Patents by Inventor François Loubet
François Loubet 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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Publication number: 20210285922Abstract: A modular fluid characterisation system is provided. The modular fluid characterisation system includes a sampling unit containing optional pre-processing units to condition samples, and a valve network to distribute samples to one or more characterisation modules. Each characterisation module includes one or more instruments for characterising samples, and optional additional pre-processing units. Characterising modules can be added or removed depending on operational requirements. Sample flows are controlled in accordance with an automated characterisation program, and resulting characterisation may be obtained on the basis of a combination of results from different characterisation modules with regard to the characterisation program.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2019Publication date: September 16, 2021Inventors: Errol Mark RODDA, François LOUBET
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Patent number: 10942156Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the identification of an analyte in a sample fluid. The method comprises the performance of a set of measurements on at least two sensors of different types. Sensors of different types may comprise Gas Chromatography sensors, CMOS gas sensors, a combination thereof, or more generally sensors in which it is possible to control a first physical parameter and measure, for different values of the first parameter, a second physical parameter representative of at least a concentration of the analyte. The method comprises the detection of maxima of the second parameter, the access to databases in order to find reference values of the first parameters in which maxima are found, and the comparison of values at which maxima are found and reference values, on the two sensors.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: ALPHA M.O.S.Inventors: Saïd Labreche, Olivier Cabrol, François Loubet, Hervé Lechat, Sandrine Isz, Jean-Christophe Mifsud
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Patent number: 10794885Abstract: An olfactometer or “electronic nose” is able to vary a plurality of operating parameters during a test cycle in parallel, in accordance with a measurement protocol. This measurement protocol, and correspondingly the operating parameters to be varied, the values to be set for those parameters, and the timing of the variation in these values is tailored to most effectively distinguish between likely candidates in a particular testing scenario. A characterisation library is then used to match the results of the measurement protocol to the best target in the characterisation library. Test protocols and/or characterisation libraries may be downloaded from a remote server on demand, and certain activities may be carried out either locally or remotely.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2016Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: ALPHA M.O.S.Inventors: Chang-Hyun Shim, Jean-Christophe Mifsud, François Loubet
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Patent number: 10371670Abstract: A hybrid device comprising Metal Oxide Sensors in a Gas Chromatography column is described, whereby the readings from the MOS devices will vary along the column in reaction to the sample reflecting the differential delays imposed on the components of the sample depending on the elutive effect of the adsorbent lining the column for the respective component. By this means, a family of readings is obtained, any one of which may be easier to interpret for a particular sample, and which may be compared amongst themselves providing an additional measurement dimension. The behavior of later sections of column or sensors may be modified dynamically during a measurement cycle depending on the readings obtained at the earlier stages.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: ALPHA M.O.S.Inventors: François Loubet, Sébastien Pelletier, Sandrine Isz, Jean-Christophe Mifsud
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Publication number: 20180299416Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the identification of an analyte in a sample fluid. The method comprises the performance of a set of measurements on at least two sensors of different types. Sensors of different types may comprise Gas Chromatography sensors, CMOS gas sensors, a combination thereof, or more generally sensors in which it is possible to control a first physical parameter and measure, for different values of the first parameter, a second physical parameter representative of at least a concentration of the analyte. The method comprises the detection of maxima of the second parameter, the access to databases in order to find reference values of the first parameters in which maxima are found, and the comparison of values at which maxima are found and reference values, on the two sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2016Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: ALPHA M.O.SInventors: Saïd LABRECHE, Olivier CABROL, François LOUBET, Hervé LECHAT, Sandrine ISZ, Jean-Christophe MIFSUD
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Publication number: 20180238846Abstract: An olfactometer or “electronic nose” is able to vary a plurality of operating parameters during a test cycle in parallel, in accordance with a measurement protocol. This measurement protocol, and correspondingly the operating parameters to be varied, the values to be set for those parameters, and the timing of the variation in these values is tailored to most effectively distinguish between likely candidates in a particular testing scenario. A characterisation library is then used to match the results of the measurement protocol to the best target in the characterisation library. Test protocols and/or characterisation libraries may be downloaded from a remote server on demand, and certain activities may be carried out either locally or remotely.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2016Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: ALPHA M.O.SInventors: Chang-Hyun SHIM, Jean-Christophe MIFSUD, François LOUBET
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Publication number: 20180011066Abstract: A hybrid device comprising Metal Oxide Sensors in a Gas Chromatography column is described, whereby the readings from the MOS devices will vary along the column in reaction to the sample reflecting the differential delays imposed on the components of the sample depending on the elutive effect of the adsorbent lining the column for the respective component. By this means, a family of readings is obtained, any one of which may be easier to interpret for a particular sample, and which may be compared amongst themselves providing an additional measurement dimension. The behaviour of later sections of column or sensors may be modified dynamically during a measurement cycle depending on the readings obtained at the earlier stages.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Applicant: ALPHA M.O.SInventors: François LOUBET, Sébastien PELLETIER, Sandrine ISZ, Jean-Christophe MIFSUD
