Patents by Inventor Christian Neel

Christian Neel 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: 9939956
    Abstract: This invention relates to a capacitive sensing device comprising (i) at least one capacitive electrode (12) with a substantially conductive material arranged so as to form a conductive surface (51); (ii) at least one guard component placed close to said at least one capacitive electrode (12); said capacitive electrode(s) (12) comprises(comprise) at least one opening (52) without conductive material arranged within or on the edge of the conductive surface (51) so as to reduce the coupling capacitance between said capacitive electrode(s) (12) and said guard component(s). The invention also relates to an apparatus implementing the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: QUICKSTEP TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Didier Roziere, Christian Neel, Christophe Blondin
  • Patent number: 9897641
    Abstract: A method for real-time monitoring of an operational state of a capacitive sensor capable of being mounted on a rotating machine, and connected to an electronic measuring module via a high frequency transmission line. The method includes generating, within the electronic module, a signal for compensating in capacitance parasitic effects from the transmission line and the sensor, generating, within the electronic module, a signal for compensating in conductance parasitic effects from the transmission line and the sensor, extracting a signal representative of the capacitance compensation and of a signal representative of the conductance compensation so as to determine an operating point of the sensor and analyzing the operating point so as to check if it is located in a predetermined area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: FOGALE NANOTECH
    Inventors: Christian Neel, Nicolas Billiard
  • Patent number: 9887487
    Abstract: A device is provided for interconnecting electronic systems having reference potentials separated by an alternating potential difference, the device includes a plurality of electrical connections that can electrically connect the electronic systems, and inductance coils arranged in series on the electrical connections, the inductance coils being electromagnetically coupled. Also provided is a method for interconnecting electronic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: NANOTEC SOLUTION
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Christian Neel
  • Publication number: 20170248649
    Abstract: A method is provided for real-time monitoring the operational state of a capacitive sensor capable of being mounted on a rotating machine, and connected to an electronic measuring module via a high frequency transmission line, the method comprising the steps of: generating within the electronic module a signal for compensating in capacitance parasitic effects from the transmission line and the sensor; generating within the electronic module a signal for compensating in conductance parasitic effects from the transmission line and the sensor; extracting a signal representative of the capacitance compensation and of a signal representative of the conductance compensation so as to determine an operating point of the sensor; and analyzing the operating point so as to check if it is located in a predetermined area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Christian NEEL, Nicolas BILLIARD
  • Publication number: 20170220156
    Abstract: A method and device for generating a power supply voltage, referenced to a first reference potential, in an electronic system including an energizing source connected to the first and second reference potentials so as to impart an AC voltage differential between the reference potentials, wherein the device includes: (i) a source for supplying AC voltage, which is referenced to the second reference potential, connected to the first reference potential, and encompasses the energizing source; and (ii) rectifying and filtering elements connected, at the input thereof, to the first reference potential and to the source for supplying AC voltage, respectively, so as to generate, at an output, a power supply voltage (Vf) referenced to the first reference potential by rectifying a voltage at the terminals of the source for supplying AC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Applicant: QUICKSTEP TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Christophe BLONDIN, Christian NEEL, Didier ROZIERE
  • Patent number: 9640991
    Abstract: A method and device for generating a power supply voltage (Vf), referenced to a first reference potential (4), in an electronic system including an energizing source (3) connected to the first and second reference potentials (4, 5) so as to impart an AC voltage differential between the reference potentials (4, 5), wherein the device includes: (i) a source (10) for supplying AC voltage, which is referenced to the second reference potential (5), connected to the first reference potential (4), and encompasses the energizing source (3); and (ii) rectifying and filtering elements (1) connected, at the input thereof, to the first reference potential (4) and to the source (10) for supplying AC voltage, respectively, so as to generate, at an output (8), a power supply voltage (Vf) referenced to the first reference potential (4) by rectifying a voltage at the terminals of the source (10) for supplying AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: QUICKSTEP TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Christian Neel, Didier Roziere
  • Publication number: 20160357338
    Abstract: This invention relates to a capacitive sensing device comprising (i) at least one capacitive electrode (12) with a substantially conductive material arranged so as to form a conductive surface (51); (ii) at least one guard component placed close to said at least one capacitive electrode (12); said capacitive electrode(s) (12) comprises(comprise) at least one opening (52) without conductive material arranged within or on the edge of the conductive surface (51) so as to reduce the coupling capacitance between said capacitive electrode(s) (12) and said guard component(s). The invention also relates to an apparatus implementing the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Didier ROZIERE, Christian NEEL, Christophe BLONDIN
  • Patent number: 9401697
