Patents by Inventor Nils EINECKE

Nils EINECKE 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: 11948454
    Abstract: A method and a system for controlling at least one of a traffic infrastructure device, an actuator of a traffic participant based on enhanced traffic data is provided. The method comprises steps of monitoring, by a trigger processor, an area; generating, by the trigger processor, trigger data in case a trigger event is determined in the monitored area and providing the generated trigger data indicating an area-of-interest to an image data source; obtaining image data on the area-of-interest based on the transmitted trigger data and transmitting the obtained image data to a traffic evaluation processor; evaluating, by the traffic evaluation processor, the obtained image data to generate enhanced traffic data on the area-of-interest; and outputting, by the traffic evaluation processor, the generated enhanced traffic data in a control signal, wherein the control signal is configured to control the traffic infrastructure device and/or the actuator of the traffic participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Honda Research Institute Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Benedict Flade, Nils Einecke
  • Patent number: 11778941
    Abstract: A system comprising an autonomous mobile device and a base station connected to a boundary wire is configured to transmit information from the base station to the autonomous mobile device. The base station is configured to generate a radio signal to be emitted by the boundary wire, wherein the autonomous mobile device is configured to autonomously drive within a working area based on the signal emitted by the boundary wire. The base station on the other hand is configured to encode data and/or commands into the radio signal which is then emitted by the boundary wire. The autonomous mobile device receive the emitted radio signal and is configured to decode the encoded data and/or commands in order to retrieve the original information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Einecke, Sven Rebhan
  • Publication number: 20220184801
    Abstract: An autonomous working device comprises at least one sensor configured to generate a sensor signal based on a physical interaction of the autonomous working device with a physical entity, at least one actuator configured to perform a working task, and a controller configured to generate a control signal for controlling the actuator. The controller is configured to evaluate the sensor signal, to determine a pattern of a physical interaction of the autonomous working device with a person and to generate the control signal based on the determined pattern of a physical interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Honda Research Institute Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Mathias Franzius, Nils Einecke
  • Publication number: 20220139213
    Abstract: A method and a system for controlling at least one of a traffic infrastructure device, an actuator of a traffic participant based on enhanced traffic data is provided. The method comprises steps of monitoring, by a trigger processor, an area; generating, by the trigger processor, trigger data in case a trigger event is determined in the monitored area and providing the generated trigger data indicating an area-of-interest to an image data source; obtaining image data on the area-of-interest based on the transmitted trigger data and transmitting the obtained image data to a traffic evaluation processor; evaluating, by the traffic evaluation processor, the obtained image data to generate enhanced traffic data on the area-of-interest; and outputting, by the traffic evaluation processor, the generated enhanced traffic data in a control signal, wherein the control signal is configured to control the traffic infrastructure device and/or the actuator of the traffic participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Honda Research Institute Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Benedict Flade, Nils Einecke
  • Patent number: 11188679
    Abstract: The invention regards a method and system for recording observation data without violating privacy. Environment is sensed and observation data including information on the sensed environment is generated. The observation data is processed for determining presence of one or more persons in the sensed environment. Those person(s) amongst the present person(s) that did not agree to store their private data are identified and privacy compliant observation data is generated by obfuscating the private data of these persons. The privacy compliant observation data is store for later use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Einecke, Stefan Fuchs, Andreas Richter, Christiane Knorz
  • Publication number: 20210043012
    Abstract: A vehicle transmits vehicle data to an observer entity when the vehicle and the observer entity are in proximity. The vehicle data includes unique vehicle identification information; proximity is defined by an upper threshold for a distance between the vehicle and the observer entity. The observer entity adds data to the vehicle data, the added data including an indication of a position of the observer entity and a time stamp indicating a time of reception of the vehicle data to generate joint data. The joint data is transmitted to an external database and the aforementioned steps are repeated. From the added data a usage estimation value is calculated which is a measure for usage of the vehicle and which is compared with the vehicle usage data retrieved from the vehicle. Information on validity of the vehicle usage data based on the comparison result is generated and output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Nils EINECKE, Sven REBHAN
  • Patent number: 10912253
