Patents by Inventor Christian Kirchhof

Christian Kirchhof 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).

  • Publication number: 20230196286
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a utility vehicle, including detecting an insertion movement of a spare part box into an accommodation space of a shelf element in a load compartment of a utility vehicle; on detecting the insertion movement, capturing an image dataset indicative of the interior of the spare part box with a scanning unit assigned to the accommodation space; and evaluating the image dataset to determine the contents of the spare part box. A warning or replenishment order may be automatically generated when the number of a particular part is below a minimum threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Jörg Christian Kirchhof, Detlef Kuck, Jeroen Lem, Marcel Grein
  • Publication number: 20220398534
    Abstract: A cargo space is monitored for objects connected to respective beacon-transmitting devices which transmit identification signals associated with the objects. Signal strengths of received signals and repetition periods associated therewith are determined using a monitoring device which checks whether each received beacon identification signal identifies a respective object in an object inventory of the cargo space based on comparisons of the signal strengths with current signal strength threshold values respectively associated with them and on comparisons of the respectively associated beacon repetition periods with respective current repetition period threshold values. The monitoring device detects whether the cargo space is currently in a first state (in which loading and unloading operations of objects in the cargo space is permissible) or a second state (in which loading and unloading is not permissible).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Detlef Kuck, Marcel Grein, Nicole Eikelenberg, Walter Pijls, Jörg Christian Kirchhof
  • Publication number: 20220285641
    Abstract: A method for electrically conductively contacting an optoelectronic component having at least one protective layer, including: providing the optoelectronic component having the at least one protective layer with at least one busbar arranged below the at least one protective layer, forming at least one opening by at least one laser beam in the at least one protective layer, wherein at least one busbar arranged below the at least one protective layer is partly exposed, such that the at least one busbar is not damaged, introducing a low-melting solder into the at least one opening of the at least one protective layer, aligning and fixing an electrically conductive element that is flexible on a side of the at least one opening opposite the at least one busbar, and forming an electrically conductive connection element in the at least one opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Eritt, Christian Kirchhof, Susanne Mueller, Ingrid Panicke, Christian Wisinger
  • Patent number: 11217619
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting an incident energy beam, the sensor device having stacked layers, the layers having: a first photodiode layer, at least four measuring contacts being arranged on electrode layers of the first photodiode layer, at each of which a partial current of a photocurrent dependent on the incident energy beam can be tapped, to determine an x and y coordinate in the three-dimensional coordinate system; and a second photodiode layer fixed to the first photodiode layer, at least four measuring contacts being arranged on electrode layers of the second photodiode layer, at each of which a partial current of a photocurrent dependent on the incident energy beam can be tapped, to determine an x and y coordinate in the three-dimensional coordinate system; wherein at least one of the photodiode layers is transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventor: Christian Kirchhof
  • Publication number: 20200105817
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting an incident energy beam, the sensor device having stacked layers, the layers having: a first photodiode layer, at least four measuring contacts being arranged on electrode layers of the first photodiode layer, at each of which a partial current of a photocurrent dependent on the incident energy beam can be tapped, to determine an x and y coordinate in the three-dimensional coordinate system; and a second photodiode layer fixed to the first photodiode layer, at least four measuring contacts being arranged on electrode layers of the second photodiode layer, at each of which a partial current of a photocurrent dependent on the incident energy beam can be tapped, to determine an x and y coordinate in the three-dimensional coordinate system; wherein at least one of the photodiode layers is transparent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventor: Christian KIRCHHOF
  • Patent number: 9504125
    Abstract: A lighting module including a plate-type active element having two electrode layers and a light-emitting layer located between the electrode layers, and having a transparent, plate-type support element, on which the active element is located, at least the electrode layer facing the support element being transparent. In the lighting module, the transparent electrode layer has a structure with a thickness that varies periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joerg Amelung, Michael Eritt, Christian Kirchhof
  • Patent number: 9349973
