Patents by Inventor Fabien Blondeau
Fabien Blondeau 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).
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Patent number: 11694340Abstract: A display method including the steps of: acquiring, at a first predetermined frequency, a first series of one-spatial-dimensional instant images of the finish line of a race; simultaneously acquiring a second series of two spatial-dimensional instant images of the same finish line (19) at a second predetermined frequency; forming a temporal image (10) of the photo finish type from the first series of instant images; choosing an instant (15, 22) of the temporal image (10); analysing a two-spatial-dimensional image of the second series, the image being correlated with the selected instant (15, 22) to determine at least one distance; and displaying the analysed two-dimensional image with the determined distance or distances. Also, a display system for implementing the method.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: SWISS TIMING LTDInventors: Fabien Blondeau, Pascal Richard
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Publication number: 20220001294Abstract: A system for judging or determining position or posture, and/or a time on a line crossed by at least one competitor or racer in a sporting competition, includes at least an apparatus for taking a photograph when an intermediate line or a finishing line of the competition is crossed, the image of the photofinish type taken defining an input of the system, and a processing unit connected to the photographic apparatus to combine the photofinish image received with a processing of an algorithm using artificial intelligence for automatically placing one or more cursors on the photofinish image.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2021Publication date: January 6, 2022Applicant: Swiss Timing LtdInventors: Fabien BLONDEAU, Christophe GRASSO, Benoit COSANDIER, Stéphane POINTET
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Publication number: 20200193616Abstract: A display method including the steps of: acquiring, at a first predetermined frequency, a first series of one-spatial-dimensional instant images of the finish line of a race; simultaneously acquiring a second series of two spatial-dimensional instant images of the same finish line (19) at a second predetermined frequency; forming a temporal image (10) of the photo finish type from the first series of instant images; choosing an instant (15, 22) of the temporal image (10); analysing a two-spatial-dimensional image of the second series, the image being correlated with the selected instant (15, 22) to determine at least one distance; and displaying the analysed two-dimensional image with the determined distance or distances. Also, a display system for implementing the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: Swiss Timing Ltd.Inventors: Fabien BLONDEAU, Pascal Richard
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Patent number: 9521379Abstract: Method for the adjustment of a photo finish camera including a matrix color filter, characterized in that the method includes the following steps: a first step of selecting a basic pattern having optical properties of sensitivity, of color quality and of resolution which are predefined according to race parameters; a second step of software selection of a set of adjacent columns whose number corresponds to the width of said selected basic pattern; a third step of centering said set of adjacent columns on the finish line.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Swiss Timing LtdInventors: Pascal Richard, Fabien Blondeau, Jens Hermann Mueller, Oliver Gress
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Patent number: 9473755Abstract: Color filter for a digital sensor formed of a two-dimensional array of pixels, each pixel corresponding to a given color. The pixels are arranged in at least one base pattern repeated over a given surface, which has at least three pixels of three different colors. The color filter is characterized in that it includes a plurality of distinct base patterns, each of these patterns having predefined optical properties of sensitivity, of color quality and of resolution, and in that it is subdivided into a plurality of distinct areas, each corresponding to a two-dimensional sub-array of pixels. Each of the base patterns is repeated several times along each dimension of the two-dimensional sub-array, respectively over the entirety of a corresponding area.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Swiss Timing Ltd.Inventors: Pascal Richard, Fabien Blondeau
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Publication number: 20150181189Abstract: Colour filter for a digital sensor formed of a two-dimensional array of pixels, each pixel corresponding to a given colour. The pixels are arranged in at least one base pattern repeated over a given surface, which has at least three pixels of three different colours. The colour filter is characterized in that it includes a plurality of distinct base patterns, each of these patterns having predefined optical properties of sensitivity, of colour quality and of resolution, and in that it is subdivided into a plurality of distinct areas, each corresponding to a two-dimensional sub-array of pixels. Each of the base patterns is repeated several times along each dimension of the two-dimensional sub-array, respectively over the entirety of a corresponding area.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Swiss Timing LtdInventors: Pascal RICHARD, Fabien BLONDEAU
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Publication number: 20150181178Abstract: Method for the adjustment of a photo finish camera including a matrix colour filter, characterized in that the method includes the following steps: a first step of selecting a basic pattern having optical properties of sensitivity, of colour quality and of resolution which are predefined according to race parameters; a second step of software selection of a set of adjacent columns whose number corresponds to the width of said selected basic pattern; a third step of centring said set of adjacent columns on the finish line.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Applicant: Swiss Timing LtdInventors: Pascal RICHARD, Fabien BLONDEAU, Jens Hermann MUELLER, Oliver GRESS
