Patents by Inventor Gregor Kuchler

Gregor Kuchler 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: 10882366
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic wheel unit disposed on a vehicle wheel of a vehicle includes providing the electronic wheel unit with a detecting device for detecting rotation angle positions of the vehicle wheel that are present at certain detection times, and a radio transmitter device for transmitting a sequence of individual electromagnetic signals which include data representative of the detected rotation angle positions and their associated detection times. The detecting device is further used to detect an amount of a wheel acceleration of the vehicle wheel and to set an interval of time between the detection times of the rotation angle positions to be shorter the greater the amount of wheel acceleration. A corresponding electronic wheel unit and a method and an apparatus for localizing respective installation positions of a plurality of such electronic wheel units on a vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Gregor Kuchler
  • Patent number: 10752061
    Abstract: A method for transmitting data from a wheel unit arranged on a wheel of a vehicle to a central unit of the vehicle, involving: sending the data in the form of temporally spaced data transmissions from the wheel unit to the central unit, transmission times of the data transmissions being stipulated by the wheel unit according to a transmission algorithm; and receiving the data transmissions sent by the wheel unit via the central unit is disclosed. The method may further comprise: evaluating reception times at which each of the data transmissions are received by the central unit, according to an evaluation algorithm making allowance for the transmission algorithm; and rating the data transmissions on the basis of a result of the evaluation of the reception times. Further, a corresponding apparatus for data transmission in a vehicle is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Kuchler, Frank Fischer
  • Publication number: 20190168550
    Abstract: A method for operating an electronic wheel unit disposed on a vehicle wheel of a vehicle includes providing the electronic wheel unit with a detecting device for detecting rotation angle positions of the vehicle wheel that are present at certain detection times, and a radio transmitter device for transmitting a sequence of individual electromagnetic signals which include data representative of the detected rotation angle positions and their associated detection times. The detecting device is further used to detect an amount of a wheel acceleration of the vehicle wheel and to set an interval of time between the detection times of the rotation angle positions to be shorter the greater the amount of wheel acceleration. A corresponding electronic wheel unit and a method and an apparatus for localizing respective installation positions of a plurality of such electronic wheel units on a vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventor: GREGOR KUCHLER
  • Publication number: 20190001766
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for transmitting data from a wheel unit, arranged on a wheel of a vehicle, to a central unit of the vehicle The invention relates to a method for transmitting data from a wheel unit (20-1 to 20-4), arranged on a wheel (W1-W4) of a vehicle (1), to a central unit (30) of the vehicle (1), involving: sending the data in the form of temporally spaced data transmissions (R1-R4) from the wheel unit (20-1 to 20-4) to the central unit (30), transmission times of the data transmissions (R1-R4) being stipulated by the wheel unit (20-1 to 20-4) according to a transmission algorithm; and receiving the data transmissions (R1-R4) sent by the wheel unit (20-1 to 20-4) by means of the central unit (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Applicant: Continental AutomotiveGmbH
    Inventors: Gregor KUCHLER, Frank FISCHER
  • Patent number: 9555671
    Abstract: In a method for determining identifiers of wheel units and positions relative to the vehicle of the wheels on which the wheel units are fitted, the vehicle is equipped with a speed sensor for each wheel and elements for transmitting at a predetermined angular position of the corresponding wheel about its axis a message including the identifier of the wheel unit. A central processing unit receives the message and information from the speed sensors. The method includes a) counting, for each identifier, of a number “nt” of receptions of the identifier, b) statistical processing of the numbers “nt” to determine candidate identifiers of a wheel unit of the vehicle, until the number of candidate identifiers at least equals the number of wheels, and c) determining that a candidate identifier is the identifier of a wheel unit if the candidate identifier meets a predetermined criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Fink, Nicolas Guinart, Gregor Kuchler, Jürgen Spotka, Marc Pflugmann
  • Patent number: 9108473
    Abstract: A method for operating wheel electronics of a tire checking system includes providing wheel electronics having a battery-free power supply encompassing at least one rechargeable power storage medium for supplying power to the wheel electronics. The wheel electronics can be operated in a reduced-power transmission mode and a subsequent normal transmission mode. In the modes, data that relate to tire-specific parameters and are determined by the wheel electronics are transmitted to a vehicle-mounted communication device in the form of modulated transmission signals, with less transmission power being used for the transmission signals in the power-reduced transmission mode than in the normal transmission mode. Wheel electronics and a tire checking system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Haas, Gregor Kuchler
