Abstract: There is disclosed a diagnosis system for a data processing system including at least one transmitter member having a first storing means for storing a first set of processing programs, a data processing unit having means for selectively executing the first set of processing programs, a receiver member having second storing means for storing information resulting from the execution of the first set of processing programs and a checking circuit for testing the execution of the first set of processing programs in response to test data supplied to the data processing unit. In particular, the diagnosis system comprises diagnosis means and an input/output circuit connectable to said checking circuit and to said diagnosis means. The diagnosis means, more specifically, includes a third storing means for storing a second set of diagnosis programs related to the diagnosis of the data processing unit, the transmitter member and the receiver member.

Abstract: A magnetic transduction device for reading and/or writing of data contained on a magnetic support such as a disc or magnetic tape comprises a magnetic circuit formed by two thin superposed magnetic layers magnetically coupled at one end and forming an air gap at the other end, and a coil between said thin magnetic layers formed by thin conductive layers separated by thin insulating layers. At least one of the thin conducting layers comprises at least one magnetoresistance.

Abstract: A process for generating a magnetic induction field within a magnetic medium. A magnetic excitation field and a selection wave are caused to act simultaneously at each point on a path of at least one non-saturated portion of the magnetic medium, in such manner as to modify the magnetic properties of the medium at this point by degrading them and thus producing therein the induction field. The process is applicable to devices for generating a magnetic field utilized in magnetic data recording systems, wherein the magnetic medium is of a "degraded type".

Abstract: To reduce the proportion of rejects resulting by reasons of short circuits in the manufacture and use of miniaturized multilayer circuits and to improve the electric efficiency, there is inserted between each conductive layer of low resistance and each insulating layer of high thermal stability, a very thin layer of a conductive material, preferably non-magnetic, of high resistivity and of crystallographic reference at least compatible with respect to the first conducting material and of low or negligible thermal expansion in the range of temperatures to which the circuits are submitted both during manufacture and use.

Abstract: A portable credit or identity card or the like incorporates magnetic bubble elements. The bubble elements comprise a layer of magnetic material capable of containing magnetic bubbles and which is provided with a propagation track and a means for detecting the bubbles. Two flat permanent magnets arranged on either side of the magnetic layer generate a magnetic polarizing field perpendicular to the layer. The bubble element forms the memory which contains the identity code for the card.

Abstract: A method for coating the interior of a cylindrical surface comprising depositing on the interior or a rotating cylindrical surface a dry hydraulic cement composition and applying to the dry cement coating which is held stationary on the interior cylindrical surface by the centrifugal force of the rotating cylinder an aqueous composition and allowing the cement to harden to provide a coating having no tendency to slump or sag in the wet condition.

Abstract: A portable data or information carrier in the form of a card or the like. In order to maximize the confidentiality of information stored in the carrier, and more specifically to limit the amount of information available to a would-be defrauder monitoring data lines connecting the data carrier to external devices, the data carrier includes a microprocessor and an operatively associated protected memory to which access is protected. The memory includes at least one key or code which is compared to a key received from a device external to the data carrier to determine whether a particular operation is authorized. To ensure that the data carrier consumes the same amount of current whether the requested operation is authorized or unauthorized, the data carrier includes "access" and key "error" memory elements of the Electrically Alterable Read Only Memory (EAROM) type, and a bit is stored in the respective memory element in either event.

Abstract: A drop generator for an ink jet printer comprises a mechanical vibration amplifier which is adapted, when set in vibration at one end, to cause at least one ink jet emitted from its other end to break up into drops. An electromechanical converter device is fitted at said one end to impart a vibratory movement to the amplifier when it is excited electrically. A compensating block is attached to the electromechanical converter device so as to set up in the latter a nodal vibration zone. A support member holds the generator in position in the printer and the part of the support member which is in contact with the generator is situated in the nodal zone.

Abstract: A carrier for magnetic data recorded therein by perpendicular recording comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one substantially plane surface provided with a magnetic data layer of an anisotropic magnetic material having its axis of easy magnetization perpendicular to the said plane surface, and includes an additional layer of an anisotropic magnetic material whose axis of hard magnetization is parallel to the said plane surface. An intermediate non-magnetic, insulative coupling layer may be provided to maximize magneto-static coupling between the layers while minimizing energy exchanges therebetween. A further non-magnetic sub-layer may be provided directly on the plane surface of the substrate to assure good adhesion of the additional layer to the substrate and isolation thereof from the magnetic layer.

Abstract: A positioning system for electrical components to be mounted on a carrier includes establishing a first reference system and bringing the carrier on which the components are to be mounted to a predetermined position in relation to the first system. The locations for the articles to be mounted on the carrier are defined. A second reference system is established with respect to the first reference system and the carrier is positioned in relation to the articles to be mounted on the carrier using the second reference system. Each reference system is defined by at least three fixed points against which the carrier comes to bear and the points of the second reference system duplicate the points of the first reference system so that the carrier is in the exact position to enable the components to be mounted at the exact predetermined location.

Abstract: A ramp-launched read/write device for a data carrier includes an arm, a loading spring having a part fixedly connected to the said arm and a free end part, a platform incorporating at least one read/write transducer, a carrier member to carry the platform, and a guide member for controlling the position of the platform in relation to the data carrier. The guide member is made up of a level surface and at least one ramp, and is arranged to cooperate with the said guide member for bringing the platform to a first, rest position and a second read/write position close to the data carrier to allow the data carrier to be read from or written on. The carrier member includes a suspension spring which has one end fixedly connected to the arm and a free end adapted to contact with the platform. The guide member is fixedly but flexibly connected to the arm and the said free end part of the loading spring contacts the guide member in accordance with the positions of the platform.

