Patents by Inventor Bernd Leitner

Bernd Leitner 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: 11029236
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for checking a tyre (200), the device (10) comprising: a detection system (104) comprising a camera (105) having an optical plane (107) passing through the camera (105) and defining a focal plane (121); a first light source (110), a second light source (108) and a third light source (109) adapted for emitting a first light radiation, a second light radiation and a third light radiation, respectively to illuminate a surface portion of said tyre at or close to said focal plane (121), said second light source (108) and said third light source (109) being arranged at opposite sides with respect to said optical plane (107); where said first light source (110) is fixed with respect to said detection system (104) and said second light source (108) and third light source (109) are adapted to be movable from a first inactive configuration where they are controlled to not emit said second light radiation and third light radiation and wherein the distance (d2, d3) of said s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Daniele Pecoraro, Valeriano Ballardini, Josef Engelsberger, Bernd Leitner
  • Patent number: 10935467
    Abstract: Apparatus for checking a tyre having: a support plane; a deformation element to generate a deformed surface portion; a positioning actuator to move the deformation element; and a device with a camera, a first light source, a second light source, a processing unit and a drive and control unit. The processing unit is programmed to activate the positioning actuator to move the deformation element towards the tyre to generate a deformed surface portion. The drive and control unit is programmed to: actuate the first light source to illuminate the deformed surface portion of the tyre, the second light source being inactive during the deformation; control the camera to acquire a first image of the deformed surface portion; actuate the second light source to illuminate an undeformed surface portion of the tyre; and control the camera to acquire a second image of the undeformed surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A
    Inventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Daniele Pecoraro, Valeriano Ballardini, Josef Engelsberger, Bernd Leitner
  • Publication number: 20200217756
    Abstract: Apparatus for checking a tyre having: a support plane; a deformation element to generate a deformed surface portion; a positioning actuator to move the deformation element; and a device with a camera, a first light source, a second light source, a processing unit and a drive and control unit. The processing unit is programmed to activate the positioning actuator to move the deformation element towards the tyre to generate a deformed surface portion. The drive and control unit is programmed to: actuate the first light source to illuminate the deformed surface portion of the tyre, the second light source being inactive during the deformation; control the camera to acquire a first image of the deformed surface portion; actuate the second light source to illuminate an undeformed surface portion of the tyre; and control the camera to acquire a second image of the undeformed surface portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Daniele PECORARO, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Josef ENGELSBERGER, Bernd LEITNER
  • Patent number: 10697858
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for checking a tyre (200), the device (10) comprising: a detection system (104) comprising a camera (105) having an optical plane (107) passing through the camera (105) and defining a focal plane (121); a first light source (110), a second light source (108) and a third light source (109) adapted for emitting a first light radiation, a second light radiation and a third light radiation, respectively to illuminate a surface portion of said tyre at or close to said focal plane (121), said second light source (108) and said third light source (109) being arranged at opposite sides with respect to said optical plane (107); where said first light source (110) is fixed with respect to said detection system (104) and said second light source (108) and third light source (109) are adapted to be movable from a first inactive configuration where they are controlled to not emit said second light radiation and third light radiation and wherein the distance (d2, d3) of said s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Daniele Pecoraro, Valeriano Ballardini, Josef Engelsberger, Bernd Leitner
  • Publication number: 20200191685
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for checking a tyre (200), the device (10) comprising: a detection system (104) comprising a camera (105) having an optical plane (107) passing through the camera (105) and defining a focal plane (121); a first light source (110), a second light source (108) and a third light source (109) adapted for emitting a first light radiation, a second light radiation and a third light radiation, respectively to illuminate a surface portion of said tyre at or close to said focal plane (121), said second light source (108) and said third light source (109) being arranged at opposite sides with respect to said optical plane (107); where said first light source (110) is fixed with respect to said detection system (104) and said second light source (108) and third light source (109) are adapted to be movable from a first inactive configuration where they are controlled to not emit said second light radiation and third light radiation and wherein the distance (d2, d3) of said s
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Daniele PECORARO, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Josef ENGELSBERGER, Bernd LEITNER
  • Patent number: 10605698
    Abstract: Method for checking a tyre. The method includes associating first and second independent light sources with a camera, applying a first force against a first surface portion of the tyre to generate a first deformed surface portion, and illuminating the first deformed surface portion with a first light radiation emitted by the first light source while keeping the second light source deactivated. A first image of the first deformed surface portion is then acquired by the camera. The first force is removed and a second surface portion partially distinct from the first surface portion is illuminated with a second light radiation emitted by the second light source without deforming the second surface portion. A second image of the second surface portion is then acquired by the camera. The first and second images are processed for detection of possible defects in the first and second surface portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: PIRELLI TYRE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro Held, Vincenzo Boffa, Daniele Pecoraro, Valeriano Ballardini, Josef Engelsberger, Bernd Leitner
