Patents by Inventor Christian Bretthauer

Christian Bretthauer 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: 11962973
    Abstract: A combined MicroElectroMechanical structure (MEMS) includes a first piezoelectric membrane having one or more first electrodes, the first piezoelectric membrane being affixed between a first holder and a second holder; and a second piezoelectric membrane having an inertial mass and one or more second electrodes, the second piezoelectric membrane being affixed between the second holder and a third holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christian Bretthauer, David Tumpold, Pradyumna Mishra, Daniel Neumaier
  • Patent number: 11942975
    Abstract: An apparatus for correcting an input signal is configured for receiving the input signal, the received input signal comprising a series of input values. The apparatus is configured for matching a series of template values to the series of input values by warping the series of template values and the series of input values relatively to each other so as to assign one or more template values to one or more input values, wherein the series of template values represents an approximation of a noise signal that is expected to be comprised in the input signal. The apparatus is configured for obtaining a series of corrected input values based on a mismatch between the input values and their respective assigned template values. The apparatus is configured for providing a corrected signal based on the series of corrected input values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Alessandra Fusco, Christian Bretthauer
  • Patent number: 11863933
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a MEMS sound transducer, and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a supply signal provider for providing a high-level supply signal and read-out circuitry for receiving an output signal from the MEMS sound transducer, and a switching arrangement for selectively connecting the MEMS sound transducer to the supply signal provider, and for selectively connecting the MEMS sound transducer to the read-out circuitry based on a control signal. The control circuitry provides the control signal having an ultrasonic actuation pattern to the switching arrangement during a first condition TX of the control signal, wherein the ultrasonic actuation pattern of the control signal triggers the switching arrangement for alternately coupling the high-level supply signal to the MEMS sound transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Niccoló De Milleri, Christian Bretthauer, Alessandro Caspani, Alessandra Fusco
  • Publication number: 20230416078
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a deformable membrane, e.g., for the measurement of at least one of an acceleration, a vibration, or a pressure. The membrane has a supporting connection with a support structure which includes at least one elastic supporting connection. Also disclosed are a sensor device including the semiconductor device along with methods for manufacturing the semiconductor device and the sensor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Andreas Bogner, Christian Bretthauer, Abhiraj Basavanna
  • Publication number: 20230406694
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a substrate having a cavity and a membrane structure mechanically connected to the substrate and configured for deflecting out-of-plane with regard to a substrate plane and with a frequency in an ultrasonic frequency range to cause a fluid motion of the fluid in the cavity. The MEMS device includes a valve structure sandwiching the cavity together with the membrane structure, wherein the valve structure includes a planar perforated structure and a shutter structure opposing the perforated structure and arranged movably in-plane and with a frequency in the ultrasonic frequency range and with regard to the substrate plane and between a first position and a second position. The shutter structure is arranged to provide a first fluidic resistance for the fluid in the first position and a second, higher fluidic resistance for the fluid in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Bretthauer, Marco Haubold, Hans-Jörg Timme, Dominik Mayrhofer
  • Publication number: 20230412968
    Abstract: A MEMS package comprises a first speaker arrangement configured for emitting sound in a first audio frequency range and a second speaker arrangement configured for emitting sound in a different second audio frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Bretthauer, Marco Haubold, Bjoern Oliver Eversmann, Dominik Mayrhofer
  • Publication number: 20230396930
    Abstract: A MEMS device and a method for operating a MEMS device are provided. The MEMS device comprises a piezoelectric transducer element having at least a first piezoelectric transducer region and a deflectable structure, wherein the deflectable structure comprises the piezoelectric transducer element. The MEMS device further comprises a control circuitry configured to readout at least a first sensor signal from the first region of the piezoelectric transducer element based on a deflection of the deflectable structure. The control circuitry is further configured to determine a control signal from the readout first sensor signal, wherein the control signal has a counteracting effect to the deflection of the deflectable structure when provided to the piezoelectric transducer element. The control circuitry is configured to provide the control signal to the piezoelectric transducer element for counteracting the deflection of the deflectable structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Bretthauer, Andreas Bogner, Gabriele Bosetti, Niccoló De Milleri
