Patents by Inventor Daniel Helmer

Daniel Helmer 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: 11238513
    Abstract: A virtual browsing experience may be implemented that allows a user to move a mobile device within a physical environment in order to control browser navigation to different items on an associated display. The virtual browsing experience improves the user's ability to recall where previously-viewed items are located in the virtual browsing environment. In some embodiments, a mobile device may determine its position and/or orientation in a physical environment, and when movement of the mobile device is detected, a user interface on an associated display may digitally navigate through multiple items according to the position and/or orientation of the mobile device. The position and orientation of the mobile device may be determined from position information or data obtained by a sensor device of the mobile device, and appropriate subsets of items can be determined for display based on detected movement of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Daniel Helmer, Junxiong Jia
  • Patent number: 10479181
    Abstract: A hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle is discloses that has a first connecting component, which can be connected to an output shaft of an internal combustion engine, and a second connecting component, which can be connected to a shaft of a transmission and/or a rotor of an electric drive machine. The connection transmits torque when the clutch is in a closed position and is arranged to interrupt torque flow in an open position. A clutch actuation system switches the clutch between the two positions and has a ramp mechanism operatively connected to the components by a planetary gearing. The first component has two conducting segments connected in a rotationally fixed manner by a torque storage device, designed so the segments are elastically preloaded in a direction of rotation in relation to each other at least in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marc Finkenzeller, Daniel Helmer, Tim Schmid
  • Patent number: 10438262
    Abstract: A virtual browsing experience may be implemented that allows a user to move a mobile device within a physical environment in order to control browser navigation to different items on an associated display. The virtual browsing experience improves the user's ability to recall where previously-viewed items are located in the virtual browsing environment. In some embodiments, a mobile device may determine its position and/or orientation in a physical environment, and when movement of the mobile device is detected, a user interface on an associated display may digitally navigate through multiple items according to the position and/or orientation of the mobile device. The position and orientation of the mobile device may be determined from position information or data obtained by a sensor device of the mobile device, and appropriate subsets of items can be determined for display based on detected movement of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Daniel Helmer, Junxiong Jia
  • Patent number: 10428879
    Abstract: A friction clutch for coupling a drive shaft of a motor vehicle motor to a transmission input shaft has an input part coupled to the drive shaft to introduce a torque of the drive shaft, an output part coupled to the transmission input shaft to extract a torque, a pressing part movable axially relative to the input part and to the output part to press the output part together frictionally with the input part, and a return spring in the form of a leaf spring to position the pressing part in a defined initial position relative to the input part, at least a part of the torque transferred by the input part being transferable through the return spring, where the return spring runs between a torque introduction point and a torque extraction point in an essentially tangential direction and runs at an oblique angle of incidence relative to a radial plane of the friction clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marc Finkenzeller, Daniel Helmer, Martin Chambrion, Johannes Ruf
  • Patent number: 10380461
    Abstract: Approaches introduce a pre-processing and post-processing framework to a neural network-based approach to identify items represented in an image. For example, a classifier that is trained on several categories can be provided. An image that includes a representation of an item of interest is obtained. Rotated versions of the image are generated and each of a subset of the rotated images is analyzed to determine a probability that a respective image includes an instance of a particular category. The probabilities can be used to determine a probability distribution of output category data, and the data can be analyzed to select an image of the rotated versions of the image. Thereafter, a categorization tree can then be utilized, whereby for the item of interest represented the image, the category of the item can be determined. The determined category can be provided to an item retrieval algorithm to determine primary content for the item of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: A9.COM, INC.
