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 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: 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 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: 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 magnetographic printing process as well as to a machine which enables the production of images in two colors on a print carrier. The machine which carries out said process comprises magnetic heads (13-1 . . . , 13-n) energized by impulses emitted by a pulse generator (26) by means of a current calibrating and reversing device (27) in order to selectively produce on the drum (10) magnetized points having magnetizations of different direction and amplitude, pigment applicator means (40, 42), retouching devices (41, 43) and a transfer station (45) where the pigments deposited onto the drum (10) are transferred to a paper strip (20). The magnetized points designed to produce on the carrier images or parts thereof which must appear in one of said colors all have magnetization intensities of the same amplitude (J.sub.1) and in the same direction and a magnetic polarity which is opposite that of other magnetized points all having magnetization intensities of the same amplitude (J.sub.

Abstract: A part which is attached to a support frame is pressed against a rotatable member mounted within that support frame. An element having four degrees of freedom is mounted between the support and a point on the part. A biasing element is mounted between the support and a second point on the part to urge the part against the movable member. The structure is useful in the recording of data on a magnetic recording machine and impactless magnetic printing machines.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetographic printing process, as well as to a achine which enables images in color to be produced on a print carrier. The machine which carries out this process comprises magnetic heads (13-1, . . . , 13-n) excited by pulses emitted by a generator (26) by means of a current calibrating means (27) to produce on the drum (10) magnetized points having different magnetizations, pigment applicator means (40, 42, 44), retouching means (41, 43), and a transfer station (45) where the pigments deposited onto the drum (10) are transferred to a paper strip (21).The electric current calibrating means is connected between the pulse generator and each of the heads so as to allow each of the current pulses emitted by the generator to be adjusted selectively to one of the p predetermined amplitude values and thus to produce on the recording surface a latent magnetic image whose magnetized points exhibit the same magnetic polarity but have different intensities of magnetization valued as J.sub.

Abstract: A magnetoresistant transducer for reading data present on the tracks of a multitrack magnetic carrier, comprises at least one magnetoresistant element perpendicular to the direction of travel of the data, and first and second magnetic screening means situated at either side of the element.The magnetoresistant transducer comprises deflecting means for deflecting the magnetic field generated by the current flowing through the element. The deflecting means are situated between the latter and the first and second screening means to intercept and deflect the magnetic field lines transmitted by the data items on the track. The deflecting means includes a plurality of mutually parallel thin magnetic blades separated from each other by thin non-magnetic laminations the thickness of which is such that the magnetic coupling between two adjacent laminations is weak. The laminations and magnetoresistances are of anisotropic material and have their axes of easy and difficult magnetization parallel to each other.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrical connection device for connecting high density contacts of large scale integrated circuits (LSI) and serves to establish electrical connection between the contact areas (15) of the circuit network (14) on a substrate (11) for supporting integrated circuit devices (12) and the contact pads (18) of a conductor network (17) on a printed circuit card (13). The electric connection device comprises a plurality of conductive elements disposed within a housing (26) extending in a given direction. The conductive elements are electrically insulated one from the other and have contacts which are exposed through slots in the housing to connect to the areas (15) and pads (18). The conductive elements (29) are stacked in the given direction and are formed each with a conductor sheet (30) provided with two contact surfaces (31a, 32a) elastically movable in a plane normal to the given direction independently of the surfaces of contact of neighboring sheets.

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 credit card includes a memory having first and second zones in which are respectively stored variable and fixed data. The data stored in the first zone includes first, second and third bit fields respectively representing a card serial number, a card invalidation character and a card validation character. The first, second and third bit fields are subject to change by improper use of the card. The first, second and third bit fields are read to derive first, second and third signals. The second signal is compared with a predetermined signal indicative of a desired value for the second field. A set of bits is written into the third field in response to the second signal being equal to the predetermined signal and the first signal being equal to a stored signal indicative of an assigned serial number. The set of bits written into the third field is tested to determine if the bits were properly written into the third field.

