Patents by Inventor Dieter Metzner

Dieter Metzner 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: 10700886
    Abstract: A driver apparatus for a differential bus is provided, having a first transistor and a fourth transistor which are connected in order to drive the bus to a dominant state, and a second transistor and a third transistor which are connected in order to drive the bus to a recessive state. The driver apparatus also comprises a collision detection circuit which is set up to detect a collision state on the bus on the basis of measurements of currents through at least one transistor of the first, second, third and fourth transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Magnus-Maria Hell, Dieter Metzner
  • Patent number: 10545903
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes receiving a transmission signal; converting the received transmission signal into a corresponding bus signal by driving an output stage of a transmitter having a plurality of switches, where a switching behavior of the plurality of switches of the output stage is dependent on a parameter set; converting the bus signal into a corresponding reception signal, wherein an edge of the reception signal is delayed by a loop delay relative to a corresponding edge in the transmission signal; determining a measurement value for the loop delay; and altering the parameter set in order to adapt the loop delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Dieter Metzner, Magnus-Maria Hell
  • Publication number: 20190394064
    Abstract: Driver apparatus for a differential bus and corresponding method A driver apparatus for a differential bus is provided, having a first transistor and a fourth transistor which are connected in order to drive the bus to a dominant state, and a second transistor and a third transistor which are connected in order to drive the bus to a recessive state. The driver apparatus also comprises a collision detection circuit which is set up to detect a collision state on the bus on the basis of measurements of currents through at least one transistor of the first, second, third and fourth transistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Magnus-Maria Hell, Dieter Metzner
  • Publication number: 20190272248
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes receiving a transmission signal; converting the received transmission signal into a corresponding bus signal by driving an output stage of a transmitter having a plurality of switches, where a switching behavior of the plurality of switches of the output stage is dependent on a parameter set; converting the bus signal into a corresponding reception signal, wherein an edge of the reception signal is delayed by a loop delay relative to a corresponding edge in the transmission signal; determining a measurement value for the loop delay; and altering the parameter set in order to adapt the loop delay
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Dieter Metzner, Magnus-Maria Hell
  • Patent number: 10127176
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a receiver includes a receiving unit configured to receive a first received bus signal and a second received bus signal based on a bus input signal. The receiver also includes a first state machine configured to determine that a first output signal is a first symbol in response to the first received bus signal transitioning from a first bus state to a second bus state and staying in the second bus state for less than a first predetermined period of time, and a second symbol in response to the first received bus signal transitioning from the first bus state to the second bus state and staying in the second bus state for at least the first predetermined period of time. Additionally, the receiver includes a second state machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Paul Wallner, Dieter Metzner, Martin Streibl
  • Publication number: 20170139870
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a receiver includes a receiving unit configured to receive a first received bus signal and a second received bus signal based on a bus input signal. The receiver also includes a first state machine configured to determine that a first output signal is a first symbol in response to the first received bus signal transitioning from a first bus state to a second bus state and staying in the second bus state for less than a first predetermined period of time, and a second symbol in response to the first received bus signal transitioning from the first bus state to the second bus state and staying in the second bus state for at least the first predetermined period of time. Additionally, the receiver includes a second state machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Wallner, Dieter Metzner, Martin Streibl
  • Patent number: 9582451
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a receiver includes a first state machine configured to be coupled to a bus. The first state machine is configured to determine that a first output signal is a first symbol if a first received bus signal transitions from a first bus state to a second bus state and stays in the second bus state for less than a first predetermined period of time, and the first output signal is a second symbol if the first received bus signal transitions from the first bus state to the second bus state and stays in the second bus state for at least the first predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Paul Wallner, Dieter Metzner, Martin Streibl
  • Patent number: 9495317
    Abstract: A bus driver circuit may include a first and a second circuit node, wherein the first circuit node is operably coupled to a bus line, which causes a bus capacitance between the first and the second circuit node. A switching circuit is coupled to the first circuit node and configured to apply an output voltage between the first and the second circuit node. Thereby the bus capacitance is charged when a control signal indicates a dominant state. A discharge circuit comprises at least one resistor. The discharge circuit is coupled between the first and the second circuit node and configured to allow the bus capacitance to discharge via the resistor when the control signal indicates a recessive state. The switching circuit is further configured to provide a temporary current path for discharging the bus capacitance during a transition period from a dominant to a recessive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dieter Metzner, Peter Widerin, David Astrom
  • Patent number: 9417983
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for driving a bus is described that includes at least one branch coupled to at least one signal line at a termination of the bus and a transmit data input configured to receive data that the electrical circuit drives across the bus. The electrical circuit also includes a current detection unit coupled to the at least one branch, which is configured to detect a current through the at least one branch. The electrical circuit also includes an over-current determination unit coupled to both the current detection unit and the transmit data input. The over-current determination unit is configured to determine an over-current condition at the at least one branch based on the current at the at least one branch and the data at the transmit data input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dieter Metzner, Peter Widerin, Paul Wallner, Thomas Rickes
  • Patent number: 9172235
