Patents by Inventor Josef Plager

Josef Plager 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: 11146221
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for protecting a component (6) within an audio device (4) from the exceedance of a maximum internal temperature (TI), wherein a power loss (V) of the component (6) is determined, a measurement temperature (TM) is measured on the component (6), a temperature difference (DT) for the component (6) between the measurement temperature (TM) on the component and the internal temperature (TI) is determined from the power loss (V) by means of a thermal model (14) of the component (6), the internal temperature (TI) is determined as the sum of the measurement temperature (TM) and the temperature difference (DT), a permissible maximum value (VM) for the power loss (V) is determined on the basis of the internal temperature (TM) and known component data (16) of the component (6), and the component (6) is operated in a normal operating mode (N) if the power loss (V) does not exceed the maximum value (VM) or the component (6) is otherwise operated in reduced-power economy operating mode (S)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Hoffmeister, Gregor Sauer, Josef Plager, Patrick Engl, Thomas Stein
  • Patent number: 11108365
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a class-D amplifier (2) for an audio signal (4), which class-D amplifier contains an output stage (10) and a signal-processing unit (12) in a signal path (6), wherein a voltage (U) of at least two magnitudes (U1, U2) is provided for the output stage (10), a voltage requirement (B) of the output stage (10) for the audio signal (4) is predictively determined from the audio signal (4) at a measurement location (14) before the signal-processing unit (12), a magnitude (U1, U2) that is minimally sufficient for the voltage requirement (B) is selected on the basis of the voltage requirement (B) and said magnitude is applied to the output stage (10) before the amplification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Hoffmeister, Gregor Sauer, Josef Plager, Markus Mandl, Thomas Stein, Patrick Engl
  • Publication number: 20210135638
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a class-D amplifier (2) for an audio signal (4), which class-D amplifier contains an output stage (10) and a signal-processing unit (12) in a signal path (6), wherein a voltage (U) of at least two magnitudes (U1, U2) is provided for the output stage (10), a voltage requirement (B) of the output stage (10) for the audio signal (4) is predictively determined from the audio signal (4) at a measurement location (14) before the signal-processing unit (12), a magnitude (U1, U2) that is minimally sufficient for the voltage requirement (B) is selected on the basis of the voltage requirement (B) and said magnitude is applied to the output stage (10) before the amplification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Fabian Hoffmeister, Gregor Sauer, Josef Plager, Markus Mandl, Thomas Stein, Patrick Engl
  • Publication number: 20200091873
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for protecting a component (6) within an audio device (4) from the exceedance of a maximum internal temperature (TI), wherein a power loss (V) of the component (6) is determined, a measurement temperature (TM) is measured on the component (6), a temperature difference (DT) for the component (6) between the measurement temperature (TM) on the component and the internal temperature (TI) is determined from the power loss (V) by means of a thermal model (14) of the component (6), the internal temperature (TI) is determined as the sum of the measurement temperature (TM) and the temperature difference (DT), a permissible maximum value (VM) for the power loss (V) is determined on the basis of the internal temperature (TM) and known component data (16) of the component (6), and the component (6) is operated in a normal operating mode (N) if the power loss (V) does not exceed the maximum value (VM) or the component (6) is otherwise operated in reduced-power economy operating mode (S)
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Fabian Hoffmeister, Gregor Sauer, Josef Plager, Patrick Engl, Thomas Stein
  • Patent number: 10530251
    Abstract: Converter for the converting a DC input voltage into a DC output voltage, having at least one inductance and capacitance, which are interconnected in a power-conducting path, wherein a current inductance value of the inductance depends on a current value of a current flowing through the coil, having a regulator for regulating the DC output voltage to a setpoint, wherein the regulator comprises a parameter set that determines its regulation behavior, having a measurement module for determining at least one characteristic value of at least one characteristic parameter of the converter, and the converter contains a plurality of interchangeable parameter sets for the regulator, wherein each one of the parameter sets in the regulator can be activated, and having a control module for exchanging and activating each of the parameter sets in the regulator as a function of at least one of the characteristic values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Hoffmeister, Josef Plager, Thomas Stein
  • Patent number: 10411594
