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).
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Publication number: 20160023125Abstract: A system for providing motion signals indicative of a motion to be performed by the motion platforms synchronously with video images comprising an input interface for extracting a motion signal from the input signal. A server provides a network address to each motion platform. A motion platform interface has control ports connected to arrays of motion platforms. Each motion platform being connected one to another by a wired connection according to a control protocol. The motion platform interface individually actuates each of the motion platforms by providing a client motion signal to each motion platform comprising the motion signal with a respective network address. Each motion platform is managed according to a respective feedback signal comprising the provided network address of each motion platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Pierre Senecal, Bruno Paillard, Martin Simoneau, Jean-Francois Menard
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Publication number: 20150323049Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a motor having an output. An end block is connected to a casing and to the motor and has a counterbore at a distal end with a bearing seated and retained in the counterbore. A coupling assembly couples the output shaft of the motor to a threaded shaft for transmission of the rotational output to the threaded shaft. A sliding tube is in sliding arrangement with the inner cavity of the casing for moving in translation relative to the casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2013Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Robert ROUSSEAU, Steve BOULAIS, Pierre SENECAL, Jean-Francois MENARD, Christian ROY
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Patent number: 9178849Abstract: A system for providing motion signals indicative of a motion to be performed by the motion platforms synchronously with video images comprising an input interface for extracting a motion signal from the input signal. A server provides a network address to each motion platform. A motion platform interface has control ports connected to arrays of motion platforms. Each motion platform being connected one to another by a wired connection according to a control protocol. The motion platform interface individually actuates each of the motion platforms by providing a client motion signal to each motion platform comprising the motion signal with a respective network address. Each motion platform is managed according to a respective feedback signal comprising the provided network address of each motion platform.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: D-BOX TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Pierre Sénécal, Bruno Paillard, Martin Simoneau, Jean-François Ménard
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Patent number: 9089786Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: D-BOX TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: M. Jean-Francois Ménard, M. Sylvain Trottier
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Patent number: 9078523Abstract: The present document describes a vibro-kinetic seating kit for providing seating to a user at a seating location in a multi-seating environment comprising other seating locations and for rendering a vibro-kinetic effect to the user. The vibro-kinetic seating kit comprises an electronic display and a vibro-kinetic platform which comprises a seat portion associated with the seating location and for providing the seating to the user; and an actuation system mechanically connected to the seat portion for rendering the vibro-kinetic effect to the user. The electronic display associated to the vibro-kinetic platform is for receiving display data and for electronically showing visual information indicative of the display data which comprises an identification tag for the seating location relative to the other seating locations in the multi-seating environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: D-BOX TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Jean-François Ménard, Pierre Sénécal, Martin Simoneau, Sylvain Trottier
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Publication number: 20150016797Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Jean-François Ménard, Pierre-Anthony Stivell Lemieux
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Patent number: 8773238Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 12, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: D-Box Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jean-Francois Menard, Pierre-Anthony Stivell Lemieux
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Patent number: 8657376Abstract: The present document describes a link member for providing an interface between an actuator and a seat base. The link member has a translational degree of freedom and at least two rotational degrees of freedom. The link member comprises: a joint member having a spherical surface, the joint member for attachment to one of the actuator and the seat base; a housing for attachment to the other one of the actuator and the seat base; and a slider mounted on the spherical surface and within the housing. The slider is free to move in a direction of a translational plane within the housing thereby providing the translational degree of freedom. Furthermore, the slider is free to slide on the spherical surface and to pivot about a first axis and a second axis thereby providing the at least two rotational degrees of freedom.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: D-Box Technologies Inc.Inventors: Stéphane Gagnon, Jean-François Ménard, Steve Boulais, Sylvain Trottier
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Patent number: 8390739Abstract: The present document describes a CPU platform interface method and device for synchronizing a stream of motion codes with a video stream. The method and device use the video stream time stamps and movie identity information from the software movie player along with the CPU time clock to fill a queue of motion code frames and determine when the frames will be sent as a motion stream to one or more actuators of a motion platform.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: D-Box Technologies Inc.Inventor: Jean-François Ménard
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Publication number: 20120239200Abstract: The present document describes a system and method for rendering a vibro-kinetic feedback representative of the vibro-kinetic properties of a remote object on a vibro-kinetic platform. The user may control the motion of the remote object using a remote control such as a joystick or the like. Motion commands generated by the remote control are sent to the remote object for execution. Telemetry data representative of measurements related to the remote object may be captured by a telemetry capture system. A vibro-kinetic encoder generates, using the telemetry data, a vibro-kinetic signal representative of the vibro-kinetic properties of the remote object for rendering on the vibro-kinetic platform. The vibro-kinetic platform may be a motion-enabled chair, or a vibro-kinetic platform having the shape of the remote object for more realistic effect. In an embodiment, the audio and/or video environments of the remote object are also captured and rendered on a feedback system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: D-Box Technologies Inc.Inventor: M. Jean-Francois Ménard
