Patents by Inventor Simon Hainz

Simon Hainz 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).

  • Publication number: 20240118111
    Abstract: A sensor module may include a back-bias magnet with a magnetization in a first direction. The sensor module may include a sensor chip including a first set of tunnel magnetoresistive (TMR) sensing elements. The sensor chip may be configured to determine a characteristic of a first magnetic field component using the first set of TMR sensing elements, and to generate a sensor signal based at least in part on the characteristic of the first magnetic field component. A value of the sensor signal may correspond to a linear position of a ferromagnetic object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: Simon HAINZ, Matthias POHL
  • Publication number: 20230152344
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor configured to detect a rotation of an object includes at least one sensor element configured to generate at least one sensor signal based on a magnetic field that is modulated by the rotation of the object; a sensor circuit configured to generate a data transmission signal based on the at least one sensor signal, wherein the data transmission signal comprises a plurality of data transmission blocks; and a memory configured to store transmission block status information indicative of whether or not one of the plurality of data transmission blocks has been triggered for transmission. The sensor circuit is configured to detect an interrupt event that disrupts the transmission of the data transmission signal and avoid a complete loss of a data transmission block due to the detected interrupt event based on the transmission block status information present at a time the interrupt event is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christoph SCHROERS, Simon HAINZ, Alessandro PETRI, Massimiliano ZILLI
  • Patent number: 11585824
    Abstract: A sensor device includes at least one first sensor element that generates a first sensor signal based on sensing a varying magnetic field; at least one second sensor element that generates a second sensor signal based on sensing the varying magnetic field; a signal tracking circuit that generates a trigger signal having trigger pulses that are generated based on crossings of the first sensor signal with an adaptive threshold and extracts vibration relevant information using the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal; an output controller that generates an output signal having output pulses that are triggered by the trigger pulses during a non-vibration event and suppress the output pulses during an entire duration of a vibration event; and a vibration detection circuit that detects the vibration event based on the extracted vibration relevant information and indicates the vibration event to the output controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Johannes Guettinger, Peter Alfred Friessnegger, Simon Hainz
  • Publication number: 20230041154
    Abstract: A wheel sensor arrangement can include a first wheel speed sensor and a second wheel speed sensor. The first wheel speed sensor can include or be implemented with a first semiconductor die and can provide data regarding a speed of a rotating wheel. The second wheel speed sensor can also include or be implemented with a second semiconductor die and can provide data regarding the speed of the rotating wheel. The second semiconductor die can be galvanically isolated from the first semiconductor die. The wheel sensor arrangement can include a mold housing that forms around the first wheel speed sensor and the second wheel speed sensor. The mold housing can include a separation feature between the first sensor and the second sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang SCHWEIKER, Simone FONTANESI, Simon HAINZ, Manfred SCHINDLER, Michael WEBER
  • Patent number: 11525874
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a sensor arrangement including a plurality of resistive elements electrically arranged in an asymmetrical bridge circuit, where the plurality of resistive elements include a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements and a plurality of non-magnetic sensitive resistive elements. Moreover, a first total resistance of a first pair of resistive elements is different from a second total resistance of a second pair of resistive elements. A first leg of the asymmetrical bridge circuit includes a first magnetic field sensor element and a first non-magnetic sensitive resistive element. A second leg of the asymmetrical bridge circuit includes a second magnetic field sensor element and a second non-magnetic sensitive resistive element. The asymmetrical bridge circuit is configured to generate a differential signal based on sensor signals generated by the plurality of magnetic field sensor elements in response to a magnetic field impinging thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Simon Hainz
  • Publication number: 20220128587
    Abstract: A sensor device includes at least one first sensor element that generates a first sensor signal based on sensing a varying magnetic field; at least one second sensor element that generates a second sensor signal based on sensing the varying magnetic field; a signal tracking circuit that generates a trigger signal having trigger pulses that are generated based on crossings of the first sensor signal with an adaptive threshold and extracts vibration relevant information using the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal; an output controller that generates an output signal having output pulses that are triggered by the trigger pulses during a non-vibration event and suppress the output pulses during an entire duration of a vibration event; and a vibration detection circuit that detects the vibration event based on the extracted vibration relevant information and indicates the vibration event to the output controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Johannes GUETTINGER, Peter Alfred FRIESSNEGGER, Simon HAINZ
  • Publication number: 20220107338
