Patents by Inventor Michael Virnich
Michael Virnich 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: 10131255Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Michael Virnich, Michael Puetz
-
Patent number: 10126149Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector includes a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit connected to the heating element, and a diagnostic circuit configured for determining integrity of the heater element. The heating circuit includes a heating element, a heating current source and a common mode choke having a first and a second winding, the heating element being connectable to the heating current source via the first and second windings. The diagnostic circuit includes at least one controllable switching element coupled across the second winding, circuitry for injecting a DC current into a series connection formed by the first winding the heating element and a parallel connection of the second winding and the at least one controllable switching element, and at least one detection circuit for detecting a voltage variation across the second winding.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.Inventors: Michael Virnich, Michael Pütz, Laurent Lamesch, Jochen Landwehr
-
Patent number: 10118522Abstract: A combined heating and capacitive seat occupant sensing system comprises a common mode choke configured so as to satisfy at least one of a plurality of conditions, which is taken into account by a decision unit of the system in such a way that an influence of the common mode choke on the decision is compensated.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.Inventors: Michael Virnich, David Hoyer, Martin Thinnes, Micheal Puetz, Thomas Meyers, Laurent Lamesch
-
Publication number: 20180241394Abstract: A method of operating a capacitive loading-mode sensor system with regard to generating a trigger signal indicative of an occurrence of an event. The capacitive loading-mode sensor system includes at least one capacitive sensor and a sensor control unit configured for operating the at least one capacitive sensor in loading mode and including a signal generating unit and a signal evaluation unit. Based on acquired real part and imaginary part of the momentary sensor output signal, an absolute value of change of at least one out of a complex impedance or a complex admittance sensed by the at least one capacitive sensor is determined, and a trigger signal is generated by the signal evaluation unit if at least one predetermined condition concerning the determined absolute value of change of the complex impedance or the complex admittance is fulfilled.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2016Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Michael VIRNICH, Laurent LAMESCH
-
Publication number: 20170299411Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector includes a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit connected to the heating element and a diagnostic circuit configured for determining integrity of the heater element. The heating circuit includes a heating element, a heating current source and a common mode choke having a first and a second winding, the heating element being connectable to the heating current source via the first and second windings. The diagnostic circuit includes at least one controllable switching element coupled across the second winding circuitry for injecting a DC current into a series connection formed by the first winding, the heating element and a parallel connection of the second winding and said at least one controllable switching element; and at least one detection circuit for detecting a voltage variation across the second winding.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2015Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.Inventors: Michael VIRNICH, Michael PÜTZ, Laurent LAMESCH, Jochen LANDWEHR
-
Patent number: 9764668Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector (10) comprises a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit (34, 36, 40) and a diagnostic circuit. The heating circuit includes a heating element (12). The impedance measurement circuit is connected to the heating element so as to measure impedance between the heating element and a node at ground potential. The diagnostic circuit is configured for measuring electrical resistance across the heating circuit and includes a heating current sensor (42), configured for sensing a heating current across the heating circuit, a current supply device (48) for driving a diagnostic current across the heating circuit and a current limiting ground path (50), configured for draining the diagnostic current and for blocking the heating current.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.AInventors: Laurent Lamesch, Michael Puetz, David Hoyer, Andreas Petereit, Thomas Meyers, Frank Althaus, Michael Virnich
-
Patent number: 9731627Abstract: A capacitive sensor for a vehicle seat comprises an antenna electrode and a control and evaluation circuit operatively connected to the antenna electrode. The control and evaluation circuit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation, during which it measures alternating electrical current flowing between the antenna electrode and ground. The capacitive sensor comprises a seat frame connector for connecting the control and evaluation circuit to the seat frame of the vehicle seat. The control and evaluation circuit is configured to operate in a second mode of operation, during which it measures electrical current flowing into the seat frame connector.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Michael Puetz, David Hoyer, Andreas Petereit, Thomas Meyers, Frank Althaus, Michael Virnich
