Abstract: A circuit is provided for clock recovery. The circuit includes a reference extraction unit for extracting from a datastream time references defining a reference time base, and a digital Phase Locked Loop including a first programmable counter in the guise of a digitally controlled oscillator for overseeing an output time base, a second programmable counter in the guise of a loop divider for overseeing a loop time base, and a dedicated processor capable of executing a program including a first software module in the guise of a phase comparator for comparing values of the loop and reference time bases and generating a loop error, and a second software module in the guise of a loop filter for producing an adaptation value of an increment value of the first programmable counter from the loop error. Also provided are a user terminal and a method for clock recovery.

Abstract: A terminal for interactive telebroadcasting system comprising on the one hand a unit for adaptation to the physical telebroadcasting medium and on the other hand a control unit. The first unit comprises a receiver for receiving of a telebroadcast signal and for producing downstream information extracted from the signal, a transmission time based generator for generation of a transmission time base from the downstream information and a transmitter for transmission of a return signal, which are clocked as a function of the transmission time base. The second unit comprises a calculation unit having means of generating upstream information. The calculation unit is clocked as a function of the transmission time base.

Abstract: A circuit is provided for clock recovery from a specified datastream. The circuit includes a reference extraction unit for extracting from the datastream time references defining a reference time base, and a digital Phase Locked Loop coupled to the reference extraction unit. The digital Phase Locked Loop includes a first programmable counter in the guise of a digitally controlled oscillator for overseeing an output time base, a second programmable counter in the guise of a loop divider for overseeing a loop time base, and a dedicated processor capable of executing a program. The program includes a first software module in the guise of a phase comparator for comparing values of the loop time base and the reference time base and generating a loop error; and a second software module in the guise of a loop filter for producing an adaptation value of an increment value of the first programmable counter from the loop error.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for converting a television image format including two memories for storing image lines, alternatively switched in the read and write mode, and a control circuit issuing to these memories a first write frequency and a second read frequency, the control circuit including programmable means for generating said frequencies controlled by a horizontal synchronization signal, the read frequency being programmed to follow a predefined variation law having a period corresponding to the duration of one scanning line.

Abstract: A circuit for restoring bits transmitted by an asynchronous signal includes a first comparator for comparing the level of the asynchronous signal with a first threshold adjusted as a function of the output of the first comparator during synchronization bursts of the asynchronous signal, and at least a second comparator for comparing the level of the asynchronous signal with a second threshold correlated to the first threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit for restoring bits transmitted by an asynchronous signal, including a comparator of the signal level with a discrimination threshold; a sampling circuit taking several samples from the comparator output for each time interval corresponding to a bit; a circuit for generating an analysis signal at a frequency substantially equal to the bit transmission speed; and an analysis circuit to correct the discrimination threshold according to the difference between two phase values corresponding to the phase relationships with respect to the analysis signal of two consecutive sample transitions, and/or correct the phase of the analysis signal with respect to the bit transmission depending on the sum of the two said phase values.

Abstract: A Coding and decoding method for binary data and associated synchronous clock pulses, wherein the transmission is a half-duplex transmission reception system effected over a single pair of conductors which allows both transmission of the binary data and transmission of the associated clock pulses.

Abstract: A method of marking and of identifying objects (1) which are non-conductors of electricity by inclusion of conducting masses and detection by passage through a high-frequency electromagnetic field and detection of the variation in the corresponding response signal picked up.Metallic wires (2) each selected from a range of specimens of different electric conductivity are used as marking elements. The responses are measured which are each characteristic of one specimen and of a predetermined code value.The invention applies to the recognition of the authenticity of cards or documents thus previously marked.

Abstract: In the identification of an article provided with at least one identifying magnetic member, each identifying member is selected from one or more production batches each of which has a characteristic hysteresis loop which is virtually non-reproducible. The member is subjected to analysis of its magnetic characteristics which are compared with those of a reference magnetic means comprising the same number of magnetic members from the same batches as the identifying magnetic members. Identical characteristics provide a correct identification. The detection apparatus may comprise two exciter coils for providing two alternating magnetic fields and two detector coils for each field connected in opposition. When an identifying magnetic member inserted in one field is identical to the reference magnetic member inserted in the other field, detection signals from the two detector coils cancel each other out.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for identifying objects marked by a magnetic band or thin filament comprising detecting the passage of the magnetic band in a detection zone comprising a framework having an excitation coil fed with alternating current to produce an alternating magnetic field and a detecting coil balanced with the excitation coil such that no signal normally will appear in the absence of a magnetic body in proximity to the framework. The passage of an object carrying a magnetic band in proximity to the framework producing for each alternation of the excitation field an unbalance in a detecting circuit and the appearance of a signal which is fed to apparatus for the detection and measurement of the phase of the signal with respect to the excitation field.

Abstract: A conduit for conveyance of hot fluids includes an inner tube, through which the fluid passes, made of a material having a low coefficient of thermal expansion, preferably less than 5 .times. 10.sup.-6 per .degree. C and advantageously INVAR .RTM. with a coefficient of 2.3 .times. 10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. The inner tube is anchored at its ends and has no expansion-compensating means in its length is surrounded by a binding wrapping of a material having a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than that of the inner tube, prestressed at the temperature of application to compensate for the relaxation of stress in the wrapping due to the different expansions of inner tube and wrapping, and so as to compensate at least in part for changes in stress on the inner tube resulting from the absence of expansion-compensating means. A longitudinal tensile pre-stress may also be applied. The assembly also includes thermal insulation, disposed either outside the wrapping or between the wrapping and the inner tube.