Patents by Inventor Johannes Van Niekerk

Johannes Van Niekerk 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: 20080111342
    Abstract: A bicycle includes an electric motor for driving a hydraulic actuator for a brake caliper of a brake disc of the front wheel of the bicycle. An electronic control unit receives wheel speed information from a wheel speed sensor, input pressure information from an input pressure sensor connected to a brake lever, and hydraulic pressure information from a hydraulic pressure sensor, which measures the hydraulic pressure for the brake caliper. The electronic control unit controls the hydraulic actuator based on the wheel speed information, the input pressure information from the input pressure sensor, and the hydraulic pressure information from the hydraulic pressure sensor such that the hydraulic pressure for the brake caliper is adjusted to prevent the bicycle front wheel from locking up when input pressure is provided via the brake lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicants: Volkswagen of America, Inc., Audi AG
    Inventors: Johannes Van Niekerk, Philip Schlesinger
  • Publication number: 20050270175
    Abstract: A traffic informational system provides information to traffic moving along a road and may include a plurality of traffic information devices mountable to the road, each having an integral power producing source, at least a first set of illumination sources, and a wireless communications subsystem. The traffic informational system may further include at least a first external control device comprising at least one antenna and a transmitter communication wirelessly with the traffic information devices and/or with one another. The traffic information device may communicate with one another, and may include sensor for sensing ambient conditions. The system employs various approaches to reducing power consumption and improving communications, and is suitable for a wide range of applications, including use in remote environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Applicant: Spot Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: TImm Peddie, David Bim-Merle, Thomas Burnham, Daniel Santos, Lawrence Miller, Vineet Mehta, Johannes Van Niekerk
  • Patent number: 6556046
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to functional pathway configurations at the interfaces between integrated circuits (ICs) and the circuit assemblies with which the ICs communicate. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to the functional pathway configuration at the interface between a digital device and a radio frequency device (wireless RF digital device), and the circuitry of a system including the packaged devices. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a wireless radio frequency digital device functional pathway configuration for the interface between the wireless radio frequency digital device and a system in which the wireless radio frequency digital device is embedded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Roger D. St. Amand, Steven R. Bible, Richard J. Fisher, Johannes A. Van Niekerk, Farron L. Dacus
  • Publication number: 20030060185
    Abstract: A wireless control and/or data acquisition system in an integrated circuit comprises a digital device and a wireless device, e.g., a radio frequency (RF) device, an infrared device (IrDA), etc. A micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) device may also be included in the integrated circuit package. The MEM may be used as a sensor, non-volatile memory, a filter, a frequency determining resonator, and/or a control device in combination with the digital device. The digital device and RF device may have independent power and signal connections for signal isolation between the digital device and RF device. Standby and sleep modes for the digital device and RF device reduce power consumption and low voltage operation enables the use of a simple battery power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Richard J. Fisher, Roger D. St. Amand, Steven R. Bible, Johannes A. Van Niekerk, Farron L. Dacus
  • Patent number: 5179859
    Abstract: In sampling grain offered in bulk as shown at 40, a sampling device 10 is inserted vertically downwardly into the grain. The device 10 has an inner tube 12 having openings 18 in series along its length and a sleeve 14 which is open bottomed and axially slidable over the tube. During insertion, the sleeve 14 covers the openings 18. To obtain a sample, the sleeve 14 is slowly slid upwardly relative to the inner tube thus progressively to expose the openings 18 from the bottom upwardly. Grain flows laterally via the openings 18 into the tube, which fills from the bottom. Practically no vertical displacement of kernels takes place, thus ensuring that a representative sample is taken at all levels. Ultimately, the sleeve 14 is slid downwardly to close the openings 18. The device, containing the sample, is withdrawn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Caledon Riviersonderend Kooperasie Beperk
    Inventor: Johannes A. Van Niekerk