-
Publication number: 20150367751Abstract: A capacitive sensor (12) for a vehicle seat (10) comprises an antenna electrode (16) and a control and evaluation circuit (14) operatively connected to the antenna electrode. The control and evaluation circuit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation, during which it measures alternating electrical current flowing between the antenna electrode and ground. The capacitive sensor comprises a seat frame connector (38) for connecting the control and evaluation circuit to the seat frame (20) of the vehicle seat. The control and evaluation circuit is configured to operate in a second mode of operation, during which it measures electrical current flowing into the seat frame connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Laurent LAMESCH, Michael PUETZ, David HOYER, Andreas PETEREIT, Thomas MEYERS, Frank ALTHAUS, Michael VIRNICH
-
Publication number: 20150345998Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Laurent LAMESCH, Michael VIRNICH, Michael PUETZ
-
Publication number: 20150298590Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector (10) comprises a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit (34, 36, 40) and a diagnostic circuit. The heating circuit includes a heating element (12). The impedance measurement circuit is connected to the heating element so as to measure impedance between the heating element and a node at ground potential. The diagnostic circuit is configured for measuring electrical resistance across the heating circuit and includes a heating current sensor (42), configured for sensing a heating current across the heating circuit, a current supply device (48) for driving a diagnostic current across the heating circuit and a current limiting ground path (50), configured for draining the diagnostic current and for blocking the heating current.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Laurent LAMESCH, Michael PUETZ, David HOYER, Andreas PETEREIT, Thomas MEYERS, Frank ALTHAUS, Michael VIRNICH
-
Patent number: 9132850Abstract: A capacitive sensing system for a heating element comprises a capacitive detector connectable to the heating element and a common mode choke for connecting the heating element with a heating current supply. The detector drives an alternating current into the heating element and produces an output depending on the capacitive load, which the alternating current is subject to. Depending on the object sensed, the load varies in a range between a minimum and a maximum value. The choke represents an inductive load in parallel of the capacitive load. The capacitive load and the inductive load contribute to a complex impedance dominated by the inductive load. A compensation capacitor arranged parallel to the choke represents an additional capacitive load also contributing to the complex impedance. The compensation capacitor is dimensioned such that the sum of additional capacitive load and maximum value amounts to at least 50% of the inductive load.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.Inventors: Michael Virnich, David Hoyer, Martin Thinnes, Michael Puetz, Thomas Meyers, Laurent Lamesch
-
Patent number: 9000331Abstract: A capacitive sensing system for being connected to a heating element comprises a capacitive detector connectable to the heating element and a common mode choke for essentially preventing alternating current from flowing from the heating element to the heating current supply. The capacitive detector is configured for driving an alternating current into the heating element and for producing an output indicative of capacitance based upon the alternating current. The choke has a first and a second winding for connecting the heating element with the heating current supply. The choke comprises a third winding connected in parallel of the first and/or second winding. The capacitive detector is configured for measuring a portion of the alternating current flowing across the third winding and for taking into account the measured portion of alternating current when producing the output.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.Inventors: Michael Virnich, David Hoyer, Martin Thinnes, Michael Puetz, Thomas Meyers, Laurent Lamesch
-
Patent number: 8994385Abstract: A plural-frequency capacitive occupancy sensing system comprises an antenna electrode and a detection circuit, which is configured to drive the antenna electrode at least with a first and a second signal at a first and a second frequency, respectively, so as to obtain at least a first and a second measurement value indicative of at least one of conductance, susceptance, resistance, reactance and capacitance between the antenna electrode and a reference node, at the first frequency and the second frequency, respectively. The detection circuit compares the capacitance between the antenna electrode and the reference node with a threshold capacitance, the threshold capacitance being derived from a difference between the first and second measurement values and/or the capacitance between the antenna electrode and the reference node being corrected based upon the difference between the measurement values. The detection circuit outputs an occupancy state signal depending on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.Inventors: Michael Virnich, David Hoyer, Martin Thinnes, Michael Puetz, Thomas Meyers
