Patents by Inventor Michael Lehmann
Michael Lehmann 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).
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Publication number: 20100051619Abstract: A method and apparatus for an automated waste receptacle includes a waste flap, a motor positioned on a side of the waste flap and an actuator located in proximity of the top side of the waste flap. The actuator is configured to operate the motor and subsequently move the flap between open and closed positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2007Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: Abbas Lotfi, Michael Lehmann
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Patent number: 7671671Abstract: A demodulation device (1) in semiconductor technology is disclosed. The device (1) is capable of demodulating an injected modulated current. The device (1) comprises an input node (IN1), a sampling stage (DG1, IG1, GS1, IG2, DG2) and at least two output nodes (D1, D2). The sampling stage DG1, IG1, GS1, IG2, DG2) comprises transfer means (GL, GM, GR) for transferring a modulated charge-current signal from the input node (IN1) to one of the output nodes (D1, D2) allocated to the respective time interval within the modulation period. The small size and the ability to reproduce the device (1) in standard semiconductor technologies make possible a cost-efficient integration of the device (1).Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: MESA Imaging AGInventors: Bernhard Buettgen, Michael Lehmann, Simon Neukom, Thierry Oggier, Felix Lustenberger
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Publication number: 20090224139Abstract: A pixel based on a pinned-photodiode structure that creates a lateral electric drift field. The combination of the photodiode with adjacent CCD gates enables the utilization of the drift field device in applications such as 3-D imaging. Compared with recently used demodulation devices in CCD or CMOS technology, the new pinned-photodiode based drift field pixel has its advantages in its wide independence of the quantum efficiency on the optical wavelength, its high optical sensitivity, the opportunity of easily creating arbitrary potential distributions in the semiconductor, the straight-forward routing capabilities and the generation of perfectly linear potential distributions in the semiconductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: MESA Imaging AGInventors: Bernhard Buettgen, Michael Lehmann, Jonas Felber
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Patent number: 7586077Abstract: The sensitivity of a reference pixel array RPA to the reference modulated light MLR is varied for different reference pixels RP of the reference pixel array RPA. In one embodiment the different sensitivities of the reference pixels RP in the RPA is achieved by designing the pixels to have different light sensitivities with respect to each other. In another embodiment, the different sensitivities are achieved by changing optical coupling between the separate reference pixels RP of the reference pixel array RPA to the reference modulated light MLR such as by changing how the different reference pixels RP couple to the aperture LGA of the light guide LG.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: MESA Imaging AGInventors: Michael Lehmann, Bernhard Buettgen, Thierry Oggier
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Patent number: 7560701Abstract: The pixel (1) for use in an image sensor comprises a plurality of small-sized radiation-sensitive elements (2.1-2.9) for converting incident radiation into electric signals, the radiation-sensitive elements (2.1-2.9) being properly interconnected to form a larger radiation-sensitive area. The pixel (1) further comprises a plurality of storage elements (3A-3D) for storing the electric signals. The pixel further comprises transfer means for transferring the electric signals from the radiation-sensitive elements (2.1-2.9) to any selected one of the storage elements (3A-3D). The pixel (1) exhibits a high optical sensitivity and a high demodulation speed, and is especially suited for distance-measuring sensors based on the time-of-flight (TOF) principle or interferometry.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2006Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: MESA Imaging AGInventors: Thierry Oggier, Michael Lehmann, Bernhard Buttgen
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Patent number: 7547889Abstract: The present invention discloses a photon detection device that is adapted to detect at least one packet of photons. The photon detection device may include a photon-sensitive element having an output, an amplifier; and a non-linear feedback (NLF) element. The photon-sensitive element generates charges upon the engagement of at least one photon packet therewith. An increase from a first number of charges in the photon-sensitive element to a second number of charges, results in a corresponding increase of a first reset time required to reset the first number of charges to a respective second reset time required to reset the second number of charges in the photon-sensitive element, whereby the reset time is non-linear to with respect to an increase in the charges. Additional and alternative embodiments are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2008Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: CSEM Centre Suisse D'Electronique Et De Microtechnique SAInventors: Michael Lehmann, Rolf Kaufmann, Max Erick Busse-Grawitz
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Patent number: 7481249Abstract: A reed drive of a loom includes a reed shaft connected to a reed. A conversion gearing having an input element and an output element is provided at each end of the reed shaft. The input elements are coupled to driven shafts of electromotive rotary drives to produce a common rotational motion with the same rotational speed as the driven shafts. The conversion gearings convert the rotating motion of their input elements into a reversible rotation of the output elements, and the output elements are coupled to the reed shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. Thus, the number of complete rotations of an input element is equal to the number of complete motion cycles of the reed shaft per unit of time.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Lindauer DORNIER Gesellschaft mbHInventors: Valentin Krumm, Dietmar Von Zwehl, Michael Lehmann, Thomas Laukamp
