Patents by Inventor Xavier Hourne

Xavier Hourne 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: 20240120920
    Abstract: A capacitive proximity sensor (1) comprising a microcontroller (20) which is configured to perform measurements in a repetitive predetermined sequence, said sequence comprising a series of N consecutive measurements, N being a natural integer greater than or equal to three, wherein, with the period between two consecutive analog-to-digital conversions of the first measurement of the series being called a reference period, the period between two analog-to-digital conversions of a measurement m of the series, m being a natural integer comprised between 2 and N, is defined as being equal to the reference period plus the product of (m?1) and a predetermined additional unitary period. The additional unitary period is equal to half the period needed to shift a noise sensitivity peak of the sensor (1) by half its frequency width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Xavier HOURNE, Cédric VERGNIERES, Julien GALAUP
  • Publication number: 20230235611
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for opening/closing an opening element of a motor vehicle by detecting movement of a users limb, the device including an approach and/or contact detection sensor including a single electrode and an analyzer for analyzing the variations in capacitance of the electrode, and an opening element opening/closing control unit. The device also includes: a sealed housing including first and second metal surfaces; and a unit for detecting a predetermined form of the variations of the electrode, exhibiting a succession of a predetermined number of peaks of predetermined amplitude within a predetermined period; the first and second surface being separate, and the electrode being located outside the sealed housing, in such a way that the electrode is coupled electrically to the at least one first surface and to the at least one second surface so as to create at least two approach and/or contact detection areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Jérome WROBLEWSKI, Corinne PARET, Xavier HOURNE
  • Patent number: 11420591
    Abstract: Disclosed is an authentication reader intended to be installed on a motor vehicle opening element, the reader including a microcontroller, at least one transmitter, at least one matching circuit and a single antenna, called “primary” antenna, characterized by a working frequency. The matching circuit includes switching element able to switch the matching circuit between a first mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is lower than the working frequency, and a second mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is higher than the working frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: VITESCO TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Olivier Gerardiere, Xavier Hourné
  • Publication number: 20210261094
    Abstract: Disclosed is an authentication reader intended to be installed on a motor vehicle opening element, the reader including a microcontroller, at least one transmitter, at least one matching circuit and a single antenna, called “primary” antenna, characterized by a working frequency. The matching circuit includes switching element able to switch the matching circuit between a first mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is lower than the working frequency, and a second mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is higher than the working frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Olivier GERARDIERE, Xavier HOURNÉ
  • Publication number: 20210247540
    Abstract: Disclosed is a detection sensor for detecting the presence of an item of user equipment through near-field communication for a motor vehicle, the sensor including an antenna, an impedance matcher, a driver module for driving the antenna and a microcontroller, which is configured to control the driver module, the impedance matcher being able to match the output impedance of the driver module to the impedance of the antenna while amplifying the power supplied by the driver module. The sensor includes a resistive module, mounted between the driver module and the impedance matcher, configured to stabilize the value of the input power of the impedance matcher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: Xavier HOURNÉ
  • Patent number: 11059455
    Abstract: Disclosed is an authentication reader intended to be installed on a motor vehicle opening element, the reader including a microcontroller, at least one transmitter, at least one matching circuit and a single antenna, called “primary” antenna, characterized by a working frequency. The matching circuit includes switching element able to switch the matching circuit between a first mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is lower than the working frequency, and a second mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is higher than the working frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Olivier Gerardiere, Xavier Hourné
  • Publication number: 20200317158
    Abstract: Disclosed is an authentication reader intended to be installed on a motor vehicle opening element, the reader including a microcontroller, at least one transmitter, at least one matching circuit and a single antenna, called “primary” antenna, characterized by a working frequency. The matching circuit includes switching element able to switch the matching circuit between a first mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is lower than the working frequency, and a second mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is higher than the working frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Olivier GERARDIERE, Xavier HOURNÉ
