Patents by Inventor Nicolas FRANCOIS

Nicolas FRANCOIS 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: 20180373203
    Abstract: An elastomer material for a wristband or components for horology configured to be in contact with skin, the elastomer material including a moisture wicking mechanism. The wicking mechanism includes hydrophilic microfibres capable of wicking away and neutralizing moisture through the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Nicolas FRANCOIS
  • Publication number: 20180361430
    Abstract: A method for core impregnation of a finished part made of plastic material with an additive, including: dissolving the additive in a liquid medium to form a solution; placing the plastic part at ambient pressure in a pressure enclosure; hermetically sealing the chamber; impregnating the plastic part with the solution by a fluid at supercritical or near supercritical conditions in the enclosure at a pressure between 3 MPa and 6 MPa, at a temperature between 25° C. and 65° C. for a duration between 1 minute and 15 minutes; releasing the pressure inside the enclosure so that the liquid medium diffuses outside the plastic part and to trap the additive inside the plastic part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventor: Nicolas FRANÇOIS
  • Publication number: 20180364646
    Abstract: An exterior element for portable objects including a support, on which is arranged a first material, the first material being chosen to be capable of reflecting different visible wavelengths as a function of applied stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd.
    Inventors: Claire RANNOUX, Nicolas FRANÇOIS, Milan CALIC, Stewes BOURBAN
  • Patent number: 10146185
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Nicolas Francois
  • Publication number: 20180317616
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Nicolas FRANCOIS
  • Publication number: 20180299209
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Erwan Etienne, Patrick Boisselle, Samuel Bry, Nicolas Francois, Christophe Lenormand
  • Publication number: 20180284491
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Nicolas FRANCOIS
  • Publication number: 20180266772
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Valeo Systemes Thermiques
    Inventors: Erwan Etienne, Patrick Boisselle, Samuel Bry, Nicolas Francois, Christophe Lenormand
  • Patent number: 10024114
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Meenal Patel
  • Publication number: 20180112144
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Claire RANNOUX, Christophe LETONDOR, Nicolas FRANCOIS
  • Publication number: 20180095427
    Abstract: A watchmaking gasket, in particular a watch glass gasket for a timepiece, includes a polymer matrix charged with phosphorescent and/or fluorescent pigments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Nicolas Francois, Maria Fernandez Ciurleo, Claire Rannoux
  • Publication number: 20180092788
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Nicolas FRANCOIS, Erik Jan FRENKEL
  • Patent number: 9889850
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel
  • Publication number: 20170314381
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Nicholas Chan, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Syed Waqas Hassan Tirmizi
  • Publication number: 20170315515
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Syed Waqas Hassan Tirmizi
  • Publication number: 20170307362
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Nicholas Chan
  • Publication number: 20170247033
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel
  • Publication number: 20170242402
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventor: Nicolas FRANCOIS
  • Publication number: 20170238905
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: NICOLAS FRANCOIS VILLAIN, PASCAL ALLAIN
  • Publication number: 20170226808
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas François-Xavier Christophe Vandapel, Michael Karl Wilhelm Happold, Meenal Patel