Patents by Inventor Frank Hofmann

Frank Hofmann 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).

  • Publication number: 20230182848
    Abstract: A method for operating a control unit of a light-weight vehicle, especially of a pedal electric cycle or of an electric kick scooter. The method includes: receiving at least one sensor information associated with a sensor of the vehicle; and transmitting, via a communication channel between the control unit and a personal mobile terminal, the at least one sensor information and/or at least an information based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Khaled Shawky Hassan, Nadia Brahmi, Andre Schwarzmeier, Frank Hofmann, Andreas Schaller
  • Publication number: 20230169851
    Abstract: A method for communicating between a motor vehicle and an infrastructure. The method includes: ascertaining a requirement vector for at least one function to be carried out with the aid of the motor vehicle and/or the infrastructure, the requirement vector indicating which characteristics of a communication link between the motor vehicle and the infrastructure should simultaneously be satisfied for an execution of the function; ascertaining a communication state, which indicates which communication possibilities exist for a communication link between the motor vehicle and the infrastructure; ascertaining a radio channel between the motor vehicle and the infrastructure based on the requirement vector and based on the ascertained communication state; establishing a communication link between the motor vehicle and the infrastructure using the ascertained radio channel to carry out the at least one function using the established communication link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Kurt Eckert, Frank Hofmann, Tobias Frye
  • Patent number: 11660817
    Abstract: Methods for removing an object from powder after forming the object in an additive manufacturing apparatus are provided. The method may include: positioning a cover over a build platform with the object being positioned within a powder; removing the build platform from the additive manufacturing apparatus with the cover positioned over the build platform; and thereafter, removing the powder from the build platform to expose the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Daniel Winiarski, Frank Schodel, Kathrin Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20230158924
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat rail pair (2) for adjustment of a vehicle seat (8), in particular of a motor vehicle seat, in an adjustment direction (x), comprising a guide rail (10) extending parallel to the adjustment direction (x) for fastening to a vehicle floor, and a fastening rail (21), which is adjustably guided on the guide rail (10) in the adjustment direction (x) for fastening the vehicle seat (8), wherein an energy absorber element (5) is provided in a path, which introduces the force acting on the vehicle seat (8) into the vehicle structure, which energy absorber element permits a movement of the vehicle seat in the adjustment direction (x) under plastic deformation when a predetermined value of the force is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Marcel AMSTEIN, Ramzi OUAFI, Jochen HOFMANN, Sven SINNE, Frank RICHTER, Fabian POHLMANN, Michael LENG, Dieter STRASSER, Andreas HUF
  • Patent number: 11627637
    Abstract: A first road-side network node for operating in a cell-supported radio communications network and for operating in an adhoc radio communications network is provided. Data is exchanged with at least a second road-side network node via a sidelink radio channel of the cell-supported radio communications network. Data is exchanged with at least a third road-side network node via an adhoc radio channel of the adhoc radio communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Hofmann, Kurt Eckert
  • Publication number: 20230091438
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to generate a relay transmission to a second radio node based on observing a transmission attempt from a first radio node. The apparatus includes a radio interface configured to receive data comprising radio channel observations of the environment and to generate data comprising radio transmissions for transmission into the environment, a monitoring interface configured to receive data characterising the physical state of the environment, and a processor communicatively coupled to the radio interface and the monitoring interface. The processor is configured to: update a model characterising the environment occupied by the first radio node and the second radio node; observe an indication of an attempt of the first radio node to communicate with the second radio node; initiate the relaying of the attempt of the first radio node to communicate with the second radio node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Thein, Frank Hofmann
  • Patent number: 11570645
    Abstract: A first roadside network unit is provided. A first transceiver for a first wireless communication network is designed to receive data from a second wireless network unit on a first channel of the first wireless communication network. A processor is designed to provide the received data to a second transceiver for transmission to a third roadside network unit. The second transceiver for a second wireless communication network is designed to transmit the data provided by the processor to the third roadside network unit on a second channel of the second communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Kermoal, Frank Hofmann, Kurt Eckert
