Patents by Inventor Michael Girard
Michael Girard 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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Patent number: 11948153Abstract: System and method for automatically calling back a customer via a predictive model determines a plurality of call-back metrics for a plurality of advisor records. The predictive model is applied to call-back data to identify customers that are likely to require a series of call-backs, and automatically generates a preferred call-back to such customers to reduce this risk. The automated call-back may follow termination of an identified customer's inbound call, or at some time after completion of a previous call interaction of the identified customer with an advisor. In the predictive model, a first compilation of call-back metrics record is representative of an overall likelihood of call-backs associated with each advisor record, and a second compilation of the plurality of call-back metrics is representative of a likelihood of call-backs for each of the plurality of products of the enterprise associated with the advisor record.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2019Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance CompanyInventors: John Karlen, Peng Wang, Adam Fox, Tam Tran-The, Matthew Girard, Michael Crough
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Publication number: 20230257850Abstract: The present invention describes systems and methods of a novel hydrometallurgical process to perform reductive-acid leaching and separation of constituent compounds from solid material generated from the electrodes of lithium-ion batteries, or other source material containing target high-value materials. The process method involves the initial reductive-acid leaching with sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid of the source material which may be performed in a single or a multi-step embodiment. In a single-step embodiment, the reductive-acid leaching results in two outlet streams, a leachate solution and a bulk solid, such as graphite. In a two-step embodiment, a dilute reductive-acid leaching results in a lithium brine that may be bled as a product stream. The resulting liquor, or leachate, can be subjected to precipitation and oxidation steps to remove other compounds except, for example lithium, cobalt, and nickel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2021Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Michael Girard Irish, Boris Andreevich Chubukov, Mac Garrison Mccreless, Aaron William Palumbo
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Patent number: 10593091Abstract: Embodiments of the invention set forth a technique for animating objects placed across a surface of a graphics object. A CAD application receives a set of motions and initially applies a different motion in the set of motions to each object placed across the surface of the graphics object. The CAD application calculates bounding areas of each object according to the current motion applied thereto, which are subsequently used by the CAD application to identify collisions that are occurring or will occur between the objects. Identified collisions are cured by identifying valid motions in the set of motions that can be applied to a colliding object and then calculating bounding areas for the valid motions to select a valid motion that, when applied to the object, does not cause the object to collide with any other objects.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.Inventors: Susan Amkraut, Michael Girard
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Patent number: 10109097Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a technique for identifying and avoiding impending collisions between moving objects in an animation. Paths traversed by the moving objects intersect at pre-determined intersection points. As a moving object approaches an intersection point, a collision avoidance module determines whether the object is on course to collide with another moving object also approaching the intersection point. If a collision is detected, then the collision avoidance module modifies the speed of the moving object to avoid the collision.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.Inventor: Michael Girard
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Publication number: 20180247445Abstract: Embodiments of the invention set forth a technique for animating objects placed across a surface of a graphics object. A CAD application receives a set of motions and initially applies a different motion in the set of motions to each object placed across the surface of the graphics object. The CAD application calculates bounding areas of each object according to the current motion applied thereto, which are subsequently used by the CAD application to identify collisions that are occurring or will occur between the objects. Identified collisions are cured by identifying valid motions in the set of motions that can be applied to a colliding object and then calculating bounding areas for the valid motions to select a valid motion that, when applied to the object, does not cause the object to collide with any other objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Susan AMKRAUT, Michael GIRARD
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Patent number: 10026210Abstract: A method for rendering frames of an animation sequence using a plurality of motion clips included in a plurality of motion spaces that define a behavioral motion space. Each motion space in the behavioral motion space depicts a character performing a different type of locomotion, including running, walking, or jogging. Each motion space is pre-processed to that all the motion clips have the same number of periodic cycles. Registration curves are made between reference clips from each motion space to synchronic the motion spaces.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2008Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.Inventor: Michael Girard
