Patents by Inventor Helmut Schröder

Helmut Schröder 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: 20240131896
    Abstract: A reheating method for operating a refrigeration system for a motor vehicle is described, the refrigeration system includes a refrigerant compressor, which is connectable or connected to a primary line and a secondary line; an outer heat exchanger, which is arranged in the primary line; an evaporator, which is arranged in the primary line; a heating register, which is arranged in the secondary line; at least one movable temperature flap which is arranged upstream or downstream of the heating register in relation to a supply air flow direction; and at least one shut-off element, which is arranged downstream of the heating register in the secondary line. The reheating method includes adjusting the at least one shut-off element into a position in which refrigerant flows downstream of the heating register into the evaporator, while bypassing the external heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Dirk SCHROEDER, Christian REBINGER, Helmut ROTTENKOLBER
  • Publication number: 20240131897
    Abstract: A reheating method for operating a refrigeration system for a motor vehicle. The refrigeration system includes a refrigerant compressor, connected to a primary line and a secondary line; an external heat exchanger; an evaporator; a heating register; at least one movable temperature flap; and at least one shutoff element, which is arranged downstream of the heating register in the secondary line. The reheating method includes following steps: setting the at least one shutoff element in a position in which the refrigerant flows into the evaporator downstream of the heating register while bypassing the external heat exchanger, and incorporating at least one further heat sink, which is fluidically arranged in parallel or in series to the evaporator, in particular a chiller operating as a water heat pump evaporator and/or the external heat exchanger operating as an air heat pump evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2020
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Dirk SCHROEDER, Christian REBINGER, Helmut ROTTENKOLBER
  • Publication number: 20240074021
    Abstract: Described herein is a control arrangement for mounting on an external surface of a luminaire. The control arrangement comprises a control module (1) and a control module base configured to be mounted to one another. The control module base comprises a near-field communication means configured to communicate with a near-field communication unit provided in the control module (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Helmut Schroeder, Daniel Brand
  • Patent number: 11844165
    Abstract: A control arrangement includes a control module and a control module base for mounting the control module to an external surface of a luminaire. The control module includes a contacts; the control module base includes a base body portion having first and second surfaces and a lateral surface between the first and second surfaces, wherein at least one recess is provided on the first surface and configured for receiving the control module contacts. The control module base includes a near-field communication means including information relating to the specification of the luminaire. The control module includes a near-field communication unit configured to read out information in the near-field communication means of the control module base. The control module includes a communication unit configured for communicating said information to at least one of another control module, a segment controller configured for controlling a group of control modules, and a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Schreder S.A.
    Inventors: Helmut Schroeder, Daniel Brand
  • Patent number: 11835199
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for marking luminaires, particularly traffic route luminaires, in a luminaire network, the network being controllable via a server. Each luminaire is provided, in its operational state, with a controller (2) for controlling its operation and a mark that is visually recognizable from the outside the luminaire. The mark is formed by an information storage medium (4), in particular, and can be used to identify the luminaire. The mark is linked to the controller (2) or to the luminaire to be controlled by the controller before the mark is added to the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: SCHREDER
    Inventors: Daniel Brand, Jörg Richter, Helmut Schröder, Didier Wellens
  • Patent number: 11723139
    Abstract: Described herein is method for setting up a network of luminaires and their subsequent operation. A plurality of luminaires are located on a street (24, 29), and each luminaire comprises a control module (23, 28). The method for setting up the network comprises, for each control module, scanning the environment and providing environmental information to a central server, which, allocates the control modules and their associated luminaires into groups (A, B). A group controller (23?, 28?, 31, 32) is allocated for each group which has long-distance communication with the server and short-distance communication with control modules within its group. Each group controller and control modules within the group form a network which can operate autonomously or under the control of the server. Some of the control modules may include sensors (S1, S2) which provide signals indicative of changes in the environment allowing the network to adapt its operation in accordance with those changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: SCHREDER
    Inventors: Helmut Schröder, Daniel Brand, Didier Wellens
  • Patent number: 11601499
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to decentralised data storage. One embodiment includes a method of storing data within an external light network. The external light network includes a plurality of decentralised EDP units. Each of the decentralised EDP units belongs to a light. Each EDP unit has a communication means. There is at least one sensor arrangement respectively assigned to at least one of the EDP units. The method includes arranging a first EDP unit recording data. The method also includes storing a data set that includes the data recorded by the sensor arrangement of the first EDP unit or that has been generated from these data, distributed over a number of the decentralised EDP units. Further, the method includes at least partially deleting the data set after the distribution of the data set on the first EDP unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Schreder S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Brand, Helmut Schröder
  • Patent number: 11552826
