Patents Assigned to EPFL
  • Publication number: 20130332621
    Abstract: A system and method for cooperative data streaming are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a system for cooperative data streaming comprises a group of devices comprising at least two devices, which are interested in obtaining the same content from the same server. Each device comprises one or more primary network interfaces connecting the device to the data streaming service and one or more secondary network interfaces connecting the device to one or more of the other devices through one or more wireless local networks. The primary network interfaces are configured for connecting the devices to the data streaming service for receiving at least segments of data. The secondary network interfaces are configured for mutually connecting said devices in order to locally exchange said received segments of data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Lorenzo Keller, Minh Thoai Anh Le, Blerim Cici, Hulya Seferoglu, Athina Markopoulou, Christina Fragouli
  • Publication number: 20130313524
    Abstract: This invention describes a novel electronic device consisting of one—or more—vertically stacked gate-all-around silicon nanowire field effect transistor (SNWFET) with two independent gate electrodes. One of the two gate electrodes, acting on the central section of the transistor channel, controls on/off behavior of the channel. The second gate, acting on the regions in proximity to the source and the drain of the transistor, defines the polarity of the devices, i.e. p or n type. The electric field of the second gate acts either at the interface of the nanowire-to-source/drain region or anywhere in close proximity to the depleted region of the SiNW body, modulating the bending of the Schottky barriers at the contacts, eventually screening one type of charge carrier to pass through the channel of the transistor. This is achieved by controlling the majority carriers passing through the transistor channel by regulating the Schottky barrier thicknesses at the source and drain contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Giovanni De Micheli, Yusuf Leblebici, Michele De Marchi, Davide Sacchetto
  • Publication number: 20130316442
    Abstract: Cell culture environment monitoring system (6) for monitoring parameters relevant to cell growth in at least one culture dish (4) containing a cell growth medium (14), including at least one sensing device (22, 22?) configured to measure environmental parameters relevant to cell growth, and a tray (24) supporting said at least one culture dish. The sensing device is configured for mounting inside said culture dish at least partially within said cell growth medium, and comprises an RFID transponder (34). The tray (24) comprises an RFID base station (44) configured to interrogate the RFID transponder to obtain measurements of said parameters relevant to cell growth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Eric Meurville, Yann Barrandon, Georges Abou-Jaoude
  • Patent number: 8594320
    Abstract: Acoustic echo control and noise suppression in telecommunication systems. The proposed method of processing multi-channels audio loudspeakers signals and at least one microphone signal, comprises the steps of: transforming the input microphone signals (y1 (n), y2 (n), . . . , yM (n)) into input microphone short-time spectra, computing a combined loudspeaker signal short-time spectrum [X(i,k)] from the loudspeaker signals, (x1 (n), x2 (n), . . . , xL (n)), computing a combined microphone signal short-time spectrum [Y(i,k)] from the input microphone signal, (y1 (n), y2 (n), . . . , yM (n)), estimating a magnitude or power spectrum of the echo in the combined microphone signal short-time spectrum, computing a gain filter (G(i,k)) for magnitude modification of the input microphone short-time spectra, applying the gain filter to at least one of the input microphone spectra, converting the filtered input microphone spectra into the time domain (e1 (n), e2 (n), . . . , eM (n)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: (EPFL) Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne
    Inventor: Christof Faller
  • Patent number: 8592364
    Abstract: Chemokines may be administered to a patient for immunotolerization. Chemokines include CCL19 and CCL21. Materials and methods for accomplishing tolerization and described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (“EPFL”)
    Inventors: Melody A. Swartz, Jeffrey A. Hubbell, Alice A. Tomei, Jacqueline D. Shields, Iraklis Kourtis
  • Publication number: 20130306937
    Abstract: A 3D M-CNT structure with at least one tri-state CNT NEM switch comprising at least an electrode as a source, an electrode as a gate and an electrode as a drain, a conductive carbon nanotube which is able to take three positions depending on a voltage application to said electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventor: Ecole Polytechnique Federale De Lausanne (EPFL)
  • Publication number: 20130311868
    Abstract: A computerized method for annotating at least one feature of an image of a view, includes the steps of obtaining the image with an image sensor of a portable device, and retrieving at least one condition. Based on the at least one condition, the method automatically selects a feature identification method among a plurality of features identification methods. It then applies the feature identification method for identifying the at least one feature, and annotates some of the identified features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: EPFL-TTO QUARLIER DE I'INNOVATION-J