  • Publication number: 20190086293
    Abstract: Method for checking a tyre. The method includes associating first and second independent light sources with a camera, applying a first force against a first surface portion of the tyre to generate a first deformed surface portion, and illuminating the first deformed surface portion with a first light radiation emitted by the first light source while keeping the second light source deactivated. A first image of the first deformed surface portion is then acquired by the camera. The first force is removed and a second surface portion partially distinct from the first surface portion is illuminated with a second light radiation emitted by the second light source without deforming the second surface portion. A second image of the second surface portion is then acquired by the camera. The first and second images are processed for detection of possible defects in the first and second surface portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Daniele PECORARO, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Josef ENGELSBERGER, Bernd LEITNER
  • Publication number: 20180364134
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (10) for checking a tyre (200), the device (10) comprising: a detection system (104) comprising a camera (105) having an optical plane (107) passing through the camera (105) and defining a focal plane (121); a first light source (110), a second light source (108) and a third light source (109) adapted for emitting a first light radiation, a second light radiation and a third light radiation, respectively to illuminate a surface portion of said tyre at or close to said focal plane (121), said second light source (108) and said third light source (109) being arranged at opposite sides with respect to said optical plane (107); where said first light source (110) is fixed with respect to said detection system (104) and said second light source (108) and third light source (109) are adapted to be movable from a first inactive configuration where they are controlled to not emit said second light radiation and third light radiation and wherein the distance (d2, d3) of said s
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alessandro HELD, Vincenzo BOFFA, Daniele PECORARO, Valeriano BALLARDINI, Josef ENGELSBERGER, Bernd LEITNER
  • Patent number: 7810388
    Abstract: A tire testing facility used for testing tires includes a tire testing device with one or more testing heads (5) for testing the inner running surface (8) of the tire (1) and one or more testing heads (6, 7) for testing the outer sidewall (3, 2) side wall of the tire (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Steinbichler, Rainer Huber, Junil Sun, Bernd Leitner
  • Publication number: 20090044615
    Abstract: A tire testing facility is used for testing tires. To improve such tire testing facility, the same comprises a tire testing device with one or more testing heads (5) for testing the inner running surface (8) of the tire (1) and one or more testing heads (6, 7) for testing the outer sidewall (3, 2) of the tire (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: STEINBICHLER OPTOTECHNIK GMBH
    Inventors: Marcus Steinbichler, Rainer Huber, Junil Sun, Bernd Leitner
  • Patent number: 7360410
    Abstract: A procedure serves for the testing of tires by means of a testing system. The testing system includes a memory in which geometric data (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) of the tire (7) are stored, and at least one probe (8) for testing the tire (7) surface. To improve on such a device, the probe or probes (8) are positioned with due consideration for the geometric data (1-6) of the tire (7) for the testing of the tire (7) surface (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Steinbichler, Robert Wilhelm, Bernd Leitner, Roman Berger, Volker Rasenberger, Rainer Huber
  • Publication number: 20050109091
    Abstract: A procedure serves for the testing of tires by means of a testing system. The testing system includes a memory in which geometric data (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) of the tire (7) are stored, and at least one probe (8) for testing the tire (7) surface. To improve on such a device, the probe or probes (8) are positioned with due consideration for the geometric data (1-6) of the tire (7) for the testing of the tire (7) surface (FIG. 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Hans Steinbichler, Robert Wilhelm, Bernd Leitner, Roman Berger, Volker Rasenberger, Rainer Huber
  • Patent number: 6840097
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus for tires having a positioning device for the tire to be inspected and a laser inspection device. In accordance with the invention, the inspection device comprises several measuring heads, in particular laser measuring heads in order to reduce the inspection time. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, several observation units and associated lighting sources are integrated in each measuring head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Huber, Bernd Leitner, Hans Steinbichler, Junli Sun, Volker Rasenberger, Thomas Köhler, Thomas Leitner, Josef Engelsberger
  • Patent number: 6590668
    Abstract: A method serves the direct phase-angle measurement of radiation, in particular of light radiation which is reflected from a body. The body is exposed to coherent radiation. The radiation reflected from the body is imaged by an imaging optical system (6) in an image plane in which a sensor is located. A reference radiation generated in accordance with the shearing method is superimposed on the sensor. The phase of the radiation from the body is determined from the measurement signals of the sensor. To improve such a method, the imaging optical system (6) possesses a diaphragm (11) having one or two apertures (12, 13) (FIG. 2a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Steinbichler Optotechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Huber, Junli Sun, Bernd Leitner, Hans Steinbichler