    Abstract: Method for the operation and expansion of a network of lights Described herein is method for the operation and the expansion of a network of lights, each light in the network including a control module which is assigned to a group, each control module being in communication with a group controller as well as control modules in the same group. The network can be expanded by installing new lights with their associated control modules (19), and each new control module scans its environment and transmits environmental information to a central server (20) where the environmental information is analysed and the new control modules are allocated into groups (21). After allocation to a group in which control modules may be moved from one group to another or a new group is formed, the new control modules are available for normal operation. This process is repeated for each new light and associated control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SCHREDER
    Inventors: Helmut Schröder, Daniel Brand, Didier Wellens
  • Patent number: 11497105
    Abstract: Described herein is method for setting up a network of luminaires and their subsequent operation. A plurality of luminaires are located on a street (24, 29), and each luminaire comprises a control module (23, 28). The method for setting up the network comprises, for each control module, scanning the environment and providing environmental information to a central server, which, allocates the control modules and their associated luminaires into groups (A, B). A group controller (23?, 28?, 31, 32) is allocated for each group which has long-distance communication with the server and short-distance communication with control modules within its group. Each group controller and control modules within the group form a network which can operate autonomously or under the control of the server. Some of the control modules may include sensors (S1, S2) which provide signals indicative of changes in the environment allowing the network to adapt its operation in accordance with those changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Schreder
    Inventors: Helmut Schröder, Daniel Brand, Didier Wellens
  • Publication number: 20220353977
    Abstract: Described herein is method for setting up a network of luminaires and their subsequent operation. A plurality of luminaires are located on a street (24, 29), and each luminaire comprises a control module (23, 28). The method for setting up the network comprises, for each control module, scanning the environment and providing environmental information to a central server, which, allocates the control modules and their associated luminaires into groups (A, B). A group controller (23?, 28?, 31, 32) is allocated for each group which has long-distance communication with the server and short-distance communication with control modules within its group. Each group controller and control modules within the group form a network which can operate autonomously or under the control of the server. Some of the control modules may include sensors (S1, S2) which provide signals indicative of changes in the environment allowing the network to adapt its operation in accordance with those changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Helmut Schröder, Daniel Brand, Didier Wellens
  • Patent number: 11395397
    Abstract: Described herein is method for setting up a network of luminaires and their subsequent operation. A plurality of luminaires are located on a street (24, 29), and each luminaire comprises a control module (23, 28). The method for setting up the network comprises, for each control module, scanning the environment and providing environmental information to a central server, which, allocates the control modules and their associated luminaires into groups (A, B). A group controller (23?, 28?, 31, 32) is allocated for each group which has long-distance communication with the server and short-distance communication with control modules within its group. Each group controller and control modules within the group form a network which can operate autonomously or under the control of the server. Some of the control modules may include sensors (S1, S2) which provide signals indicative of changes in the environment allowing the network to adapt its operation in accordance with those changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: SCHREDER
    Inventors: Helmut Schröder, Daniel Brand, Didier Wellens
  • Patent number: 11231155
    Abstract: A method for controlling the light distribution of a traffic route luminaire in a network of luminaires, which is preferably also organized as a mesh network. The luminaire has a luminaire head having a settable light module and a controller while the light distribution of the luminaire is variable. The luminaire communicates luminaire data to at least one server, the luminaire data being luminaire-specific and related to the installation location of the luminaire. The data for a light distribution are automatically allocated to the luminaire and a setting of the light module is automatically effected on the basis of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: SCHREDER
    Inventors: Didier Wellens, Helmut Schröder, Daniel Brand, Jörg Richter
  • Publication number: 20210345472
    Abstract: A control arrangement includes a control module and a control module base for mounting the control module to an external surface of a luminaire. The control module includes a contacts; the control module base includes a base body portion having first and second surfaces and a lateral surface between the first and second surfaces, wherein at least one recess is provided on the first surface and configured for receiving the control module contacts. The control module base includes a near-field communication means including information relating to the specification of the luminaire. The control module includes a near-field communication unit configured to read out information in the near-field communication means of the control module base. The control module includes a communication unit configured for communicating said information to at least one of another control module, a segment controller configured for controlling a group of control modules, and a server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: HELMUT SCHROEDER, DANIEL BRAND
  • Patent number: 11099832
    Abstract: Method for updating a bootloader of a controller of a light, comprising at least one processor, at least one bootloader storage area, at least one application storage area, and a file storage area, a first bootloader file stored in a first bootloader storage area, said method comprising: transfer-ring to the controller a bootloader updating programme packet provided outside of the controller and which comprises or can generate a bootloader updating file which comprises either a complete up-to-date second bootloader file or programme parts supplementing the first bootloader file to form an up-to-date second bootloader file, storing the bootloader updating file in the file storage area of the controller, and, in the case of a sufficient minimum voltage being available to the controller, writing the first bootloader storage area with the bootloader updating file from the file storage area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Schreder S.A.