    Inventors: Mathieu Monney, Serge Ayer, Martin Vetterli
  • Patent number: 8588509
    Abstract: We presented an approach for speeding-up image acquisition when tasked with localizing specific structures in FIB-SEM imagery. It exploits the fact that low-quality images can be acquired faster than higher-quality ones and yet be sufficient for inference purposes. We have demonstrated greater than five-fold speed-ups at very little loss in accuracy in the context of mitochondria and synapse detection. Furthermore, the algorithm we propose is generic and applicable to many imaging modalities that allow trading quality for speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Pascal Fua, Graham Knott, Raphael Sznitman, Aurelien Lucchi
  • Publication number: 20130304084
    Abstract: A novel mechanical system, based on a new cable driven mechanical transmission, able to provide sufficient dexterity, stiffness, speed, precision and payload capacity to actuate multi-DOF micro-manipulators. Besides the possibility of being used in several articulated surgical instruments and robotic systems for surgery or other applications involving remote manipulation, it enables the design of a novel fully mechanical surgical instrument, which offer the advantages of conventional laparoscopy (low cost, tactile feedback, high payload capacity) combined with the advantages of single port surgery (single incision, scarless surgery, navigation through several quadrants of the abdominal cavity) and robotic surgery (greater degrees of freedom, short learning curve, high stiffness, high precision, increased intuition).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Ricardo Beira, Reymond Clavel, Hannes Bleuler
  • Patent number: 8567183
    Abstract: Multistage hydraulic systems and methods for converting the potential energy of a pressurized gas, particularly air, into mechanical work when operating in motor, and for producing compressed gas from the mechanical work of the rotating shaft when rotating when operating in compressor mode, by performing a successive expansion/compression of the said gas. Each of the systems comprises: a multistage Compression-Expansion Unit made of several hydraulic Compression-Expansion Modules having different capacity and integrating a gas/liquid separating heat exchanger, designed to convert pressure power into a hydraulic power and vice-versa, by performing an essentially isothermal compression/expansion of the gas; a single stage or multistage, direct or indirect, external forced-air Heat Exchanger for maintaining the active liquid at ambient temperature; and a multi-circuit, multi-displacement Hydraulic Motor/Pump for converting hydraulic power into mechanical power and vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Sylvain Lemofouet, Alfred Rufer
  • Publication number: 20130283236
    Abstract: A determination is made regarding whether to merge two symbolic analysis states. A first state corresponds to a first path through a program to a program location and a second state corresponds to a second path through the program to the program location. A set of variables of the program at the program location is determined. For each variable in the set: a) a first value of the variable in the first state is determined; b) a second value of the variable in the second state is determined; and c) a determination is made, based on the first and second values, regarding whether merging the first and second states would be advantageous. A determination is made, responsive to determining that merging the first state and the second state would not be advantageous for at least one variable in the set, not to merge the first state and the second state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Volodymyr Kuznetsov, Johannes Kinder, Stefan Bucur, George Candea
  • Publication number: 20130261208
    Abstract: The present invention relates to reinforced composite hydrogel based on a polymer blend and comprising a network of fibres, said polymer blend comprising UV sensitive molecules. It also relates to a process for preparing the reinforced composite hydrogel according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Ana Carolina Borges De Couraca, Pierre-Etienne Bourban, Jan-Anders Edvin Manson, Dominique Pioletti, Arne Vogel, Christian Eyholzer, Philippe Tingaut, Tanja Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20130245007
    Abstract: The present invention relates to new 2-piperazin-1-yl-4H-1,3-benzothiazin-4-one derivatives and their use for the treatment of mammalian infections caused by bacteria, especially diseases like tuberculosis (TB), Buruli ulcer and leprosy that result from infection with closely related mycobacteria. (I).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Vadim Makarov, Stewart Cole
  • Publication number: 20130245149
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a dual cure composition comprising a radiation curable polymer precursor, solid particles, an organometallic precursor and a coupling agent, a hybrid organic/inorganic nanocomposite material produced using said dual cure composition and a dual cure process using thermal energy and radiation for producing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Valérie Geiser, Yves Leterrier, Jan-Anders Edvin Manson
  • Patent number: 8539318
