Patents by Inventor Michael Frey

Michael Frey 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: 12476347
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include headphone devices with spatially diverse antennas employing multiple operational modes and antenna switching policies. The headphone device may identify a current mode of operation and wirelessly communicate with at least one external device based at least in part on the current mode of operation. Further, operating in a first mode of operation, the headphone device may cause switching circuitry to selectively couple a first antenna to the common port in accordance with a first antenna switching policy. While operating in the second mode of operation, the headphone device may cause circuitry to selectively couple a second antenna to the common port in accordance with a second antenna switching policy that is different from the first antenna switching policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2025
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels van Erven, Kasra Payandehjoo, Michael Frey, Anthony Maglio, Ron Roberts
  • Patent number: 12335103
    Abstract: A method for autoconfiguration of a plurality of nodes in a linear network allows extracting the address and position of each node. The nodes are identified by a unique identifier. The method comprises choosing a node in a network and extracting its identifier, and for the first node to the last but one node, transmitting a current in the network from the chosen node, and reading the direction of the current flowing through at least the nodes not chosen in previous iteration cycles. The identifier is linked with the direction of the current for said not chosen nodes, obtaining the position of said not chosen nodes relative to the chosen node. These steps are repeated by choosing a different node not chosen before. Autoconfiguration is finished when the identifier of each node is extracted, and the physical position of each node is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES NV
    Inventors: Raik Frost, Thomas Freitag, Michael Frey, Heiko Leutert
  • Patent number: 12324069
    Abstract: A safety related light system includes: one light source, a first control circuit, and a second control circuit. One of the first control circuit or the second control circuit is selectively enabled to operate in a drive mode to operate the one light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: Melexis Technologies NV
    Inventors: Michael Frey, Jorgen Sturm, Thomas Freitag
  • Patent number: 12187305
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a primary axle, a secondary axle, and a powertrain. The powertrain has an engine coupled to the primary axle and selectively coupled to the secondary axle. The vehicle also includes a clutch associated with the secondary axle. A controller is programmed to, responsive to (i) a request to shift from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive and (ii) a current engine-torque command exceeding a torque limit associated with the clutch, override the current engine-torque command to reduce a torque of the engine below the torque limit, and, responsive to the torque of the engine being less the torque limit, command engagement of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Frey, Filip Tomik, Richard David Bruns
  • Publication number: 20240356200
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include headphone devices with spatially diverse antennas employing multiple operational modes and antenna switching policies. The headphone device may identify a current mode of operation and wirelessly communicate with at least one external device based at least in part on the current mode of operation. Further, operating in a first mode of operation, the headphone device may cause switching circuitry to selectively couple a first antenna to the common port in accordance with a first antenna switching policy. While operating in the second mode of operation, the headphone device may cause circuitry to selectively couple a second antenna to the common port in accordance with a second antenna switching policy that is different from the first antenna switching policy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Niels van Erven, Kasra Payandehjoo, Michael Frey, Anthony Maglio, Ron Roberts
  • Patent number: 11996607
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include headphone devices with spatially diverse antennas employing multiple operational modes and antenna switching policies. The headphone device may identify a current mode of operation and wirelessly communicate with at least one external device based at least in part on the current mode of operation. Further, operating in a first mode of operation, the headphone device may cause switching circuitry to selectively couple a first antenna to the common port in accordance with a first antenna switching policy. While operating in the second mode of operation, the headphone device may cause circuitry to selectively couple a second antenna to the common port in accordance with a second antenna switching policy that is different from the first antenna switching policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels van Erven, Kasra Payandehjoo, Michael Frey, Anthony Maglio, Ron Roberts
  • Publication number: 20240031239
    Abstract: A method for autoconfiguration of a plurality of nodes in a linear network allows extracting the address and position of each node. The nodes are identified by a unique identifier. The method comprises choosing a node in a network and extracting its identifier, and for the first node to the last but one node, transmitting a current in the network from the chosen node, and reading the direction of the current flowing through at least the nodes not chosen in previous iteration cycles. The identifier is linked with the direction of the current for said not chosen nodes, obtaining the position of said not chosen nodes relative to the chosen node. These steps are repeated by choosing a different node not chosen before. Autoconfiguration is finished when the identifier of each node is extracted, and the physical position of each node is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Raik FROST, Thomas FREITAG, Michael FREY, Heiko LEUTERT