    Abstract: A converter is provided for converting a DC input voltage (UE) into a DC output voltage (UA). The converter includes a regulator for regulating the DC output voltage (UA) to a target value (UAS), wherein the regulator comprises a parameter set that determines the regulation behavior thereof. The converter includes a measurement module for determining at least one characteristic value (K) of at least one characteristic parameter of the converter, and at least two interchangeable parameter sets for the regulator Each one of the parameter sets can be activated in the regulator, wherein a first one of the parameter sets has a slower regulation behavior with regard to the DC output voltage (UA) than a second of the parameter sets. The converter includes a control module for the exchange and activation of each of the parameter sets in the regulator depending on at least one of the characteristic parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Stein, Fabian Hoffmeister, Josef Plager
  • Patent number: 10340690
    Abstract: An interference suppression stage for a power supply. The interference suppression stage has an input connected to an input module of the power supply, the input module connected to an electrical supply system, an output connected to an output module of the power supply, the output module connected to an electrical load, at least two power paths connected in parallel between input and output, wherein each of the power paths are configured to be switched between an active state and an inactive state, and a control unit configured to switch at least one of the power paths to the inactive state in a saving mode. The control unit switches different power paths alternately in time to inactive in saving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Hoffmeister, Josef Plager
  • Publication number: 20180123340
    Abstract: An interference suppression stage for a power supply. The interference suppression stage has an input connected to an input module of the power supply, the input module connected to an electrical supply system, an output connected to an output module of the power supply, the output module connected to an electrical load, at least two power paths connected in parallel between input and output, wherein each of the power paths are configured to be switched between an active state and an inactive state, and a control unit configured to switch at least one of the power paths to the inactive state in a saving mode. The control unit switches different power paths alternately in time to inactive in saving mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Fabian Hoffmeister, Josef Plager
  • Patent number: 9515620
    Abstract: An amplifier arrangement for amplifying at least one first and one second audio input signal. In one embodiment, the arrangement includes a master amplifier designed as a class D amplifier. The first audio input signal is applied to the master audio input and a master audio output signal is applied to the master audio output. The arrangement also includes a master feedback loop; thus enabling the master amplifier to be designed as a self-oscillating class D amplifier having a master oscillation frequency, at least one slave amplifier, a slave feedback loop, wherein a slave audio output signal or signal portions thereof are fed back into a slave audio input, and a master-slave coupling loop, wherein the master audio output signal or signal portions thereof is coupled into the slave audio input, so that the slave amplifier has the master oscillation frequency as its oscillation frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Plager, Patrick Engl, Thomas Stein
  • Patent number: 9515619
    Abstract: An amplifier arrangement for amplifying an audio input signal AES into an audio output signal AAS, having a conditioning apparatus for converting the audio input signal AES into a conditioned intermediate signal ZS. The conditioning apparatus includes an audio input interface for accepting the audio input signal and a digital data processing device. The amplifier arrangement also includes an amplifier apparatus for amplifying the intermediate signal ZS into the audio output signal AAS and the amplifier apparatus has at least one operating voltage BS. The amplifier arrangement also includes a limiting module for limiting the audio output signal AAS by changing a gain parameter VK.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Plager, Patrick Engl, Thomas Stein
  • Patent number: 9496829
    Abstract: An amplifier arrangement with a Class D design is proposed which has a low-pass filter device comprising a first inductor and a second inductor The first inductor is arranged between a first load output and a load and the second inductor is arranged between a second load output and the load. The first and second inductors are coupled to one another so that the total inductance of the two inductors is greater than the sum of the individual inductances of the two inductors and also less than or equal to 1.95 times the sum of the individual inductances of the two inductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Plager, Patrick Engl, Thomas Stein
  • Patent number: 9225309
    Abstract: The invention relates to an audio amplifier (1) for amplifying an input signal into an output signal, comprising an output amplification stage (6), wherein the output amplification stage (6) for the amplification of an intermediate signal into the output signal is designed as an amplifier operating in switching operation, and further comprising a limiter device (4), which from a programming and/or a circuit design point of view is designed to generate the intermediate signal on the basis of the input signal, wherein the level of the intermediate signal is always limited by a maximum load as a function of a settable maximum output and a load impedance which is coupled and/or can be coupled the audio amplifier or equivalent parameter thresholds such that the output signal does not exceed the maximum load at the load impedance, or the equivalent parameter thresholds, independently of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Taffner, Gregor Sauer, Christian Glueck, Josef Plager, Peter Hallstein
  • Patent number: 9130512
