Patents by Inventor Eric Menard

Eric Menard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20170349143
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronics unit (11) to be fit in a vehicle (10) and designed to control a functionality of the vehicle (10) upon receipt of a request from a user terminal (20), characterized in that same comprises:—a memory unit designed to store a counter and data representing a duration;—means for periodically modifying the value of the counter, the period of time being equal to said duration;—control means for controlling said functionality only when the counter is within a given range of values. Also disclosed are a method carried out in an electronics unit of said type, a method for sharing a time frame between a server and an electronics unit, and a method for synchronizing a server and an electronics unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: VALEO COMFORT AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE
    Inventors: Eric Menard, Bruno Benteo, Aymeric Chalochet
  • Publication number: 20170334394
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling access to at least one function of a motor vehicle (10), comprising:—an action step during which an electronic control unit (11) on board the motor vehicle detects an interaction of a user with the motor vehicle,—a verification step during which the electronic control unit verifies that the user is authorised to access said function, and—an authorisation step during which the electronic control unit authorises access to said function. According to the invention, said verification step comprises sending of a query message by said electronic control unit to a mobile terminal (20) carried by the user or by a person accompanying the user, and said authorisation step is only implemented if, in response to the query message, the electronic control unit receives an access-right validation message from the mobile terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: VALEO COMFORT AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE
    Inventors: Eric Menard, Jérome Baumann, Fabienne Masson
  • Publication number: 20170330402
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transmission of a secure virtual key (VK) from a server (50, S) to a mobile terminal (20, T) capable of communicating with the server (50, S), comprising the steps of: a) reception by the server (50, S) of a certification request from the mobile terminal (20, T), b) provision and downloading on the mobile terminal (20, T), by the server (50, S), of a user application (25), and c) provision of the mobile terminal (20, T), by the server (50, S), with a virtual key (VK), and d) downloading and securing of the virtual key (VK) in a security element (27) of the mobile terminal (20, T), characterised in that said security element is formed by an encrypting software environment (27).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: VALEO COMFORT AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE
    Inventors: Eric Menard, Aymeric Chalochet, Fabienne Masson
  • Publication number: 20170243422
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method (PR) for detecting an identifier (Id) for starting a motor vehicle (V), said motor vehicle comprising a first antenna (A1) and said identifier (Id) comprising a second antenna (A2). The method (PR) is characterised in that it comprises: —transmitting, by said first antenna (A1), a first Bluetooth Low Energy™ signal (Sg1) to said identifier (Id) at a nominal power (P1); —measuring the power (P1?) of said corresponding signal (Sg1?) received by the second antenna (A2) of said identifier (Id); —comparing said measured power (P1?) with a threshold power (Ps), said threshold power (Ps) corresponding to a threshold distance (ds) from said first antenna (A1) that is less than the radius (r1) of a circle (C1) inscribed within the passenger compartment (H) of the motor vehicle (V), said circle (C1) being centred on said first antenna (A1); —authorising the starting of the motor vehicle (V) if the measured power (P1?) is greater than or equal to said threshold power (Ps).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: VALEO COMFORT AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE
    Inventors: Eric Menard, Fabienne Masson, Francis Delaunay
  • Publication number: 20170236351
    Abstract: The present invention relates essentially to a device for controlling locking/unlocking and/or starting of a vehicle (V) comprising a first communication device (COM1) mounted in the vehicle (V), said first communication device (COM1) being linked to the control unit (ECU) of the vehicle (V), and a second communication device (COM2) disposed in a mobile apparatus (SP), the first communication device (COM1) and the second communication device (COM2) being able to communicate with one another according to a first mode of communication so as to carry out an authentication of the mobile apparatus (SP) by the vehicle (V), said authentication authorizing the locking/unlocking and/or starting of the vehicle (V), characterized in that the first communication device (COM1) and the second communication device (COM2) are able to communicate also according to a second mode of communication, so as to determine data representative of the position of the mobile apparatus (SP) with respect to the vehicle (V), and in that the
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: VALEO COMFORT AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE
    Inventors: Eric Menard, Fabienne Masson, Eric Leconte
  • Patent number: 9696691