  • Publication number: 20220392341
    Abstract: A method for providing a maneuver message for coordinating a maneuver between a road user and at least one further road user in a communication network. The method includes: receiving the communication data and/or the sensor data in the evaluation unit; determining a possible trajectory of the road user based on the communication data and/or the sensor data, at least one trajectory parameter describing a property of the possible trajectory being ascertained; calculating a trajectory transfer priority from the trajectory parameter, the trajectory transfer priority representing a relevance of the at least one possible trajectory for the road user and/or the further road user; determining, based on the trajectory transfer priority, whether the at least one possible trajectory is to be included in a maneuver message; if so: generating the maneuver message including the at least one possible trajectory, and sending the maneuver message via the communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Florian Alexander Schiegg, Ignacio Llatser Marti, Frank Hofmann, Florian Wildschuette, Hendrik Fuchs, Maxim Dolgov, Thomas Michalke
  • Patent number: 11522624
    Abstract: A method is described for the locationally selective transmission of a signal by radio. Both a transmitter and a receiver are synchronized to the same time reference. The receiver receiving and demodulating, at a time that is one of the specified times of the time reference, a signal transmitted by the transmitter, if the receiver has received the signal at a time that is one of the specified times. The method includes the transmitter determining a receive location within a receive zone to which it wishes to transmit the signal in selective fashion, a position in the receive zone being a function of a position of the transmitter and a signal runtime. The method also includes the transmitter transmitting the signal; and the receiver, which is situated inside the receive zone, receives and demodulates the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Thein, Klaus Sambale, Frank Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20220386169
    Abstract: A method for transferring a message in a communications network for communication between a road user and at least one further road user. The road user and the further road user each include an evaluation unit for transferring messages via the communications network. The method includes: receiving a first message in the evaluation unit, the first message including message segments, each including a priority value; determining an instantaneous capacity utilization of the communications network; filtering message segments to be transferred out of the first message, based on the priority values and the instantaneous capacity utilization of the communications network; and generating a second message including the message segments to be transferred, and sending the second message via the communications network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Ignacio Llatser Marti, Florian Alexander Schiegg, Frank Hofmann, Maxim Dolgov, Florian Wildschuette, Hendrik Fuchs, Thomas Michalke
  • Publication number: 20220378061
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of treating a beverage ingredient extract comprising the steps of: a. filtering a beverage ingredient extract to obtain a beverage ingredient extract retentate and a beverage ingredient extract permeate; b. raising the pH of said beverage ingredient extract retentate to provide a treated beverage ingredient extract retentate; and c. combining said treated beverage ingredient extract retentate with said beverage ingredient extract permeate to generate a recombined ingredient extract.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Gertjan Heijman, Rebecca Van Der Westen Skogvold, Thomas Frank Hofmann, Oliver Frank, Michael Josef Gigl
  • Publication number: 20220369088
    Abstract: A method for an apparatus operating in a wireless communication network. The method includes transmitting a plurality of functional safety containers offset in time along with at least one associated functional safety indicator that indicates a relevance according to at least one safety integrity level, wherein at least one of the plurality of functional safety containers comprises data, especially V2x data that comprises at least one of a vehicle operating parameter and a roadway event, or industrial data that comprises a machine operating parameter, or building technology data that comprises building operational data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Hofmann, Khaled Shawky Hassan, Kurt Eckert, Tobias Frye
  • Publication number: 20220358839
    Abstract: A method for an apparatus operating in a wireless communication network. The method includes: determining at least one functional safety indicator that indicates at least whether associated data, especially V2X data that comprises at least one of a vehicle operating parameter and a roadway event, or industrial data that comprises a machine operating parameter, or building technology data that comprises building operational data, is relevant according to at least one safety integrity level; and transmitting the data along with the at least one determined functional safety indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Hofmann, Khaled Shawky Hassan, Kurt Eckert, Tobias Frye
