Patents by Inventor Werner Brockherde
Werner Brockherde 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: 11536835Abstract: A laser measuring set for measuring a distance from an object includes a pulse laser for emitting a laser pulse at the beginning of a measuring cycle; an optical sensor having at least one detection unit for generating detection signals; a coincidence recognition stage for generating coincidence signals, wherein during the measuring cycle, one of the coincidence signals is generated each time the detection signals generated by the detection unit reach at least a preset coincidence depth within a coincidence time; a coincidence time presetting stage for presetting the coincidence time for the coincidence recognition stage, the coincidence time presetting stage being configured such that the coincidence time monotonically increases during the measuring cycle; and travel-time measuring set for determining the distance on the basis of a travel-time measurement of the coincidence signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Maik Beer, Olaf Schrey, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich Hosticka
-
Patent number: 11067674Abstract: Described are a device for determining a distance to an object, having a transmitting device for emitting signals, a receiving device for receiving signals and for generating detection signals, an evaluating device for evaluating the detection signals of the receiving device, and a control device for controlling the evaluation of the detection signals, and a corresponding method. The receiving device has a plurality of receiving elements which generate, in case they receive a signal, a detection signal each. The evaluating device determines the distance to the object in accordance with the time-of-flight method and while considering coincidence events and uses that case in which a number of detection signals generated within a presettable coincidence time at least equals a presettable coincidence depth, as a coincidence events.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Olaf Schrey, Maik Beer, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich Hosticka, Alexander Schwinger, David Arutinov
-
Patent number: 11016184Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining a distance from an object, including a transmission device for emitting several light pulses including a pulse duration, including a reception device for receiving signals and for generating detection signals, and including an evaluation device for evaluating the detection signals. The evaluation device determines, on the basis of a number of the light pulses emitted and on the basis of the detection signals, probability values of several time windows which each have a respective time period equaling the pulse duration which relate to probabilities for reception of a signal within one of the time windows, respectively. In addition, the evaluation device determines, in accordance with the time-of-flight method, a measure of the distance of the object on the basis of the probability values determined. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding method.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Maik Beer, Olaf Schrey, Werner Brockherde, Alexander Schwinger, Bedrich Hosticka
-
Publication number: 20190369248Abstract: A laser measuring set for measuring a distance from an object includes a pulse laser for emitting a laser pulse at the beginning of a measuring cycle; an optical sensor having at least one detection unit for generating detection signals; a coincidence recognition stage for generating coincidence signals, wherein during the measuring cycle, one of the coincidence signals is generated each time the detection signals generated by the detection unit reach at least a preset coincidence depth within a coincidence time; a coincidence time presetting stage for presetting the coincidence time for the coincidence recognition stage, the coincidence time presetting stage being configured such that the coincidence time monotonically increases during the measuring cycle; and travel-time measuring set for determining the distance on the basis of a travel-time measurement of the coincidence signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Maik BEER, Olaf SCHREY, Werner BROCKHERDE, Bedrich HOSTICKA
-
Publication number: 20180321363Abstract: The invention relates to a device for determining a distance from an object, including a transmission device for emitting several light pulses including a pulse duration, including a reception device for receiving signals and for generating detection signals, and including an evaluation device for evaluating the detection signals. The evaluation device determines, on the basis of a number of the light pulses emitted and on the basis of the detection signals, probability values of several time windows which each have a respective time period equaling the pulse duration which relate to probabilities for reception of a signal within one of the time windows, respectively. In addition, the evaluation device determines, in accordance with the time-of-flight method, a measure of the distance of the object on the basis of the probability values determined. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding method.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Maik BEER, Olaf SCHREY, Werner BROCKHERDE, Alexander SCHWINGER, Bedrich HOSTICKA
-
Patent number: 10101155Abstract: The present invention describes an optical distance measuring device having a pulsed radiation source that is implemented to transmit, in a temporally contiguous radiation pulse period, a radiation pulse having a pulse duration tp that is shorter than the radiation pulse period, and to transmit no radiation pulse in a temporally contiguous dark period. Further, the optical distance measuring device includes a detector for detecting different amounts of radiation in two overlapping detection periods during the radiation pulse period to capture reflections of the radiation pulse at an object surface and a background radiation and/or in two overlapping detection periods during the dark period to capture background radiation. The optical distance measuring device further includes an evaluator determining a signal depending on a distance of the optical distance measuring device to an object based on the detected amount of radiation.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventors: Olaf Schrey, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich Hosticka, Wiebke Ulfig
-
Publication number: 20180231646Abstract: Described are a device for determining a distance to an object, having a transmitting device for emitting signals, a receiving device for receiving signals and for generating detection signals, an evaluating device for evaluating the detection signals of the receiving device, and a control device for controlling the evaluation of the detection signals, and a corresponding method. The receiving device has a plurality of receiving elements which generate, in case they receive a signal, a detection signal each. The evaluating device determines the distance to the object in accordance with the time-of-flight method and while considering coincidence events and uses that case in which a number of detection signals generated within a presettable coincidence time at least equals a presettable coincidence depth, as a coincidence events.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Olaf SCHREY, Maik BEER, Werner BROCKHERDE, Bedrich HOSTICKA, Alexander SCHWINGER, David ARUTINOV
