Abstract: An object manipulator robot device includes a pick-up member made from a thermally conductive material and having at least one surface of contact with the object to be picked up, a system for cooling the pick-up member to freeze the interface between the member and the object, thereby fastening them together, including a local system for cooling the pick-up member directly and a peripheral system for cooling the local system, a system for heating the member to liquefy the interface, thereby releasing the object, and a control system for the cooling and heating systems. The local cooling system includes a pair of local cooling elements mounted on respective opposite sides of the pick-up member and the peripheral cooling system includes a pair of peripheral cooling elements connected to the local cooling elements by arms made from a material of high thermal conductivity, such as copper.

Abstract: The integrated-optical chemical and/or biochemical sensor comprises a resonant waveguide grating structure (1.1, 1.2, . . . ), e.g., a chirped grating. By illumination with incident light (21), a resonant electromagnetic field is excited in the grating structure (1.1, 1.2, . . . ). At least one parameter of the incident light, e.g., the angle of incidence (&thgr;1) or the wavelength (&lgr;1), is varied. Light (23) excident from the grating structure (1.1, 1.2, . . . ) is detected by detectors (4.1, 4.2, . . . ). Optionally, means for providing a feedback from the detectors (4.1, 4.2, . . . ) to the light sources may be provided, thus establishing a controlled closed-loop system. Hence independent simultaneous measurements in a multiple arrangement of such sensors (S1, S2, . . . ) is made possible. Moreover, a much higher density of sensors (S1, S2, . . . ) results.

Abstract: A random access memory comprises a matrix made up of cells arranged in rows and columns and the cells are addressed row by row. Each cell of a row is connected to first and second bit lines and at least the first bit line is subdivided into a plurality of sections connected to respective inputs of an output logic gate. The memory includes read/write control circuits which apply the following logic functions to each of the first and second bit lines directly or indirectly and selectively, according to whether a required operation is a write or a read. Sel.((W.D) or {overscore (W)})) is applied to the first bit line, whilst Sel.W.D is applied to both the first and second bits lines, where “Sel” is a cell selection signal representative of the address, “W” is a write command, {overscore (W)} is a read command, “D” is the data to be written into the addressed cell and “.” indicates the AND function.

Abstract: The function module enables generation of a second current which has a relationship to at least one first current of the type y=xk/j, in which x is the value of the first current and y is the value of the second current, k and j being respective different positive integers which can be freely selected. It comprises a series of sections (C1, C2, . . . , Cj, . . . ), each section comprising a variable conductance (G*j) whose value is proportional to the current flowing in the variable conductance of the section which preceded this section in the series. The conductance (G*1) of the first section is proportional to a reference current (I0).

Abstract: A D-type master-slave flip-flop includes a master unit receiving an input variable and producing two first intermediate variables, a transfer unit including at least two logic gates and a clock connection connected to one input of each of the gates, which are adapted to supply two second intermediate variables as a function of the input variable and the clock signal and are looped to the master unit, and a slave unit to form at least one output variable. Another input of a first gate of the transfer unit is connected to the master unit to receive directly the true value of one of the variables supplied by the master unit. Another input of the second gate of the transfer unit is connected to the master unit to receive therefrom the complement of the same variable. The second intermediate variables are independent of each other. The flip-flop has the advantage that it is insensitive to the slopes of the flanks of the clock signals.

Abstract: A biosensor comprises a waveguide into which light is coupled by a diffraction grating. The sample to be analyzed is placed on a reaction region in which a component of the immunological reaction is provided, for example antibodies or antigens. Fluorescence is excited on the surface of the waveguide because of the presence of a marker for example, a labelled antigen or antibody. Fluorescence is decoupled from the waveguide by the coupling diffraction grating or another diffraction grating. The waveguide is made of a material emitting light when it is excited by the marker excitation beam. This latter emission has a peak wavelength different from that of the emission radiation due to the marker used in the immunological reaction. Waveguide material fluorescence emission provides a reference during measurement.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electrolytic cell including an anode, a cathode and at least one bipolar electrode arranged between the anode and the cathode. This cell is characterised in that said bipolar electrode includes a substrate and a compact diamond film which is made conductive by a doping agent and which coats said substrate.

Abstract: A tomographic interferometer device in which a spectral light source lights an object to create an object beam originating from that object. A stepped optical block is also exposed to the source to create a plurality of individual reference beams having different path lengths. The object beam and reference beams are made to interfere and the resulting light is sent to an array of side by side photodetectors.

Abstract: A flexible pivot with internal pivoting axis comprises two stages that are symmetrical with respect to a median plane perpendicular to the pivoting axis and separated by an external circular recess containing the median plane, each stage comprising an outer annular interface connected by a plurality of radial, flexible guiding arms to a common intermediate cylinder having an axis that is the same as the internal pivoting axis.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a Wollaston prism (WP) comprising two birefringent wedges (W1, W2) joined by their hypotenuse to form a composite block, said wedges having optic axes (OA1, OA2) to each other at right angle. According to the invention, the optic axes (OA1, OA2) of said wedges (W1, W2) are rotated by an angle of 45° or 135°, respectively, with regard to a position wherein one of the optic axes (OA1, OA2) lies parallel to the plane formed by the hypotenuse. In an embodiment of the present invention, liquid crystal is used as material for the wedges (W1, W2) resulting in inexpensive and easy to handle Wollaston prisms.