  • Patent number: 10626639
    Abstract: A method for detecting presence close to a sensor installed in a motor vehicle, the method including: a plurality of steps of conversion, at a plurality of different values of the reference voltage, of an analog voltage signal into a plurality of different coded digital values; correlating the coded digital values in order to obtain a correlation value; comparing the obtained correlation value with a predetermined reference value; detecting human presence close to the sensor when the difference between the obtained correlation value and the predetermined reference value is greater than a predetermined detection threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Xavier Hourne, Olivier Gerardiere
  • Publication number: 20200048940
    Abstract: A method for detecting presence close to a sensor installed in a motor vehicle, the method including: a plurality of steps of conversion, at a plurality of different values of the reference voltage, of an analog voltage signal into a plurality of different coded digital values; correlating the coded digital values in order to obtain a correlation value; comparing the obtained correlation value with a predetermined reference value; detecting human presence close to the sensor when the difference between the obtained correlation value and the predetermined reference value is greater than a predetermined detection threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Xavier Hourne, Olivier Gerardiere
  • Patent number: 10401242
    Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly formed by a drive shaft for a vehicle and a sensor for measuring the value of a torque applied to the shaft, the sensor including a unit for generating a magnetic field and an arrangement formed by a first coil, a second coil, a third coil and a fourth coil arranged side-by-side between a first toothed wheel of the shaft and a second toothed wheel of the shaft, parallel to the first toothed wheel and to the second toothed wheel, arranged to be immersed in the magnetic field, the overall length of the first coil, of the second coil, of the third coil and of the fourth coil being equal to the period of the first toothed wheel and of the second toothed wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Xavier Hourne
  • Patent number: 10333518
    Abstract: A device (D?) for detecting presence of a user includes: a connection to the electrical ground (14), an electrode (12), control elements (13?) of the electrode, a conducting element (11), connected to the connection (14) to the electrical ground, a first switching element (I1) between the conducting element and the connection to the electrical ground, first element (16) for selecting the position of the first switching element, in order to select the position of the first switching element as a function of the type of coating covering a second exterior surface of a handle into which the device is integrated. The door handle including the device and the associated method for configuring the handle are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Xavier Hourne, Cyril Robin, Joel Carniaux
  • Publication number: 20180120179
    Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly formed by a drive shaft for a vehicle and a sensor for measuring the value of a torque applied to the shaft, the sensor including a unit for generating a magnetic field and an arrangement formed by a first coil, a second coil, a third coil and a fourth coil arranged side-by-side between a first toothed wheel of the shaft and a second toothed wheel of the shaft, parallel to the first toothed wheel and to the second toothed wheel, arranged to be immersed in the magnetic field, the overall length of the first coil, of the second coil, of the third coil and of the fourth coil being equal to the period of the first toothed wheel and of the second toothed wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventor: Xavier HOURNE
  • Patent number: 9853526
    Abstract: An assembly includes at least a first motor (10) and a second motor (20) on which first targets (13) and second targets (23) being respectively mounted, the first targets (13) and the second targets (23) are respectively distributed angularly over the first motor (10) and over the second motor (20), each first target (13) having a first angular aperture, each second target (23) having a second angular aperture, the assembly furthermore having an angular position sensor (5) positioned between the motors (10, 20) and adapted to measure the angular position of the targets (13, 23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Xavier Hourne, Simon-Didier Venzal
  • Patent number: 9778300
    Abstract: A device for measuring a variation (?CX) of a capacitance (CX), includes: elements for charging the capacitance (CX) on the basis of a supply voltage (VCC). elements for discharging the capacitance (CX) into a reference capacitance (CS) in a fixed number of discharges (x), elements for measuring a voltage (VS) and for detecting a threshold of voltage (VTH) across the terminals of the reference capacitance (CS). elements for charging with current (IC) the reference capacitance (CS) on the basis of the supply voltage (VCC) for a duration (t), after the transfer of charge from the capacitance (CX) into the reference capacitance (CS), and elements for measuring the variation between the duration (t) with respect to a previously measured duration so as to estimate the variation (?CX) of the capacitance (CX).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GmbH
