Patents by Inventor Michael Puetz

Michael Puetz 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: 12280817
    Abstract: A sensing system for hand or body part positioning detection on an object, particularly on a rim of a steering wheel, includes at least one electrically conducting signal line that is arrangeable on a surface of the object with a priori knowledge about a relation between a distance of any portion of the at least one signal line from a reference point and information on a position on the object, a signal voltage source for providing a time-dependent measurement signal to be traveling along the signal line, and a control and evaluation unit. From a received reflected measurement signal, the control and evaluation unit determines a position or positions on the object of a portion or portions of the signal line at least partially reflecting the measurement signal. Based on the determined position or positions, a hand or body part positioning on the object is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Baptiste Anti, Laurent Lamesch, Thomas Faber, Thomas Stifter, Michael Puetz, Andreas Fox
  • Patent number: 12269404
    Abstract: A capacitive measurement circuit for a capacitive sensing device having a plurality of antenna electrodes includes: a measurement signal voltage source, a remotely controllable switching unit, and a current measurement circuit. The switching unit includes a plurality of ports and switching members that are configured to provide connections between selected ports. The measurement signal voltage source and the current measurement circuit are operatively connected to a distinct port. Each antenna electrode is individually connectable to a distinct port. The switching unit is configured to connect, within a same measurement cycle, each of the antenna electrodes to the voltage output port and the current measurement circuit for loading mode operation. The switching unit is further configured to connect at least one of the antenna electrodes to the voltage output port and at least one other antenna electrode of the antenna electrodes to the current measurement circuit for coupling mode operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Thomas Faber, Michael Puetz, Gianluca Favalli, Baptiste Anti
  • Patent number: 12221015
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for capacitive detection of an object, including: an electrode arrangement having a heating element as an electrode; a detection device providing a detection signal to a sensor electrode and capacitively detecting the presence of an object near the sensor electrode; a high-side switch connected between a heating power source having a first potential and the heating element; a low-side switch connected between the heating element and a second potential; and a gate controller closing the high-side switch and low-side switch in a heating mode and opening the high-side switch and low-side switch in a detection mode. A decoupling MOSFET is connected between the high-side switch and heating element. The gate controller closes the MOSFET in the heating mode and opens the MOSFET in the detection mode. During the detection mode, the decoupling circuit provides a third potential at a first node between the high-side switch and MOSFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Tobias Pampel, Michael Puetz, Bertrand Rue, Laurent Vanstraelen
  • Patent number: 12132478
    Abstract: An impedance measurement circuit for determining a complex impedance of a capacitive sensor that is configured for employing at least one electric heater member as an electrode to be operated in loading mode. The measurement circuit includes: a signal generating unit for providing an electric measurement signal; a signal sensing circuit measuring current through the at least one electric heater member; an electric heater member connection circuit comprising a plurality of MOSFETs for selectively electrically connecting the electric heater member either to the signal sensing circuit for complex impedance measurement or to a DC electric power unit for heating purposes; and a control and evaluation unit that is configured for controlling a switching status of the plurality of MOSFETs according to a predefined sequence, and for determining a complex impedance from the determined currents with reference to a complex reference potential during predefined stages of the predefined sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Tobias Justinger, Michael Puetz, Thomas Faber, Christoph Wendt, Johnny Lorang
  • Patent number: 12116035
    Abstract: A sensing system and method of recognizing a hand gesture established by a sequence of hand touch positionings on an object. The method includes at least steps of: providing to a signal line a time-dependent measurement signal; receiving the measurement signal after being at least partially reflected by at least one portion of the signal line; determining positions on the object of the portions of the signal line that have reflected the measurement signal; comparing an obtained plurality of stored successively determined positions on the object with at least one predefined pattern of successive positions to derive a measure of similarity; and providing an output signal that is indicative of the predefined pattern of successive positions if the derived measure of similarity is lower than a predefined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Baptiste Anti, Laurent Lamesch, Thomas Faber, Thomas Stifter, Michael Puetz, Andreas Fox
  • Patent number: 12071170
    Abstract: A method of detecting a hand positioning on a steering wheel using a sensing system having an electrically conducting signal line on a rim of the steering wheel with a priori knowledge about a relation between a distance of any portion of the signal line from a reference point and information on a position on the rim, and which further includes an electric impedance change of predefined magnitude that is permanently arranged at a predefined position along the signal line, a signal voltage source, and a control and evaluation unit. From a received measurement signal traveling along the signal line and having been reflected by the electric impedance change and by another portion or portions of the signal line, a reference travel time is determined. A position or positions on the rim of the other portion or portions of the signal line can then be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Baptiste Anti, Laurent Lamesch, Thomas Faber, Thomas Stifter, Michael Puetz, Andreas Fox
  • Publication number: 20240275383