-
Patent number: 8988080Abstract: A method for capacitive sensing comprises the steps of tagging a transmitting signal by modulating a sub-carrier on said signal using state of the art modulation techniques; demodulating said subcarrier out of useful/received signal to prove validity of said signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.Inventors: Michael Virnich, Laurent Lamesch, David Hoyer, Aloyse Schoos
-
Patent number: 8957689Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system comprises at least one antenna electrode to be arranged in a seat and an evaluation unit operatively coupled to said at least one antenna electrode, said evaluation unit being configured for applying, during operation, an alternating voltage signal to said antenna electrode and for detecting an amplitude and/or phase of a displacement current flowing from said antenna electrode towards ground. According to the invention said antenna electrode comprises an antenna electrode conductor and at least one dedicated ground electrode, said ground electrode being arranged at a predetermined distance of said antenna electrode conductor and extending along said antenna electrode conductor.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.Inventors: Michael Virnich, David Hoyer, Martin Thinnes
-
Patent number: 8729430Abstract: A combined seat heater and capacitive occupancy sensor comprises a heater network and a capacitive sensing network. The heater network includes a heating element (10) connected between a first node (21) and a second node (22) to dissipate heat. The capacitive sensing network is connected to the heating element to apply an oscillating current thereto and to derive a capacitive load of the heating element from the voltage resulting on the heating element. The heater network comprises a common mode choke (16) connecting the first and the second node to a third (23) and a fourth (24) node, respectively. The capacitive sensing network further comprises means to sustain the oscillating current in or to drive the oscillating current into the heating element as well as a high-impedance amplifier (32) having an input node operatively connected to the heating element to probe the resulting voltage, and an output node (44) to provide an output signal indicative of the voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.Inventors: Laurent Lamesch, Michael Virnich, Aloyse Schoos
-
Publication number: 20130207676Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system comprises at least one antenna electrode to be arranged in a seat and an evaluation unit operatively coupled to said at least one antenna electrode, said evaluation unit being configured for applying, during operation, an alternating voltage signal to said antenna electrode and for detecting an amplitude and/or phase of a displacement current flowing from said antenna electrode towards ground. According to the invention said antenna electrode comprises an antenna electrode conductor and at least one dedicated ground electrode, said ground electrode being arranged at a predetermined distance of said antenna electrode conductor and extending along said antenna electrode conductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2011Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.Inventors: Michael Virnich, David Hoyer, Martin Thinnes
-
Publication number: 20130169291Abstract: A method for capacitive sensing comprises the steps of tagging a transmitting signal by modulating a sub-carrier on said signal using state of the art modulation techniques; demodulating said subcarrier out of useful/received signal to prove validity of said signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.Inventors: Michael Virnich, Laurent Lamesch, David Hoyer, Aloyse Schoos
-
Publication number: 20130069673Abstract: A combined heating and capacitive seat occupant sensing system comprises a common mode choke configured so as to satisfy at least one of a plurality of conditions, which is taken into account by a decision unit of the system in such a way that an influence of the common mode choke on the decision is compensated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: IEE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS & ENGINEERING S.A.Inventors: Michael VIRNICH, David HOYER, Martin THINNES, Micheal PUETZ, Thomas MEYERS, Laurent LAMESCH
-
Publication number: 20130021045Abstract: A plural-frequency capacitive occupancy sensing system comprises an antenna electrode and a detection circuit, which is configured to drive the antenna electrode at least with a first and a second signal at a first and a second frequency, respectively, so as to obtain at least a first and a second measurement value indicative of at least one of conductance, susceptance, resistance, reactance and capacitance between the antenna electrode and a reference node, at the first frequency and the second frequency, respectively. The detection circuit compares the capacitance between the antenna electrode and the reference node with a threshold capacitance, the threshold capacitance being derived from a difference between the first and second measurement values and/or the capacitance between the antenna electrode and the reference node being corrected based upon the difference between the measurement values. The detection circuit outputs an occupancy state signal depending on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.Inventors: Michael VIRNICH, David HOYER, Martin THINNES, Michael PUETZ, Thomas MEYERS