Patents by Inventor Jan K. Schiffmann

Jan K. Schiffmann 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: 6794987
    Abstract: A collision detection system and method of estimating a miss distance of an object and estimating length and width of the object are provided. The collision detection system includes a sensor for sensing an object within a field of view and measuring range and range rate of the sensed object. The collision detection system further includes a controller for estimating a miss distance of the object and further estimating length and width of the object as a function of the range and the range rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan K. Schiffmann, Lawrence A Humm
  • Patent number: 6714848
    Abstract: A vehicle rollover detection apparatus and method are provided for detecting an overturn condition of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus includes an angular rate sensor sensing angular rate of the vehicle, and a vertical accelerometer for sensing vertical acceleration of the vehicle. A controller processes the sensed angular rate signal and integrates it to produce an attitude angle. The vertical acceleration signal is processed to determine an inclination angle of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus adjusts the attitude angle as a function of the inclination angle and compares the adjusted attitude angle and the processed angular rate signal to a threshold level to provide a vehicle overturn condition output signal. Additionally, the rollover detection apparatus detects a near-rollover event and adjusts the variable threshold in response thereto to prevent deployment of a vehicle overturn condition, thus providing immunity to such events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Schubert, Edward J Wallner, David J. Nichols, Jan K. Schiffmann
  • Publication number: 20040012516
    Abstract: A tracking system and method of estimating position and velocity of an object are provided. The tracking system includes first and second sensors for sensing an object in first and second fields of view, respectively. The first and second fields of view partially overlap to provide an overlapping coverage zone. Each of the sensors measures range and range rate of the object. The system further includes a controller for estimating position and velocity of the object as a function of the measured range and range rate signals, without requiring sensing of the azimuth angle of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Jan K. Schiffmann, Lawrence C. Hau
  • Patent number: 6678631
    Abstract: An attitude angle estimator and method of estimating attitude angle of a vehicle having an angular attitude rate sensor sensing angular attitude rate of a vehicle, a vertical accelerometer sensing vertical acceleration, and a lateral accelerometer sensing lateral acceleration. An attitude angle estimate is produced and is updated as a function of the sensed angular attitude rate. An acceleration-based attitude angle is determined as a function of the sensed accelerations, and a blending coefficient is provided. A current vehicle attitude angle estimate is generated as a function of the updated attitude angle estimate, the acceleration-based attitude angle, and the blending coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jan K. Schiffmann
  • Publication number: 20040000991
    Abstract: A collision detection system and method of estimating a miss distance of an object and estimating length and width of the object are provided. The collision detection system includes a sensor for sensing an object within a field of view and measuring range and range rate of the sensed object. The collision detection system further includes a controller for estimating a miss distance of the object and further estimating length and width of the object as a function of the range and the range rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Jan K. Schiffmann, Lawrence A. Humm
  • Publication number: 20030225517
    Abstract: A collision detection system and method of estimating a miss distance are provided. The collision detection system includes a sensor for sensing an object in a field of view. The sensor measures range and range rate of the object. The collision detection system further includes a controller for estimating a miss distance as a function of the measured range and range rate, without requiring a measured azimuth angle measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Jan K. Schiffmann
  • Patent number: 6615138
    Abstract: A collision detection system and method of estimating a miss distance of an object are provided. The collision detection system includes a sensor for sensing an object within a field of view and measuring range and range rate of the sensed object. The collision detection system further includes a controller for computing a mathematical square of the range and computing a mathematical square of the product of range and range rate. The controller estimates a miss distance of the object as a function of the computed squared range and the squared product of range and range rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan K. Schiffmann, Sandeep D. Punater
  • Publication number: 20030093201
    Abstract: A vehicle rollover detection apparatus and method are provided for detecting an overturn condition of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus includes an angular rate sensor sensing angular rate of the vehicle, and a vertical accelerometer for sensing vertical acceleration of the vehicle. A controller processes the sensed angular rate signal and integrates it to produce an attitude angle. The vertical acceleration signal is processed to determine an inclination angle of the vehicle. The rollover detection apparatus adjusts the attitude angle as a function of the inclination angle and compares the adjusted attitude angle and the processed angular rate signal to a threshold level to provide a vehicle overturn condition output signal. Additionally, the rollover detection apparatus detects a near-rollover event and adjusts the variable threshold in response thereto to prevent deployment of a vehicle overturn condition, thus providing immunity to such events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Peter J. Schubert, Edward J. Wallner, David J. Nichols, Jan K. Schiffmann
  • Publication number: 20020128795
    Abstract: An attitude angle estimator and method of estimating attitude angle of a vehicle having an angular attitude rate sensor sensing angular attitude rate of a vehicle, a vertical accelerometer sensing vertical acceleration, and a lateral accelerometer sensing lateral acceleration. An attitude angle estimate is produced and is updated as a function of the sensed angular attitude rate. An acceleration-based attitude angle is determined as a function of the sensed accelerations, and a blending coefficient is provided. A current vehicle attitude angle estimate is generated as a function of the updated attitude angle estimate, the acceleration-based attitude angle, and the blending coefficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Jan K. Schiffmann