Patents by Inventor Michael Witzke

Michael Witzke 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: 10011229
    Abstract: A mirror replacement system for a vehicle includes an image capture unit, a supply unit configured to supply the image capture unit with control signals, and an image reproduction unit configured to be disposed in the vehicle interior. At least one of the supply unit and the image capture unit is configured to perform video processing of the images captured by the image capture unit. The image capture unit and the supply unit are disposed in spaces separated from each other with respect to their sealing and are each disposed separated from and outside the image reproduction unit. The image capture unit is disposed in a water-vapor-tight housing, and a heating element may be integrated into the image capture unit, the heating element being controlled by the supply unit and being coupled to at least one of temperature detecting elements and vehicle control elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MEKRA LANG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Manuel Kunz, Peter Geissendoerfer, Michael Witzke, Michael Hornung, Stefan Centmayer
  • Publication number: 20170282801
    Abstract: A mirror replacement system for a vehicle includes an image capture unit, a supply unit configured to supply the image capture unit with control signals, and an image reproduction unit configured to be disposed in the vehicle interior. At least one of the supply unit and the image capture unit is configured to perform video processing of the images captured by the image capture unit. The image capture unit and the supply unit are disposed in spaces separated from each other with respect to their sealing and are each disposed separated from and outside the image reproduction unit. The image capture unit is disposed in a water-vapor-tight housing, and a heating element may be integrated into the image capture unit, the heating element being controlled by the supply unit and being coupled to at least one of temperature detecting elements and vehicle control elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: MEKRA Lang GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner LANG, Manuel KUNZ, Peter GEISSENDOERFER, Michael WITZKE, Michael HORNUNG, Stefan CENTMAYER
  • Patent number: 9707891
    Abstract: A mirror replacement system for a vehicle includes an image capture unit, a supply unit, and an image reproduction unit. The image reproduction unit is adapted to be disposed in the vehicle interior in a manner viewable by the driver. The image capture unit and the supply unit are disposed in spaces, which are separated from each other and are separately sealed. Further, the image capture unit and the supply unit are each disposed separated from and outside the image reproduction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: MEKRA LANG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Manuel Kunz, Peter Geissendoerfer, Michael Witzke, Michael Hornung, Stefan Centmayer
  • Patent number: 9618828
    Abstract: A camera for use on vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles. The camera has a housing, at least one optical element disposed within the housing, a group of circuit boards disposed within the housing and including at least one circuit board. The group of circuit boards has at least one active circuit for executing a direct camera function. The camera further comprises at least one heating element adapted for heating the group of circuit boards, the optical elements, and/or the housing, wherein the at least one heating element is directly attached to one of the circuit boards of the group of circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: MEKRA LANG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Peter Geissendörfer, Manuel Kunz, Michael Witzke, Stefan Centmayer, Michael Hornung
  • Publication number: 20160375829
    Abstract: A display system for environment regions of a vehicle having at least an image capturing unit, which is arranged on the vehicle in a housing that protrudes outward from the vehicle, a processing unit, a display unit providing and outputting vehicle environment information captured by the image capturing unit to the driver of the vehicle, and a capturing device for capturing the position of the image capturing unit, thereby enabling the driver to identify the position of the image capturing unit with regard to the vehicle environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Werner LANG, Michael WITZKE, Peter GEISSENDÖRFER, Sebastian HEGER, Simon DEFFNER, Jaap-Jan SNEL
  • Publication number: 20150160536
    Abstract: A camera for use on vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles. The camera has a housing, at least one optical element disposed within the housing, a group of circuit boards disposed within the housing and including at least one circuit board. The group of circuit boards has at least one active circuit for executing a direct camera function. The camera further comprises at least one heating element adapted for heating the group of circuit boards, the optical elements, and/or the housing, wherein the at least one heating element is directly attached to one of the circuit boards of the group of circuit boards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Werner LANG, Peter GEISSENDÖRFER, Manuel KUNZ, Michael WITZKE, Stefan CENTMAYER, Michael HORNUNG
  • Publication number: 20140036081
    Abstract: A mirror replacement system for a vehicle includes an image capture unit, a supply unit, and an image reproduction unit. The image reproduction unit is adapted to be disposed in the vehicle interior in a manner viewable by the driver. The image capture unit and the supply unit are disposed in spaces, which are separated from each other and are separately sealed. Further, the image capture unit and the supply unit are each disposed separated from and outside the image reproduction unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: MEKRA LANG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Werner LANG, Manuel KUNZ, Peter GEISSENDOERFER, Michael WITZKE, Michael HORNUNG, Stefan CENTMAYER
  • Patent number: 7995281
    Abstract: A vehicle camera and wide-angle objective lens system are disclosed wherein the wide-angle objective lens has image aberrations or errors that do not deteriorate the detection of obstructions or obstacles in its field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: MEKRA Lang GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Michael Witzke, Klaus Eckerl, Thomas Reinhard
  • Publication number: 20110115913