  • Publication number: 20230375825
    Abstract: A light steering system includes: a reflective structure configured to tilt about a first axis; a frame that includes a frame recess over which the reflective structure is suspended; and a suspension assembly that includes a piezoelectric corrugated structure coupled to and between the reflective structure and the frame. The piezoelectric corrugated structure includes a first corrugated surface including concentric rings of alternating peaks and valleys; a second corrugated surface arranged opposite to the first corrugated surface; a plurality of peak electrodes, each peak electrode being coupled to a respective peak of the first corrugated surface; a plurality of valley electrodes, each valley electrode being coupled to a respective valley of the first corrugated surface; and a common electrode layer coupled to the second corrugated surface, wherein the common electrode layer is arranged counter to the plurality of peak electrodes and to the plurality of valley electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christian BRETTHAUER, Malika BELLA
  • Publication number: 20230362551
    Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer comprises a deflectable structure having a first portion and a laterally adjoining second portion. The first portion has a piezoelectric layer and the second portion has an insulating material layer, and the second portion has a higher rigidity and a smaller mass per unit area than the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Bretthauer, Gabriele Bosetti, Andreas Bogner
  • Publication number: 20230262397
    Abstract: A Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) device comprises a piezoelectric transducer having a first frequency behavior, wherein the piezoelectric transducer comprises a piezoelectric trimming region, and control circuitry to provide a bias signal to the piezoelectric trimming region of the piezoelectric transducer for adjusting a second frequency behavior of the piezoelectric transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Bretthauer, Andreas Bogner, Gabriele Bosetti, Niccoló De Milleri
  • Patent number: 11691871
    Abstract: A MEMS vibration sensor includes a membrane having an inertial mass, the membrane being affixed to a holder of the MEMS vibration sensor; and a segmented backplate spaced apart from the membrane, the segmented backplate being affixed to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Somu Goswami, Christian Bretthauer, Matthias Friedrich Herrmann, Gunar Lorenz
  • Patent number: 11693021
    Abstract: A MEMS vibration sensor includes a piezoelectric membrane including a segmented electrode affixed to a holder; and an inertial mass affixed to the piezoelectric membrane, wherein the segmented electrode includes four segmentation zones, wherein, in an X-direction, a signal from a first segmentation zone is equal to a signal from a third segmentation zone, a signal from a second segmentation zone is equal to a signal from a fourth segmentation zone, and the signal from the first segmentation zone and the signal from the second segmentation zone have opposite signs, and wherein, in a Y-direction, a signal from the first segmentation zone is equal to the signal from the second segmentation zone, the signal from the third segmentation zone is equal to the signal from the fourth segmentation zone, and the signal from first segmentation zone and the signal from the third segmentation zone have opposite signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Somu Goswami, Christian Bretthauer, Matthias Friedrich Herrmann, Gunar Lorenz, Pradyumna Mishra, Daniel Neumaier, David Tumpold
  • Publication number: 20230188899
    Abstract: A combined MicroElectroMechanical structure (MEMS) includes a first piezoelectric membrane having one or more first electrodes, the first piezoelectric membrane being affixed between a first holder and a second holder; and a second piezoelectric membrane having an inertial mass and one or more second electrodes, the second piezoelectric membrane being affixed between the second holder and a third holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Bretthauer, David Tumpold, Pradyumna Mishra, Daniel Neumaier
  • Publication number: 20230160732
    Abstract: A thermoresistive micro sensor device includes a semiconductor chip; a through hole, which runs through the semiconductor chip from an upper side to a lower side; electrically conductive structures, wherein the middle section of each of the electrically conductive structures spans over the through hole at the upper side of the semiconductor chip; an electrically insulating arrangement for electrically insulating the electrically conductive structures and the semiconductor chip from each other, wherein the through hole runs through the electrically insulating arrangement; and a contact arrangement including contacts, wherein each of the contacts is electrically connected to one of the first end sections or one of the second end sections, so that electrical energy is fed to at least one of the electrically conductive structures to heat the respective electrically conductive structure, and so that an electrical resistance of one of the electrically conductive structures is measured at the contact arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Martin Seidl, Christian Bretthauer, Wolfgang Klein, Ulrich Krumbein, David Tumpold
