Patents by Inventor François M. Rouaix

François M. Rouaix 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: 11592979
    Abstract: A whiteboard template can include multiple regions that are associated with different data sources. Each region can be associated with a different data source and can present objects based upon logical representations stored in an associated data source. Logical representations of objects in a region can include links to other objects in other regions associated with other data sources. When an object is moved between regions, transformations can be applied to the logical representation associated with the object. If the object is linked to other objects, the transformation can be propagated to the logical representations of the linked objects. In this manner, a single movement of an object between regions in a template can result in the updating of multiple objects and associated data sources, the updating of the visual properties of objects in multiple regions, and updating the visual properties of the regions themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Clea Allington, Dylan A Leatham, Palmer H. Batt, Christian James Colando, Francois M. Rouaix
  • Patent number: 11249627
    Abstract: Dynamic templates include regions that provide behavior based upon a purpose or desired outcome. Templates and regions can modify the logical representations associated with objects to create semantic context for the objects. Templates and regions can also generate visual representations of objects based upon their logical representations. The visual representation utilized by a template or region can be selected manually or based upon the capabilities of a computing device. Objects contained within regions can be sorted, filtered, arranged, and projected based on their associated logical representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Ron Mondri, Itai Almog, Francois M. Rouaix, Christian James Colando, March Rogers, Eduardo Sonnino, Clea Allington, Palmer H. Batt
  • Patent number: 11250208
    Abstract: Dynamic templates include regions that provide behavior based upon a purpose or desired outcome. Templates and regions can modify the logical representations associated with objects to create semantic context for the objects. Templates and regions can also generate visual representations of objects based upon their logical representations. The visual representation utilized by a template or region can be selected manually or based upon the capabilities of a computing device. Objects contained within regions can be sorted, filtered, arranged, and projected based on their associated logical representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Francois M. Rouaix, Itai Almog, Ron Mondri, March Rogers, Palmer H. Batt, Christian James Colando
  • Patent number: 11205040
    Abstract: Dynamic templates include regions that provide behavior based upon a purpose or desired outcome. Templates and regions can modify the logical representations associated with objects to create semantic context for the objects. Templates and regions can also generate visual representations of objects based upon their logical representations. The visual representation utilized by a template or region can be selected manually or based upon the capabilities of a computing device. Objects contained within regions can be sorted, filtered, arranged, and projected based on their associated logical representations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Francois M. Rouaix, Itai Almog, Ron Mondri, March Rogers, Palmer H. Batt, Christian James Colando
  • Patent number: 11126836
    Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for grouping strokes of digital ink. The disclosed technologies receive a new stroke of digital ink and, responsive thereto, identify groups of strokes that are candidates for receiving the new stroke. Heuristics are computed for one of the candidate groups and for the new stroke. A confidence value is computed for the new stroke based upon the heuristics for the new stroke and the candidate group. If the confidence value exceeds a confidence threshold, which can be user-adjustable, the new stroke of digital ink is added to the candidate group. This process can then be repeated for other candidate groups until a group is found for the new stroke. If no group is found, a new group can be created for the new stroke. A machine learning model can also generate weights for use in computing confidence values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Francois M. Rouaix, Eric Yanowitz
  • Publication number: 20210208775
    Abstract: A whiteboard template can include multiple regions that are associated with different data sources. Each region can be associated with a different data source and can present objects based upon logical representations stored in an associated data source. Logical representations of objects in a region can include links to other objects in other regions associated with other data sources. When an object is moved between regions, transformations can be applied to the logical representation associated with the object. If the object is linked to other objects, the transformation can be propagated to the logical representations of the linked objects. In this manner, a single movement of an object between regions in a template can result in the updating of multiple objects and associated data sources, the updating of the visual properties of objects in multiple regions, and updating the visual properties of the regions themselves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Clea ALLINGTON, Dylan A. LEATHAM, Palmer H. BATT, Christian James COLANDO, Francois M. ROUAIX
  • Publication number: 20200319777
    Abstract: Dynamic templates include regions that provide behavior based upon a purpose or desired outcome. Templates and regions can modify the logical representations associated with objects to create semantic context for the objects. Templates and regions can also generate visual representations of objects based upon their logical representations. The visual representation utilized by a template or region can be selected manually or based upon the capabilities of a computing device. Objects contained within regions can be sorted, filtered, arranged, and projected based on their associated logical representations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Ron MONDRI, Itai ALMOG, Francois M. ROUAIX, Christian James COLANDO, March ROGERS, Eduardo SONNINO, Clea ALLINGTON, Palmer H. BATT
