Patents by Inventor Christian Woehler

Christian Woehler 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: 11676981
    Abstract: An image sensor for recording incident radiation may include a first layer for filtering the incident radiation by attenuating incident radiation with a frequency below a cutoff frequency and a second light-sensitive layer for absorbing radiation passing through the first layer. The first layer may precede the second light-sensitive layer in a direction of propagation of the incident radiation and the first layer includes at least one aperture passing through the first layer to the second light-sensitive layer for propagating radiation therethrough. The cross sectional size of the at least one aperture may be configured to provide a cutoff frequency so that incident radiation with a frequency below the cutoff frequency is attenuated inside the at least one aperture and incident radiation with a frequency above the cutoff frequency propagates through the at least one aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Woehler
  • Patent number: 11353320
    Abstract: An image sensor and well structure associated with and extending away from the surface of the image sensor are provided in various apparatuses, methods, and systems for determining the position of a light emitter located in object space. An exemplary method includes (i) providing the image sensor and structure associated therewith, the structure defining a field of view for each pixel within the array of pixels; (ii) determining a light intensity value for photoactivated pixels receiving light from the light emitter; (iii) identifying a first photoactivated pixel having a local maximum of light intensity; (iv) calculating a perpendicular distance between the first photoactivated pixel and the light emitter; and (v) constructing the position of the light emitter based on a position of the first photoactivated pixel in the array of pixels and the perpendicular distance between the first photoactivated pixel and the light emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Inventor: Christian Woehler
  • Publication number: 20210143201
    Abstract: An image sensor for recording incident radiation may include a first layer for filtering the incident radiation by attenuating incident radiation with a frequency below a cutoff frequency and a second light-sensitive layer for absorbing radiation passing through the first layer. The first layer may precede the second light-sensitive layer in a direction of propagation of the incident radiation and the first layer includes at least one aperture passing through the first layer to the second light-sensitive layer for propagating radiation therethrough. The cross sectional size of the at least one aperture may be configured to provide a cutoff frequency so that incident radiation with a frequency below the cutoff frequency is attenuated inside the at least one aperture and incident radiation with a frequency above the cutoff frequency propagates through the at least one aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Inventor: Christian WOEHLER
  • Publication number: 20200400425
    Abstract: An image sensor and well structure associated with and extending away from the surface of the image sensor are provided in various apparatuses, methods, and systems for determining the position of a light emitter located in object space. An exemplary method includes (i) providing the image sensor and structure associated therewith, the structure defining a field of view for each pixel within the array of pixels; (ii) determining a light intensity value for photoactivated pixels receiving light from the light emitter; (iii) identifying a first photoactivated pixel having a local maximum of light intensity; (iv) calculating a perpendicular distance between the first photoactivated pixel and the light emitter; and (v) constructing the position of the light emitter based on a position of the first photoactivated pixel in the array of pixels and the perpendicular distance between the first photoactivated pixel and the light emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Christian Woehler
  • Publication number: 20200401785
    Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a plurality of light emitting droplets includes a detector system having an image sensor comprising an array of pixels and a structure a structure associated with a surface of the image sensor that extends a height away from the surface of the image sensor and defines a field of view for pixels within the array of pixels. The apparatus can additionally include a lens system positioned in front of the image sensor that defines an object space and an image space for the image sensor such that light from a light emitting droplet located in the object space is recorded by a plurality of pixels within the array of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventor: Christian Woehler
  • Patent number: 10544455
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the disclosure relates generally to methods, as well as compositions, systems, kits and apparatuses, for performing nucleotide incorporation, comprising: (a) providing a surface including one or more reaction sites containing a polymerase and a nucleic acid template that has, or is hybridized to, an extendible end; (b) performing a first nucleotide flow by contacting one or more of the reaction sites with a first solution including one or more types of terminator nucleotide; (c) incorporating at least one type of terminator nucleotide at the extendible end of the nucleic acid template contained within at least one of the reaction sites using the polymerase; and (d) detecting a non-optical signal indicating the nucleotide incorporation using a sensor that is attached or operatively linked to the at least one reaction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignees: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION, LIFE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hinz, Peter Vander Horn, Earl Hubbell, Christian Woehler
  • Patent number: 10487357