  • Publication number: 20230114068
    Abstract: A gas sensor comprises a membrane, a first plate arranged on a first side of the membrane and having through openings for the passage of a gas, a second plate arranged on a second side of the membrane, the second side being situated opposite the first side, and an electronic circuit, which is connected to the membrane, the first plate and the second plate and causes the membrane to emit ultrasonic radiation, and which is configured to determine a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Matthias EBERL, Christian BRETTHAUER
  • Patent number: 11611835
    Abstract: A MicroElectroMechanical Structure (MEMS) accelerometer includes a piezoelectric membrane including at least one electrode and an inertial mass, the piezoelectric membrane being affixed to a holder; and a circuit for evaluating sums and differences of signals associated with the at least one electrode to determine a three-dimensional acceleration direction, wherein the at least one electrode includes a segmented electrode, and wherein the segmented electrode includes four segmentation zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christian Bretthauer, Pradyumna Mishra, Daniel Neumaier, David Tumpold
  • Publication number: 20220402752
    Abstract: A MEMS vibration sensor includes a membrane having an inertial mass, the membrane being affixed to a holder of the MEMS vibration sensor; and a segmented backplate spaced apart from the membrane, the segmented backplate being affixed to the holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicants: Infineon Technologies AG, Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Somu Goswami, Christian Bretthauer, Matthias Friedrich Herrmann, Gunar Lorenz
  • Patent number: 11530968
    Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing the particulate matter content of an aerosol includes an aerosol chamber configured to receive an aerosol, the particulate matter content of which should be analyzed, at least one ultrasonic generator configured to produce ultrasonic waves in the aerosol received in the aerosol chamber, an ultrasonic detector configured to detect ultrasonic waves produced by the at least one ultrasonic generator in the aerosol, and an evaluator having a data exchange communication link with the ultrasonic detector and configured to ascertain the matter content on the basis of signals output by the ultrasonic detector. The ultrasonic generator and the ultrasonic detector are positioned relative to one another such that a path length to be traversed by ultrasonic waves between the ultrasonic generator and the ultrasonic detector is less than 1 cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Alfons Dehe, Christian Bretthauer
  • Patent number: 11353431
    Abstract: A photoacoustic sensor comprises an emitter for emitting electromagnetic radiation at a first wavelength and electromagnetic radiation at a second wavelength, wherein the first wavelength is for photoacoustically detecting particulate matter in a measurement cavity and the second wavelength is for photoacoustically detecting the particulate matter and at least one target gas in the measurement cavity. The photoacoustic sensor further comprises an acoustic transducer for transducing a first acoustic signal into a first sensor signal depending on an interaction of the electromagnetic radiation at the first wavelength and the particulate matter, and for transducing a second acoustic signal into a second sensor signal depending on an interaction of the electromagnetic radiation at the second wavelength with the particulate matter and the at least one target gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: Christian Bretthauer
  • Publication number: 20220167095
    Abstract: A MEMS device includes a MEMS sound transducer, and control circuitry. The control circuitry includes a supply signal provider for providing a high-level supply signal and read-out circuitry for receiving an output signal from the MEMS sound transducer, and a switching arrangement for selectively connecting the MEMS sound transducer to the supply signal provider, and for selectively connecting the MEMS sound transducer to the read-out circuitry based on a control signal. The control circuitry provides the control signal having an ultrasonic actuation pattern to the switching arrangement during a first condition TX of the control signal, wherein the ultrasonic actuation pattern of the control signal triggers the switching arrangement for alternately coupling the high-level supply signal to the MEMS sound transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Niccoló De Milleri, Christian Bretthauer, Alessandro Caspani, Alessandra Fusco