    Abstract: At least a first and second monitoring device that outputs display signals to a control device. A display device connected with the control device is able to display the display signals from the monitoring devices in at least two sections in split screen mode. The control device is connected to an actual state of motion signal line, so that depending on the actual state of motion of the vehicle, the display device displays at least two display signals originating from at least two different monitoring devices in split screen mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Michael Witzke, Johann Fellner, Peter Geißendörfer, Jon Hohenhaus
  • Publication number: 20100091379
    Abstract: A vehicle camera and wide-angle objective lens system are disclosed wherein the wide-angle objective lens has image aberrations or errors that do not deteriorate the detection of obstructions or obstacles in its field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Michael Witzke, Klaus Eckerl, Thomas Reinhard
  • Patent number: 7697210
    Abstract: A vehicle camera and wide-angle objective lens system are disclosed wherein the wide-angle objective lens has image aberrations or errors that do not deteriorate the detection of obstructions or obstacles in its field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: MEKRA Lang GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Michael Witzke, Klaus Eckerl, Thomas Reinhard
  • Patent number: 7634193
    Abstract: A printed circuit board comprises at least one printed circuit board with at least one electrical contact and one circuit board connector. The circuit board connector includes a printed circuit board provided with one or several open tracks on at least one side for connection with electrical contact(s) of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Michael Witzke, Harald Emmert
  • Publication number: 20080247751
    Abstract: A printed circuit board comprises at least one printed circuit board with at least one electrical contact and one circuit board connector. The circuit board connector includes a printed circuit board provided with one or several open tracks on at least one side for connection with electrical contact(s) of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Michael Witzke, Harald Emmert
  • Patent number: 7355629
    Abstract: A camera assembly for a commercial vehicle with a cargo compartment, which comprises a camera, and a movement apparatus, wherein the movement apparatus displaces the camera, at least partially outward, from the interior of the cargo container, in such a manner, that the camera, by an energized movement apparatus can survey a definite field of view in the rearward area of the commercial vehicle. The movement of the camera may be through an opening in the rear closure of the cargo container. In this way, it becomes possible, even with a downward, closed, rear to observe the area lying behind the commercial vehicle by means of the camera during the backing up of the commercial vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Jaap-Jan Snel, J{dot over (o)}rg Scholler, Michael Witzke
  • Patent number: 7342484
    Abstract: An exterior mirror sensor system for commercial vehicles comprising an exterior mirror, a sensor for monitoring an exterior mirror zone, and an indicator for indicating objects detected in the exterior mirror zone. The sensor may be a distance sensor, a motion sensor or a heat sensor. The system may further comprise a control unit connected to the sensor and indicator for controlling the indicator. The system may further comprise a camera for recording objects in the exterior mirror zone. The control unit may actuate the indicator upon the detection of an object by the sensor. The indicator may comprise an audible indicator. The system may further comprise a data input unit for recording data detected by the sensor wherein the data input unit is connected to the control unit and receives the data detected by the sensor from the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Michael Witzke, Jörg Scholler
  • Publication number: 20080037138
    Abstract: A vehicle camera and wide-angle objective lens system are disclosed wherein the wide-angle objective lens has image aberrations or errors that do not deteriorate the detection of obstructions or obstacles in its field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Werner Lang, Michael Witzke, Klaus Eckerl, Thomas Reinhard
  • Patent number: 7230207
    Abstract: A heatable external rearview mirror including a mirror housing for attachment to the vehicle and a mirror pane with a reflecting surface carried in the housing. A heating element is located adjacent the mirror pane for heating the pane to remove precipitation. A thermochromic heating indicator is provided in heat conducting contact with at least one of the heating element and the mirror pane that reacts to temperature changes for detecting heating of the mirror pane by the heating element and providing a visual indication of the operation of the heating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America LLC
    Inventors: Michael Witzke, Jorg Scholler, Heinrich Lang
  • Patent number: 7142098
    Abstract: A means of wireless data transmission between a tractor and a trailer using a data transfer system having a first communication unit that is installed on the front of the trailer and a second communication unit that is installed on the rear of the tractor cab. Both communication units on a coupled tractor-trailer are located facing each other across a hitching space between the tractor and trailer to define a communication gap over which data is wirelessly transmitted. A notification device is carried by the tractor and operatively connected to the second communication unit. At least one data collector is carried by the trailer and operatively connected to the first communication unit. Accordingly, the driver is provided with information through the notification device from the data collector by way of the first and second communication unit, which wirelessly transmit the data between the tractor and trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Jorg Scholler, Michael Witzke
  • Patent number: 7079017
    Abstract: A warning system for a vehicle is provided. The warning system has a sensor for detecting an obstruction near the vehicle, a control apparatus to produce a signal in response to the detected obstruction, and an alert device configured to direct a driver's attention to the obstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Lang-Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Michael Witzke, Jaap-Jan Snel
  • Patent number: D534870
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lang Mekra North America, LLC
    Inventors: Sven Metschen, Michael Witzke