  • Publication number: 20200320166
    Abstract: Dynamic templates include regions that provide behavior based upon a purpose or desired outcome. Templates and regions can modify the logical representations associated with objects to create semantic context for the objects. Templates and regions can also generate visual representations of objects based upon their logical representations. The visual representation utilized by a template or region can be selected manually or based upon the capabilities of a computing device. Objects contained within regions can be sorted, filtered, arranged, and projected based on their associated logical representations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Francois M. ROUAIX, Itai ALMOG, Ron MONDRI, March ROGERS, Palmer H. BATT, Christian James COLANDO
  • Publication number: 20200311405
    Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for grouping strokes of digital ink. The disclosed technologies receive a new stroke of digital ink and, responsive thereto, identify groups of strokes that are candidates for receiving the new stroke. Heuristics are computed for one of the candidate groups and for the new stroke. A confidence value is computed for the new stroke based upon the heuristics for the new stroke and the candidate group. If the confidence value exceeds a confidence threshold, which can be user-adjustable, the new stroke of digital ink is added to the candidate group. This process can then be repeated for other candidate groups until a group is found for the new stroke. If no group is found, a new group can be created for the new stroke. A machine learning model can also generate weights for use in computing confidence values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Francois M. ROUAIX, Eric YANOWITZ
  • Patent number: 10083478
    Abstract: One or more images of items for an order being processed at processing station of an order fulfillment center may be captured and associated with the order. Alternatively, a short video clip may be captured of the order being packaged. An electronic notification that the order has been processed may be sent to a customer associated with the order. The electronic notification may include a reference to one or more of the captured images or video clips. The customer may use a reference included in the notification to view the captured images. The customer may view captured images to verify that the order has been correctly processed. The captured images may include images of the items being packaged for shipment and may show the shipping address on the package allowing the customer to verify that indeed it is his package in the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Shakes, Francois M. Rouaix, Donald L. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 10040631
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for multi-destination pick using motes. In embodiments, each receptacle may be assigned to a destination and may have a mote that may include an indicator that may be activated by a control system to indicate to the agent that the receptacle is the destination receptacle for a picked item. The agent may then place the item in the indicated destination receptacle. A mote may include a communication interface for communicating with a control system and with other motes in an ad-hoc network. In one embodiment, the mote on the destination receptacle may be activated when the picked item is scanned by the agent. In some embodiments, each receptacle may also have a sensor that detects when an item is placed in the receptacle to deactivate the indicator and/or to verify that the item was placed in the correct receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Shakes, François M. Rouaix
  • Patent number: 9852394
    Abstract: A visible-light based display system may be used to project visual guidance to picking and/or stowing agents in a materials handling facility dependent on their current location. The system may comprise a plurality of fixed-location display devices and/or mobile display devices coupled to a control system. The control system may send messages to particular ones of the display devices for projection of visual guidance usable to direct an agent to a particular inventory area in which an item is to be stowed or from which an item is to be picked, to identify a particular position within an inventory area, and/or to identify a particular item stored within an inventory area. The messages may include location, position, and/or descriptive information associated with an item to be stowed or picked. The projected visual guidance may include light or laser beams, text, graphics and/or images, and may be agent-specific, item-specific, and/or order-specific.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Francois M. Rouaix, Felix F. Antony, Cynthia L. Elliott, Jeffrey P. Bezos
  • Patent number: 9741007
    Abstract: Positional placement guidelines for storing items in an inventory area may allow determination and tracking of the position of the items in the inventory area. Position information may be associated with each item in a materials handling facility to assist in locating an item in an inventory area. The position information may represent a position relative to the inventory area and/or to the other items therein. Position information may be determined based on a count of items in the inventory area or based on a time stamp corresponding to the time the item was stored in the inventory area. Position information may be presented to an agent to facilitate picking the item with or without descriptive information. Feedback may provide an indication that the position information is incorrect and may trigger a review or a reset of position information for one or more items in the inventory area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: François M. Rouaix
  • Patent number: 9626712
