Patents by Inventor Christoph Schroers
Christoph Schroers 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).
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Publication number: 20240019508Abstract: A sensor die may include a set of sensing elements and a test structure associated with determining a magnetic sensitivity of the set of sensing elements. The test structure includes a first test sensing element sensitive in a direction in a plane defined by a surface of the sensor die, a second test sensing element sensitive in the direction in the plane defined by the surface of the sensor die, and a wire on chip (WoC) associated with applying a magnetic field to the first test sensing element and the second test sensing element. The first test sensing element, the second test sensing element, and the WoC may be arranged such that, when current flows through the WoC, the first test sensing element senses a component of the magnetic field in the direction, and the second test sensing element senses a component of the magnetic field in a perpendicular direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Christoph SCHROERS, Manfred STEINER, Armin WINKLER
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Patent number: 11719770Abstract: A sensor die may include a set of sensing elements and a test structure associated with determining a magnetic sensitivity of the set of sensing elements. The test structure includes a first test sensing element sensitive in a direction in a plane defined by a surface of the sensor die, a second test sensing element sensitive in the direction in the plane defined by the surface of the sensor die, and a wire on chip (WoC) associated with applying a magnetic field to the first test sensing element and the second test sensing element. The first test sensing element, the second test sensing element, and the WoC may be arranged such that, when current flows through the WoC, the first test sensing element senses a component of the magnetic field in the direction, and the second test sensing element senses a component of the magnetic field in a perpendicular direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2019Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christoph Schroers, Manfred Steiner, Armin Winkler
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Publication number: 20230152344Abstract: A magnetic sensor configured to detect a rotation of an object includes at least one sensor element configured to generate at least one sensor signal based on a magnetic field that is modulated by the rotation of the object; a sensor circuit configured to generate a data transmission signal based on the at least one sensor signal, wherein the data transmission signal comprises a plurality of data transmission blocks; and a memory configured to store transmission block status information indicative of whether or not one of the plurality of data transmission blocks has been triggered for transmission. The sensor circuit is configured to detect an interrupt event that disrupts the transmission of the data transmission signal and avoid a complete loss of a data transmission block due to the detected interrupt event based on the transmission block status information present at a time the interrupt event is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2022Publication date: May 18, 2023Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christoph SCHROERS, Simon HAINZ, Alessandro PETRI, Massimiliano ZILLI
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Patent number: 11621686Abstract: A gray zone prevention circuit includes: a first gain stage circuit including a first input terminal and a first output terminal, the first gain stage circuit amplifies a feedback signal received at the first input terminal and generates an amplified signal at the first output terminal; a second gain stage circuit including a terminal that is coupled to the first output terminal for receiving the amplified signal and a second output terminal, where the second gain stage circuit is configured to generate a monitored signal based on the amplified signal; a feedback circuit coupled between the second output terminal and the first input terminal and configured to convert the monitored signal into the feedback signal; and a comparator circuit including a monitoring node coupled to the first output terminal for receiving the amplified signal, wherein the comparator circuit is configured to monitor the monitored signal indirectly via the amplified signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christoph Schroers, Carlos Humberto Garcia Rojas, Elisa Sanfilippo, Veikko Summa
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Publication number: 20220239267Abstract: A gray zone prevention circuit includes: a first gain stage circuit including a first input terminal and a first output terminal, the first gain stage circuit amplifies a feedback signal received at the first input terminal and generates an amplified signal at the first output terminal; a second gain stage circuit including a terminal that is coupled to the first output terminal for receiving the amplified signal and a second output terminal, where the second gain stage circuit is configured to generate a monitored signal based on the amplified signal; a feedback circuit coupled between the second output terminal and the first input terminal and configured to convert the monitored signal into the feedback signal; and a comparator circuit including a monitoring node coupled to the first output terminal for receiving the amplified signal, wherein the comparator circuit is configured to monitor the monitored signal indirectly via the amplified signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2021Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christoph SCHROERS, Carlos Humberto GARCIA ROJAS, Elisa SANFILIPPO, Veikko SUMMA