    Abstract: A lighting module or an organic solar cell, including two plate-type electrodes and an active material located between the two electrodes. In the module, one of the two electrodes includes a transparent material and is provided with a grid structure with at least one metallic conductor track running on the surface or in the material of the electrode, only some sections of the conductor track being connected to the electrode material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joerg Amelung, Michael Eritt, Christian Kirchhof
  • Patent number: 9226348
    Abstract: A light-emission device with a two-dimensional OLED element and an encapsulation element for protecting the OLED element. The light-emission device furthermore has a support, on which the OLED element is arranged in such a way that the encapsulation element points toward the support, and an electrical conductor element for an electrical connection between the support and the OLED element. wherein the electrical conductor element is elastic in a normal direction to the OLED element. By way of example, the conductor element can be helical. As a result of the elastic property thereof, the conductor element can absorb mechanical tension while ensuring reliable electrical contacting. Hence, this can reduce or even avoid the risk of the electrical connection between the support and the OLED element being disadvantageously influenced or impaired by forces which can occur when handling the light-emission device or which can be generated by temperature variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: TRODONIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Lucien Richter, Joerg Amelung, Michael Eritt, Christian Kirchhof
  • Publication number: 20150369453
    Abstract: A light module having a plate-shaped active element, which is formed by an OLED or QLED, and a plate-shaped, transparent carrier element having a surface on which the active element is arranged. The carrier element has an edge region that protrudes in relation to the active element. An optical element is arranged on a side of the carrier element opposite the active element and is designed to form a light-emitting area of the light module, which is widened compared to the area of the active element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Michael ERITT, Christian KIRCHHOF, Tino GOEHLER
  • Publication number: 20150296590
    Abstract: A lighting module including a plate-type active element having two electrode layers and a light-emitting layer located between the electrode layers, and having a transparent, plate-type support element, on which the active element is located, at least the electrode layer facing the support element being transparent. In the lighting module, the transparent electrode layer has a structure with a thickness that varies periodically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Joerg Amelung, Michael Eritt, Christian Kirchhof
  • Publication number: 20150287944
    Abstract: A lighting module or an organic solar cell, including two plate-type electrodes and an active material located between the two electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Joerg Amelung, Michael Eritt, Christian Kirchhof
  • Patent number: 9054333
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting element, wherein at least one organic light-emitting diode is formed at an optically transparent substrate as a layer structure. In the lighting element in accordance with the invention, at least one organic light-emitting diode is formed at an optically transparent substrate as a layer structure. The at least one organic light-emitting diode and the substrate are connected to a circuit board and electric contact elements for the connection of the electrodes of the organic light-emitting diode(s) are present at the surface of the circuit board. The surface of the circuit board facing in the direction of the organic light-emitting diode(s) is provided over its full area with a metallic coating as a permeation barrier. The metallic coating is only breached by electric insulators formed about the contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Jan Hesse, Christian Kirchhof, Udo Bechtloff, Kai Schmieder
  • Publication number: 20150054402
    Abstract: A light-emission device with a two-dimensional OLED element and an encapsulation element for protecting the OLED element. The light-emission device furthermore has a support, on which the OLED element is arranged in such a way that the encapsulation element points toward the support, and an electrical conductor element for an electrical connection between the support and the OLED element. wherein the electrical conductor element is elastic in a normal direction to the OLED element. By way of example, the conductor element can be helical. As a result of the elastic property thereof, the conductor element can absorb mechanical tension while ensuring reliable electrical contacting. Hence, this can reduce or even avoid the risk of the electrical connection between the support and the OLED element being disadvantageously influenced or impaired by forces which can occur when handling the light-emission device or which can be generated by temperature variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Lucien Richter, Joerg Amelung, Michael Eritt, Christian Kirchhof
  • Patent number: 8530924