  • Publication number: 20220345856
    Abstract: A method for data transfer in a V2X communication network (V2X: vehicle-to-everything). A communication control module for an at least semi-automated vehicle is further provided, which is designed to carry out the method for data transfer. The data transfer in the V2X communication network takes place with the aid of V2X messages, which are coded by a sender and decoded by at least one receiver. A V2X message includes in each case a piece of context information about surroundings of the sender and/or of the receiver with respect to a vehicle and/or to an object and/or to a person. The piece of context information 505 is utilized for each V2X message for validation of the V2X message and/or for reduction of a packet size of the V2X message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Tobias Frye, Frank Hofmann, Kurt Eckert
  • Publication number: 20220159425
    Abstract: There is provided a method comprising: determining at least one V2X message (M) comprising at least one data container (DSC) comprising at least one environment image (I #1) representing a part (E #1) of an environment in at least one spatial dimension at one point in time; and wireless transmitting the at least one V2X message (M).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Florian Alexander Schiegg, Tobias Frye, Frank Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20220143907
    Abstract: A method for additively printing extension segments on workpieces using an additive manufacturing machine includes controlling, with a computing system, an operation of a print head of the machine such that a region of interest of a build plate of the machine is scanned with an electromagnetic radiation beam. Additionally, the method includes receiving, with the computing system, data associated with reflections of the beam off of the build plate as the region interest is scanned. Furthermore, the method includes receiving, with the computing system, data associated with a location of the beam relative to the build plate. Moreover, the method includes determining, with the computing system, a location of a workpiece interface based on the received data. In addition, the method includes controlling, with the computing system, the operation of the print head such that an extension segment is additively printed on the determined workpiece interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Xiaolei Shi, Jinjie Shi, Joseph Edward Hampshire, Douglas Frank Hofmann, Pinghai Yang
  • Publication number: 20220132418
    Abstract: A method for operating an apparatus (UE) comprising: determining (130), in an active mode, a state associated with a direct mode radio channel, and determining (160; 170), in the active mode, at least one subset of a plurality of radio resources of the direct mode radio channel based on the determined state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Frank Hofmann, Khaled Shawky Hassan, Klaus Sambale, Maria Bezmenov, Nadia Brahmi
  • Publication number: 20220132405
    Abstract: A portable electronic device (UEa) that includes determining means to determine a coupling state that indicates a coupling or non-coupling of the portable electronic device with a vehicle-side control unit of a lightweight vehicle; and selecting means to select one of at least a first and second VRU class of the portable electronic device based on the determined coupling state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Andre Schwarzmeier, Andreas Schaller, Frank Hofmann, Khaled Shawky Hassan, Nadia Brahmi
  • Publication number: 20220132282
    Abstract: A method for operating a determination unit (DUb) of a personal mobile terminal or a device with a user interface (UIb). In one example, the method includes receiving, via at least one communication channel (CHb) between the determination unit (DUb) and a control unit (CUb) of a vehicle (BICb), at least one sensor information; determining at least one status information associated with the vehicle (BICb) based on the received at least one sensor information; and transmitting, via the at least one communication channel between the determination unit (DUb) and the control unit (CUb), the at least one determined status information associated with the vehicle (BICb).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Khaled Shawky Hassan, Nadia Brahmi, Frank Hofmann, Andre Schwarzmeier, Andreas Schaller
  • Patent number: 11282395
    Abstract: A method for operating an automated vehicle convoy includes periodically wirelessly transmitting messages from preceding participants of the automated vehicle convoy to respective following participants of the automated vehicle convoy, proceeding from the leading participant of the automated vehicle convoy. The messages include at least one piece of, in particular temporal, information from which a minimum distance between each following participant and the respective preceding participant is ascertained. The following participants of the automated vehicle convoy are guided corresponding to the ascertained minimum distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Sambale, Christian Zimmermann, Frank Hofmann, Soheil Gherekhloo