Patents by Inventor Dirk Hammerschmidt

Dirk Hammerschmidt 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: 11027744
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a sensor of an object's safety system is provided. The apparatus includes an input node configured to receive safety information about a likelihood that the sensor senses a safety-relevant event. Further, the apparatus includes a processing circuit configured to control the sensor to perform a sensor diagnosis procedure, if the safety information indicates that it is unlikely that the sensor senses the safety-relevant event within a future period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Publication number: 20210148738
    Abstract: A sensor device using verification includes a sensor component and a verification component. The sensor component is configured to generate first data and second data. The verification component is configured to analyze the first data and the second data and generate verification data based on the first data and the second data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang GRANIG, Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20210148776
    Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided. The pressure sensor includes a magnetic sensor element configured to generate a signal based on a magnetic field sensed by the magnetic sensor element; a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure including a membrane configured to move, depending on a pressure applied thereto, relative to the magnetic sensor element; and a field influencing element configured to modify the magnetic field based on a movement of the membrane, wherein the field influencing element is arranged on the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Markus ECKINGER, Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT, Florian BRANDL, Bernhard WINKLER
  • Patent number: 11009568
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor includes a magnetic reference layer. The magnetic reference layer includes a permanent closed flux magnetization pattern of a predetermined rotational direction. Furthermore, the magnetoresistive sensor includes a magnetic free layer. The magnetic free layer has a total lateral area that is smaller than a total lateral area of the magnetic reference layer. A centroid of the magnetic free layer is laterally displaced with respect to a centroid of the magnetic reference layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Armin Satz, Juergen Zimmer
  • Patent number: 11002567
    Abstract: An angle sensor may comprise a sensing element including a first half bridge, where magnetic reference directions of resistors of the first half bridge are along a first reference axis. The sensing element may include a second half bridge, where magnetic reference directions of resistors of the second half bridge are along a second reference axis. The sensing element may include a third half bridge, where magnetic reference directions of resistors of the third half bridge are along a third reference axis. At least two of the first reference axis, the second reference axis, or the third reference axis may be non-orthogonal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Publication number: 20210134688
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip including a substrate and a MEMS element, wherein the substrate includes a surface, and wherein the MEMS element is disposed at the surface of the substrate and the MEMS element includes a sensitive area; a first electrical interconnect structure electrically connected to the surface of the substrate; a carrier electrically connected to the first electrical interconnect structure; and a first stress relieve spring entrenched in the carrier, wherein the first stress relieve spring is a single integral channel that comprises two parallel channels that join together at a periphery of the first electrical interconnect structure to form the single integral channel that wraps around a portion of the periphery of the first electrical interconnect structure, wherein the two parallel channels extend outward, in parallel, from the periphery of the first electrical interconnect structure to a first termination region of the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 10996125
    Abstract: A pressure sensor is provided. The pressure sensor includes at least two electrodes and an integrated circuit configured to sense a capacitance between the at least two electrodes. Further, the pressure sensor includes a Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) structure including a conductive or dielectric membrane configured to move, depending on the pressure, relative to the at least two electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: Markus Eckinger, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Florian Brandl, Bernhard Winkler
  • Patent number: 10982982
    Abstract: A sensor controller for a sensor module includes at least one interface configured to obtain sensor information from the sensor module and to transmit a sensor signal to a sensor signal receiver. The sensor controller further includes a control module configured to control the interface. The sensor controller is further configured to obtain the sensor information from the sensor module. The sensor controller is further configured to generate the sensor signal based on the sensor information. The sensor controller is further configured to transmit the sensor signal to the sensor signal receiver. The sensor signal includes two signal edges indicating a pre-determined synchronization time interval. The sensor signal further includes at least one data signal portion located between the two signal edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Publication number: 20210102854
    Abstract: A torque measurement system includes a first rotatable carrier structure mechanically coupled to a rotational shaft; a second rotatable carrier structure mechanically coupled to the rotational shaft; a first mutually coupled structure including a first track mechanically coupled to the first rotatable carrier structure and a second track mechanically coupled to the second rotatable carrier structure, where the first track and the second track are coupled together by a first torque dependent coupling; a second mutually coupled structure including a third track mechanically coupled to the first rotatable carrier structure and a fourth track mechanically coupled to the second rotatable carrier structure, where the third track and the fourth track are coupled together by a second torque dependent coupling. In response to a rotation of the rotational shaft, the first torque dependent coupling is configured to increase and the second torque dependent coupling is configured to decrease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT, Christof MICHENTHALER
  • Publication number: 20210102853
    Abstract: A method of determining a torque applied to a rotatable shaft is provided. The method includes transmitting a first electro-magnetic transmit signal towards a first mutually coupled structure mechanically coupled to the rotatable shaft, converting, by the first mutually coupled multitrack structure, the first electro-magnetic transmit signal into a first electro-magnetic receive signal; receiving the first electro-magnetic receive signal; evaluating the received first electro-magnetic receive signal; and determining the torque applied to the rotatable shaft based on the evaluated first electro-magnetic receive signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT, Christof MICHENTHALER
  • Patent number: 10965313
