Patents by Inventor Felix Wulf

Felix Wulf 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: 11383730
    Abstract: A method for assisting a driver during the deactivation of a highly automated driving mode of a vehicle. In this context, a takeover signal, which represents a takeover of control of the vehicle by the driver, and auxiliary information are read in. The auxiliary information includes image information representing the driver and/or vehicle-control information representing a control of the vehicle by the driver. In a further step, a degree of attentiveness of the driver is determined, using the takeover signal and the auxiliary information. Finally, using the degree of attentiveness, an assistance signal is output to assist the driver during the takeover of control, by activating at least one driver-assistance function of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Claus Marberger, Folko Flehmig, Johannes Foltin, Peter Sautter, Sybille Eisele, Tjark Vandommele, Felix Wulf
  • Patent number: 11136041
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are described for monitoring the activity of a driver of a vehicle, which apparatus has a device for monitoring several driver activities, by way of which various driver activities at the actuator for influencing vehicle motion are detected; and a device for evaluating the driver activity intensity level is provided, by way of which the intensity of the respective driver activity with regard to the urgency of the respective vehicle reaction is evaluated and is outputted as an intensity of the driver intervention; one of several different system reactions being selected depending on the intensity of the driver intervention, and the selected system reaction being executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Felix Wulf
  • Patent number: 10891503
    Abstract: A method for classifying eye opening data of an occupant's eye in a vehicle, to detect drowsiness/microsleep, including generating a first eye opening data record at a first measuring time in a sliding time window, the first record including a measuring point, representing a first eye opening degree, a first eyelid speed and/or acceleration of motion of the occupant's eye at the first measuring time; acquiring a second eye opening data record at a second measuring time, the second record including at least one acquisition point, representing a second eye opening degree, a second eyelid speed of motion and/or acceleration of motion of the occupant's eye; and executing a cluster analysis, using the measuring point and the acquisition point to assign at least the first and/or second record to a first data cluster, to classify the eye opening data; the first cluster representing an opening state of the occupant's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tjark Vandommele, Felix Wulf
  • Patent number: 10752256
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least one driver interaction system. The method includes reading-in data regarding at least one body part of a driver of the vehicle and an interaction signal which represents a detected interaction of the driver, including at least one operating unit for operating a driving function of the vehicle. The method also includes carrying-out a classification of the interaction of the driver as purposeful or incidental by utilizing the data. Moreover, the method includes generating a control signal for controlling at least one driver interaction system as a function of a result of the classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Felix Wulf, Andreas Korthauer
  • Publication number: 20200265251
    Abstract: A method for classifying eye opening data of an occupant's eye in a vehicle, to detect drowsiness/microsleep, including generating a first eye opening data record at a first measuring time in a sliding time window, the first record including a measuring point, representing a first eye opening degree, a first eyelid speed and/or acceleration of motion of the occupant's eye at the first measuring time; acquiring a second eye opening data record at a second measuring time, the second record including at least one acquisition point, representing a second eye opening degree, a second eyelid speed of motion and/or acceleration of motion of the occupant's eye; and executing a cluster analysis, using the measuring point and the acquisition point to assign at least the first and/or second record to a first data cluster, to classify the eye opening data; the first cluster representing an opening state of the occupant's eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tjark Vandommele, Felix Wulf
  • Patent number: 10748404
    Abstract: A method for recognizing microsleep on the part of a driver of a vehicle. The method includes at least a step of reading in an eye closure information item regarding an eye parameter of the driver, the eye closure information item representing a first eyelid position for a maximum eye opening level, and/or a second eyelid position for a minimum eye opening level, for the driver; a step of classifying a current eyelid position of an eyelid of the driver using the eye closure information item, in order to obtain an eye opening information item that represents an open state of the eyes or a closed state of the eyes; and a step of ascertaining a sleep recognition value that represents an indication of an occurrence of microsleep.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Stoltz, Felix Wulf
  • Publication number: 20200039535
    Abstract: A method for assisting a driver during the deactivation of a highly automated driving mode of a vehicle. In this context, a takeover signal, which represents a takeover of control of the vehicle by the driver, and auxiliary information are read in. The auxiliary information includes image information representing the driver and/or vehicle-control information representing a control of the vehicle by the driver. In a further step, a degree of attentiveness of the driver is determined, using the takeover signal and the auxiliary information. Finally, using the degree of attentiveness, an assistance signal is output to assist the driver during the takeover of control, by activating at least one driver-assistance function of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Claus Marberger, Folko Flehmig, Johannes Foltin, Peter Sautter, Sybille Eisele, Tjark Vandommele, Felix Wulf
  • Publication number: 20200001882
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are described for monitoring the activity of a driver of a vehicle, which apparatus has a device for monitoring several driver activities, by way of which various driver activities at the actuator for influencing vehicle motion are detected; and a device for evaluating the driver activity intensity level is provided, by way of which the intensity of the respective driver activity with regard to the urgency of the respective vehicle reaction is evaluated and is outputted as an intensity of the driver intervention; one of several different system reactions being selected depending on the intensity of the driver intervention, and the selected system reaction being executed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventor: Felix Wulf
  • Patent number: 10423846
    Abstract: A method for identifying a driver change in a motor vehicle with the aid of an interior camera for monitoring the driver, which is characterized in that a driver change is detected when the head of the driver is not detected in the viewing range of the camera. In addition, a corresponding device and a computer program and a machine-readable memory medium are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Felix Wulf
  • Patent number: 10311698
