Patents by Inventor Bernd Schmidtke

Bernd Schmidtke 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: 20230236290
    Abstract: A LIDAR sensor for detecting at least one object in a field of view. The LIDAR sensor includes: a transmitting unit includes a laser source; and a receiving unit having at least one detector unit for receiving secondary light that has been reflected and/or scattered in the field of view by an object. The detector unit includes a sub-detector array including a plurality of sub-detectors arranged in a first direction of extent next to each other and/or in a second direction of extent one behind another, and a processor unit that is designed to select a first group from a plurality of sub-detectors and to group it to form a first macropixel, and simultaneously to select at least one second group and to group it/them to form at least one second micropixel. The first macropixel and at least one of the second macropixels comprise at least one same sub-detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Alexander Greiner, Bernd SCHMIDTKE, Reiner SCHNITZER, Siegwart BOGATSCHER, Steffen FRITZ
  • Publication number: 20220373330
    Abstract: A levelling laser for generating a laser projection line on a surface is disclosed. The levelling laser includes an optical projection lens with a three-dimensional lens surface. The projection lens can be described in a three-dimensional coordinates system having three axes, X, Y and Z, arranged orthogonally to one another. The Z-axis coincides with the optical axis of the projection lens. The lens surface of the projection lens has a shape with a surface inclination angle rising monotonically along the X-axis. A corresponding projection lens is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Bernd Schmidtke, Derek Chan, Sudhir Kumar Neravati, Louisa Zhang, David Kapfenberger
  • Patent number: 11448768
    Abstract: The proposed method for operating a laser distance measuring device, in particular a hand-held laser distance measuring device, is based on a method in which laser radiation is emitted to a target point by means of an emitter unit, laser radiation reflected back from the target point is detected by a receiver unit with a detection surface, at least one image of at least one target environment of the target point is captured by at least one camera, and a representation of the image, overlaid with a marking of the target point, is displayed on a screen of the laser distance measuring device. According to the disclosure, a parallax error in the representation of the image, overlaid with a marking of the target point, is corrected according to an estimated distance to the target point. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding laser distance measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Braun, Stefan Noe, Bernd Schmidtke
  • Publication number: 20200371242
    Abstract: The proposed method for operating a laser distance measuring device, in particular a hand-held laser distance measuring device, is based on a method in which laser radiation is emitted to a target point by means of an emitter unit, laser radiation reflected back from the target point is detected by a receiver unit with a detection surface, at least one image of at least one target environment of the target point is captured by at least one camera, and a representation of the image, overlaid with a marking of the target point, is displayed on a screen of the laser distance measuring device. According to the disclosure, a parallax error in the representation of the image, overlaid with a marking of the target point, is corrected according to an estimated distance to the target point. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding laser distance measuring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Andreas Braun, Stefan Noe, Bernd Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 10393874
    Abstract: The disclosure proceeds from a distance measuring device comprising at least one distance measuring unit, which is in particular suitable for a contactless distance measurement, which has at least one transmission device for emitting reference and measurement radiation and at least one sensor device for detecting reference and measurement radiation. It is proposed that, in the distance measuring device according to the disclosure, the reference radiation is embodied as at least one partial beam of divergent radiation emitted by the transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Schmidtke, Uwe Skultety-Betz
  • Patent number: 10365354
    Abstract: A laser distance meter includes a laser light source configured to emit temporally modulated laser light toward target objects. The laser distance meter further includes a light detector configured to detect laser light reflected by target objects. The laser distance meter further includes a light detector configured to detect laser light reflects by target objects. The laser distance meter also includes an electronic control and analyzing unit configured to control the laser light source and configured to analyze signals of the light detector. The electronic control and analyzing unit is designed to drive the laser light source, detect laser light reflected by target object by directly synchronously sampling a reception signal over a measurement time duration, generating a detection signal for each modulation frequencies, carry out an inverse Fourier transformation of the detection signal, and evaluate the propagation time spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 9791559
    Abstract: A measurement device for measuring an optical distance of an object includes an emission device configured to emit a first signal towards the object. The measurement device further includes a modulator device configured to modulate the first signal and a reception device configured to detect a second signal. The measurement device also includes an analysis device configured to receive and analyze the second signal. The measurement device further includes a calibration device configured to calibrate the measurement device with the modulator device turned on and with the emission device operated below a pre-definable power threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Bernd Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 9709677
