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: An integrated capacitive transducer (1) which includes a membrane having a movable part (4) with an electrode, a fixed plate (6) with a counter-electrode (8), and an electrode and counter-electrode support structure (10). The fixed plate (6) also has an electret (30) which is disposed facing the movable part (4), is separated from the membrane by an open space (16), and has a first electrically conductive layer (32) embedded in an insulating material (34, 36). The invention has particular applications in hearing aids.

Abstract: This microsystem enables a phenomenon, whose evolution over time is random, to be analyzed. It comprises means for reducing its consumption of energy which acts via a modification of the operating features of the microsystem, the effect of this modification being the passage of said microsystem from an active state to at least one other state, for example a stand-by state. A phenomenon detecting device (30 to 50) generates a representative signal (V.sub.out) which represents the evolution of the phenomenon over time. The representative signal is provided for utilization at an output terminal (37). The microsystem also comprises a threshold circuit (36) connected to the detecting device (30 to 35) and the output terminal (37) for subjecting the representative signal (V.sub.out) to a comparison with a predetermined threshold and for generating a corresponding comparison signal ("mod").

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.

Abstract: The obturators can be actuated in order to modulate an incident beam (L). Microshutters (5) are attached to a substrate by means of fastenings opposing resistance to their rotation away from a rest position. The microshutters (5) are placed on optical paths (X--X) so as to be able to interrupt them or establish them. They are fitted out with reflecting surfaces (7) so as to deflect the light when they are in the blocking position. On each optical path (X--X) a supplementary reflecting surface (8), a diaphragm (6) and a focusing means (4) are placed. Thus, in line with its position, each microshutter can focus the light on the diaphragm (6) so as to allow it to pass or to deflect it in order to block it. The application thereof is in the transformation of a beam (L) into a modulated beam (Lm).

Abstract: A controller permits the implementation of at least one fuzzy logic rule. It has a determination circuit of the overall degree of truth of the premisses of the rule and a determination circuit of the value to be supplied at the output. The determination circuit of the overall degree of truth has a plurality of distance determination circuits each supplying a distance value which is equal to zero when a particular condition of the rule is exactly verified, and which is a square-law function of the difference between the input value and the reference value of this condition. A transformation circuit receiving at the input the sum of the distance values for the different conditions delivers a signal representative of the degree of truth of the premisses of the rule.

Abstract: This fuzzy logic controller of the analog type enables the implementing of a set of fuzzy rules for which the output values are polynomial functions of the input variables. The controller functions by determining initially the weights of the different rules, then estimating a global value for each of the coefficients of the polynomials delivering the output values under the different rules. Finally the controller deliveres a global output value determined by evaluating the value of a polynomial for which the coefficients are the global values evaluated beforehand.

Abstract: A micromachined measuring cell is adapted to be mounted on a support and has a measuring sensor (121) and an assembly structure (120) distinct from one another and associated with each other by a connecting arm (128). At least one part element (103b) of the assembly structure, one part (133) of the connecting arm and one part (103a) of the sensor (121) are produced as one single piece. The assembly structure (120) of this measuring cell is preferably in the shape of a frame surrounding the sensor (121).

Abstract: The invention concerns a processing circuit (2, 120) for producing a variable output signal in response to a variable quantity picked up or received as input. The processing circuit is associated with a stage or has an input sensor (4, 100) furnishing a signal with a variable amplification/attenuation factor, and further exhibits response characteristics which depend in particular from state variables. The processing circuit includes a suppression circuit (FIG. 5, FIG. 6) for suppressing transients normally produced by modification of the amplification/attenuation factor, this suppression circuit functioning by modifying the value of the state variables in direct proportion to the modification of the amplification/attenuation factor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a programmable integrated electronic system including an array of identical cells (53). Each cell includes functional components (530) capable, when they are correctly connected, of executing a given function, and programmable connecting means (a to h) for on the one hand connecting the functional components to each other and on the other hand connecting the cell to its neighbours. The present invention is characterised in that the system includes means of storing a first data item which defines the function of each of the cells in the array and in that each cell has means for extracting, from this first data item and its location the network, the programming word for its own function. In addition, means are provided for effecting the test of correct functioning of each cell and for reconfiguring the array where there are defective cells.

Abstract: The invention relates to a capacitive absolute pressure measurement sensor having a first element (2) in which is arranged a mobile electrode (4), a second element (6) in which is arranged a fixed electrode (8) situated facing and insulated from said mobile electrode (4), a connecting frame (10) interposed between the first element and the second element to define a chamber (12) insulated from the external environment and inside of which there is substantially zero pressure, and a reference volume (14) connected to the chamber. The first element (2) has the configuration of a membrane of substantially constant thickness and the reference volume (14) is arranged at least partially in the second element (6).

