Patents by Inventor Franz Jost

Franz Jost 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: 10048296
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to an integrated circuit comprising measurement means for detection of a current change, wherein said measurement means comprise at least one coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Franz Jost, Jens Barrenscheen, Philip Georg Brockerhoff
  • Patent number: 9933506
    Abstract: An example of a power converter is disclosed. At least one converter module provides an alternating output voltage. The converter module is coupled to an output terminal by a conductor path. A current sensor is placed within a magnetic field generated by a current through the conductor path. The current sensor includes at least one magneto-resistive sensing element to provide a sensor signal in response to the magnetic field. A signal generator causes a magnetic self-test field at the magneto-resistive sensing element. A readout circuit receives a first sensor signal of the magneto-resistive sensing element before the magnetic self-test field is applied and a second sensor signal of the magneto-resistive sensing element after the magnetic self-test field is applied. An evaluation circuit determines information indicating a safe operation of the current sensor based on an evaluation of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Franz Jost, Carlos Castro Serrato
  • Publication number: 20180061206
    Abstract: Sensor devices and corresponding methods are provided where a quantity is measured and monitored over time. The quantity may be related to a lifetime of the sensor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Ulrich Johannes Baur, Franz Jost
  • Patent number: 9857439
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement is provided. The sensor arrangement may include at least one sensor element having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and configured for sensing a magnetic field; and an electrically conductive line, wherein a first portion of the electrically conductive line may be arranged on the first side of the at least one sensor element and a second portion of the electrically conductive line may be arranged on the second side of the at least one sensor element in such a way that if a current is flowing through the electrically conductive line, the current has a first direction in the first portion and a second direction opposite the first direction in the second portion, such that a first magnetic field formed by the current in the first portion and a second magnetic field formed by the current in the second portion may at least partly add constructively at a sensing portion of the at least one sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Franz Jost, Holger Wille, Martin Gruber
  • Patent number: 9816838
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor may comprise a first linear output sensing element configured to sense a first component of an external magnetic field associated with a first axis. The first linear output sensing element may provide a first output voltage corresponding to the first component of the external magnetic field. The magnetic sensor may also comprise a second linear output sending component configured to sense a second component of the external magnetic field associated with a second axis. The second axis may be substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The second linear output sensing element may provide a second output voltage corresponding to the second component of the external magnetic field. The first output voltage and the second output voltage may be provided to determine an angle, associated with the external magnetic field, corresponding to a plane including the first axis and the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Franz Jost
  • Patent number: 9664728
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to an integrated circuit comprising at least two electrical connections and at least one coil arranged adjacent to at least one of the electrical connection, wherein the at least one coil each comprises at least one winding and wherein the at least one coil is arranged on or in the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Franz Jost, Jens Barrenscheen, Philip Georg Brockerhoff
  • Publication number: 20170074961
    Abstract: An example of a device comprises a signal generator to generate a signal causing a magnetic self test field for a magneto-resistive sensing element. A signal input is configures to receive a first sensor signal at a first time instant before the magnetic self test field is applied and a second sensor signal at a second time instant after the magnetic self test field is applied. An evaluation circuit is configured to determine information indicating a safe operation based on an evaluation of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Franz Jost, Carlos Castro Serrato
  • Publication number: 20170067859
    Abstract: An apparatus for in-situ calibration of a photoacoustic sensor is provided. The apparatus includes a light emitter to emit light along a transmission path to a gas and an acoustic sensor element configured to detect an acoustic signal emitted from the gas based on the received light. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a sensing unit configured to detect the light transmitted along the transmission path and to provide an output signal, and a calibration unit to receive the output signal from the sensing unit and to provide a calibration information based on the output signal received from the sensing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Stefan KOLB, Alfons DEHE, Jochen HUBER, Franz JOST, Horst THEUSS, Juergen WOELLENSTEIN
  • Publication number: 20170059360
    Abstract: A magnetic angle sensor including a first Wheatstone bridge circuit having a plurality of first magnetoresistive elements; and a second Wheatstone bridge circuit having a plurality of second magnetoresistive elements, wherein the plurality of second magnetoresistive elements have diversity with respect to the plurality of first magnetoresistive elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Juergen Zimmer, Hansjoerg Kuemmel, Harald Witschnig, Franz Jost, Hegedus Akos, Konrad Kapser, Llorenç Vallmajó i Ribas
  • Publication number: 20170059363
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor may comprise a first linear output sensing element configured to sense a first component of an external magnetic field associated with a first axis. The first linear output sensing element may provide a first output voltage corresponding to the first component of the external magnetic field. The magnetic sensor may also comprise a second linear output sending component configured to sense a second component of the external magnetic field associated with a second axis. The second axis may be substantially orthogonal to the first axis. The second linear output sensing element may provide a second output voltage corresponding to the second component of the external magnetic field. The first output voltage and the second output voltage may be provided to determine an angle, associated with the external magnetic field, corresponding to a plane including the first axis and the second axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Franz JOST
  • Patent number: 9564578
    Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die attached to a substrate and a magnetic field sensor included as part of the same semiconductor package as the semiconductor die and positioned in close proximity to a current pathway of the semiconductor die so that the magnetic field sensor can sense a magnetic field produced by current flowing in the current pathway. The magnetic field sensor includes a first magnetic field sensing component galvanically isolated from the current pathway and positioned so that a magnetic field produced by current flowing in the current pathway impinges on the first magnetic field sensing component in a first direction. The magnetic field sensor also includes a second magnetic field sensing component galvanically isolated from the current pathway and positioned so that the magnetic field impinges on the second magnetic field sensing component in a second direction different than the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thorsten Meyer, Martin Gruber, Rainer Markus Schaller, Franz Jost, Stefan Mieslinger, Liu Chen, Toni Salminen, Giuliano Angelo Babulano, Jens Oetjen, Markus Dinkel
