Patents by Inventor Hubert Watzinger

Hubert Watzinger 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: 11784578
    Abstract: An electronic circuit is provided. The electronic circuit includes a full-bridge rectifier, a spurious tone detection circuit, and a controller. The rectifier circuit has a plurality of switching elements and first and second radio frequency (RF) terminals. The spurious tone detection circuit has a non-linear circuit element and is coupled between the first RF terminal and a first reference terminal. The spurious tone detection circuit provides a non-zero direct current (DC) voltage in response to detecting harmonic tones at the first RF terminal of the full-bridge rectifier circuit. The controller is coupled to the plurality of switching elements. The controller is for controlling the operation of the plurality of switching elements based at least in part on detecting the harmonic tones. In one embodiment, the electronic circuit may be a wireless charging receiver. In another embodiment, a method for detecting harmonic tones in the electronic device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Daniel Lopez-Diaz, Peter Thüringer, Pierluigi Cavallini, Hubert Watzinger
  • Publication number: 20230246564
    Abstract: An electronic circuit is provided. The electronic circuit includes a full-bridge rectifier, a spurious tone detection circuit, and a controller. The rectifier circuit has a plurality of switching elements and first and second radio frequency (RF) terminals. The spurious tone detection circuit has a non-linear circuit element and is coupled between the first RF terminal and a first reference terminal. The spurious tone detection circuit provides a non-zero direct current (DC) voltage in response to detecting harmonic tones at the first RF terminal of the full-bridge rectifier circuit. The controller is coupled to the plurality of switching elements. The controller is for controlling the operation of the plurality of switching elements based at least in part on detecting the harmonic tones. In one embodiment, the electronic circuit may be a wireless charging receiver. In another embodiment, a method for detecting harmonic tones in the electronic device is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Daniel Lopez-Diaz, Peter Thüringer, Pierluigi Cavallini, Hubert Watzinger
  • Patent number: 10756881
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for operating a communications device are described. In an embodiment, a method for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling involves adjusting a phase configuration of the communications device in response to at least one system or environmental parameter, modulating a carrier signal with the adjusted phase configuration using active load modulation (ALM), and transmitting the modulated carrier signal from the communications device for inductive coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Gernot Hueber, Johannes Bruckbauer, Hubert Watzinger, Ian Thomas Macnamara
  • Patent number: 10019608
    Abstract: A method for operating an RFID device is disclosed. In the embodiment, the method involves establishing a radio-frequency link, receiving signal samples of the radio-frequency link, determining the offset of an initial phase of the link by filtering noise from the signal samples, windowing the filtered signal samples, and calculating an offset value from phase differences between the windows of signal samples, and modifying a configuration profile based on the offset value. During data transmission the configuration profile can be used to configure the transmitter in order to maintain the constant phase during transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Neffe, Hubert Watzinger, Michael Stark, Johannes Bruckbauer, Thomas Noisternig
  • Patent number: 9997829
    Abstract: A Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled device is disclosed. The NFC device includes an antenna. The NFC device also includes an impedance matching network, a carrier frequency generator to generate a carrier wave, a receiver for receiving a magnetic induction wave, a transmitter, a driver circuit configured to alter an impedance of an antenna network associated with the antenna between a first impedance and a second impedance and a control unit. The control unit is configured to derive a first phase difference between the received magnetic induction wave and an internal clock at the first impedance and a second phase difference between the received magnetic induction wave and the internal clock at the second impedance. The control unit is further configured to change a phase of the carrier wave based on a difference between the first phase difference and a second phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Gebhart, Fred George Nunziata, Hubert Watzinger
  • Patent number: 9935689
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and system for compensating phase offset caused by a matching network and antenna of a communications device. The method comprises: generating a mapping that correlates phase offset with a characteristic parameter; measuring the characteristic parameter for the communications device; using the measured characteristic parameter and the mapping to determine a phase offset for the communications device; and using the determined phase offset to compensate for the phase offset caused by the matching network and antenna of the communications device. The present invention also provides for a method and system for measuring a phase offset caused by a matching network and antenna of a communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Gernot Hueber, Ian Thomas Macnamara, Johannes Bruckbauer, Hubert Watzinger
  • Publication number: 20180040953
    Abstract: A Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled device is disclosed. The NFC device includes an antenna. The NFC device also includes an impedance matching network, a carrier frequency generator to generate a carrier wave, a receiver for receiving a magnetic induction wave, a transmitter, a driver circuit configured to alter an impedance of an antenna network associated with the antenna between a first impedance and a second impedance and a control unit. The control unit is configured to derive a first phase difference between the received magnetic induction wave and an internal clock at the first impedance and a second phase difference between the received magnetic induction wave and the internal clock at the second impedance. The control unit is further configured to change a phase of the carrier wave based on a difference between the first phase difference and a second phase difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Gebhart, Fred George Nunziata, Hubert Watzinger
  • Publication number: 20180034621
    Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for operating a communications device are described. In an embodiment, a method for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling involves adjusting a phase configuration of the communications device in response to at least one system or environmental parameter, modulating a carrier signal with the adjusted phase configuration using active load modulation (ALM), and transmitting the modulated carrier signal from the communications device for inductive coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Gernot Hueber, Johannes Bruckbauer, Hubert Watzinger, Ian Thomas Macnamara
  • Publication number: 20180034510
