Patents by Inventor Philippe Mace

Philippe Mace 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: 8655802
    Abstract: After a first start-up, a first appliance performs a self-learning step for generating usage parameters. These parameters are elaborated on subsequent start-ups. When these parameters are optimized, the first appliance transmits them to another appliance which requests them. This second appliance uses the parameters of the first as optimized parameters. In this way, the second appliance limits the duration of the self-learning step and the use of non-optimal parameters. According to a refinement, the optimal parameters are centralized on a server which transmits them to a plurality of second appliances using a transmission network. The present invention also relates to an appliance and a server implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Philippe Mace, Luc Roux, Angelo Mazzante
  • Patent number: 8125365
    Abstract: A generation method of an analogue signal generated by a PWM signal whose cyclic ratio and period are parametrizable is discussed. It is thus possible choose the pair formed from the cyclic ratio and the period producing an analogue value that is the closest to the value corresponding to the programmed command value. But the differences between the analogue values can be very great and generate zones of imprecision of variable width. Outside of these zones, the generated analogue signal is very precise. Therefore, when the command value associated with a pair is imprecise, a digital shift is applied to the command value at the same time as the application of an analogue shift means. Both shifts have the same amplitude and of opposite directions such that the cancel each other out, producing a precise analogue value. A device for generating an analogue signal implementing the method is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Philippe Mace, Xavier Guitton, Philippe Benezeth
  • Publication number: 20110025535
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a generation method of an analogue signal generated by a PWM signal whose cyclic ratio and period are parametrizable. It is thus possible choose the pair formed from the cyclic ratio and the period producing an analogue value that is the closest to the value corresponding to the programmed command value. But the differences between the analogue values can be very great and generate zones of imprecision of variable width. Outside of these zones, the generated analogue signal is very precise. As a result, when the command value associated with a pair is imprecise, a digital shift is applied to the command value at the same time as the application of an analogue shift means. Both shifts have the same amplitude and of opposite directions such that the cancel each other out, producing a precise analogue value. The present invention also relates to a device for generating an analogue signal implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Philippe Mace, Xavier Guitton, Philippe Benezeth
  • Patent number: 7760120
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a generation method of a variation form of an analogue signal generated by a PWM signal whose cyclic ratio and period are programmable. A signal can thus be generated whose evolution is linear over time. A succession of generation steps of a PWM signal during which different period and cyclic ratio values are applied, as well as pairs have different periods with the same cyclic ratio, thus enabling the analogue signal to be varied with great precision. According to an improvement, each generation step of a new PWM signal with different period and cyclic ratio values is applied over time slots of equal time. The present invention also relates to a generation system of a variable analogue signal implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Philippe Mace, Xavier Guitton, Philippe Benezeth
  • Publication number: 20100042562
    Abstract: Method of downloading usage parameters into an apparatus, and apparatus for implementing the invention After a first start-up, a first appliance performs a self-learning step for generating usage parameters. These parameters are elaborated on subsequent start-ups. When these parameters are optimized, the first appliance transmits them to another appliance which requests them. This second appliance uses the parameters of the first as optimized parameters. In this way, the second appliance limits the duration of the self-learning step and the use of non-optimal parameters. According to a refinement, the optimal parameters are centralized on a server which transmits them to a plurality of second appliances using a transmission network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Philippe Mace, Luc Roux, Angelo Mazzante
  • Patent number: 7567043
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of servo controlling an electric motor during its start-up, comprising at least one step of measuring the speed after a determined duration counting from the commencement of start-up. During a first start-up, the servo control system determines the deviation between the value of the measured speed and a preset value. During a second start-up, the servo control system modifies at least one duration parameter of the commands applied to the motor as a function of the deviation determined during the first start-up, so as to reduce this deviation in the course of this second step. Advantageously, the start-up comprises three phases making it possible to start the motor while avoiding making it too noisy. The invention also relates to an apparatus implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventors: Philippe Mace, Luc Roux, GĂ©rard Corda
  • Publication number: 20090066551
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a generation method of a variation form of an analogue signal generated by a PWM signal whose cyclic ratio and period are programmable. A signal can thus be generated whose evolution is linear over time. A succession of generation steps of a PWM signal during which different period and cyclic ratio values are applied, as well as pairs have different periods with the same cyclic ratio, thus enabling the analogue signal to be varied with great precision. According to an improvement, each generation step of a new PWM signal with different period and cyclic ratio values is applied over time slots of equal time. The present invention also relates to a generation system of a variable analogue signal implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Philippe Mace, Xavier Guitton, Philippe Benezeth
  • Publication number: 20080007194
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of servo controlling an electric motor during its start-up, comprising at least one step of measuring the speed after a determined duration counting from the commencement of start-up. During a first start-up, the servo control system determines the deviation between the value of the measured speed and a preset value. During a second start-up, the servo control system modifies at least one duration parameter of the commands applied to the motor as a function of the deviation determined during the first start-up, so as to reduce this deviation in the course of this second step. Advantageously, the start-up comprises three phases making it possible to start the motor while avoiding making it too noisy. The invention also relates to an apparatus implementing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Philippe Mace, Luc Roux, Gerard Corda
  • Patent number: 6977689
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and a device for time-managing the utilization of data detected in a data flow and constituting a data set. The device comprises a circuit (MP) for calculating a minimum duration of utilization of the detected data, which is proportional to the amount (L) of data contained in the data set. The invention applies more particularly to the case in which the detected data are digital data representing subtitles detected in a flow of data conveyed according to the MPEG 2 System transport standard. The utilization of the data then corresponds to the displaying of the subtitles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Philippe Mace
  • Publication number: 20040184785
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) and a process for the read-synchronization of video data and of ancillary data, these data being recorded in a storage space (15) in multiplexed and chronological form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Steyer, Jean-Michel Amouriaux, Philippe Mace
  • Patent number: 6128152
    Abstract: In an operational mode in which the tape should come to a stop at predetermined positions, a braking process, which causes the stopping of a tape at an exact predetermined place, is provided. At the beginning of the braking process, a target waveform is determined in dependence on the tape speed, and the values of the speed are controlled or regulated in accordance with the waveform. Control of a slow motion mode of a video tape can also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt GmbH
    Inventor: Philippe Mace
  • Patent number: 5825573
    Abstract: Machine for recording and playing back information with a tape-storage medium comprising a tape-counting device for determining locations on the storage medium representing a beginning, an end or a section of a recorded information and labeling the locations as data. The labeled locations are stored in memory and marked. Selective winding to a chosen recording section which is associated with one of the marks occurs by means of the tape-counting device and the stored labeled data, together with another one of the marks which is detected and used as a reference, wherein, due to the detection of this reference mark, the tape-counting device is set to the data which was determined with the setting of the reference mark, and wherein the mark associated with the chosen recording section is dependent on the data of this reference mark. A tolerance window arranged symmetrically with respect to the reference mark is included to assist in the detection of the reference mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Link, Axel Marzluf, Philippe Mace