Patents by Inventor Stefan Wolter
Stefan Wolter 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).
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Patent number: 11931520Abstract: A method for detecting the tendency of a passenger of a vehicle to get motion sickness by using a rod and frame test is disclosed. An image designed to carry out a rod and frame test is displayed in the vehicle. The rod and the frame each enclose an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with a horizontal spatial axis and/or a vertical spatial axis. A request is issued to correct the rod into a vertical or horizontal position by means of an input device. An input carried out by the passenger to correct the rod is recorded. The rod and frame test is evaluated by an evaluation device based on the recorded input of the passenger, and at least one measure is issued to prevent and/or combat the occurrence of motion sickness, depending on the result of the evaluation.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eike Schmidt, Jelte Egbert Bos, Stefan Wolter, Florian Golm
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Patent number: 11772657Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preventing fatigue of a driver of a motor vehicle (4), with the steps of: acquiring position data (PDM0) indicative of the position of the driver, and activating and/or deactivating light glasses (10) worn by the driver depending on an evaluation of the acquired position data (PDM) indicative of the position of the driver.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Abhinav Dhake, Carsten Starke, Stefan Wolter, Julius Maximilian Engelke, Florian Golm
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Patent number: 11648952Abstract: Systems and methods for avoiding or mitigating motion sickness in a vehicle are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may include (a) determining a profile of the individual inclination towards motion sickness; (b) predicting an individual effectiveness of countermeasures based on typing using the data from step (a); (c) evaluating the actual effectiveness of the predicted countermeasures after their implementation when travelling in the vehicle; wherein step (a) is repeated regularly and all data and results from step (c) are fed into a self-learning system in order to obtain an improved statement on the individual actual effectiveness of countermeasures taken and to make the selection of effective countermeasures based on them.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eike Schmidt, Stefan Wolter, Florian Golm, Pim van der Jagt
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Publication number: 20230001931Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preventing fatigue of a driver of a motor vehicle (4), with the steps of: acquiring position data (PDM) indicative of the position of the driver, and activating and/or deactivating light glasses (10) worn by the driver depending on an evaluation of the acquired position data (PDM) indicative of the position of the driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Abhinav Dhake, Carsten Starke, Stefan Wolter, Julius Maximilian Engelke, Florian Golm
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Patent number: 11517705Abstract: An apparatus for calming a baby in an interior of a vehicle has a heartbeat sensor device (11, 12, 13) configured to capture a heartbeat input signal that depends on the heartbeat of an occupant in an interior (18) of a vehicle (10). A heartbeat signal processing device (14) is configured to produce a heartbeat output signal that depends on the heartbeat input signal. A calming signal output device (15, 16, 17) is configured to output a calming signal that depends on the heartbeat output signal and that is perceivable by a baby in the interior (19) of the vehicle (10). The apparatus is to configured to output the calming signal, at least intermittently, directly during the capture of the heartbeat input signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Eike Schmidt, Stefan Wolter
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Patent number: 11148681Abstract: The autonomously driving vehicle is fitted with a GPS unit to which a library of points of interest is assigned, and comprises a human-machine interface that is connected to the GPS unit and which comprises at least one of the following input means for the input of a command for the most immediate possible stopping of the vehicle: a unit for speech input that is connected to the interface, a module for recognizing gestures that is connected to the interface, and a touch-sensitive screen that is connected to the interface.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Nikica Hennes, Philipp Wolf, Stefan Wolter
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Publication number: 20210237747Abstract: Systems and methods for avoiding or mitigating motion sickness in a vehicle are disclosed herein. The systems and methods may include (a) determining a profile of the individual inclination towards motion sickness; (b) predicting an individual effectiveness of countermeasures based on typing using the data from step (a); (c) evaluating the actual effectiveness of the predicted countermeasures after their implementation when travelling in the vehicle; wherein step (a) is repeated regularly and all data and results from step (c) are fed into a self-learning system in order to obtain an improved statement on the individual actual effectiveness of countermeasures taken and to make the selection of effective countermeasures based on them.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2021Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eike Schmidt, Stefan Wolter, Florian Golm, Pim van der Jagt
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Patent number: 11059389Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle with electric seat adjustment is provided. The method includes the steps of importing a measurement data set that is representative of an initial sitting position of a person sitting on the vehicle seat, evaluating the measurement data set in order to determine a target sitting position data set for a target sitting position, and evaluating at least the measurement data set and the target sitting position data set in order to determine a transfer data set for transferring the initial sitting position into the target sitting position at a rate of change below a perception threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eike Schmidt, Stefan Wolter, Philipp Wolf
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Publication number: 20210093827Abstract: A method for detecting the tendency of a passenger of a vehicle to get motion sickness by using a rod and frame test is disclosed. An image designed to carry out a rod and frame test is displayed in the vehicle. The rod and the frame each enclose an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with a horizontal spatial axis and/or a vertical spatial axis. A request is issued to correct the rod into a vertical or horizontal position by means of an input device. An input carried out by the passenger to correct the rod is recorded. The rod and frame test is evaluated by an evaluation device based on the recorded input of the passenger, and at least one measure is issued to prevent and/or combat the occurrence of motion sickness, depending on the result of the evaluation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Eike Schmidt, Jelte Egbert Bos, Stefan Wolter, Florian Golm
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Publication number: 20200325897Abstract: A screw rotor for screw vacuum pumps, comprising a rotor shaft which bears at least two displacement elements. The displacement element is conical in the conveying direction and the adjoining conveying element has a cylindrical design.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2018Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Thomas DREIFERT, Stefan WOLTER, Nils OLESEN, Roland MÜLLER