    Abstract: In bus communications methods and apparatus, a first set of physical signals representing the information to be conveyed over the bus is provided, and mapped to a codeword of a spherical code, wherein a codeword is representable as a vector of a plurality of components and the bus uses at least as many signal lines as components of the vector that are used, mapping the codeword to a second set of physical signals, wherein components of the second set of physical signals can have values from a set of component values having at least three distinct values for at least one component, and providing the second set of physical signals for transmission over the data bus in a physical form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Harm Cronie, Amin Shokrollahi
  • Publication number: 20130215472
    Abstract: The present invention enables creating authenticable continuous tone color multi-ink multi-halftone images offering means of verifying their authenticity. The invention relies on color halftones, color separation into different ink surface coverages for different halftoning methods, mapping of an input gamut into a gamut defined by a set of inks, calculating the optimal boundary between region halftones created with different halftoning methods, and color multi-halftone image generation. The basic authentication is performed by examining the color multi-halftone image under a reference illumination and verifying that the message incorporated within the color multi-halftone is hidden and revealed under a different illumination. Authentication can further be performed by observing the color multi-halftone image both in reflection and transmission modes and verifying that in one of these modes the message is hidden and that in the other mode the message is revealed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Romain Rossier, Roger D. Hersch
  • Patent number: 8514931
    Abstract: A method of providing SVC video content with added media content, comprising the steps of: receiving an original video content transmitted from a remote site in a bit stream and including original video encoding parameters; decoding said original video encoding parameters data; selecting a complementary media content to be added to the original video content; modifying said original video encoding parameters; modifying said bit stream in order to integrate the video data of said complementary media content to provide a modified bit stream; sending said modified bit stream for decoding; the additional media content being provided in the form of an additional layer into the scalable bit stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Jakov Cakareski, Pascal Frossard
  • Patent number: 8500637
    Abstract: The invention relates to a viscosimetric sensor for monitoring an analyte level in a patient or in body fluids ex vivo. In particular, the invention relates to a sensor for monitoring analytes, such as glucose levels in a patient. The sensor comprises at least two hermetically closed chambers (2a, 2b), including an activation chamber and a measuring chamber, containing a sensitive fluid (3), the chambers communicating with each other through at least one microchannel (5), and a semi-permeable barrier (4) allowing the analyte to enter or leave the chambers. Each said chamber comprises at least one flexible membrane (6, 7) configured for antagonistic variations of the volume of the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Eric Meurville, Jean-Michel Sallese
  • Publication number: 20130190774
    Abstract: An external manipulator for positioning surgical instruments within the abdominal cavity, comprising a hybrid kinematics with a parallel structure, able to provide four, active or passive, positional degrees of freedom to a endoscopic unit, placed in the distal end of an instrument shaft. Due to this specific kinematics, the instrument shaft is able to perform two rotations, one translation, and a fourth orientation degree of freedom about a remote centre of rotation, coincident with the surgical incision port. Because of its unique design and kinematics, the proposed mechanism is highly compact, stiff and its dexterity fulfils the workspace specifications for surgical procedures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FERDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Ricardo Beira, Clavel Reymond, Hannes Bleuler
  • Publication number: 20130181435
    Abstract: A method and computing system are proposed for producing an authenticable security device with two sides. The verso side is covered with a luminescent emissive variable intensity layer formed for example by invisible luminescent ink halftones and the recto side is covered with transmissive non-luminescent ink halftones. The backlit colors resulting from the emissions of the luminescent layer or resulting from illumination by normal white light through the transmissive non-luminescent ink halftones are predicted by a backlighting model. This model enables computing the surface coverages of the luminescent and/or non-luminescent ink halftones in order to obtain a desired color either under excitation light (UV light) or under normal white light. This enable creating authenticable backlit images substantially similar to pre-stored reference images, either under normal white light, under excitation light, or under both the normal white light and the excitation light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Roger D. Hersch, Julien Andres