Abstract: A method for introducing a sample rack holding a plurality of sample receptacles into a receiving bay in a housing of an automated analytical system is disclosed. The method is carried out by manually moving the sample rack from a loading position towards a processing position along a lane in the receiving bay, pausing the movement when the rack reaches a focusing position, moving a reader to focuse onto the lane, resuming the movement of the sample rack and detecting features of the sample rack during the movement, positioning, detecting, and locking the sample rack in the processing position, and processing the content of the sample receptacles.

Abstract: A safety system for an object having a transmitter that comprises a microcontroller to generate an identification signal having a given frequency and a resonant circuit to amplify the signal. The transmitter is suitable to be placed in the vicinity of the body of a person to capacitively couple the identification signal to it. The safety system also comprises a receiver suitable to be capacitively coupled to the body in order to receive the first identification signal and to recognize based on the identification signal if a user is an authorized user. The safety system estimates the actual resonant frequency of the resonant circuit when the circuit is amplifying the signal and the microcontroller is adapted to choose as frequency for the identification signal the closest frequency to the estimated actual resonant circuit it can generate so that the amplification of the identification signal is maximized.

Abstract: A laboratory instrument for processing at least one sample is disclosed. The laboratory instrument includes at least one housing having at least one sample processing device disposed therein, at least one reagent storage compartment reversibly removable from the housing, and at least one safety indicator. The safety indicator is configured for indicating if the reagent storage compartment has been removed from the housing and reinserted into the housing. The laboratory instrument is configured for automatically altering a detectable state of the safety indicator during the process of removing and reinserting the reagent storage compartment.

Abstract: Multimedia terminal with vital parameters monitoring, commonly used in hospitals and homes to enable access to communication networks, TV and multimedia contents to bed-ridden persons. A multichannel measurement module showing readings on the same screen, including electronic circuits and connection for probes for electrocardiograms, pulse oximeters, tensiometers, temperature sensors, etc. The main advantage of this invention is that it allows to measure, save and send vital parameters with the same multimedia device in each room, and to input values automatically and simultaneously into patients' medical histories in a cost-effective and comfortable way, without moving equipment between patients' rooms.

Abstract: A balance set for a timepiece, with inertia adjustment for adjusting inertia and/or balancing and/or oscillation frequency of the balance, with a balance including an insert inserted into a recess of a felloe connected to a hub by a joining surface. The balance includes on the felloe thereof an elastic holding mechanism including two antagonistic elastic lips which, when stressed, allow insertion of the insert into the recess and which, when released, prevent removal of the insert from the recess. A sprung balance or a timepiece can incorporate such a balance.

Abstract: A balance set for a timepiece, with inertia adjustment for adjusting inertia and/or balancing and/or oscillation frequency of the balance, with a balance including an insert inserted into a recess of a felloe connected to a hub by a joining surface. The balance includes on the felloe thereof an elastic holding mechanism including two antagonistic elastic lips which, when stressed, allow insertion of the insert into the recess and which, when released, prevent removal of the insert from the recess. A sprung balance or a timepiece can incorporate such a balance.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece balance (1), with inertia adjustment including a hub (2) pivoting about a balance staff (3) and a felloe (5), connected to said hub (2) by a joining surface (6). It is wherein said felloe (5) is made in a single piece with said joining surface (6) and said hub (2) in a micro-machinable material, or silicon, or quartz, or a compound thereof, or an alloy derived from MEMS technology, or an alloy obtained by the “LIGA” method, and in that it includes at least a first resilient arm (40) including coupling means (41) arranged for cooperating, in various coupling positions, with complementary coupling means (42) comprised in said felloe (5) to form, in the coupling position, a closed loop, the inertia of which relative to said balance staff (3) is variable according to said coupling positions. The invention also concerns a sprung balance or a timepiece incorporating a balance of this type.

Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece balance (1), with inertia adjustment including a hub (2) pivoting about a balance staff (3) and a felloe (5), connected to said hub (2) by a joining surface (6). It is wherein said felloe (5) is made in a single piece with said joining surface (6) and said hub (2) in a micro-machinable material, or silicon, or quartz, or a compound thereof, or an alloy derived from MEMS technology, or an alloy obtained by the “LIGA” method, and in that it includes at least a first resilient arm (40) including coupling means (41) arranged for cooperating, in various coupling positions, with complementary coupling means (42) comprised in said felloe (5) to form, in the coupling position, a closed loop, the inertia of which relative to said balance staff (3) is variable according to said coupling positions. The invention also concerns a sprung balance or a timepiece incorporating a balance of this type.