Patents by Inventor Heiko Bald
Heiko Bald 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).
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Patent number: 10457277Abstract: A driver assistance system for avoiding collisions includes an environmental sensor for detecting the traffic environment of the vehicle and a processing unit configured to assess the traffic environment as to the likelihood of a danger and plan a route avoiding or at least minimizing the danger for the vehicle. The processing unit is further configured to predict a possible control intervention of the driver in reaction to the danger and select a route which is compatible with that control intervention.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: OPEL AUTOMOBILE GMBHInventors: Frank Bonarens, Gerald Schmidt, Heiko Bald
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Publication number: 20170327111Abstract: A driver assistance system for avoiding collisions includes an environmental sensor for detecting the traffic environment of the vehicle and a processing unit configured to assess the traffic environment as to the likelihood of a danger and plan a route avoiding or at least minimizing the danger for the vehicle. The processing unit is further configured to predict a possible control intervention of the driver in reaction to the danger and select a route which is compatible with that control intervention.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Frank BONARENS, Gerald SCHMIDT, Heiko BALD
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Patent number: 8831867Abstract: A driver assistance device for a motor vehicle is provided. The driver assistance device includes an environmental sensor configured for monitoring a monitoring space located laterally to the motor vehicle for the presence of an object. An analysis unit is configured to receive a detection signal from the environmental sensor for estimating a possible endangerment of the motor vehicle by the object present in the monitoring space and to deliver a result signal representative of the endangerment. The analysis unit is configured to judge on the basis of the detection signal whether the object present in the monitoring space is approaching a lane adjacent to a lane traveled by the motor vehicle and to signal a result of a judgment in the result signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Heiko Bald, Aiko Boehme
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Patent number: 8638205Abstract: A device is provided for preventing a collision between a pivoting element of a vehicle, with an obstacle located in its pivoting area, with a control unit which controls the pivoting movement of the vehicle pivoting element and with a lighting device which is coupled to the pivoting movement and emits light into the pivoting area. Depending on the reflection of the emitted light on the obstacle the control units intervenes in the pivoting movement.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Aiko Boehme, Heiko Bald
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Publication number: 20130325204Abstract: A method for monitoring an operation of a vehicle is provided, wherein said method features the following steps. At least one first parameter is determined, wherein the at least one first parameter characterizes the beginning of a starting sequence of the vehicle. In addition, at least one intoxicant content of the person seated in the driver's seat is determined by means of a test instrument and the determined content is compared with a predefined threshold value. If the determined content does not exceed the predefined threshold value, the starting sequence of the vehicle is automatically enabled and it is detected if the person seated in the driver's seat leaves the driver's seat based on data acquired by at least one sensor. The determination of the at least one intoxicant content is repeated if it is detected that the person seated in the driver's seat leaves the driver's seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Heiko BALD, Aiko BOEHME
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Patent number: 8493236Abstract: A motor vehicle is equipped with a parking assistance system for monitoring a vehicle environment for the presence of obstructions, a horizontal longitudinal extension of a mobile vehicle part protruding beyond a vehicle body being able to be considered. In order to reliably avoid damage to the mobile vehicle part, a complete pivot area of the mobile vehicle part can be monitored for the presence of an obstruction. Furthermore, a corresponding method is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Aiko Boehme, Heiko Bald
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Patent number: 8487589Abstract: A method and a device are provided for determining the start of a charging process for an energy storage device in a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to determining at least one first parameter that indicates that a passenger is about to exit the electric vehicle. In addition, a first time t1 at which the charging process concludes at the earliest is determined, and a second time t2 at which the charging process is to have concluded at the latest is set, where t2?t1. Further, a determination is made as to whether a third time t3 at which a lowered second energy rate relative to the first energy rate is present before the second time t2 has been reached, and the start of the charging process is set in such a way that the at least one third time t3 lies within the charging process, and the charging process concludes by the second time t2 at the latest.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Aiko Böhme, Heiko Bald
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Patent number: 8489274Abstract: A device and method are provided for automatically monitoring tire pressure in a vehicle, as well as a method for displaying information about vehicle tire inflation. The method for automatically monitoring tire pressure in a vehicle encompasses indirectly determining the actual temperature in a vehicle tire. The actual temperature is ascertained based on empirically determined families of characteristics as a function of parameters that describe environmental conditions, driving conditions and/or material properties of the vehicle tires.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Aiko Boehme, Heiko Bald, Dirk Balzer, Christoph Ferber
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Publication number: 20130013140Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a first motor and a second motor. The first motor is configured as an internal combustion engine and the second motor is configured as a drive motor of the vehicle, which operates free from combustion gas. The method includes determining a parameter that characterizes a possible reversing of the vehicle and determining whether a reversing of the vehicle is imminent based on the parameter. If it is determined that a reversing of the vehicle is imminent, the first motor is automatically switched off.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Aiko BOEHME, Heiko BALD
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Publication number: 20120271539Abstract: A driver assistance device for a motor vehicle is provided. The driver assistance device includes an environmental sensor configured for monitoring a monitoring space located laterally to the motor vehicle for the presence of an object. An analysis unit is configured to receive a detection signal from the environmental sensor for estimating a possible endangerment of the motor vehicle by the object present in the monitoring space and to deliver a result signal representative of the endangerment. The analysis unit is configured to judge on the basis of the detection signal whether the object present in the monitoring space is approaching a lane adjacent to a lane traveled by the motor vehicle and to signal a result of a judgment in the result signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko BALD, Aiko BOEHME
