Patents by Inventor Hans-Clemens Steffel

Hans-Clemens Steffel 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: 8395514
    Abstract: An optical system is proposed which is configured to detect an obscuration of the optical components and to optionally initiate measures, which either warn the driver and/or activate a heater which reduces the detected obscuration of the image. The system is controlled by a method for detecting an obscuration, which comprises a high reliability for detecting obscurations through the evaluation of additional sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Frank Linsenmaier, Daniel Wagner, Oliver Eder, Hans-Clemens Steffel
  • Publication number: 20110010041
    Abstract: The invention is related to a software for an automotive hazard detection and information system for vehicles running on at least one controller, wherein the software uses data of at least one optical sensor or a sensor group including an optical sensor, and comprises at least one analysis and interpretation unit per sensor or sensor group to determine geometry data and motion data of vehicle equipped with the software and/or of objects that arise hazardous situation and/or information requiring situation in the surrounding of the vehicle. The software provides the analysed data for at least one display unit and/or warning indicator for each sensor or sensor group. The software comprises software modules for different detection and information functions that use the same optical sensor data parallel for analysing and providing the different functions and that at least two modules are activated the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniel Wagner, Hans-Clemens Steffel, Heinz-Erwin Schaeffer
  • Publication number: 20090315723
    Abstract: An optical system is proposed which is configured to detect an obscuration of the optical components and to optionally initiate measures, which either warn the driver and/or activate a heater which reduces the detected obscuration of the image. The system is controlled by a method for detecting an obscuration, which comprises a high reliability for detecting obscurations through the evaluation of additional sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Visiocorp Patents S.a.r.l
    Inventors: Frank Linsenmaier, Daniel Wagner, Oliver Eder, Hans-Clemens Steffel
  • Publication number: 20090187287
    Abstract: The invention is related to a climate control system with one dimmable device capable of variably reducing the transmission of radiation through a window, and a climate control unit coupled to and adapted to control the dimmable device. The dimmable device includes at least one inherent conductive polymer and at least one ionic liquid. The dimmable device is controlled to change colours and/or dimming levels by applying a voltage pulse of a first electrical polarisation for darkening and a second reverse polarized voltage pulse for bleaching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: Visiocorp Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Ulrich Bruhnke, Kurt Wilfinger, Hans-Clemens Steffel
  • Publication number: 20080123357
    Abstract: A tail light assembly for a motor vehicle includes a plurality of signal lights to signal various operations. Each of the plurality of signal lights includes segments of lights that are independently operable. A sensor system is electrically connected to the segments of lights for measuring an event and for creating a control signal in response to the occurrence of an event. The tail light assembly also includes a control module electrically connected between the segments of lights and the sensor system. The control module receives the control signal and operates each of the plurality of segments of lights to ensure each of the plurality of signal lights can operate to maximize visibility through a plurality of positions with respect to the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Hans-Clemens Steffel, Filip Rosenstein, Bernd Mack
  • Publication number: 20060250224
    Abstract: A hazard detection system for vehicles with at least one side and rear area sensing device, area interpretation device, and driver reaction assistance, wherein the area sensing device detects objects in motion which are moving relative to the vehicle carrying the hazard detection system. The hazard detection system has two sensors oriented opposite to the direction of travel. It includes at least one analysis and interpretation unit per sensor to determine geometry data and motion data of the sensed object. In addition, it has at least one display unit per sensor. Moreover, it has at least one information, control, and/or regulating unit acting on the vehicle brake system, vehicle steering system, and/or other vehicle assemblies, wherein said unit is influenced by the analysis and interpretation units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicant: Schefenacker Vision Systems Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Clemens Steffel, Daniel Wagner, Dag Wagner
  • Patent number: 6703925
    Abstract: A monitoring device for vehicles has a housing and at least one mirror glass arranged in the housing so as to have a front side facing an observer. The at least one mirror glass has a reflective layer being reflective in the visible spectral range of light. At least one camera is arranged behind the reflective layer in a viewing direction viewed from the front side. The monitoring device can be used for driver identification, monitoring the driver's condition, identifying passengers and passenger positions, controlling airbags, theft surveillance, and similar purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans-Clemens Steffel
  • Publication number: 20010054655
    Abstract: A cleaning device has a tank for liquid and a conveying device as well as an outlet opening. A conduit is connected to the tank and to the outlet opening. The conveying device is connected to the conduit and introduces a compressed gas into the conduit so that the cleaning medium exiting from outlet opening is a mixture of the liquid contained in the tank and the compressed gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: ROLAND BERG, HANS-CLEMENS STEFFEL, HELMUT HAF, WOLFGANG ROBEL
  • Publication number: 20010022550
    Abstract: A monitoring device for vehicles has a housing and at least one mirror glass arranged in the housing so as to have a front side facing an observer. The at least one mirror glass has a reflective layer being reflective in the visible spectral range of light. At least one camera is arranged behind the reflective layer in a viewing direction viewed from the front side. The monitoring device can be used for driver identification, monitoring the driver's condition, identifying passengers and passenger positions, controlling airbags, theft surveillance, and similar purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: Reitter & Schefenacker Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans-Clemens Steffel