    Inventors: Avinash Aghoram Ravichandran, Matias Omar Gregorio Benitez, Rahul Bhotika, Scott Daniel Helmer, Anshul Kumar Jain, Junxiong Jia, Rakesh Madhavan Nambiar, Oleg Rybakov
  • Patent number: 10260571
    Abstract: The invention comprises a clutch device having an actuating device, wherein the actuating device has an electrical eddy current brake. The eddy current brake has a brake stator with at least one coil and a brake rotor with a brake region, wherein the brake region has a first layer which is electrically conductive and which has a first lateral face and a second lateral face, the first lateral face facing toward the coil and the second lateral face facing away from the coil. The brake region has a second layer which is magnetic and which is connected to the second lateral face. The invention further comprises a corresponding production method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marc Finkenzeller, Daniel Helmer
  • Patent number: 10100893
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for coupling an internal combustion engine to a drive train of a motor vehicle, having a frictional clutch for coupling a drive shaft of the internal combustion engine to an output shaft, an actuating device for opening and/or closing the frictional clutch, an eddy current brake for introducing an actuating force into the actuating apparatus, and a control apparatus for applying a defined, predetermined current to the eddy current brake, wherein the control apparatus is configured, in an acceleration phase of a torsional vibration of the drive shaft, to specify a current for opening, in particular for adjusting a slip operation, of the frictional clutch and, in a deceleration phase of the torsional vibration of the drive shaft, to specify a current for closing, in particular for rotationally-fixed, frictional coupling, of the frictional clutch for the eddy current brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Helmer, Marc Finkenzeller
  • Patent number: 9991761
    Abstract: An actuation device for a clutch device is provided having a magnetic field brake with a brake stator and a brake rotor. This magnetic field brake can be operated as an eddy-current brake and/or as a hysteresis brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Helmer, Marc Finkenzeller
  • Patent number: 9830534
    Abstract: Approaches introduce a pre-processing and post-processing framework to a neural network-based approach to identify items represented in an image. For example, a classifier that is trained on several categories can be provided. An image that includes a representation of an item of interest is obtained. Rotated versions of the image are generated and each of a subset of the rotated images is analyzed to determine a probability that a respective image includes an instance of a particular category. The probabilities can be used to determine a probability distribution of output category data, and the data can be analyzed to select an image of the rotated versions of the image. Thereafter, a categorization tree can then be utilized, whereby for the item of interest represented the image, the category of the item can be determined. The determined category can be provided to an item retrieval algorithm to determine primary content for the item of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: A9.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Avinash Aghoram Ravichandran, Matias Omar Gregorio Benitez, Rahul Bhotika, Scott Daniel Helmer, Anshul Kumar Jain, Junxiong Jia, Rakesh Madhavan Nambiar, Oleg Rybakov
  • Publication number: 20170297423
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch for a hybrid drive train of a motor vehicle, including a first connecting component, which can be connected to an output shaft of an internal combustion engine in a rotationally fixed manner, and comprising a second connecting component, which can be connected to a shaft of a transmission and/or a rotor of an electric drive machine in a rotationally fixed manner, which connecting components are connected to each other in a torque-transmitting manner in a closed position of the clutch, whereas, in an open position of the clutch, the connecting components are arranged in such a way that the torque flow is interrupted, and having a clutch actuation system, which has a ramp mechanism and which switches the clutch between the open position and the closed position, wherein the ramp mechanism is operatively connected to the connecting components by a planetary gearing, wherein the first connecting component has two conducting segments connected in a rotationally fixed manner by a to
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marc Finkenzeller, Daniel Helmer, Tim Schmid
  • Publication number: 20170191533
    Abstract: The invention comprises a clutch device having an actuating device, wherein the actuating device has an electrical eddy current brake. The eddy current brake has a brake stator with at least one coil and a brake rotor with a brake region, wherein the brake region has a first layer which is electrically conductive and which has a first lateral face and a second lateral face, the first lateral face facing toward the coil and the second lateral face facing away from the coil. The brake region has a second layer which is magnetic and which is connected to the second lateral face. The invention further comprises a corresponding production method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Marc Finkenzeller, Daniel Helmer
  • Patent number: 9505296
    Abstract: A clutch device having an actuating device, especially for a drive train of a motor vehicle which includes an internal combustion engine, an electrical machine with a stator and a rotor, and a transmission device. The clutch device can be arranged in the drive train between the internal combustion engine on the one side and the electrical machine and the transmission device on the other side. The clutch device and the actuating device are integrated into the rotor of the electrical machine and the actuating device includes an electrical eddy-current brake with a brake stator and a brake rotor, the brake rotor having at least one electromagnet with a coil and a core, the coil and the core being arranged concentrically in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Florian Vogel, Daniel Helmer
  • Publication number: 20160290426