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for driving a bus is described that includes a plurality of branches coupled to at least one signal line at a termination of the bus and a transmit data input configured to receive data that the electrical circuit drives across the bus. The electrical circuit also includes an over-current validation unit coupled to the transmit data input which is configured to validate an over-current condition detected at a first branch of the plurality of branches based at least in part on the data at the transmit data input. The electrical circuit also includes a branch control unit coupled to the over-current validation unit which is configured to disable at least one of the plurality of branches in response to a validated over-current condition at the first branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dieter Metzner, Peter Widerin, Paul Wallner, Thomas Rickes
  • Publication number: 20150169488
    Abstract: A bus driver circuit may include a first and a second circuit node, wherein the first circuit node is operably coupled to a bus line, which causes a bus capacitance between the first and the second circuit node. A switching circuit is coupled to the first circuit node and configured to apply an output voltage between the first and the second circuit node. Thereby the bus capacitance is charged when a control signal indicates a dominant state. A discharge circuit comprises at least one resistor. The discharge circuit is coupled between the first and the second circuit node and configured to allow the bus capacitance to discharge via the resistor when the control signal indicates a recessive state. The switching circuit is further configured to provide a temporary current path for discharging the bus capacitance during a transition period from a dominant to a recessive state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Dieter Metzner, Peter Widerin, David Astrom
  • Publication number: 20140359190
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for driving a bus is described that includes at least one branch coupled to at least one signal line at a termination of the bus and a transmit data input configured to receive data that the electrical circuit drives across the bus. The electrical circuit also includes a current detection unit coupled to the at least one branch, which is configured to detect a current through the at least one branch. The electrical circuit also includes an over-current determination unit coupled to both the current detection unit and the transmit data input. The over-current determination unit is configured to determine an over-current condition at the at least one branch based on the current at the at least one branch and the data at the transmit data input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Dieter Metzner, Peter Widerin, Paul Wallner, Thomas Rickes
  • Publication number: 20140355158
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for driving a bus is described that includes a plurality of branches coupled to at least one signal line at a termination of the bus and a transmit data input configured to receive data that the electrical circuit drives across the bus. The electrical circuit also includes an over-current validation unit coupled to the transmit data input which is configured to validate an over-current condition detected at a first branch of the plurality of branches based at least in part on the data at the transmit data input. The electrical circuit also includes a branch control unit coupled to the over-current validation unit which is configured to disable at least one of the plurality of branches in response to a validated over-current condition at the first branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Dieter Metzner, Peter Widerin, Paul Wallner, Thomas Rickes
  • Publication number: 20140223050
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a receiver includes a first state machine configured to be coupled to a bus. The first state machine is configured to determine that a first output signal is a first symbol if a first received bus signal transitions from a first bus state to a second bus state and stays in the second bus state for less than a first predetermined period of time, and the first output signal is a second symbol if the first received bus signal transitions from the first bus state to the second bus state and stays in the second bus state for at least the first predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Paul Wallner, Dieter Metzner, Martin Streibl
  • Patent number: 7888969
    Abstract: A driver circuit and method for generating two complementary output currents from a two-state logic input signal at two outputs for connecting a two-wire conductor provide the following actions: generating from the input signal, an output signal at each output, the amperage of one of the output currents being adjustable by a control signal; analyzing each voltage materializing at the outputs; generating an error signal as a function of the output voltages within each of at least two time slots subsequent to a change in state of the input signal; caching the error signals or signals derived therefrom and adjusting, as a function of cached error signals or of the cached signals as a function thereof, the output current in corresponding time slots subsequent to a resulting change in state of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dieter Metzner, Eric Pihet
  • Publication number: 20100201399
    Abstract: A driver circuit and method for generating two complementary output currents from a two-state logic input signal at two outputs for connecting a two-wire conductor provide the following actions: generating from the input signal, an output signal at each output, the amperage of one of the output currents being adjustable by a control signal; analyzing each voltage materializing at the outputs; generating an error signal as a function of the output voltages within each of at least two time slots subsequent to a change in state of the input signal; caching the error signals or signals derived therefrom and adjusting, as a function of cached error signals or of the cached signals as a function thereof, the output current in corresponding time slots subsequent to a resulting change in state of the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Dieter Metzner, Eric Pihet
  • Patent number: 5219276
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pump (1) which is, in particular, constructed as an enclosed medical pump. To achieve an especially compact design, a pump section (6) which is connected to a rotor (5) of an electromagnetic drive means (2) for torque transmission is arranged inside said rotor (5) having a hollow interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Fresenius AG
    Inventors: Dieter Metzner, Jurgen Rolle, Martin Prinz, Walter Raimond
  • Patent number: 5006112
    Abstract: To prevent engagement and disengagement of the drive elements of a syringe pump, a clutch element (17) is used which permanently engages with the screw spindle (14). The clutch element (17), which may be formed of two cog wheels (18a, 18b) or of a nut, is alternatively blocked or released by brake elements (21). The brake elements are actuated by an actuation button (9) via a brake tube (15) and a pivoting lever (24). Since the clutch element (17) is permanently engaged to the screw spindle (14) there is no mechanical play upon initiation of the dispensing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: MTS Schweinfurt GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Metzner