    Inventors: Helmut Schröder, Daniel Brand, Raoul Van Bergen
  • Publication number: 20210045222
    Abstract: Described herein is method for setting up a network of luminaires and their subsequent operation. A plurality of luminaires are located on a street (24, 29), and each luminaire comprises a control module (23, 28). The method for setting up the network comprises, for each control module, scanning the environment and providing environmental information to a central server, which, allocates the control modules and their associated luminaires into groups (A, B). A group controller (23?, 28?, 31, 32) is allocated for each group which has long-distance communication with the server and short-distance communication with control modules within its group. Each group controller and control modules within the group form a network which can operate autonomously or under the control of the server. Some of the control modules may include sensors (S1, S2) which provide signals indicative of changes in the environment allowing the network to adapt its operation in accordance with those changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Helmut SCHRÖDER, Daniel BRAND, Didier WELLENS
  • Publication number: 20200365020
    Abstract: A method for controlling the light distribution of a traffic route luminaire in a network of luminaires, which is preferably also organized as a mesh network. The luminaire has a luminaire head having a settable light module and a controller while the light distribution of the luminaire is variable. The luminaire communicates luminaire data to at least one server, the luminaire data being luminaire-specific and related to the installation location of the luminaire. The data for a light distribution are automatically allocated to the luminaire and a setting of the light module is automatically effected on the basis of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicant: SCHREDER
    Inventors: Didier Wellens, Helmut Schröder, Daniel Brand, Jörg Richter
  • Publication number: 20200326928
    Abstract: Method for updating a bootloader of a controller of a light, comprising at least one processor, at least one bootloader storage area, at least one application storage area, and a file storage area, a first, bootloader file stored in a first bootloader storage area, said method comprising: transfer-ring to the controller a bootloader updating programme packet provided outside of the controller and which comprises or can generate a bootloader updating file which comprises either a complete up-to-date second bootloader file or programme parts supplementing the first bootloader file to form an up-to-date second bootloader file, storing the bootloader updating file in the file storage area of the controller, and, in the case of a sufficient minimum voltage being available to the controller, writing the first bootloader storage area with the bootloader updating file from the file storage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Helmut Schröder, Daniel Brand, Raoul Van Bergen
  • Patent number: 10806012
    Abstract: Described herein is method for setting up a network of luminaires and their subsequent operation. A plurality of luminaires are located on a street (24, 29), and each luminaire comprises a control module (23, 28). The method for setting up the network comprises, for each control module, scanning the environment and providing environmental information to a central server, which, allocates the control modules and their associated luminaires into groups (A, B). A group controller (23?, 28?, 31, 32) is allocated for each group which has long-distance communication with the server and short-distance communication with control modules within its group. Each group controller and control modules within the group form a network which can operate autonomously or under the control of the server. Some of the control modules may include sensors (S1, S2) which provide signals indicative of changes in the environment allowing the network to adapt its operation in accordance with those changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: SCHREDER
    Inventors: Helmut Schröder, Daniel Brand, Didier Wellens
  • Publication number: 20200253027
    Abstract: Described herein is method for the operation and the expansion of a network of lights, each light in the network including a control module which is assigned to a group, each control module being in communication with a group controller as well as control modules in the same group. The network can be expanded by installing new lights with their associated control modules (19), and each new control module scans its environment and transmits environmental information to a central server (20) where the environmental information is analysed and the new control modules are allocated into groups (21). After allocation to a group in which control modules may be moved from one group to another or a new group is formed, the new control modules are available for normal operation. This process is repeated for each new light and associated control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Helmut SCHRÖDER, Daniel BRAND, Didier WELLENS
  • Patent number: 10733882
    Abstract: A method for controlling the light distribution of a traffic route luminaire in a network of luminaires, which is preferably also organized as a mesh network. The luminaire has a luminaire head having a settable light module and a controller while the light distribution of the luminaire is variable. The luminaire communicates luminaire data to at least one server, the luminaire data being luminaire-specific and related to the installation location of the luminaire. The data for a light distribution are automatically allocated to the luminaire and a setting of the light module is automatically effected on the basis of the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: SCHREDER
    Inventors: Didier Wellens, Helmut Schröder, Daniel Brand, Jörg Richter