Abstract: This micromachined inductive sensor is used to detect, without contact and through the intermediary of a radiated alternating magnetic field, the position and/or the movement of an object capable of modifying this magnetic field and including for this purpose at least one discontinuity. The sensor comprises a planar transmitter coil for transmitting the alternating magnetic field and planar receiver coils located so as to sense a determined portion of said field and the variations of this magnetic portion sensed due to the discontinuity of the object. The coils are disposed on a common substrate and obtained by selective photolithography operations. According to the invention, in the areas of the substrate in which the transmitter coil is contiguous with a receiver coil, there is provided at least one shielding band electrically independent of the coils and connected to a reference potential. The shielding band is formed from a metallization layer deposited on the substrate.

Abstract: In this device, each processor (P1 to P3) is associated with at least one dressable space (R1 to R3), whereas all the processors and all the addressable spaces are in communication by way of a common communication bus (BC).Between all the processors and each addressable space is connected an intercommunicating connection node (N1 to N3), each connection node including control means (LC, D1, D2) forensuring priority of access of any processor to its own addressable space; andensuring a hierarchy of priority of access to the addressable spaces of the other processors among said plurality of processors.

Abstract: In this generator a first current mirror (MP1, MP2) forms two circuit branches to be connected between supply terminals (V.sub.DD, V.sub.SS). Each of the branches includes transistors (MP1, MN1; MP2, MN2) which are series connected and have opposite conductivity types. A second current mirror (MP3, MN3) yields an image (i.sub.3) of the current (i1) flowing in one of the branches. An active component (MN4) forming a variable conductance is connected in series in this branch and is controlled in such a way that its value varies nonlinearly with the current image (i.sub.3). This conductance is thus traversed by a current whose intensity depends solely on the technological characteristics of the active component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device including a substrate and at least one biologically active substance bound to at least a part of the surface of this substrate, which is obtained by simultaneous or sequential reaction of said substrate and of said substance with a bifunctional coupling agent in which one of the functional groups is capable of being photoactivated and generates carbenes and is used to bind the coupling agent to the inorganic substrate and the other functional group is used to bind the coupling agent to the biologically active substance, in which said substrate is a covalent inorganic nitride.

Abstract: There is described a device for delivering an output signal representative of a force by means of a capacitative sensor (1) and of an interface (5, 7, 9A, 12) for transferring charge accumulated on the capacitor (C.sub.1 and C.sub.2) of the sensor. In order to reduce the influences of the stray resistances impairing the operation of the sensor (1), the capacitors of the latter are precharged during a first operating phase, whereas during a second operating phase this charge is transferred, while the two capacitors of the sensor (1) are short-circuited and brought to the output potential of the interface.

Abstract: Radio receivers for frequency-modulated signals and more particularly, in such receivers, to a device for the demodulation of a signal modulated at intermediate frequency f.sub.i. The signal F.sub.M that is frequency modulated around a frequency f.sub.i is applied, after conversion into a square-wave signal F.sub.MR, to a delay line with shift registers that is controlled by the signals provided by an oscillator. Each of the three cascade-connected sections of the delay line introduces a delay 1/4f.sub.i and the output signals of each section are applied to EXCLUSIVE OR circuits that respectively give a demodulated signal F.sub.R1, a signal F.sub.R2 for the suppression of a demodulated signal and a signal F.sub.R3 to control the frequency of the oscillator.

Abstract: A switching device comprises a swinging element (1) that is able to move between two end positions (A, B). Holding electrodes (4, 5) are placed in end positions (4, 5). A control circuit (8) controls the switching by generating signals of suitable voltage. Swinging element (1) is attached in an elastic manner (for example, by a flexible rod 2) in such a way that the elastic return force which tends toward a zero position (0) has, in an essential amplitude range, a higher value than the electrostatic force of attraction created by the control circuit and holding electrodes (4, 5) and acts in the opposite direction, in such a way that the switching time of the swinging element is determined primarily by its natural frequency and not by the magnitude of the electrostatic force of attraction.

Abstract: In an integrated circuit, a central reference generator (3) generates a setpoint signal determining the operating characteristic required to be common to some of the functional components of the circuit. Lines (4-1 to 4-n) distribute this signal among units of the circuit, each unit comprising a functional Component (2-n). In each unit, a local adjustment circuit (5-n) receives the setpoint signal and generates an adjustment value. Correction circuitry adjusts the operating characteristic of a device in the local adjustment circuit (5-n) as a function of the adjustment value. The device is placed in proximity to the functional component and configured in such a way that the operating characteristic which is thus imposed on the device is also imposed on this component.

Abstract: An analog type fuzzy logic controller is adapted to permit the implementation of a set of rules. The controller includes a circuit (B,C) for determining the overall degree of truth of each rule and a circuit (D,E) for determining the values to be supplied at the output. The determination circuit of the overall degrees of truth of the various rules is composed of a network (C) of interconnected resistive elements. Each of the resistive elements is associated with a condition of a rule and is adapted to be commanded in such a way that its conductance is substantially proportional to the degree of truth of the associated condition. The current intensities circulating in the various branches (21,22,23) of the network are representative of the overall degrees of truth of the various rules.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic sensor for measuring the intensity and the direction of incidence of a light beam, the sensor being of the type comprising a matrix of pixels; an optical system designed to form a light spot on the matrix of pixels; and a signal process for determining the geometrical center of the light spot on the matrix, the signal processor constituted by two arrays of connections between the pixels of the matrix, substantially in radii and in concentric circles, the coordinates of the light spot on the matrix giving an image of the azimuth angle and of the elevation angle of the incident light beam, the device also including circuits associated with the two arrays of connections between the pixels to compute the azimuth and elevation coordinates respectively of the incident light beam.