Patents by Inventor Alexander Urban

Alexander Urban 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: 11325646
    Abstract: A parking assistance system for a motor vehicle. A parking-space searching drive is performed where longitudinal and transverse guidance is determined, while a detection device determines a vehicle environment. Parking spaces may be measured on the basis of the detected vehicle environment. Based on the parking space measurement, it is determined if a parking space is suitable for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Sascha Ziebart, Alexander Urban, Frank Schwitters
  • Publication number: 20210327113
    Abstract: A method for producing a surroundings map of a transportation vehicle textured with image information, including detecting at least first and second image information from vehicle surroundings using at least one transportation vehicle-mounted camera device; producing a surroundings map of the transportation vehicle; determining at least one area of the surroundings map in which both the first and second sets of image information are present; and selecting either the first or the second set of image information for texturing the area of the surroundings map according to at least one of the following criteria: selecting the image information with the highest resolution and selecting the latest image information. Also disclosed is an arrangement for producing a surroundings map of a transportation vehicle textured with image information and a transportation vehicle having the arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Alexander URBAN, Georg MAIER, Sascha ZIEBART, Frank SCHWITTERS, Gordon SEITZ
  • Publication number: 20210323471
    Abstract: A method for generating a representation of surroundings of a transportation vehicle including determining a height profile of a vehicle surroundings; capturing image information of the vehicle surroundings; projecting the image information onto at least a part of a projection screen for generating the representation of surroundings, wherein the projection screen is produced in a raised state at least in regions where the determined height profile displays a correspondingly raised structure of the vehicle surroundings; and generating a surroundings map of the transportation vehicle based on the representation of surroundings by which a surroundings region of the transportation vehicle is imaged, which is larger than a detection range of sensors used for determining the height profile and/or the image information. Also disclosed is an arrangement for generating a surroundings representation of a transportation vehicle and a transportation vehicle utilizing an arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Alexander URBAN, Georg MAIER, Sascha ZIEBART, Frank SCHWITTERS, Gordon SEITZ
  • Patent number: 10957901
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a positive electrode active lithium-excess metal oxide with composition LixMyO2 (0.6?y?0.85 and 0?x+y?2) for a lithium secondary battery with a high reversible capacity that is insensitive with respect to cation-disorder. The material exhibits a high capacity without the requirement of overcharge during the first cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Gerbrand Ceder, Jinhyuk Lee, Alexander Urban, Xin Li, Sangtae Kim, Geoffroy Hautier
  • Publication number: 20210046976
    Abstract: A parking assistance system for a motor vehicle. A parking-space searching drive is performed where longitudinal and transverse guidance is determined, while a detection device determines a vehicle environment. Parking spaces may be measured on the basis of the detected vehicle environment. Based on the parking space measurement, it is determined if a parking space is suitable for the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Sascha Ziebart, Alexander Urban, Frank Schwitters
  • Patent number: 10203409
    Abstract: A method and a device for locating a vehicle from a fixed reference map in which objects are assigned one or more positions in the reference map. At successive points of a vehicle trajectory, in each case a radar impulse is emitted and subsequently, angle-resolved and time-resolved measurements of the radar impulse response are performed. Object positions are identified in the environment surrounding the vehicle from the radar impulse response, the current identified object positions forming an environment map. The vehicle position is identified in the reference map by comparing the environment map to the reference map, the reference map being created from the identified positions and is continuously updated. An object classification for the identified object positions in the current environment map and/or reference map is performed and the identification of the vehicle position is performed while taking the object classification into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Bueschenfeld, Stephan Max, Alexander Urban, Stefan Brosig
  • Patent number: 10064693
    Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a surgical navigation system. A detection unit for detecting system control inputs made by a user is associated with a surgical navigation system, the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs, and user gestures are used as said control inputs. A gesture or a initiating user gesture defines a virtual volume surrounding the initiating gesture's limits, and further predetermined gestures made in the virtual volume are recognized as a control input. Also provided is a control system for a surgical navigation system. The navigation system is associated with a detection unit for detecting system control inputs made by a user, the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs, and the detection unit includes a gesture detection system for detecting user gestures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Rainer Birkenbach, Alexander Urban, Alexander Druse, Axel Besinger, Alexander Schaal, Till Gerken, Georg Christian, Christian Lechner
  • Patent number: 10053090
    Abstract: A method for the user-defined provision of a vehicle in which a parking position in a parking region is identified and driven to automatically by the vehicle or with guidance by a user and, at the request of the user, the vehicle drives automatically to a transfer location in the parking region for further use. A trajectory which is traveled along as far as the parking position within the parking region is sorted and the transfer location can be defined at any desired point on this trajectory. Also disclosed is a system for carrying out the method and a motor vehicle having the disclosed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Torsten Büschenfeld, Stephan Max, Alexander Urban, Stefan Brosig, Reiner Katzwinkel
  • Publication number: 20180053934
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a positive electrode active lithium-excess metal oxide with composition LixMyO2 (0.6?y?0.85 and 0?x+y?2) for a lithium secondary battery with a high reversible capacity that is insensitive with respect to cation-disorder. The material exhibits a high capacity without the requirement of overcharge during the first cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Gerbrand Ceder, Jinhyuk Lee, Alexander Urban, Xin Li, Sangtae Kim, Geoffroy Hautier
  • Patent number: 9780363
    Abstract: This disclosure provides a positive electrode active lithium-excess metal oxide with composition LixMyO2 (0.6?y?0.85 and 0?x+y?2) for a lithium secondary battery with a high reversible capacity that is insensitive with respect to cation-disorder. The material exhibits a high capacity without the requirement of overcharge during the first cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Gerbrand Ceder, Jinhyuk Lee, Alexander Urban, Xin Li, Sangtae Kim, Geoffroy Hautier
  • Publication number: 20170071686
    Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling a surgical navigation system. A detection unit for detecting system control inputs made by a user is associated with a surgical navigation system, the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs, and user gestures are used as said control inputs. A gesture or a initiating user gesture defines a virtual volume surrounding the initiating gesture's limits, and further predetermined gestures made in the virtual volume are recognized as a control input. Also provided is a control system for a surgical navigation system. The navigation system is associated with a detection unit for detecting system control inputs made by a user, the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs, and the detection unit includes a gesture detection system for detecting user gestures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Rainer Birkenbach, Alexander Urban, Alexander Druse, Axel Besinger, Alexander Schaal, Till Gerken, Georg Christian, Christian Lechner
  • Patent number: 9542001
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for a surgical navigation system, wherein the navigation system is associated with a detection unit for detecting system control inputs made by a user, and wherein the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs and the detection unit comprises a gesture detection for detecting user gestures. The invention also relates to a method for controlling a surgical navigation system, wherein a detection unit for detecting system control inputs made by a user is associated with the surgical navigation system, the navigation system is controlled in accordance with the control inputs, and user gestures are used as said control inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Rainer Birkenbach, Alexander Urban, Alexander Druse, Georg Christian, Christian Lechner, Axel Besinger, Alexander Schaal, Till Gerken
  • Publication number: 20160362103
    Abstract: A method for the user-defined provision of a vehicle in which a parking position in a parking region is identified and driven to automatically by the vehicle or with guidance by a user and, at the request of the user, the vehicle drives automatically to a transfer location in the parking region for further use. A trajectory which is travelled along as far as the parking position within the parking region is sorted and the transfer location can be defined at any desired point on this trajectory. Also disclosed is a system for carrying out the method and a motor vehicle having the disclosed system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Torsten BÜSCHENFELD, Stephan MAX, Alexander URBAN, Stefan BROSIG, Reiner KATZWINKEL
  • Patent number: 9488725