    Abstract: An impedance measurement circuit for determining a complex impedance of a capacitive sensor that is configured for employing at least one electric heater member as an electrode to be operated in loading mode. The measurement circuit includes: a signal generating unit for providing an electric measurement signal; a signal sensing circuit measuring current through the at least one electric heater member; an electric heater member connection circuit comprising a plurality of MOSFETs for selectively electrically connecting the electric heater member either to the signal sensing circuit for complex impedance measurement or to a DC electric power unit for heating purposes; and a control and evaluation unit that is configured for controlling a switching status of the plurality of MOSFETs according to a predefined sequence, and for determining a complex impedance from the determined currents with reference to a complex reference potential during predefined stages of the predefined sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventors: Laurent LAMESCH, Tobias JUSTINGER, Michael PUETZ, Thomas FABER, Christoph WENDT, Johnny LORANG
  • Publication number: 20230347964
    Abstract: A method of detecting a hand positioning on a steering wheel using a sensing system having an electrically conducting signal line on a rim of the steering wheel with a priori knowledge about a relation between a distance of any portion of the signal line from a reference point and information on a position on the rim, and which further includes an electric impedance change of predefined magnitude that is permanently arranged at a predefined position along the signal line, a signal voltage source, and a control and evaluation unit. From a received measurement signal traveling along the signal line and having been reflected by the electric impedance change and by another portion or portions of the signal line, a reference travel time is determined. A position or positions on the rim of the other portion or portions of the signal line can then be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Baptiste Anti, Laurent Lamesch, Thomas Faber, Thomas Stifter, Michael Puetz, Andreas Fox
  • Publication number: 20230159080
    Abstract: A sensing system and method of recognizing a hand gesture established by a sequence of hand touch positionings on an object. The method includes at least steps of: providing to a signal line a time-dependent measurement signal; receiving the measurement signal after being at least partially reflected by at least one portion of the signal line; determining positions on the object of the portions of the signal line that have reflected the measurement signal; comparing an obtained plurality of stored successively determined positions on the object with at least one predefined pattern of successive positions to derive a measure of similarity; and providing an output signal that is indicative of the predefined pattern of successive positions if the derived measure of similarity is lower than a predefined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Baptiste Anti, Laurent LAMESCH, Thomas Faber, Thomas Stifter, Michael Puetz, Andreas Fox
  • Publication number: 20230150564
    Abstract: A sensing system for hand or body part positioning detection on an object, particularly on a rim of a steering wheel, includes at least one electrically conducting signal line that is arrangeable on a surface of the object with a priori knowledge about a relation between a distance of any portion of the at least one signal line from a reference point and information on a position on the object, a signal voltage source for providing a time-dependent measurement signal to be traveling along the signal line, and a control and evaluation unit. From a received reflected measurement signal, the control and evaluation unit determines a position or positions on the object of a portion or portions of the signal line at least partially reflecting the measurement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Baptiste Anti, Laurent LAMESCH, Thomas FABER, Thomas Stifter, Michael Puetz, Andreas Fox
  • Publication number: 20230046256
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for capacitive detection of an object, including: an electrode arrangement having a heating element as an electrode; a detection device providing a detection signal to a sensor electrode and capacitively detecting the presence of an object near the sensor electrode; a high-side switch connected between a heating power source having a first potential and the heating element; a low-side switch connected between the heating element and a second potential; and a gate controller closing the high-side switch and low-side switch in a heating mode and opening the high-side switch and low-side switch in a detection mode. A decoupling MOSFET is connected between the high-side switch and heating element. The gate controller closes the MOSFET in the heating mode and opens the MOSFET in the detection mode. During the detection mode, the decoupling circuit provides a third potential at a first node between the high-side switch and MOSFET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Tobias Pampel, Michael Puetz, Bertrand Rue, Laurent Vanstraelen
  • Patent number: 11391763
    Abstract: A system for grounding and diagnostics, including a conductive frame for mounting a capacitive sensor. In order to provide a means for ensuring and monitoring a grounded condition of a conductive frame, the system further includes a diagnostics circuit, by which the frame is AC grounded and which has an electric source connected to the frame via a first line and adapted to apply a diagnose signal to the frame via the first line, the diagnostics circuit being connected to the frame by a second line and being adapted to provide at least one quantity that depends on the diagnose signal and on a ground connection of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Michael Puetz
  • Publication number: 20220200594
    Abstract: A capacitive measurement circuit for a capacitive sensing device having a plurality of antenna electrodes includes: a measurement signal voltage source, a remotely controllable switching unit, and a current measurement circuit. The switching unit includes a plurality of ports and switching members that are configured to provide connections between selected ports. The measurement signal voltage source and the current measurement circuit are operatively connected to a distinct port. Each antenna electrode is individually connectable to a distinct port. The switching unit is configured to connect, within a same measurement cycle, each of the antenna electrodes to the voltage output port and the current measurement circuit for loading mode operation. The switching unit is further configured to connect at least one of the antenna electrodes to the voltage output port and at least one other antenna electrode of the antenna electrodes to the current measurement circuit for coupling mode operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas FABER, Michael PUETZ, Gianluca FAVALLI, Baptiste ANTI
  • Patent number: 11099223