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Patent number: 8559276Abstract: The system for timing a sports competition includes a main timing device having a first time base, and a secondary timing device having a second time base (5). The two timing devices are capable of operating in parallel when the timing system is enabled. The two timing devices are arranged such that the second time base (5) is synchronized by using a reference timer signal (CLKref) generated by the first time base. The second time base (5) includes a phase lock loop (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17) for adapting the frequency of the second timer signal (CLK_T2) according to the frequency of the reference timer signal (CLKref).Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Swiss TimingInventor: Fabien Blondeau
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Patent number: 8477565Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece (10) including a display device (26) including a first and second display member (38, 40) displaying first and second pieces of information, the value of the second piece of information being linked to the value of the first piece of information by a reduction ratio, wherein the first (38) and the second (40) display members are rotatably mounted in relation to a plate (42) and are driven by a drive device (44) with planetary gears, characterized in that the second display member (40) pivots on the axis of rotation (A2) of a planet pinion (54). The invention also proposes a timepiece (10) fitted with this display device (26) and a method for manufacturing this display device (26).Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2006Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Fabien Blondeau, Emmanuel Fleury, Pierre-André Meister, André Zanetta
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Publication number: 20120150326Abstract: A method for refreshing of a running time for a sports competition in progress in a receiver device, on the basis of data signals. Data signals are transmitted from a transmitter as the sports competition is taking place. These data signals include data about the starting time of a competitor, one or several intermediate times and a final finish time. A receiver receives the data signals in succession. The receiver is thus provided for refreshing the running time of the sports competition after a determined temporal lag in the receiver, and following the indication of a starting time in the received data signals. The running time is then stopped in the receiver, once the time counted in the receiver matches the final time in the received data signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: Swiss Timing LtdInventor: Fabien BLONDEAU
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Patent number: 8149651Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic watch comprising an electric motor (5) for driving analogue display means (6), and a time base (1, 2) comprising an oscillator circuit (2) and a resonator (1), both mounted in the same case (9), characterized in that said case further comprises a control circuit (4) for said electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2007Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Thomas Meier, Fabien Blondeau, André Zanetta, Emmanuel Fleury, Silvio Dalla Piazza, Pierre-André Meister
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Publication number: 20110261657Abstract: The system for timing a sports competition includes a main timing device having a first time base, and a secondary timing device having a second time base (5). The two timing devices are capable of operating in parallel when the timing system is enabled. The two timing devices are arranged such that the second time base (5) is synchronised by using a reference timer signal (CLKref) generated by the first time base. The second time base (5) includes a phase lock loop (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17) for adapting the frequency of the second timer signal (CLK_T2) according to the frequency of the reference timer signal (CLKref). FIG.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: SWISS TIMING LTDInventor: Fabien BLONDEAU
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Patent number: 7944777Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic watch (8) including: a motor (5), a power circuit (7) supplying first and second voltage levels; a case (11), in which there are mounted: first and second (A, D) output connections; a switch (9) actuated by an external actuator to connect the first connection to the second level (Vdd); a control circuit (4) for the motor including first and second three-state gates (12, 14) respectively connected to the first and second connections (A, D), a member (13) selectively connecting the first connection to the first level, the circuit including a test mode wherein the gates are brought to high impedance, the first connection (D) is connected to the first level (Vss), actuation of the actuator is determined as a function of the voltage measured at the output of the first gate.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2009Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SAInventors: Yves Godat, Fabien Blondeau, Yves Sierro, Nicolas Jeannet