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Publication number: 20090021617Abstract: An integrated sensor chip comprises at least one pixel. The at least one pixel comprises: one or several integration regions for receiving and storing photogenerated charges; a modulation region that moves the photogenerated charges to be stored in the at least two integration regions; and sense nodes, in which each of the sense nodes is associated with one of the integration regions, into which the photogenerated charges are moved from the integration regions during a readout stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: MESA IMAGING AGInventors: Thierry Oggier, Michael Lehmann, Bernhard Buettgen
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Publication number: 20090020687Abstract: The sensitivity of a reference pixel array RPA to the reference modulated light MLR is varied for different reference pixels RP of the reference pixel array RPA. In one embodiment the different sensitivities of the reference pixels RP in the RPA is achieved by designing the pixels to have different light sensitivities with respect to each other. In another embodiment, the different sensitivities are achieved by changing optical coupling between the separate reference pixels RP of the reference pixel array RPA to the reference modulated light MLR such as by changing how the different reference pixels RP couple to the aperture LGA of the light guide LG.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: MESA IMAGING AGInventors: Michael Lehmann, Bernhard Buettgen, Thierry Oggier
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Publication number: 20090014658Abstract: A pixel is formed in a semiconductor substrate (S) with a plane surface for use in a photodetector. It comprises an active region for converting incident light (In) into charge carriers, photogates (PGL, PGM, PGR) for generating a lateral electric potential (?(x)) across the active region, and an integration gate (IG) for storing charge carriers generated in the active region and a dump site (Ddiff). The pixel further comprises separation-enhancing means (SL) for additionally enhancing charge separation in the active region and charge transport from the active region to the integration gate (IG). The separation-enhancing means (SL) are for instance a shield layer designed such that for a given lateral electric potential (?(x)), the incident light (In) does not impinge on the section from which the charge carriers would not be transported to the integration gate (IG).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2005Publication date: January 15, 2009Inventors: Kaspar Cottier, Rolf Kaufmann, Rino E. Kunz, Thierry Oggier, Guy Voirin, Simon Neukom, Michael Lehmann
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Publication number: 20080247033Abstract: A demodulation device (1) in semiconductor technology is disclosed. The device (1) is capable of demodulating an injected modulated current. The device (1) comprises an input node (IN1), a sampling stage (DG1, IG1, GS1 IG2, DG2) and at least two output nodes (D1, D2). The sampling stage DG1, IG1, GS1, IG2, DG2) comprises transfer means (GL, GM, GR) for transferring a modulated charge-current signal from the input node (IN1) to one of the output nodes (D1, D2) allocated to the respective time interval within the modulation period. The small size and the ability to reproduce the device (1) in standard semiconductor technologies make possible a cost-efficient integration of the device (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2006Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: MESA IMAGING AGInventors: Bernhard Buettgen, Michael Lehmann, Simon Neukom, Thierry Oggier, Felix Lustenberger
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Publication number: 20080224054Abstract: The present invention discloses a photon detection device that is adapted to detect at least one packet of photons. The photon detection device may include a photon-sensitive element having an output, an amplifier; and a non-linear feedback (NLF) element. The photon-sensitive element generates charges upon the engagement of at least one photon packet therewith. An increase from a first number of charges in the photon-sensitive element to a second number of charges, results in a corresponding increase of a first reset time required to reset the first number of charges to a respective second reset time required to reset the second number of charges in the photon-sensitive element, whereby the reset time is non-linear to with respect to an increase in the charges. Additional and alternative embodiments are described and claimed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: CSEM Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique SAInventors: Michael Lehmann, Rolf Kaufmann, Max Erick Busse-Grawitz
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Publication number: 20080099095Abstract: A reed drive of a loom comprises a reed shaft (3) connected to the reed (1). A conversion gearing (7, 8) each having a respective input element (11, 12) and a respective output element (13, 14) is located at the ends of the reed shaft (3). The input elements (11, 12) are coupled to the driven shafts (23, 24) of electromotive rotary drives (19, 20) for effecting a common rotational motion of the same rotational speed. The conversion gearings (7, 8), alone, serve to convert the rotating motion of their input elements into a motion of the output elements (13, 14) whose direction of rotation can be reversed. To this end, the output elements (13, 14) are coupled to the reed shaft (3) in a rotationally fixed manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2005Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventors: Valentin Krumm, Dietmar Von Zwehl, Michael Lehmann, Thomas Laukamp