  • Patent number: 8909420
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a fill level of a plurality of tires of a vehicle includes a situation detecting unit set up for detecting a situation in which adaptation of a fill level of at least one of the tires of the vehicle is expected. The system further includes a fill level adaptation assistant set up for autonomously assisting a user of the vehicle during the adaptation of the fill level of the at least one tire when the situation is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Kuchler, Frank Fischer, Juergen Spotka
  • Patent number: 8798850
    Abstract: A method and a measurement system are specified for localizing at least one wheel on a motor vehicle. In this case the operating situation of the motor vehicle and the wheel load of the at least one wheel and/or a variable dependent on this is determined. Then the at least one measured value of the wheel load is compared with a value assigned to the operating situation. As an alternative or in addition, the comparison of at least one parameter dependent on at least two measured values can be undertaken with at least one of the parameters assigned to this operating situation. Finally the point on the motor vehicle at which the wheel is mounted is determined on the basis of the comparison results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Fink, Thomas Haas, Gregor Kuchler
  • Publication number: 20140019035
    Abstract: Method for determining identifiers of wheel units of a vehicle and positions relative to the vehicle of the wheels on which the wheel units are fitted, the vehicle being equipped with a speed sensor for each wheel, and each wheel unit is equipped with elements for transmitting at a predetermined angular position of the corresponding wheel about its axis a message including the identifier of the wheel unit. A central processing unit receives the message and information from the speed sensors. The method includes: a) counting, for each identifier, of a number “nt” of receptions of the identifier, b) statistical processing of the numbers “nt” to determine candidate identifiers of a wheel unit of the vehicle, until the number of candidate identifiers at least equals the number of wheels, c) determining that a candidate identifier is the identifier of a wheel unit if the candidate identifier meets a predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicants: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE
    Inventors: Alexander Fink, Nicolas Guinart, Gregor Kuchler, Jürgen Spotka, Marc Pflugmann
  • Patent number: 8577643
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for ascertaining the relative position of a first tire and a second tire in a multiple tire. The apparatus may include a first electromechanical transducer providing a first sensor signal indicating a contact area length of the first tire in the multiple tire, and a second electromechanical transducer providing a second sensor signal indicating a contact area length of the second tire in the multiple tire. The apparatus includes a reception unit configured for receiving the first and second sensor signals; a contact area characteristic ascertainment unit ascertaining the contact area lengths characteristic of the first and second tires based on the first and second sensor signals; and a position finding unit ascertaining the position of the first tire relative to the second tire by evaluating the contact length characteristics of the first and second tires during cornering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Gregor Kuchler
  • Patent number: 8362897
    Abstract: A method and a device for locating tires mounted on a vehicle. High frequency signals are captured by way of a first transmit/receive device arranged on a vehicle, said high-frequency signals originating from a wheel electronic system arranged on the vehicle, said wheel electronic system interacting with tires of a first tire group that are mounted on the vehicle. A trigger signal having a frequency that is clearly lower than the frequency of the high frequency signal, is emitted by the first transmit/receive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Fink, Frank Fischer, Gregor Kuchler
  • Publication number: 20120259511
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a fill level of a plurality of tires of a vehicle includes a situation detecting unit set up for detecting a situation in which adaptation of a fill level of at least one of the tires of the vehicle is expected. The system further includes a fill level adaptation assistant set up for autonomously assisting a user of the vehicle during the adaptation of the fill level of the at least one tire when the situation is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Gregor Kuchler, Frank Fischer, Juergen Spotka
  • Patent number: 8279054
    Abstract: A method and a monitoring unit for monitoring an air pressure in a tire of a motor vehicle register a measured value of the air pressure in the tire. The current and/or future distance of the motor vehicle relative to a service station and/or an operating situation of the motor vehicle associated with a service process is then determined. An alarm signal is only then output if the measured value does not reach a predefinable threshold value and one or both of the conditions applies: the current or future distance of the motor vehicle relative to a service station does not reach a predefinable threshold value, the registered operating situation corresponds to a predefinable operating situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gregor Kuchler, Axel Müller