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the disclosure relates generally to methods, as well as related, systems, compositions, kits and apparatuses, for nucleic acid analysis that involve the use of modified nucleotides, including terminator nucleotides and/or tagged nucleotides, in a template-dependent nucleotide incorporation reaction. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid analysis can be conducted at a single reaction site, or at a plurality of reaction sites in an array of reaction sites. Optionally, the array contains a plurality of reaction sites having about 1-100 million, or about 100-250 million, or about 200-500 million, or about 500-900 million, or more reaction sites. Optionally, each reaction site is in contact with, operatively coupled, or capacitively coupled to one or more sensors that are ion-sensitive FETs (isFETs) or chemically-sensitive FETs (chemFETs) sensors. Optionally, the reaction sites are in fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: Life Technologies Corporation, Life Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hinz, Steven Menchen, Ronald Graham, Peter Vander Horn, Earl Hubbell, Christian Woehler, Roman Rozhkov, Barnett Rosenblum
  • Publication number: 20180119217
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the disclosure relates generally to methods, as well as related, systems, compositions, kits and apparatuses, for nucleic acid analysis that involve the use of modified nucleotides, including terminator nucleotides and/or tagged nucleotides, in a template-dependent nucleotide incorporation reaction. In some embodiments, the nucleic acid analysis can be conducted at a single reaction site, or at a plurality of reaction sites in an array of reaction sites. Optionally, the array contains a plurality of reaction sites having about 1-100 million, or about 100-250 million, or about 200-500 million, or about 500-900 million, or more reaction sites. Optionally, each reaction site is in contact with, operatively coupled, or capacitively coupled to one or more sensors that are ion-sensitive FETs (isFETs) or chemically-sensitive FETs (chemFETs) sensors. Optionally, the reaction sites are in fluid communication with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicants: Life Technologies Corporation, Life Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang HINZ, Steven MENCHEN, Ronald GRAHAM, Peter VANDER HORN, Earl HUBBELL, Christian WOEHLER, Roman ROZHKOV, Barnett ROSENBLUM
  • Publication number: 20160097091
    Abstract: In some embodiments, the disclosure relates generally to methods, as well as compositions, systems, kits and apparatuses, for performing nucleotide incorporation, comprising: (a) providing a surface including one or more reaction sites containing a polymerase and a nucleic acid template that has, or is hybridized to, an extendible end; (b) performing a first nucleotide flow by contacting one or more of the reaction sites with a first solution including one or more types of terminator nucleotide; (c) incorporating at least one type of terminator nucleotide at the extendible end of the nucleic acid template contained within at least one of the reaction sites using the polymerase; and (d) detecting a non-optical signal indicating the nucleotide incorporation using a sensor that is attached or operatively linked to the at least one reaction site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Wolfgang HINZ, Peter VANDER HORN, Earl HUBBELL, Christian WOEHLER
  • Patent number: 9122266
    Abstract: In a method for collision-free interaction between a machine having mobile machine elements and objects in its vicinity, safety regions are established and monitored using the knowledge of the current position and the dynamic behavior. In particular, image data of the mobile machine element are recorded by means of an image acquisition system and are correlated with a database compiled in a training phase with image data of at least one mobile machine element. The database contains image data relating to a plurality of movement phases within the movement process of the machine. Using the database, both the current position of the mobile machine element is ascertained and a future position, reachable within the stopping time, is estimated. The dynamic behavior of the machine in the event of collision risk is optimized on the basis of this estimation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: PILZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Andre Franke, Lars Krueger, Christian Woehler
  • Patent number: 8379969
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for matching an object model to a three-dimensional point cloud, wherein the point cloud is generated from two images by means of a stereo method and a clustering method is applied to the point cloud in order to identify points belonging to respectively one cluster, wherein model matching is subsequently carried out, with at least one object model being superposed on at least one cluster and an optimum position of the object model with respect to the cluster being determined, and wherein a correction of false assignments of points is carried out by means of the matched object model. A classifier, trained by means of at least one exemplary object, is used to generate an attention map from at least one of the images. A number and/or a location probability of at least one object, which is similar to the exemplary object, is determined in the image using the attention map, and the attention map is taken into account in the clustering method and/or in the model matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bjoern Barrois, Lars Krueger, Christian Woehler
  • Patent number: 8154590
    Abstract: A method for observing a person in an industrial environment using a multicamera system to acquire image data about the position and alignment of a person, including a person's body parts. These image data are then examined with regard to the imaging of a person so that whenever a person has been detected in the image data, an articulated virtual 3D model of the human body is matched to this person hypothesis. Subsequently, this virtual body model is continuously matched to the movement behavior of the person detected in the image data. A hazard potential is determined using knowledge of the position and the movement behavior of the virtual body model in space. The hazard potential thus determined is subjected to a threshold value comparison in order to act upon the movement control of the machine or the machine part in the event of this threshold value being exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Kressel, Lars Krueger, Werner Progscha, Christian Woehler, Franz Kummert, Joachim Schmidt, Rainer Ott, Gerhard Sagerer
  • Patent number: 8135211
