Abstract: All wireless devices must comply with the local radio regulations which are set by international and national regulatory bodies such as the European Telecommunication Standardization Institute (ETSI) for Europe and the Federal Commission for Communication (FCC) for US. A new firmware module is proposed, that will ensure that devices, in all circumstances will comply with the ETSI regulations for single channel emissions in the 868 MHz ISM band. Namely, assuring compliance with the duty-cycle limit, the maximum TX time and minimum TX-off time limit. Such a solution has not been researched mostly due to the popularity of the virtually worldwide 2.4 GHz ISM band which does not have duty-cycle limitations. The wireless sensor networks (WSN) operating in the 868 MHz band have their own niche applications that benefit from the increased signal range. The development and the acceptance of such applications will benefit from the existence of the proposed module implemented in firmware/software.

Abstract: All wireless devices must comply with the local radio regulations which are set by international and national regulatory bodies such as the European Telecommunication Standardization Institute (ETSI) for Europe and the Federal Commission for Communication (FCC) for US. A new firmware module is proposed, that will ensure that devices, in all circumstances will comply with the ETSI regulations for single channel emissions in the 868 MHz ISM band. Namely, assuring compliance with the duty-cycle limit, the maximum TX time and minimum TX-off time limit. Such a solution has not been researched mostly due to the popularity of the virtually worldwide 2.4 GHz ISM band which does not have duty-cycle limitations. The wireless sensor networks (WSN) operating in the 868 MHz band have their own niche applications that benefit from the increased signal range. The development and the acceptance of such applications will benefit from the existence of the proposed module implemented in firmware/software.

Abstract: An identification method for a data Sk is disclosed which includes; a) construction of a chronological sequence {T1; . . . ; Ti; . . . ; TN} of times of arrival Ti of pulses or a block of successive pulses, b) calculation of a value of similarity between this sequence {T1; . . . ; Ti; . . . ; TN} and a predetermined chronological sequence {TREFk1; . . . ; TREFkj; . . . ; TREFkM} of times of arrival coding the data Sk for several time offsets Ol between the sequence {T1; . . . ; Ti; . . . ; TN} and the sequence {TREFk1; . . . ; TREFkj; . . . ; TREFkM}, c) identification of the data Sk in the series {T1; . . . ; Ti; . . . ; TN} if the calculated value of similarity for one of the time offsets Ol exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An apex-locating method and device for determining the depth position of the apex in a dental root canal. It uses a device making it possible to form a circuit including a first probe electrode inserted into the root canal of a tooth, a second electrode in conductive contact with an oral mucous membrane, frequency-generating elements able to produce alternating electrical signals at a number of frequencies, and elements for measuring electrical magnitude of alternating signals in the circuit. Provision is made for exciting the circuit and measuring the levels of magnitude of the alternating signals, respectively at low frequency and at high frequency and for detecting a point of intersection where the two levels measured at low and high frequencies meet and become substantially equal, these frequencies being sufficiently far apart for this point of intersection to exist. This point gives the position of the apex.

Abstract: An apex-locating method and device for determining the depth position of the apex in a dental root canal. It uses a device making it possible to form a circuit including a first probe electrode inserted into the root canal of a tooth, a second electrode in conductive contact with an oral mucous membrane, frequency-generating elements able to produce alternating electrical signals at a number of frequencies, and elements for measuring electrical magnitude of alternating signals in the circuit. Provision is made for exciting the circuit and measuring the levels of magnitude of the alternating signals, respectively at low frequency and at high frequency and for detecting a point of intersection where the two levels measured at low and high frequencies meet and become substantially equal, these frequencies being sufficiently far apart for this point of intersection to exist. This point gives the position of the apex.

Abstract: An apex-locating method and device for determining the depth position of the apex in a dental root canal. It uses a device making it possible to form a circuit including a first probe electrode inserted into the root canal of a tooth, a second electrode in conductive contact with an oral mucous membrane, frequency-generating elements able to produce alternating electrical signals at a number of frequencies, and elements for measuring electrical magnitude of alternating signals in the circuit. Provision is made for exciting the circuit and measuring the levels of magnitude of the alternating signals, respectively at low frequency and at high frequency and for detecting a point of intersection where the two levels measured at low and high frequencies meet and become substantially equal, these frequencies being sufficiently far apart for this point of intersection to exist. This point gives the position of the apex.