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor system that includes: a sensor arrangement with a plurality of capacitive electrodes, each being connected to a corresponding detector line; and a detector device connected to each detector line and configured to detect the capacitance of each electrode by applying a detector signal. The sensor arrangement includes: at least one electrode group having at least two electrodes, each electrode of an electrode group being connected to another electrode via a resistive element so that all electrodes of this electrode group are connected in series; and a diagnose device that is connected, for each electrode group, at least to a first detector line of a first electrode and to a second detector line of a second detector electrode and is configured to apply a diagnose signal via the first and second detector lines and to detect a conductor break based on a response to the diagnose signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Michael Puetz, Christoph Wendt, Gianluca Favalli
  • Publication number: 20210048318
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for capacitive position detection of an object. In order to provide means for hand detection on a steering wheel which are reliable and have a low complexity, the sensor arrangement includes: a sensor line with a plurality of sensor electrodes connected in series, wherein at least one resistive element is effectively connected in series between each two consecutive sensor electrodes, a measurement device connected via a linear, unbranched first connection to a first terminal of the sensor line, wherein the measurement device is configured to apply a time-dependent first signal to the first terminal and to identify an activated sensor electrode, with an object in its proximity, at least partially based on a first voltage-current relation at the first terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventors: Frank ALTHAUS, Baptiste ANTI, Thomas FABER, Michael PUETZ, Jan LIPTAK
  • Publication number: 20200379056
    Abstract: A system for grounding and diagnostics, including a conductive frame for mounting a capacitive sensor. In order to provide a means for ensuring and monitoring a grounded condition of a conductive frame, the system further includes a diagnostics circuit, by which the frame is AC grounded and which has an electric source connected to the frame via a first line and adapted to apply a diagnose signal to the frame via the first line, the diagnostics circuit being connected to the frame by a second line and being adapted to provide at least one quantity that depends on the diagnose signal and on a ground connection of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Laurent LAMESCH, Michael PUETZ
  • Publication number: 20200341041
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor system that includes: a sensor arrangement with a plurality of capacitive electrodes, each being connected to a corresponding detector line; and a detector device connected to each detector line and configured to detect the capacitance of each electrode by applying a detector signal. The sensor arrangement includes: at least one electrode group having at least two electrodes, each electrode of an electrode group being connected to another electrode via a resistive element so that all electrodes of this electrode group are connected in series; and a diagnose device that is connected, for each electrode group, at least to a first detector line of a first electrode and to a second detector line of a second detector electrode and is configured to apply a diagnose signal via the first and second detector lines and to detect a conductor break based on a response to the diagnose signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Laurent LAMESCH, Michael PUETZ, Christoph WENDT, Gianluca FAVALLI
  • Publication number: 20190232909
    Abstract: A seat monitoring system for monitoring an occupancy related status of at least one seat inside an automotive vehicle compartment. The seat monitoring system includes a control module mounted within the compartment, and at least one sensor module integrated into the at least one seat. The sensor module has a sensing system for sensing an occupancy related status with respect to the seat. The control module is arranged in wireless communication with the sensor module. The control module has at least three transmitting RF antennas configured to transmit a request signal in at least three directions inside the vehicle compartment; and the sensor module is further configured to receive the request signals from the at least three directions, to determine reception parameters of the request signals, and to transmit an information responsive to the reception parameters to the control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Laurent LAMESCH, Michael PUETZ, Tobias JUSTINGER
  • Publication number: 20180345894
    Abstract: In addition to the loading mode of a capacitive sensing device of a seat occupancy detection and classification system, a second measurement mode is introduced, which allows a discrimination of objects (CRS or human) with and without grounding condition. Depending on the value of the new measurement, the data is allocated to different groups which are subject to different thresholds in the loading mode. This means that if the new measurement indicates a grounding condition of the object, a higher threshold in the loading mode will be applied. In this way CRS with grounding condition will be classified by means of the higher threshold, resulting in a robustness increase. Typical human sitting positions do not show a grounding condition and will be classified by the lower threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Frank ALTHAUS, Erik HOLZAPFEL, Arnaud MEURENS, Ingrid SCHECKENBACH, Daniel FERRING, Oleg ZEILER, Guenter GOEDERT, Edmund MARX, Michael PUETZ
  • Patent number: 10131255
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor configured for connection between a heating element and a heating current supply comprises a common mode choke (CMC) for AC-decoupling the heating element from the heating current supply. The CMC comprises first and second inductively coupled windings, the first winding for connection between a first terminal of the heating current supply and a first terminal of the heating element and the second winding for connection between a second terminal of the heating element and a second terminal of the heating current supply. The capacitive sensor further comprises a control and evaluation circuit for injecting an AC signal into the heating element via a measurement node, measuring a voltage on and/or a current across the measurement node, and to derive an impedance between the heating element and a counter electrode from the measurement. The CMC comprises a third winding inductively coupled with the first and second windings, the third winding being operatively coupled with the measurement node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Michael Virnich, Michael Puetz