    Abstract: A measuring device for optically measuring a distance to a target object including an emitter device for emitting an optical measuring beam to the target object, a capturing device comprising a detection surface for detecting an optical beam returned by the target object, and an evaluation device. The detection surface has a plurality of pixels, each pixel having at least one light-sensitive element and each of the plurality of pixels is connected to the evaluation device. The emitting device and the capturing device are configured in such a manner that the optical measurement beam returned by the target object simultaneously illuminates a plurality of pixels. The evaluation device is configured in such a manner that detection signals of a plurality of pixels are guided to at least one of the plurality of distance determining devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Oliver Wolst, Bernd Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 9638520
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a measuring apparatus, in particular a handheld measuring apparatus, for measuring a target object in a multidimensional manner, wherein the distance to individual object points of the target object is sequentially measured, in particular using a phase-measuring system, which apparatus has at least: a transmitting device for emitting optical measuring radiation towards the target object; a receiving device having a detection area for detecting optical measuring radiation returning from the target object; a scanning system for deflecting the optical measuring radiation, and an evaluation device for determining measured distance values. The detection area of the receiving device has a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel has at least one SPAD, and wherein each of the plurality of pixels is connected to the evaluation device. The disclosure also relates to a measuring device having such a measuring apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Bernd Schmidtke, Ulrich Kallmann
  • Publication number: 20170074975
    Abstract: A laser distance meter includes a laser light source configured to emit temporally modulated laser light toward target objects. The laser distance meter further includes a light detector configured to detect laser light reflected by target objects. The laser distance meter further includes a light detector configured to detect laser light reflects by target objects. The laser distance meter also includes an electronic control and analyzing unit configured to control the laser light source and configured to analyze signals of the light detector. The electronic control and analyzing unit is designed to drive the laser light source, detect laser light reflected by target object by directly synchronously sampling a reception signal over a measurement time duration, generating a detection signal for each modulation frequencies, carry out an inverse Fourier transformation of the detection signal, and evaluate the propagation time spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 9368529
    Abstract: A sensor unit for detecting reference and measurement radiation for a distance measurement device has a sensor element and an optical shielding device. The sensor element has a first detection region for detecting measurement radiation and a second detection region for detecting reference radiation. The optical shielding device is positioned in relation to the sensor element and fastened, and the optical shielding device optically separates the first and second detection regions from each other. The optical shielding device further comprises a first recess and a second recess which are permeable to optical radiation of a first wavelength range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Oliver Wolst, Uwe Skultety-Betz, Bernd Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 9348018
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a measurement device for optically measuring a distance to a target object, in particular a handheld measurement device. The disclosure relates to such a measurement device having a transmitting device for transmitting an optical measurement beam to a target object; a receiving device having a detection surface for detecting the optical measurement beam returning from the target object, wherein the detection surface has a plurality of pixels, and each pixel has at least one light-sensitive element; and a reference device having a detection surface for detecting a device-internal reference beam. According to the disclosure, the detection surface of the reference device has a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel has at least one light-sensitive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Bernd Schmidtke, Reiner Schnitzer
  • Publication number: 20160003944
    Abstract: The disclosure proceeds from a distance measuring device comprising at least one distance measuring unit, which is in particular suitable for a contactless distance measurement, which has at least one transmission device for emitting reference and measurement radiation and at least one sensor device for detecting reference and measurement radiation. It is proposed that, in the distance measuring device according to the disclosure, the reference radiation is embodied as at least one partial beam of divergent radiation emitted by the transmission device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Bernd Schmidtke, Uwe Skultety-Betz
  • Patent number: 9201138
    Abstract: A photon detector is disclosed that includes, in addition to an immobilizable photon-sensitive element, a photon transmission element. The photon detector is configured such that it can vary photon intensities impacting upon the photon-sensitive element and transmitted by the photon transmission element, for example, by modifying an absorption property or a defocusing property of the photon transmission element. Also, the immobile photon-sensitive element, which can be, for example a SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode), always operates close to the optimal operating range and below an immobilization range. A distancing device that includes this type of photo detector is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Oliver Wolst, Bernd Schmidtke