    Abstract: Audio amplifiers are used in many known forms in music systems, for example for domestic use or for playing music in cinemas, discos etc., but also in public address systems, as are known, for example, in public buildings, schools, universities etc. for making announcements. The invention proposes an audio amplifier (1) for amplifying an input signal into an output signal using an output amplifier stage (6), wherein the output amplifier stage (6) is designed to amplify an intermediate signal into the output signal, and wherein the output amplifier stage (6) is in the form of an amplifier which operates in switching mode, and having a limiter device (4) which is designed, from a program and/or circuit point of view, to generate the intermediate signal on the basis of the input signal, wherein the level of the intermediate signal is always limited as a function of an adjustable maximum level in such a way that the output signal does not exceed the maximum level independently of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Maier, Josef Taffner, Josef Plager
  • Publication number: 20150207471
    Abstract: An amplifier arrangement for amplifying an audio input signal AES into an audio output signal AAS, having a conditioning apparatus for converting the audio input signal AES into a conditioned intermediate signal ZS. The conditioning apparatus includes an audio input interface for accepting the audio input signal and a digital data processing device. The amplifier arrangement also includes an amplifier apparatus for amplifying the intermediate signal ZS into the audio output signal AAS and the amplifier apparatus has at least one operating voltage BS. The amplifier arrangement also includes a limiting module for limiting the audio output signal AAS by changing a gain parameter VK.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Josef Plager, Patrick Engl, Thomas Stein
  • Publication number: 20150207473
    Abstract: An amplifier arrangement with a Class D design is proposed which has a low-pass filter device comprising a first inductor and a second inductor The first inductor is arranged between a first load output and a load and the second inductor is arranged between a second load output and the load. The first and second inductors are coupled to one another so that the total inductance of the two inductors is greater than the sum of the individual inductances of the two inductors and also less than or equal to 1.95 times the sum of the individual inductances of the two inductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Josef Plager, Patrick Engl, Thomas Stein
  • Publication number: 20150207472
    Abstract: An amplifier arrangement for amplifying at least one first and one second audio input signal. In one embodiment, the arrangement includes a master amplifier designed as a class D amplifier. The first audio input signal is applied to the master audio input and a master audio output signal is applied to the master audio output. The arrangement also includes a master feedback loop; thus enabling the master amplifier to be designed as a self-oscillating class D amplifier having a master oscillation frequency, at least one slave amplifier, a slave feedback loop, wherein a slave audio output signal or signal portions thereof are fed back into a slave audio input, and a master-slave coupling loop, wherein the master audio output signal or signal portions thereof is coupled into the slave audio input, so that the slave amplifier has the master oscillation frequency as its oscillation frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Josef Plager, Patrick Engl, Thomas Stein
  • Publication number: 20110158437
    Abstract: The invention relates to an audio amplifier (1) for amplifying an input signal into an output signal, comprising an output amplification stage (6), wherein the output amplification stage (6) for the amplification of an intermediate signal into the output signal is designed as an amplifier operating in switching operation, and further comprising a limiter device (4), which from a programming and/or a circuit design point of view is designed to generate the intermediate signal on the basis of the input signal, wherein the level of the intermediate signal is always limited by a maximum load as a function of a settable maximum output and a load impedance which is coupled and/or can be coupled the audio amplifier or equivalent parameter thresholds such that the output signal does not exceed the maximum load at the load impedance, or the equivalent parameter thresholds, independently of the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Josef Taffner, Gregor Ssuer, Christian Glueck, Josef Plager, Peter Hallstein
  • Publication number: 20110128075
    Abstract: Audio amplifiers are used in many known forms in music systems, for example for domestic use or for playing music in cinemas, discos etc., but also in public address systems, as are known, for example, in public buildings, schools, universities etc. for making announcements. The invention proposes an audio amplifier (1) for amplifying an input signal into an output signal using an output amplifier stage (6), wherein the output amplifier stage (6) is designed to amplify an intermediate signal into the output signal, and wherein the output amplifier stage (6) is in the form of an amplifier which operates in switching mode, and having a limiter device (4) which is designed, from a program and/or circuit point of view, to generate the intermediate signal on the basis of the input signal, wherein the level of the intermediate signal is always limited as a function of an adjustable maximum level in such a way that the output signal does not exceed the maximum level independently of the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Martin Maier, Josef Taffner, Josef Plager