-
Publication number: 20160327386Abstract: The present invention describes an optical distance measuring device having a pulsed radiation source that is implemented to transmit, in a temporally contiguous radiation pulse period, a radiation pulse having a pulse duration tp that is shorter than the radiation pulse period, and to transmit no radiation pulse in a temporally contiguous dark period. Further, the optical distance measuring device includes a detector for detecting different amounts of radiation in two overlapping detection periods during the radiation pulse period to capture reflections of the radiation pulse at an object surface and a background radiation and/or in two overlapping detection periods during the dark period to capture background radiation. The optical distance measuring device further includes an evaluator determining a signal depending on a distance of the optical distance measuring device to an object based on the detected amount of radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Olaf SCHREY, Werner BROCKHERDE, Bedrich HOSTICKA, Wiebke ULFIG
-
Patent number: 9395440Abstract: The present invention describes an optical distance measuring device having a pulsed radiation source that is implemented to transmit, in a temporally contiguous radiation pulse period, a radiation pulse having a pulse duration tp that is shorter than the radiation pulse period, and to transmit no radiation pulse in a temporally contiguous dark period. Further, the optical distance measuring device includes a detector for detecting different amounts of radiation in two overlapping detection periods during the radiation pulse period to capture reflections of the radiation pulse at an object surface and a background radiation and/or in two overlapping detection periods during the dark period to capture background radiation. The optical distance measuring device further includes an evaluator determining a signal depending on a distance of the optical distance measuring device to an object based on the detected amount of radiation.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Volkswagen AktiengesellschaftInventors: Olaf Schrey, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich Hosticka, Wiebke Ulfig
-
Patent number: 9165972Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a photosensitive zone configured such that photogenerated charges may be accumulated in a first potential well, a region of the first conductivity type, formed in the semiconductor layer, for temporarily storing the photogenerated charges in a second potential well, a transfer gate between the region of the second conductivity type and the photosensitive zone for defining a potential barrier between the first and second potential wells during a non-transfer phase, and for eliminating the potential barrier between the first and second potential wells during a transfer phase, and a readout structure for reading out the temporarily stored photogenerated charges, which includes a JFET, the gate of which is formed by the region of the second conductivity type.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Andreas Suess, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich Hosticka
-
Patent number: 8792087Abstract: The present invention relates to a concept for optical distance measurement, wherein a radiation pulse is emitted in the direction of an object of measurement. At least two different transfer gates which couple a photoactive region to at least two different evaluating capacities are driven during different drive intervals so that charge carriers generated during the drive intervals by a radiation pulse reflected from the object of measurement and/or by ambient radiation can be transported from the photoactive region to the evaluating capacities each coupled to the at least two transfer gates. Another transfer gate is driven during a time outside the drive intervals of the at least two transfer gates to connect the photoactive region to a reference potential terminal acting as a charge carrier sink during the time outside the drive intervals of the at least two transfer gates.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2010Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Andreas Spickermann, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich J. Hosticka
-
Patent number: 8748794Abstract: A time-of-flight 3D imaging system comprising a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation is constructed so that the detector includes a semiconductor substrate of a first doping type, and a well in the semiconductor substrate, the well being of a second doping type. The first doping type and the second doping type are different and the well has an increasing dopant concentration in a direction parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate. In addition, the detector includes a detector terminal doping region which is arranged at least partly in the well in a terminal region of the well. The detection of electromagnetic radiation is based on a generation of free charge carriers by the electromagnetic radiation in a detection region of the well. The detection region has a maximum dopant concentration which is lower than a maximum dopant concentration of the terminal region of the well.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Daniel Durini Romero, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich Hosticka
-
Publication number: 20130270610Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a photosensitive zone configured such that photogenerated charges may be accumulated in a first potential well, a region of the first conductivity type, formed in the semiconductor layer, for temporarily storing the photogenerated charges in a second potential well, a transfer gate between the region of the second conductivity type and the photosensitive zone for defining a potential barrier between the first and second potential wells during a non-transfer phase, and for eliminating the potential barrier between the first and second potential wells during a transfer phase, and a readout structure for reading out the temporarily stored photogenerated charges, which includes a JFET, the gate of which is formed by the region of the second conductivity type.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Andreas SUESS, Werner BROCKHERDE, Bedrich HOSTICKA
-