Abstract: The invention concerns a power diverting circuit for creating a supply voltage for a signal processing circuit from a source of data signals each having a high or a low potential respectively corresponding to a first or a second logic state. The circuit comprises a first terminal for receiving the data signals, a second terminal for providing the supply voltage, a switch coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal for selectively connecting and disconnecting the first terminal and the second terminal, and an inverter for inverting the state of the data signals. The inverter, which has an input terminal connected to the first terminal and an output terminal for providing the inverted data signals to the signal processing circuit, is responsive to the state of the data signals received at the first terminal to control the operation of said switch means.

Abstract: An FM receiver comprising a local oscillator (23), a heterodyning stage (24) and a demodulator stage (33). The heterodyning stage has a signal producing arrangement and a multiplier arrangement. The signal producing arrangement (25,26,27,29,30,31,32) produces n signals a.sub.1 . . . a.sub.n wherein each signal consists of a message signal modulated at the intermediate frequency of the receiver, and these signals a.sub.1 . . . a.sub.n are related by the expressiona.sub.i =cos [.omega..sub.IF t+k.sub.f .intg..sup.t A(t)*dt+.OMEGA.+.pi.*(.sup.i /n)]where .omega..sub.IF, k.sub.f and .OMEGA. are constants, n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2 and i takes the values of all positive integers up to and including n. The multiplier arrangement (28) multiplies the n signals together and thus produces an output signal from the heterodyning stage, wherein the message signal is modulated at a frequency of n times the intermediate frequency.

Abstract: A data communication circuit comprising a slave device (3), a master device (2) and a two-wire bus (6) wherein the master device (2) creates a potential difference (V(t)) between the two wires so as to provide power to the slave device (3). The slave device (3) comprises a pulse decoder (20) for detecting the pulses and producing a synchronisation signal (Clk) upon the detection of each pulse. The master device (2) also comprises a pulse control circuit (40) for causing the pulse creating circuit to create a series of data pulses having the same state when the digital information is read from the slave device (3). In addition, the slave device (3) further comprises a circuit (43,58) for changing the state of selected ones of the data pulses in the series in response to the digital information to be read.

Abstract: The device for measuring a force, and notably an inertial force corresponding to an acceleration, comprises a capacitive detector comprising two capacitors, the difference between the capacitances of which is a function of the force measured.The measuring device further comprises an electronic circuit permitting the creation of an output signal determined by a comparison of the value of the two capacitances. The signal is created in the form of a digital signal having a modulated pulse density.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fabrication process of at least one generally elated structural element (14) on a substrate (12) in a first material and having a substantially flat upper face (13), said element (14) realized in a second material comprising at least a first wing (14a) parallel to a plan perpendicular to said upper face (13).

Abstract: The process notably consists of assembling by welding by means of a connecting layer (16) a first (10) and a second substrate (12) of a semiconductor material, of thinning the second substrate (12) and, for each of the transducers, of structuring this second thinned substrate (12) to form a network of orifices (24) and of defining the contour of the fixed electrode of the transducer, of etching the first substrate (10) to form the diaphragm (28) of the transducer, and of eliminating the part of the connecting layer (16) which is located between the diaphragm (28) and the network of orifices (24) to separate this diaphragm (28) from the fixed electrode.The invention has applications in the manufacture of transducers such as microphones.

Abstract: The invention concerns in one aspect a CBN abrasive tool comprising a metal, ceramic or cemented carbide substrate and a single layer of CBN grits bonded to said substrate by a brazing alloy, characterized in that the surface chemistry of said CBN grits is modified by depositing thereon a film of silicon carbide. The invention also concerns, in another aspect, a method of manufacturing a CBN abrasive tool comprising the steps of providing a metal, ceramic or cemented carbide substrate; providing a plurality of CBN grits; depositing a film of silicon carbide on said CBN grits; and, bonding the carbide film-coated CBN grits to said substrate by a brazing alloy.

Abstract: A modulator is adapted for use in a transmitter of an information transmission signal in which the information is in the form of a frequency shift keyed code. The signal is centered on a fictional carrier frequency fc, on either side of which are emitted two actual frequencies separated from the frequency fc by .DELTA.f, according to whether the binary information has a high value (+1) or a low value (-1). A first generator (1) creates carrier signals in the form of sin(2.pi.f.sub.c t) and cos(2.pi.f.sub.c t). A second generator (6) creates, as a function of the information, modulation signals of the form sin(2.pi..DELTA.ft) and cos(2.pi..DELTA.ft) which are mixed with the carrier signals. At each transition of the information, first phase shifting means (8,14) modify by k.pi. the phase of one of the modulation signals.