    Abstract: An organic photoelectric device includes a substrate, a base electrode, an electrode terminal, a roof electrode, an organic functional layer, and a self-supporting cover member. The base electrode is configured above a first surface of the substrate, and the electrode terminal is accessible from above the first surface of the substrate. The self-supporting cover member serves to encapsulate the organic functional layer, which is arranged between the substrate and the self-supporting cover member, the self-supporting cover member being formed from conductive material or being coated with a conductive material on a side facing the substrate. The conductive material is locally coupled, in an electrically conductive manner, to the base electrode or the roof electrode at laterally distributed locations, and is further coupled to the electrode terminal in an electrically conductive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Jan Hesse, Joerg Amelung, Christian Kirchhof
  • Publication number: 20120052244
    Abstract: The invention relates to a layer system, comprising a substrate (1) on which firstly at least one barrier layer (2), followed by an intermediate layer (3) acting as an etch-stop layer and subsequently at least one electrically conductive layer (4) are deposited, and wherein the electrically conductive layer (4) is structured with wet-chemical etching media. The invention further relates to a method for the production and uses of a layer system of this type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Waldemar Schoenberger, Matthias Fahland, John Fahlteich, Ulrich Todt, Christian Kirchhof
  • Publication number: 20110298359
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lighting element, wherein at least one organic light-emitting diode is formed at an optically transparent substrate as a layer structure. In the lighting element in accordance with the invention, at least one organic light-emitting diode is formed at an optically transparent substrate as a layer structure. The at least one organic light-emitting diode and the substrate are connected to a circuit board and electric contact elements for the connection of the electrodes of the organic light-emitting diode(s) are present at the surface of the circuit board. The surface of the circuit board facing in the direction of the organic light-emitting diode(s) is provided over its full area with a metallic coating as a permeation barrier. The metallic coating is only breached by electric insulators formed about the contact elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Inventors: Jan Hesse, Christian Kirchhof, Udo Bechtloff, Kai Schmieder
  • Patent number: 8071999
    Abstract: A flat lighting device includes a layer arrangement, anode and cathode contact regions. The layer arrangement includes an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an organic light-emitting layer arranged between the anode and cathode layers, the layer arrangement having a flat shape which is laterally bounded by an edge region. The anode contact regions contact the anode layer and are implemented along the edge region. The cathode contact regions contact the cathode layer and are implemented along the edge region. The flat shape has a rotational invariance toward rotation by discrete angles. The anode and cathode contact regions may be contacted from one side of the flat shape of the layer arrangement and are arranged to be laterally distributed over the edge region such that the lateral distribution of the anode and cathode contact regions is maintained upon rotation of the layer arrangement by the discrete angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Joerg Amelung, Christian Kirchhof, Jan Hesse, Michael Hoffmann
  • Publication number: 20110121352
    Abstract: An organic photoelectric device includes a substrate, a base electrode, an electrode terminal, a roof electrode, an organic functional layer, and a self-supporting cover member. The base electrode is configured above a first surface of the substrate, and the electrode terminal is accessible from above the first surface of the substrate. The self-supporting cover member serves to encapsulate the organic functional layer, which is arranged between the substrate and the self-supporting cover member, the self-supporting cover member being formed from conductive material or being coated with a conductive material on a side facing the substrate. The conductive material is locally coupled, in an electrically conductive manner, to the base electrode or the roof electrode at laterally distributed locations, and is further coupled to the electrode terminal in an electrically conductive manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Jan Hesse, Joerg Amelung, Christian Kirchhof
  • Publication number: 20090302729
    Abstract: A flat lighting device includes a layer arrangement, anode and cathode contact regions. The layer arrangement includes an anode layer, a cathode layer, and an organic light-emitting layer arranged between the anode and cathode layers, the layer arrangement having a flat shape which is laterally bounded by an edge region. The anode contact regions contact the anode layer and are implemented along the edge region. The cathode contact regions contact the cathode layer and are implemented along the edge region. The flat shape has a rotational invariance toward rotation by discrete angles. The anode and cathode contact regions may be contacted from one side of the flat shape of the layer arrangement and are arranged to be laterally distributed over the edge region such that the lateral distribution of the anode and cathode contact regions is maintained upon rotation of the layer arrangement by the discrete angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Joerg Amelung, Christian Kirchhof, Jan Hesse, Michael Hoffmann