Patents by Inventor Michael ZEISS

Michael ZEISS 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: 11964453
    Abstract: A laminated pane with electrically controllable optical properties, includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer, wherein an optoelectronic functional element with electrically controllable optical properties is incorporated into the intermediate layer, including an active layer, to which transparent sheetlike control electrodes are assigned on both surfaces, between a first carrier film and a second carrier film, wherein the intermediate layer, which surrounds the optoelectronic functional element, and the carrier films contain, in each case, thermoplastic material, wherein at least one capacitive touch element is integrated into the optoelectronic functional element such that a portion of at least one control electrode of the optoelectronic functional element is separated and provided with a signal lead for detecting a capacitive touch or approach signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Michael Zeiss, Stefan Uebelacker, Laurent Lamoureux
  • Patent number: 11927474
    Abstract: A composite pane and in particular to a composite vehicle pane with an integrated light sensor, includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are joined to one another via at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer, and at least one light sensor with a light-sensitive surface that is arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane, wherein the light-sensitive surface faces the outer pane, and a shadow mask that covers at least some portions of the light-sensitive surface is arranged between the light-sensitive surface and the outer pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Gabor Varga, Bastian Klauss, Michael Zeiss, Christian Effertz
  • Patent number: 11919275
    Abstract: A composite pane and in particular a composite vehicle pane with an integrated light sensor, includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are joined to one another via at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer, and at least one light sensor with at least one light-sensitive surface that is arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane, wherein the light-sensitive surface faces the outer pane and a holographic optical element is arranged between the light-sensitive surface and the outer pane, and the holographic optical element is implemented as a hologram for incident-angle-dependent diffraction of the incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Gabor Varga, Michael Zeiss, Christian Effertz, Doane Shelby Craig
  • Patent number: 11886060
    Abstract: A method for electrically controlling at least one functional element having electrically controllable optical properties, wherein the optical properties are controlled by a control unit, wherein the control unit is connected to at least two transparent flat electrodes of the functional element, and an electrical voltage is applied between the flat electrodes by the control unit, wherein the electrical voltage has a periodic signal profile with a first, variably adjustable frequency and the glazing unit is surrounded by light beams of a second frequency, and wherein the light beams are sensed by a sensor unit and the first frequency is changed as a function of the second frequency, wherein the first frequency is synchronized with the second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Richard Stelzer, Bastian Klauss, Michael Zeiss, Doane Shelby Craig
  • Patent number: 11803277
    Abstract: A glazing unit of a vehicle or building, which has at least one glass pane or polymer film, wherein a capacitive sensor is arranged on a first surface of the or a glass pane or polymer film, which sensor includes a first sensor section and a second sensor section spaced at a distance therefrom on the first surface, which second sensor section acts as a signal readout section, wherein during operation of the sensor, an electrical field is generated between the first and second sensor section, which field partially penetrates the glass pane or polymer film, wherein a material property compensation electrode is provided on the second surface of the same glass pane or polymer film, opposite the second sensor section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Gabor Varga, Bastian Klauss, Michael Zeiss, Christian Effertz
  • Publication number: 20230318481
    Abstract: A method for driving an electro-optical functional layer by a control, the functional layer being applied on a substrate and being variable in its transmissive and/or reflective properties by applying an electric field, the control unit having a supply voltage input and a feed output, and a voltage measuring system and an energy store, includes measuring a voltage actually available at the supply voltage input, if the available voltage is greater than a reference value, driving the functional layer with an AC voltage via the feed output, the energy store being charged at least in sections, if the available voltage is less than or equal to a reference value, driving the functional layer with a DC voltage via the feed output. At least part of the energy for the driving is drawn from the energy store. The DC voltage is less than the peak value of the AC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Richard STELZER, Bastian KLAUSS, Michael ZEISS, Doane Shelby CRAIG
  • Patent number: 11726588
    Abstract: A laminated glass pane having a first glass layer and a second glass layer, wherein at least one first electrically conducting structure and a second electrically conducting structure are arranged between the first glass layer and the second glass layer, wherein the first electrically conducting structure and the second electrically conducting structure are arranged spaced apart from one another, wherein the first electrically conducting structure at least partially overlaps the second electrically conducting structure in a perpendicular orientation relative to the first glass layer, wherein the first electrically conducting structure is associated with a first electrical element, wherein the first electrical element is a capacitive sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Patrick Weber, Bastian Klauss, Michael Zeiss, Christian Effertz
