Patents by Inventor Albrecht NEFF

Albrecht NEFF 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: 11139999
    Abstract: Processing signals from messages on at least two data buses, particularly CAN buses in a vehicle, includes extracting at least one signal from at least one message in a traffic node of the at least two data buses and at least one extracted signal value of the at least one signal is checked for a change relative to the signal value of the at least one signal that was most recently held in the memory unit. The at least one extracted signal value of the at least one signal is held in the memory unit if the at least one extracted signal value of the at least one signal has changed relative to the signal value of the at least one signal that was most recently held in the memory unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Andreas Kern, Thomas Koenigseder, Albrecht Neff
  • Patent number: 11084462
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus includes the monitoring of a control device. If a critical event occurs during monitoring of the control device, the control device is transferred (20) into a safe state, and it is determined whether a problem solution is available for the event that has occurred by way of a parameter modification of the control device in a problem-solving database. If the problem solution is available, a parameter data set is provided. In this regard, the parameter data set includes parameter information relating to a parameter to be modified of the control device. If the parameter information for the control device is valid, the parameter is modified according to the parameter information and the control device is released from the safe state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albrecht Neff, Michael Pitz
  • Patent number: 10875502
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and modifying motor vehicle functions, includes the following steps: ascertaining an anomalous behavior of a function; transmitting the anomalous behavior to a back end; receiving instructions from the back end, the instructions indicating acute measures to be taken in the motor vehicle in order to adequately react to the anomalous behavior of the function; ascertaining a motor vehicle component which is the cause of the anomalous behavior on the basis of the received instructions; converting the motor vehicle component to a degraded configuration which has a limited functional scope; and if the conversion to the degraded configuration is not possible, converting the motor vehicle component to a safe configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kay Fischer, Albrecht Neff, Michael Pitz
  • Patent number: 10703309
    Abstract: For connecting a diagnostic unit to a vehicle controller of a motor vehicle via a network connection, it is provided that, when the connection has been established between the diagnostic unit and the vehicle controller, a check is performed as to whether the diagnostic unit is directly connected to the vehicle controller. The diagnostic unit receives diagnostic data from the vehicle controller only when there is a direct connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albrecht Neff, Max Turner, Lars Voelker, Thomas Koenigseder
  • Patent number: 10576891
    Abstract: In a method for transmitting image data from a plurality of cameras in a vehicle, a set of functions is provided, which set of functions comprises a plurality of functions each having a requirement for a respective image setting of at least one of the cameras. If a function is activated, a respective image setting is set for at least one of the cameras on the basis of at least one of the function and a respective predefined desired data rate during image data transmission in order to provide the image data from the respective camera for the respective function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Albrecht Neff
  • Publication number: 20190140859
    Abstract: Processing signals from messages on at least two data buses, particularly CAN buses in a vehicle, includes extracting at least one signal from at least one message in a traffic node of the at least two data buses and at least one extracted signal value of the at least one signal is checked for a change relative to the signal value of the at least one signal that was most recently held in the memory unit. The at least one extracted signal value of the at least one signal is held in the memory unit if the at least one extracted signal value of the at least one signal has changed relative to the signal value of the at least one signal that was most recently held in the memory unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Andreas KERN, Thomas KOENIGSEDER, Albrecht NEFF
  • Patent number: 10230959
    Abstract: A method of performing compression of image data for at least one image is described. The method comprises receiving image data of at least a part of the at least one image, encoding the received image data into at least one compressed data block, applying at least one bandwidth limit to the at least one compressed data block, and outputting the at least one bandwidth limited compressed data block to a buffer. The method further comprises dynamically updating the at least one bandwidth limit applied to the at least one compressed data block base at least partly on a fill level of the buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Singer, Jochen Gerster, Stephan Herrmann, Albrecht Neff
  • Publication number: 20180304858
