Patents by Inventor Anton Becker

Anton Becker 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: 9654321
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for reception improvement of FM tuners are provided. An example method according to the disclosure includes receiving one or more FM broadcast signals in a common channel (Co-C) situation and provides for receiving one or more FM broadcast signals, selecting a preferred signal and outputting said signal as an IF signal. When a Co-C situation occurs, the method calculates a correlation of the one or more signals and outputs the signal showing a larger consistency value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Becker, Christoph Benz, Philipp Schmauderer, Patrick Hamm
  • Publication number: 20160211995
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for reception improvement of FM tuners are provided. An example method according to the disclosure includes receiving one or more FM broadcast signals in a common channel (Co-C) situation and provides for receiving one or more FM broadcast signals, selecting a preferred signal and outputting said signal as an IF signal. When a Co-C situation occurs, the method calculates a correlation of the one or more signals and outputs the signal showing a larger consistency value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Becker, Christoph Benz, Philipp Schmauderer, Patrick Hamm
  • Patent number: 9374117
    Abstract: A system for decoding a stereo multiplex signal, including one or more devices operable to convert the stereo multiplex signal into a sum signal (L+R) and a difference signal (L?R). The sum signal and the difference signal may be derived from a left stereo signal (L) and right stereo signal (R). The system may also be operable to determine a first transfer function HL(f) and a second transfer function (HR(f)) from the sum signal (L+R) and the difference signal (L?R). Further, the system may be operable to filter the sum signal (L+R) according to the first transfer function to provide the left stereo signal (L), and filter the sum signal (L+R) according to the second transfer function to provide the right stereo signal (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Harmon Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Gierl, Christoph Benz, Andreas Körner, Karl-Anton Becker
  • Patent number: 9147937
    Abstract: An antenna system is disclosed herein which includes a frontend portion, a backend portion and a feed line which connects frontend portion and backend portion with each other. The frontend portion comprises at least two antennas, a combiner connected downstream of the antennas and upstream of the feed line and antenna connectors that electrically connect through antenna plugs, the antennas to the combiner. The backend portion includes an electrical power source connected to the feed line and a resistance evaluation circuit connected between the electrical power source and the feed line and that measures the resistance of the frontend portion through the feed line. At least one of the antenna connectors is in mechanical contact with a jumper having jumper plugs between which a high resistance connection and a low resistance connection is provided that depends on whether the corresponding antenna is connected to the combiner or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Becker, Achim Ratzel
  • Patent number: 8843096
    Abstract: An antenna system is disclosed which includes a frontend portion, a backend portion, a feed line for connecting the frontend portion and the backend portion with each other, and a control unit for controlling the frontend portion and/or backend portion. The frontend portion includes multiple antennas that supply antenna signals and at least one combiner network that connects the antennas to the feed line. The backend portion includes multiple receivers and at least one splitter network that connects the feed line to the receivers. The control unit is configured to evaluate the reception quality and adjust the at least one combiner network and/or splitter network dependent on the reception quality. The at least one combiner network combines the signals from at least two antennas in different, non-overlapping frequency ranges to form at least one combined signal thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Becker, Achim Ratzel
  • Patent number: 8831547
    Abstract: An antenna system is disclosed that includes a frontend portion and a backend portion. The frontend portion includes multiple antennas that supply antenna signals, a first control unit for controlling the frontend portion dependent on control signals received from the backend portion, and a first crossover network that connects a feed line to the first crossover network and the first control unit. The backend portion includes multiple receivers, a second control unit that provides the control signals for the first control unit, and a second crossover network that connects the feed line to the second crossover network and the receivers. The frontend portion is configured to transmit via the feed line antenna signals to the backend portion in a certain frequency range. The backend portion is configured to transmit the control signals to the frontend portion in a frequency range other than the certain frequency range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Becker, Achim Ratzel
  • Publication number: 20140028527
    Abstract: An antenna system is disclosed herein which includes a frontend portion, a backend portion and a feed line which connects frontend portion and backend portion with each other. The frontend portion comprises at least two antennas, a combiner connected downstream of the antennas and upstream of the feed line and antenna connectors that electrically connect through antenna plugs, the antennas to the combiner. The backend portion includes an electrical power source connected to the feed line and a resistance evaluation circuit connected between the electrical power source and the feed line and that measures the resistance of the frontend portion through the feed line. At least one of the antenna connectors is in mechanical contact with a jumper having jumper plugs between which a high resistance connection and a low resistance connection is provided that depends on whether the corresponding antenna is connected to the combiner or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Becker, Achim Ratzel