    Inventor: Xavier Hourne
  • Patent number: 9696184
    Abstract: To eliminate measurement errors, such as “offset voltages” in sensors of the inductive type by modifying the architecture of the assembly of elements used for signal processing, the architecture of the apparatuses processing the signal from the secondary windings is modified as follows: the amplifiers of this sensor are placed between the low-pass filters and the output terminals of the sensor, the voltages from the two secondary windings pass into an RC filter including a resistor and a capacitor, the voltage from each of the secondary windings passes into two multiplexers, one of which allows only the positive half-cycle to pass through, the other being wired so as to allow only the negative half-cycle to pass through, and the unused outputs of these multiplexers are connected to the common point between the secondary windings, low-pass filters are placed between each of the multiplexers and the amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Xavier Hourne
  • Patent number: 9689907
    Abstract: A method and device for measuring a variation of a capacitance, the device includes: a capacitance having a voltage across its terminals; a charging element and a discharging element; a comparison element; control elements activating the charging element or the discharging element as a function of the value of the voltage across the terminals of the capacitance and of which an output voltage has a high value during the charging and a low value during the discharging; a counter measuring a time representative of a predetermined number of charging and discharging cycles of the capacitance; and an additional capacitance electrically connected to the output voltage and to the capacitance, able to be charged and discharged simultaneously with the charging and discharging of the capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Xavier Hourne
  • Patent number: 9652916
    Abstract: A device (D?) for detecting the presence of a user includes: an electrode (12?), electrode control elements (13), and a low frequency antenna (11). The electrode (12?) is formed by a plurality of structural units (MA . . . MI), each structural unit (MA . . . MI) including: a conductive segment (A . . . I) defined by dimensions (Lx, lx, ex) and electrically connected at least to a conductive connection (CXY) defined by a position of connection with respect to the conductive segment (A . . . I). The structural units (MA . . . MI) are electrically interconnected by the conductive connections (CXY). At least two consecutive structural units (MA . . . MI) differ by: the dimensions (Lx, lx, ex) of the conductive segment (A . . . I) and/or the position of the conductive connection (CXY).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Alain Fontanet, Xavier Hourne, Cyril Robin
  • Patent number: 9300360
    Abstract: A device for communication between a microcontroller (11) of an electronic module (10) and a microcontroller (22) of a sensor (20), the sensor being supplied with current by the electronic module (10) via a power supply line (W1), and: the electronic module includes a command signal generator (40) generating a voltage-modulation command signal on the power supply line, the sensor includes a command signal regulation device (30) connected to the power supply line, which includes: a high-pass filter (FPH), a voltage limiter (LT), an open collector output (CO), arranged such that the command signal at the output of the command signal regulation device is a voltage signal of constant mean value and included in the power supply voltage window of the microcontroller of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Xavier Hourne
  • Patent number: 9295125
    Abstract: Method for communication between an electronic module and a sensor having a first branch, including a light source LED and a first switch, and a second branch including a second switch, supplied by a supply line, the module measuring modulations of intensity of current of the line. When the light source is turned on or in the process of turning on/turning off, the sensor causes i) modulation of the intensity of the current in the LED between a high state and a low state, ii) modulation of the intensity of the current in the second branch so that the intensity of the current is always in a higher state, and, in case of detection, iii) dispatches to the electronic module a modulation of the intensity of current in the second branch, when the intensity of current in the LED is in the low state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Maxime Cordier, Xavier Hourne, Olivier Elie
  • Publication number: 20160006323
    Abstract: An assembly includes at least a first motor (10) and a second motor (20) on which first targets (13) and second targets (23) being respectively mounted, the first targets (13) and the second targets (23) are respectively distributed angularly over the first motor (10) and over the second motor (20), each first target (13) having a first angular aperture, each second target (23) having a second angular aperture, the assembly furthermore having an angular position sensor (5) positioned between the motors (10, 20) and adapted to measure the angular position of the targets (13, 23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Xavier HOURNE, Simon-Didier VENZAL