Patents by Inventor Michael Derse

Michael Derse 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).

  • Shape-changing control panel button based on activation/deactivation
    Patent number: 7858891
    Abstract: A button configuration includes a shape-changing button that has a central region and a peripheral region. The peripheral region encircles the central region and defines a surface plane. The shape-changing button has an active state and an inactive state. The central region of the button protrudes from the surface plane and provides a push button function when the button is in the active state. The central region of the button extends substantially in the surface plane and provides no push button function when the button is in the inactive state. A control panel having shape-changing buttons is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sven Strohband, Arne Stoschek, Michael Derse, Philippe Alessandrini, Venkat Srinivasan
  • Seat control unit for adjusting a vehicle seat and vehicle seat configuration
    Patent number: 7432459
    Abstract: A seat control unit for adjusting a vehicle seat includes a touch sensor having a touch-sensitive fabric. The touch-sensitive fabric is disposed on a support layer which may be formed by a vehicle interior component such as the vehicle seat, an interior door panel or an armrest. The touch sensor generates signals in response to a force exerted on the touch-sensitive fabric. A control circuit is connected the touch sensor and receives the signals generated by the touch sensor. The control circuit determines a position of the force exerted on the touch-sensitive fabric and generates control signals for controlling the vehicle seat in dependence on the position of the force exerted on the touch-sensitive fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignees: Volkswagen AG, Audi AG
    Inventors: Arne Stoschek, Brian Ng, Michael Derse, Philippe Alessandrini, Steffen Ross, Sven Strohband
  • Reconfigurable, shape-changing button for automotive use and vehicle control panel having reconfigurable, shape-changing buttons
    Publication number: 20070247420
    Abstract: A button configuration includes a shape-changing button that has a central region and a peripheral region. The peripheral region encircles the central region and defines a surface plane. The shape-changing button has an active state and an inactive state. The central region of the button protrudes from the surface plane and provides a push button function when the button is in the active state. The central region of the button extends substantially in the surface plane and provides no push button function when the button is in the inactive state. A control panel having shape-changing buttons is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Sven Strohband, Arne Stoschek, Michael Derse, Venkat Srinivasan
  • Seat control unit for adjusting a vehicle seat and vehicle seat configuration
    Publication number: 20070235297
    Abstract: A seat control unit for adjusting a vehicle seat includes a touch sensor having a touch-sensitive fabric. The touch-sensitive fabric is disposed on a support layer which may be formed by a vehicle interior component such as the vehicle seat, an interior door panel or an armrest. The touch sensor generates signals in response to a force exerted on the touch-sensitive fabric. A control circuit is connected the touch sensor and receives the signals generated by the touch sensor. The control circuit determines a position of the force exerted on the touch-sensitive fabric and generates control signals for controlling the vehicle seat in dependence on the position of the force exerted on the touch-sensitive fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Arne Stoschek, Brian Ng, Michael Derse, Philippe Alessandrini, Steffen Ross, Sven Strohband