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and system for compensating phase offset caused by a matching network and antenna of a communications device. The method comprises: generating a mapping that correlates phase offset with a characteristic parameter; measuring the characteristic parameter for the communications device; using the measured characteristic parameter and the mapping to determine a phase offset for the communications device; and using the determined phase offset to compensate for the phase offset caused by the matching network and antenna of the communications device. The present invention also provides for a method and system for measuring a phase offset caused by a matching network and antenna of a communications device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Gernot Hueber, Ian Thomas Macnamara, Johannes Bruckbauer, Hubert Watzinger
  • Publication number: 20170169258
    Abstract: A method for operating an RFID device is disclosed. In the embodiment, the method involves establishing a radio-frequency link, receiving signal samples of the radio-frequency link, determining the offset of an initial phase of the link by filtering noise from the signal samples, windowing the filtered signal samples, and calculating an offset value from phase differences between the windows of signal samples, and modifying a configuration profile based on the offset value. During data transmission the configuration profile can be used to configure the transmitter in order to maintain the constant phase during transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Neffe, Hubert Watzinger, Michael Stark, Johannes Bruckbauer, Thomas Noisternig
  • Patent number: 7880587
    Abstract: In a receiving method for the contactless reception of identification information (I1,12), which is stored in a data carrier (3, 3?) and which can be received from the data carrier (3, 3) in a contactless manner in the form of information units (IU, IU?) with a communication device (2), it is envisaged that firstly an information unit (R.IU) is received and that secondly it is detected that the received information unit (R.IU) represents a collision of two different information units (IU, IU?) occurring essentially simultaneously, of which two different information units (IU, IU?) the one information unit (IU) originates from a first data carrier (3) and the other information unit (IU?) originates from a second data carrier (3?), and that thirdly a received information unit (R.IU) that represents a collision is replaced with a first replacement information unit (R.IU1) established by the communication device (2), which is used instead of the information unit (R.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Franz Amtmann, Roland Brandl, Christian Scherabon, Hubert Watzinger
  • Patent number: 7834741
    Abstract: Circuit for a data carrier, which circuit is capable of supplying identification information to a communications arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Franz Amtmann, Ewald Bergler, Roland Brandl, Hubert Watzinger
  • Patent number: 7599661
    Abstract: In a method for the determination of disconnection time information (DTI) significant for an inadequate power supply of an integrated circuit (2) of a data carrier (1) such as an RFID-tag. The disconnection time information (DTI) is determined on the basis of the discharge behavior of a first storage capacitor (C1), which is affected by the IC material and by radiation, and the determined disconnection time information (DTI) is corrected in dependence on the effects of the IC material and/or on at least one radiation effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Franz Amtmann, Hubert Watzinger, Roland Brandl, Ewald Bergler
  • Publication number: 20080211635
    Abstract: An RFID reader (1, 1?) comprises a signal generator (2) for generating high frequency electrical signals (ES) and an antenna (3) to which the high frequency electrical signals (ES) are feedable in a symmetric mode. The RFID reader (1) further comprises tuning means (4, 4?) for maintaining the antenna (3) in a symmetric operating mode, wherein the tuning means (4, 4?) are controllable in dependency of varying coupling impedances (CG) occurring between the antenna (3) and its environment (G).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Rauber, Hubert Watzinger, Franz Amtmann
  • Publication number: 20070273482
    Abstract: In a receiving method for the contactless reception of identification information (11,12), which is stored in a data carrier (3,3?) and which can be received from the data carrier (3, 3) in a contactless manner in the form of information units (IU, IU?) with a communication device (2), it is envisaged that firstly an information unit (R.IU) is received and that secondly it is detected that the received information unit (R.IU) represents a collision of two different information units (IU, IU?) occurring essentially simultaneously, of which two different information units (IU, IU?) the one information unit (IU) originates from a first data carrier (3) and the other information unit (IU) originates from a second data carrier (3), and that thirdly a received information unit (R.IU) that represents a collision is replaced with a first replacement information unit (R.IU1) established by the communication device (2), which is used instead of the information unit (R.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Franz Amtmann, Roland Brandl, Christian Scherabon, Hubert Watzinger
  • Publication number: 20070176753
    Abstract: In a method for the determination of disconnection time information (DTI) significant for an inadequate power supply of an integrated circuit (2) of a data carrier (1) such as an RFID-tag. The disconnection time information (DTI) is determined on the basis of the discharge behavior of a first storage capacitor (C1), which is affected by the IC material and by radiation, and the determined disconnection time information (DTI) is corrected in dependence on the effects of the IC material and/or on at least one radiation effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Franz Amtmann, Hubert Watzinger, Roland Brandl, Ewald Bergler
  • Publication number: 20070021077
    Abstract: Circuit for a data carrier, which circuit is capable of supplying identification information to a communications arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Franz Amtmann, Ewald Bergler, Roland Brandl, Hubert Watzinger
  • Patent number: 6028503
    Abstract: A transmission and receiving device for contact data transmission between the device and a transponder. The transmission and receiving device has an antenna resonant circuit, a synchronous demodulator, a measuring unit, a control unit, and a reference signal generator. In operation, the device and the transponder are inductively coupled to each other through the antenna resonance circuit of the device and an antenna resonance circuit in the transponder. In response to an interrogation by the device, the transponder sends a load modulated digital signal to the device. The synchronous demodulator detects digital response data contained in the load modulated digital signal. The measuring unit measures a phase shift between a reference signal generated by the reference signal generator and a resonance signal generated in the antenna resonance circuit in the device by the sent load modulated digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Josef Preishuberpflugl, Siegfried Arnold, Bernhard Spiess, Hubert Watzinger