Patents by Inventor Francois-Xavier Filias

Francois-Xavier Filias 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: 20220309786
    Abstract: A method for training an artificial intelligence intended to identify a predetermined object in the environment of an aircraft in flight. The method comprises steps of identifying at least one predetermined object in representations representing at least one predetermined object and its environment, establishing a training set and a validation set, the training set and the validation set comprising a plurality of representations from the representations representing at least one predetermined object, training the artificial intelligence with the training set and validating the artificial intelligence with the validation set. The artificial intelligence may then be used, in a method for assisting the landing of the aircraft, to identify a helipad where the landing operation may be performed. The artificial intelligence may also be used, in a method for avoiding a cable, to identify cables situated on or close to the trajectory of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Francois-Xavier FILIAS, Richard PIRE
  • Patent number: 10384801
    Abstract: A device for assisting the piloting of a rotorcraft in order to pilot a rotorcraft during an approach stage preceding a stage of landing on a rotorcraft landing area. Such a device includes in particular a camera for taking a plurality of images of the environment of the rotorcraft along a line of sight, looking at least along a forward direction Dx of the rotorcraft, and processor for identifying in at least one image from among said plurality of images at least one looked-for landing area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Francois-Xavier Filias, Pierre Zoppitelli, Nicolas Belanger, Marc Salesse-Lavergne
  • Publication number: 20180009546
    Abstract: A device for assisting the piloting of a rotorcraft in order to pilot a rotorcraft during an approach stage preceding a stage of landing on a rotorcraft landing area. Such a device includes in particular a camera for taking a plurality of images of the environment of the rotorcraft along a line of sight, looking at least along a forward direction Dx of the rotorcraft, and processor means for identifying in at least one image from among said plurality of images at least one looked-for landing area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventors: Francois-Xavier FILIAS, Pierre ZOPPITELLI, Nicolas BELANGER, Marc SALESSE-LAVERGNE
  • Patent number: 9773423
    Abstract: A method of generating and displaying a consolidated warning making use of collision avoidance warnings as generated by various collision avoidance systems (TCAS, HTAWS, OWS, FMS, N) fitted to an aircraft. The consolidated warning is generated in application of a selection criterion for selecting collision avoidance warnings that relate to the aircraft performing an obstacle avoidance maneuver vertically upwards. The consolidated warning is displayed in the form of a plurality of display elements comprising display elements arranged as superposed strips. A first strip indicates the presence of an obstacle to be avoided by a vertical avoidance maneuver, and a second strip that is segmented to indicate the bearing position of said obstacle relative to the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Francois-Xavier Filias, Marianne Gillet
  • Patent number: 9441972
    Abstract: A method of assisting in the navigation of a rotorcraft by displaying in flight a dynamic representation of the outside world (Me) in the event of a loss of visibility (brown-out/white-out). Front maps with incorporated localization are generated on the basis of front images captured by a set of front cameras. Terrain elevation data is generated from images captured by complementary sets of lateral and rear cameras. In the event of a loss of visibility, a reconstituted world (Mr) is prepared from the front maps with incorporated localization. On request of the pilot, an extrapolated world (Mex) is prepared by adding terrain elevation data to the front maps with incorporated localization, in compliance with the common time and the relative positions of the various sets of cameras between one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Nicolas Belanger, Francois-Xavier Filias, Geoffroy Pertuisot, Nicolas Damiani
  • Patent number: 9401093
    Abstract: A procedure for the detection and display of the ground and of obstacles through the use of detection means installed onboard a vehicle, which detection means send measurement signals toward the ground and receive a plurality of elementary plots (Pe). The procedure makes it possible to create a grid of the ground along a horizontal plane, with each ground cell (Ms(i,j)) consisting of an elementary plot (Pe) having a minimum altitude Zmin(i,j)), and with each other elementary plot (Pe) corresponding to the ground cell (Ms(i,j)) and having a different altitude (Zn(i,j)), thereby forming an obstacle plot (Pon(i,j)). Each newly received elementary plot (Pe) is then compared against the corresponding ground cell (Ms(i,j)) and processed according to its altitude (Zn(i,j)). The ground cells (Ms(i,j)) and/or the obstacle plots (Pon(i,j)) are displayed on display means in order to indicate to the pilot of the vehicle the potential obstacles other than the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Marianne Gillet, Francois-Xavier Filias, Richard Pire
  • Publication number: 20150279219
