Abstract: The invention relates to data processing systems making use of an addressable memory. It proposes a process and system permitting qualifying terms to be associated with the data contained in the data memory by writing these qualifying terms at locations associated with the data within a qualifier and set aside for this purpose. These qualifying terms are characteristics of the data or the processing undergone by the data. The qualifier memory, which is interfaced with the processor as though it was a peripheral I/O device, uses an INTERUPT to alert the processor of the occurrence of a call on data which has an associated qualifier.

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 conductive 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 separately excited D.C. motor employs an analog servo control responsive to a speed control input signal that controls the derivation of a compensating signal for the motor back emf. The speed control and compensating signals are combined to control the motor speed via an analog regulator. A digital shaft encoder responsive to the motor position supplies a pulsed signal to a comparator that is also responsive to a desired position signal that is derived from the speed control signal. The comparator derives an integrated error signal that is supplied to the analog regulator. Application of the speed control signal to the regulator is delayed if a thermal simulator for the motor characteristics indicates motor overheating. In response to the compensated, desired speed indicating signal indicating that the motor has been ordered to stop, the error signal is decoupled from the analog regulator.

Abstract: A device for removing excess powdered pigment deposited on and adhering to a surface has a chamber provided with air under pressure. The chamber has an orifice with parallel edges extending parallel to the surface with one edge set back from the other edge. The orifice has an opening of from 0.2 mm to 0.02 mm and is spaced from said surface by not more than 1 cm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recording or printing device utilizing a jet of liquid, which device comprises a carriage which may be displaced in a direction of movement parallel to the printing medium. This carriage carries a nozzle which discharges a jet of ink which is divided into a series of droplets, the dots formed by the impingement of these droplets on the printing medium making it possible to obtain images formed by dot. In order to avoid smearing of the image formed by the dots several techniques are disclosed which compensate for the relative movement between the carriage and the paper or printing medium, thereby making the path of the droplets more nearly perpendicular to the paper. In one embodiment, for example, the carriage carries electrodes which have the role of deflecting the orientation of the jet of liquid dispatched by the nozzle, in the opposite direction to that of the movement of the carriage.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for reducing access time to information contained in a memory system that includes a register for collecting the information contained in the memory system. The register operates as a flip-flop and is composed of a first inverter, an AND gate and a second inverter. The input of the first inverter is connected to receive the information bits read in a memory block. The AND gate includes two inputs, one of which is connected to the output of the first inverter. The other input receives, at the beginning of the memory reading cycle, an initialization signal for positioning the flip-flop in a given state. The output of the AND gate is connected to the second inverter which has its output connected, in turn, to the input receiving information read from the memory system.

Abstract: A memory matrix is divided into a plurality of zones, one of which has a predetermined address and is set aside for a control character having multiple bits, stored in plural cells of the one zone. Each cell stores electric charge, with the cells in the control zone storing a charge no greater than that in the remaining zones. After the cells of the control zone have been initially supplied with the predetermined control character, the cells of the control zone are isolated from write command signals during normal operation. The cells of the control zone can be read out during normal operation.

Abstract: An improvement to an automatic document handling machine of the kind having at least one processing station and possibly a guide track to hold and transport documents to the processing station. The processing station or the guide track includes an entry port for documents and a unit insertion means for inserting one of said documents into the processing station or the guide track. The insertion means comprising a support means for the document which includes an exit port for documents, a drive means capable of making contact with the document in the said support means to feed the document towards the exit, and an engaging means which is adapted to produce relative movement between support means and the drive means. The insertion means is arranged close to the processing station or the guide track and is positioned in such a way that the document exit port faces the document entry port at least when the said engaging means is operated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing an analog signal before it is converted into steep-sided pulses wherein a variable D.C. voltage is generated whose variation is representative of the change in values of the negative-going portions of the analog signal. A voltage summing means receives on the one hand the analog signal and on the other hand the variable D.C. voltage to provide steep-sided output pulses in synchronization with the "significant" portions of the analog signal.

Abstract: An interface for the exchange of data between memories and processing devices of a computer, which interface does not depend on any particular technology of the processing and memory units and which is readily adaptable to units having different timing for the signals exchanged. The interface employs asynchronous dialog signals, with adjustable timing provided by delay devices such as delay lines. The initiation of a memory cycle involves two asynchronous signals: a memory cycle request signal output by a portion of the interface included within the processing unit, and a cycle acknowledge signal output by a portion of the interface included within the memory unit and transmitted back to the processing unit to indicate that the requested memory cycle has in fact started.

Abstract: A device is provided for automatically determining the storage capacity of a data processing or transmission system and signalling when the storage capacity is inadequate to handle an incoming address. The store includes a plurality of storage fractions made up of storage modules adopted to be plugged into a printed circuit board having a conductor pattern thereon and connector locations disposed along the conductor pattern. The modules may be plugged into the circuit board and a full storage fraction is established when electrical continuity is established along the whole length of a conductor which connects all of the location localities assigned to a storage fraction. The conductor pattern is interrupted at the connection localities of the modules of one and the same storage fraction.

Abstract: A process for generating a magnetic induction field within a magnetic medium. A magnetic energizing field and a selection wave are caused to act at the same time at each point on a path of at least one unsaturated portion of the magnetic medium, in such manner as to modify the magnetic properties of the medium at this point and so as to produce therein the said induction field. The process is applicable to devices for generating a magnetic field utilized in magnetic data recording systems.

Abstract: A magnetic printing process and multicopy magnetic printing machine employing this process is disclosed. The machine comprises a magnetizable carrier 2, magnetic recording transducers 8, an applicator 10 for coating a developer product onto the carrier, a device for application of the carrier coated with the said developer product onto a document 12 which is to be printed and finally a device 16 for erasing the magnetized areas. In accordance with the invention, the developer product utilized contains magnetic particles which are formed by grains whose dimensions are of the order of those of the elementary magnetized areas. The imprint on the document is then produced by pressing.

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.