Patents by Inventor Nicolas FRANÇOIS
Nicolas FRANÇOIS 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: 20180317616Abstract: A process for manufacturing a timepiece or jewellery component, the component being manufactured from a first material, the process including: obtaining the component, having undergone, at a very latest during the obtaining, a treatment directed toward combining the component with a chromic element, the chromic element including at least one pigment capable of reacting to an energy supply and a matrix for binding the pigment; placing the component in a machine capable of at least locally supplying energy to the component; using the energy supply machine in a predefined operating program at least locally to provide energy to the chromic element to bring about a reaction of its pigment; removing the component from the energy supply machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2016Publication date: November 8, 2018Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventor: Nicolas FRANCOIS
-
Publication number: 20180299209Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising: at least one fin (4); at least one row of tubes (2), the tubes being connected to the fin (4) by clamping the tubes (2) in a collar (6) formed in the fin (4); and at least one row (10) of louvers (12), said row (10) being formed in the fin (4) and interposed between two tubes (2) in the row of tubes, each louver (12) comprising a blade (14) provided with a free edge (16) and a connecting edge (18) connecting the louver (12) to the fin (4). The connecting edge (18) of the blade (14) of at least the first louver (12) in the row (10) forms an upstream edge with respect to the air flow, the free edge (16) of the blade (14) forming the downstream edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2016Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: Valeo Systemes ThermiquesInventors: Erwan Etienne, Patrick Boisselle, Samuel Bry, Nicolas Francois, Christophe Lenormand
-
Publication number: 20180284491Abstract: A thermochromic element including a thermochromic layer including a binder and a thermochromic pigment chosen to react at a specific temperature so that the pigment passes from a first color to a second color when the specific temperature is reached. The thermochromic layer coats a thermally conductive layer, and is protected by an optically transparent layer that protects it from chemical and physical degradation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2016Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventor: Nicolas FRANCOIS
-
Publication number: 20180266772Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger comprising: at least one row of tubes (2), at least one fin (4) disposed transversely to said row of tubes (2), the tubes being connected to the fin (4) by clamping the tubes (2) in a collar (6) formed in the fin (4); and at least one row (10) of louvers (12), said row (10) being formed in the fin (4) and interposed between two tubes (2) in the row of tubes. With the fin (4) having a flat rectangular overall shape, the ratio between the number of louvers (12) and the width of the fin (4) is between 0.73 and 1.13.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2016Publication date: September 20, 2018Applicant: Valeo Systemes ThermiquesInventors: Erwan Etienne, Patrick Boisselle, Samuel Bry, Nicolas Francois, Christophe Lenormand
-
Patent number: 10024114Abstract: A method for dust suppression for an autonomous drilling machine operating at a work site. The method comprises of generating by a perception module perception data of the work site, receiving at least one machine parameter from a machine sensor of the autonomous drilling machine, predicting by a controller a dust level for the autonomous drilling machine at the work site based on one of the perception data or the machine parameter, determining a fluid discharge rate for a fluid discharge unit based on the predicted dust level, and adjusting the fluid discharge rate based on dust level detected during the drilling operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2016Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Meenal Patel
-
Publication number: 20180112144Abstract: The invention relates to a method for epilamization of at least one portion of a substrate surface comprising the steps of: a) preparing an epilame agent b) optionally, preparing the substrate surface c) placing the substrate and the epilame agent in a chamber at ambient pressure d) introducing CO2 into the hermetically sealed chamber at a pressure comprised between 25 bar and 74 bar and at a temperature comprised between 10° C. and 80° C. for a duration comprised between 1 minute and 30 minutes, e) reducing the pressure in the chamber, and f) removing the epilamized substrate from the chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2017Publication date: April 26, 2018Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Claire RANNOUX, Christophe LETONDOR, Nicolas FRANCOIS
-
Publication number: 20180092788Abstract: The invention relates to an antiallergen patch comprising at least a first, adhesive layer having a first surface intended to fasten the patch to an article and a second surface to which a second, continuous allergen-proof barrier layer is attached, a third layer made of a breathable material, designed to absorb water vapour and dry quickly, said third layer being intended to be in contact with the skin of a person wearing the article, and a fourth, bonding layer, which is placed between the second and third layers and secures said second and third layers to one another. Such an antiallergen patch may be placed on a watch case back or on a bracelet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Nicolas FRANCOIS, Erik Jan FRENKEL
-
Publication number: 20180095427Abstract: A watchmaking gasket, in particular a watch glass gasket for a timepiece, includes a polymer matrix charged with phosphorescent and/or fluorescent pigments.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2017Publication date: April 5, 2018Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Nicolas Francois, Maria Fernandez Ciurleo, Claire Rannoux
-
Patent number: 9889850Abstract: A perception system for an autonomous machine to be hauled by a towing vehicle includes sensors that are configured to determine characteristics of an environment associated with the machine. Such characteristics associated with the machine include at least structural characteristics of the towing vehicle. The sensors are further configured to detect a presence of the towing vehicle on a job site, an orientation of the towing vehicle on the job site, and a loading end of the towing vehicle. The perception system further includes a controller that is communicably coupled to each of the sensors. The controller is configured to actuate movement of the machine in relation to the towing vehicle based on the characteristics of the environment determined by the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel
-
Publication number: 20170314381Abstract: A control system for a machine including a perception system comprising at least one sensor disposed on the machine and generating data signals pertaining to the machine and an environment associated with the machine and a controller communicably coupled to the perception system for receiving the data signals from the at least one sensor and determining from the data signals terrain features associated with the work site and presence of one or more objects on the work site or the machine, determining geometry of the at least one sensor, location of the at least one sensor on the machine, generating a field of view for the at least one sensor, estimating cast shadow for at least one object of the one or more objects based on the geometry and location of the at least one sensor and comparing the field of view with the cast shadow to determine sensor blockage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Nicholas Chan, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Syed Waqas Hassan Tirmizi
