Abstract: A data processing station wherein a network interface monitors the transmission channel and generates event signals, e.g. "transmission start" "collision detected" and "channel back to vacant condition". If a collision occurs in local transmission, transmission is maintained with a collision indication for at least one period before being cut off. An observation register receives the event signals and responds by generating a channel observation signal which may be "transmission OK" "collision slot" and "vacant slot". When transmission of a fresh data packet is requested, a first transmission may or may not be attempted (normal mode) depending on the condition of the observation register.

Abstract: An image is defined, in correspondence with a predetermined polyhedral meshing of a portion of the space, by a numerical value for each vertex of the meshing. Polygon processing includes receiving a representation of a plane polygon with p vertices, p respective values for these p vertices, and a threshold. In correspondence with the polygon, polygon processing supplies a list of oriented segments linking points of the edges of the polygon which are interpolated as being equal to the threshold, with a predetermined direction convention. Polyhedron processing includes receiving a representation of a polyhedron with the values at its vertices and a threshold. Polyhedron processing then invokes polygon processing for all the faces of the polyhedron, which supplies a list of oriented segments. Polyhedron processing then associates with the polyhedron a list of closed and oriented cycles, constituted by segments from the said list of segments.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting with examining a body emitting wavebeams includes sensors to collect wavebeams along a plurality of respective axes termed "acquisition lines" and to transform the collected wavebeams into signals defining an image of projections of at least part of the body. The signals represent the intensity of the wavebeams. Differences between selected ones of the signals relative to the axis parameters are determined. Each jump in the intensity of the signals determines a critical point corresponding to an acquisition line tangential to a boundary of the body. The axis parameters of the critical points identify a position of at least one portion of the boundary.

Abstract: An articulated device includes two plates (PI, PS) interconnected by six k members (OLij) disposed in a closed latticework structure, and a control assembly for controlling the relative positions of these two plates. Each link member is of substantially constant length and the control assembly also includes six slider members (OCij) respectively connected to the six link members (OLij) and to the bottom plate (PI), each slider member being suitable for sliding relative to the bottom plate (PI) along a predetermined sliding direction under drive from a motor (MOTij, TFij).

Abstract: In a message transmission network of CSMA-CD type, each station is connected by a coupler to the common transmission channel. One or more indices is allocated to each coupler; and each coupler is provided with an automatic device capable of establishing a predetermined sequence of index sub-sets, such as a dichotomous tree. A counter of period E progresses at the rate of the end of channel phase orders. The coupler freely transmits only if its count E is at zero. When a collision appears in this state, the counter E starts from a chosen forced state, and all the couplers put their automatic devices into action, which also progress at the rate of the ends of channel phases, to establish sub-sets of said sequence and to determine, by comparison of their own indices with said sub-sets, whether they have in any given channel phase again obtained the right to transmit on said common channel. The couplers will subsequently be able to transmit one by one without collision.

Abstract: The stable memory (2) includes an interface (30) for communication with an allocated processor (1). It includes two memory banks (51, 52) for containing the same information at each address. The interface (b 30) interchanges addresses and commands with the memory banks via an access logic conroller or filter (20). Data interchanges pass via a switching and comparator member (40). The information contained in the memory banks (51, 52) is structured in the form of objects which are rendered indivisible by use of a chaining vector which is established and verified by the logic controller (20).

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to greatly simplify the final control of a sensitive, active robot moving in a passive environment. It consists of equipping the robot with a plurality of directional proximetric transducers C.sub.i, to which are allocated, for a given operating mode, virtual elementary actions making it possible to determine a control vector of the different actuators (4.1-4.2) responsible for the robot movements. The virtual elementary action allocated to each sensor is weighted by a virtual mass or coefficient m.sub.i. The center of gravity of the virtual masses m.sub.i preferably coincides with the control frame of the robot. The invention is more particularly usable in robotized remote manipulation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fast and stable information storage is provided that employs a data storage apparatus having a series of non-volatile memory banks that are externally addressable and have selective write and read controls. Access to the memory banks is provided via hardware access protection mechanisms to ensure that any access to the memory banks is verified by means of an access key. Software access protection is also provided if two separate processors share a common memory bank.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and to apparatus for measuring electric charge, in particular for measuring small electric charges which are present in rapid succession, as happens under the effect of radiation, ionizing particles, or from piezo-electric means.The apparatus comprises an amplifier (2) having high input impedance and a feedback network. The feedback network comprises at least one branch (24) connecting the output (6) of the amplifier (2) to an inverting input (21) thereof. Three switches (3,4,5) are so connected that either one of two of them (3,4) is capable of interrupting the transmission of an electrical signal via said at least one branch (24) of the feedback circuit. The portion of said branch (24) located between said switches includes electrical energy storing means (C.sub.2).

Abstract: In a system for visual telecommunications, e.g. for use by deaf people, an electronic camera (20) makes an image of a moving subject for transmission. The TV type image is passed through a contour extractor (25) to be converted to an animated cartoon line-drawing type image. The contour image is then compressed by means including a sampler (28) for image reduction, a difference detector (30) for selecting only points which change from one image to the next, a filter (34) for rejecting isolated points in the contour image, and an encoder (36) for converting sequences of on/off bits into data words for transmission, via a modem (14) over a telephone line (15). At the other end of the line a similar transmitter/receiver system decodes the received words and reconstitutes the successive images for display on a screen (46).

Abstract: An exploration device for the surface of a body uses a laser pencil beam ch successively illuminates quasi-pinpoint regions on the surface of the body. At least two distinct view taking devices are provided for forming respective images of the illuminated quasi-pinpoint region on discrete element photosensitive receivers, each element energized by one of said images supplying an electrical indication for use by a computer to determine the position of the quasi-pinpoint region. The receivers are advantageously linear in shape, for example photodiode bars. Three view-taking stations each equipped with a respective one of these photosensitive bars may be used, each supplying a coordinate of the image position to the computer. In order to allow using receivers comprising faulty photosensitive elements, for each view taking station, at least two identical images are formed on photosensitive receivers the faulty elements of which are not coincident.