Patents by Inventor Herbert Froitzheim

Herbert Froitzheim 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: 20230219523
    Abstract: An access system includcomprises a control unit in a vehicle, and a portable electronic device comprising a battery and a switch or a button. The portable electronic device comprises a transponder unit wirelessly supplied with power by the control unit . The control unit transmits a request signal to the portable electronic device. The portable electronic device checks, upon receipt of the request signal, whether supplying power by the battery is possible, provides wireless power supply by the control unit to the transponder unit, transmits a response signal to the control unit when supplying power by the battery is not possible, and when supplying power by the battery is possible and the switch or button was actuated within a specific time period around the receipt of the request signal. The vehicle is unlocked if the portable electronic device is recognized as belonging to the vehicle based on the response signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Sass, Herbert Froitzheim
  • Patent number: 11390247
    Abstract: Some embodiments may include an apparatus comprising: a first universal key for unlocking, locking, and/or starting a motor vehicle; a server; and a mobile radio terminal. The first universal key is trained to a particular motor vehicle using a first secret. The server stores a further secret for unlocking, locking, and/or starting the motor vehicle. The server is configured to transmit the further secret to a universal key using two interfaces and the mobile radio terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Herbert Froitzheim
  • Patent number: 11082081
    Abstract: The application relates to methods and a driver for communication with a transponder, in particular a driver for installation in a motor vehicle and for communication with a mobile transponder for a vehicle access and/or start system of a motor vehicle, wherein the driver is designed so that, after a first transmission at a first transmission frequency and after driver-side reception of a response of a transponder at the transponder resonance frequency thereof, and after driver-side determination of the response frequency of the response using a frequency detection apparatus, said response frequency is set, in particular by changing transmission pauses, at the driver as the second transmission frequency, corresponding to the measured transponder resonance frequency, at which the driver is then intended to transmit, wherein the driver has a resonant circuit (2, 3, 4), which has a higher driver resonant frequency than the mentioned first transmission frequency and than the mentioned second transmission frequen
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Froitzheim
  • Publication number: 20200235775
    Abstract: The application relates to methods and a driver for communication with a transponder, in particular a driver for installation in a motor vehicle and for communication with a mobile transponder for a vehicle access and/or start system of a motor vehicle, wherein the driver is designed so that, after a first transmission at a first transmission frequency and after driver-side reception of a response of a transponder at the transponder resonance frequency thereof, and after driver-side determination of the response frequency of the response using a frequency detection apparatus, said response frequency is set, in particular by changing transmission pauses, at the driver as the second transmission frequency, corresponding to the measured transponder resonance frequency, at which the driver is then intended to transmit, wherein the driver has a resonant circuit (2, 3, 4), which has a higher driver resonant frequency than the mentioned first transmission frequency and than the mentioned second transmission frequen
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventor: Herbert FROITZHEIM
  • Patent number: 10532720
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include systems for unlocking a motor vehicle. For example, an apparatus may include: a motor vehicle key for unlocking a motor vehicle having a remote engine start and/or vehicle entry system. The motor vehicle key comprises a Bluetooth antenna and a motor vehicle communication antenna. A controller of the motor vehicle key is configured to: use the Bluetooth antenna to set up a Bluetooth link to a mobile radio terminal using an activation key stored in a memory of the motor vehicle key; and instruct a motor vehicle controller installed in the motor vehicle to prompt an operation of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Froitzheim, Robert Obermaier
  • Publication number: 20190039567
    Abstract: Various embodiments may include systems for unlocking a motor vehicle. For example, an apparatus may include: a motor vehicle key for unlocking a motor vehicle having a remote engine start and/or vehicle entry system. The motor vehicle key comprises a Bluetooth antenna and a motor vehicle communication antenna. A controller of the motor vehicle key is configured to: use the Bluetooth antenna to set up a Bluetooth link to a mobile radio terminal using an activation key stored in a memory of the motor vehicle key; and instruct a motor vehicle controller installed in the motor vehicle to prompt an operation of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert FROITZHEIM, Robert OBERMAIER
  • Publication number: 20190039568
    Abstract: Some embodiments may include an apparatus comprising: a first universal key for unlocking, locking, and/or starting a motor vehicle; a server; and a mobile radio terminal. The first universal key is trained to a particular motor vehicle using a first secret. The server stores a further secret for unlocking, locking, and/or starting the motor vehicle. The server is configured to transmit the further secret to a universal key using two interfaces and the mobile radio terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Froitzheim
  • Patent number: 10192374
    Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a receiving circuit for use with a vehicle and serving for receiving a signal of a transponder. The receiving circuit may include a plurality of input paths each having an antenna and a multiplexer with a plurality of switches controlled by control signals and connecting at least one of the input paths to at least one further device in the form of a discharger and/or detuner and/or amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Sass, Herbert Froitzheim, Norbert van der Heyd
  • Patent number: 10109911
    Abstract: The invention relates to a driver circuit and an active transmitter device, a series circuit consisting of a first capacitor (4) and a second capacitor (12) being charged to a reference voltage by way of a charging current and the charged capacitors being discharged via the inductor (1) by an oscillating discharge, the discharge being terminated when the current through the inductor has completed an entire oscillation period or a multiple thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Froitzheim, Dieter Sass, Norbert Van Der Heyd
  • Publication number: 20180297558
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to motor vehicles. Various embodiments may include methods and apparatuses for unlocking a motor vehicle using a motor vehicle access and/or start system. For example, a vehicle key for opening, starting, and locking a motor vehicle may include: a first transceiver communicating with the motor vehicle access and start system; a second transceiver communicating with a mobile radio terminal; and a controller which, on the basis of a code received from the mobile radio terminal and in the form of either a release code or a locking code, either releases or locks communication between the vehicle key and the motor vehicle access and start system. The communication is associated with unlocking, starting, and/or locking the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Froitzheim