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Patent number: 9959656Abstract: Embodiments of the invention set forth a technique for animating objects placed across a surface of a graphics object. A CAD application receives a set of motions and initially applies a different motion in the set of motions to each object placed across the surface of the graphics object. The CAD application calculates bounding areas of each object according to the current motion applied thereto, which are subsequently used by the CAD application to identify collisions that are occurring or will occur between the objects. Identified collisions are cured by identifying valid motions in the set of motions that can be applied to a colliding object and then calculating bounding areas for the valid motions to select a valid motion that, when applied to the object, does not cause the object to collide with any other objects.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.Inventors: Susan Amkraut, Michael Girard
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Patent number: 9934607Abstract: A method for generating real-time goal space steering for data-driven character animation is disclosed. A goal space table of sparse samplings of possible future locations is computed, indexed by the starting blend value and frame. A steer space is computed as a function of the current blend value and frame, interpolated from the nearest indices of the table lookup in the goal space. The steer space is then transformed to local coordinates of a character's position at the current frame. The steer space samples closest to a line connecting the character's position with the goal location may be selected. The blending values of the two selected steer space samples are interpolated to compute the new blending value to render subsequent frames of an animation sequence.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2014Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.Inventor: Michael Girard
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Publication number: 20170365091Abstract: A method for generating real-time goal space steering for data-driven character animation is disclosed. A goal space table of sparse samplings of possible future locations is computed, indexed by the starting blend value and frame. A steer space is computed as a function of the current blend value and frame, interpolated from the nearest indices of the table lookup in the goal space. The steer space is then transformed to local coordinates of a character's position at the current frame. The steer space samples closest to a line connecting the character's position with the goal location may be selected. The blending values of the two selected steer space samples are interpolated to compute the new blending value to render subsequent frames of an animation sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: December 21, 2017Applicant: AUTODESK, INC.Inventor: MICHAEL GIRARD
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Publication number: 20160350959Abstract: Embodiments of the invention set forth a technique for animating objects placed across a surface of a graphics object. A CAD application receives a set of motions and initially applies a different motion in the set of motions to each object placed across the surface of the graphics object. The CAD application calculates bounding areas of each object according to the current motion applied thereto, which are subsequently used by the CAD application to identify collisions that are occurring or will occur between the objects. Identified collisions are cured by identifying valid motions in the set of motions that can be applied to a colliding object and then calculating bounding areas for the valid motions to select a valid motion that, when applied to the object, does not cause the object to collide with any other objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Susan AMKRAUT, Michael GIRARD
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Patent number: 9355500Abstract: Embodiments of the invention set forth a technique for animating objects placed across a surface of a graphics object. A CAD application receives a set of motions and initially applies a different motion in the set of motions to each object placed across the surface of the graphics object. The CAD application calculates bounding areas of each object according to the current motion applied thereto, which are subsequently used by the CAD application to identify collisions that are occurring or will occur between the objects. Identified collisions are cured by identifying valid motions in the set of motions that can be applied to a colliding object and then calculating bounding areas for the valid motions to select a valid motion that, when applied to the object, does not cause the object to collide with any other objects.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.Inventors: Susan Amkraut, Michael Girard
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Patent number: 9230369Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a technique for avoiding collisions between agents traversing different lanes of a multi-lane path in a crowd simulation. A perception data structure is maintained per agent that keeps track of the speeds and locations of neighboring agents in the crowd simulation. At each frame, the perception data structure corresponding to a particular agent is analyzed to identify any projected collisions. If the perception data structure indicates that the agent is projected to collide with another agent, then a collision avoidance operation is executed to avoid the collision.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: AUTODESK, INC.Inventor: Michael Girard
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Patent number: 9120601Abstract: A flow control device for dispensing a multi-phase oral composition. The device includes a housing, a restrictor and an insert that fits within and cooperates with the housing and restrictor to dispense the oral composition. A flowpath is formed in and around the insert, as well as in the housing such that the composition passes through one or more channels defined by the cooperative arrangement of the insert and housing. Changes in relative position between the insert and the housing facilitate selective alignment of the various channels with a discharge orifice formed in the housing such that a user can vary the way the proportions of discreet fluids making up the oral composition are dispensed through the orifice.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2013Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Michael Girard Maietta, William Herbert Poff, III, Ralph Albert Sagel, Neil Anthony Strausbaugh
