Patents by Inventor Francois Menard

Francois Menard 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).

  • Publication number: 20200144891
    Abstract: A linear actuator is configured to be connected between a platform and a structure or ground for displacement of the platform relative to the structure or the ground. The actuator comprises a base, and an output displaceable linearly relative to the base. A first plurality of idlers are on the base, and a second plurality of idlers are on the output. An actuator unit has a reciprocating rotational output. A tensioning member has a first end connected to the rotational output of the actuator unit, and a second end connected to an anchor point on one of the output and the base, the tensioning member being routed from the rotational output, through the first plurality of idlers and the second plurality of idlers and to the anchor point for converting a winding/unwinding of the tensioning member into a translation of the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Jean-Francois MENARD, Andre BEAUDIN, Ran TAO, Ala Eddine LIMAME
  • Publication number: 20200126374
    Abstract: The present document describes a device and method for synchronizing a motion signal corresponding to a media content with a media signal for the media content, the motion signal being for controlling a motion feedback system. The method comprises: receiving a portion of the media signal; obtaining a fingerprint corresponding to the received portion of the media signal; from reference fingerprints associated with time positions of at least one reference media content, identifying a reference time position of the media content corresponding to the obtained fingerprint; obtaining the motion signal associated with the identified reference time position of the media content; and outputting the motion signal synchronized with the media signal using the identified reference time position of the media content for controlling the motion feedback system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Jean-Francois MENARD, Pierre-Antony Stivell LEMIEUX
  • Publication number: 20200084523
    Abstract: Data center interconnections, which encompass WSCs as well as traditional data centers, have become both a bottleneck and a cost/power issue for cloud computing providers, cloud service providers and the users of the cloud generally. Fiber optic technologies already play critical roles in data center operations and will increasingly in the future. The goal is to move data as fast as possible with the lowest latency with the lowest cost and the smallest space consumption on the server blade and throughout the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: FRANCOIS MENARD, MARTIN BERARD, JONATHAN BRIERE
  • Publication number: 20200084524
    Abstract: Data center interconnections, which encompass WSCs as well as traditional data centers, have become both a bottleneck and a cost/power issue for cloud computing providers, cloud service providers and the users of the cloud generally. Fiber optic technologies already play critical roles in data center operations and will increasingly in the future. The goal is to move data as fast as possible with the lowest latency with the lowest cost and the smallest space consumption on the server blade and throughout the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: FRANCOIS MENARD, MARTIN BERARD, JONATHAN BRIERE
  • Publication number: 20200068278
    Abstract: Data center interconnections, which encompass WSCs as well as traditional data centers, have become both a bottleneck and a cost/power issue for cloud computing providers, cloud service providers and the users of the cloud generally. Fiber optic technologies already play critical roles in data center operations and will increasingly in the future. The goal is to move data as fast as possible with the lowest latency with the lowest cost and the smallest space consumption on the server blade and throughout the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: FRANCOIS MENARD, MARTIN BERARD, JONATHAN BRIERE
  • Publication number: 20200049891
    Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has enabled telecommunication service providers to provide multiple independent multi-gigabit channels on one optical fiber.-To meet demands for improved performance, increased integration, reduced footprint, reduced power consumption, increased flexibility, re-configurability, and lower cost monolithic optical circuit technologies and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have become increasingly important. However, further integration via microoptoelectromechanical systems (MOEMS) of monolithically integrated optical waveguides upon a MEMS provide further integration opportunities and functionality options. Such MOEMS may include MOEMS mirrors and optical waveguides capable of deflection under electronic control. In contrast to MEMS devices where the MEMS is simply used to switch between two positions the state of MOEMS becomes important in all transition positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: FRANCOIS MENARD, MICHAEL MENARD, FREDERIC NABKI, MARTIN BERARD, JONATHAN BRIERE
  • Publication number: 20200052786
    Abstract: Data center interconnections, which encompass WCs as well as traditional data centers, have become both a bottleneck and a cost/power issue for cloud computing providers, cloud service providers and the users of the cloud generally. Fiber optic technologies already play critical roles in data center operations and will increasingly in the future. The goal is to move data as fast as possible with the lowest latency with the lowest cost and the smallest space consumption on the server blade and throughout the network. Accordingly, it would be beneficial for new fiber optic interconnection architectures to address the traditional hierarchal time-division multiplexed (TDM) routing and interconnection and provide reduced latency, increased flexibility, lower cost, lower power consumption, and provide interconnections exploiting N×M×D Gbps photonic interconnects wherein N channels are provided each carrying M wavelength division signals at D Gbps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: FRANCOIS MENARD, MARTIN BERARD
  • Publication number: 20200049894
    Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has enabled telecommunication service providers to provide multiple independent multi-gigabit channels on one optical fiber. To meet demands for improved performance, increased integration, reduced footprint, reduced power consumption, increased flexibility, re-configurability, and lower cost monolithic optical circuit technologies and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have become increasingly important. However, further integration via microoptoelectromechanical systems (MOEMS) of monolithically integrated optical waveguides upon a MEMS provide further integration opportunities and functionality options. Such MOEMS may include MOEMS mirrors and optical waveguides capable of deflection under electronic control. In contrast to MEMS devices where the MEMS is simply used to switch between two positions the state of MOEMS becomes important in all transition positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: FRANCOIS MENARD, MICHAEL MENARD, FREDERIC NABKI, MARTIN BERARD, JONATHAN BRIERE
  • Publication number: 20200049893
    Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has enabled telecommunication service providers to provide multiple independent multi-gigabit channels on one optical fiber.-To meet demands for improved performance, increased integration, reduced footprint, reduced power consumption, increased flexibility, re-configurability, and lower cost monolithic optical circuit technologies and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have become increasingly important. However, further integration via microoptoelectromechanical systems (MOEMS) of monolithically integrated optical waveguides upon a MEMS provide further integration opportunities and functionality options. Such MOEMS may include MOEMS mirrors and optical waveguides capable of deflection under electronic control. In contrast to MEMS devices where the MEMS is simply used to switch between two positions the state of MOEMS becomes important in all transition positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: FRANCOIS MENARD, MICHAEL MENARD, FREDERIC NABKI, MARTIN BERARD, JONATHAN BRIERE
  • Publication number: 20200049892
    Abstract: Hybrid optical integration places very strict manufacturing tolerances and performance requirements upon the multiple elements to exploit passive alignment techniques as well as having additional processing requirements. Alternatively, active alignment and soldering/fixing where feasible is also complex and time consuming with 3, 4, or 6-axis control of each element. However, microelectromechanical (MEMS) systems can sense, control, and activate mechanical processes on the micro scale. Beneficially, therefore the inventors combine silicon MEMS based micro-actuators with silicon CMOS control and drive circuits in order to provide alignment of elements within a silicon optical circuit either with respect to each other or with other optical elements hybridly integrated such as compound semiconductor elements. Such inventive MEMS based circuits may be either maintained as active during deployment or powered off once the alignment has been “locked” through an attachment/retention/latching process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: FRANCOIS MENARD, FREDERIC NABKI, MICHAEL MENARD, MARTIN BERARD
  • Publication number: 20200052787
    Abstract: Data center interconnections, which encompass WSCs as well as traditional data centers, have become both a bottleneck and a cost/power issue for cloud computing providers, cloud service providers and the users of the cloud generally. Fiber optic technologies already play critical roles in data center operations and will increasingly in the future. The goal is to move data as fast as possible with the lowest latency with the lowest cost and the smallest space consumption on the server blade and throughout the network. Accordingly, it would be beneficial for new fiber optic interconnection architectures to address the traditional hierarchical time-division multiplexed (TDM) routing and interconnection and provide reduced latency, increased flexibility, lower cost, lower power consumption, and provide interconnections exploiting N×M×D Gbps photonic interconnects wherein N channels are provided each carrying M wavelength division signals at D Gbps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: FRANCOIS MENARD, MARTIN BERARD
  • Publication number: 20200052785
    Abstract: Data center interconnections, which encompass WSCs as well as traditional data centers, have become both a bottleneck and a cost/power issue for cloud computing providers, cloud service providers and the users of the cloud generally. Fiber optic technologies already play critical roles in data center operations and will increasingly in the future. The goal is to move data as fast as possible with the lowest latency with the lowest cost and the smallest space consumption on the server blade and throughout the network. Accordingly, it would be beneficial for new fiber optic interconnection architectures to address the traditional hierarchal time-division multiplexed (TDM) routing and interconnection and provide reduced latency, increased flexibility, lower cost, lower power consumption, and provide interconnections exploiting N×M×D Gbps photonic interconnects wherein N channels are provided each carrying M wavelength division signals at D Gbps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: FRANCOIS MENARD, MARTIN BERARD
  • Publication number: 20200014991
    Abstract: Data center interconnections, which encompass WSCs as well as traditional data centers, have become both a bottleneck and a cost/power issue for cloud computing providers, cloud service providers and the users of the cloud generally. Fiber optic technologies already play critical roles in data center operations and will increasingly in the future. The goal is to move data as fast as possible with the lowest latency with the lowest cost and the smallest space consumption on the server blade and throughout the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: FRANCOIS MENARD, MARTIN BÉRARD, JONATHAN BRIERE
  • Patent number: 10515523
    Abstract: The present document describes a device and method for synchronizing a motion signal corresponding to a media content with a media signal for the media content, the motion signal being for controlling a motion feedback system. The method comprises: receiving a portion of the media signal; obtaining a fingerprint corresponding to the received portion of the media signal; from reference fingerprints associated with time positions of at least one reference media content, identifying a reference time position of the media content corresponding to the obtained fingerprint; obtaining the motion signal associated with the identified reference time position of the media content; and outputting the motion signal synchronized with the media signal using the identified reference time position of the media content for controlling the motion feedback system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: D-BOX TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Jean-François Menard, Pierre-Antony Stivell Lemieux
