Patents Assigned to Continental Automotive GmbH
  • Patent number: 11110757
    Abstract: A method for locating at least one wheel of a vehicle, the wheels each being equipped with an electronic device which sends a wheel rotation signal to a central unit, a speed sensor for each wheel which supplies a signal to the central unit. For each electronic device, at least two sequences of several acquisitions are performed by formation of the signal with simultaneous acquisition by the central unit of the signal transmitted by each speed sensor. A pairing is performed of the two signals for an electronic device with each of the wheel speed signals. For each pair, a phase offset is measured between the two signals. When a constant phase offset is measured in the pairs with a speed sensor, the electronic device associated with the signal is identified as being assigned to the wheel associated with the speed sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Nicolas Guinart, Sébastien Plancke
  • Patent number: 11113968
    Abstract: A method for assisting in the parking of a vehicle in a vacant parking area, wherein the position of at least one vacant parking area is calculated on the basis of a vehicle-to-vehicle and/or a vehicle-to-infrastructure communication from the current position of the vehicle and is conveyed to a navigation apparatus of the vehicle, wherein a parking process is started by virtue of a radio key of the vehicle being placed onto a smartphone display, so that a lens in the vehicle key captures a flashing code and the radio key returns the flashing codes to the vehicle by radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Bieger
  • Patent number: 11112277
    Abstract: Disclosed is a camshaft or crankshaft sensor including a toothed target, a measuring cell adapted to supply a raw signal and a processor module having two modes of operation: 1) a measurement mode in which the processor module is adapted to supply an output port of the sensor a measurement signal representing the times of passage of the teeth of the target at the level of the measuring cell; and 2) a diagnostic mode in which the processor module is adapted to supply at the output port of the sensor a diagnostic signal different from the measurement signal and representing the amplitude of the raw signal. Also disclosed is a method and a module for diagnosing such a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: David Mirassou, Marie-Nathalie Larue, Yann Dinard, Olivier Marle
  • Patent number: 11110799
    Abstract: A system for detecting command gestures made by a finger of a driver of a motor vehicle, the system including an interface pad, a light source that emits in the infrared toward the pad, an imaging sensor, for capturing images steered by the pad away from the driver, with a base frame and a movable plate, an optical zone of interest seen by the imaging sensor being defined at the interface between the base frame and the plate, the pad including an elastic deformable seal interposed between the base frame and the movable plate, the seal being absorbent at the optical wavelengths of interest, the pad including a reflective strip behind the seal from the point of view of the camera, so that the seal forms a zone that appears dim to the camera, the size of the dim zone depending on the pressure exerted on the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Pascal Clochard, Jérôme Wroblewski
  • Patent number: 11112604
    Abstract: A head-up display for a vehicle provides image warping. The head-up display comprises at least one sensor, an image generator, a display unit and a mirror unit. A correction unit is furthermore arranged following the image generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Stamm, Ulrich Kabatek
  • Patent number: 11110759
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the periodicity of wireless communications between a tire pressure monitoring system for a motor vehicle and a smart device for a user of the vehicle in question is disclosed. On the basis of the position and any movement of the user's smart device in the environment of the vehicle, the periodicity of the alternation, by the different units of the system, of phases of transmission/polling of ultra high frequency signals with standby phases is modified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Charles Huard, Nicolas Guinart, Jean-Philippe Boisset
  • Publication number: 20210269029
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a group of vehicles comprising: a following vehicle; and a leading vehicle following a trajectory. The following vehicle includes a driver assistance system providing autonomous tracking behind on a trajectory of the leading vehicle. The trajectory defines a target steering angle transmitted to the driver assistance system from the leading vehicle to the following vehicle. The following vehicle has an actual steering angle occurring as a result of executing the target steering angle. A detection device senses a steering angle deviation between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle. A processing unit generates a corrective actuating signal to correct the actual steering angle if there is a steering angle deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Anton Fendt
  • Patent number: 11105835
    Abstract: A method for operating a current sensor, having a first measurement resistor, a second measurement resistor and a reference resistor. The first and second measurement resistors are arranged in series. The reference resistor is electrically disconnected from the first and second measurement resistors in a first measurement state and connected in parallel with the first measurement resistor in a second measurement state. In the first measurement state, identifying the respective first and second measurement resistors voltage drop and determining the ratio of the voltage drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Schramme, Martin Geiger
  • Patent number: 11105142
    Abstract: A door operating system for automatic opening of a door of a vehicle boot is provided. The door operating system includes an on-board device mountable on the vehicle and a mobile device. The on-board device includes a door opening mechanism, a boot door control module for activating the door opening mechanism, a door opening sensor, the door opening sensor being configured to receive a door opening signal for bringing the boot door control module into an automatic opening mode, and a presence sensor. The presence sensor is configured to detect a presence signal from a wireless vehicle access device. The mobile device includes a transmitter for sending the door opening signal to the door opening sensor, a transaction module for cashless purchasing of goods and for providing transaction data indicative of at least one physical parameter of the purchased goods, and a processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Kah Heng Chia, Boon Chen Low
  • Patent number: 11109484
    Abstract: A smart key for a vehicle, including: a case part; a substrate part which is coupled to the case part and on which electronic components are mounted; a plate part which supports the substrate part; a solar power unit which is supported on the plate part and supplies power to the substrate part by means of sunlight; and a sheet part which is coupled to the case part and which covers the solar power unit, so as to be able to operate the vehicle, by way of sunlight, without replacing the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: YoungJin Hyun
  • Publication number: 20210263535
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a vehicle configured to track behind autonomously in a group trailing a leading vehicle comprising: a communication device for receiving first and second vehicle-relevant data, the first vehicle-relevant data and the second vehicle-relevant data redundant to one another; a data transmitting interface for receiving the first vehicle-relevant data via a first wireless transmission medium; and a data receiving interface for receiving the second vehicle-relevant data via a second wireless transmission medium. The first wireless transmission medium is different from the second. The second comprises an optical connection. The data receiving interface receives during the autonomous tracking the second vehicle-relevant data directly from a vehicle in the group driving immediately ahead of the vehicle, and permanently parallel to the first vehicle-relevant data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Günter Anton Fendt
