Patents by Inventor Martin Sommer

Martin Sommer 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: 20240038068
    Abstract: A method includes determining a distance remaining from a current vehicle location to a traffic control signal and determining a recommended speed over the distance remaining that will cause the vehicle to reach the traffic control signal at a time when the signal permits travel. The method includes obtaining traffic data indicating the presence of traffic between the present location and the signal and predicting movement patterns and timing of traffic indicated by the traffic data, and adjusting the recommended speed to accommodate the predicted movement patterns and timing of traffic, to preserve vehicle momentum in light of changes to travel required by the predicted movement patterns and timing. The method additionally includes displaying the recommended speed and continuing at least the determining the distance, determining the recommended speed and displaying the recommended speed until the vehicle either stops or reaches the traffic control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Mustafa Ridvan Cantas, Gopichandra Surnilla, Martin Sommer
  • Publication number: 20240025262
    Abstract: A locking device for securing a contact strip device of a current collector in a storage position, the contact strip device being movable between a storage and sliding contact position relative to a conductor rail. The locking device has a cam, a rotatably mounted shaft and an anti-rotation device, the cam disposed on the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and the cam movable from a release to locking position by rotation of the shaft, and the cam in the storage position of the contact strip device being able to be brought into contact at a first contact surface by being transferred to the locking position on the current collector in a manner that movement of the contact strip device is blocked relative to the conductor rail, and rotational movement of the shaft for securing the cam in the release or locking position being positively blocked of the anti-rotation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Alexandru-Ioan Figan, Martin Sommer, Frederic Gros
  • Publication number: 20240025263
    Abstract: A current collector and a method for transferring energy from a conductor rail to a vehicle by means of a current collector, the current collector comprising a carrying device, a contact pressing device and a sliding piece which forms a sliding contact surface, the carrying device for mounting the current collector being formed on a vehicle, the contact pressing device being formed such that by means of the contact pressing device, the sliding piece is moveable relative to a conductor rail and pressable against the conductor rail for forming a sliding contact with a contact pressing force in a sliding contact position, the contact pressing device comprising a rocker unit for generating the contact pressing force using a rocker and a spring member, the spring member being rotatable in such a manner that the sliding piece disposed on the rocker is moveable in one direction into the sliding contact position while generating the contact pressing force, the contact pressing device comprising a retaining element wh
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: OLIVER BORCHARDT, TAMER YILDIRIM, PETER SCHNEIDER, MARTIN SOMMER
  • Publication number: 20230129779
    Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, a method (100) for the computer-aided recognition of a transport container (402) being empty can comprise: determining (101) one or more than one segment of image data of the transport container (402) using depth information assigned to the image data; assigning (103) the image data to one from a plurality of classes, of which a first class represents the transport container (402) being empty, and a second class represents the transport container (402) being non-empty, wherein the one or more than one segment is not taken into account in the assigning; outputting (105) a signal which represents the filtered image data being assigned to the second class.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Martin Sommer, Alexander KNOBLOCH, Sebastian ENGELNKEMPER
  • Publication number: 20220415180
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle platoon with a plurality of motor vehicles includes recording of operating data of each motor vehicle of the vehicle platoon, transmitting the recorded operating data of at least one following motor vehicle of the vehicle platoon to the first motor vehicle of the vehicle platoon, evaluating the operating data to determine a control signal data set for controlling a component of each of the motor vehicles of the vehicle platoon, transmitting the respective control signal data sets to at least one following motor vehicle, and controlling components of one or all motor vehicles according to the respective control signal data sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter W.A. Zegelaar, Alexander Katriniok, Martin Sommer
  • Publication number: 20220333319
    Abstract: A damping system for a cable disposed within an upper pipe and a lower pipe includes a damper plate assembly connected to the upper pipe, a slider ring connected to and/or supported by the lower pipe, the slider ring having a hole in which the cable is arranged; and a shroud surrounding the damping system at a position where the upper pipe is adjacent to the lower pipe, such that the damper plate assembly and the slider ring are covered by the shroud. In such damping systems, the damper plate assembly and the slider ring are in contact with each other such that the transverse movement of the upper pipe relative to the lower pipe generates a frictional force to reduce an amplitude of the transverse movement of the upper pipe relative to the lower pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: John R. Crigler, Robert William Sward, Eric Martin Sommer, Justin Malcolm Campbell, Christopher Daryl Ledford, Simon Ruas
