Abstract: A device for improving environmental perception for blind or visually impaired users, including a set of mechanical actuators intended to be in contact with the skin of a user, at least one digital camera designed to acquire a current digital image of an environment facing the user, a processing circuit connected to the camera for receiving pixel signals from the acquired digital image and converting at least one portion of the pixel signals into control signals, each of which powers a mechanical actuator of the set of actuators, an eye-tracking module for tracking each eye of the user to identify a gaze direction of the user. The processing circuit then selects, in the environment filmed by the camera, an area of acquired current image which is a function of the gaze direction and converts the pixel signals of said area into control signals, each of which powers an actuator of the set to stimulate the user's skin.

Abstract: A device for improving environmental perception for blind or visually impaired users, including a set of mechanical actuators intended to be in contact with the skin of a user, at least one digital camera designed to acquire a current digital image of an environment facing the user, a processing circuit connected to the camera for receiving pixel signals from the acquired digital image and converting at least one portion of the pixel signals into control signals, each of which powers a mechanical actuator of the set of actuators, an eye-tracking module for tracking each eye of the user to identify a gaze direction of the user. The processing circuit then selects, in the environment filmed by the camera, an area of acquired current image which is a function of the gaze direction and converts the pixel signals of said area into control signals, each of which powers an actuator of the set to stimulate the user's skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of fabrication of cold cathodes by irradiation of doped Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) films with multicharged ions. According to the invention each multicharged ion prints on the surface an isolative dot from which, directly or after a conditioning process, one can extract at room temperature intense electronic currents with very low electric fields. These dots may be printed on very inexpensive DLC films on areas, of predetermined shapes, sizes and emissivity. The invention also relates to the corresponding emissive surfaces and all applications of the method to the fabrication of electron guns of exceptional intensity and geometrical properties and owning very low energy consumption to be used for portable instruments. These cold cathodes may be used in all instruments based on electron beams, such as flat panel displays, x ray or all electronic tubes, vacuum components and so on.

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment method of a diamond surface and to a corresponding diamond surface (5A). According to the method, ions are produced, each having at least three positive charges, and a beam of these ions is sent towards a diamond surface in order to make at least one zone of the surface conductive under the effect of said ions. Advantageously, conductive islands (6) are formed with a diameter smaller than 150 nm, then used preferably as one electron tank (diameter smaller than 10 nm) or as replenishment reservoirs for cold cathodes. Application to micro-electronics and to the production of cold cathodes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment method of a diamond surface and to a corresponding diamond surface (5A).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device and a method for ion beam etching for producing an etched surface (2) on a semiconductor (1) or insulant The device comprises a positive ion source (20), means for guiding (23) an ion beam (42), a system for detecting the spatial and temporal interaction of the ions and the etched surface, means for interrupting (24) the beam and means for displacing the etched surface relatively to the beam. A processing unit (29) is connected to the displacing means, to the detecting means and to the beam interrupting means and controls, preferably iteratively, successive, operations detecting interaction of the ion beam and the etched surface, interrupting the beam, relative displacing of the etched surface with respect to the beam position and restoring the beam.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating a surface (2) of a semiconductor (1B) and a corresponding treating device. The surface is made by first molecules of the semiconductor having external bonds saturated with hydrogen. The method consists in sending a beam (30)of ions highly charged and with low energy towards the surface, and applying thereto a deceleration voltage U2 in the proximity of the surface. In this way, the ions extract without making contact the electrons of the first molecules, releasing the hydrogen atoms saturating the corresponding external bonds. Then a product saturating the pendant external bonds is sent so as to form second molecules of an insulating compound. The invention is useful for surface cleaning, etching and nano-manufacturing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel for measuring distance for a ski, comprising drive means mounted for rotation at one end of an arm, the other end of this arm being mounted pivotally on an axle parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel and carried by a first portion of a bracket; this first portion being connected to a second portion adapted to be fixed on the rear end of a ski in such a manner that the axis of rotation of the wheel will be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said ski; the wheel drives a counter and the arm is subjected to the action of a spring tending to pivot it about its axis so as to apply the wheel to the ground.