  • Patent number: 11097626
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system having an electrical energy store, a direct voltage converter and a direct current transmission connection is described. The direct current transmission connection is connected to the energy store via the direct voltage converter. The vehicle electrical system also has a bypass switch which connects the electrical energy store in a switchable fashion to the direct voltage transmission connection. In addition, a method, a charging system, a charging station and a further vehicle electrical system are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Philip Brockerhoff, Martin Brüll, Paul-Markus Schweizer-Berberich, Matthias Töns, Edmund Schirmer
  • Publication number: 20210245678
    Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle comprises a holding device that can be fastened to the vehicle and that comprises a first communication interface for wireless communication. A camera that comprises an accumulator and a second communication interface for wireless communication. The camera is removably fastened to the holding device, and the second communication interface is designed to receive position data from the first communication interface by means of wireless near-field communication in order to determine a position of the holding device relative to the vehicle when the camera is fastened to the holding device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Smits
  • Patent number: 11084479
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at a processor, a brake pad signal from a braking system of the vehicle, each brake pad signal including information on a pad wear value associated with a set of source brake pads. The processor determines whether the pad wear value from the brake pad signal exceeds a pad wear threshold and in response to the brake pad signal exceeding the pad wear threshold further determines a degradation delay from an initial detection of the pad wear threshold being exceeded wherein the degradation delay is determined based on vehicle operating data. The processor causes the disabling of one or more first level vehicle features including an autonomous or semi-autonomous mode of operating the vehicle based on the degradation delay reaching a delay threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Masahiro Kikkawa
  • Patent number: 11078880
    Abstract: A remote engine start system, comprising an engine start unit and a control unit is disclosed. The engine start unit is arranged in a vehicle and configured to receive signals from a remote control. The vehicle comprises a drive motor. The engine start unit is configured to initiate the start of the drive motor upon receipt of a signal from the remote control. The control unit is configured to monitor the function of the engine start unit, and to detect errors in the function of the engine start unit. The remote engine start system is configured to prevent the starting of the drive motor once an error in the function of the engine start unit was detected, and to initiate the turning off of the drive motor, if the drive motor is turned on and an error in the function of the engine start unit was detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Heiko Albers
  • Patent number: 11082081
    Abstract: The application relates to methods and a driver for communication with a transponder, in particular a driver for installation in a motor vehicle and for communication with a mobile transponder for a vehicle access and/or start system of a motor vehicle, wherein the driver is designed so that, after a first transmission at a first transmission frequency and after driver-side reception of a response of a transponder at the transponder resonance frequency thereof, and after driver-side determination of the response frequency of the response using a frequency detection apparatus, said response frequency is set, in particular by changing transmission pauses, at the driver as the second transmission frequency, corresponding to the measured transponder resonance frequency, at which the driver is then intended to transmit, wherein the driver has a resonant circuit (2, 3, 4), which has a higher driver resonant frequency than the mentioned first transmission frequency and than the mentioned second transmission frequen
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Froitzheim
  • Patent number: 11065980
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling a DC current converter present in an on-board network of a motor vehicle including a service battery, the on-board network being connected, via the converter, to a traction battery that supplies power to a traction network with inverter and electric machine. When a transmission of power transients from the on-board network to the traction network leading to instabilities in the traction network is detected, an auxiliary mode of control of the converter is implemented with a limit on the current output from the converter depending on a state of charge of the service battery, the current limit increasing as the charge of the service battery decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Damien Verdier, Jérôme Lachaize
  • Patent number: 11067460
    Abstract: A torque sensor mounted on a rotating element in a motor vehicle, including at least one strain gauge and emitting an electrical signal as a function of the torsion experienced by the rotating element, the torque sensor having a moving part intended to be driven in rotation with the rotating element and including the strain gauge and a fixed part including a first printed circuit board. The torque sensor also acts as an angular-position sensor, the moving part bearing angularly distributed targets passing in succession past a first annular sector borne by the first board including a secondary receiver winding generating a sine signal, a secondary receiver winding generating a cosine signal, and a primary emitter winding inducing a voltage in the receiver windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Simon-Didier Venzal, Philippe Grass
  • Patent number: 11065923
    Abstract: A wheel unit for a system for transmitting data from the wheel unit to a receiver of a vehicle. The wheel unit is configured for mounting to a wheel of the vehicle, and the wheel unit includes the following: a memory for storing wheel type data related to the type of the wheel at which the wheel unit is mounted; a processor for processing the wheel type data stored in the memory; a transmitter for RF-transmitting data telegrams to a vehicle-mounted receiver. The processor determines an RF power value based on the stored wheel type data, and the transmitter transmits the data telegrams with an RF power based on the determined RF power value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Loeffler, Sylvain Godet, Stephane Dufour
  • Patent number: 11059455
    Abstract: Disclosed is an authentication reader intended to be installed on a motor vehicle opening element, the reader including a microcontroller, at least one transmitter, at least one matching circuit and a single antenna, called “primary” antenna, characterized by a working frequency. The matching circuit includes switching element able to switch the matching circuit between a first mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is lower than the working frequency, and a second mode, in which the matching circuit makes it possible to match the primary antenna to a secondary antenna of an authentication device whose resonant frequency is higher than the working frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Olivier Gerardiere, Xavier Hourné