  • Publication number: 20230229033
    Abstract: A method for electrically controlling at least one functional element having electrically controllable optical properties, wherein the optical properties are controlled by a control unit, wherein the control unit is connected to at least two transparent flat electrodes of the functional element, and an electrical voltage is applied between the flat electrodes by the control unit, wherein the electrical voltage has a periodic signal profile with a first, variably adjustable frequency and the glazing unit is surrounded by light beams of a second frequency, and wherein the light beams are sensed by a sensor unit and the first frequency is changed as a function of the second frequency, wherein the first frequency is synchronized with the second frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Richard STELZER, Bastian KLAUSS, Michael ZEISS, Doane Shelby CRAIG
  • Publication number: 20230219325
    Abstract: A method for electrically controlling a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties enclosed in a glazing unit includes controlling the optical properties by a control unit connected to two transparent flat electrodes of the functional element, and applying a voltage by the control unit between the flat electrodes and the polarity of the voltage is periodically changed. The voltage has a trapezoidal profile and by the control unit an increasing electrical voltage is applied for charging the functional element, the electrical voltage increasing to a first peak value, the electrical voltage is reduced from the first peak value to a final voltage for discharging the functional element, the functional element is charged with the increasing electrical voltage with reversed polarity, wherein the electrical voltage increases to a second peak value, the electrical voltage is reduced from the second peak value to the final voltage for discharging the functional element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Richard STELZER, Bastian KLAUSS, Michael ZEISS, Doane Shelby CRAIG
  • Patent number: 11697268
    Abstract: A vehicle window, includes at least one transducer device and transducer electronics associated with the transducer device, wherein both the transducer device and the transducer electronics are arranged at least partially within the vehicle window, wherein the transducer device and/or a compensating device associated with the transducer device and arranged at least partially within the vehicle window and/or an electrical shielding device associated with the transducer device for electrically shielding the transducer device relative to a vehicle interior or a vehicle exterior are transparent, at least in sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Gabor Varga, Christian Effertz, Michael Zeiss, Bastian Klauss, Guillaume Francois, Ali-Osman Kizmaz, Benjamin Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20230168121
    Abstract: A composite pane and in particular to a composite vehicle pane with an integrated light sensor, includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are joined to one another via at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer, and at least one light sensor with a light-sensitive surface that is arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane, wherein the light-sensitive surface faces the outer pane, and a shadow mask that covers at least some portions of the light-sensitive surface is arranged between the lig0ht-sensitive surface and the outer pane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Gabor VARGA, Bastian KLAUSS, Michael ZEISS, Christian EFFERTZ
  • Publication number: 20220301793
    Abstract: A composite panel includes first and second substrate layers, first and second patterned electrically conductive layers, and an insulating layer. A first capacitive sensing element with a first supply line structure is formed in the first electrically conductive layer and a second capacitive sensing element with a second supply line structure is formed in the second electrically conductive layer. The first and second patterned electrically conductive layers are separated from one another by the insulating layer. The assembly composed of the first and second patterned electrically conductive layers and the insulating layer is arranged between the first and second substrate layers. The first and second capacitive sensing elements are arranged offset relative to each other. An overlap of elements of the first capacitive sensitive element and of the first supply line structure makes up an area less than or equal to 10% of that of the second capacitive sensitive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Patrick WEBER, Michael ZEISS, Christian EFFERTZ, Gabor VARGA
  • Patent number: 11415855
    Abstract: A laminated pane arrangement has a functional element based on liquid crystals, wherein the optical properties of the functional element and an electrical resistance heater of at least one flat electrode are controlled by two different AC voltages. In accordance with a first aspect, the functional element is contacted on two opposite sides by the AC voltages. The AC voltages differ in maximum amplitude, but have the same frequency. In accordance with a second aspect, the functional element is controlled by an AC voltage. At least one flat electrode is heated by an additional AC voltage of greater frequency. A fault in the control of the optical properties of the functional element is prevented by high-pass filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Stefan Droste, Florian Manz, Marcel Klein, Bastian Klauss, Michael Zeiss
  • Publication number: 20220136893