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Patent number: 8970622Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a technique for placing objects across a surface of a graphics object. The technique includes establishing a first plurality of grid points over the surface of the graphics object, wherein each grid point in the plurality of grid points is located either inside or outside the surface, establishing a second plurality of grid points that includes only grid points in the first plurality of grid points that are located inside the surface, marking each grid point in the second plurality of grid points as an eligible area or an ineligible area onto which objects can be placed, selecting from the second plurality of grid points a grid point that is marked as an eligible area, and placing an object onto the selected grid point.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: AUTODESK, Inc.Inventors: Susan Amkraut, Ian A. Nies, Kelcey Simpson, Michael Girard, Carl-Mikael Lagnecrantz
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Publication number: 20140225900Abstract: A method for generating real-time goal space steering for data-driven character animation is disclosed. A goal space table of sparse samplings of possible future locations is computed, indexed by the starting blend value and frame. A steer space is computed as a function of the current blend value and frame, interpolated from the nearest indices of the table lookup in the goal space. The steer space is then transformed to local coordinates of a character's position at the current frame. The steer space samples closest to a line connecting the character's position with the goal location may be selected. The blending values of the two selected steer space samples are interpolated to compute the new blending value to render subsequent frames of an animation sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: AUTODESK, INC.Inventor: MICHAEL GIRARD
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Patent number: 8730246Abstract: A method for generating real-time goal space steering for data-driven character animation is disclosed. A goal space table of sparse samplings of possible future locations is computed, indexed by the starting blend value and frame. A steer space is computed as a function of the current blend value and frame, interpolated from the nearest indices of the table lookup in the goal space. The steer space is then transformed to local coordinates of a character's position at the current frame. The steer space samples closest to a line connecting the character's position with the goal location may be selected. The blending values of the two selected steer space samples are interpolated to compute the new blending value to render subsequent frames of an animation sequence.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.Inventor: Michael Girard
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Publication number: 20140097200Abstract: A flow control device for dispensing a multi-phase oral composition. The device includes a housing, a restrictor and an insert that fits within and cooperates with the housing and restrictor to dispense the oral composition. A flowpath is formed in and around the insert, as well as in the housing such that the composition passes through one or more channels defined by the cooperative arrangement of the insert and housing. Changes in relative position between the insert and the housing facilitate selective alignment of the various channels with a discharge orifice formed in the housing such that a user can vary the way the proportions of discreet fluids making up the oral composition are dispensed through said orifice.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2013Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Michael Girard Maietta, William Herbert Poff, III, Ralph Albert Sagel, Neil Anthony Strausbaugh
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Patent number: 8622260Abstract: A flow control device for dispensing a multi-phase oral composition. The device includes a housing, a restrictor and an insert that fits within and cooperates with the housing and restrictor to dispense the oral composition. A flowpath is formed in and around the insert, as well as in the housing such that the composition passes through one or more channels defined by the cooperative arrangement of the insert and housing. Changes in relative position between the insert and the housing facilitate selective alignment of the various channels with a discharge orifice formed in the housing such that a user can vary the way the proportions of discreet fluids making up the oral composition are dispensed through said orifice.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Michael Girard Maietta, William Herbert Poff, III, Ralph Albert Sagel, Neil Anthony Strausbaugh
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Patent number: 8542239Abstract: A method for generating a looping motion space for real-time character animation may include determining a plurality of motion clips to include in the looping motion space and determining a number of motion cycles performed by a character object depicted in each of the plurality of motion clips. A plurality of looping motion clips may be synthesized from the motion clips, where each of the looping motion clips depicts the character object performing an equal number of motion cycles. Additionally, a starting frame of each of the plurality of looping motion clips may be synchronized so that the motion cycles in each of the plurality of looping motion clips are in phase with one another. By rendering an animation sequence using multiple passes through the looping motion space, an animation of the character object performing the motion cycles may be extended for arbitrary length of time.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.Inventor: Michael Girard
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Patent number: D1025794Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2022Date of Patent: May 7, 2024Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jody Akana, Molly Anderson, Bartley K. Andre, Shota Aoyagi, Anthony Michael Ashcroft, Marine C. Bataille, Jeremy Bataillou, Abidur Rahman Chowdhury, Clara Geneviève Marine Courtaigne, Markus Diebel, Alexandre B. Girard, Jonathan Gomez Garcia, M. Evans Hankey, Anne-Marie Heck, Moises Hernandez Hernandez, Richard P. Howarth, Jonathan P. Ive, Julian Jaede, Duncan Robert Kerr, Kainoa Kwon-Perez, Nicolas Pedro Lylyk, Peter Russell-Clarke, Benjamin Andrew Shaffer, Clement Tissandier, Eugene Antony Whang