Abstract: An arrangement for dynamically translating virtual address into absolute or physical addresses of items of data. Each virtual address includes a segment table number, a segment table entry, and a segment page number. Segment descriptors are stored in a central memory. The address of a particular segment descriptor may be calculated from the segment table number and the segment table entry. From the segment descriptor, a unique identification termed a logic page number may be calculated. The logic page number permits pseudo-associative access to a table containing a number of entries proportional to the number of physical pages of the main memory, allowing the physical address to be determined.

Abstract: An arrangement for both exchanging data between first and second devices and supplying power from the first to the second device, all through only two interconnecting lines or contacts. Data transmission from the first to second device is accomplished by a modulated current generator in the first device connected to the two liens. Data transmission from the second to the first device is accomplished by a modulator which shunts the two lines while the current generator supplies a current, thus varying the voltage across the line in a manner which may be sensed by a comparator in the first device. In order to supply power to the second device, the second device includes a network having at least one unidirectional conduction member, such as a diode, connected to the two lines.

Abstract: A platform for supporting at least one magnetic transducer for reading from and/or recording on a data carrier. The platform is supported from a carrier arm adapted to position the platform over the data carrier which may be a multi-track disc. The magnetic transducer is supported in the lower face of the main body of the platform. The lower face includes a plurality of skids and one or more grooves which receive a rigid strut for suspending the platform over the carrier. The strut is secured in the groove (s) with the plane of the strut passing through the centers of gravity of the platform. The strut may be secured to a frame surrounding the platform which in turn may be secured to a further concentric frame also surrounding the platform.

Abstract: A platform for supporting at least one magnetic transducer for reading from and/or recording on a data carrier. The platform is supported from a carrier arm adapted to position the platform over the data carrier which may be a multi-track disc. The magnetic transducer is supported in the lower face of the main body of the platform. The lower face includes a plurality of skids and one or more grooves which receive a rigid strut for suspending the platform over the carrier. The strut is secured in the groove(s) with the plane of the strut passing through the center of gravity of the platform. The strut may be secured to a frame surrounding the platform which in turn may be secured to a further concentric frame also surrounding the platform. The strut includes a constriction located at the virtual axis of rotation or axis of oscillation of the platform and at which point the cross-sectional area of the strut is at a minimum.

Abstract: An architecture for a special purpose microprocessor particularly adapted for coupling a computer to its associated peripheral devices or to transmission lines. To minimize restrictions on the speed of data exchange, the present microprocessor allows the following to take place simultaneously: (1) general coupling of the computer and associated transmission lines and, more particularly, execution of instructions for coupling, shifting, or indirect conditional branching; and (2) the performance of arithmetic and/or logic operations on data which is exchanged between the computer and the associated transmission or peripheral lines. The present microprocessor executes microinstructions which are stored in a control memory. The format of the microinstructions is such that information in various zones controls the functions to be simultaneously performed.

Abstract: A device for reading an item of information defined by a plurality of different intervals between consecutive elements on a data carrier, and corresponding methods of recognizing an item of information defined by a plurality of different intervals between consecutive pulses of a first pulsed signal. The device includes first and second element detectors arranged for motion relative to the elements on the data carrier, which detectors generate responses to the elements. The element detectors are spaced from each other by a distance e such that the responses to each element generated by said second element detector have a time delay e corresponding to the physical distance e with respect to the responses generated by said first element detector. The device further includes means for comparing the response of said first and second element detectors to produce an output signal representing the item of information.

Abstract: A standardized access card is formed of a single or a pair of bonded sheets of material including a cavity within which is disposed an integrated circuit assembly for processing electrical signals arranged within the card. The thickness of the assembly is relatively smaller than the thickness of the card and terminal areas of the assembly are accessible through cut-outs in the card which may be open or plugged with conductive material. The card may be formed in a continuous process from a plurality of strips of material which separately provide the card material, the integrated circuit assembly and a cover for the device of the circuit assembly.

Abstract: A system for transmitting digital signals between a fixed transmitter and a portable receiver which are temporarily interconnected by physical contacts which employs a single pair of contacts and a bidirectional data transfer technique to enhance the integrity of the data transfer. The single pair of contacts minimizes the possibility of data loss or contamination due to problems associated with temporary interconnecting and support a time-shared data transfer from a transmitter, which provides both data and synchronizing signals via a duration modulation technique on a pair of bipolar generators to a comparison receiver. The receiver synchronously acknowledges reception and provides, in turn, data back to the transmitter via a digital modulation of a signal current generator.

Abstract: A data processing system is provided which protects the secrecy of confidential data at the stages where it is formulated and transmitted to a card (first auxiliary member) having a code key thereon. The data processing system includes a data-processing machine having a device or terminal for transmitting data, including confidential data, and a plurality of first members auxiliary to the machine which are each intended to receive the confidential data from the transmitting device via the same transmission line and to process this confidential data. The transmitting device includes a plurality of second auxiliary members which correspond to respective ones of the first auxiliary members. Each pair of corresponding first and second auxiliary members include respective generators for generating first and second code keys and the system includes a means for causing one of the first code keys to correspond with one of the second code keys.