Abstract: The insert includes at least three contacts having essentially linear parts and at least one three-pole capacitance between three of the contacts. One of the contacts of each three-pole capacitance is connected to a central armature. A first dimension of the central armature, in the direction perpendicular to the substantially linear parts, is greater than a second dimension, in a direction parallel to the substantially linear parts, the second dimension defining the widths of the zones of the central armature. The mean width of the central armature, between the zones where it faces other armatures, connected to the other contacts of the three-pole capacitance, is greater than one third of the mean length of the central armature in these regions. Preferably, in at least one three-pole capacitance, the mean width of the central armature between the regions where it faces the lateral armatures is greater than one third of the distance between the lateral armatures.

Abstract: A device for injecting electric power for an Ethernet network comprising at least one switch, one switching board, communication ports, and Ethernet cables, the device including a power supply, a power injecting circuit, a control circuit, and a module including a body bearing at least one Ethernet connector capable of being removably inserted in one of the network communication ports.

Abstract: The insert includes at least three contacts having essentially linear parts and at least one three-pole capacitance between three of the contacts. One of the contacts of each three-pole capacitance is connected to a central armature. A first dimension of the central armature, in the direction perpendicular to the substantially linear parts, is greater than a second dimension, in a direction parallel to the substantially linear parts, the second dimension defining the widths of the zones of the central armature. The mean width of the central armature, between the zones where it faces other armatures, connected to the other contacts of the three-pole capacitance, is greater than one third of the mean length of the central armature in these regions. Preferably, in at least one three-pole capacitance, the mean width of the central armature between the regions where it faces the lateral armatures is greater than one third of the distance between the lateral armatures.

Abstract: A device for injecting electric power for an Ethernet network comprising at least one switch, one switching board, communication ports, and Ethernet cables, the device including a power supply, a power injecting circuit, a control circuit, and a module including a body bearing at least one Ethernet connector capable of being removably inserted in one of the network communication ports.

Abstract: A piezo-active device includes a piezo-electric element and an elastically deformable shell in which the piezo-electric element is disposed. The use of this piezo-active device includes, for supplying power to an electrical circuit connected to the piezo-electric element, the step of exerting on the piezo-active device a punctual mechanical action and then allowing the piezo-active device to resonate freely. An appliance includes this kind of piezo-active device, en electrical circuit connected to the piezo-electric element, and means for exerting the punctual mechanical action. A system includes this kind of appliance whose electrical circuit can emit electromagnetic waves and a second appliance adapted to receive waves emitted by the first appliance. Applications include controlling a spotlight.

Abstract: A control device for an appliance which can assume a level selected from a range of levels includes a keypad representative of the range of levels to enable a user to select a level, an “off” key for switching off the appliance, and a processor unit connected to the keypad and to the “off” key. If the appliance is off and the keypad is operated to select a target level, the processor unit causes the appliance to assume the selected target level. If the appliance is off and the “off” key is operated, the processor unit leaves the appliance off. If the appliance is on and the keypad is operated to select a target level, the processor unit causes the appliance to assume the selected target level if that level is different from its current level. If the appliance is on and the “off” key is operated, the processor unit switches off the appliance.

Abstract: A piezo-active device includes a piezo-electric element and an elastically deformable shell in which the piezo-electric element is disposed. The use of this piezo-active device includes, for supplying power to an electrical circuit connected to the piezo-electric element, the step of exerting on the piezo-active device a punctual mechanical action and then allowing the piezo-active device to resonate freely. An appliance includes this kind of piezo-active device, an electrical circuit connected to the piezo-electric element, and means for exerting the punctual mechanical action. A system includes this kind of appliance whose electrical circuit can emit electromagnetic waves and a second appliance adapted to receive waves emitted by the first appliance. Applications include controlling a spotlight.

Abstract: A control device for an appliance which can assume a level selected from a range of levels includes a keypad representative of the range of levels to enable a user to select a level, an “off” key for switching off the appliance, and a processor unit connected to the keypad and to the “off” key. If the appliance is switched off and the keypad is operated to select a target level, the processor unit causes the appliance to assume the selected target level. If the appliance is switched off and the “off” key is operated, the control unit leaves the appliance switched off. If the appliance is switched on and the keypad is operated to select a target level, the control device causes the appliance to assume the selected target level if that level is different from its current level. If the appliance is switched on and the “off” key is operated, the processor unit switches off the appliance.

Abstract: A protective device against excessive currents occurring in an electric circuit between a voltage source and a load mounted downstream of said device, comprising a first triggering component with high current sensitivity and adapted to be triggered, rapidly, but reversibly, in case of excessive current in the circuit, and a second triggering component, mounted in parallel with the first, capable of bearing a temporary voltage higher than the power supply voltage, when the first component is triggered, and of being triggered rapidly and reversibly thereafter. The triggering component are preferably conductive polymer components. Also, a triac switch comprising such a protective device mounted upstream of the triac and a third component is mounted on the triac trigger.

Abstract: An electronic switch has an input terminal, an output terminal and an electronic switch unit between the input terminal and the output terminal controlled by a control circuit which extends from its anode to its trigger and is under the control of an actuator which the user can operate directly or indirectly. There is a current limiter resistor in series with said control circuit. The value of the current limiter resistor is less than the value of the voltage on triggering of the electronic switch unit divided by the minimal trigger current needed by the electronic switch unit for such triggering. It is in the order of 40 ohms at most, for example. Applications include controlling a load without generating spurious harmonics which are a problem on the mains supply.

Abstract: In a method of automatically controlling a lighting load to which are delivered alternately forced turning on instructions and forced turning off instructions, according to the result of comparing the brightness measured in a given area and particular brightness thresholds, the brightness threshold used to deliver a forced turning on instruction, hereinafter called the comfort threshold, is left for the user to determine. In a normal operation phase, i.e. after an initiation phase, the brightness threshold used for delivering a forced turning off instruction is the sum of this comfort threshold and the brightness difference between the brightness measured before the previous forced turning off instruction and the brightness measured immediately after that forced turning off instruction. Applications include automatic control of fluorescent tubes with a non-electronic ballast.

Abstract: A tactile sensor includes, under a control key accessible to the user, at least one piezo-electric member which is responsive through the control key to any depression of the latter. For connecting it to an electrical circuit of any kind, the piezo-electric member is sandwiched between a top or forward metal electrode to which it is attached and a bottom or rearward metal electrode which is attached to a support of any kind. For holding the piezo-electric member in place relative to the support of the bottom electrode, the top electrode is fixed to the support by at least one fixing point. Applications include controlling various devices such as on/off switches, changeover switches, dimmers or keypads.

Abstract: A two-way switching circuit for connecting a supply power to a load comprises two electronic switches connected to each other. Each of the two electronic switches includes two electronic switch units connected to each other. Each of the two electronic switches has a control circuit including a common actuator selectively connected to both of the electronic switch units thereof for alternately turning on the respective electronic switch units. A first of the electronic switch unit of each of the two electronic switches is connected to each other and a second of the electronic switch units of each of the electronic switches is connected to each other, whereby switching circuit is thus adapted to connect a power supply to a load when both of the first electronic switch units or both of the second electronic switches are on.

Abstract: The signal delivered by a Doppler sensor is treated after amplification, filtering and digitization by: means for determining the global energy of the digitized signal; autocorrelation test means for showing up a dominant frequency; a filter for rejecting that frequency; comparators for eliminating signals having energy less than a threshold; a filter for isolating a particular frequency band; and means for intercorrelation with a reference signal held in memory.