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Patent number: 11362668Abstract: A method of converting an N-bit digital code into analog output currents includes switchably connecting a first number of PN junctions to a positive output terminal and a second number of PN junctions to a negative output terminal based on the N-bit digital code; and switchably connecting a plurality of additional PN junctions to the positive output terminal and the negative output terminal based on the N-bit digital code, including connecting a first number of additional PN junctions to the positive output terminal based on the N-bit digital code and connecting a second number of additional PN junctions to the negative output terminal based on the N-bit digital code such that a first sum of the first number of PN junctions and the first number of additional PN junctions is equal to a second sum of the second number of PN junctions and the second number of additional PN junctions.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2021Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Inventors: Florian Brugger, Wolfgang Milachowski, Christoph Schroers
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Patent number: 11333528Abstract: A sensor device includes a first sensor arrangement configured to generate first sensor signals based on sensing a varying magnetic field generated by a pole wheel having a pole wheel pitch, wherein the first sensor signals represent a first differential signal that defines a first measurement value; a second sensor arrangement configured to generate at least one second sensor signal based on sensing the varying magnetic field, wherein the at least one second sensor signal defines a second measurement value that is phase shifted from the first measurement value; and a signal processor configured to detect the pole wheel pitch based on the first measurement value and the second measurement value, and adjust a gain setting of an amplifier circuit based on the detected pole wheel pitch, where the amplifier circuit is configured to amplify the at least one second sensor signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Inventors: Christoph Schroers, Alessandro Petri, Massimiliano Zilli
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Publication number: 20220136865Abstract: A sensor device includes a first sensor arrangement configured to generate first sensor signals based on sensing a varying magnetic field generated by a pole wheel having a pole wheel pitch, wherein the first sensor signals represent a first differential signal that defines a first measurement value; a second sensor arrangement configured to generate at least one second sensor signal based on sensing the varying magnetic field, wherein the at least one second sensor signal defines a second measurement value that is phase shifted from the first measurement value; and a signal processor configured to detect the pole wheel pitch based on the first measurement value and the second measurement value, and adjust a gain setting of an amplifier circuit based on the detected pole wheel pitch, where the amplifier circuit is configured to amplify the at least one second sensor signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Applicant: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christoph SCHROERS, Alessandro PETRI, Massimiliano ZILLI
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Patent number: 11255895Abstract: A sensor system having a current interface includes a supply and current interface, an electronic control unit and an enhanced initialization sensor. The supply and current interface is configured to receive a supply voltage. The electronic control unit is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is configured to initialize the supply and current interface at a suitable current level to mitigate erroneous information. measurement system.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christoph Schroers, Christof Bodner, Simon Hainz
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Publication number: 20210103014Abstract: A sensor die may include a set of sensing elements and a test structure associated with determining a magnetic sensitivity of the set of sensing elements. The test structure includes a first test sensing element sensitive in a direction in a plane defined by a surface of the sensor die, a second test sensing element sensitive in the direction in the plane defined by the surface of the sensor die, and a wire on chip (WoC) associated with applying a magnetic field to the first test sensing element and the second test sensing element. The first test sensing element, the second test sensing element, and the WoC may be arranged such that, when current flows through the WoC, the first test sensing element senses a component of the magnetic field in the direction, and the second test sensing element senses a component of the magnetic field in a perpendicular direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2019Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: Christoph SCHROERS, Manfred STEINER, Armin WINKLER
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Publication number: 20200284829Abstract: A sensor system having a current interface includes a supply and current interface, an electronic control unit and an enhanced initialization sensor. The supply and current interface is configured to receive a supply voltage. The electronic control unit is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is configured to initialize the supply and current interface at a suitable current level to mitigate erroneous information. measurement system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Christoph Schroers, Christof Bodner, Simon Hainz
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Patent number: 10663507Abstract: A sensor system having a current interface includes a supply and current interface, an electronic control unit and an enhanced initialization sensor. The supply and current interface is configured to receive a supply voltage. The electronic control unit is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is configured to initialize the supply and current interface at a suitable current level to mitigate erroneous information. measurement system.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christoph Schroers, Christof Bodner, Simon Hainz