  • Publication number: 20240031200
    Abstract: A method for autoconfiguration of a plurality of nodes in a linear network allows extracting the address and position of each node. The method includes applying an identifier field for transmitting to the bus the bit sequence of the identifier of a chosen node. Then for at least for the first node to the last but one node, a field comprising a predetermined bit sequence is applied. The field comprises dominant bits, so a current is transmitted. Then, a further field is applied for transmitting any stored direction bit associated to that node and obtained in any previous iteration. The iteration continues by choosing a node different from a node chosen in any previous cycle, starting the communication, until all nodes are identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Raik FROST, Thomas FREITAG, Michael FREY, Heiko LEUTERT
  • Publication number: 20230399003
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a primary axle, a secondary axle, and a powertrain. The powertrain has an engine coupled to the primary axle and selectively coupled to the secondary axle. The vehicle also includes a clutch associated with the secondary axle. A controller is programmed to, responsive to (i) a request to shift from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive and (ii) a current engine-torque command exceeding a torque limit associated with the clutch, override the current engine-torque command to reduce a torque of the engine below the torque limit, and, responsive to the torque of the engine being less the torque limit, command engagement of the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Frey, Filip Tomik, Richard David Bruns
  • Publication number: 20230254959
    Abstract: A safety related light system includes: one light source, a first control circuit, and a second control circuit. One of the first control circuit or the second control circuit is selectively enabled to operate in a drive mode to operate the one light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Michael FREY, Jorgen STURM, Thomas FREITAG
  • Patent number: 11685258
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a torque transfer clutch of a vehicle. A first data source indicates if the clutch is in AWD or 4×4 mode. An integrator system monitors energy transferred across the clutch. A temperature data source measures or calculates the clutch temperature. In a first case, the integrator accumulates data of the energy across the clutch during a monitoring period that is compared to a maximum accumulated energy value and initiates a powertrain torque dependent transfer point learn routine. In a second case, the controller responds to energy accumulator cycle data in a single monitoring cycle that is compared to a maximum cycle data value. In a third case, the controller responds to clutch temperature data and compares the temperature data to a maximum temperature value. The second and third cases initiate a non-powertrain torque dependent transfer point learn routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas Harriman, II, Michael Frey, Filip Tomik, Bradley D. Riedle, Peter Chagnon
  • Publication number: 20230105588
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include headphone devices with spatially diverse antennas employing multiple operational modes and antenna switching policies. The headphone device may identify a current mode of operation and wirelessly communicate with at least one external device based at least in part on the current mode of operation. Further, operating in a first mode of operation, the headphone device may cause switching circuitry to selectively couple a first antenna to the common port in accordance with a first antenna switching policy. While operating in the second mode of operation, the headphone device may cause circuitry to selectively couple a second antenna to the common port in accordance with a second antenna switching policy that is different from the first antenna switching policy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Niels van Erven, Kasra Payandehjoo, Michael Frey, Anthony Maglio, Ron Roberts
  • Patent number: 11548339
    Abstract: A relative guide device (1) for a steering arrangement (31) is arranged on the wheel-carrier side for the spatial guidance and maintenance of the relative spatial orientation of the steering arrangement (31) with respect to a vehicle body (40). At least one telescopic movement apparatus (2) for movably connecting the steering arrangement (31) is arranged on the wheel-carrier side to the vehicle body (40). A steering force transmission device (30) transmits a steering force to a wheel (R) of a vehicle having a relative guide device (1), and to a wheel suspension (50) for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dominik Nees, Michael Frey
  • Patent number: 11515620
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include headphone devices with spatially diverse antennas employing multiple operational modes and antenna switching policies. The headphone device may identify a current mode of operation and wirelessly communicate with at least one external device based at least in part on the current mode of operation. Further, operating in a first mode of operation, the headphone device may cause switching circuitry to selectively couple a first antenna to the common port in accordance with a first antenna switching policy. While operating in the second mode of operation, the headphone device may cause circuitry to selectively couple a second antenna to the common port in accordance with a second antenna switching policy that is different from the first antenna switching policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels van Erven, Kasra Payandehjoo, Michael Frey, Anthony Maglio, Ron Roberts