    Abstract: A method for recognizing a state of tiredness and/or sleep of a vehicle driver. The method includes reading in a first and second eye opening signal, the first signal representing a degree of eye opening and/or a signal derived therefrom of the left eye of the driver of the vehicle and the second signal representing a degree of eye opening and/or a signal derived therefrom of the right eye of the driver of the vehicle. The method also includes recognizing a validity of the first and/or second signal to recognize the first signal as valid if the first signal corresponds to a first criterion and/or to recognize the second signal as valid if the second eye signal corresponds to a second criterion, and determining the state of tiredness and/or sleep of the driver of the vehicle using the first signal recognized as valid and/or the second signal recognized as valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Felix Wulf
  • Patent number: 10278619
    Abstract: A method for distinguishing blinking events and instrument gazes on the basis of an eye-opening width. The eye-opening width represents an instantaneously detected clearance between the eyelids of an eye. In a step of ascertaining, a blinking event is ascertained using at least one blinking limit value. The blinking event is ascertained when an opening width value, which represents the eye-opening width, is smaller than the blinking limit value. In a step of determining, an instrument gaze is determined using a maximum blinking duration. The instrument gaze is determined when the detected blinking event is detected as lasting longer than the maximum blinking duration. The steps of the method are able to be carried out anew when the opening width value is greater than an open limit value following the determination of the instrument gaze.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Felix Wulf, Tjark Vandommele
  • Patent number: 10271723
    Abstract: A method for providing a reference level for an eye-opening width, the eye-opening width representing an instantaneously detected distance between the eyelids of an eye, the method having an ascertainment step, in which the reference level is ascertained using values of the eye-opening width, where the eye-opening width is greater than a limiting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Felix Wulf
  • Publication number: 20190009793
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least one driver interaction system. The method includes reading-in data regarding at least one body part of a driver of the vehicle and an interaction signal which represents a detected interaction of the driver, including at least one operating unit for operating a driving function of the vehicle. The method also includes carrying-out a classification of the interaction of the driver as purposeful or incidental by utilizing the data. Moreover, the method includes generating a control signal for controlling at least one driver interaction system as a function of a result of the classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Felix Wulf, Andreas Korthauer
  • Patent number: 10152871
    Abstract: A method for furnishing a warning signal of a detected imminent microsleep event includes reading in at least one behavior pattern that represents a behavior of a driver while driving the vehicle, comparing the behavior pattern with at least one stored pre-microsleep pattern that represents an individual behavior that has taken place or is taking place prior to a microsleep event on the part of the driver, and outputting the warning signal if a predetermined relationship exists between the behavior pattern and the pre-microsleep pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Tjark Vandommele, Felix Wulf
  • Patent number: 10105104
    Abstract: A method for determining a duration of a critical state of a driver of a vehicle. In this method, a state signal is read in, which represents a state of the driver detected using a sensor unit of the vehicle. It is subsequently checked whether the state signal represents the critical state or a non-critical state of the driver. If the state signal represents the critical state, a counter value of a counter representing the duration of the critical state is incremented. If the state signal represents the non-critical state, the counter value is held constant. If after the expiration of a reference hold time the state signal represents the non-critical state, the critical value is decremented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Felix Wulf
  • Publication number: 20180240319
    Abstract: A method for recognizing a state of tiredness and/or sleep of a vehicle driver. The method includes reading in a first and second eye opening signal, the first signal representing a degree of eye opening and/or a signal derived therefrom of the left eye of the driver of the vehicle and the second signal representing a degree of eye opening and/or a signal derived therefrom of the right eye of the driver of the vehicle. The method also includes recognizing a validity of the first and/or second signal to recognize the first signal as valid if the first signal corresponds to a first criterion and/or to recognize the second signal as valid if the second eye signal corresponds to a second criterion, and determining the state of tiredness and/or sleep of the driver of the vehicle using the first signal recognized as valid and/or the second signal recognized as valid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Felix Wulf
  • Publication number: 20180132759
    Abstract: A method for distinguishing blinking events and instrument gazes on the basis of an eye-opening width. The eye-opening width represents an instantaneously detected clearance between the eyelids of an eye. In a step of ascertaining, a blinking event is ascertained using at least one blinking limit value. The blinking event is ascertained when an opening width value, which represents the eye-opening width, is smaller than the blinking limit value. In a step of determining, an instrument gaze is determined using a maximum blinking duration. The instrument gaze is determined when the detected blinking event is detected as lasting longer than the maximum blinking duration. The steps of the method are able to be carried out anew when the opening width value is greater than an open limit value following the determination of the instrument gaze.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Felix Wulf, Tjark Vandommele
  • Patent number: 9937929
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle which drives or is able to be driven at least partially automatically includes: detecting a gaze direction of a driver of the motor vehicle; inferring a driver distraction if the detected gaze direction deviates from a setpoint gaze direction beyond a predefinable measure; monitoring the driver for a secondary activity if a distracted driver was detected; and ascertaining a time period that the driver would require to take over the at least partial control of the motor vehicle, as a function of a detected secondary activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Felix Wulf
  • Publication number: 20180053061
    Abstract: A method for identifying a driver change in a motor vehicle with the aid of an interior camera for monitoring the driver, which is characterized in that a driver change is detected when the head of the driver is not detected in the viewing range of the camera. In addition, a corresponding device and a computer program and a machine-readable memory medium are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventor: Felix Wulf
  • Publication number: 20180028120
    Abstract: A method for determining a duration of a critical state of a driver of a vehicle. In this method, a state signal is read in, which represents a state of the driver detected using a sensor unit of the vehicle. It is subsequently checked whether the state signal represents the critical state or a non-critical state of the driver. If the state signal represents the critical state, a counter value of a counter representing the duration of the critical state is incremented. If the state signal represents the non-critical state, the counter value is held constant. If after the expiration of a reference hold time the state signal represents the non-critical state, the critical value is decremented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Felix Wulf