    Abstract: A procedure for the detection and display of the ground and of obstacles through the use of detection means installed onboard a vehicle, which detection means send measurement signals toward the ground and receive a plurality of elementary plots (Pe). The procedure makes it possible to create a grid of the ground along a horizontal plane, with each ground cell (Ms(i,j)) consisting of an elementary plot (Pe) having a minimum altitude Zmin(i,j)), and with each other elementary plot (Pe) corresponding to the ground cell (Ms(i,j)) and having a different altitude (Zn(i,j)), thereby forming an obstacle plot (Pon(i,j)). Each newly received elementary plot (Pe) is then compared against the corresponding ground cell (Ms(i,j)) and processed according to its altitude (Zn(i,j)). The ground cells (Ms(i,j)) and/or the obstacle plots (Pon(i,j)) are displayed on display means in order to indicate to the pilot of the vehicle the potential obstacles other than the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Marianne GILLET, Francois-Xavier FILIAS, Richard PIRE
  • Publication number: 20150204672
    Abstract: A method of assisting in the navigation of a rotorcraft by displaying in flight a dynamic representation of the outside world (Me) in the event of a loss of visibility (brown-out/white-out). Front maps with incorporated localization are generated on the basis of front images captured by a set of front cameras. Terrain elevation data is generated from images captured by complementary sets of lateral and rear cameras. In the event of a loss of visibility, a reconstituted world (Mr) is prepared from the front maps with incorporated localization. On request of the pilot, an extrapolated world (Mex) is prepared by adding terrain elevation data to the front maps with incorporated localization, in compliance with the common time and the relative positions of the various sets of cameras between one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Nicolas BELANGER, Francois-Xavier FILIAS, Geoffroy PERTUISOT, Nicolas DAMIANI
  • Publication number: 20150170527
    Abstract: A method of generating and displaying a consolidated warning making use of collision avoidance warnings as generated by various collision avoidance systems (TCAS, HTAWS, OWS, FMS, N) fitted to an aircraft. The consolidated warning is generated in application of a selection criterion for selecting collision avoidance warnings that relate to the aircraft performing an obstacle avoidance maneuver vertically upwards. The consolidated warning is displayed in the form of a plurality of display elements comprising display elements arranged as superposed strips. A first strip indicates the presence of an obstacle to be avoided by a vertical avoidance maneuver, and a second strip that is segmented to indicate the bearing position of said obstacle relative to the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Francois-Xavier FILIAS, Marianne GILLET
  • Patent number: 9004400
    Abstract: A buoyancy system (2) includes at least one float (3), a deployment assembly (30) having at least one deployment member (34) for deploying the float (3), an engagement controller (5) which activates the deployment assembly (30), and at least two immersion sensors (20) for issuing an order for automatic deployment of the float (3) to the deployment assembly (30). The deployment assembly (30) is provided with a memory (31) containing a pre-established list of events. The deployment assembly (30) deploys each float (3) when a predetermined event occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Airbus Helicopters
    Inventors: Bernard Certain, Louis Delorme, Francois-Xavier Filias
  • Patent number: 8577608
    Abstract: A method essentially comprising a step of storing each plot mesh. Each plot mesh receiving plots sent thereto by detector means and retaining in memory at least the altitude of the highest plot and the number of plots neighboring said highest plot in said mesh. The altitude and the number of plots neighboring are updated each time a new plot is sent to the plot mesh. A step of rejecting plot meshes is presenting a number of neighboring plots that is less than a predetermined rejection threshold value. The rejection threshold value is a function of the position of the mesh relative to the detector means. A step is preparing the local terrain elevation database from the plot meshes (M(i,j)) that are not rejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Marianne Gillet, Francois-Xavier Filias, Richard Pire
  • Patent number: 8565981
    Abstract: A method of controlling a buoyancy system for an aircraft includes: determining the roll angle ? and the pitching angle ? of the aircraft; verifying whether ??R <+R and whether ??R <?<+?R, where ?R and ?R are predefined limit angles; if at least one of the angles ? and ? is no longer in its above-defined respective range, activating an automatic trigger of the buoyancy system; if the angles ? and ? are in their above-defined respective ranges, determining the altitude A of the aircraft; inhibiting the automatic trigger if A >AR, where AR is a predefined limit altitude; and if AR ?A, and if at least partial immersion of the aircraft has been detected, activating the automatic trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Francois-Xavier Filias
  • Patent number: 8566018
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a piloting assistance method for an aircraft, the method consisting in using data from at least one active telemeter sensor (A) in order to construct a sensor safety cordon (B) for avoiding the terrain and obstacles that are overflown. The method; defines and calculates angular sectors (w) over the field of regard facing the pilot; constructs a terrain safety cordon (D) using at least one terrain database (C); for at least some of the angular sectors (w), constructs a hybrid safety cordon (E) that, in each of the angular sectors (w) in question, makes use of the higher of the sensor and terrain safety cordons (B, D); and displays one of the cordons selected from: the hybrid safety cordon (E), the terrain safety cordon (D), and the sensor safety cordon (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventor: Francois-Xavier Filias
  • Patent number: 8392475