  • Publication number: 20150293226
    Abstract: A measuring device for optically measuring a distance to a target object including an emitter device for emitting an optical measuring beam to the target object, a capturing device comprising a detection surface for detecting an optical beam returned by the target object, and an evaluation device. The detection surface has a plurality of pixels, each pixel having at least one light-sensitive element and each of the plurality of pixels is connected to the evaluation device. The emitting device and the capturing device are configured in such a manner that the optical measurement beam returned by the target object simultaneously illuminates a plurality of pixels. The evaluation device is configured in such a manner that detection signals of a plurality of pixels are guided to at least one of the plurality of distance determining devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Oliver Wolst, Bernd Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 9041918
    Abstract: A handheld distance measuring instrument includes a first emission device, a first reception device and a second reception device. The first emission device is configured to emit an optical measurement radiation onto a target object. The first reception device is configured to detect the radiation returning from the target object. The second reception device is configured in order to detect a reference radiation internal to the instrument. The reception devices respectively include a first detector unit, a second detector unit, a first time measurement unit, and a second time measurement unit. The first time measurement unit is configured to be connected selectively to the first detector unit and to the second detector unit. The second time measurement unit is configured to be connected selectively to the first detector unit and to the second detector unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Bernd Schmidtke, Reiner Schnitzer, Oliver Wolst
  • Publication number: 20150124241
    Abstract: A measurement device for measuring an optical distance of an object includes an emission device configured to emit a first signal towards the object. The measurement device further includes a modulator device configured to modulate the first signal and a reception device configured to detect a second signal. The measurement device also includes an analysis device configured to receive and analyze the second signal. The measurement device further includes a calibration device configured to calibrate the measurement device with the modulator device turned on and with the emission device operated below a pre-definable power threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Bernd Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 8908157
    Abstract: A measuring device for optically measuring a distance to a target object includes an emitter device for emitting an optical measuring beam to the target object, a capturing device including a detection surface for detecting an optical beam returned by the target object, and an evaluation device. The detection surface has a plurality of pixels, each pixel having at least one SPAD (single photon avalanche diode) and each of the plurality of pixels is connected to the evaluation device. The emitting device and the capturing device are configured in such a manner that the optical measurement beam returned by the target object simultaneously illuminates a plurality of pixels. The evaluation device is configured in order to determine the distance between the measuring device and the target object based on the evaluation of detection signals of several pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Oliver Wolst, Bernd Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 8891068
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus for optically measuring a distance to a target object is described. The measuring apparatus has a transmitting device for emitting periodically modulated optical measuring radiation towards the target object, a receiving device for detecting optical measuring radiation which returns from the target object, and an evaluation device for receiving and evaluating detection signals from the receiving device. The measuring apparatus also has a calibration device for calibrating the measuring apparatus, wherein the calibration device is designed to calibrate the measuring apparatus on the basis of detection of uncorrelated radiation which does not correlate with the modulated measuring radiation emitted by the transmitting device. In this case, the uncorrelated radiation may be in the form of background radiation. Alternatively, uncorrelated measuring radiation can be emitted by the transmitting device and can be detected by the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Oliver Wolst, Bernd Schmidtke
  • Patent number: 8848172
    Abstract: A handheld measuring device for optical distance measurement includes a transmitting device, a receiving device, an evaluation device, and a homogenizing device. The transmitting device is configured to transmit periodically modulated optical measurement radiation toward a target object. The receiving device is configured to detect optical measurement radiation returning from the target object. The evaluation device is configured to receive and evaluate detection signals of the receiving device. The evaluation device comprises a plurality of accumulation devices configured to accumulate detection signals. The evaluation device conducts detection signals during a sampling time window from a plurality of sampling time windows temporally schematically changeably to an assigned accumulation device from the plurality of accumulation devices, such that the accumulation device accumulates the detection signals during the sampling time window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Eisele, Bernd Schmidtke, Reiner Schnitzer