    Abstract: The invention relates to an access key (1) for unlocking a motor vehicle, comprising: —a communication interface (112) configured so as to communicate according to an NFC protocol; —a support containing data constituting service provision rights; —a monitoring circuit (111) able to process a transaction by way of said communication interface (112) on the basis of said data constituting the service provision rights; characterized in that it comprises a housing (106) for receiving a support containing data constituting service provision rights of removable type (2), and in that it comprises a read and/or write interface (113) in the removable support placed in the housing, the monitoring circuit (111) being configured so as to allow an exchange of data between the communication interface and the read/write interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventors: Eric Menard, Eric Leconte
  • Publication number: 20160358389
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile telephone (3) containing an authentication code (ID) for enabling a motor vehicle (2) to be locked/unlocked and/or started via a Bluetooth™ Low Energy (BLE) protocol, characterized in that said mobile telephone comprises: a pairing code (AP) for enabling the mobile telephone (3) to be registered automatically with said motor vehicle (2); and/or an identification code (VIN) for enabling the mobile telephone (3) to be recognized automatically in said motor vehicle (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: VALEO COMFORT AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE
    Inventors: Eric Menard, Fabienne Masson, Frederic Gehin
  • Publication number: 20160318480
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hands-free system (SYS) for accessing a motor vehicle (V). Said system includes: a control member (COM) arranged in the motor vehicle (V); a detection member (CAPT) arranged in a door handle (P) of the motor vehicle (V), said detecting member being connected to said control member (COM) and capable of measuring a signal (S) representing a hand (M) approaching; and a sensitivity level (SEN) for which a corresponding threshold value (TH) is defined. Said control member (COM) is capable of sending a hands-free query to the motor vehicle (V) when the measured signal (S) exceeds the threshold value (TH) corresponding to the sensitivity level (SEN).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Applicant: VALEO COMFORT AND DRIVING ASSISTANCE
    Inventors: Eric MENARD, Ciprian MUSAT, Eric LECONTE
  • Patent number: 9394737
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for opening a movable panel of a motor vehicle, including the following steps: Step A (1)—the presence of at least one body part of a person is detected by a capacitive or non-capacitive sensor; Step B (2)—the person is authenticated as being authorized to unlock the vehicle by an authentication means; Step C (5)—a virtual switch is produced by projecting a light pattern onto the ground on which the motor vehicle is standing; and Step D (6)—the person positions his/her foot so as to obscure the virtual switch in a predetermined manner; Step E (7)—if the foot is not positioned in the predetermined manner, a signal is sent to restart step D, or if the foot is positioned in the predetermined manner, a control means opens the movable panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: U-SHIN FRANCE SAS
    Inventors: Frédéric Gehin, Eric Menard
  • Publication number: 20160137163
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for securing a command to be applied to a motor vehicle, characterized in that said method comprises: a first step of generating first data, via a vehicle electronic control unit; a second step of sending said first data to a mobile terminal comprising a screen, via the electronic control unit; a third step of displaying the first data on the screen of the mobile terminal; a fourth step in which a human user processes the first data in order to obtain second data; a fifth step of sending the second data to the electronic control unit via the mobile terminal; a sixth step of comparing said second data to a key of the first data, via the electronic control unit; if the second data is validated by the key of the first data, a seventh step of activating the motor vehicle via the electronic control unit, in order to implement at least part of the control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventors: Eric Menard, Frédéric Gehin, Fabienne Masson
  • Publication number: 20150359032
    Abstract: A system (SC) is intended to control a maneuver of a vehicle (V) via the establishment of two-way wireless communication between a communication module (MC1) of the vehicle (V) and a remote control unit (BC), following the actuation of the latter. This system (SC) comprises control means (MCT) designed to determine, over a duration corresponding to a chosen main number NP of successive connection events in their respective frequency channels, where NP>2, a first number of failed connection events, and then to compare this first number with a first chosen value and to modify the activated automatic maneuver in a chosen way if the first number is greater than or equal to this first value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventors: Eric Menard, Laurent Petel, Fabienne Masson
  • Patent number: 8912912
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for remotely identifying a motor vehicle (2), including means (3) for remotely communicating with the associated vehicle (2). The device comprises means (4) for querying the state of charge of at least one vehicle battery and means (6) for receiving said state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventor: Eric Menard
  • Publication number: 20140330486
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for opening a movable panel of a motor vehicle, including the following steps: Step A (1)—the presence of at least one body part of a person is detected by a capacitive or non-capacitive sensor; Step B (2)—the person is authenticated as being authorized to unlock the vehicle by an authentication means; Step C (5)—a virtual switch is produced by projecting a light pattern onto the ground on which the motor vehicle is standing; and Step D (6)—the person positions his/her foot so as to obscure the virtual switch in a predetermined manner; Step E (7)—if the foot is not positioned in the predetermined manner, a signal is sent to restart step D, or if the foot is positioned in the predetermined manner, a control means opens the movable panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventors: Frédéric Gehin, Eric Menard