    Abstract: A receiver includes a receiver circuit to receive a first transition in a first direction, a second transition in a second, different direction after the first transition and a third transition in the first transition after the second transition of a signal. A first time period between the first and third transitions is indicative of a datum to be received. The receiver circuit is also configured to determine a second time period between the first transition and a second transition and to determine an additional datum to be received based at least on the determined second time period between the first and second transitions. Using the determined second time period allows for more information to be received in a reliable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Publication number: 20210088400
    Abstract: A method of monitoring microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensors arranged on a carrier includes: generating a first measurement value by a first MEMS pressure sensor arranged on the carrier; generating a second measurement value by a second MEMS pressure sensor arranged on the carrier; and determining, by an integrated circuit, whether the first measurement value of the first MEMS pressure sensor corresponds to the second measurement value of the second MEMS pressure sensor in accordance with a predefined criterion, wherein the integrated circuit is arranged on the carrier and is coupled to the first MEMS pressure sensor and the second MEMS pressure sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 10958260
    Abstract: A pulse-width modulation (PWM) output stage includes a data source configured to generate a data signal; and a pulse-width modulator configured to sample the data signal at a plurality of sampling times and generate a PWM signal based on a plurality of data samples corresponding to the plurality of sampling times. The PWM signal includes a PWM cycle having a first phase of a first duration and a second phase of a second duration. The pulse-width modulator is configured to sample a first data sample at a first sampling time prior to the first phase, set the first duration and the second duration of the PWM cycle based on the first data sample, sample a second data sample at a second sampling time during the second phase, and adjust the second duration of the first PWM cycle based on the second data sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 10942046
    Abstract: A sensor device using verification includes a sensor component and a verification component. The sensor component is configured to generate first data and second data. The verification component is configured to analyze the first data and the second data and generate verification data based on the first data and the second data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Granig, Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 10931314
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for providing an joint error correction code (140) for a combined data frame (254) comprising first data (112) of a first data channel and second data (122) of a second data channel comprises a first error code generator (110) configured to provide, based on a linear code, information on a first error correction code (114a, 114b) using the first data (112). The apparatus further comprises a second error code generator (120) configured to provide, based on the linear code, information on a second error correction code (124) using the second data (122). The apparatus is configured to provide the joint error correction code (140) using the information on the first error correction code (114a, 114b) and the information on the second error correction code (124).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Friedrich Rasbornig, Wolfgang Scheibenzuber, Wolfgang Scherr, Thomas Zettler
  • Publication number: 20210041485
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a current measuring system. The current measuring system includes a busbar, a magnetic field sensor chip encased by a sensor housing, wherein a geometry of the sensor housing is independent of a geometry of the busbar; and an adapter piece for receiving the sensor housing, said adapter piece being adapted to the geometry of the busbar, wherein the adapter piece is fixable to the busbar, wherein the magnetic field sensor chip is fixed in a predetermined measurement position when the sensor housing is received into the fixed adapter piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT, Robert HERMANN
  • Publication number: 20210033703
    Abstract: A rotation sensor system includes a rotatable target object configured to rotate about a rotational axis in a rotation direction; a first millimeter-wave (mm-wave) metamaterial track coupled to the rotatable target object, where the first mm-wave metamaterial track is arranged around the rotational axis, and where the first mm-wave metamaterial track includes a first array of elementary structures having at least one first characteristic that changes around a perimeter of the first mm-wave metamaterial track; at least one transmitter configured to transmit a first electro-magnetic transmit signal towards the first mm-wave metamaterial track, where the first mm-wave metamaterial track converts the first electro-magnetic transmit signal into a first electro-magnetic receive signal; at least one receiver configured to receive the first electro-magnetic receive signal; and at least one processor configured to determine a rotational position of the rotatable target object based on the received first electro-magnet
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Dirk HAMMERSCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 10911086
    Abstract: A receiver according to an embodiment includes a receiver circuit to receive a transition in a first direction, a second transition after the first transition in a second direction, and a third transition after the second transition in the first direction and a fourth transition in the second direction of a signal. The receiver circuit is adapted to determine a first time period between the first and third transitions and to determine a second time period between the second and fourth transitions. The receiver circuit is adapted to determine a datum based on at least one of the first time period and the second time period. Furthermore, the receiver is adapted to indicate an error, if the determined first and second time periods do not fulfil a predetermined verification relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Dirk Hammerschmidt, Wolfgang Scherr
  • Patent number: 10907994
    Abstract: Magnetic field sensor devices, corresponding systems and corresponding methods are discussed where a plurality of magnetic field sensors senses a magnetic field. An evaluation circuit generates a first signal component associated with a periodicity of a magnetic field, and a second signal component at least for periods of the magnetic field exceeding a threshold period length, the second signal component having a resolution smaller than the first signal component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventors: Tobias Werth, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Helmut Koeck, Andrea Monterastelli
  • Patent number: 10910283
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip including a substrate having a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface; and a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) element, including a sensitive area, disposed at the first surface of the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes at least one electrical interconnect structure electrically connected to the first surface of the substrate, and a flexible carrier electrically connected to the at least one electrical interconnect structure, where the flexible carrier wraps around the semiconductor chip and extends over the second surface of the substrate such that a folded cavity is formed around the semiconductor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Dirk Hammerschmidt