  • Patent number: 10078928
    Abstract: A driver circuit, a method for operating an inductor coil and an active transmission system, wherein a capacitor is charged by means of a charging current to a reference voltage and the charged capacitor is discharged in an oscillating manner via the inductor coil. The inductor coil is short-circuited when the voltage on the capacitor or a current flowing in the inductor coil has passed through at least one complete oscillating period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Froitzheim, Dieter Sass, Norbert van der Heyd
  • Publication number: 20180204400
    Abstract: A driver circuit, a method for operating an inductor coil and an active transmission system, wherein a capacitor is charged by means of a charging current to a reference voltage and the charged capacitor is discharged in an oscillating manner via the inductor coil. The inductor coil is short-circuited when the voltage on the capacitor or a current flowing in the inductor coil has passed through at least one complete oscillating period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Froitzheim, Dieter Sass, Norbert van der Heyd
  • Patent number: 9912359
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an antenna driver circuit for an antenna associated with a motor vehicle. The antenna driver circuit may include at least one pair of output paths to at least one antenna for forming at least one oscillatory circuit composed of in each case an antenna and at least one capacitor, and a plurality of switches in the form of MOSFETs controlled by control signals in one respective oscillatory circuit with an antenna. In the respective oscillatory circuit, at least two controllable switches may be arranged in an anti-serial fashion with respect to one another in that their drain connections are connected together, and/or source connections of controllable switches are connected to one another via an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Sass, Herbert Froitzheim, Norbert van der Heyd
  • Patent number: 9852563
    Abstract: A method to learn and then pair with a pre-installed access control system of a vehicle is discussed. Communication is exchanged between the access control system and a backend cloud-based system. Required data of the access control system including its particular authentication code is extracted by a learning device. A vehicle matching data is sent to the backend cloud-based system and the vehicle is registered with the backend cloud-based system. The learning device is registered to the access control system in accordance with learning procedures implemented in the vehicle as remote entry key. The learning device is coupled to a Radio Frequency signal transmitter that has Application-Specific Integrated Circuits to generate stable RF signals at multiple frequency wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Nikolas Bergerhoff, Ritesh Ahuja, Adrian Radu, Tejas Desai, Herbert Froitzheim, Yao Zhai, Robert Obermaier
  • Patent number: 9838050
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an antenna driver circuit for an antenna associated with a motor vehicle. The antenna driver circuit may include at least one pair of output paths to at least one antenna for forming at least one oscillatory circuit composed of in each case an antenna and at least one capacitor, and a plurality of switches in the form of MOSFETs controlled by control signals in one respective oscillatory circuit with an antenna. In the respective oscillatory circuit, at least two controllable switches may be arranged in an anti-serial fashion with respect to one another in that their drain connections are connected together, and/or source connections of controllable switches are connected to one another via an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Dieter Sass, Herbert Froitzheim, Norbert van der Heyd
  • Patent number: 9831708
    Abstract: A charging device for a portable device, e.g., in a motor vehicle, includes a resonant circuit, controllable by a trigger device, for inductive transmission of energy to the portable device, wherein the trigger device is designed such that the curve shape of the excitation for the resonant circuit is generated based on an operating state of the charging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Herbert Froitzheim
  • Publication number: 20170331179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a driver circuit and an active transmitter device, a series circuit consisting of a first capacitor (4) and a second capacitor (12) being charged to a reference voltage by way of a charging current and the charged capacitors being discharged via the inductor (1) by an oscillating discharge, the discharge being terminated when the current through the inductor has completed an entire oscillation period or a multiple thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Herbert FROITZHEIM, Dieter SASS, Norbert VAN DER HEYD
  • Patent number: 9802572
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for operating an inductor coil may include: charging a capacitor by means of a charging current at a reference voltage; and discharging the charged capacitor in an oscillating manner via the inductor coil. The discharging is ended when a current passing through the inductor coil has passed through an entire oscillation period or a multiple thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Froitzheim, Dieter Sass
  • Patent number: 9805531
    Abstract: An access arrangement for a vehicle includes a vehicle-side transceiver for transmitting query signals in a chronologically successive manner in first specified time intervals. The access arrangement also includes at least one mobile identification transmitter including an identification transmitter-side transceiver with an adjustable reception sensitivity for receiving the query signals of the vehicle-side transceiver. Furthermore, the access arrangement includes a monitoring device for outputting a control command in order to reduce the sensitivity of the identification transmitter-side transceiver by a first specified amount if the identification transmitter-side transceiver has received a specified number of query signals transmitted by the vehicle-side transceiver. By reducing the reception sensitivity, a stationary identification transmitter in the vicinity of the vehicle for example remains operational but no longer reacts to query signals of the vehicle-side transceiver, whereby power can be saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Herbert Froitzheim, Alexander Kramer
  • Publication number: 20170272110
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an antenna driver circuit for an antenna associated with a motor vehicle. The antenna driver circuit may include at least one pair of output paths to at least one antenna for forming at least one oscillatory circuit composed of in each case an antenna and at least one capacitor, and a plurality of switches in the form of MOSFETs controlled by control signals in one respective oscillatory circuit with an antenna. In the respective oscillatory circuit, at least two controllable switches may be arranged in an anti-serial fashion with respect to one another in that their drain connections are connected together, and/or source connections of controllable switches are connected to one another via an antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Sass, Herbert Froitzheim, Norbert van der Heyd