Patents by Inventor Bernd Hofflinger

Bernd Hofflinger 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: 7126632
    Abstract: A method for the transformation of image signals that have been obtained by color filtering and have been logarithmically compressed is proposed. The color saturation of the recorded images is increased thereby. According to one aspect of the invention, the transformed image signals are determined as a function of the logarithmically compressed image signals and the logarithmically compressed brightness signals for a spectral color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Institut für Mikroelecktronik Stuttgart
    Inventors: Bernd Hofflinger, Heinz Gerhard Graf
  • Publication number: 20050117035
    Abstract: In order to correct for fixed pattern noise in the signals of an image sensor, image signal values are read out from the pixels of the sensor. Individual correction values are added as analogue quantities to the image signal values via a signal path having a defined transfer function. Parameters which are characteristic of the defined transfer function are provided in a memory and the individual correction values are calculated in a correction value calculating unit using the parameters provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2004
    Publication date: June 2, 2005
    Inventors: Bernd Hofflinger, Markus Strobel
  • Publication number: 20040135912
    Abstract: A camera module for electronically recording images has an image sensor with a plurality of image cells. Each image cell provides an electric image signal as a function of the intensity of incident light. Each image cell has a light-sensitive element for generating a light-dependent current, as well as at least one MOS transistor which is arranged in series therewith. The gate of the MOS transistor is at a fixed potential, and the source-drain path is flowed through by the light-dependent current. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is arranged at least one light source in the region of the image sensor by means of which light source the image cells can be illuminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Bernd Hofflinger, Hans-Georg Kober
  • Publication number: 20040100568
    Abstract: A device for the FPN correction of image signals which are generated by image cells of an image sensor comprises a discriminator for determining in which value range out of at least two value ranges a value of an image signal of an image cell is located at a predetermined instant of time. The result determined by the discriminator is feed to a correction device. The correction device selects correction coefficients from a plurality of sets of correction coefficients as a function of the result determined by the discriminator, and a transformation unit calculates the corrected value for the image signal by using the selected correction coefficients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Bernd Hofflinger, Cornelis Scherjon
  • Patent number: 6665011
    Abstract: A circuitry for high-speed reading of a video cell for a video pickup chip including a plurality of such video cells disposed in the form of a two-dimensional array, and a read-out logic designed for imaging a high input signal dynamic volume onto a reduced output signal dynamic volume, wherein the photosensitive element of the video cell is connected to the first main electrode of a first MOS transistor (M0) and to the gate of a second MOS transistor (M1) such that the gate and the other main electrode of the first MOS transistor (M0) are short-circuited and applied to an invariable potential (Vpp) so as to achieve a logarithmic characteristic line, and that an output signal amplifier is connected to the second main electrode of the second MOS transistor (M1). Moreover, a method of high speed reading of this video cell is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Uwe Apel, Bernd Hofflinger, Heinz-Gerd Graf
  • Publication number: 20020176023
    Abstract: A method for the transformation of image signals that have been obtained by color filtering and have been logarithmically compressed is proposed. The color saturation of the recorded images is increased thereby. According to one aspect of the invention, the transformed image signals are determined as a function of the logarithmically compressed image signals and the logarithmically compressed brightness signals for a spectral color.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Bernd Hofflinger, Heinz Gerhard Graf
  • Patent number: 5956264
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for digital multiplication of integers, having an encoding unit, an adding unit, which adds the output values of the encoding unit, and a decoding unit, which decodes the output value of the adding unit. The encoding unit encodes the numbers according to the following formula:X=2.sup.k * (1+X.sub.B)=2.sup.k +X.sub.BY=2.sup.l * (1+Y.sub.B)=2.sup.l +Y.sub.BThe adding unit adds the values k, 1 and x and y, and the mixed terms X.sub.B * Y.sub.B depending on the desired accuracy being either not formed or recursively calculated according to the preceding manner of procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Inventor: Bernd Hofflinger
  • Patent number: 5906460
    Abstract: A tool device for machining workpieces has a machining tool and at least one sensor oriented toward a machining area of a workpiece to be machined by the machining tool. The at least one sensor senses at least a portion of the machining area and produces sensing signals. At least one processing unit for receiving and processing the sensing signals of the at least one sensor is provided so that an on-line control of the machining process is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Joh. & Ernst Link GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Jorg Link, Bernd Hofflinger
  • Patent number: 5635753
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit having at least two active components, such as transistors, having the following features:a highly conductive substrate is provided which is connected to one pole of a voltage supply source,a semiconductor layer, which is electrically isolated from the substrate and divided into individual sections by lateral isolation regions, is disposed on a main surface of the substrate,placed in each section is at least one active component, e.g., a transistor of any type performance, andlateral deep diffusion regions which are accommodated in the semiconductor layer create a conductive connection between the highly conductive substrate and the corresponding regions of the active components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Bernd Hofflinger
    Inventors: Bernd Hofflinger, Volker Dudek
  • Patent number: 5608204
    Abstract: Disclosed is an image-recorder chip having a multiplicity of image cells provided with field-effect transistors disposed in the form of a two dimensional array and having a readout logic. This present invention is directed to the object of projection of high input signal dynamics onto reduced output signal dynamics, and is distinguished by the arrangement of the light-sensitive element of each image cell being connected between one electrode of a first MOS transistor and gate of a second MOS transistor, and by the other electrode of the first MOS transistor being connected to the one pole of a voltage supply source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Institut fur Mikroelektronik Stuttgart
    Inventors: Bernd Hofflinger, Marc Landgraf, Ulrich Seger
  • Patent number: 4186383
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter consisting of capacitors for a weighted charge distribution corresponding to the digits of an n-digit binary number that is to be converted to analog form comprises n weighted capacitors. These capacitors are integrated with charging switches for the n-digits of the binary number, discharging switches, charge distributing switches and a reference voltage source being also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1980
    Inventors: Bernd Hofflinger, Jurgen Dahms