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Patent number: 10489067Abstract: An information storage circuit having a first memory portion configured to store a first validity bit and first data; a second memory portion configured to store a second validity bit and second data; and a subcircuit configured to: write the first data to the first memory portion and the second data to the second memory portion sequentially; and set the first and second validity bits to indicate which of the first data and second data is valid.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Mihai-Alexandru Ionescu, Christoph Schroers, Davide Cassata, Hubert Fischer, Wolfgang Horn, Razvan-Catalin Mialtu, Radu Mihaescu
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Patent number: 10180444Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotation speed sensor, including at least one sensor element to detect a magnetic input signal of the rotation speed sensor, a time watchdog with a programmable time constant and an output control circuit. The time watchdog generates a time-out event when no minimum or maximum or no output switching event of a magnetic input signal of the rotation speed sensor is detected within a time-interval equal to a programmed time constant of the time watchdog. Further, the output control circuit changes the output signal of the rotation speed sensor from a first value to a second value, when a minimum or a maximum or output switching event of the magnetic input signal is detected within the time interval and a change of the magnetic input signal is greater than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Friedrich Rasbornig, Bernhard Schaffer, Christoph Schroers
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Publication number: 20180017607Abstract: A sensor system having a current interface includes a supply and current interface, an electronic control unit and an enhanced initialization sensor. The supply and current interface is configured to receive a supply voltage. The electronic control unit is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is configured to initialize the supply and current interface at a suitable current level to mitigate erroneous information. measurement system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventors: Christoph Schroers, Christof Bodner, Simon Hainz
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Patent number: 9784779Abstract: A sensor system having a current interface includes a supply and current interface, an electronic control unit and an enhanced initialization sensor. The supply and current interface is configured to receive a supply voltage. The electronic control unit is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is configured to initialize the supply and current interface at a suitable current level to mitigate erroneous information.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christoph Schroers, Christof Bodner, Simon Hainz
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Publication number: 20170262206Abstract: An information storage circuit having a first memory portion configured to store a first validity bit and first data; a second memory portion configured to store a second validity bit and second data; and a subcircuit configured to: write the first data to the first memory portion and the second data to the second memory portion sequentially; and set the first and second validity bits to indicate which of the first data and second data is valid.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Mihai-Alexandru Ionescu, Christoph Schroers, Davide Cassata, Hubert Fischer, Wolfgang Horn, Razvan-Catalin Mialtu, Radu Mihaescu
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Patent number: 9678138Abstract: A monitoring unit (100; 800) for monitoring an integrity of a signal path (200; 620) configured to receive an input signal (210, 802) and further configured to provide an output (220) in response to the input signal (210, 802), comprises a signal monitor (110; 801) configured to extract a first signal (112; 630) from the signal path (200; 620) corresponding to the input signal (210, 802) in at least a first characteristic. The monitoring unit (100; 800) further comprises a signal interface (120; 803) configured to extract a second signal (122; 631) corresponding to the output (220) in at least a second characteristic from the signal path (200; 620); and an evaluator (130) configured to determine, whether the at least first characteristic of the first signal (112; 630) corresponds to the at least second characteristic of the second signal (122; 631) according to a predefined relation.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Bernhard Forster, Kirk Herfurth, Mihai Alexandru Ionescu, Friedrich Rasbornig, Christoph Schroers
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Patent number: 9652011Abstract: Embodiments relate to multi-contact sensor devices and operating methods thereof that can reduce or eliminate offset error. In embodiments, sensor devices can comprise three or more contacts, and multiple such sensor devices can be combined. The sensor devices can comprise Hall sensor devices, such as vertical Hall devices, or other sensor types in embodiments. Operating modes can be implemented for the multi-contact sensor devices which offer significant modifications of and improvements over conventional spinning current principles, including reduced residual offset.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Mihai-Alexandru Ionescu, Christoph Schroers, Davide Cassata, Hubert Fischer, Wolfgang Horn, Razvan-Catalin Mialtu, Radu Mihaescu
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Patent number: 9581657Abstract: Devices, methods and systems are disclosed using a first magnetic field sensor of a first type and a second magnetic field sensor of a second type different from the first type. A signal from the first sensor may be used in a first magnetic field, range, and a signal from the second sensor may be used in a second magnetic field range.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Friedrich Rasbornig, Armin Satz, Christoph Schroers