    Abstract: One or more images of items for an order being processed at processing station of an order fulfillment center may be captured and associated with the order. Alternatively, a short video clip may be captured of the order being packaged. An electronic notification that the order has been processed may be sent to a customer associated with the order. The electronic notification may include a reference to one or more of the captured images or video clips. The customer may use a reference included in the notification to view the captured images. The customer may view captured images to verify that the order has been correctly processed. The captured images may include images of the items being packaged for shipment and may show the shipping address on the package allowing the customer to verify that indeed it is his package in the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Shakes, Francois M. Rouaix, Donald L. Kaufman
  • Publication number: 20160347546
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for multi-destination pick using motes. In embodiments, each receptacle may be assigned to a destination and may have a mote that may include an indicator that may be activated by a control system to indicate to the agent that the receptacle is the destination receptacle for a picked item. The agent may then place the item in the indicated destination receptacle. A mote may include a communication interface for communicating with a control system and with other motes in an ad-hoc network. In one embodiment, the mote on the destination receptacle may be activated when the picked item is scanned by the agent. In some embodiments, each receptacle may also have a sensor that detects when an item is placed in the receptacle to deactivate the indicator and/or to verify that the item was placed in the correct receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: JONATHAN J. SHAKES, FRANÇOIS M. ROUAIX
  • Patent number: 9409710
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for multi-destination pick using motes. In embodiments, each receptacle may be assigned to a destination and may have a mote that may include an indicator that may be activated by a control system to indicate to the agent that the receptacle is the destination receptacle for a picked item. The agent may then place the item in the indicated destination receptacle. A mote may include a communication interface for communicating with a control system and with other motes in an ad-hoc network. In one embodiment, the mote on the destination receptacle may be activated when the picked item is scanned by the agent. In some embodiments, each receptacle may also have a sensor that detects when an item is placed in the receptacle to deactivate the indicator and/or to verify that the item was placed in the correct receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Shakes, François M. Rouaix
  • Publication number: 20150221021
    Abstract: One or more images of items for an order being processed at processing station of an order fulfillment center may be captured and associated with the order. Alternatively, a short video clip may be captured of the order being packaged. An electronic notification that the order has been processed may be sent to a customer associated with the order. The electronic notification may include a reference to one or more of the captured images or video clips. The customer may use a reference included in the notification to view the captured images. The customer may view captured images to verify that the order has been correctly processed. The captured images may include images of the items being packaged for shipment and may show the shipping address on the package allowing the customer to verify that indeed it is his package in the images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: JONATHAN J. SHAKES, FRANCOIS M. ROUAIX, DONALD L. KAUFMAN
  • Publication number: 20140257553
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for multi-destination pick using motes. In embodiments, each receptacle may be assigned to a destination and may have a mote that may include an indicator that may be activated by a control system to indicate to the agent that the receptacle is the destination receptacle for a picked item. The agent may then place the item in the indicated destination receptacle. A mote may include a communication interface for communicating with a control system and with other motes in an ad-hoc network. In one embodiment, the mote on the destination receptacle may be activated when the picked item is scanned by the agent. In some embodiments, each receptacle may also have a sensor that detects when an item is placed in the receptacle to deactivate the indicator and/or to verify that the item was placed in the correct receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: JONATHAN J. SHAKES, FRANÇOIS M. ROUAIX
  • Patent number: 8731708
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for multi-destination pick using motes. Each receptacle may be assigned to a destination and may have a mote that may include an indicator that may be activated by a control system to indicate to the agent that the receptacle is the destination receptacle for a picked item. The agent may then place the item in the indicated destination receptacle. A mote may include a communication interface for communicating with a control system and with other motes in an ad-hoc network. The mote on the destination receptacle may be activated when the picked item is scanned by the agent. Each receptacle may also have a sensor that detects when an item is placed in the receptacle to deactivate the indicator and/or to verify that the item was placed in the correct receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Shakes, François M. Rouaix
  • Patent number: 8688598
    Abstract: One or more images of items for an order being processed at processing station of an order fulfillment center may be captured and associated with the order. Alternatively, a short video clip may be captured of the order being packaged. An electronic notification that the order has been processed may be sent to a customer associated with the order. The electronic notification may include a reference to one or more of the captured images or video clips. The customer may use a reference included in the notification to view the captured images. The customer may view captured images to verify that the order has been correctly processed. The captured images may include images of the items being packaged for shipment and may show the shipping address on the package allowing the customer to verify that indeed it is his package in the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Shakes, Francois M. Rouaix, Donald L. Kaufman