Abstract: The values of target neurons are calculated for sublayers of target neurons It is therefore always possible to use for this calculation the same group of weights to be multiplied by respective source neurons related thereto and situated in the underlying layer of the neural network.

Abstract: A method of detecting relative movement between a scene from which radiation emanates and a matrix of pixels observing the scene and capable of detecting the radiation, each pixel of the matrix measuring contrast vector information representative of the observed scene monitors the evolution of the contrast vector information in each pixel of the matrix During a first time interval, it detects among the pixels the pixel whose magnitude vector information value is greater than the magnitude vector information value of the adjacent pixels. During a second time interval consecutive to the first time interval it detects if the magnitude vector information of the pixel whose value was at a maximum during the first time interval has decreased. It generates output signals representative of the relative movement if a decrease is detected.

Abstract: A support procedure for administering prescription drugs which does not require patient action while avoiding erroneous patient manipulation in order to carry out error-free home treatment, wherein the procedure includes the following steps:

Abstract: Electrochemoluminescent detector for analyzing a biochemical or biological substance, comprising at least a cell (11, 12) generating and detecting the electrogenerated chemoluminescence, which includes: at least a working electrode (16, 17) produced on a substrate (20); electric power supply (13) connected to the electrode; a photodiode (14) detecting the light generated by electrochemoluminescence; and a device for measuring the signal delivered by the photodiode. The photodiode (14) is produced by being integrated in the substrate (20). The cell comprises two interdigital working electrodes protected by a passivation layer (18) leaving part of their top surface in contact with outside. An intermediate layer (19) of dielectric material is inserted between the electrodes and the substrate (20).

Abstract: There is described a method and system for enhancing speech in a noisy environment. The method operates on a frame-to-frame basis and preferably uses a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) to transform time-domain components of an input signal into frequency-domain components. The speech enhancement method is essentially based on a subspace approach in the so-called Bark-domain and an optimal subspace selection using a Minimum Description Length (MDL) criterion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a differential oscillator circuit including first (10) and second (20) branches each including the series arrangement, between high (VDD) and low (VSS) supply potentials, of a first transistor (4, 5), a first current source (2, 3) and resistor means (8, 9, 18, 19; 18*, 19*). The first transistors are interconnected so as to form a crossed pair of transistors, the most positive current terminal of each transistor (on the “drain” side) being connected to the control terminal of the other transistor of the crossed pair.

Abstract: The integrated-optical chemical and/or biochemical sensor comprises a resonant waveguide structure (1). A chemical and/or biochemical substance (2) to be sensed can be deposited on a surface of the waveguide structure (1). Incident light (31) is coupled into the waveguide structure (1) by a grating structure (G), making use of a first set of degrees of freedom. The incoupled light (32) interacts with the substance (2), which emits fluorescent light (42). Fluorescent light (42) is coupled out by the same grating structure (G), making use of a second set of degrees of freedom which differs from the first set of degrees of freedom in at least one degree of freedom. For example, the incident light (31) is coupled in using a first diffraction order mg,ex=1, and the emitted (42) light is coupled out using a second, different diffraction order mg,em=2.

Abstract: A low-energy particle sensor includes current collection areas which take the form of diodes partially covering the substrate. In detection areas defined alongside the collection areas the small thickness of the material enables low-energy particles (in particular a particles or protons) to penetrate the substrate. The currents generated by particles forming electron-hole pairs in this substrate are collected by the diode regions and sent to a load circuit. Applications include sensors for detectors of products resulting from collisions brought about in particle physics research apparatus.

Abstract: Inductive sensor for non-contact detection of discontinuities of a conductive or ferromagnetic target for determination of target position, movement and speed, or generally of a magnetic image, including a plurality of receiving secondary windings associated with each exciting primary winding, configured to obtain electric signals optimized as a function of the discontinuities of the target. The sensor, combined with a suitable electric measuring circuit, allows global analysis of the signals provided by the secondary windings and configuration of a network in accordance with a predefined selection. An adaptive circuit allows auto-calibration of the sensor.

Abstract: The on-chip electrical circuit (1) for the detection of modulated signals (I), e.g., light, comprises sensor means (PS), e.g., a photosensor, and feedback means (FB) including a low-pass frequency filter. The circuit (1) further comprises a voltage-controlled current source (CS), the input of which is connected to the output of the feedback means (FB) and the output of which is connected in series with the photosensor (PS) in a common node. The common node is connected to the input of an amplifier (AMP). The output of the amplifier (AMP) may be connected to a rectifier (RF), followed by a low-pass filter (LPF). A plurality of such electrical detection circuits (1) with parallel outputs can form a one-dimensional or two-dimensional array sensor for the coherent or heterodyne analog detection of intensity modulated optical signals simultaneously for all pixels with a high dynamic range. The array sensor may be used, e.g.

Abstract: The optoelectronic sensor comprises at least two pixels (1.11, 1.12, 1.21, 1.22), each pixel (1.11, 1.12, 1.21, 1.22) comprising a photodiode (2), and means for electrically connecting at least two pixels, the connecting means comprising FETs (6) for switching the connection on or off. The pixels (1.11, 1.12, 1.21, 1.22) are designed in such a way that if, e.g., four pixels (1.11, 1.12, 1.21, 1.22) are connected the photocharges generated in the connected pixels (1.11, 1.12, 1.21, 1.22) are combined in one of the connected pixels (1.22), whereby the spatial resolution of the sensor is reduced. A skimming FET (3) arranged between the photodiode (2) and a charge detection circuit (4) offers a floating source and floating drain in each pixel (1.11, 1.12, 1.21, 1.22). Thus the sensor can be manufactured in CMOS technology and is suited for photocharge binning. The invention makes it possible to vary the spatial resolution, the light sensitivity and/or the readout velocity by purely electronic means.

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: An adiabatic logic circuit includes bidirectional transfer members to which input variables of the circuit are applied and which are connected between a first circuit terminal connected to a clock generator whose clock signal also powers the circuit and a second circuit terminal forming its output and which assumes two logic levels as a function of the input variables. The circuit has a third terminal connected to the second terminal via its inherent capacitance and precharges the second terminal to a potential corresponding to one of the logic levels outside active phases of the clock signal.

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: An integrated active pixel photosensor includes a matrix array of pixels. Each pixel includes a photosensitive component, an amplifier component and a reset to initial state component. The matrix array further includes, for controlling the pixels, an addressing device, a power supply device, a reset to initial state device and a device for reading luminance information picked up by the pixels to extract the information from the matrix array. The addressing, power supply, reset and reading devices are implemented by the same plurality of matrix array column and row lines. The photosensor further includes logic control devices external to the matrix array and connected to the column and row lines to enable selective control in each pixel of the power supply, addressing, return to initial state and read functions.

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.