Abstract: An identification method for a data Sk is disclosed which includes; a) construction of a chronological sequence {T1; . . . ; Ti; . . . ; TN} of times of arrival Ti of pulses or a block of successive pulses, b) calculation of a value of similarity between this sequence {T1; . . . ; Ti; . . . ; TN} and a predetermined chronological sequence {TREFk1; . . . ; TREFkj; . . . ; TREFkM} of times of arrival coding the data Sk for several time offsets Ol between the sequence {T1; . . . ; Ti; . . . ; TN} and the sequence {TREFk1; . . . ; TREFkj; . . . ; TREFkM}, c) identification of the data Sk in the series {T1; . . . ; Ti; . . . ; TN} if the calculated value of similarity for one of the time offsets Ol exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apex-locating method and device for determining the depth position of the apex in a dental root canal. It uses a device making it possible to form a circuit comprising a first probe electrode inserted into the root canal of a tooth, a second electrode in conductive contact with an oral mucous membrane, frequency-generating means able to produce alternating electrical signals at a number of frequencies, and means for measuring electrical magnitude of alternating signals in the circuit. The invention makes provision for exciting the circuit and measuring the levels of magnitude of the alternating signals (I), respectively at low frequency (f) and at high frequency (F) and for detecting a point of intersection (C, M) where the two levels (If, IF) measured at low and high frequencies (f, F) meet and become substantially equal, these frequencies (f, F) being sufficiently far apart for this point of intersection (C) to exist. This point gives the position (M) of the apex (X).

Abstract: This invention concerns a wireless data communication method, wherein a transmitter device having a first wide band antenna transmits ultra-wide band coded data signals to a receiver device having a second wide band antenna for receiving the direct and/or multiple path coded data signals. The transmitted data is defined by one or several sequences of N pulses where N is an integer number greater than 1. The arrangement of the N pulses of each sequence represents a data coding relative to the transmitter device. The N pulses of a sequence of direct and/or multiple path coded data signals received by the receiver device are processed each in one among N corresponding reception time windows. Each of the N reception time windows is positioned in time based on a known theoretic arrangement of the N pulses of signals transmitted by the transmitter device.

Abstract: The radio-frequency signal frequency conversion device generates intermediate complex signals (IF) for a correlation stage of a low power RF receiver. In order to do this, the device includes a first selective pass-band filter for filtering radio-frequency signals picked up by an antenna. A frequency synthesizer generates first and second high frequency signals, wherein the frequency of the first signals is higher than the frequency of the second signals. This synthesizer receives reference signals from an oscillator unit. A first mixer unit mixes the radio-frequency signals with the first signals in order to generate frequency-converted signals. A second pass-band filter filters the signals from the first mixer unit, and provides signals to a second mixer unit to mix them with the second high frequency signals. Finally, shaping means for the signals provided by the second mixer unit generate the intermediate signals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a wristwatch having a case containing a mechanical watch movement (10) driven by a spring barrel (14) and provided with a mechanical regulator with a balance and balance-spring, which is associated, via electromagnetic coupling, with an electronic regulator driven by a quartz resonator. The rim of the balance (13) is provided with a pair of permanent magnets (38, 39). The electronic regulator includes a fixed coil (12) arranged for cooperating with said magnets via electromagnetic coupling, a rectifier (58) provided with at least one capacitor, and a circuit (60) for enslaving the frequency of the mechanical regulator to the frequency of the oscillator by braking obtained by briefly short-circuiting the coil. In order to enable a common type of mechanical movement to be used, only the balance of which is altered, the electronic regulator is formed by a structural module (11) that is entirely separate from the mechanical watch movement (10).

Abstract: The method relates to the input of a security code by means of a touch screen of an electronic device such as a watch for access to a specific function, an apparatus or a given location. This touch screen comprises control keys, which can be activated by a manual action of a user using a finger or a stylus. Each key is linked to a microprocessor unit of the electronic device.

Abstract: This invention concerns a wireless data communication method, wherein a transmitter device having a first wide band antenna transmits ultra-wide band encoded data signals to a receiver device having a second wide band antenna for receiving the direct and/or multiple path coded data signals. The transmitted data is defined by one or several sequences of N pulses where N is an integer number greater than 1. The arrangement of the N pulses of each sequence represents a data coding relative to the transmitter device. The N pulses of a sequence of direct and/or multiple path coded data signals received by the receiver device are processed each in one among N corresponding reception time windows. Each of the N reception time windows is positioned in time based on a known theoretic arrangement of the N pulses of signals transmitted by the transmitter device.