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Publication number: 20120221148Abstract: The present document describes a system and method for controlling the movements of a motion platform in real-time based on the movements of a remote subject. For example, the user of the motion platform may experience movements/vibrations that correspond to the movements of a motorcycle in a live racing event. The system comprises a motion capture system which determines the movement of the remote subject. The output of the motion capture system is used by an encoder to generate motion signals which cause the motion platform to produce movements which correspond to the movements of the remote subject. The motion signals are sent to the motion platform over a communication link. In an embodiment, the remote subject is provided with one or more motion sensors which communicate with the motion capture system over another communication link.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: D-Box Technologies inc.Inventors: Jean-Francois MÉNARD, Sylvain Trottier, Michel Bérubé, Philippe Roy
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Publication number: 20120215363Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: D-Box Technologies inc.Inventors: M. Jean-Francois Ménard, M. Sylvain Trottier
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Publication number: 20120019352Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: D-Box Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jean-François Ménard, Pierre-Anthony Stivell Lemieux
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Publication number: 20120019030Abstract: The present document describes a vibro-kinetic seating kit for providing seating to a user at a seating location in a multi-seating environment comprising other seating locations and for rendering a vibro-kinetic effect to the user. The vibro-kinetic seating kit comprises an electronic display and a vibro-kinetic platform which comprises a seat portion associated with the seating location and for providing the seating to the user; and an actuation system mechanically connected to the seat portion for rendering the vibro-kinetic effect to the user. The electronic display associated to the vibro-kinetic platform is for receiving display data and for electronically showing visual information indicative of the display data which comprises an identification tag for the seating location relative to the other seating locations in the multi-seating environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2011Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: D-Box Technologies Inc.Inventors: Jean-François Ménard, Pierre Sénécal, Martin Simoneau, Sylvian Trottier
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Publication number: 20110273614Abstract: The present document describes a CPU platform interface method and device for synchronizing a stream of motion codes with a video stream. The method and device use the video stream time stamps and movie identity information from the software movie player along with the CPU time clock to fill a queue of motion code frames and determine when the frames will be sent as a motion stream to one or more actuators of a motion platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2010Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: D-Box Technologies Inc.Inventor: Jean-François Ménard
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Publication number: 20110170945Abstract: The present document describes a link member for providing an interface between an actuator and a seat base. The link member has a translational degree of freedom and at least two rotational degrees of freedom. The link member comprises: a joint member having a spherical surface, the joint member for attachment to one of the actuator and the seat base; a housing for attachment to the other one of the actuator and the seat base; and a slider mounted on the spherical surface and within the housing. The slider is free to move in a direction of a translational plane within the housing thereby providing the translational degree of freedom. Furthermore, the slider is free to slide on the spherical surface and to pivot about a first axis and a second axis thereby providing the at least two rotational degrees of freedom.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2011Publication date: July 14, 2011Applicant: D-Box Technologies inc.Inventors: Stéphane Gagnon, M. Jean-François Ménard, Steve Boulais, M. Sylvain Trottier
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Publication number: 20100245116Abstract: A system for providing motion signals indicative of a motion to be performed by the motion platforms synchronously with video images comprising an input interface for extracting a motion signal from the input signal. A server provides a network address to each motion platform. A motion platform interface has control ports connected to arrays of motion platforms. Each motion platform being connected one to another by a wired connection according to a control protocol. The motion platform interface individually actuates each of the motion platforms by providing a client motion signal to each motion platform comprising the motion signal with a respective network address. Each motion platform is managed according to a respective feedback signal comprising the provided network address of each motion platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Pierre Sénécal, Bruno Paillard, Martin Simoneau, Jean-François Mènard
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Publication number: 20090118551Abstract: Integrated separation and preparation process comprising a gas separation process wherein a first component is separated from a mixture of components by diffusion of the first component through a porous partition into a stream of sweeping component; and a preparation process wherein the sweeping component is used as feed. Separation unit and device for use in such a process and industrial set-up for use in such a process.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2005Publication date: May 7, 2009Inventors: Andre Buijs, Leslie Andrew Chewter, Gerrit Jan Harmsen, Evert Van Der Heide, Jean-Francois Menard, Dominicus Fredericus Mulder, Wouter Spiering
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Apparatus and method to use a conventional telephone set to make telephone calls on a packet network
Patent number: 6944151Abstract: An apparatus and a method to use a telephone set to place telephone calls on a packet network and to route telephone calls between a telephone set, a telephone line, Local Area Network and packet network interfaces of the apparatus. More specifically, the apparatus may include one or more telephone set interfaces, one or more telephone line interfaces, a Local Area Network interface and a packet network interfaces. Use is made of an embedded software agent located inside the apparatus to, among other things, select which interfaces to use on the apparatus to make telephone calls. The software agent takes decisions based on a set of preestablished routing rules that are computed by the apparatus or obtained from a network server.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 1998Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Mediatrix Telecom, Inc.Inventor: François Ménard -
Publication number: 20050187253Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a medicinal kit comprising N-piperidino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methylpyrazole-3-carboxamide for helping to quit tobacco consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2005Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: Sanofi-AventisInventors: Jean Blanchard, Francois Menard