    Abstract: The invention regards a robotic gardening device comprising driving means for propelling the robotic gardening device, a working tool for performing dedicated gardening work and a controlling unit for controlling said driving means and the working tool and a method for controlling the same. The robotic gardening device further comprises at least one environment sensor generating a signal indicative of objects in the environment of the robotic gardening device, a computing unit for classifying these objects, wherein the classes comprise at least two different classes for objects being determined to be humans. The computing unit is configured to control the driving means and/or the working device according to a predetermined behavior associated with the respective objects class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Einecke, Mathias Franzius
  • Patent number: 10824163
    Abstract: A method and a system can generate a representation of a working area of an autonomous lawn mower. The system can include an autonomous lawn mower and a base station, and a boundary wire forming a closed loop which can be connected with the base station. The lawn mower and the base station interact such that the lawn mower can determine whether it is in its home position, a predetermined position that is taken when the mower returns to the base station. The lawn mower further includes a memory, for storing values from a movement sensor. A trajectory is generated based on the values, wherein a processor is configured to calculate an error between the position and orientation according to the trajectory and the home position. This total position error and total orientation error is then used to correct the position and corresponding orientations of the trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Einecke, Sven Rebhan, Mathias Franzius, Jörg Deigmöller, Keiji Muro
  • Patent number: 10809960
    Abstract: The invention regards a method for reproducing visual and/or audio data synchronously by a group of devices, as well as a system for realizing such method. According to the invention first, a spatial location of each of the devices of the group is determined. Then, the visual and/or audio content is partitioned into content parts, each part dedicated to be reproduced by one device of the group respectively, based on the spatial location of the device. The dedicated portions are transmitted to their associated devices together with a time stamp, and the group of devices reproduces commonly and synchronously the transmitted portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Einecke, Stefan Menzel
  • Publication number: 20200233413
    Abstract: A method for generating a representation based on which an autonomous device operates in its working environment at first generates a map of the working environment of the autonomous device by a mapping device. Then at least one area is defined in the map and at least one label is associated with each area to define the area's type by a map processing unit. A representation of the working environment is generated based on the at least one area and its associated label(s) by a representation generating unit and the representation is transmitted to the autonomous device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Nils EINECKE, Mathias FRANZIUS
  • Publication number: 20200221633
    Abstract: A system comprising an autonomous mobile device and a base station connected to a boundary wire is configured to transmit information from the base station to the autonomous mobile device. The base station is configured to generate a radio signal to be emitted by the boundary wire, wherein the autonomous mobile device is configured to autonomously drive within a working area based on the signal emitted by the boundary wire. The base station on the other hand is configured to encode data and/or commands into the radio signal which is then emitted by the boundary wire. The autonomous mobile device receive the emitted radio signal and is configured to decode the encoded data and/or commands in order to retrieve the original information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Nils EINECKE, Sven REBHAN
  • Publication number: 20190361657
    Abstract: The invention regards a method for reproducing visual and/or audio data synchronously by a group of devices, as well as a system for realizing such method. According to the invention first, a spatial location of each of the devices of the group is determined. Then, the visual and/or audio content is partitioned into content parts, each part dedicated to be reproduced by one device of the group respectively, based on the spatial location of the device. The dedicated portions are transmitted to their associated devices together with a time stamp, and the group of devices reproduces commonly and synchronously the transmitted portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Nils EINECKE, Stefan MENZEL
  • Publication number: 20190228182
    Abstract: The invention regards a method and system for recording observation data without violating privacy. Environment is sensed and observation data including information on the sensed environment is generated. The observation data is processed for determining presence of one or more persons in the sensed environment. Those person(s) amongst the present person(s) that did not agree to store their private data are identified and privacy compliant observation data is generated by obfuscating the private data of these persons. The privacy compliant observation data is store for later use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Nils EINECKE, Stefan FUCHS, Andreas RICHTER, Christiane KNORZ
  • Patent number: 10321625
    Abstract: The invention regards an autonomous working machine comprising drive means, current position estimation means, control means including a driving control unit and a camera. With aid of the current position estimation means the current position of the autonomous working machine is estimated. Furthermore, the driving control unit generates driving commands for the driving means on the basis of an intended movement of the autonomous working machine and the estimated current position. The camera is configured to capture images of the environment of the working machine. For estimating the current position, the current position estimation means is formed by the control means, which is configured to apply visual odometry on the captured images for estimating the current position of the working machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Einecke, Mathias Franzius, Jörg Deigmöller