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Patent number: 9753000Abstract: The sensitivity and/or selectivity of a chemoresistor type gas sensor is enhanced by measuring the response of the sensing material to a gas sample while the sensing material is subjected to illumination using specially-tailored pulses of ultraviolet radiation. For a given target gas to be detected there is an optimal duration of the UV pulses to achieve peak sensitivity of the sensing material.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignees: ALPHA MOS S.A., CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)Inventors: Chang Hyun Shim, Francois Loubet, Alain Gaudon, Philippe Menini, Franck Benhamouda, Jean Christophe Mifsud
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Publication number: 20160061761Abstract: The sensitivity and/or selectivity of a chemoresistor type gas sensor is enhanced by measuring the response of the sensing material to a gas sample while the sensing material is subjected to illumination using specially-tailored pulses of ultraviolet radiation. For a given target gas to be detected there is an optimal duration of the UV pulses to achieve peak sensitivity of the sensing material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Chang Hyun SHIM, Francois LOUBET, Alain GAUDON, Philippe MENINI, Franck BENHAMOUDA, Jean Christophe MIFSUD
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Patent number: 9194834Abstract: A multi-storey gas sensor is constructed by stacking chemoresistor type gas sensing elements and providing holes through each sensing element so gas can pass from one sensing element to the next, through the sensing layers. A rich data set can be obtained by selecting appropriate combinations of materials for the different sensing layers and varying the operating conditions of the different gas-sensing elements by: taking measurements when different combinations of sensing layers are activated, when given sensing layers are heated to different temperatures or according to different heating profiles, and/or when selected sensing layers are exposed to UV light. Sensor sensitivity and selectivity can be increased by applying UV pulses of controlled duration, and target gas species can be detected based on the transient response of the sensing layer at onset of UV irradiation. Each sensing element may have a micro-hotplate architecture.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignees: ALPHA MOS S.A., CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUEInventors: Alain Gaudon, Chang Hyun Shim, Philippe Menini, Francois Loubet
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Publication number: 20140105790Abstract: A multi-storey gas sensor is constructed by stacking chemoresistor type gas sensing elements and providing holes through each sensing element so gas can pass from one sensing element to the next, through the sensing layers. A rich data set can be obtained by selecting appropriate combinations of materials for the different sensing layers and varying the operating conditions of the different gas-sensing elements by: taking measurements when different combinations of sensing layers are activated, when given sensing layers are heated to different temperatures or according to different heating profiles, and/or when selected sensing layers are exposed to UV light. Sensor sensitivity and selectivity can be increased by applying UV pulses of controlled duration, and target gas species can be detected based on the transient response of the sensing layer at onset of UV irradiation. Each sensing element may have a micro-hotplate architecture.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Inventors: Alain Gaudon, Chang Hyun Shim, Philippe Menini, Francois Loubet
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Patent number: 7734436Abstract: The comparative analysis of a sample, derived from a product, with respect to a database comprises the step of determining the class membership of the different characteristics (variables) describing the samples: whether they are characteristics common to the sample under test and the database, they are characteristics particular to the sample under test, or they are characteristics particular to the database. The assignment of the variables to these classes enables parameters to be defined for global comparison of the sample under test and the database, based on: ratios summarizing the values taken by the variables of the different classes, or the distribution of the variables of the different classes. A machine implementation of the analysis is described.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Alpha M.O.S.Inventors: Saïd Labreche, Hicham Amine, François Loubet, Eric Chanie, Jean-Christophe Mifsud
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Publication number: 20080046195Abstract: The comparative analysis of a sample, derived from a product, with respect to a database comprises the step of determining the class membership of the different characteristics (variables) describing the samples: are they characteristics common to the sample under test and the database, are they characteristics particular to the sample under test, or are they characteristics particular to the database? The assignment of the variables to these classes enables parameters to be defined for global comparison of the sample under test and the database, based on: ratios summarizing the values taken by the variables of the different classes, or the distribution of the variables of the different classes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventors: Said Labreche, Hicham Amine, Francois Loubet, Eric Chanie, Jean-Christophe Mifsud
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Patent number: 6496813Abstract: The invention concerns a classifying apparatus, used in particular for recognising or characterising odours, applying a combination of statistical methods and neuronal networks to classify into the appropriate class instances of a plurality of different classes presented to the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a processing unit for determining for each class (j) a subspace (SEj) wherein the instances of said class are best separated from instances of other classes, said subspace being defined by synthetic variables (VDj), and for determining a discriminating subspace (SED) defined by the whole set of synthetic variables identified for the whole set of classes. Each neuron in the neuronal input layer corresponds to one of the variables defining the discriminating space (SED) and each neuron of the output layer corresponds to one of the classes.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Alpha M.O.S.Inventors: Saïd Labreche, Hicham Amine, Tze Tsung Tan, François Loubet
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Patent number: 6496742Abstract: A classification apparatus, notably for uses in recognition or characterisation of odors, comprises a plurality of sensors for generating raw data representing a plurality of instances of a plurality of different classes; and a processing unit for processing said raw data so as to determine an identification model. The identification model comprises definitions of the classes and a particular allocation rule selected dependent upon the application. The class definitions are established by analysing data obtained during a learning phase, the analysis being performed according to a particular information extraction method. During a later identification phase, the identification model enables an instance of unknown class to be allocated to an appropriate class amongst those defined during the learning phase. The information extraction method can be selected dependent upon the application.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2000Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Alpha M.O.S.Inventors: Saïd Labreche, Hicham Amine, Tze Tsung Tan, François Loubet