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of flying safely and at low altitude in an aircraft, in which method unsafe relief (R0) of terrain is determined as is the position of at least one high point (4, 5) representing an obstacle (4?, 5?) overlying said unsafe relief (R0). A main volume (V0) is added to said unsafe relief (R0), the main volume being defined between a main volume base (2) placed on the unsafe relief (R0) and an envelope (1), thereby obtaining safe relief (R1) for overflying that contains at least said unsafe relief (R0) and said main volume (V0), said main volume base (2) having an area (2?) defined by a closed peripheral curve (3) resting on said unsafe relief (R0), said envelope (1) being generated using a moving segment (S) of predetermined length (L) extending from said high point (4, 5) to a second point (3?) moving along said peripheral curve (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Richard Pire, Francois-Xavier Filias
  • Patent number: 8364330
    Abstract: A method of assisting the piloting of an aircraft (60) at low altitude over terrain (S), in which method, during a first stage, a framework (10) is constructed from at least one main segment (40) and during a second stage a setpoint flight path (50) is constructed. More precisely, during the first stage, said main segment (40) is subdivided automatically into a plurality of secondary segments (41, 42, 43), each of said secondary segments (41) being situated at the same setpoint height above the highest point of the underlying terrain, with two adjacent secondary segments (41) being in alignment or connected together by a bar (44) that extends vertically in a vertical section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter
    Inventors: Francois-Xavier Filias, Marianne Gillet
  • Publication number: 20120132741
    Abstract: A buoyancy system (2) comprising at least one float (3) and deployment means (30) for deploying said float (3), said buoyancy system (2) having engagement means (5) for activating the deployment means (30) of said float (3), said buoyancy system (2) including at least two immersion sensors (20) for issuing an order for automatic deployment of said float (3) to the deployment means (30). Said engagement means (5) are activated only manually, said deployment means (30) are provided with a memory (31) containing a pre-established list of events, and said deployment means (30) deploy each float (3) when a predetermined event occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Bernard Certain, Louis Delorme, Francois-Xavier Filias
  • Publication number: 20120016580
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a piloting assistance method for an aircraft, the method consisting in using data from at least one active telemeter sensor (A) in order to construct a sensor safety cordon (B) for avoiding the terrain and obstacles that are overflown. The method; defines and calculates angular sectors (w) over the field of regard facing the pilot; constructs a terrain safety cordon (D) using at least one terrain database (C); for at least some of the angular sectors (w), constructs a hybrid safety cordon (E) that, in each of the angular sectors (w) in question, makes use of the higher of the sensor and terrain safety cordons (B, D); and displays one of the cordons selected from: the hybrid safety cordon (E), the terrain safety cordon (D), and the sensor safety cordon (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventor: Francois-Xavier Filias
  • Publication number: 20110276232
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a buoyancy system for an aircraft, wherein the buoyancy system including automatic trigger means and the method consists in: a) determining the roll angle ? and the pitching angle ? of the aircraft; b) verifying whether ??R<?<+?R and whether ??R<?<+?R where ?R and ?R are predefined limit angles; c) if at least one of the angles ? and ? is no longer in its above-defined respective range, activating the automatic trigger means; d) if the angles ? and ? are in their above-defined respective ranges, determining the altitude A of the aircraft; e) inhibiting the automatic trigger means if A>AR where AR is a predefined limit altitude; and; f) if AR?A, and if at least partial immersion of the aircraft has been detected, activating the automatic trigger means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventor: Francois-Xavier Filias
  • Publication number: 20110225212
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of flying safely and at low altitude in an aircraft, in which method unsafe relief (R0) of terrain is determined as is the position of at least one high point (4, 5) representing an obstacle (4?, 5?) overlying said unsafe relief (R0). A main volume (V0) is added to said unsafe relief (R0), the main volume being defined between a main volume base (2) placed on the unsafe relief (R0) and an envelope (1), thereby obtaining safe relief (R1) for overflying that contains at least said unsafe relief (R0) and said main volume (V0), said main volume base (2) having an area (2?) defined by a closed peripheral curve (3) resting on said unsafe relief (R0), said envelope (1) being generated using a moving segment (S) of predetermined length (L) extending from said high point (4, 5) to a second point (3?) moving along said peripheral curve (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Richard Pire, Francois-Xavier Filias
  • Publication number: 20110130895
    Abstract: A method essentially comprising a step of storing each plot mesh. Each plot mesh receiving plots sent thereto by detector means and retaining in memory at least the altitude of the highest plot and the number of plots neighboring said highest plot in said mesh. The altitude and the number of plots neighboring are updated each time a new plot is sent to the plot mesh. A step of rejecting plot meshes is presenting a number of neighboring plots that is less than a predetermined rejection threshold value. The rejection threshold value is a function of the position of the mesh relative to the detector means. A step is preparing the local terrain elevation database from the plot meshes (M(i,j)) that are not rejected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: EUROCOPTER
    Inventors: Marianne Gillet, Francois-Xavier Filias, Richard Pire