  • Patent number: 9564423
    Abstract: A power semiconductor package includes a substrate having a plurality of metal leads, a power semiconductor die attached to a first one of the leads and a magnetic field sensor integrated in the same power semiconductor package as the power semiconductor die and positioned in close proximity to a current pathway of the power semiconductor die. The magnetic field sensor is operable to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field produced by current flowing in the current pathway, the magnitude of the signal being proportional to the amount of current flowing in the current pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Liu Chen, Toni Salminen, Stefan Mieslinger, Giuliano Angelo Babulano, Jens Oetjen, Markus Dinkel, Franz Jost
  • Publication number: 20160379966
    Abstract: A power semiconductor package includes a substrate having a plurality of metal leads, a power semiconductor die attached to a first one of the leads and a magnetic field sensor integrated in the same power semiconductor package as the power semiconductor die and positioned in close proximity to a current pathway of the power semiconductor die. The magnetic field sensor is operable to generate a signal in response to a magnetic field produced by current flowing in the current pathway, the magnitude of the signal being proportional to the amount of current flowing in the current pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Liu Chen, Toni Salminen, Stefan Mieslinger, Giuliano Angelo Babulano, Jens Oetjen, Markus Dinkel, Franz Jost
  • Publication number: 20160380181
    Abstract: A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die attached to a substrate and a magnetic field sensor included as part of the same semiconductor package as the semiconductor die and positioned in close proximity to a current pathway of the semiconductor die so that the magnetic field sensor can sense a magnetic field produced by current flowing in the current pathway. The magnetic field sensor includes a first magnetic field sensing component galvanically isolated from the current pathway and positioned so that a magnetic field produced by current flowing in the current pathway impinges on the first magnetic field sensing component in a first direction. The magnetic field sensor also includes a second magnetic field sensing component galvanically isolated from the current pathway and positioned so that the magnetic field impinges on the second magnetic field sensing component in a second direction different than the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Thorsten Meyer, Martin Gruber, Rainer Markus Schaller, Franz Jost, Stefan Mieslinger, Liu Chen, Toni Salminen, Giuliano Angelo Babulano, Jens Oetjen, Markus Dinkel
  • Publication number: 20160377689
    Abstract: An interconnect module includes a metal clip having a first end section, a second end section and a middle section extending between the first and the second end sections. The first end section is configured for external attachment to a bare semiconductor die or packaged semiconductor die attached to a carrier or to a metal region of the carrier. The second end section is configured for external attachment to a different metal region of the carrier or to a different semiconductor die or packaged semiconductor die attached to the carrier. The module further includes a magnetic field sensor secured to the metal clip. The magnetic field sensor is operable to sense a magnetic field produced by current flowing through the metal clip. The interconnect module can be used to form a direct electrical connection between components and/or metal regions of a carrier to which the module is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Giuliano Angelo Babulano, Jens Oetjen, Liu Chen, Toni Salminen, Stefan Mieslinger, Markus Dinkel, Martin Gruber, Franz Jost, Thorsten Meyer, Rainer Schaller
  • Patent number: 9507005
    Abstract: An example of a device comprises a signal generator to generate a signal causing a magnetic self test field for a magneto-resistive sensing element. A signal input is configures to receive a first sensor signal at a first time instant before the magnetic self test field is applied and a second sensor signal at a second time instant after the magnetic self test field is applied. An evaluation circuit is configured to determine information indicating a safe operation based on an evaluation of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Franz Jost, Carlos Castro Serrato
  • Publication number: 20160313288
    Abstract: A photo-acoustic gas sensor includes a light emitter unit having a light emitter configured to emit a beam of light pulses with a predetermined repetition frequency and a wavelength corresponding to an absorption band of a gas to be sensed, and a detector unit having a microphone. The light emitter unit is arranged so that the beam of light pulses traverses an area configured to accommodate the gas. The detector unit is arranged so that the microphone can receive a signal oscillating with the repetition frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Horst Theuss, Gottfried Beer, Sebastian Beer, Alfons Dehe, Franz Jost, Stefan Kolb, Guenther Ruhl, Rainer Markus Schaller
  • Publication number: 20160282259
    Abstract: Shown is a gas sensor including a sensor element, a measurement chamber and an emitter element. The sensor element has a MEMS membrane which is arranged in a first substrate region. Furthermore, the measurement chamber is embodied to receive a measurement gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan Kolb, Alfons Dehe, Jochen Huber, Franz Jost, Horst Theuss, Wilhelm Wiedmeier, Juergen Woellenstein
  • Publication number: 20160216342
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement is provided. The sensor arrangement may include at least one sensor element having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and configured for sensing a magnetic field; and an electrically conductive line, wherein a first portion of the electrically conductive line may be arranged on the first side of the at least one sensor element and a second portion of the electrically conductive line may be arranged on the second side of the at least one sensor element in such a way that if a current is flowing through the electrically conductive line, the current has a first direction in the first portion and a second direction opposite the first direction in the second portion, such that a first magnetic field formed by the current in the first portion and a second magnetic field formed by the current in the second portion may at least partly add constructively at a sensing portion of the at least one sensor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Franz JOST, Holger WILLE, Martin GRUBER
  • Publication number: 20160197484
    Abstract: A sensor comprises a matrix switch that includes a number of switching elements configured in a matrix configuration. The sensor comprises one or more sensor elements configured in a sensor matrix configuration. A controller operates to dynamically select one or more signal routes via the switching elements to communicate data from one or more sensor elements of the sensor matrix. The matrix switch can operate to dynamically route multiple signal routes between sensor elements of the sensor to another component based on a set of criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventor: Franz Jost