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus includes the monitoring of a control device. If a critical event occurs during monitoring of the control device, the control device is transferred (20) into a safe state, and it is determined whether a problem solution is available for the event that has occurred by way of a parameter modification of the control device in a problem-solving database. If the problem solution is available, a parameter data set is provided. In this regard, the parameter data set includes parameter information relating to a parameter to be modified of the control device. If the parameter information for the control device is valid, the parameter is modified according to the parameter information and the control device is released from the safe state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Albrecht NEFF, Michael PITZ
  • Publication number: 20180297610
    Abstract: A method for monitoring and modifying motor vehicle functions, includes the following steps: ascertaining an anomalous behavior of a function; transmitting the anomalous behavior to a back end; receiving instructions from the back end, the instructions indicating acute measures to be taken in the motor vehicle in order to adequately react to the anomalous behavior of the function; ascertaining a motor vehicle component which is the cause of the anomalous behavior on the basis of the received instructions; converting the motor vehicle component to a degraded configuration which has a limited functional scope; and if the conversion to the degraded configuration is not possible, converting the motor vehicle component to a safe configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kay FISCHER, Albrecht NEFF, Michael PITZ
  • Patent number: 9912531
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for recording data or for transmitting stimulation data, which are transmitted in Ethernet-based networks of vehicles. A method for recording data is described, wherein the data are transmitted from a transmitting control unit to a receiving control unit of a vehicle via a communication system of the vehicle. The communication system comprises an Ethernet network, wherein the data are conducted from a transmission component to a reception component of the Ethernet network via a transmission path, and wherein the data are to be recorded at a logging component of the Ethernet network, which does not lie on the transmission path. The method comprises the configuration of an intermediate component of the Ethernet network, which lies on the transmission path, to transmit a copy of the data as logging data to the logging component; and the recording of the logging data at the logging component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albrecht Neff, Thomas Koenigseder, Thomas Wuerdinger
  • Patent number: 9792819
    Abstract: A method provides an environmental map for a vehicle, wherein the environmental map represents a section of the environment and includes cells which are each assigned to a subsection of the environment of the vehicle. Each cell is assigned occupancy information which is based on the probability of the presence of an object in the subsection assigned to the cell in question. The vehicle has a group of at least two driver assistance systems which are each configured to adopt an active and an inactive state and which, in the active state require occupancy information concerning sections of the environment which at least do not overlap completely. The method determines the driver assistance system(s) which is(are) in the active state; determines the section of the environment that the environmental map is intended to represent, on the basis of the section(s) about which the driver assistance system(s) in the active state require(s) occupancy information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Albrecht Neff, Marc Walessa, Markus Hoerwick, Oliver Kormann
  • Publication number: 20170169823
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for voice control of a motor vehicle are provided. A server external to the vehicle is set up for processing a voice command, for which purpose it can access non-vehicle-specific data, wherein the non-vehicle-specific data are stored in memory outside of the motor vehicle. The server is further set up for accessing vehicle-specific data to process the voice command. The motor vehicle has a voice input unit for input of a voice command by a user, particularly a driver of the motor vehicle, a communication unit for data communication with the server external to the vehicle, and a data acquisition unit for acquisition of vehicle-specific data. The method acquires a voice command via the voice input unit, transmits a voice file that represents the voice command by the communication unit to the server, acquires the vehicle-specific data by the data acquisition unit, transmits the vehicle-specific data by the communication unit to the server, and processes of the voice command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventor: Albrecht NEFF
  • Patent number: 9400706
    Abstract: An adaptive network has respective network nodes and network connections between the network nodes, the network nodes each having a transceiver which is coupled with a respective network connection. The respective transceiver is designed for providing a mean error value (MSE_i) which is representative of deviations of a received signal from predefined reference signal values. In a reference operating state of the adaptive network, a respective reference error value (MSE_REF) is determined as a function of the mean error value (MSE_i) provided by the respective transceiver. In at least one predefined operating state of the adaptive network, a respective actual error value (MSE_AV) is determined as a function of the mean error value (MSE_i) provided by the respective transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Koenigseder, Albrecht Neff
  • Patent number: 9344531
