC converter (3).The invention comprises a first circuit (5) for determining the voltage variations at the input of each trigger rectifier (Th.sub.1, Th.sub.2, Th.sub.3) of a converter (3) and a compensating circuit (6) for compensating the firing angle of each trigger rectifier. The compensating circuit (6) is connected to an output (7) of the first circuit (5) for determining the variations in the input voltage of each rectifier. Outputs of the compensating circuit (6) are connected to control inputs of the pulse generator (4) for controlling the firing angle of each rectifier so as to adjust the period of the firing pulses of each trigger rectifier (Th.sub.1, Th.sub.2, Th.sub.3). The invention is particularly applicable to electrical DC power supplys for data processing systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device particularly adapted for use with the power supply of a computer for controlling the regulating facilities in an electric high-power AC-DC converter of the power supply.This control device (D) comprises a regulation (CC) control comparator connected to the storage facilities (S) of the converter and receiving a reference voltage having a "nominal" value when the converter is normally powered by an AC network and receiving a portion of the output voltage from the converter, the output of said control comparator (CC) supplying an error signal to the regulating facilities (MR) of the converter. The control device also includes facilities (R) for supplying a variable reference voltage to the control comparator (CC) so that at the moment of recovery of the network following a cutoff, the voltage at the input of the filtering facilities (F) of the converter is, at the most, equal to the output voltage of the storage facilities (S).

Abstract: A connector for a portable object particularly adapted for credit cards having an IC chip thereon comprises an element incorporating a chamber having an opening adapted to receive the portable object along a predetermined direction. Means for grasping the portable object are contained in the chamber and actuable by the displacement of the portable object. The means for grasping the portable object comprises a first jaw and a second jaw formed by a member which is not integral with the element and cooperating with a guiding device such that it is displaced in the chamber along the predetermined direction between a stable idle position close to the opening and an operating position away from the opening. The member is tipped with respect to the portable object between the idle and operating positions.

Abstract: A system and method for distribution of articles or services, especially adapted to be secure against use by unauthorized personel, receives first and second data carriers. Each data carrier includes a processor, data storage, and interfacing circuits. A random number generator feeds a random number to each of the data carriers which use a program to generate a resultant based on the random number, a secret code and an identification number. The secret code and identification number are stored in the data storage of each data carrier. The resultants are compared to determine if they are equal, in which case access is allowed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing process, as well as to a machine which enables images in color to be produced on a print carrier.The machine which implements said process comprises magnetic heads (13-l, . . . 13-n) energized by impulses emitted by a source (26) by means of a frequency-generating means (27) in order to produce on the drum (10) magnetized points having different sizes, pigment-applying means (40, 42, 44) retouching means, and a transfer station (45) where the pigments deposited onto the drum (1) are transferred to a strip of paper (21).

Abstract: The invention relates to a printing process and machine which enables the production of two-color images on a print carrier. The machine which carries out this process consists of two applicators (40,42) placed one after the other to deposit two layers of differently colored pigments onto the magnetic drum (10). The surface of the drum has produced thereon a latent magnetic image whose magnetic points have the same intensity of magnetization, but opposite polarities, the magnetic points intended to produce powder-image parts in one of said colors being opposite to that of the points intended to produce the other parts of said image. A transfer station (44,45) is provided with a magnetic field generator (21) located upstream to the point (45) where the pigments are transferred to the print carrier (20). The magnetic-field generator (21) applies a constant magnetic field to the recording surface in a direction perpendicular to the surface.