  • Publication number: 20130288618
    Abstract: An antenna system is disclosed that includes a frontend portion and a backend portion. The frontend portion includes multiple antennas that supply antenna signals, a first control unit for controlling the frontend portion dependent on control signals received from the backend portion, and a first crossover network that connects a feed line to the first crossover network and the first control unit. The backend portion includes multiple receivers, a second control unit that provides the control signals for the first control unit, and a second crossover network that connects the feed line to the second crossover network and the receivers. The frontend portion is configured to transmit via the feed line antenna signals to the backend portion in a certain frequency range. The backend portion is configured to transmit the control signals to the frontend portion in a frequency range other than the certain frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Becker, Achim Ratzel
  • Publication number: 20130288632
    Abstract: An antenna system is disclosed which includes a frontend portion, a backend portion, a feed line for connecting the frontend portion and the backend portion with each other, and a control unit for controlling the frontend portion and/or backend portion. The frontend portion includes multiple antennas that supply antenna signals and at least one combiner network that connects the antennas to the feed line. The backend portion includes multiple receivers and at least one splitter network that connects the feed line to the receivers. The control unit is configured to evaluate the reception quality and adjust the at least one combiner network and/or splitter network dependent on the reception quality. The at least one combiner network combines the signals from at least two antennas in different, non-overlapping frequency ranges to form at least one combined signal thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Becker, Achim Ratzel
  • Publication number: 20130028425
    Abstract: A system for decoding a stereo multiplex signal, including one or more devices operable to convert the stereo multiplex signal into a sum signal (L+R) and a difference signal (L?R). The sum signal and the difference signal may be derived from a left stereo signal (L) and right stereo signal (R). The system may also be operable to determine a first transfer function HL(f) and a second transfer function (HR(f)) from the sum signal (L+R) and the difference signal (L?R). Further, the system may be operable to filter the sum signal (L+R) according to the first transfer function to provide the left stereo signal (L), and filter the sum signal (L+R) according to the second transfer function to provide the right stereo signal (R).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Gierl, Christoph Benz, Andreas Körner, Karl-Anton Becker
  • Patent number: 8131235
    Abstract: An example radio receiver and a method is provided for controlling a radio receiver having two tuners, and receiving a hybrid signal containing digital and analog broadcast signal components. According to the example method, a selection is made in the radio receiver to operate between at least the following operating modes of the receiver: (i) a first operating mode in which both tuners are tuned to the same broadcast hybrid signal and where one of the tuners is configured to receive the digital broadcast signal and the other tuner is configured to receive the analog broadcast signal; (ii) a second operating mode in which one of the tuners receiving the digital broadcast signal is the operating tuner and the other tuner is a search and check tuner; and (iii) a third operating mode in which one of the tuners receiving the analog broadcast signal is the operating tuner and the other tuner is a search and check tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Becker, Philip Obergfell, Binh Ton That Giang
  • Patent number: 7974338
    Abstract: To improve the user experience, a digital radio receiver may output the data contained within the Fast Access Channel and Service Description Channel of a Digital Radio Mondiale stream when their decoding is complete without waiting for the Main Service Channel decoding to finish. When the Main Service Channel decoding is finished, the digital radio receiver may output the audio or data contained within the Main Service Channel. The audio or data from the Digital Radio Mondiale stream may be output on a speaker, headphones, a display, or other type of transducer. The digital radio receiver may also include a processor and a memory to store data from the Fast Access Channel and the Service Description Channel, including data from previously received Digital Radio Mondiale streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Anton Becker, Norbert Irnich
  • Patent number: 7676202
    Abstract: A radio system for the reception of broadcast signals is provided that includes two antennas picking up radio signals and two signal receivers receiving the radio signals, the two antennas and the two receivers operating in diversity operating modes. The radio system further includes an antenna switching unit for creating a connection between the receivers and the antennas and a control unit for controlling the antenna switching unit and selecting the operating mode according to predetermined diversity control criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Anton-Becker
  • Publication number: 20080299926
