Patents by Inventor Joris MERTENS

Joris MERTENS 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: 11932107
    Abstract: A display surface of a self-luminous screen element is divided into first and second display regions by a bend region. A selective shielding unit transmits light from the screen element along a preferred direction and blocks light along a blocking direction and/or deflects light from the blocking direction. When installed in a motor vehicle, the display device faces a surface region at a distance from the screen element on which a reflection of the display content displayed on the second display region is visible from a predetermined viewing point. In this case, the preferred direction of the selective shielding unit in the second display region is oriented toward the surface region and the blocking direction in the second display region is oriented toward the predetermined viewing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Andrej Zachar, Jacques Helot, Joris Mertens
  • Patent number: 11932108
    Abstract: A display panel with a first panel side and a second panel side is included in a display device. The display panel displays at least one graphic display object. The display panel includes a first layer which is a pixel matrix and a second layer which includes a plurality of predetermined primary subareas. The display device includes control circuitry to enable the displaying of the graphic display object based on a predefined display alignment in one of a first orientation and a second orientation. The control circuitry adjusts a respective light transmission to a predetermined individual degree for each of the predetermined primary subareas independent of each other based on a physical environment condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jacques Helot, Ulrich Mueller, Immo Redeker, Joris Mertens, Michael Herter, André Georgi
  • Patent number: 11731512
    Abstract: A display panel for displaying at least one graphical display object and a control device are part of a display apparatus in a motor vehicle. The display panel is freestanding in a space and has a multiplicity of predetermined sections, each having a settable degree of light transmittance. As a result, an environment of the display panel may be visible in the display panel, depending on the degree of light transmittance. The control device is configured to individually set a respective light transmittance to a predetermined degree for each of the multiplicity of predetermined sections of the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jacques Helot, Ulrich Mueller, Immo Redeker, Joris Mertens, Anna Hufnagel
  • Patent number: 11562688
    Abstract: A display panel has a first panel side and a second panel side, both capable of displaying graphic display object(s). The display panel has a pixel layer, control circuitry and a sensor unit which identify the presence of at least one person at a predefined threshold distance from the display device and whether the at least one person is on the first panel side or the second panel side. The control circuitry is adapted to enable the displaying of the graphic display object in accordance with a predefined display alignment in one of a first orientation and a second orientation based on a physical environment condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jacques Helot, Joris Mertens
  • Publication number: 20220355667
    Abstract: A one-piece display has a main display area at least partly viewable from one point of observation, and a secondary display area arranged so as to not be viewable from that point of observation. The main display area and the secondary display area are arranged relative to one another in such a way that the secondary display area is reflected in the main display area to produce a virtual display plane that is viewable from the point of observation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Joris MERTENS, Jacques HÉLOT, Immo REDEKER
  • Patent number: 11454814
    Abstract: A display panel with a pixel matrix has control circuitry designed to actuate at least one pixel element of the pixel matrix for displaying at least one graphic display object. The display panel is flexible and is movably supported by a controllable supporting arrangement. An electronic control unit can adjust a position of the display panel as a function of a position signal between a first position, where the display panel can cover at least one portion of a vehicle roof, and a second position, where the display panel can cover at least one portion of a windscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Lena Rittger, Joris Mertens, Sung Jun Park, Seung Mo Kang, Jiwon Oh
  • Patent number: 11451228
    Abstract: An operating device for a motor vehicle, having a touch-sensitive operating element with a frame element and a central region. The touch-sensitive operating interface has a predetermined operating region at each of at least two predetermined touch positions for activating an operating function assigned to the respective operating region. The operating element is arranged to be displaceable at least partially along a translation axis that intersects the operating interface. The operating device has only one detection element, which is arranged facing an inner side of the touch-sensitive operating element that faces away from the touch-sensitive operating interface, and which is arranged to detect a displacement of each operating region along the translation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Jacques Hélot, Joris Mertens, Maximilian Mitwalsky, Clemens Volz, Günther Seitz, Ulrich Müller, Tobias Hopf
  • Patent number: 11352044
    Abstract: A steering handle for a steering apparatus of a motor vehicle includes an end face which faces a user when the steering handle is in a position of use and a display element arranged on a side of the steering handle which faces away from the end face. A control device carries out a method by which a position of the steering handle is changed based on a driving mode set by a driver assistance device. The control device generates an adjustment signal to change between a position of use of the steering handle and a position of rest of the steering handle. When the steering handle is in a position of rest, a surface of the steering handle which faces away from the user when the steering handle is in the position of use instead faces the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Immo Redeker, Jacques Hélot, Joris Mertens
  • Publication number: 20220075191
    Abstract: A display panel with a pixel matrix has control circuitry designed to actuate at least one pixel element of the pixel matrix for displaying at least one graphic display object. The display panel is flexible and is movably supported by a controllable supporting arrangement. An electronic control unit can adjust a position of the display panel as a function of a position signal between a first position, where the display panel can cover at least one portion of a vehicle roof, and a second position, where the display panel can cover at least one portion of a windscreen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Lena RITTGER, Joris MERTENS, Sung Jun PARK, Seung Mo KANG, Jiwon OH
  • Publication number: 20220068199
    Abstract: A display panel has a first panel side and a second panel side, both capable of displaying graphic display object(s). The display panel has a pixel layer, control circuitry and a sensor unit which identify the presence of at least one person at a predefined threshold distance from the display device and whether the at least one person is on the first panel side or the second panel side. The control circuitry is adapted to enable the displaying of the graphic display object in accordance with a predefined display alignment in one of a first orientation and a second orientation based on a physical environment condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jacques HELOT, Joris MERTENS
  • Publication number: 20220016978