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Publication number: 20120166062Abstract: A motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to an exhaust gas retreatment system. An additive is injected into an exhaust gas flow of a combustion engine and a vehicle operation or engine start can be influenced by a control unit as a function of a filling level of the additive in an additional tank. The control unit is coupled to a knowledge database and sensors for monitoring a vehicle environment, the signals of which feed the knowledge database. The control unit accessing the data of the knowledge database influences the driving operation or engine start.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Heiko BALD, Frank BONARENS
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Publication number: 20120109449Abstract: A device and method are provided for automatically monitoring tire pressure in a vehicle, as well as a method for displaying information about vehicle tire inflation. The method for automatically monitoring tire pressure in a vehicle encompasses indirectly determining the actual temperature in a vehicle tire. The actual temperature is ascertained based on empirically determined families of characteristics as a function of parameters that describe environmental conditions, driving conditions and/or material properties of the vehicle tires.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Aiko BOEHME, Heiko BALD, Dirk BALZER, Christoph FERBER
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Publication number: 20110215916Abstract: A device is provided for preventing a collision between a pivoting element of a vehicle, with an obstacle located in its pivoting area, with a control unit which controls the pivoting movement of the vehicle pivoting element and with a lighting device which is coupled to the pivoting movement and emits light into the pivoting area. Depending on the reflection of the emitted light on the obstacle the control units intervenes in the pivoting movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2011Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Aiko BOEHME, Heiko BALD
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Publication number: 20110157705Abstract: With a self-dimming mirror of a motor vehicle dimming can be automatically cancelled upon a change of a driving situation of the motor vehicle to increase road safety.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2008Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Heiko Bald, Aiko Boehme
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Publication number: 20110127025Abstract: An air conditioner is provided for a motor vehicle, which has a controller and at least thermal conditioning element/thermal conditioner (such as a heater and/or cooler), which is coupled with at least one thermal storage medium arranged inside a passenger cell of the vehicle. The heater and/or cooler can be activated independently of the operating mode of the vehicle transmission, and the controller is designed to regulate the heater or cooler at least taking into account the outside temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2010Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Aiko BÕHME, Heiko BALD
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Publication number: 20110109276Abstract: A method and a device are provided for determining the start of a charging process for an energy storage device in a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle. The method includes, but is not limited to determining at least one first parameter that indicates that a passenger is about to exit the electric vehicle. In addition, a first time t1 at which the charging process concludes at the earliest is determined, and a second time t2 at which the charging process is to have concluded at the latest is set, where t2?t1. Further, a determination is made as to whether a third time t3 at which a lowered second energy rate relative to the first energy rate is present before the second time t2 has been reached, and the start of the charging process is set in such a way that the at least one third time t3 lies within the charging process, and the charging process concludes by the second time t2 at the latest.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Aiko Böhme, Heiko Bald
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Publication number: 20110082640Abstract: A navigation device and a navigation method with a system is provided for obtaining position data about the current position of the vehicle, a data store, which provides navigation data, a route determination system, which uses the position data, the navigation data and destination settings to determine a travel route, an output system for outputting information about the planned travel route and a traffic sign recognition system for detecting traffic signs in the vicinity of the current vehicle position. The route determination system determines an alternative route, if the traffic sign recognition system detects a traffic sign, which prevents travel along the planned route.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: April 7, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Aiko BÖHME, Heiko BALD
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Publication number: 20100289670Abstract: A motor vehicle is equipped with a parking assistance system for monitoring a vehicle environment for the presence of obstructions, a horizontal longitudinal extension of a mobile vehicle part protruding beyond a vehicle body being able to be considered. In order to reliably avoid damage to the mobile vehicle part, a complete pivot area of the mobile vehicle part can be monitored for the presence of an obstruction. Furthermore, a corresponding method is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Aiko Boehme, Heiko Bald
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Publication number: 20100188189Abstract: A safety system is provided for control of the access to an object with a lock, that can alternatively be locked or unlocked by a mechanical key subsystem and by a remote control key subsystem offers the possibility to intentionally deactivate a remote control key subsystem by using for example the mechanical key subsystem when locking the object. Later, the remote control key subsystem can be reactivated by using the mechanical key subsystem again for unlocking. This way, the use of the remote control key subsystem can be prevented in situations where a theft of a remote control key is more probable than in other situations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2007Publication date: July 29, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Heiko Bald, Aiko Boehme
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Publication number: 20060288747Abstract: A vehicle comprises a central locking system for at least vehicle doors, with which system an electrical switch for changing the central locking system over to a locking or an unlocking state is associated, and an opening lever, which is pivotably disposed at an inside at least of one vehicle door, for opening thereof. The switch is associated with the opening lever inside the vehicle door such that, when the opening lever is pivoted out of an inoperative position into a first switched position, it effects a locking or an unlocking state of the central locking system, and the locking or unlocking state is maintained until the opening lever is again pivoted into its switched position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2005Publication date: December 28, 2006Inventor: Heiko Bald