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating an alternating voltage difference between a first and second reference potential. The device comprises: an oscillator electrically referenced to the first reference potential; and a voltage follower/amplifier device electrically referenced to the second reference potential and having an input connected to the oscillator and an output connected to the first reference potential such that it can impose an alternating voltage difference, which depends on the signal generated by the oscillator, between said first and second reference potentials. The invention also relates to a system that uses the device and to a method for generating an alternating voltage difference between a first and second reference potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: QUICKSTEP TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Christian Neel, Didier Roziere
  • Publication number: 20150068897
    Abstract: A human-machine interface device is provided having a transparent area for viewing a display screen and an access area including at least one metal connector connected to at least two planes arranged above the display screen, the planes including an electrode plane made of a transparent resistive conductive material, the plane located in the transparent area, a conductor plane made of a transparent resistive conductive material used as an active guard for the electrode plane, the active guard located in the transparent area and extending into the access area. The present device includes at least one guard strip, for reducing the resistance of the guard, the guard strip being arranged within the access area and connected to the active guard and to the metal connector, the latter being connected to the electrode plane such that the conductor plane and the electrode plane are at substantially the same potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Christian Neel, Christophe Blondin
  • Publication number: 20150048850
    Abstract: A method of capacitive measurement between an object and an electrode plane is provided, in which method use is made of a processing unit so as to:—apply an excitation signal to the resistive electrode plane, and—determine a value of capacitance on the basis of a measurement of a measurement signal originating from the electrode plane. The excitation signal is a nonsinusoidal signal having at least one discontinuity, and to determine the value of capacitance, the measurement signal is attenuated over a time window, this time window being the duration for which the resistivity of the electrode plane is manifested on the measurement signal in response to the at least one discontinuity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Christian Neel, Christophe Blondin
  • Patent number: 8933710
    Abstract: A capacitive measurement device is provided, including: (i) a first electronic system electrically referenced to a guard potential and connectable to capacitive electrodes; (ii) a second electronic system electrically referenced to a ground potential; and (iii) an energizing component connected to the guard and ground potentials, respectively, to impart an AC voltage differential between the potentials. The device also includes an integrated circuit that is referenced to the ground and includes a first installation area in which the first electronic system is implemented, and a second installation area in which the second electronic system is implemented. Also included are systems using the device and uses of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Nanotec Solution
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Christian Neel, Didier Roziere
  • Publication number: 20140145732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating an alternating voltage difference between a first and second reference potential. The device comprises: an oscillator electrically referenced to the first reference potential; and a voltage follower/amplifier device electrically referenced to the second reference potential and having an input connected to the oscillator and an output connected to the first reference potential such that it can impose an alternating voltage difference, which depends on the signal generated by the oscillator, between said first and second reference potentials. The invention also relates to a system that uses the device and to a method for generating an alternating voltage difference between a first and second reference potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: NANOTEC SOLUTION
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Christian Neel, Didier Roziere
  • Publication number: 20140125357
    Abstract: A capacitive measurement device is provided, including: (i) a first electronic system electrically referenced to a guard potential and connectable to capacitive electrodes; (ii) a second electronic system electrically referenced to a ground potential; and (iii) an energizing component connected to the guard and ground potentials, respectively, to impart an AC voltage differential between the potentials. The device also includes an integrated circuit that is referenced to the ground and includes a first installation area in which the first electronic system is implemented, and a second installation area in which the second electronic system is implemented. Also included are systems using the device and uses of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: NANOTEC SOLUTION
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Christian Neel, Didier Roziere
  • Publication number: 20140103712
    Abstract: A method and device for generating a power supply voltage (Vf), referenced to a first reference potential (4), in an electronic system including an energizing source (3) connected to the first and second reference potentials (4, 5) so as to impart an AC voltage differential between the reference potentials (4, 5), wherein the device includes: (i) a source (10) for supplying AC voltage, which is referenced to the second reference potential (5), connected to the first reference potential (4), and encompasses the energizing source (3); and (ii) rectifying and filtering elements (1) connected, at the input thereof, to the first reference potential (4) and to the source (10) for supplying AC voltage, respectively, so as to generate, at an output (8), a power supply voltage (Vf) referenced to the first reference potential (4) by rectifying a voltage at the terminals of the source (10) for supplying AC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Christian Neel, Didier Roziere
  • Publication number: 20130323942
    Abstract: A device is provided for interconnecting electronic systems having reference potentials separated by an alternating potential difference, the device includes a plurality of electrical connections that can electrically connect the electronic systems, and inductance coils arranged in series on the electrical connections, the inductance coils being electromagnetically coupled. Als provided is a method for interconnecting electronic systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: NANOTEC SOLUTION
    Inventors: Christophe Blondin, Christian Neel