Abstract: The method of synchronizing the analogue display (41) of a timepiece (40), including an electronic time base (64), is achieved using proximity sensors (60, 62) respectively associated with wheels (46, 48) each having an aperture (54, 56) for defining the angular position of the latter. Determination of the angular position of a wheel requires an angular distance of around 60° to 90° to be travelled with this type of proximity sensor. Dependency of the measurement results upon the temperature generates a problem of precision in determining the angular position of the wheels, in particular a wheel secured to the hour indicator, given that an angle of 60° to 90° corresponds to a time interval of 2 to 3 hours.

Abstract: The receiver includes: a correlation stage (7) formed of several correlation channels (7?) for receiving intermediate signals (IF) in order to correlate them, in operating channel control loops, with the carrier frequency and specific code replicas of visible emitting satellites to be searched and tracked, each channel having a correlator (8) in which at least one integrator counter (28, 29, 30, 31) provides, at the end of each determined integration period of the correlated signals, a binary output word whose value allows detection of the presence or absence of the visible satellite to be searched and tracked; and a microprocessor for processing the data drawn, after correlation, from the radio-frequency signals.

Abstract: The receiver (1) for radio-frequency signals (SV1, SV2, SV3, SV4), modulated by specific codes of transmitting sources, such as satellites (S1, S2, S3, 54), includes receiving and shaping means with frequency conversion for the radio-frequency signals for generating intermediate signals, a correlation stage formed of several correlation channels for receiving the intermediate signals and microprocessor means connected to the correlation stage in order to process the extracted data after correlation. Each channel includes a correlator in which the intermediate signals are correlated with at least two early and late replicas of the specific code of a visible transmitting source to be searched and tracked. The correlator further includes integrator counters for the correlated signals to provide a first amplitude value of the auto-correlation function of the early signals and a second amplitude value for the late signals.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electronic multi-function wristwatch one of whose operating modes is a memory game which uses the time display means of the watch. In the preferred version comprising an analogue time display, the watch randomly generates a sequence of visual indications such as time values and displays it by means of the hands (3, 4). Then, the player attempts to repeat these indications by entering a sequence of answers by means of control keys (14–19) arranged facing the hour symbols (7) of the dial. These keys preferably comprise electrodes affixed under the watch glass. The watch displays successive sequences each comprising one or more indications more than the preceding sequence. It can also emit corresponding sequences of sounds. The watch/user interface can further comprise push-buttons (11–13) and an alphanumerical LCD display (9).

Abstract: The correlation and demodulation circuit (6) in particular for a pseudo-random code radio-frequency signal receiver (1) includes a correlation stage (7) connected to a microprocessor (12) in particular for configuring the correlation stage in normal operating mode or in test mode. In normal operation the stage receives intermediate signals (IF) corresponding to the radio-frequency signals shaped in means (3) for receiving the modulated signals from the receiver. The intermediate signals are correlated in a correlator control loop (8) of said correlation stage (7) with a replica of the first code supplied by a code generator (25). The code generator (25) is adapted via a microprocessor (12) to generate a replica of a pseudo-random code of shorter repetition length than the pseudo-random code of the radio-frequency signals.

Abstract: There is disclosed a timepiece having a mechanical clockwork-movement (10) driven by a barrel spring (14) and provided with a mechanical regulator, with a balance and a balance spring, which is associated, via electromagnetic coupling, with an electronic regulator driven by a quartz resonator. The rim of the balance (13) balance is provided with at least one pair of permanent magnets (38, 39). The electronic regulator includes a fixed coil (12) arranged for cooperating with said magnets via electromagnetic coupling, a rectifier (58) provided with at least one capacitor, and a circuit for enslaving the frequency of the mechanical regulator to the oscillator frequency by braking obtained by briefly short-circuiting the coil. In order to use a mechanical movement of a common type, in which only the balance is altered, the coil (12) is located on the side of the balance-cock (23) with respect to the balance rim.

Abstract: The method of synchronising the analogue display (41) of a timepiece (40), including an electronic time base (64), is achieved using proximity sensors (60, 62) respectively associated with wheels (46, 48) each having an aperture (54, 56) for defining the angular position of the latter. Determination of the angular position of a wheel requires an angular distance of around 60° to 90° to be travelled with this type of proximity sensor. Dependency of the measurement results upon the temperature generates a problem of precision in determining the angular position of the wheels, in particular a wheel secured to the hour indicator, given that an angle of 60° to 90° corresponds to a time interval of 2 to 3 hours.