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Publication number: 20110051562Abstract: The invention concerns a timepiece (10) including a display device (26) including a first and second display member (38, 40) displaying first and second pieces of information, the value of the second piece of information being linked to the value of the first piece of information by a reduction ratio, wherein the first (38) and the second (40) display members are rotatably mounted in relation to a plate (42) and are driven by a drive device (44) with planetary gears, characterized in that the second display member (40) pivots on the axis of rotation (A2) of a planet pinion (54). The invention also proposes a timepiece (10) fitted with this display device (26) and a method for manufacturing this display device (26).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2006Publication date: March 3, 2011Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSEInventors: Fabien Blondeau, Emmanuel Fleury, Pierre-André Meister, André Zanetta
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Patent number: 7853641Abstract: There is disclosed a method and a system for accessing information and/or data available on a wide area computer network (100), such as the Internet. A first modulated acoustic signal (A) is transmitted to a group of potential users each provided with a portable communication unit (1, 1*), this first modulated acoustic signal including at least one identifier (ID—1, ID—2, ID—3, . . . ) associated with a link to a determined site of the wide area computer network. These identifiers are stored in the portable communication unit then subsequently downloaded to a computer terminal (50, 51, 52) connected to the wide area computer network. After the downloaded identifier or identifiers have been compared with a determined list of identifiers (ID_A, ID_B, ID_C, . . . ), a list of links (Link_A, Link_B, Link_C, . . . ) to sites corresponding to the downloaded identifier or identifiers is generated by the computer terminal.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Swatch AGInventors: Georges Nicolas Hayek, Emmanuel Fleury, Fabien Blondeau
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Publication number: 20100246340Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic watch comprising an electric motor (5) for driving analogue display means (6), and a time base (1, 2) comprising an oscillator circuit (2) and a resonator (1), both mounted in the same case (9), characterized in that said case further comprises a control circuit (4) for said electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2007Publication date: September 30, 2010Applicant: ETA SA MANUFACTURE HORLOGÈRE SUISSEInventors: Thomas Meier, Fabien Blondeau, André Zanetta, Emmanuel Fleury, Silvio Dalla Piazza, Pierre-André Meister
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Patent number: 7775569Abstract: The invention proposes tweezers (12) and a grasping system (10) for grasping and assembling at least one component (14) in a timepiece, comprising first and second branches (16, 18), which are joined at a first end (20) of the tweezers (12) and which form a grasping pincer (22) at the second end of the tweezers (12) in order to allow the component (14) to be grasped by the pincer (22), via a manual manipulation of the tweezers (12), characterized in that the first branch (16) includes at least one electrostatic grasping surface (24) provided for grasping, via electrostatic attraction, a component (14) made of conductive or semiconductor material.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Fabien Blondeau, Mauro Lorenzini
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Patent number: 7738323Abstract: The invention proposes an arrangement for the mechanical interfacing of a micromotor of the MEMS type with a toothed wheel in which the micromotor is produced in the upper layer of a plate made of crystalline or amorphous material and comprises at least one actuator which drives a rotor in rotation, characterised in that a pinion, coaxial with the rotor and arranged above the rotor, is connected in rotation to the rotor by means of at least one pin which is received in an associated housing and in that the pinion meshes with the toothed wheel.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Lionel Paratte, Jean-Philippe Rebeaud, André Zanetta, Fabien Blondeau, Martin Bisig, Pierre-André Meister, Nicolas Golay
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Patent number: 7663979Abstract: An electronic timepiece (10) includes a case (12) which is fitted with a dial (28) and which contains an electronic control circuit (22) driving a display device (24), of the type wherein the dial (28) includes a main body (48) in the form of a plate which is made of semiconductor material, and of the type wherein the control circuit (22) includes at least one control unit (36) and a time base circuit (34), characterized in that the control circuit (22) includes at least one integrated circuit element (34, 36) which is etched in the main body (48) of the dial (28). The invention also proposes a dial (28) to be fitted to the timepiece (10).Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère SuisseInventors: Pierre-André Meister, André Zanetta, Emmanuel Fleury, Fabien Blondeau
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Publication number: 20100002547Abstract: The invention concerns an electronic watch (8) including: a motor (5), a power circuit (7) supplying first and second voltage levels; a case (11), in which there are mounted: first and second (A, D) output connections; a switch (9) actuated by an external actuator to connect the first connection to the second level (Vdd); a control circuit (4) for the motor including first and second three-state gates (12, 14) respectively connected to the first and second connections (A, D), a member (13) selectively connecting the first connection to the first level, the circuit including a test mode wherein the gates are brought to high impedance, the first connection (D) is connected to the first level (Vss), actuation of the actuator is determined as a function of the voltage measured at the output of the first gate.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Applicant: EM MICROELECTRONIC-MARIN SAInventors: Yves GODAT, Fabien Blondeau, Yves Sierro, Nicolas Jeannet