Abstract: Character recognition apparatus for the recognition of stylized E13B characters are provided wherein the siganls resulting from the reading of a character by a reading head 17 are sampled to be treated by two different asemblies (EB1 and EB2) of operator-generator blocks of logic signals. The discrimination of the signals delivered by each of these assemblies is realized, in a respective one of the two assemblies (RK1 and RK2) by identification elements (EK1, EK2, . . . , EK14) under the control of two groups of validation circuits (CV1 and CV2). These identification elements (EK1, EK2, . . . , EK14) are each associated with a respective one of the characters of a group.

Abstract: A magnetoresistant transduction device for reading coded data comprises a plurality of magnetoresistances (MRI.sub.1 to MRI.sub.5), which are placed in alignment and spaced from a magnetization device (DAI) by means of a grid (GMI) of non-remanent magnetic material, having parallel elements (EFI.sub.1 to EFI.sub.5) situated between the magnetization device and the magnetoresistances and to which the magnetoresistances are secured either directly or by means of a substrate. The parallel elements serve to focus the magnetic field generated by the magnetization device, which may be in the form of a permanent magnet, such that a plurality of n mutually independent magnetic fields is formed, each field being associated with a corresponding magnetoresistance. The transduction device is applicable to the reading of coded data of very low density, utilized more particularly in franking machines.

Abstract: A control logic circuit (C) is provided in each unit such as processors and memories in a multiple processor data processing system. Each control logic circuit (C) is equipped with a priority circuit (P12) which at one input receives the eligible local calls (RQ.sub.i L) of the unit itself and at the other input receives external calls (RQ.sub.k) transmitted by the other units. The control logic circuit (C) enables control by its unit of a transmission bus only when its priority circuit (P12) recognizes that unit as having the highest priority among the other units. The logic circuit (C) together with a T circuit (13) selects local calls as a function of the state of occupation of the data lines of the transmission bus.

Abstract: A method for testing a logic system of the type having points not directly accessible from the exterior, and logic systems including means for carrying out the method. A particular logic state may for test purposes be applied (set) at a particular, normally-inaccessible point in the system; or the logic state at a particular, normally-inaccessible point in the system may be sampled. To accomplish these functions, there are a plurality of flip-flops and associated selective gating circuitry, for example AND-OR select gates, arranged selectively either to connect the flip-flops in series to form a shift register configuration whereby data defining particular logic states to be set, or particular logic states which have been sampled, may be clocked in or clocked out by accessing only the input of the first flip-flop or the output of the last flip-flop; or to connect the inputs and outputs of the various flip-flops to particular points in the system for the purposes of setting and sampling logic states.

Abstract: A printing apparatus applies material to a carrier through a planar screen aving a pattern including a number of lines substantially parallel to a first direction. The screen and carrier are mounted so material forced through the lines of the screen is deposited on the carrier in the same pattern as the pattern of the screen. A blade having an elongated, straight edge is positioned to force the material through the screen onto the carrier. The blade is supported and actuated so that the blade is displaced in a plane parallel to the plane of the screen and in a second direction. The second direction is adjustable to any angle with respect to the first direction, so that the blade can slide parallel to the lines in the screen.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and circuit arrangement for magnetic recording of a digital data signal composed of a set of transitions. A recording signal is formed by superposition on the data signal of a high frequency, constant amplitude, magnetic biasing signal S.sub.p. The biasing signal is phase-modulated relative to the data signal transitions. The invention remedies "peak shift" and can be applied to any rectangular or sinusoidal biasing signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic machine for bending the extending conductors of an integrated circuit chip to form contacts for mounting the chip to a substrate. This machine comprises a bending base (20), movable bending pieces (18, 19) situated opposite the bases, a ribbon insulating support (2) for the chip (1), and a platform (27) to displace the support of the chip so as to being the chip onto the base, or to remove it therefrom. This machine is characterized in that the bending base (20) includes a housing (21) having the form of the chip for receiving the chip and having a plane rim (23) adapted to surround the body of the chip. The first movable piece (18) is located in the second movable piece and has a flat rim (24) opposite the flat rim (23) of the base. The extending conductors are wedged during the bending operation between these two rims (23, 24) and the bending is carried out by the second movable piece (19) which moves rectilinearly in a vertical direction.