    Abstract: A device and a method for detecting objects in the surroundings of a vehicle is provided. At least one reflection pattern is ascertained for at least one object class. Pulse echo measurements for m different transmitter/receiver geometries are performed. Echo signals in the pulse echo measurements are detected. Weights for the different objects of the corresponding class are calculated. The weight values thus ascertained are summed to form a weight, and the presence of objects of the at least one object class is ascertained using the weights thus ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stephan Max, Claudia Prausse, Alexander Urban
  • Patent number: 9392931
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a surgical microscope (1), wherein the position of the optical system (30) of the microscope (1) is tracked within an operating space by a position tracking system (40), wherein the optical system carrier (20) can be moved by means of a motorized carrier moving system (22, 23, 24). The line of sight of the optical system (30) is automatically set by moving the optical system carrier (20) and is aligned with a predefined direction in said operating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Alexander Urban, Valentin Elefteriu, Rainer Birkenbach
  • Patent number: 9348025
    Abstract: A device for lateral environment detection of a motor vehicle and a method for the substantially simultaneous operation of a parking support device and a door protection device is provided. The parking support device and the door protection device perform an environment detection with structurally identical environmental sensors. In order to be able to operate these simultaneously or overlapping in time, without interference by cross echo pulse occurring, it is provided to operate the simultaneously operated environmental sensors at frequencies that are shifted relative to one another and of which at least one of the frequencies is also shifted with respect to a resonance frequency of the environmental sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Alexander Urban, Stephan Max, Claudia Prausse, Reiner Katzwinkel
  • Publication number: 20160139255
    Abstract: A method and a device for locating a vehicle from a fixed reference map in which objects are assigned one or more positions in the reference map. At successive points of a vehicle trajectory, in each case a radar impulse is emitted and subsequently, angle-resolved and time-resolved measurements of the radar impulse response are performed. Object positions are identified in the environment surrounding the vehicle from the radar impulse response, the current identified object positions forming an environment map. The vehicle position is identified in the reference map by comparing the environment map to the reference map, the reference map being created from the identified positions and is continuously updated. An object classification for the identified object positions in the current environment map and/or reference map is performed and the identification of the vehicle position is performed while taking the object classification into account.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Torsten BUESCHENFELD, Stephan MAX, Alexander URBAN, Stefan BROSIG
  • Publication number: 20160002673
    Abstract: A method of producing bioethanol that includes receiving a feedstock solution that includes polysaccharides in a vessel comprising a complex is described. The complex may be copper nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles, nanoshells, nanorods, carbon moieties, encapsulated nanoshells, encapsulated nanoparticles, and/or branched nanostructures. The method also includes applying electromagnetic (EM) radiation to the complex such that the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat. Using the heat generated by the complex, sugar molecules may be extracted from the polysaccharides in the feedstock solution, and fermented. Then, bioethanol may be extracted from the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Nancy J. Halas, Peter Nordlander, Oara Neumann, Alexander Urban
  • Publication number: 20150359456
    Abstract: A medical holder device to which a flexible medical tooltip comprising an optical fibre can exchangeably be attached, the medical holder device comprising an optical fibre connector for receiving the proximal end of the optical fibre, a light source adapted to emit light into the optical fibre, a light receiver adapted to receive light reflected at the distal end of the optical fibre and to output a corresponding output signal and a processing unit adapted to receive the output signal from the light receiver and to calculate a bending of the optical fibre.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Applicant: BRAINLAB AG
    Inventors: Alexander URBAN, Alexander DRUSE
  • Publication number: 20150150645
    Abstract: A method for sampling surface points on the surface of an object using a medical navigation system and a light beam source, wherein the light beam source generates a light beam which creates a light spot on the surface, and a camera of the medical navigation system records image data from which the location of the light spot is determined as the location of a sample point, said method comprising the steps of: generating a quality measure for a sample point using a quality measurement device which is at least partially attached to the light beam source and used to determine quality measurement data from which the quality measure is determined; and processing the sample point on the basis of the quality measure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Inventors: Swen Woerlein, Fritz Vollmer, Alexander Urban, Martin Mathis