Abstract: This invention is concerned with service panels associated with the dash of an automotive vehicle, in which the service panel is connected to at least one switch and includes an interconnecting grid or network. The switch cooperates directly with the grid or network of the service panel, which is fashioned accordingly.

Abstract: A method of associating the reception of a reset pulse by a microprocessor with access to a specific subprogram depending on whether the reset pulse is associated with a system incorporating the microprocessor being switched on for the purposes of "waking up" the microprocessor, or whether it constitutes a request coming from some other unit in the system, the method being wherein it comprises the following steps: on switch-on, causing a logical data item accessible by the microprocessor to change from a first state to a second state only after a certain time interval has elapsed since the switch-on; on each occasion that a reset pulse is received, reading the logical data item before the time interval has elapsed; and depending on whether the logical data item is in its first state or in its second state, branching either to an initialization subprogram appropriate to switch-on, or else to a subprogram appropriate to processing the request.

Abstract: A remote control system in particular for locking and unlocking the doors of motor vehicles, the system being of the type including light source forming means associated with optical means adapted to configure the beam generated by the light source, wherein the optical means associated with the light source are adapted to define a transmission lobe centered on an aiming axis and comprising a first component of long range and small beam width together with a second component of shorter range and greater beam width.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the operation of a microprocessor and capable of generating an error signal whenever the frequency of a signal derived from the microprocessor crosses an upper or a lower frequency threshold comprises: an oscillator periodically producing a monotonically varying voltage and including a threshold circuit, the oscillator generating an error signal when the monotonically varying voltage crosses a threshold, and including a reset input for returning the monotonically varying voltage to level closer to its starting voltage; and a treatment circuit for treating the derived signal and generating pulses on the input at the frequency of the derived signal so long as the frequency is no greater than the upper threshold, otherwise applying no pulse to the input. When pulses are produced at a lower frequency, the time interval between two reset pulses is greater than the time interval required for the monotonically varying voltage to reach the threshold voltage.

Abstract: A remote control system, in particular for locking and unlocking the doors of a motor vehicle, the system being of the type comprising a portable transmitter including means constituting a light source suitable for generating an encoded light flux, and a fixed receiver including photosensitive means designed to receive the light flux and associated with treatment means designed to decode it, wherein the photosensitive means of the receiver comprise a lens having a toroidal aspherical outside surface, which lens is associated with a plurality of photocells.

Abstract: In a releasable lock of the kind in which a rotor is controlled by a key suitably profiled to release a stator, the stator comprises a barrel mounted rotatably in a body of the lock and indexed resiliently with respect to the latter, with the rotor controlling an actuating finger for a lock mechanism. The actuating finger is fixed to a first lever which is pivoted on an eccentric first axis fixed to the barrel, the actuating finger also being coaxial to both the rotor and the barrel in a rest position of the lock, and extending through a second lever for actuating the lock mechanism. This second lever is pivoted about an eccentric second axis fixed to the lock body, and the rotor includes a rotor pin for driving the first lever.