  • Patent number: 8255114
    Abstract: A method and a measuring system determine a wheel load. These involve measuring a deformation of a tire and using a set of equations and equation parameters to calculate from the deformation the wheel load acting on the tire. In addition, a wheel load or a variable dependent on the load, which is used to calculate the wheel load, is received from an external system. Finally, the two wheel loads determined in different ways are compared, and the equations and/or equation parameters are adapted on the basis of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Fink, Thomas Haas, Gregor Kuchler
  • Patent number: 8248062
    Abstract: A rotational direction detector is specified which is provided for mounting to a circumferential segment of a wheel having at least one sensor, wherein a change in the output signal of the sensor occurs when the circumferential segment enters and/or leaves the wheel contact area. Furthermore a method is specified for determining the direction of rotation of a wheel, wherein the signal change is determined and a rotational direction signal is derived therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Gilles Dulac, Alexander Fink, Thomas Haas, Gregor Kuchler
  • Patent number: 8212663
    Abstract: A wheel electronic system and a method for operating a wheel electronic system. The wheel electronic system interacts with a tire secured to a vehicle and produces and emits, based on a captured trigger signal, a message containing information on at least one tire parameter measured with the wheel electronic system. The wheel electronic system is operated in an operational mode in which the system is configured to periodically capture the trigger signals in a first time period. Based on a predetermined first operational ratio of the vehicle, the wheel electronic system automatically switches to a test mode, in which the wheel electronic system is configured to periodically capture the trigger signals in a second time period which is substantially shorter than the first time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Fink, Frank Fischer, Gregor Kuchler
  • Patent number: 8035501
    Abstract: A tire monitoring system in or for a vehicle for determining tire-specific parameters has a distributed bus architecture. At least one intelligent receiving device is configured to receive transmit signals of a wheel electronic system. The receiving device has a signal processing device that carries out an evaluation of the received transmit signals and/or an evaluation of received signals of another subscriber of the bus architecture. The invention also relates to methods for operating the intelligent receiving devices of a distributed bus architecture of the novel tire monitoring or tire pressure system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Alexander Fink, Frank Fischer, Gregor Kuchler
  • Publication number: 20110153264
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for ascertaining the relative position of a first tire and a second tire in a multiple tire. The apparatus may include a first electromechanical transducer providing a first sensor signal indicating a contact area length of the first tire in the multiple tire, and a second electromechanical transducer providing a second sensor signal indicating a contact area length of the second tire in the multiple tire. The apparatus includes a reception unit configured for receiving the first and second sensor signals; a contact area characteristic ascertainment unit ascertaining the contact area lengths characteristic of the first and second tires based on the first and second sensor signals; and a position finding unit ascertaining the position of the first tire relative to the second tire by evaluating the contact length characteristics of the first and second tires during cornering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: GREGOR KUCHLER
  • Patent number: 7872568
    Abstract: A method for stimulating wheel electronics systems of single tires of at least one tire group in a motor vehicle. The wheel electronics systems are stimulated with a low frequency trigger signal, as follows: a trigger signal is emitted from an LF trigger to the wheel electronics systems of the relevant tire group at a variably adjustable first transmission field strength. Radio frequency signals are transmitted from those wheel-side wheel electronics systems, at which a sufficiently high transmission field strength of the trigger signal has arrived containing an item of trigger information, to a vehicle-side receiving unit. A determination is made of the number of RF signals received by the vehicle-side receiving unit, each containing one item of trigger information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive AG
    Inventors: Alexander Fink, Frank Fischer, Gregor Kuchler
  • Publication number: 20100308987
    Abstract: A method for operating wheel electronics of a tire checking system includes providing wheel electronics having a battery-free power supply encompassing at least one rechargeable power storage medium for supplying power to the wheel electronics. The wheel electronics can be operated in a reduced-power transmission mode and a subsequent normal transmission mode. In the modes, data that relate to tire-specific parameters and are determined by the wheel electronics are transmitted to a vehicle-mounted communication device in the form of modulated transmission signals, with less transmission power being used for the transmission signals in the power-reduced transmission mode than in the normal transmission mode. Wheel electronics and a tire checking system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Haas, Gregor Kuchler