Patents by Inventor Matthias Francois

Matthias Francois 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).

  • Patent number: 11443149
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ascribing one of multiple predetermined sub-classes to multiple pixels of an image of an unknown rock sample retrieved from a geological formation. The ascription utilizes a deep learning model trained with an annotated training dataset. The annotated training dataset includes multi-pixel images of known rock samples and, for each known rock sample image, which sub-class corresponds to at least a subset of pixels of that image. For each pixel of the unknown rock sample image having an ascribed sub-class, which one of predetermined meta-classes is associated with that pixel is derived based on the sub-class ascribed to that pixel. The meta-classes represent different predetermined rock types. At least one property of the formation is predicted utilizing the ascription-derived meta-classes, including which rock type(s) are present in the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthias Francois, Youssef Tamaazousti, Josselin Kherroubi
  • Publication number: 20210319257
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ascribing one of multiple predetermined sub-classes to multiple pixels of an image of an unknown rock sample retrieved from a geological formation. The ascription utilizes a deep learning model trained with an annotated training dataset. The annotated training dataset includes multi-pixel images of known rock samples and, for each known rock sample image, which sub-class corresponds to at least a subset of pixels of that image. For each pixel of the unknown rock sample image having an ascribed sub-class, which one of predetermined meta-classes is associated with that pixel is derived based on the sub-class ascribed to that pixel. The meta-classes represent different predetermined rock types. At least one property of the formation is predicted utilizing the ascription-derived meta-classes, including which rock type(s) are present in the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Matthias Francois, Youssef Tamaazousti, Josselin Kherroubi
  • Patent number: 10781692
    Abstract: A method for determining a property of a geological formation based on an optical image of rock samples taken from the formation is presented therein. The image comprises a plurality of pixels and the method comprises defining windows in the image, each window comprising predetermined number of pixels and being of a predetermined shape. The method also includes, for each window, extracting a rockprint value representative of the window. A rockprint comprises indicators for characterizing a texture of the window. The method also includes classifying the windows into categories of a predetermined set. Each category is representative of one type of rock and the classification is based on a comparison of the rockprint value of each window with rockprint values of images of reference rock samples for each category. Based on the classification, the method then includes determining the at least one property of the geological formation, ie the quantification of each type of rock in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthias Francois, Josselin Kherroubi, Alexis He, Tetsushi Yamada, Quentin Corlay, Karim Bondabou
  • Patent number: 10761003
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for analysing cuttings exiting a borehole. The method comprises taking at least an image of a sample of cuttings on a background surface, obtaining spectra representative of the image in the (hue, saturation, brightness) coordinate space, wherein each spectrum is associated to a coordinate and is representative of the distribution of the values of the pixels for the coordinate. Based on the spectrum and the values of each pixel for the associated coordinate, classifying the pixel in one of a plurality of groups, wherein each group is representative of a type of objects within the image, i.e. cuttings and background surface. The method also comprises determining at least a cuttings zone in the image based on the classification of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthias François, Maurice Ringer, Josselin Kherroubi, Karim Bondabou
  • Publication number: 20190338637
    Abstract: A method for determining a property of a geological formation based on an optical image of rock samples taken from the formation is presented therein. The image comprises a plurality of pixels and the method comprises defining windows in the image, each window comprising predetermined number of pixels and being of a predetermined shape. The method also includes, for each window, extracting a rockprint value representative of the window. A rockprint comprises indicators for characterizing a texture of the window. The method also includes classifying the windows into categories of a predetermined set. Each category is representative of one type of rock and the classification is based on a comparison of the rockprint value of each window with rockprint values of images of reference rock samples for each category. Based on the classification, the method then includes determining the at least one property of the geological formation, ie the quantification of each type of rock in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Matthias Francois, Josselin Kherroubi, Alexis He, Tetsushi Yamada, Quentin Corlay, Karim Bondabou
  • Patent number: 10208548
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method for detecting gain or loss of drilling fluid in a drilling installation, said drilling installation comprising a drilling pipe, drilling fluid pits and a hydraulic connection between the pits and the drilling pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: GEOSERVICES EQUIPMENTS
    Inventor: Matthias Francois
  • Publication number: 20180180524
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for analysing cuttings exiting a borehole. The method comprises taking at least an image of a sample of cuttings on a background surface, obtaining spectra representative of the image in the (hue, saturation, brightness) coordinate space, wherein each spectrum is associated to a coordinate and is representative of the distribution of the values of the pixels for the coordinate. Based on the spectrum and the values of each pixel for the associated coordinate, classifying the pixel in one of a plurality of groups, wherein each group is representative of a type of objects within the image, i.e. cuttings and background surface. The method also comprises determining at least a cuttings zone in the image based on the classification of the pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Matthias François, Maurice Ringer, Josselin Kherroubi, Karim Bondabou
  • Publication number: 20170175467
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method for detecting gain or loss of drilling fluid in a drilling installation, said drilling installation comprising a drilling pipe, drilling fluid pits and a hydraulic connection between the pits and the drilling pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Matthias Francois