    Abstract: Passive methods for three-dimensional reconstruction of a scene by means of image data are generally based on the determination of spatial correspondences between a number of images of the scene recorded from various directions and distances. A method and a device are disclosed which provide a high reliability in the solution of the correspondence problem in conjunction with a low computational outlay. Image areas for determining the correspondences are determined within a plurality of images forming at least two image sequences. In preferred embodiments, a parameterized function h(u, v, t) is matched to each of the image areas in a space R(uvgt) defined by pixel position (u, v), image value g and time t. The parameters of the parameterized functions are used to form a similarity measure between the image areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Goevert, Lars Krueger, Christian Woehler
  • Patent number: 8050957
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for planning demand of a product, such as a configurable product. In one embodiment, a method is provided for planning demand for a configurable product in a managed supply chain. In another embodiment, a demand planner is provided for planning demand for a configurable product in a managed supply chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Christian Woehler
  • Patent number: 8050958
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for planning demand of products, such as configurable products. In one embodiment, a method is provided for planning demand for a configurable product in a managed supply chain. In another embodiment, a demand planner is provided for planning demand for a configurable product in a managed supply chain. The method may comprise the steps of: storing master data defining a set of characteristic value combinations relating to the product dependent characteristics of each product; inputting transactional data defining a demand plan with respect to a product or component; specifying at least one product dependent characteristic of one or more products for which an additional characteristic value is to be assigned; automatically generating the additional characteristic value identifying the specified characteristics; and storing the additional characteristic value to the characteristic value combinations in the master data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Christian Woehler
  • Patent number: 8024219
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for planning demand for a configurable product in a managed supply chain. In one implement, a method is provided in which the configurable product has a product dependent characteristic and a product independent characteristic. A data storage system may store data with respect to a plurality of product independent characteristics and product dependent characteristics. A selection of a product to be represented and a particular characteristic to be represented are received. A planning parameter is also selected. Data is loaded from the data storage system into a buffer. A calculation is performed on the data with respect to the product dependent characteristics and the product independent characteristics. A hierarchy of the represented data is modeled in accordance with the planning parameter and used to administer the buffered data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Christian Woehler
  • Patent number: 8015052
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of generating a demand plan for a configurable product in a managed supply chain using a computer, wherein the product comprises an assembled component. The method comprising: providing a processor device; accessing master data in a primary profile planning table for the configurable product, wherein the table includes data relating to the product, accessing master data in a secondary profile planning table for an assembled component of the configurable product including a header characteristic identifying the configurable product of which the assembled component is a component and data relating to the assembled component, processing the data in the primary profile planning table and the secondary profile planning table to generate transactional data as the demand plan taking into account the assembled component and controlling the supply of the product in accordance with the demand plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: SAP AG
    Inventor: Christian Woehler
  • Publication number: 20100310154
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for matching an object model to a three-dimensional point cloud, wherein the point cloud is generated from two images by means of a stereo method and a clustering method is applied to the point cloud in order to identify points belonging to respectively one cluster, wherein model matching is subsequently carried out, with at least one object model being superposed on at least one cluster and an optimum position of the object model with respect to the cluster being determined, and wherein a correction of false assignments of points is carried out by means of the matched object model. A classifier, trained by means of at least one exemplary object, is used to generate an attention map from at least one of the images. A number and/or a location probability of at least one object, which is similar to the exemplary object, is determined in the image using the attention map, and the attention map is taken into account in the clustering method and/or in the model matching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Bjoern Barrois, Lars Krueger, Christian Woehler
  • Patent number: 7729511
    Abstract: In order to safeguard a hazardous area, in particular the hazardous area of an automatically operating machine, images of the hazardous area are recorded with at least a first and a second image recording unit that are arranged offset from one another. The images of the scene are subjected to three-dimensional scene analyses using different three-dimensional scene analysis methods, and the hazardous area is safeguarded when at least one of the scene analysis methods detects a foreign object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignees: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG, Daimler AG
    Inventors: Christian Wöhler, Werner Progscha, Lars Krüger, Dietmar Döttling, Martin Wendler
  • Patent number: 7634184
    Abstract: The invention relates to a camera for generating digital images with an image sensor that is configured to convert an image formed by a lens into electronic signals. The digital camera is characterized by that the image sensor is attached to a movement element with a controllable drive, the movement element rendering the image sensor tiltable so that an angle between the axis of the lens and a plane of the image sensor is modifiable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Inventor: Christian Woehler