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Patent number: 10689020Abstract: A docking station to be fastened in a motor vehicle is provided to receive a stroller, such as for example a baby carriage. A stroller, which is compatible with the docking station, is additionally provided. The docking station includes an electrical connection, and the stroller is able to be connected, via the electrical connection, to an on-board power supply of the motor vehicle. The docking station is configured to provide the motor vehicle with information about a mounting status and/or docking status.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Carsten Starke, Thomas Baranowski, Markus Franzen, Stefan Wolter
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Patent number: 10663029Abstract: A device and a method for influencing a dynamic property of at least one movably mounted body of two bodies coupled mechanically at least via a variably adjustable stiffness along a first force path. The invention includes a damping element with constant damping properties directly or indirectly coupled in series with the variably adjustable stiffness along the first force path Both bodies are mechanically directly or indirectly coupled via a second force path running parallel to the first force path along which at least one adjustable stiffness is incorporated. The damping property of the damping element and the adjustable stiffnesses are coordinated and configured so that a damping property assigned to the device for mechanical coupling can be varied exclusively by the adjustable stiffnesses.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Jan Christoph Hansmann, Stefan Wolter, Bjoern Seipel, William Kaal, Sven Herold
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Publication number: 20190275286Abstract: An apparatus for calming a baby in an interior of a vehicle has a heartbeat sensor device (11, 12, 13) configured to capture a heartbeat input signal that depends on the heartbeat of an occupant in an interior (18) of a vehicle (10). A heartbeat signal processing device (14) is configured to produce a heartbeat output signal that depends on the heartbeat input signal. A calming signal output device (15, 16, 17) is configured to output a calming signal that depends on the heartbeat output signal and that is perceivable by a baby in the interior (19) of the vehicle (10). The apparatus is to configured to output the calming signal, at least intermittently, directly during the capture of the heartbeat input signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Eike Schmidt, Stefan Wolter
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Publication number: 20190275915Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle with electric seat adjustment is provided. The method includes the steps of importing a measurement data set that is representative of an initial sitting position of a person sitting on the vehicle seat, evaluating the measurement data set in order to determine a target sitting position data set for a target sitting position, and evaluating at least the measurement data set and the target sitting position data set in order to determine a transfer data set for transferring the initial sitting position into the target sitting position at a rate of change below a perception threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eike Schmidt, Stefan Wolter, Philipp Wolf
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Publication number: 20190281402Abstract: Apparatus for testing the directional hearing of a test person uses an audio system with a plurality of audio transducers to produce audible audio signals to a position of the test person and a light output system with a plurality of light output devices to produce visible light signals to the position of the test person. A control device is configured to activate the audio system to output a plurality of audible audio signals one after another arriving at the position of the test person in such a way that they arrive or appear to arrive from a selected one of a plurality of different directions, and to activate the light output devices to indicate the selected direction at a particular time in relation to the respective audio signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Eike Schmidt, Abhinav Dhake, Stefan Wolter
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Patent number: 10369928Abstract: According to the disclosure, a method is made available to reduce a time duration for an adaption of eyes of a driver of a motor vehicle when changing from events occurring in front of the motor vehicle to a screen arranged in a driver's compartment of the motor vehicle. In particular, the method according to the disclosure also makes a reduction available in the time period for the adaption of the eyes of the driver in the opposite direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2018Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Carsten Starke, Stefan Wolter
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Patent number: 10343523Abstract: The disclosure relates to an operating unit for an in-vehicle system to control an operation of at least one in-vehicle electric device of a vehicle. The operating unit includes at least one touch screen, at least one rotary knob that is arranged on the touchscreen and at least one shaft that extends through the touchscreen and is connected in a non-rotatable manner to the rotary knob. In order to simplify operation of the operating unit via haptic feedback from the operating unit, the operating unit comprises at least one electromagnetic latching arrangement that is connected to the shaft and renders it possible to latch different rotary positions of the rotary knob in a non-contact manner.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Raphael Koch, Stefan Wolter
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Patent number: 10338579Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a portable input device to control a motor vehicle. The input device has a pressure-sensitive touchscreen. The input device generates control signals to control the motor vehicle, and transmit said signals to the motor vehicle. The control signal has at least one determinable parameter. The input device is designed to capture a pressure value of an actuating force of the touchscreen, and determine the parameter according to the captured pressure value.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stefan Wolter, Florian Golm, Juergen Wesemann
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Patent number: 10300823Abstract: A method for controlling and selecting massage functions of a motor vehicle seat and include the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; scrolling through massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner, wherein the massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner include a specific massage zone per block; confirming a selection of the massage block by way of a user selection; and terminating the selection mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jeroen Lem, Steve Michell, Florian Golm, Stefan Wolter, Johnathan Andrew Line
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Publication number: 20190144000Abstract: The autonomously driving vehicle is fitted with a GPS unit to which a library of points of interest is assigned, and comprises a human-machine interface that is connected to the GPS unit and which comprises at least one of the following input means for the input of a command for the most immediate possible stopping of the vehicle: a unit for speech input that is connected to the interface, a module for recognizing gestures that is connected to the interface, and a touch-sensitive screen that is connected to the interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Nikica HENNES, Philipp WOLF, Stefan WOLTER