  • Publication number: 20140327454
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for triggering an action on an opening panel of a motor vehicle. The device (1) comprises in particular: a capacitive sensor (C) for detecting a variation in capacitance, comprising at least three electrodes (E1, E2, E3), said at least three electrodes (E1, E2, E3) forming a detection pattern (M); and a processing unit (2) connected to the capacitive sensor (C) for processing output signals front the capacitive sensor (C), said output signals being representative of the capacitance of each of the electrodes (E1, E2, E3). The triggering device (1) is characterised in that: the positioning of the electrodes (E1, E2, E3) is defined such that at least one of the electrodes (E1, E2, E3) is not covered by a hand approaching the detection pattern (M), and the processing unit (2) is designed to perform a triggering action on the opening panel of the motor vehicle when a band approaches said detection pattern (M).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventors: Eric Menard, Ciprian Musat
  • Publication number: 20140152423
    Abstract: The invention relates to a unit (SYST) for communication by means of a predetermined protocol, said communication unit (SYST) including: a master device (EQ_MAI); and a slave device (EQU_ESC) capable of communicating with a vehicle according to a UHF or BF protocol, and capable of assuming a plurality of states, characterized in that the master device (EQ_MAI) is suitable for sending, to the slave device (EQU_ESC), alerts pertaining to the actuation of a state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventors: Laurent Petel, Eric Menard
  • Patent number: 8717429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically unlocking an opening member of a motor vehicle using a hands-free access system (4), comprising a central processing unit (5) intended to be installed inside the vehicle, a portable identification member (17), said central processing unit (5) being capable of communicating remotely by radiofrequency with the identification member (17) in order to authenticate it and, in response to the authentication of the identification member (17), of controlling the locking or unlocking of the opening member of the vehicle. The method comprises the following steps: the step of detecting the presence of an identification member (17) in a predefined perimeter around the vehicle; the step of authenticating that the identification member (17) is associated with the vehicle; and, in the case of positive authentication, the step of placing the access system in a “ready to unlock” state for all the opening members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventors: Frederic Giraud, Eric Menard, Joel Senpauroca
  • Publication number: 20130154794
    Abstract: The invention relates to an access key (1) for unlocking a motor vehicle, comprising:—a communication interface configured so as to communicate according to an NFC protocol;—a support containing data constituting service provision rights,:—a monitoring circuit (111) able to process a transaction by way of said communication interface (112) on the basis of said data constituting the service provision rights; characterized in that it comprises a housing (106) for receiving a support containing data constituting service provision rights of removable type (2), and in that it comprises a read and/or write interface (113) in the removable support placed in the housing, the monitoring circuit (111) being configured so as to allow an exchange of data between the communication interface and the read/write interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventors: Eric Menard, Eric Leconte
  • Patent number: 8325035
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system which can give a vehicle user an indication related to a direction to take to find back his vehicle. The said system comprises a hand-held object (1) to be taken by the user and a module (2) to be installed on the vehicle. The module (2) is equipped with a first emitting device (3) of a first radio signal (5). The latter (5) is a directed radio signal which is emitted within an angular sector of an angle A less than 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Valeo Securite Habitacle
    Inventors: Ciprian Musat, Eric Menard
  • Publication number: 20120178318
    Abstract: An inlet grate cleaning system for a water jet propulsion system to be used in a watercraft. The water jet propulsion system has a water passage, the water passage has an inlet and the inlet has a forward area and a rearward area with respect to the watercraft. The inlet grate cleaning system comprises a pump and at least one water intake fluidly connected to the pump. At least one water outlet is also fluidly connected to the pump. The pump is adapted for pumping water from the at least one water intake to the at least one water outlet to create at least one jet of water. The at least one water outlet is positioned so as to direct the at least one jet of water toward an inlet grate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: CONSORTIUM DE RECHERCHE BRP-UNIVERSITE DE SHERBROOKE S.E.N.C.
    Inventors: Mihai Rasidescu, Roger Rioux, Eric Menard, Patrice Dusablon
  • Publication number: 20120068856
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for remotely identifying a motor vehicle (2), including means (3) for remotely communicating with the associated vehicle (2). The device comprises means (4) for querying the state of charge of at least one vehicle battery and means (6) for receiving said state of charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: VALEO SECURITE HABITACLE
    Inventor: Eric Menard