    Abstract: An example radio receiver and a method is provided for controlling a radio receiver having two tuners, and receiving a hybrid signal containing digital and analog broadcast signal components. According to the example method, a selection is made in the radio receiver to operate between at least the following operating modes of the receiver: (i) a first operating mode in which both tuners are tuned to the same broadcast hybrid signal and where one of the tuners is configured to receive the digital broadcast signal and the other tuner is configured to receive the analog broadcast signal; (ii) a second operating mode in which one of the tuners receiving the digital broadcast signal is the operating tuner and the other tuner is a search and check tuner; and (iii) a third operating mode in which one of the tuners receiving the analog broadcast signal is the operating tuner and the other tuner is a search and check tuner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Anton Becker, Philip Obergfell, Binh Ton That Giang
  • Publication number: 20080144710
    Abstract: To improve the user experience, a digital radio receiver may output the data contained within the Fast Access Channel and Service Description Channel of a Digital Radio Mondiale stream when their decoding is complete without waiting for the Main Service Channel decoding to finish. When the Main Service Channel decoding is finished, the digital radio receiver may output the audio or data contained within the Main Service Channel. The audio or data from the Digital Radio Mondiale stream may be output on a speaker, headphones, a display, or other type of transducer. The digital radio receiver may also include a processor and a memory to store data from the Fast Access Channel and the Service Description Channel, including data from previously received Digital Radio Mondiale streams.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Karl Anton Becker, Norbert Irnich
  • Publication number: 20070129020
    Abstract: A radio system for the reception of broadcast signals is provided that includes two antennas picking up radio signals and two signal receivers receiving the radio signals, the two antennas and the two receivers operating in diversity operating modes. The radio system further includes an antenna switching unit for creating a connection between the receivers and the antennas and a control unit for controlling the antenna switching unit and selecting the operating mode according to predetermined diversity control criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Publication date: June 7, 2007
    Inventor: Karl Anton-Becker
  • Patent number: 6188970
    Abstract: In a method for calibrating or aligning a multistage selective amplifier including an oscillator circuit and at least one tuning circuit, the tuning voltages respectively necessary for aligning the respective tuning circuits to the required receiving frequency are calculated directly from a mathematical relationship between the respective tuning voltage and the oscillator voltage. In order to achieve this, a characteristic multiplicative coefficient and a characteristic additive factor for each tuning circuit are stored in a memory upon manufacturing or switching on the device. In order to select a desired receiving frequency, the respective stored values as well as an oscillator voltage are provided to an amplification circuit, which correspondingly amplifies the oscillator voltage by the multiplicative coefficient and the additive factor and then provides the resulting output value as a tuning voltage to the respective tuning circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignees: Temic Semiconductor GmbH, Becker GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Anton Becker, Stefan Brinkhaus, Armin Ganz, Bernd Memmler, Hans-Eberhardt Kroebel
  • Patent number: 5090711
    Abstract: A seal assembly for the rotor shafts of internal mixers and the like used in the compounding of rubber and plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Americhem, Inc.
    Inventor: Anton Becker
  • Patent number: 5056800
    Abstract: A seal assembly for the rotor shafts of internal mixers and the like used in the compounding of rubber and plastic. The assembly (20, 100) comprises seal rotor (21) carried by the rotor shafts (15, 16) outside of the mixing chamber (14) of the mixer (10) and having a continuous circumferential portion (24) for the bi-directional movement of a viscous melt of flowing material, sleeve (22) non-rotatably carried by the housing (18) of the mixer concentrically disposed about the seal rotor, and retainer (23) rotatable with the rotor shaft and engageable with the seal rotor (21) so as to cause the seal rotor to rotate therewith, wherein movement of the flowable material between the continuous circumferential portion and the sleeve forms a dynamic melt seal thereby controlling the discharge of materials from the mixing chamber between the housing and the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Americhem, Inc.
    Inventor: Anton Becker
  • Patent number: 4875382
    Abstract: An intermittent or stepping drive has a first rotatable member (20), which is driven by a driving shaft (12), in engaging relationship with a second rotatable member (30) from which a driven shaft (22) is driven whereby a continuous rotation of the first rotatable member (20) is converted into an intermittent rotation of the second rotatable member (30). One of the two rotatable members (20,30) is connected to the associated shaft (12,22) by a clutch (40) which is associated with a retaining member (50) that exerts thereon a retaining force (E) acting in an engagement sense. One of the shafts (12,22) is associated with a control device (60) which controls the retaining force (E) depending upon the angular position of rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1989
    Assignee: Elpatronic AG
    Inventors: Anton Becker, Felix Kramer