    Abstract: A monitoring device of a sensor may obtain a first signal at a point on a first branch of a signal path of the sensor. The monitoring device may obtain a second signal at a point on a second branch of the signal path of the sensor and may monitor the first signal for first characteristics indicated by the first signal. The monitoring device may monitor the second signal for second characteristics indicated by the second signal. The monitoring device may determine whether a quantity of first characteristics indicated by the first signal without a particular quantity of second characteristics being indicated by the second signal reaches a threshold quantity of first characteristics. The monitoring device may assess functionality of the signal path based on whether the quantity of first characteristics indicated by the first signal without a particular quantity of second characteristics being indicated by the second signal reaches the threshold quantity of first characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Johannes GUETTINGER, Bernhard FORSTER, Simon HAINZ
  • Patent number: 11255895
    Abstract: A sensor system having a current interface includes a supply and current interface, an electronic control unit and an enhanced initialization sensor. The supply and current interface is configured to receive a supply voltage. The electronic control unit is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is configured to initialize the supply and current interface at a suitable current level to mitigate erroneous information. measurement system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christoph Schroers, Christof Bodner, Simon Hainz
  • Publication number: 20210333337
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a sensor arrangement including a plurality of resistive elements electrically arranged in an asymmetrical bridge circuit, where the plurality of resistive elements include a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements and a plurality of non-magnetic sensitive resistive elements. Moreover, a first total resistance of a first pair of resistive elements is different from a second total resistance of a second pair of resistive elements. A first leg of the asymmetrical bridge circuit includes a first magnetic field sensor element and a first non-magnetic sensitive resistive element. A second leg of the asymmetrical bridge circuit includes a second magnetic field sensor element and a second non-magnetic sensitive resistive element. The asymmetrical bridge circuit is configured to generate a differential signal based on sensor signals generated by the plurality of magnetic field sensor elements in response to a magnetic field impinging thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Simon HAINZ
  • Patent number: 11137456
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor is configured to measure a magnetic field whose magnitude oscillates between a first extrema and a second extrema. The magnetic sensor includes a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements, each configured to generate a sensor signal in response to the magnetic field impinging thereon. The plurality of sensor elements are grouped into a first group from which a first measurement signal is derived and a second group from which a second measurement signal is derived, and the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal having a phase difference based on different phases. The magnetic sensor further includes a sensor circuit configured to receive the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal, and apply a signal conversion algorithm thereto to generate a converted measurement signal having an increased frequency with respect to the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Inventors: Helmut Koeck, Simon Hainz, Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 11079447
    Abstract: Magnetic sensors, sensor modules, and methods thereof are provided. A magnetic sensor includes a sensor arrangement including a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements electrically arranged in an asymmetrical bridge circuit, where a first total resistance of a first pair of sensor elements provided on a first side of the asymmetrical bridge circuit is different from a second total resistance of a second pair of sensor elements provided on a second side of the asymmetrical bridge circuit, and the asymmetrical bridge circuit is configured to generate a differential signal based on sensor signals generated by the plurality of magnetic field sensor elements in response to a magnetic field impinging thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Inventor: Simon Hainz
  • Patent number: 11049387
    Abstract: A signal encoder for encoding a wheel speed sensor signal includes an input interface. The input interface is configured to receive a wheel speed sensor signal providing speed information and additional information. Furthermore, the signal encoder includes a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit is configured to generate a first and a second speed pulse. A time interval between the first and the second speed pulse corresponds to the speed information. Additionally, the signal processing circuit is configured to generate a data pulse between the first and the second speed pulse based on the additional information. The generation of the data pulse is in in accordance with a modulation scheme having a modulation order of at least three. Furthermore, the signal encoder includes an output interface. The output interface is configured to sequentially output the first speed pulse, the data pulse, and the second speed pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Simon Hainz, Robert Hermann
  • Patent number: 10908177
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a first bridge circuit including a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements, each configured to generate a sensor signal in response to the magnetic field impinging thereon. The first bridge circuit is configured to generate a first differential signal based on sensor signals generated by the plurality of magnetic field sensor elements. The plurality of magnetic field sensor elements include a first, second, and third group of sensor elements. The first group is arranged at center region of the magnetic sensor, the second group is arranged at a first side region of the magnetic sensor and are displaced a first distance from the first group, and the third group is arranged at a second side region of the magnetic sensor, opposite to the first side region, and is displaced a second distance from the first group that is substantially equal to the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Simon Hainz, Johannes Guettinger