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Publication number: 20070284861Abstract: A gas bag module adapted for use in a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises an inflatable gas bag and a discharge opening associated with the gas bag, so that gas can flow off from the gas bag which is fully or partially inflated. Further, the module comprises a discharge control element to control an opening cross-section of the discharge opening. The discharge control element contains a dilatant material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2007Publication date: December 13, 2007Inventors: Matthias Helmstetter, Michael Lehmann, Marcus Magoley
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Patent number: 7293799Abstract: A gas bag module (10) includes a gas bag (12), the gas bag having a front wall (14) facing an occupant (16) in an inflated state of said gas bag (12) and being engaged by a first end (18) of a destructible retaining element (20), the retaining element (20) at least partially preventing an unhindered motion of the front wall (14) when the gas bag (12) is inflated. The gas bag module further includes a gas generator (22) for filling the gas bag (12), the gas generator (22) having a first discharge section (24) for a through flow of a first quantity of gas.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbHInventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Markus Keutz, Martin Kreuzer, Michael Lehmann, Marcus Magoley, Michael Schneider
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Publication number: 20070187724Abstract: The pixel for use in an image sensor comprises a low-doped semiconductor substrate (A). On the substrate (A), an arrangement of a plurality of floating areas e.g., floating gates (FG2-FG6), is provided. Neighboring floating gates are electrically isolated from each other yet capacitively coupled to each other. By applying a voltage (V2-V1) to two contact areas (FG1, FG7), a lateral steplike electric field is generated. Photogenerated charge carriers move along the electric-field lines to the point of highest potential energy, where a floating diffusion (D) accumulate the photocharges. The charges accumulated in the various pixels are sequentially read out with a suitable circuit known from image-sensor literature, such as a source follower or a charge amplifier with row and column select mechanisms. The pixel of offers at the same time a large sensing area, a high photocharge-detection sensitivity and a high response speed without any static current consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2005Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventors: Rolf Kaufmann, Michael Lehmann, Peter Seitz
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Publication number: 20070175331Abstract: A portable degasser, flare tank and fluid storage system for use during oil well exploratory drilling which when connected to the fluid blow-out prevention hardware of an active drilling operation prevents the accidental spillage of liquid ejected under pressure from the drill bore hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2006Publication date: August 2, 2007Inventors: Deren Tomshak, Michael Lehmann, Dean Falkenberg
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Patent number: 7246164Abstract: An information management system, method and computer program code and means for facilitating communications between user members of an online network is provided which includes receipt, from a first user of an online network, of an identification of a second user of the online network. An indication of an association level of the second user is also received. First information having an association level different from the second user and second information having an association level corresponding to the second user is also received from the first user. Only the second information based on the association level is transmitted to the second user.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2002Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Whoglue, Inc.Inventors: Jens-Michael Lehmann, Michael Wynblatt, Michael Nestler
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Publication number: 20070034779Abstract: The pixel (1) for use in an image sensor comprises a plurality of small-sized radiation-sensitive elements (2.1-2.9) for converting incident radiation into electric signals, the radiation-sensitive elements (2.1-2.9) being properly interconnected to form a larger radiation-sensitive area. The pixel (1) further comprises a plurality of storage elements (3A-3D) for storing the electric signals. The pixel further comprises transfer means for transferring the electric signals from the radiation-sensitive elements (2.1-2.9) to any selected one of the storage elements (3A-3D). The pixel (1) exhibits a high optical sensitivity and a high demodulation speed, and is especially suited for distance-measuring sensors based on the time-of-flight (TOF) principle or interferometry.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2006Publication date: February 15, 2007Inventors: Thierry Oggier, Michael Lehmann, Bernhard Buttgen
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Publication number: 20060237956Abstract: A gas bag module (10) includes a gas bag (12), the gas bag having a front wall (14) facing an occupant (16) in an inflated state of said gas bag (12) and being engaged by a first end (18) of a destructible retaining element (20), the retaining element (20) at least partially preventing an unhindered motion of the front wall (14) when the gas bag (12) is inflated. The gas bag module further includes a gas generator (22) for filling the gas bag (12), the gas generator (22) having a first discharge section (24) for a through flow of a first quantity of gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2006Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventors: Joachim Fellhauer, Markus Keutz, Martin Kreuzer, Michael Lehmann, Marcus Magoley, Michael Schneider