Patents by Inventor Daniel LEPCZYK

Daniel LEPCZYK 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: 11767025
    Abstract: Described is an approach for operating a motor vehicle, which has an autopilot system designed for completely automatically guiding the motor vehicle, in which technical activatability information is determined depending on driving situation data and/or operating state data of the motor vehicle and system boundaries information describing the range of application of the autopilot system. The motor vehicle also has a display device with a first output element displaying the activatability of the autopilot system according to the technical activatability information. Driver-related recommendation information is determined depending on the operating situation and on preferences in relation to the autopilot system and/or driver data describing the status of the driver in relation to the vehicle guidance. On this basis, a second output element of the display device displays an activation recommendation and/or a deactivation recommendation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Reimund Limbacher, Daniel Lepczyk
  • Patent number: 11590974
    Abstract: Provided herein is a method for assisting a driver with driving a motor vehicle. The method includes ascertaining a permissible driving speed in a route section by evaluating environmental data describing the motor vehicle environment. The method further includes calculating a target maximum speed, which is lower than the permissible driving speed, by subtracting a predefined reduction amount from the permissible driving speed and/or by multiplying the permissible driving speed by a predefined scaling factor. The method further includes controlling at least one alert device for outputting an alert to the driver when a present driving speed of the motor vehicle exceeds the target maximum speed and/or controlling the driving speed of the motor vehicle by a longitudinally guiding driver assistance system, wherein the target maximum speed is used as a maximum speed or as a target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Reimund Limbacher, Daniel Lepczyk
  • Patent number: 10953894
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle in which a target value for a future acceleration of the motor vehicle and an actual value for an instantaneous acceleration of the motor vehicle are determined, wherein the target value and the actual value are compared and displayed for the driver on a display panel, wherein the driver is informed whether he should increase or decrease acceleration by actuating a gas pedal of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Daniel Lepczyk, Reimund Limbacher, Gerhard Mauter, Ronny Heinzelmann
  • Publication number: 20210016789
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle, which has an autopilot system designed for completely automatically guiding the motor vehicle, in which technical activatability information is determined depending on a current and/or upcoming operating situation described by driving situation data and/or operating state data of the motor vehicle and system boundaries information describing the range of application of the autopilot system, wherein the motor vehicle also has a display device with a first output element displaying the activatability of the autopilot system according to the technical activatability information, wherein, in addition to the technical activatability information, driver-related recommendation information is determined depending on the operating situation and on preferences in relation to the autopilot system and/or driver data describing the status of the driver in relation to the vehicle guidance, on which basis a second output element of the display device displayi
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Reimund LIMBACHER, Daniel LEPCZYK
  • Patent number: 10525987
    Abstract: A method for automatic user adaptation of a stimulus characteristic of an operator control element includes actuating the operator control element with a stimulus characteristic such that upon actuation by the operator, the operator control element transmits to the operator a tactually perceptible opposing force of predefined intensity which opposes the actuation force and/or a tactually perceptible oscillation of predefined intensity. Following the actuation of the active operator control element it is checked whether the reaction of the operator to the opposing force and/or oscillation occurs within a predefined time period. When the predefined time period is undershot, the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is reduced and stored, and when the time period is exceeded the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is increased and stored. The stored modified stimulus characteristic is used for the next actuation of the active operator control element by the vehicle control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Daniel Lepczyk
  • Publication number: 20190291733
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for assisting a driver with driving a motor vehicle. The present disclosure includes ascertaining a permissible driving speed in a route section by evaluating environmental data describing the motor vehicle environment. The present disclosure further includes calculating a target maximum speed, which is lower than the permissible driving speed, by subtracting a predefined reduction amount from the permissible driving speed and/or by multiplying the permissible driving speed by a predefined scaling factor. The present disclosure further includes controlling at least one alert device for outputting an alert to the driver when a present driving speed of the motor vehicle exceeds the target maximum speed and/or controlling the driving speed of the motor vehicle by a longitudinally guiding driver assistance system, wherein the target maximum speed is used as a maximum speed or as a target speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Reimund LIMBACHER, Daniel LEPCZYK
  • Publication number: 20190144005