    Abstract: A display panel with a first panel side and a second panel side is included in a display device. The display panel displays at least one graphic display object. The display panel includes a first layer which is a pixel matrix and a second layer which includes a plurality of predetermined primary subareas. The display device includes control circuitry to enable the displaying of the graphic display object based on a predefined display alignment in one of a first orientation and a second orientation. The control circuitry adjusts a respective light transmission to a predetermined individual degree for each of the predetermined primary subareas independent of each other based on a physical environment condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jacques HELOT, Ulrich MUELLER, lmmo REDEKER, Joris MERTENS, Michael HERTER, André GEORGI
  • Patent number: 11227565
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an interactive visibility screen on a transparent pane of a pane device, in particular in a motor vehicle. The visibility screen is generated by means of a display unit of the pane device on the pane by pixel-wise fade-in of opaque image points, wherein the image points form a coherent visibility screen area. In the method, an operational action by the user is first detected by means of a detection device, which comprises a selection of a setting range and a movement relative to the pane. Subsequently, an expansion of the visibility screen area at the setting range is set as a function of the detected movement by means of a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Joris Mertens, Georg Haslinger, Jacques Hélot, Markus Klug
  • Patent number: 11167640
    Abstract: At least one piece of information is displayed by a display apparatus in a motor vehicle. The display apparatus has a first subregion in the form of a viewing window of the motor vehicle, where the viewing window is part of the boundary of an interior of the motor vehicle. A second display subregion, designed to display the information, is formed integrally with the first subregion, such that the first subregion and the second display subregion lead into one another at an angle. At least regions of the second display subregion are designed so as to project into the interior of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Joris Mertens, Jacques Hélot, Immo Redeker
  • Publication number: 20210316611
    Abstract: A display surface of a self-luminous screen element is divided into first and second display regions by a bend region. A selective shielding unit transmits light from the screen element along a preferred direction and blocks light along a blocking direction and/or deflects light from the blocking direction. When installed in a motor vehicle, the display device faces a surface region at a distance from the screen element on which a reflection of the display content displayed on the second display region is visible from a predetermined viewing point. In this case, the preferred direction of the selective shielding unit in the second display region is oriented toward the surface region and the blocking direction in the second display region is oriented toward the predetermined viewing point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Andrej ZACHAR, Jacques HELOT, Joris MERTENS
  • Patent number: 11131396
    Abstract: An inlet valve containing a housing with an entry and an exit and an internal part which together with an external part delimits a flow channel between entry and exit, whereby this flow channel is closable by a valve. The valve includes a piston and a valve member. The piston slides in the housing and is connected with the exit and the valve member is formed by a valve shaft piston which slides in the piston such that in rest mode the valve member is pushed by the piston against valve seat. Between the valve shaft piston and the piston a chamber is enclosed which comes into fluid connection with the pressure vessel and has a blow-off exit forming a fluid connection between the chamber and the entry, whereby the valve shaft piston contains a bypass channel connected with the chamber and the sidewall of the valve shaft piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO AIRPOWER, NAAMLOZE VENNOOTSCHAP
    Inventor: Joris Mertens
  • Publication number: 20210138902
    Abstract: A display panel for displaying at least one graphical display object and a control device are part of a display apparatus in a motor vehicle. The display panel is freestanding in a space and has a multiplicity of predetermined sections, each having a settable degree of light transmittance. As a result, an environment of the display panel may be visible in the display panel, depending on the degree of light transmittance. The control device is configured to individually set a respective light transmittance to a predetermined degree for each of the multiplicity of predetermined sections of the display panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jacques HELOT, Ulrich MUELLER, Immo REDEKER, Joris MERTENS, Anna HUFNAGEL
  • Patent number: 10960762
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle having a detection device for detecting a property of a vehicle occupant and an operator control and display device which is coupled to the detection device, has a display region and is configured to display information in the display region and by means of which a symbol can be displayed in the display region as a function of the sensed property. It is provided here that the property which is detected by means of the detection device is a position of the vehicle occupant, and the operator control and display device is configured to display the symbol in a partial region of the display region which is determined as a function of the detected position, and to assign the symbol to the vehicle occupant in such a way that when there is a change in position of the vehicle occupant that the symbol follows the vehicle occupant. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a vehicle. The invention makes particularly flexible use of the vehicle possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Joris Mertens, Georg Haslinger, Edwin Ollefers, Markus Klug
  • Patent number: 10917984
    Abstract: A display device has a display surface with at least two display regions for displaying display content, and a folding device configured to fold the display surface. The folding device can optionally have a rail element which runs parallel to a direction of extent of one of the display regions and is arranged displaceably parallel thereto. A lever element of the folding device has a first end arranged on the rail element, and a second end with at least one holding element arranged on a foldable display region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Immo Redeker, Jacques Hélot, Joris Mertens
  • Publication number: 20200398668
    Abstract: At least one piece of information is displayed by a display apparatus in a motor vehicle. The display apparatus has a first subregion in the form of a viewing window of the motor vehicle, where the viewing window is part of the boundary of an interior of the motor vehicle. A second display subregion, designed to display the information, is formed integrally with the first subregion, such that the first subregion and the second display subregion lead into one another at an angle. At least regions of the second display subregion are designed so as to project into the interior of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Joris MERTENS, Jacques HÉLOT, Immo REDEKER
  • Patent number: 10867588
    Abstract: Vehicle information is displayed on a deformable display of an instrument cluster for a motor vehicle. The instrument cluster includes the deformable display, a support structure, at least one sensor element, and at least one movement element. The deformable display is arranged on the support structure and the support structure is movable from a first position into a second position by using the at least one movement element, based on environmental influences detected by the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Jacques Hélot, Joris Mertens, Immo Redeker