  • Publication number: 20210316829
    Abstract: A method and a device can be used to transmit data onboard a watercraft using an onboard power supply network. A central control unit generates an instruction for a first consumer module. The instruction is transmitted from the central control unit via a first control unit-head station data connection to a first head station. The first head station converts the instruction into an instruction signal that is transmittable via the power supply network. The instruction signal is transmitted from the first head station via a first head station-power line data connection, the power supply network, and a first coupling module-power line data connection to a first coupling module. From the instruction signal, the first coupling module again generates an instruction that can be transmitted via a data connection. The instruction is transmitted from the first coupling module via a first coupling module-consumer data connection to the first consumer module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicants: ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH, thyssenkrupp AG
    Inventors: Martin Sommer, Leonard Fisser
  • Patent number: 11107309
    Abstract: The disclosure relates particularly to a method for providing security for a transfer point for at least one receiving apparatus, performed by one or more apparatuses, the method comprising: receiving state information at least characteristic for the presence of at least one person and/or at least one object at the transfer point; checking whether the state information meets a security requirement; and outputting or causing outputting of an activation signal only if the state information meets the security requirement. Further, the disclosure relates to a vehicle for use as a transfer apparatus for at least one transfer point, to a transfer point and to a system and a computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: StreetScooter GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Sommer, Tobias Augspurger, Marco Bellof
  • Publication number: 20210188273
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to predict a path of a target vehicle through an intersection, determine a sequence for the target vehicle and a host vehicle to cross through the intersection based the predicted path of the target vehicle and a planned path of the host vehicle, the sequence determined to improve a vehicle parameter among a fleet of vehicles including the host vehicle and the target vehicle, transmit the determined sequence to the target vehicle, and actuate one or more components to move the host vehicle along the planned path according to the determined sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Katriniok, Martin Sommer, Benedikt Rosarius
  • Patent number: 11004049
    Abstract: A method for authorizing an action on a self-service system, in which a user is authorized, by using an authorization server, to carry out an action on a self-service system is provided. The user is equipped with a token for his/her identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Duellings, Uwe Kirschke, Martin Sommer
  • Patent number: 10546198
    Abstract: A method for computer-aided recognition of a transport container being empty is provided. The method includes capturing image data of a region of the transport container; determining a contour pattern, which represents the transport container, using the image data; determining a deviation variable, which represents a deviation of the contour pattern from at least one reference pattern, wherein the at least one reference pattern represents an empty transport container; and outputting a signal if the deviation variable satisfies a predefined criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International, GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Sommer, Daniel Kieneck, Oliver Schaefer
  • Patent number: 10435156
    Abstract: An airworthy, unmanned transport apparatus (1) has a payload container (2) for at least one consignment (14), wherein the transport apparatus (1) has on its underside (4) at least two latching arms (5) which are arranged opposite one another and are each subjected to a spring force and by way of which the payload container (2) is able to be latched onto the transport apparatus (1) such that, as a result of the latching arms (5) being pressed in, the payload container (2) is releasable from the transport apparatus (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: DEUTSCHE POST AG
    Inventors: Marco Bellof, Felix Orth, Martin Sommer
  • Patent number: 10315697
    Abstract: In a vehicle comprising a maneuvering system for maneuvering a predetermined part of the vehicle into a target position provided by a target object, wherein the maneuvering system comprises a first optical sensor device, arranged at the vehicle, for capturing the target object and a calculating device for calculating a trajectory of the predetermined part of the vehicle into the target position with the aid of an image of the target object captured by the first optical sensor device, fast and safe maneuvering should be facilitated by improved monitoring of the maneuvering process and an improved calculation of the trajectory of the predetermined part of the vehicle into the target position, as a result of which accidents and damage to humans, vehicles and wares are avoided. This is achieved by virtue of the maneuvering system comprising a second optical sensor device arranged at the vehicle in a manner offset relative to the first optical sensor device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Martin Sommer, Tobias Augspurger, Oskar Kraft, Marco Bellof, Tobias Athmer, Markus Hamm, Fabian Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20180257781
