Patents by Inventor Christoph Wäller

Christoph Wäller 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: 9283829
    Abstract: A method for operating a user interface, wherein at least one flat graphics object is shown on a display surface in a first view showing a first side of the object and in a second view showing the second side of the object. On different sides of the object, different information is shown and the view of the graphics object is varied such that, in a perspective view on the display surface, the graphics object rotates from the first side to the second side when a first or a second control signal has been triggered. Different information is shown on the second side after a rotation from the first side to the second side depending on whether the first or the second control signal has been triggered. Also disclosed is a device for providing such a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventor: Christoph Wäller
  • Patent number: 9103691
    Abstract: In a method for multimode information input and/or adaptation of the display of a display and control device, input signals of different modality are detected which are supplied via the device to a voice recognition unit, thus initiating a desired function and/or display as an output signal, which are displayed on the device and/or output by voice output. Touch and/or gesture input signals are provided on or to the device for selection of an object intended for interaction and activation of the voice recognition unit and for the vocabulary which is provided for interaction to be restricted with the selection of the object and/or activation of the voice recognition unit as a function of the selected object, on the basis of which a voice command from the restricted vocabulary is added to the selected object as an information input and/or for adaptation of the display, via the voice recognition unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Christoph Wäller, Moritz Neugebauer, Thomas Fabian, Ulrike Wehling, Günter Horna, Markus Missall
  • Patent number: 9041674
    Abstract: A method for operating an operator control system having a graphical display unit and a touch-sensitive interface, wherein coordinates from information presented on the display unit are associated with coordinates of the touch-sensitive interface. Also disclosed is an operator control system for a vehicle having a graphical display unit that presents a piece of information for a user; a touch-sensitive interface that detects a touch by the user; and a control unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive interface, the control unit controlling presentation of at least one operator control panel on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventor: Christoph Wäller
  • Patent number: 9001049
    Abstract: A method for determining the position of an actuation element, e.g. a finger of a user, in a motor vehicle when the element approaches a surface and to a position determination device, has the following steps: generating an HF signal; coupling the HF signal into the user; transmitting the HF signal via the body of the user; receiving the HF signal that has been transmitted via the body and the actuation element, using several sensors and determining the position of the actuation element using sensor signals of the sensors, the sensor signals forming a measurement for the received signal intensity of the HF signal and are used to first calculate the position of the centre of gravity of the approaching object, in particular the approaching body part comprising the actuation element, and the position of the actuation element is calculated, taking into consideration the position of the centre of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Katharina Bachfischer, Christoph Wäller, Lennart Bendewald, Peter Vikoler
  • Patent number: 8976125
    Abstract: The invention relates to an operator control apparatus and to a method for operating an operator control apparatus which comprises at least one operator control element for capturing user inputs and an approach recognition device which is designed to sense an approach by an actuating element, in particular a body part, of a user to the operator control element before the at least one operator control element is touched, wherein the approach recognition device comprises a reflection light barrier, which has at least one lamp (22a-22d) for emitting electromagnetic detection radiation (35) in front of the at least one operator control element into a physically limited detection area (4) which does not cover an entire volume in front of the at least one operator control element, and a reception element (28) for detecting a detection radiation (35) component which is scattered and/or reflected at the actuating element of the user during an approach to the at least one operator control element, wherein the approach
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Wäller, Katharina Bachfischer, Lennart Bendewald
  • Publication number: 20150041113
    Abstract: A method and device for regulating a stationary climate control system for a vehicle that includes at least one first energy source is provided. A first actual value of a climate parameter is determined from the interior of the parked vehicle, and a difference value is generated from the actual value and a reference value. In addition, a projected usage time is determined for the vehicle, wherein a time interval is determined from the current time and the determined projected usage time. A quantity of energy that is required to set to a desired value for the climate parameter is determined here based on the length of the time interval and the difference value, and the actual value for the climate parameter within the time interval is set to the desired value based on the required quantity of energy and the quantity of energy available from the first energy source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Lukas ENKE, Sathyamoorthy NARESH, Christoph WAELLER, Viktor BADER
  • Patent number: 8952902