  • Publication number: 20210316585
    Abstract: A relative guide device (1) for a steering arrangement (31) is arranged on the wheel-carrier side for the spatial guidance and maintenance of the relative spatial orientation of the steering arrangement (31) with respect to a vehicle body (40). At least one telescopic movement apparatus (2) for movably connecting the steering arrangement (31) is arranged on the wheel-carrier side to the vehicle body (40). A steering force transmission device (30) transmits a steering force to a wheel (R) of a vehicle having a relative guide device (1), and to a wheel suspension (50) for a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dominik Nees, Michael Frey
  • Publication number: 20210249758
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include headphone devices with spatially diverse antennas employing multiple operational modes and antenna switching policies. The headphone device may identify a current mode of operation and wirelessly communicate with at least one external device based at least in part on the current mode of operation. Further, operating in a first mode of operation, the headphone device may cause switching circuitry to selectively couple a first antenna to the common port in accordance with a first antenna switching policy. While operating in the second mode of operation, the headphone device may cause circuitry to selectively couple a second antenna to the common port in accordance with a second antenna switching policy that is different from the first antenna switching policy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Niels van Erven, Kasra Payandehjoo, Michael Frey, Anthony Maglio, Ron Roberts
  • Patent number: 10998615
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include headphone devices with spatially diverse antennas employing multiple operational modes and antenna switching policies. The headphone device may identify a current mode of operation and wirelessly communicate with at least one external device based at least in part on the current mode of operation. Further, operating in a first mode of operation, the headphone device may cause switching circuitry to selectively couple a first antenna to the common port in accordance with a first antenna switching policy. While operating in the second mode of operation, the headphone device may cause circuitry to selectively couple a second antenna to the common port in accordance with a second antenna switching policy that is different from the first antenna switching policy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels van Erven, Kasra Payandehjoo, Michael Frey, Anthony Maglio, Ron Roberts
  • Patent number: 10838384
    Abstract: A system having a plurality of devices configured in a daisy chain network including a communication bus connecting the devices and adapted to exchange address-setting information. Each device includes an input pin adapted to receive via an input signal line different from the communication bus a signal comprising configuration information for configuring at least the device; a configuration handling unit adapted to detect a configuration mode and to configure the device according to the configuration information; an indicator adapted to indicate whether the configuration handling unit has finished configuring the device; an output pin adapted to forward the configuration information to the daisy chain network when the indicator indicates the configuration of the device is done; and a safety handling unit adapted to be operable in a safety handling mode when the indicator indicates the configuration of the device is done.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Melexis Technologies NV
    Inventors: Jörgen Sturm, Michael Bender, Michael Frey, Thomas Freitag
  • Patent number: 10673657
    Abstract: A transmitter for establishing communication between a device and a differential network bus includes current driving means connected to each of the two conduction lines of the differential network bus, through a first and second conduction paths of the transmitter; at least one unidirectional current regulator for extracting a first current equal to a known ratio of a parasitic current circulating through the first conduction path, with a direction inverse to the driving current through the conduction path connected to one of the lines of the differential bus; means for obtaining, from the first current, a second current with a magnitude equal to the original magnitude of the parasitic current; and means for introducing the second current into the second conduction path connected to the other line of the differential bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: MELEXIS TECHNOLOGIES NV
    Inventors: Michael Frey, Thomas Freitag
  • Patent number: 10651554
    Abstract: A network device communicates with one or another set of antennas depending on an orientation of the network device. The network device includes a first set of one or more antennas, a second set of one or more antennas, a processor, and memory having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to cause the device to perform functions. The functions include (1) determining that an orientation of the network device is one of a first orientation and a second orientation; (2) if the determined orientation is the first orientation, then causing the network device to communicate using the first set of one or more antennas; and (3) if the determined the orientation is the second orientation, then causing the network device to communicate using the second set of one or more antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventors: Niels van Erven, Carlo van Niekerk, Michael Frey