Patents by Inventor Detlef Kerkmann

Detlef Kerkmann 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: 6867581
    Abstract: A sensor device for measuring a physical value includes a sensor element for generating an output signal in response to measuring a physical value. A processor is operable with the sensor element for comparing the output signal to a reference signal in order to generate a primary signal indicative of the measured physical value. The processor is further operable with the sensor element for generating a secondary signal based on the output signal which is indicative of the operating condition of the sensor device. A switch or logic block is operable for receiving the primary and secondary signals from the processor. The switch and the logic block are switchable between a first state in which the primary signal is output and a second state in which the secondary signal is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Bendicks, Detlef Kerkmann
  • Patent number: 6838976
    Abstract: A keyless access control device and method for a vehicle having a door and a door handle includes transmitting a code from a transceiver while a cover covers the door handle to prevent a user from actuating the door handle. A transponder of the user transmits an answer to the transceiver upon receipt of the code. The answer is checked to conduct a preliminary verification of whether the user is authorized to access the vehicle. The cover uncovers the door handle if the preliminary verification indicates that the user is authorized to access the vehicle. A bidirectional question and answer dialog takes place between the transceiver and the transponder to conduct a final verification of whether the user is authorized to access the vehicle upon the user actuating the door handle. The door is unlocked if the final verification is indicative of the user having access to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Anton Mindl, Detlef Kerkmann
  • Patent number: 6714119
    Abstract: A keyless access control device and method for a motor vehicle includes a controller, transceiver, and a mobile transponder. The transceiver transmits a low frequency signal (LF) to the transponder and, in response, the transponder transmits a first high frequency (HF) signal to the transceiver. The controller moves a vehicle door handle into a position in which the door handle can be actuated by a user in response to receipt of the first HF signal by the transponder. The transceiver transmits a second HF signal to the transponder in response to actuation of the door handle by the user. The transponder transmits an encrypted HF signal to the transceiver based on the second HF signal. The transceiver processes the encrypted HF signal to determine whether the user is authorized to enter the vehicle. The controller unlocks the vehicle door in response to the transceiver indicating that the user is authorized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Anton Mindl, Detlef Kerkmann
  • Patent number: 6648675
    Abstract: A method for fitting a carrier with a cable harness having main and branch conductors and with a device. A contact element is arranged on the carrier. A top portion of the main conductor, a bottom portion of a first end of the branch conductor, and a top portion of a second end of the branch conductor are exposed. The conductors are arranged on the carrier with the main conductor lying on the carrier, the exposed bottom portion of the branch conductor contacting the exposed top portion of the main conductor, and the exposed top portion of the branch conductor placed on the contact element for realizing a plug connector. The carrier is fitted with a device having a plug connector such that the device is electrically connected to the branch conductor and mechanically connected to the carrier via a connection between the plug connector and the contact element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jorg Welschholz, Roland Drees, Norbert Bendicks, Detlef Kerkmann, Berthold Eesders
  • Publication number: 20030008534
    Abstract: A method for fitting a carrier with a cable harness having main and branch conductors and with a device. A contact element is arranged on the carrier. A top portion of the main conductor, a bottom portion of a first end of the branch conductor, and a top portion of a second end of the branch conductor are exposed. The conductors are arranged on the carrier with the main conductor lying on the carrier, the exposed bottom portion of the branch conductor contacting the exposed top portion of the main conductor, and the exposed top portion of the branch conductor placed on the contact element for realizing a plug connector. The carrier is fitted with a device having a plug connector such that the device is electrically connected to the branch conductor and mechanically connected to the carrier via a connection between the plug connector and the contact element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jorg Welschholz, Roland Drees, Norbert Bendicks, Detlef Kerkmann, Berthold Eesders
  • Patent number: 6452148
    Abstract: An optoelectronic monitoring device for a vehicle includes a single optical sensor array having a grid of optical sensor elements. Each optical sensor element generates an electronic signal in response to optical signals imaged onto the optical sensor elements. Optical imaging systems image respective optical signals onto the optical sensor array. The optical signals of each optical imaging system is representative of a monitored condition of a vehicle. The optical imaging systems form a single physical unit which is fixed with respect to the optical sensor array. Each optical imaging system is associated with a respective optical sensor element group of the optical sensor array such that the respective optical signal of each optical imaging system is imaged onto the respective optical sensor element group. The optical sensor elements are configurable by a processor to be arranged in optical sensor element groups for being associated with respective optical imaging systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Norbert Bendicks, Frank Blasing, Detlef Kerkmann, Thomas Weber, Ralf Bobel, Harald Donner
  • Patent number: 6343670
    Abstract: The invention proposes a steering device for a motor vehicle which contains an inductive module for the contactless transmission of electric energy and data between the motor vehicle and the steering wheel, for measuring the rotational angle of the steering wheel and for generating torque between the motor vehicle and the steering wheel, with the inductive module containing a stator that is connected to the motor vehicle in a torsionally rigid fashion and a rotor that is connected to the steering wheel in a torsionally rigid fashion. Such a device should be realized in the form of a compact unit that has a very small space requirement due to the utilization of inductive principles, with said unit consisting of only a few components such that it can be manufactured in a particularly inexpensive fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Anton Mindl, Frank Blasing, Detlef Kerkmann, Klaus Nieding
  • Publication number: 20020011920
    Abstract: The invention relates to a keyless access control device for motor vehicles, having a transceiver device assigned to the motor vehicle and a mobile transponder. The aim of the invention is to solve the technical problem of providing an access control device which makes it possible to intentionally unlock individual doors or hatches and efficiently prevents the undesired unlocking of vehicle doors. To this end an actuating element which influences a switch cooperating with a control device is protected against actuation by a movable mechanical cover until reception of a first coded message containing a coarse identification of the authorized user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Applicant: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co.KG
    Inventors: Anton Mindl, Detlef Kerkmann
  • Patent number: 6018165
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor device for detecting precipitation on an outer surface (41) of a transparent pane (4) of a motor vehicle includes a beam guide element (1) having front and rear opposed parallel surfaces (2, 7) and first and second lateral opposed faces (5, 6). The front surface (2) is coupled to an inner surface (42) of a transparent pane (4) of a motor vehicle. Each of the lateral faces (5, 6) has a reflection region (52, 62). The rear surface (7) has first and second cut-out portions (8, 81) extending therefrom toward the front surface (2). Each of the cut-out portions (8, 81) has a reflective region (11). A beam transmitter (13) is disposed adjacent the rear surface (7) to transmit an infrared beam to the reflective region (11) of the first cut-out portion (8). The reflective region (11) of the first cut-out portion (8) reflects a beam transmitted from the beam transmitter (13) to the reflection region (52) of the first lateral face (5) which reflects the beam to the transparent pane (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Detlef Kerkmann, Berthold Esders, Ralf Bobel
  • Patent number: 5016992
    Abstract: A magnetic storage medium is read by incident polarized light and reflected outgoing light defining a common plane. The polarized incident light preferably has a polarization vector at 40.degree. to 50.degree. to this plane and at the storage medium, the magnetization is in a direction perpendicular to the plane. The preamplified output signal V.sub.M from the photodiode transducing the outgoing light beam has a fixed value V.sub.O subtracted therefrom where V.sub.O is a function of the sensitivity and resolving power of the electronic circuitry. The signal V.sub.M -V.sub.O is then amplified and processed to represent the stored data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Julich GmbH
    Inventors: Theo Woike, Detlef Kerkmann, Thomas Beier, Wolfgang Krasser, Danilo Pescia