    Abstract: A display device (3) is coupled to a touch-sensitive position detection unit (5) and a control unit (6) is coupled to the display device (3) and the position detection unit (5). The control unit has an evaluation logic (8) that evaluates touched positions (9) detected by the position detection unit (5) and uses the positions to influence the control of the representation of information on the display device (3) and the calling up of functions and/or the control of systems (11) that can be operated via the display and control device (1). The evaluation logic (8) is designed to evaluate the detected touched positions (9) in a time-resolved manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Wäller, Katharina Bachfischer, Lennart Bendewald, Heino Wengelnik, Matthias Heimermann, Jan-Lars Dalchow
  • Patent number: 8910086
    Abstract: A method for controlling a graphical user interface, wherein a menu is defined, in which several objects of the menu are each associated with a function, and a global input gesture is associated with at least a part of the objects, wherein the input gesture can be executed on a touch-sensitive surface of an input device and different display contents can be displayed on a display surface. In the method, a global input gesture executed on the touch-sensitive surface is captured and, independently of the currently rendered display content on the display surface, a function is executed, which is associated with the object that is associated with the captured input gesture. Further disclosed is an operating device for executing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Lennart Bendewald, Stefan Henze, Christoph Wäller, Volkmar Wagner, Frank Hauschild
  • Patent number: 8907778
    Abstract: A multi-function display and operating system are provided in a motor vehicle and a method for operating such a system is provided. The multi-function display and operating system includes at least one display device for displaying information, a control unit controlling the representation of information on a display surface of the display device, at least two operating units for capturing user inputs, wherein the control unit is designed to control the representation of the information displayed to support the user inputs on the display surface of the display device by different operating displays which are each adapted to one of the at least two operating units via which a user input is captured or for which an operating intention for a user input is captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Wäller, Michael Mischke
  • Publication number: 20140300561
    Abstract: Methods for the operator control of electronic appliances and appropriately set-up electronic appliances in which an input of at least one letter is captured independently of an input request, and a volume of data is displayed on a screen of the electronic appliance on the basis of the captured letter. The input may be made by handwriting or by voice input, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Christoph Wäller, Mark Peter Czelnik, Linn Hackenberg, Lennart Bendewald, Manuel Joachim, Markus Ablassmeier, Michael Mischke
  • Publication number: 20140240114
    Abstract: A method for outputting alert messages of a driver assistance system in a vehicle in which data for moving the vehicle and data regarding accident risks in the surroundings of the vehicle are detected, the detected data is evaluated and attributed to a specific accident risk category and an alert message is output subject to the attributed accident risk category. The method according to the invention is characterized in that from the captured movement of the vehicle a planned movement of the vehicle is derived and it is tested whether without modification of the planned movement of the vehicle a collision of the vehicle with another object will occur, and the manner of outputting the alert message is carried out in dependence on the result of said collision testing. The invention further relates to an associated driver assistance system and to a vehicle having such a driver assistance system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christoph WAELLER, Johannes RHEDE, Ina PETERMANN, Carsten SEMMLER, Andro KLEEN, Markus NEUMANN
  • Publication number: 20140200765
    Abstract: Vehicle with a comfort system having: a vehicle controller device, via which different vehicle systems and/or vehicle functions can be controlled; at least one vehicle communication device for exchanging data via wireless communication; a plurality of identification modules arranged in the vehicle that comprise an identification code readable in the vicinity of the identification modules, each identification code being assigned to an installation location of the identification module. The vehicle controller device is designed to set up a communication connection to a mobile device via the vehicle communication device to receive, via the communication connection, an identification code read out by the mobile device and, via the mobile device and the mobile communication connection, to allow or prohibit control or usage of individual or all vehicle functions and/or systems selectively on the basis of the received identification code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Christoph WAELLER
  • Patent number: 8766911
    Abstract: A multifunction display and operating device of a motor vehicle and comprise a display device (4), a control unit linked to the display surface (6) for implementing a user interface and at least one detection unit (8). The user interface comprises at least one display and operating context, display information depending on the display context being represented in a context information area (21) in a display mode on a display surface (6) and additional, cross-context information being represented in a status information area (22), and a change into an operating mode is initiated by an actuating action detectable by the detection unit, additionally or alternatively representing operating information depending on the operating context in the context information area, a change to a selection operating mode is initiated by a further detectable actuating action, selection information linked to a selection of an operating parameter being displayed in the status information area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Wäller, Markus Missall, Mathias Thom