    Abstract: An airworthy, unmanned transport apparatus (1) has a payload container (2) for at least one consignment (14), wherein the transport apparatus (1) has on its underside (4) at least two latching arms (5) which are arranged opposite one another and are each subjected to a spring force and by way of which the payload container (2) is able to be latched onto the transport apparatus (1) such that, as a result of the latching arms (5) being pressed in, the payload container (2) is releasable from the transport apparatus (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Marco Bellof, Felix Orth, Martin Sommer
  • Publication number: 20180075680
    Abstract: The disclosure relates particularly to a method for providing security for a transfer point for at least one receiving apparatus, performed by one or more apparatuses, the method comprising: receiving state information at least characteristic for the presence of at least one person and/or at least one object at the transfer point; checking whether the state information meets a security requirement; and outputting or causing outputting of an activation signal only if the state information meets the security requirement. Further, the disclosure relates to a vehicle for use as a transfer apparatus for at least one transfer point, to a transfer point and to a system and a computer program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Martin Sommer, Tobias Augspurger, Marco Bellof
  • Publication number: 20170369101
    Abstract: In a vehicle comprising a manoeuvring system for manoeuvring a predetermined part of the vehicle into a target position provided by a target object, wherein the manoeuvring system comprises a first optical sensor device, arranged at the vehicle, for capturing the target object and a calculating device for calculating a trajectory of the predetermined part of the vehicle into the target position with the aid of an image of the target object captured by the first optical sensor device, fast and safe manoeuvring should be facilitated by improved monitoring of the manoeuvring process and an improved calculation of the trajectory of the predetermined part of the vehicle into the target position, as a result of which accidents and damage to humans, vehicles and wares are avoided. This is achieved by virtue of the manoeuvring system comprising a second optical sensor device arranged at the vehicle in a manner offset relative to the first optical sensor device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Sommer, Tobias Augspurger, Oskar Kraft, Marco Bellof, Tobias Athmer, Markus Hamm, Fabian Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20170364887
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cash register system (1), comprising a stationary unit (3), which is connected to at least one cash register peripheral unit (5.1, 5.2, 5.3) by means of at least one connection (4.1, 4.2, 4.3); a mobile unit (2), comprising a display device, and an input device, wherein the mobile unit is designed to execute cash register software, in the process of which the cash register peripheral unit (5.1, 5.2, 5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Dullings, Uwe Kirschke, Martin Sommer
  • Publication number: 20170291766
    Abstract: Delivery vehicle is described and depicted which serves for delivery, in particular autonomously, of consignments to different sites along a delivery route, with a loading space comprising a shelf system for shelves containing consignments. In order to save time and cost for delivery or hand-over of consignments along a delivery route, it is provided that the shelf system is configured to receive shelves in a plurality of storage positions for provision of the shelves and in at least one extraction position for extraction of consignments from the shelves, and that the shelf system has at least one adjustment device for adjusting, in particular moving, the shelves of the shelf system between several storage positions and the at least one extraction position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Felix Orth, Fabian Schmitt, Martin Sommer, Uwe Kessels
  • Publication number: 20170243068
    Abstract: A method for computer-aided recognition of a transport container being empty is provided. The method includes capturing image data of a region of the transport container; determining a contour pattern, which represents the transport container, using the image data; determining a deviation variable, which represents a deviation of the contour pattern from at least one reference pattern, wherein the at least one reference pattern represents an empty transport container; and outputting a signal if the deviation variable satisfies a predefined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Martin Sommer, Daniel Kieneck, Oliver Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8839921
    Abstract: A pressing device for a current collector moves a contact shoe unit is movable relative to a current rail. The pressing device includes a rocker unit and a spring unit. The spring unit having a helical spring rotatably biasing rocker unit is rotatable such that the contact shoe unit is movable into a sliding contact position in only one direction spring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Schunk Bahn-und Industrietechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Sommer