-
Publication number: 20170315515Abstract: A control system for operating a machine includes a perception system and a controller. The perception system includes sensors that generate raw data signals pertaining to characteristics of an environment associated with the machine. The perception system also includes a processor that receives the raw data signals from the sensors and determines the characteristics of the environment from the received raw data signals. The determined characteristics of the environment include at least terrain features associated with a job site, and a presence of objects in the vicinity of the machine, wherein the objects include one of: stationary objects and moving objects. The processor also determines a current operating mode of the machine. The controller is communicably coupled to the processor and is configured to actuate subsequent operation of the machine based on the current operating mode of the machine and the characteristics of the environment determined by the processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Syed Waqas Hassan Tirmizi
-
Publication number: 20170307362Abstract: An environment recognition system for a machine operating at a worksite is provided. A processing device of the environment recognition system receives a plurality of data points from at least one perception sensor. The processing device generates an environment map and detects a plurality of objects. Further, the processing device extracts a geometry and computes an expected shadow of each of the plurality of detected objects. The processing device detects one or more missing data points indicative of a casted shadow of the respective detected object. The processing device computes a geometry of the casted shadow and compares the casted shadow with the expected shadow of the respective detected object. The processing device determines whether the geometry of any of the plurality of detected objects has been misestimated based on the comparison of the casted shadow with the expected shadow of the respective detected object.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2016Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Nicholas Chan
-
Publication number: 20170247033Abstract: A perception system for an autonomous machine to be hauled by a towing vehicle includes sensors that are configured to determine characteristics of an environment associated with the machine. Such characteristics associated with the machine include at least structural characteristics of the towing vehicle. The sensors are further configured to detect a presence of the towing vehicle on a job site, an orientation of the towing vehicle on the job site, and a loading end of the towing vehicle. The perception system further includes a controller that is communicably coupled to each of the sensors. The controller is configured to actuate movement of the machine in relation to the towing vehicle based on the characteristics of the environment determined by the sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel
-
Publication number: 20170238905Abstract: Disclosed is a method (100) of visualizing a sequence of 3D ultrasound images of an object (10) in motion, wherein said motion is a complex motion composed of motion components from a plurality of origins, the method comprising acquiring (120) said sequence of 3D ultra-sound images; providing (130) a motion tracking model modelling a contribution to the complex motion, said contribution originating from a subset of said motion components; determining (150) said complex motion from the first and second 3D ultrasound images; and visualizing (160) a contribution of the motion tracking model to the complex motion of said object in order to obtain a motion-decomposed visualization of said complex motion. A computer program product for implementing such a method on an ultrasound system and an ultrasound system including such a computer program product are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2015Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventors: NICOLAS FRANCOIS VILLAIN, PASCAL ALLAIN
-
Publication number: 20170242402Abstract: An external element of a timepiece including a frame made of a first material, the external element further including at least one light sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2015Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventor: Nicolas FRANCOIS
-
Publication number: 20170226808Abstract: A method for dust suppression for an autonomous drilling machine operating at a work site. The method comprises of generating by a perception module perception data of the work site, receiving at least one machine parameter from a machine sensor of the autonomous drilling machine, predicting by a controller a dust level for the autonomous drilling machine at the work site based on one of the perception data or the machine parameter, determining a fluid discharge rate for a fluid discharge unit based on the predicted dust level, and adjusting the fluid discharge rate based on dust level detected during the drilling operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Meenal Patel
-
Patent number: 9703290Abstract: A method for operating a machine on a worksite is disclosed. The method includes detecting a forward worksite condition and a rearward worksite condition relative to the machine, respectively by a first image capturing module and a second image capturing module. Thereafter, the method includes determination of a measure of effect of the machine on the worksite by comparing the rearward worksite condition with the forward worksite condition. The measure of effect is one of a deviation of an actual machine path with a baseline operational path or an impression left by the machine on the worksite. Finally, controlling one or more parameters related to a movement of the machine over the worksite, based on the measure of effect, is carried out.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Nicholas Chan, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Andrew James Capodieci, Meenal Patel
-
Publication number: 20170156455Abstract: The invention relates to a bracelet or strap, in particular a watch band, comprising at least one organic material based portion intended to be placed in contact with the user's skin, said organic material containing at least one functional agent, such as an antibacterial agent. According to the invention, said organic material also contains a cosmetic agent for the skin, arranged to be able to be in contact with the user's skin when the bracelet is worn. The invention also concerns methods for manufacturing such a bracelet or strap.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2016Publication date: June 8, 2017Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventor: Nicolas FRANCOIS
-
Patent number: 9554728Abstract: The present invention relates to visualizing information of an object.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2012Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignees: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V., KING'S COLLEGE LONDONInventors: Robert Manzke, Patrick Etyngier, Pascal Yves Francois Cathier, Nicolas Francois Villain, Volker Rasche, Kawaldeep Singh Rhode
-
Publication number: 20160170376Abstract: The present invention concerns an external timepiece element including a frame made of a first material, said external element further including at least one pressure or altitude sensor, characterized in that said pressure or altitude sensor is formed of at least one disc or plate, said disc or plate being formed of or coated with a binder and a piezochromic pigment, said piezochromic pigment being selected to react at a specific pressure, so that said pigment changes from a first colour to a second colour when said specific pressure is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2015Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development LtdInventors: Nicolas FRANCOIS, Stewes BOURBAN, Juliette MULLER