  • Publication number: 20140095000
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a user interface in a vehicle, wherein a wireless data link is formed between the vehicle and a mobile playback device which is releasably connected in the vehicle or is held freely by a user. Operating parameters relevant for the operation of the vehicle are detected on the vehicle and information relating to detected operating parameters is displayed by a display and control unit installed in the vehicle and which can be read from the driver's seat position. A wireless data link is formed between the vehicle and a mobile playback device which is releasably connected in the vehicle or is held freely by a user. Data for generating display content are transmitted via the wireless data link from the vehicle to the playback device, and on the basis of the transmitted data display content is generated on the playback device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicants: AUDI AG, VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventors: Christoph Wäller, Maria Mejia Gonzalez, Lennart Bendewald, Stefan Henze
  • Patent number: 8606519
    Abstract: A navigation system, particularly for a motor vehicle, determines the position of the navigation system or the motor vehicle and for determining a route to a destination. The navigation system includes a display for presenting variable information and a transparent touchscreen arranged above the display or a touchpad arranged independently of the display for recognizing the position of a touch on the touchscreen or the touchpad. The navigation system also includes a controller for displaying a map presentation on the display as a first operator control area and for displaying at least one second operator control area on the display. A contact-based dragging movement using the touchscreen over the first operator control area allows movement of the map presentation, rotation of the map presentation or inclination of the map presentation to be executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Audi AG, Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Christoph Waeller
  • Patent number: 8564560
    Abstract: A method for operating an operator control system (1) comprises presentation of at least one operator control panel (5-9) on a display unit (2), wherein the at least one operator control panel (5-9) is provided for a user to touch in order to operate a operator control function, detection of a touch (10-12) on a touch-sensitive interface (3) by the user, determination of whether the at least one operator control panel (5-9) has been hit during the touch (10-12) by virtue of coordinates of the touch (10-12) being compared with coordinates of the at least one operator control panel (5-9), and enlarged presentation of the at least one operator control panel (5-9) if no operator control panel (5-9) has been hit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Christoph Wäller
  • Publication number: 20130253673
    Abstract: A method for operating an operator control system having a graphical display unit and a touch-sensitive interface, wherein coordinates from information presented on the display unit are associated with coordinates of the touch-sensitive interface. Also disclosed is an operator control system for a vehicle having a graphical display unit that presents a piece of information for a user; a touch-sensitive interface that detects a touch by the user; and a control unit coupled to the display unit and the touch-sensitive interface, the control unit controlling presentation of at least one operator control panel on the display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventor: Christoph WÄLLER
  • Publication number: 20130176232
    Abstract: In an operating method for a display device in a vehicle, the display device includes a touch-sensitive surface. A first output is displayed in an area of the display device. A first movement and a second movement by an operator relative to the touch-sensitive surface are detected simultaneously. The area is divided automatically along a first direction into a first subarea and a second subarea, if the first movement and the second movement proceed substantially in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and away from each other. The first output is displayed in the first subarea and a second output is displayed in the second subarea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Christoph Waeller
  • Patent number: 8477108
    Abstract: In a method for displaying information in a motor vehicle, a plurality of objects are represented graphically with the aid of a display mounted in a motor vehicle. A user-interface device generates graphics data which control the display such that the graphical objects are shown disposed on a virtual, perspectively displayed ring, and that in response to an input with the aid of an input device, an arithmetic logic unit of the user-interface device alters the graphics data such that the graphical objects on the virtual ring rotate like a carousel. A corresponding display device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Wäller, Katja Lemke, Rainer Dehmann, Mathias Kuhn
  • Patent number: 8411040
    Abstract: In an operating device of a motor vehicle and a method for recording user inputs in a motor vehicle, the operating device includes a control unit and at least one operating element coupled to the control unit, via whose operation a user input is able to be recorded, an approach sensor system being coupled to the control unit, using which an approach of an actuating element, e.g., of a body part, for example, of a finger of a user to the at least one operating element is able to be recorded before the operation of the at least one operating element occurs. The control unit is adapted to, in response to a recorded approach of the actuating element to the at least one operating element, output information in connection with an operation of the operating element before an operation of the operating element occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Christoph Waeller, Katharina Bachfischer, Lennart Bendewald