Publication number: 20130134299Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation detector includes a semiconductor substrate of a first doping type, a well in the semiconductor substrate of a second doping type, two or more detector terminal doping regions, two or more transfer gates, and a collection gate. The first and second doping type are different and the well includes a rising dopant concentration in a direction parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate. The two detector terminal doping regions are arranged at least partly in a terminal region of the well. The detection of the electromagnetic radiation is based on a generation of free charge carriers by the electromagnetic radiation in a detection region of the well. The transfer gates control a transfer of free charge carriers to be or not to be evaluated in a region of the well. The collection gate collects free charge carriers in the stated region of the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Daniel DURINI ROMERO, Werner BROCKHERDE, Bedrich HOSTICKA
-
Patent number: 8324549Abstract: A detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation includes a semiconductor substrate of a first doping type, and a well in the semiconductor substrate, the well being of a second doping type. The first doping type and the second doping type are different and the well has an increasing dopant concentration in a direction parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate. In addition, the detector includes a detector terminal doping region which is arranged at least partly in the well in a terminal region of the well. The detection of electromagnetic radiation is based on a generation of free charge carriers by the electromagnetic radiation in a detection region of the well. The detection region has a maximum dopant concentration which is lower than a maximum dopant concentration of the terminal region of the well.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Daniel Durini Romero, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich Hosticka
-
Publication number: 20120268727Abstract: The present invention describes an optical distance measuring device having a pulsed radiation source that is implemented to transmit, in a temporally contiguous radiation pulse period, a radiation pulse having a pulse duration tp that is shorter than the radiation pulse period, and to transmit no radiation pulse in a temporally contiguous dark period. Further, the optical distance measuring device includes a detector for detecting different amounts of radiation in two overlapping detection periods during the radiation pulse period to capture reflections of the radiation pulse at an object surface and a background radiation and/or in two overlapping detection periods during the dark period to capture background radiation. The optical distance measuring device further includes an evaluator determining a signal depending on a distance of the optical distance measuring device to an object based on the detected amount of radiation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: October 25, 2012Inventors: Olaf Schrey, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich Hosticka, Wiebke Ulfig
-
Patent number: 8085327Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of image elements configured to provide associated image element signals which are dependent on light intensities incident on the image elements. The image sensor includes an accumulation circuit with a plurality of charge storage elements, wherein the accumulation circuit is configured to change charges on the charge storage elements during a phase in dependence on image element signals of respectively associated image elements. The accumulation circuit is further configured to change an association between charge storage elements and associated image elements in successive phases, so that in operation, a charge on one of the charge storage elements depends on image element signals of plural image elements in a plurality of phases.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2008Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Olaf Schrey, Bedrich Hosticka, Werner Brockherde
-
Patent number: 7947939Abstract: The central idea of the present invention is that a readout result of an optical detection unit which is based on accumulating photocharges can be improved when the charge carriers accumulated on a photodiode capacitance can be transferred to a readout capacitance before being read out by a readout unit, and when the state of the readout capacitance can be read out in a non-destructive manner by the readout unit, so that a noise portion in the readout signal can be corrected by reading out the readout capacitance during charge accumulation and again reading out the readout capacitance after the end of charge accumulation. Additionally, it becomes possible by the transfer to the readout capacitance to vary the sensitivity of the optical detection device within broad limits and to record a sequence of successive light pulses, without having to reset a photodiode before recording every single light pulse.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Olaf Schrey, Bedrich Hosticka, Werner Brockherde
-
Publication number: 20110037969Abstract: The present invention relates to a concept for optical distance measurement, wherein a radiation pulse is emitted in the direction of an object of measurement. At least two different transfer gates which couple a photoactive region to at least two different evaluating capacities are driven during different drive intervals so that charge carriers generated during the drive intervals by a radiation pulse reflected from the object of measurement and/or by ambient radiation can be transported from the photoactive region to the evaluating capacities each coupled to the at least two transfer gates. Another transfer gate is driven during a time outside the drive intervals of the at least two transfer gates to connect the photoactive region to a reference potential terminal acting as a charge carrier sink during the time outside the drive intervals of the at least two transfer gates.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Andreas SPICKERMANN, Werner BROCKHERDE, Bedrich J. HOSTICKA
-
Publication number: 20100308213Abstract: A detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation includes a semiconductor substrate of a first doping type, and a well in the semiconductor substrate, the well being of a second doping type. The first doping type and the second doping type are different and the well has an increasing dopant concentration in a direction parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate. In addition, the detector includes a detector terminal doping region which is arranged at least partly in the well in a terminal region of the well. The detection of electromagnetic radiation is based on a generation of free charge carriers by the electromagnetic radiation in a detection region of the well. The detection region has a maximum dopant concentration which is lower than a maximum dopant concentration of the terminal region of the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Inventors: Daniel Durini Romero, Werner Brockherde, Bedrich Hosticka