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle in which a target value for a future acceleration of the motor vehicle and an actual value for an instantaneous acceleration of the motor vehicle are determined, wherein the target value and the actual value are compared and displayed for the driver on a display panel, wherein the driver is informed whether he should increase or decrease acceleration by actuating a gas pedal of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Daniel LEPCZYK, Reimund LIMBACHER, Gerhard MAUTER, Ronny HEINZELMANN
  • Patent number: 10214103
    Abstract: A method for the operation of at least one actuator for a force controller of a device, for which a user of the device is provided with a haptic feedback message about at least one operating state of the device by a force, which is predetermined in its strength and acts by way of at least one actuator on the force controller, when the force controller is brought by the user to at least one predetermined point on a track of movement of the force controller. The at least one actuator is controlled in such a way that the strength of the force acting by way of the at least one actuator on the force controller is reduced after another predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Daniel Lepczyk, Maximilian Dietrich, Daria Makhortova
  • Publication number: 20190047592
    Abstract: A method for automatic user adaptation of a stimulus characteristic of an operator control element includes actuating the operator control element with a stimulus characteristic such that upon actuation by the operator, the operator control element transmits to the operator a tactually perceptible opposing force of predefined intensity which opposes the actuation force and/or a tactually perceptible oscillation of predefined intensity. Following the actuation of the active operator control element it is checked whether the reaction of the operator to the opposing force and/or oscillation occurs within a predefined time period. When the predefined time period is undershot, the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is reduced and stored, and when the time period is exceeded the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is increased and stored. The stored modified stimulus characteristic is used for the next actuation of the active operator control element by the vehicle control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventor: DANIEL LEPCZYK
  • Patent number: 10052951
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a drive unit configured to generate a drive torque in driving relationship to wheels of the vehicle, and a gas pedal constructed in the form of an active accelerator pedal which is adjustable over a pedal travel. A control device activates the drive unit in response to a desired torque given by a driver through actuation of the accelerator pedal. Operatively connected to the control device is an actuator which applies a resistance force upon the accelerator pedal, thereby generating a pressure point for the accelerator pedal, with the resistance force increasing in a locally limited pedal travel interval up to a maximum force which can be overridden by the driver. An evaluation unit of the control unit generates a deactivation signal within the pedal travel interval, when the accelerator pedal reaches a predefined limit hold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Daniel Lepczyk, Jan Oberthür
  • Publication number: 20180201130
    Abstract: A method for the operation of at least one actuator for a force controller of a device, for which a user of the device is provided with a haptic feedback message about at least one operating state of the device by a force, which is predetermined in its strength and acts by way of at least one actuator on the force controller, when the force controller is brought by the user to at least one predetermined point on a track of movement of the force controller. The at least one actuator is controlled in such a way that the strength of the force acting by way of the at least one actuator on the force controller is reduced after another predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Daniel LEPCZYK, Maximilian DIETRICH, Daria MAKHORTOVA
  • Publication number: 20180194368
    Abstract: A method for controlling a device, in which a control command for controlling the device is produced via a force controller that is actuated by a user. A control unit of the device controls at least one actuator in such a way that the at least one actuator provides the user, at a predetermined path point of the force controller, with a feedback message about at least one state of the device at the force controller. The control unit further controls the at least one actuator in such a way that, in case of a change in the predetermined path point of the force controller to a changed path point lying in the direction of deflection of the force controller in front of the predetermined path point, the at least one actuator shifts the force controller to a desired path point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2016
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Daniel LEPCZYK, Maximilian DIETRICH, Daria MAKHORTOVA
  • Publication number: 20160368376
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a drive unit configured to generate a drive torque in driving relationship to wheels of the vehicle, and a gas pedal constructed in the form of an active accelerator pedal which is adjustable over a pedal travel. A control device activates the drive unit in response to a desired torque given by a driver through actuation of the accelerator pedal. Operatively connected to the control device is an actuator which applies a resistance force upon the accelerator pedal, thereby generating a pressure point for the accelerator pedal, with the resistance force increasing in a locally limited pedal travel interval up to a maximum force which can be overridden by the driver. An evaluation unit of the control unit generates a deactivation signal within the pedal travel interval, when the accelerator pedal reaches a predefined limit hold time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Audi AG
    Inventors: Daniel LEPCZYK, Jan OBERTHÜR