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for coupling an internal combustion engine to a drive train of a motor vehicle, having a frictional clutch for coupling a drive shaft of the internal combustion engine to an output shaft, an actuating device for opening and/or closing the frictional clutch, an eddy current brake for introducing an actuating force into the actuating apparatus, and a control apparatus for applying a defined, predetermined current to the eddy current brake, wherein the control apparatus is configured, in an acceleration phase of a torsional vibration of the drive shaft, to specify a current for opening, in particular for adjusting a slip operation, of the frictional clutch and, in a deceleration phase of the torsional vibration of the drive shaft, to specify a current for closing, in particular for rotationally-fixed, frictional coupling, of the frictional clutch for the eddy current brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Helmer, Marc Finkenzeller
  • Publication number: 20160290413
    Abstract: A friction clutch for coupling a drive shaft of a motor vehicle motor to a transmission input shaft has an input part coupled to the drive shaft to introduce a torque of the drive shaft, an output part coupled to the transmission input shaft to extract a torque, a pressing part movable axially relative to the input part and to the output part to press the output part together frictionally with the input part, and a return spring in the form of a leaf spring to position the pressing part in a defined output position relative to the input part, at least a part of the torque transferred by the input part being transferable through the return spring, where the return spring runs between a torque introduction point and a torque extraction point in an essentially tangential direction and runs at an oblique angle of incidence relative to a radial plane of the friction clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Marc Finkenzeller, Daniel Helmer, Martin Chambrion, Johannes Ruf
  • Publication number: 20160215828
    Abstract: A ramp system for actuating a frictional clutch, in particular a wet or dry multiple disc clutch, for coupling a drive shaft of a motor vehicle engine to at least one transmission input shaft, having an entrance ramp for introducing an actuating torque, an exit ramp, which is rotatable relative to the entrance ramp, for opening and/or closing the frictional clutch and a reset spring, configured as a leaf spring and connected to the entrance ramp and the exit ramp, for rotating the exit ramp relative to the entrance ramp to a defined starting position. At least one part of the torque transferred to the exit ramp can be transferred via the reset spring, the reset spring extends between a torque initiation point of the entrance ramp and a torque exit point of the exit ramp, substantially in the tangential direction, and extends at a setting angle to a radial plane of the ramp system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marc Finkenzeller, Daniel Helmer
  • Publication number: 20160204673
    Abstract: An actuation device for a clutch device is provided having a magnetic field brake with a brake stator and a brake rotor. This magnetic field brake can be operated as an eddy-current brake and/or as a hysteresis brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Helmer, Marc Finkenzeller
  • Patent number: 9242636
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch device having an actuating device for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, the drivetrain having an internal combustion engine, an electric machine with a stator and a rotor, and a transmission device, wherein the clutch device can be arranged in the drivetrain between the internal combustion engine at one side and the electric machine and the transmission device at the other side, the clutch device and the actuating device are integrated into the rotor of the electric machine, and the actuating device has a rotatable ramp device with first ramps and second ramps, wherein the clutch device has an electric actuator for actively rotating the ramp device, in order to structurally and/or functionally improve the clutch device, and to an electric machine having a stator, a rotor and a clutch device of this type integrated into the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Helmer, Florian Vogel
  • Patent number: 9180866
    Abstract: A clutch device having an actuating device for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric machine with a stator and a rotor, and a transmission device, where the clutch device is situated in the drivetrain between the internal combustion engine on the one side and the electric machine and the transmission device on the other side, the clutch device and the actuating device being integrated into the rotor of the electric machine, in order to improve the construction and/or the function of the clutch device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Helmer, Florian Vogel, Christoph Raber
  • Publication number: 20150122607
    Abstract: A clutch device (102) having an actuating device (204), especially for a drive train (100) of a motor vehicle which includes an internal combustion engine (104), an electrical machine (108) with a stator (118) and a rotor (120), and a transmission device (110). The clutch device (102, 202) can be arranged in the drive train (100) between the internal combustion engine (104) on the one side and the electrical machine (108) and the transmission device (110) on the other side. The clutch device (102, 202) and the actuating device (204) are integrated into the rotor (120) of the electrical machine (108) and the actuating device (204) includes an electrical eddy-current brake (244) with a brake stator (246, 302) and a brake rotor (248), the brake rotor (246, 302) having at least one electromagnet (250, 306) with a coil and a core, the coil and the core being arranged concentrically in relation to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Florian Vogel, Daniel Helmer
  • Publication number: 20140329640
    Abstract: A clutch device having an actuating device for a drivetrain of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, an electric machine with a stator and a rotor, and a transmission device, where the clutch device is situated in the drivetrain between the internal combustion engine on the one side and the electric machine and the transmission device on the other side, the clutch device and the actuating device being integrated into the rotor of the electric machine, in order to improve the construction and/or the function of the clutch device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel Helmer, Florian Vogel, Christoph Raber