Patents by Inventor Laurent Genilloud

Laurent Genilloud 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: 10779426
    Abstract: A proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of an object, including a sensing element, a detection circuitry provided on a circuit board, and a housing with a rear portion adjoining a rear end of the housing and a front portion adjoining a front end of the housing, the sensing element being arranged inside the front portion of the housing to interact with the object through the front portion, the detection circuitry being interconnected with the sensing element to receive a detection signal from the sensing element, the housing including side walls extending in a longitudinal direction from the rear end to the front end of the housing, the side walls surrounding the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: OPTOSYS SA
    Inventors: Annette Liggenstorfer-Heimlicher, Roland Bochud, Laurent Genilloud
  • Patent number: 10271444
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of an object, the sensor including a sensing element (11), a detection circuitry (65), and a housing (5), the sensing element (11) being arranged in a front portion (21) of the housing (5) such that it is adapted to interact with the object through the front portion (21) and the detection circuitry being interconnected with the sensing element (11) in order to receive a detection signal from the sensing element (11), wherein the detection circuitry (65) is provided on a circuit board (15, 15A, 15B, 15C) extending at least through a middle portion (22) of the housing (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: OPTOSYS SA
    Inventors: Annette Liggenstorfer-Heimlicher, Roland Bochud, Laurent Genilloud
  • Publication number: 20180376605
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of an object, the sensor including a sensing element (11), a detection circuitry (65), and a housing (5), the sensing element (11) being arranged in a front portion (21) of the housing (5) such that it is adapted to interact with the object through the front portion (21) and the detection circuitry being interconnected with the sensing element (11) in order to receive a detection signal from the sensing element (11), wherein the detection circuitry (65) is provided on a circuit board (15, 15A, 15B, 15C) extending at least through a middle portion (22) of the housing (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Annette LIGGENSTORFER-HEIMLICHER, Roland BOCHUD, Laurent GENILLOUD
  • Publication number: 20180375514
    Abstract: A proximity sensor for detecting the proximity of an object, including a sensing element, a detection circuitry provided on a circuit board, and a housing with a rear portion adjoining a rear end of the housing and a front portion adjoining a front end of the housing, the sensing element being arranged inside the front portion of the housing to interact with the object through the front portion, the detection circuitry being interconnected with the sensing element to receive a detection signal from the sensing element, the housing including side walls extending in a longitudinal direction from the rear end to the front end of the housing, the side walls surrounding the circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Annette LIGGENSTORFER-HEIMLICHER, Roland BOCHUD, Laurent GENILLOUD
  • Patent number: 7583304
    Abstract: A method of obtaining an image uses a broad dynamic range image sensor that includes a photosensitive cell formed of pixels. Each pixel includes a element, a first initialization transistor series connected to the element, storage means coupled to the element, a third initialization transistor series connected to a capacitor, and fourth and fifth series connected transistors, wherein one control terminal of the fourth transistor is connected to the capacitor. The method comprises initializing the capacitor and t-he-photodiode to a first initialization voltage via conduction of the second and third transistors, then making the second transistor non-conductive to start a first long exposure period of the photodiode. At the end of the first exposure period, the first transistor is made conductive to initialize the photodiode to a second initialization voltage to start a second short exposure period. The photodiode voltage level is stored in the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Laurent Genilloud, Pascal Heck
  • Publication number: 20070132869
    Abstract: A method of obtaining an image uses a broad dynamic range image sensor that includes a photosensitive cell formed of pixels. Each pixel includes a photodetector element, a first initialization transistor series connected to the photodetector element, storage means coupled to the photodetector element, a third initialization transistor series connected to a capacitor, and fourth and fifth series connected transistors, wherein one control terminal of the fourth transistor is connected to the capacitor. The method comprises initializing the capacitor and photodiode to a first initialization voltage via conduction of the second and third transistors, then making the second transistor non-conductive to start a first long exposure period of the photodiode. At the end of the first exposure period, the first transistor is made conductive to initialize the photodiode to a second initialization voltage to start a second short exposure period. The photodiode voltage level is stored in the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LTD
    Inventors: Laurent Genilloud, Pascal Heck
  • Patent number: 6999018
    Abstract: The variable gain analog-to-digital conversion device (1) for an image sensor comprises at least one N-bit non-linear coarse first converter (21) receiving a pixel voltage signal (Vpix) and at least one M-bit linear fine second converter (22) connected to the first converter (21) in order for the device to supply a binary word of N+M bits relating to the voltage level of the pixel. The first converter (21) comprises comparison means (33) for comparing the voltage level of the pixel with one or more voltage thresholds (V0 to V4) delimiting voltage ranges within the voltage dynamic range of the sensor. The successive voltage ranges represent areas of illumination of the pixel ranging from a weakly lit area to a strongly lit area. The first comparator supplies an N-bit binary word relating to the area of illumination determined for the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Asulab S.A.
    Inventors: Fabien Aeby, Laurent Genilloud
  • Publication number: 20040246154
    Abstract: The variable gain analog-to-digital conversion device (1) for an image sensor comprises at least one N-bit non-linear coarse first converter (21) receiving a pixel voltage signal (Vpix) and at least one M-bit linear fine second converter (22) connected to the first converter (21) in order for the device to supply a binary word of N+M bits relating to the voltage level of the pixel. The first converter (21) comprises comparison means (33) for comparing the voltage level of the pixel with one or more voltage thresholds (V0 to V4) delimiting voltage ranges within the voltage dynamic range of the sensor. The successive voltage ranges represent areas of illumination of the pixel ranging from a weakly lit area to a strongly lit area. The first comparator supplies an N-bit binary word relating to the area of illumination determined for the pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Fabien Aeby, Laurent Genilloud