  • Patent number: 10191488
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle comprises an environment sensing means for sensing an environment of the autonomous vehicle, and a computing unit configured to perform a mapping function and a localization function. The mapping function is based upon signals supplied from the environment sensing means to build a map. The localization function localizes the autonomous vehicle within the map and generates localization information. The autonomous vehicle further comprises boundary distance sensing means configured to generate a distance signal correlated to a distance between the autonomous vehicle and boundary indication means. The computing unit is configured to receive the distance signal and to perform the mapping function or the localization function based upon a signal from the environment sensing means and the distance signal from the boundary distance sensing means. The system also comprises a boundary wire indicating a border of an area in which autonomous driving of the vehicle can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: NOKIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Mathias Franzius, Nils Einecke
  • Patent number: 10129521
    Abstract: In one aspect, an image processing method for processing images is provided, comprising the steps of: obtaining, from an optical sensor, at least two images, determining an image warping function at least partially compensating the distortion, applying the determined image warping function to the image including the distortion, and calculating by a processing unit, and outputting, a depth and/or disparity image from the at least two images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Einecke, Julian Eggert
  • Publication number: 20180284806
    Abstract: A method and a system can generate a representation of a working area of an autonomous lawn mower. The system can include an autonomous lawn mower and a base station, and a boundary wire forming a closed loop which can be connected with the base station. The lawn mower and the base station interact such that the lawn mower can determine whether it is in its home position, a predetermined position that is taken when the mower returns to the base station. The lawn mower further includes a memory, for storing values from a movement sensor. A trajectory is generated based on the values, wherein a processor is configured to calculate an error between the position and orientation according to the trajectory and the home position. This total position error and total orientation error is then used to correct the position and corresponding orientations of the trajectory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Nils EINECKE, Sven REBHAN, Mathias FRANZIUS, Jörg DEIGMÖLLER, Keiji MURO
  • Patent number: 9987898
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention address the area of predictive suspension control system for a vehicle, particularly a two-wheel vehicle such as a motor cycle or a scooter. The system includes a stereo sensor unit which for generating image data, a computing unit which extracts a relevant image portion from the image data based on future vehicle path data, and calculates road unevenness on a future vehicle path of the vehicle based on the generated image data. A suspension control unit generates an adaptation signal for adapting the suspension based on the calculated road unevenness. The computing unit adapts a search direction of a stereo algorithm or a correlation area of the stereo algorithm based on a lean angle of the vehicle to generate the three-dimensional partial image data from the relevant image portion, and fits a road model to the three-dimensional partial image data to calculate the road unevenness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Jörg Deigmöller, Nils Einecke, Herbert Janssen, Oliver Fuchs
  • Publication number: 20180077860
    Abstract: The invention regards a robotic gardening device comprising driving means for propelling the robotic gardening device, a working tool for performing dedicated gardening work and a controlling unit for controlling said driving means and the working tool and a method for controlling the same. The robotic gardening device further comprises at least one environment sensor generating a signal indicative of objects in the environment of the robotic gardening device, a computing unit for classifying these objects, wherein the classes comprise at least two different classes for objects being determined to be humans. The computing unit is configured to control the driving means and/or the working device according to a predetermined behavior associated with the respective objects class.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Nils EINECKE, Mathias FRANZIUS
  • Patent number: 9883114
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system for an autonomous garden tool that is equipped with at least one camera and one motor. The control system comprises a camera control module and an image generation module. With the camera control module the camera settings are controlled that are used for capturing images. With the image generation module two consecutive images in a sequence of images that is captured by the camera is determined whereby theses two consecutive images are captured on the basis of different camera settings. The two determined pictures are used as a basis for generating an HDR image in an HDR mode of the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA RESEARCH INSTITUTE EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Einecke, Mathias Franzius