Patents by Inventor Johann Oberhauser

Johann Oberhauser 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: 9810554
    Abstract: A position measuring instrument including a code carrier having first and second code tracks, each including an identical series of code elements, wherein each of the series of code elements has two subregions with complementary properties. A scanning unit having detectors for scanning code elements, wherein each of the code elements defines one corresponding code word, wherein each of the code words defines an absolute position in the measuring direction, and wherein the detectors form a corresponding scanning signal from each of the two subregions of the series of code elements. An evaluation unit generating one item of code information for each of the series of code elements from each corresponding scanning signal, and forming the corresponding code words from the one item of code information, wherein each of the code words is composed of N and K items of code information from successive code elements of the first and second code tracks, respectively, with N and K being greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventors: Johann Oberhauser, Heinz Tovar
  • Patent number: 9303972
    Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a code carrier having a first graduation track and a second graduation track, the second graduation track being an incremental graduation track. A first detector system is configured to scan the graduation tracks so as to generate first position signals. A second detector system is configured to scan the second graduation track so as to generate second position signals. A first position-processing unit is configured to process the first position signals so as to yield a first absolute position value. A second position-processing unit is configured to process the second position signals so as to yield a second absolute position value. The first position-processing unit is configured to feed an absolute auxiliary position value to the second position-processing unit. The second position-processing unit is initializable with the absolute auxiliary position value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GMBH
    Inventors: Johann Oberhauser, Bernhard Schmied, Jannik Jens Rosenlehner-Emde, Werner Schwaiger, Thomas Schweizer, Hubert Mayer, Marc Oliver Tiemann
  • Patent number: 8990044
    Abstract: A revolution counter including sensors, which generate position values that define an angular position of a shaft, and a determination unit that receives the position values and generates decision signals therefrom, wherein the decision signals determine counting sectors. The revolution counter includes a counting control unit that receives the counting sectors, and operates the revolution counter in a first mode or a second mode of operation. The counting control unit switches over to the second mode, if after a length of time no change in one of the counting sectors takes place, and switches over to the first mode if a change in one of the counting sectors does take place. The determination unit determines an uncertainty range between each pairing of the counting sectors. The counting control unit does not take the uncertainty ranges into account for the switchover from the second mode to the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Oberhauser
  • Patent number: 8820623
    Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a code, including a series of code elements arranged one behind the other in a measuring direction, in which at least two consecutive code elements respectively form a code word containing a position information item, and a scanning device having detector elements for reading the at least two code elements of the code that form a code word, and an evaluation device in which the code word having the current position information may be ascertained from the scanning signals of the detector elements. The scanning device and the code are arranged in a moveable manner relative to each other in the measuring direction. Between adjacent code elements, which have identical properties in the transition region, separating elements having complementary properties are inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Mayer, Johann Oberhauser, Heinz Tovar
  • Publication number: 20140077795
    Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a code carrier having a first graduation track and a second graduation track, the second graduation track being an incremental graduation track. A first detector system is configured to scan the graduation tracks so as to generate first position signals. A second detector system is configured to scan the second graduation track so as to generate second position signals. A first position-processing unit is configured to process the first position signals so as to yield a first absolute position value. A second position-processing unit is configured to process the second position signals so as to yield a second absolute position value. The first position-processing unit is configured to feed an absolute auxiliary position value to the second position-processing unit. The second position-processing unit is initializable with the absolute auxiliary position value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: DR. JOHANNES HEIDENHAIN GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Oberhauser, Bernhard Schmied, Jannik Jens Rosenlehner-Emde, Werner Schwaiger, Thomas Schweizer, Hubert Mayer, Marc Oliver Tiemann
  • Publication number: 20130334409
    Abstract: A position measuring instrument including a code carrier having first and second code tracks, each including an identical series of code elements, wherein each of the series of code elements has two subregions with complementary properties. A scanning unit having detectors for scanning code elements, wherein each of the code elements defines one corresponding code word, wherein each of the code words defines an absolute position in the measuring direction, and wherein the detectors form a corresponding scanning signal from each of the two subregions of the series of code elements. An evaluation unit generating one item of code information for each of the series of code elements from each corresponding scanning signal, and forming the corresponding code words from the one item of code information, wherein each of the code words is composed of N and K items of code information from successive code elements of the first and second code tracks, respectively, with N and K being greater than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Johann Oberhauser, Heinz Tovar
  • Patent number: 8339126
    Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a measuring standard, on which at least one graduation track is applied, and a support member. Disposed on the support member is at least one exciter winding through which an excitation current is able to be conducted in order to generate an electromagnetic field, as well as at least one detector system for scanning the electromagnetic field, The position-measuring device further includes a capacitor which, together with the exciter winding, forms an LC oscillating circuit, an evaluation element and a switching element that is switchable by the evaluation element. The measuring standard and the support member are disposed in a manner allowing movement relative to each other, and in response to a movement of the measuring standard relative to the support member, the electromagnetic field is able to be influenced by the at least one graduation track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Izak, Johann Oberhauser, Robert Noichl
  • Patent number: 8169619
    Abstract: A detector element array for an optical position measuring instrument, by way of such array a fringe pattern resulting in a detector plane can be converted into electrical scanning signals. The detector element array includes a plurality of light-sensitive detector elements disposed in matrix-like fashion in rows and columns. The plurality of light-sensitive detector elements include a first detector element in a first column of the columns, a second detector element in the first column that is adjacent to the first detector element and a third detector element in a second column of the columns that is adjacent to the first column, wherein the third detector element is diagonally adjacent to the first detector element. The detector element array includes a first switch that selectively directly connects the first detector element with the second detector element and a second switch that selectively directly connects the first detector element with the third detector element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Oberhauser
  • Publication number: 20110257931
    Abstract: A revolution counter for determining the number of revolutions of a shaft, the revolution counter including sensors, with which position values that define an angular position of a shaft are generated, and a determination unit that receives the position values from the sensors and generates decision signals from the position values, wherein the decision signals determine counting sectors within one revolution of the shaft. The revolution counter further includes a counting control unit that receives the counting sectors from the determination unit, wherein the counting control unit, which as a function of a chronological order of the counting sectors operates the revolution counter in a first mode of operation or in a second mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Johann Oberhauser
  • Patent number: 7835014
    Abstract: A method for absolute position measuring that includes scanning a code having code elements arranged one behind the other in a measuring direction, wherein the code elements include sequential first and second code elements which define a code word containing absolute position information. The method including generating scanning signals within the first code elements and the second code elements. The method further including forming information regarding the sequential first and second code elements from the scanning signals via a reference value and determining the reference value as a function of at least one of the scanning signals within the first code elements and the scanning signals within the second code elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Mayer, Johann Oberhauser
  • Publication number: 20100245839
    Abstract: A detector element array for an optical position measuring instrument, by way of such array a fringe pattern resulting in a detector plane can be converted into electrical scanning signals. The detector element array includes a plurality of light-sensitive detector elements disposed in matrix-like fashion in rows and columns. The plurality of light-sensitive detector elements include a first detector element in a first column of the columns, a second detector element in the first column that is adjacent to the first detector element and a third detector element in a second column of the columns that is adjacent to the first column, wherein the third detector element is diagonally adjacent to the first detector element. The detector element array includes a first switch that selectively directly connects the first detector element with the second detector element and a second switch that selectively directly connects the first detector element with the third detector element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2008
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Johann Oberhauser
  • Patent number: 7770304
    Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a code and a scanning unit. The code includes a sequence of code elements arranged one after the other in a measuring direction, at least two successive code elements in each case forming one code word having position information. The scanning unit includes a lighting unit for emitting directed light in the direction of the code for imaging at least the code elements forming code word onto a detector unit, the detector unit having in measuring direction at least two detector elements per code element forming code word, as well as an evaluation unit in which the code word having the instantaneous position information is ascertainable from the detector signals of the detector elements. The scanning unit and the code are arranged in a manner allowing movement relative to each other in measuring direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Johann Oberhauser, Thomas Schuermann
  • Publication number: 20090243596
    Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a measuring standard, on which at least one graduation track is applied, and a support member. Disposed on the support member is at least one exciter winding through which an excitation current is able to be conducted in order to generate an electromagnetic field, as well as at least one detector system for scanning the electromagnetic field, The position-measuring device further includes a capacitor which, together with the exciter winding, forms an LC oscillating circuit, an evaluation element and a switching element that is switchable by the evaluation element. The measuring standard and the support member are disposed in a manner allowing movement relative to each other, and in response to a movement of the measuring standard relative to the support member, the electromagnetic field is able to be influenced by the at least one graduation track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Richard IZAK, Johann Oberhauser, Robert Noichl
  • Publication number: 20090161121
    Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a code and a scanning unit. The code includes a sequence of code elements arranged one after the other in a measuring direction, at least two successive code elements in each case forming one code word having position information. The scanning unit includes a lighting unit for emitting directed light in the direction of the code for imaging at least the code elements forming code word onto a detector unit, the detector unit having in measuring direction at least two detector elements per code element forming code word, as well as an evaluation unit in which the code word having the instantaneous position information is ascertainable from the detector signals of the detector elements. The scanning unit and the code are arranged in a manner allowing movement relative to each other in measuring direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Johann OBERHAUSER, Thomas Schuermann
  • Publication number: 20090079996
    Abstract: A method for absolute position measuring that includes scanning a code having code elements arranged one behind the other in a measuring direction, wherein the code elements include sequential first and second code elements which define a code word containing absolute position information. The method including generating scanning signals within the first code elements and the second code elements. The method further including forming information regarding the sequential first and second code elements from the scanning signals via a reference value and determining the reference value as a function of at least one of the scanning signals within the first code elements and the scanning signals within the second code elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Elmar Mayer, Johann Oberhauser
  • Publication number: 20080257951
    Abstract: A position-measuring device includes a code, including a series of code elements arranged one behind the other in a measuring direction, in which at least two consecutive code elements respectively form a code word containing a position information item, and a scanning device having detector elements for reading the at least two code elements of the code that form a code word, and an evaluation device in which the code word having the current position information may be ascertained from the scanning signals of the detector elements. The scanning device and the code are arranged in a moveable manner relative to each other in the measuring direction. Between adjacent code elements, which have identical properties in the transition region, separating elements having complementary properties are inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Elmar MAYER, Johann OBERHAUSER, Heinz TOVAR
  • Patent number: 7235776
    Abstract: A device for regulating a light source of a position-measuring unit includes: a measuring standard device that is movable relative to the light source; and a plurality of photodetectors, the photocurrent of at least one of the photodetectors usable as a basis for forming an actual value. The photodetectors are arranged such that light modulated by at least a partial number of the photodetectors of the measuring standard device is convertible into position-dependent photocurrents. In addition, the position-measuring unit includes a device for generating a setpoint value, and a comparator, by which a comparison between the actual value and the setpoint value may be made. By the generation device, the setpoint value is able to be generated based on the position-dependent photocurrents. A method is for performing such a regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Elmar Mayer, Johann Oberhauser
  • Publication number: 20050052641
    Abstract: A device for regulating a light source of a position-measuring unit includes: a measuring standard device that is movable relative to the light source; and a plurality of photodetectors, the photocurrent of at least one of the photodetectors usable as a basis for forming an actual value. The photodetectors are arranged such that light modulated by at least a partial number of the photodetectors of the measuring standard device is convertible into position-dependent photocurrents. In addition, the position-measuring unit includes a device for generating a setpoint value, and a comparator, by which a comparison between the actual value and the setpoint value may be made. By the generation device, the setpoint value is able to be generated based on the position-dependent photocurrents. A method is for performing such a regulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Elmar Mayer, Johann Oberhauser
  • Patent number: 6828783
    Abstract: An angle measuring instrument having a device for determining a shaft angular position within one shaft rotation, and a device for determining a number of executed shaft rotations having a gear including at least one gear for converting the shaft rotary motion into rotary motion having a defined reduction ratio. The gear unit includes at least one gear wheel which rotates in a defined ratio to the shaft rotary motion. Devices are provided for generating sensor signals which are positionally dependent and are dependent upon the shaft rotations, in which the detecting device inductively scans reduced rotational movements of the shaft, and has alternating electrically conductive and electrically non-conductive graduation regions and a scanning device, movable relative to the graduation structure, including a device for generating a homogeneous electromagnetic field and a sensor device to scan the graduation structure and to transmit sensor signals which are dependent upon the shaft rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Schroter, Marc Tiemann, Johann Oberhauser
  • Publication number: 20030093907
    Abstract: An angle measuring instrument having a device for determining a shaft angular position within one shaft rotation, and a device for determining a number of executed shaft rotations having a gear including at least one gear for converting the shaft rotary motion into rotary motion having a defined reduction ratio. The gear unit includes at least one gear wheel which rotates in a defined ratio to the shaft rotary motion. Devices are provided for generating sensor signals which are positionally dependent and are dependent upon the shaft rotations, in which the detecting device inductively scans reduced rotational movements of the shaft, and has alternating electrically conductive and electrically non-conductive graduation regions and a scanning device, movable relative to the graduation structure, including a device for generating a homogeneous electromagnetic field and a sensor device to scan the graduation structure and to transmit sensor signals which are dependent upon the shaft rotations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Andreas Schroter, Marc Tiemann, Johann Oberhauser