  • Publication number: 20190373237
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for synchronizing motion data with an audio/video stream. An audio/video stream, which comprises at least one timing marker, is obtained. The audio/video stream is processed to detect the at least one timing marker. Motion data associated with the audio/video stream and timing information for the motion data are obtained, the timing information including timing information regarding the at least one timing marker. The audio/video stream, with the at least one timing marker detected, and the motion data, are output with the timing information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: D-BOX TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Ala Eddine LIMAME, Jean-Francois MENARD
  • Patent number: 10481336
    Abstract: Hybrid optical integration places very strict manufacturing tolerances and performance requirements upon the multiple elements to exploit passive alignment techniques as well as having additional processing requirements. Alternatively, active alignment and soldering/fixing where feasible is also complex and time consuming with 3, 4, or 6-axis control of each element. However, microelectromechanical (MEMS) systems can sense, control, and activate mechanical processes on the micro scale. Beneficially, therefore the inventors combine silicon MEMS based micro-actuators with silicon CMOS control and drive circuits in order to provide alignment of elements within a silicon optical circuit either with respect to each other or with other optical elements hybridly integrated such as compound semiconductor elements. Such inventive MEMS based circuits may be either maintained as active during deployment or powered off once the alignment has been “locked” through an attachment/retention/latching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignees: Aeponyx Inc., Universite Du Quebec a Montreal
    Inventors: Francois Menard, Fréderic Nabki, Michaël Ménard, Martin Bérard
  • Patent number: 10469977
    Abstract: A method for synchronizing an output of a motion signal with a virtual reality program being played comprises mixing a multi-channel audio output of the virtual reality program into at least one mixed audio track. A time position of the virtual reality program being played is obtained using the at least one mixed audio track. A motion signal corresponding to virtual reality program being played and synchronized with the identified time position of the virtual reality program being played is obtained, the motion signal comprising motion platform actuator-driving instructions. The motion signal is output to an actuation system of a motion platform for producing vibro-kinetic effects in the motion platform corresponding to and synchronized with the virtual reality program being played. A motion controller for synchronizing an output of a motion signal with a virtual reality program being played is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: D-BOX TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Menard, Francis Moreau, Robert Desautels
  • Patent number: 10466421
    Abstract: Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has enabled telecommunication service providers to provide multiple independent multi-gigabit channels on one optical fiber. To meet demands for improved performance, increased integration, reduced footprint, reduced power consumption, increased flexibility, re-configurability, and lower cost monolithic optical circuit technologies and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have become increasingly important. However, further integration via microoptoelectromechanical systems (MOEMS) of monolithically integrated optical waveguides upon a MEMS provide further integration opportunities and functionality options. Such MOEMS may include MOEMS mirrors and optical waveguides capable of deflection under electronic control. In contrast to MEMS devices where the MEMS is simply used to switch between two positions the state of MOEMS becomes important in all transition positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Aeponyx Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Menard, Michael Menard, Frederic Nabki, Martin Berard, Jonathan Briere
  • Patent number: 10454572
    Abstract: Data center interconnections, which encompass WSCs as well as traditional data centers, have become both a bottleneck and a cost/power issue for cloud computing providers, cloud service providers and the users of the cloud generally. Fiber optic technologies already play critical roles in data center operations and will increasingly in the future. The goal is to move data as fast as possible with the lowest latency with the lowest cost and the smallest space consumption on the server blade and throughout the network. Accordingly, it would be beneficial for new fiber optic interconnection architectures to address the traditional hierarchal time-division multiplexed (TDM) routing and interconnection and provide reduced latency, increased flexibility, lower cost, lower power consumption, and provide interconnections exploiting N×M×D Gbps photonic interconnects wherein N channels are provided each carrying M wavelength division signals at D Gbps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Aeponyx Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Menard, Martin Berard
  • Patent number: RE47822
    Abstract: In a building equipped with a plurality of motion-enabled chairs such as a movie theatre, the vibration of the motion-enabled chairs adds up and may damage the foundation of the building especially at the resonance frequency. The present application describes a system and method for controlling the resulting vibration by introducing an alteration such as a delay or an inversion in the motion signals sent to the motion-enabled chairs. This delay causes the vibration of some motion-enabled chairs to be de-phased from the vibration of the other motion-enabled chairs. Whereby, the intensity (magnitude) of the resulting vibration is reduced. Control of the motion-enabled chairs may be done centrally through a central controller, or locally at selected motion-enabled chairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: D-BOX TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Menard, Sylvain Trottier