    Abstract: A conversion device is designed for converting message units of a first communications protocol, which are received by the conversion device on the input side, to container messages of a second communications protocol. A predefined maximal dwell duration in the conversion device is assigned to each message unit. The conversion device is designed for assigning message units with an identical recipient address received on the input side to a container message for the respective recipient address, and to forward the respective container message when the maximal dwell duration of one of the message units assigned to it has expired or a predefined maximal data volume is assigned to the respective container message, induced by the message units assigned to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Benjamin Krebs, Thomas Koenigseder, Albrecht Neff
  • Publication number: 20160049078
    Abstract: A method provides an environmental map for a vehicle, wherein the environmental map represents a section of the environment and includes cells which are each assigned to a subsection of the environment of the vehicle. Each cell is assigned occupancy information which is based on the probability of the presence of an object in the subsection assigned to the cell in question. The vehicle has a group of at least two driver assistance systems which are each configured to adopt an active and an inactive state and which, in the active state require occupancy information concerning sections of the environment which at least do not overlap completely. The method determines the driver assistance system(s) which is(are) in the active state; determines the section of the environment that the environmental map is intended to represent, on the basis of the section(s) about which the driver assistance system(s) in the active state require(s) occupancy information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Albrecht NEFF, Marc WALESSA, Markus HOERWICK, Oliver KORMANN
  • Publication number: 20150351137
    Abstract: For connecting a diagnostic unit to a vehicle controller of a motor vehicle via a network connection, it is provided that, when the connection has been established between the diagnostic unit and the vehicle controller, a check is performed as to whether the diagnostic unit is directly connected to the vehicle controller. The diagnostic unit receives diagnostic data from the vehicle controller only when there is a direct connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Albrecht NEFF, Max TURNER, Lars VOELKER, Thomas KOENIGSEDER
  • Publication number: 20150163496
    Abstract: A method of performing compression of image data for at least one image is described. The method comprises receiving image data of at least a part of the at least one image, encoding the received image data into at least one compressed data block, applying at least one bandwidth limit to the at least one compressed data block, and outputting the at least one bandwidth limited compressed data block to a buffer. The method further comprises dynamically updating the at least one bandwidth limit applied to the at least one compressed data block base at least partly on a fill level of the buffer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicants: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Singer, Jochen Gerater, Stephan Herrmann, Albrecht Neff
  • Publication number: 20150156439
    Abstract: In a method for transmitting image data from a plurality of cameras in a vehicle, a set of functions is provided, which set of functions comprises a plurality of functions each having a requirement for a respective image setting of at least one of the cameras. If a function is activated, a respective image setting is set for at least one of the cameras on the basis of at least one of the function and a respective predefined desired data rate during image data transmission in order to provide the image data from the respective camera for the respective function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventor: Albrecht NEFF
  • Publication number: 20150139500
    Abstract: An imager simulator configured to be used in lieu of an imager within a vehicle is provided. The imager simulator includes an image source configured to store pre-determined reference data; and an imager interface unit configured to generate image data based on the pre-determined reference data. The image data conforms to a pre-determined format; and wherein the pre-determined format corresponds to a format of image data generated by the imager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Jochen GERSTER, Albrecht NEFF, Stefan SINGER
  • Publication number: 20150071115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for recording data or for transmitting stimulation data, which are transmitted in Ethernet-based networks of vehicles. A method for recording data is described, wherein the data are transmitted from a transmitting control unit to a receiving control unit of a vehicle via a communication system of the vehicle. The communication system comprises an Ethernet network, wherein the data are conducted from a transmission component to a reception component of the Ethernet network via a transmission path, and wherein the data are to be recorded at a logging component of the Ethernet network, which does not lie on the transmission path. The method comprises the configuration of an intermediate component of the Ethernet network, which lies on the transmission path, to transmit a copy of the data as logging data to the logging component; and the recording of the logging data at the logging component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Albrecht NEFF, Thomas KOENIGSEDER, Thomas WUERDINGER