  • Patent number: 10900814
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor may detect a system-level error, associated with a sensor system that includes the magnetic sensor, based on one or more physical parameters as determined at the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor may provide an indication of the system-level error in an output signal. The one or more physical parameters may include a temperature at the magnetic sensor, a temperature drift of the magnetic sensor, a supply voltage at the magnetic sensor, an amount of humidity at the magnetic sensor, or an amount of pressure at the magnetic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Simon Hainz
  • Publication number: 20200400760
    Abstract: Magnetic sensors, sensor modules, and methods thereof are provided. A magnetic sensor includes a sensor arrangement including a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements electrically arranged in an asymmetrical bridge circuit, where a first total resistance of a first pair of sensor elements provided on a first side of the asymmetrical bridge circuit is different from a second total resistance of a second pair of sensor elements provided on a second side of the asymmetrical bridge circuit, and the asymmetrical bridge circuit is configured to generate a differential signal based on sensor signals generated by the plurality of magnetic field sensor elements in response to a magnetic field impinging thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Simon HAINZ
  • Patent number: 10852365
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a bridge circuit including a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements, each configured to generate a sensor signal in response to the magnetic field impinging thereon, where the bridge circuit is configured to generate a differential signal based on sensor signals generated by the plurality of magnetic field sensor elements. The bridge circuit further includes a plurality of resistors, where at least one resistor of the plurality of resistors is coupled in parallel to each of the plurality of magnetic field sensor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Johannes Guettinger, Simon Hainz, Armin Satz
  • Publication number: 20200341025
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor includes a first bridge circuit including a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements, each configured to generate a sensor signal in response to the magnetic field impinging thereon. The first bridge circuit is configured to generate a first differential signal based on sensor signals generated by the plurality of magnetic field sensor elements. The plurality of magnetic field sensor elements include a first, second, and third group of sensor elements. The first group is arranged at center region of the magnetic sensor, the second group is arranged at a first side region of the magnetic sensor and are displaced a first distance from the first group, and the third group is arranged at a second side region of the magnetic sensor, opposite to the first side region, and is displaced a second distance from the first group that is substantially equal to the first distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Simon HAINZ, Johannes GUETTINGER
  • Publication number: 20200319271
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor is configured to measure a magnetic field whose magnitude oscillates between a first extrema and a second extrema. The magnetic sensor includes a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements, each configured to generate a sensor signal in response to the magnetic field impinging thereon. The plurality of sensor elements are grouped into a first group from which a first measurement signal is derived and a second group from which a second measurement signal is derived, and the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal having a phase difference based on different phases. The magnetic sensor further includes a sensor circuit configured to receive the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal, and apply a signal conversion algorithm thereto to generate a converted measurement signal having an increased frequency with respect to the first measurement signal and the second measurement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Helmut KOECK, Simon HAINZ, Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20200284829
    Abstract: A sensor system having a current interface includes a supply and current interface, an electronic control unit and an enhanced initialization sensor. The supply and current interface is configured to receive a supply voltage. The electronic control unit is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is configured to initialize the supply and current interface at a suitable current level to mitigate erroneous information. measurement system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Christoph Schroers, Christof Bodner, Simon Hainz
  • Patent number: 10761153
    Abstract: Magnetic sensors, sensor modules, and methods thereof are provided. A magnetic sensor includes a sensor arrangement including a plurality of magnetic field sensor elements electrically arranged in an asymmetrical bridge circuit, where a first total resistance of a first pair of sensor elements provided on a first side of the asymmetrical bridge circuit is different from a second total resistance of a second pair of sensor elements provided on a second side of the asymmetrical bridge circuit, and the asymmetrical bridge circuit is configured to generate a differential signal based on sensor signals generated by the plurality of magnetic field sensor elements in response to a magnetic field impinging thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Simon Hainz