    Abstract: A composite pane and in particular a composite vehicle pane with an integrated light sensor, includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are joined to one another via at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer, and at least one light sensor with at least one light-sensitive surface that is arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane, wherein the light-sensitive surface faces the outer pane and a holographic optical element is arranged between the light-sensitive surface and the outer pane, and the holographic optical element is implemented as a hologram for incident-angle-dependent diffraction of the incident light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Gabor VARGA, Michael ZEISS, Christian EFFERTZ, Doane Shelby CRAIG
  • Publication number: 20220100011
    Abstract: A laminated pane arrangement has a functional element based on liquid crystals, wherein the optical properties of the functional element and an electrical resistance heater of at least one flat electrode are controlled by two different AC voltages. In accordance with a first aspect, the functional element is contacted on two opposite sides by the AC voltages. The AC voltages differ in maximum amplitude, but have the same frequency. In accordance with a second aspect, the functional element is controlled by an AC voltage. At least one flat electrode is heated by an additional AC voltage of greater frequency. A fault in the control of the optical properties of the functional element is prevented by high-pass filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Stefan DROSTE, Florian MANZ, Marcel KLEIN, Bastian KLAUSS, Michael ZEISS
  • Publication number: 20220024187
    Abstract: A laminated pane with electrically controllable optical properties, includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are joined to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer, wherein an optoelectronic functional element with electrically controllable optical properties is incorporated into the intermediate layer, including an active layer, to which transparent sheetlike control electrodes are assigned on both surfaces, between a first carrier film and a second carrier film, wherein the intermediate layer, which surrounds the optoelectronic functional element, and the carrier films contain, in each case, thermoplastic material, wherein at least one capacitive touch element is integrated into the optoelectronic functional element such that a portion of at least one control electrode of the optoelectronic functional element is separated and provided with a signal lead for detecting a capacitive touch or approach signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Michael ZEISS, Stefan UEBELACKER, Laurent LAMOUREUX
  • Publication number: 20210394487
    Abstract: A laminated glass pane includes two glass or polycarbonate panes and at least one polymer film or a film laminate bonded therebetween and an electronic functional unit arranged therebetween, wherein, in part of the area of the laminated glass pane, a cutout of the polymer film or of the film laminate is provided and, accommodated in the cutout, is a fully prefabricated electronic functional module including multiple electronic functional units and/or other parts that are arranged within the functional module laterally alongside one another and/or at least partially vertically overlapping in an electrically and mechanically protective insulating shell, in particular an encapsulation composed of a polymeric casting compound that has a thickness that is at most equal to the thickness of the polymer film or of the film laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Gabor VARGA, Bastian KLAUSS, Michael ZEISS, Christian EFFERTZ
  • Publication number: 20210271343
    Abstract: A glazing unit of a vehicle or building, which has at least one glass pane or polymer film, wherein a capacitive sensor is arranged on a first surface of the or a glass pane or polymer film, which sensor includes a first sensor section and a second sensor section spaced at a distance therefrom on the first surface, which second sensor section acts as a signal readout section, wherein during operation of the sensor, an electrical field is generated between the first and second sensor section, which field partially penetrates the glass pane or polymer film, wherein a material property compensation electrode is provided on the second surface of the same glass pane or polymer film, opposite the second sensor section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Gabor VARGA, Bastian KLAUSS, Michael ZEISS, Christian EFFERTZ
  • Publication number: 20200307166
    Abstract: A vehicle window, includes at least one transducer device and transducer electronics associated with the transducer device, wherein both the transducer device and the transducer electronics are arranged at least partially within the vehicle window, wherein the transducer device and/or a compensating device associated with the transducer device and arranged at least partially within the vehicle window and/or an electrical shielding device associated with the transducer device for electrically shielding the transducer device relative to a vehicle interior or a vehicle exterior are transparent, at least in sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Gabor VARGA, Christian EFFERTZ, Michael ZEISS, Bastian KLAUSS, Guillaume FRANCOIS, Ali-Osman KIZMAZ, Benjamin KAPLAN
  • Patent number: 10703073
    Abstract: A vehicle composite pane with an integrated light sensor is disclosed. The vehicle composite pane includes an outer pane and an inner pane that are bonded to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer. A plurality of photodiodes situated on a circuit board are arranged between the outer pane and the inner pane. The photodiodes are surface-mounted device (SMD) components. The photodiodes are arranged on the circuit board as groups of parallel connected photodiodes. All groups of the parallel connected photodiodes are connected to a common electrical input and each group is connected to a separate electrical output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Christian Effertz, Klaus Schmalbuch, Dirk Wohlfeil, Detlev Duerkop, Guido Schwinges, Michael Zeiss