Patents by Inventor Otto Hofmann

Otto Hofmann 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: 11440586
    Abstract: A method for assisting entry or exit of a motor vehicle into and from a parking space. The motor vehicle equipped with a steering wheel and at least one steering servomotor capable of applying a steering angle steered wheels of the motor vehicle. A control unit actuates the steering servomotor for carrying out an automatic parking process, in which case, during the parking process there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steered wheels and the steering wheel does not move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Muhammad Adeel Awan, Oliver Nehls, Otto Hofmann, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner
  • Patent number: 11247715
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a motor vehicle includes at least two wheels which are steerable independently of one another in a normal operating mode of the steer-by-wire system, at least two steering actuators, each one being assigned to one of the steerable wheels and being configured for adjusting a steering angle of the particular steerable wheel, and at least one steering electronics system which is signally connected to the steering actuators and which is configured for controlling the steering actuators individually on the basis of steering commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, ThyssenKrupp Presta Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Jens Dornhege, Goetz-Philipp Wegner, Otto Hofmann, Frank Peter Engels, Kristof Polmans
  • Publication number: 20190152513
    Abstract: A steer-by-wire system for a motor vehicle includes at least two wheels which are steerable independently of one another in a normal operating mode of the steer-by-wire system, at least two steering actuators, each one being assigned to one of the steerable wheels and being configured for adjusting a steering angle of the particular steerable wheel, and at least one steering electronics system which is signally connected to the steering actuators and which is configured for controlling the steering actuators individually on the basis of steering commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Jens Dornhege, Goetz-Philipp Wegner, Otto Hofmann, Frank Peter Engels, Kristof Polmans
  • Publication number: 20180273092
    Abstract: A method for assisting entry or exit of a motor vehicle into and from a parking space. The motor vehicle equipped with a steering wheel and at least one steering servomotor capable of applying a steering angle steered wheels of the motor vehicle. A control unit actuates the steering servomotor for carrying out an automatic parking process, in which case, during the parking process there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steered wheels and the steering wheel does not move.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Peter Engels, Muhammad Adeel Awan, Oliver Nehls, Otto Hofmann, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner
  • Patent number: 9604607
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle having a brake system configured to operate according to a nominal mode in which applied braking pressure is based on a driver braking request, a first active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum ABS braking pressure and decreased in response to a driver brake pedal release, and a second active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum braking pressure. In response to a detected collision, the system is controlled according to the first active braking mode. In response to the first active braking mode being active and no driver braking request being anticipated, the system is controlled according to the second active braking mode. In response to the first or second active braking modes being active and a termination criterion being satisfied, the system is controlled according to the nominal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jianbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-Ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20160046266
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes providing a vehicle having a brake system configured to operate according to a nominal mode in which applied braking pressure is based on a driver braking request, a first active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum ABS braking pressure and decreased in response to a driver brake pedal release, and a second active braking mode in which applied braking pressure is based on maximum braking pressure. In response to a detected collision, the system is controlled according to the first active braking mode. In response to the first active braking mode being active and no driver braking request being anticipated, the system is controlled according to the second active braking mode. In response to the first or second active braking modes being active and a termination criterion being satisfied, the system is controlled according to the nominal mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Hassen HAMMOUD, Jianbo LU, Gilberto BURGIO, Todd N. CLARK, Otto HOFMANN, Mohsen LAKEHAL-AYAT, Shweta M. FARMER, Jason SHOMSKY, Roland SCHAEFER
  • Patent number: 9205815
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle braking system includes commanding vehicle brakes to provide braking torque based on a driver braking request in response to a detected collision and an anticipated application of a driver-actuated brake pedal after the collision. The method additionally includes activating the vehicle brakes in the absence of application of the brake pedal in response to a subsequent application and release of the brake pedal while a motion sensor reading exceeds a predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jianbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-Ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20150006053
    Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle braking system includes commanding vehicle brakes to provide braking torque based on a driver braking request in response to a detected collision and an anticipated application of a driver-actuated brake pedal after the collision. The method additionally includes activating the vehicle brakes in the absence of application of the brake pedal in response to a subsequent application and release of the brake pedal while a motion sensor reading exceeds a predefined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Hassen HAMMOUD, Jianbo LU, Gilberto BURGIO, Todd N. CLARK, Otto HOFMANN, Mohsen LAKEHAL-AYAT, Shweta M. FARMER, Jason SHOMSKY, Roland SCHAEFER
  • Patent number: 8903620
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle braking system, includes: (i) detecting whether a collision has occurred; (ii) detecting whether a predetermined condition follows the collision; (iii) determining whether a driver has applied the brakes; and (iv) when a driver has not applied the brakes, autonomously initiating braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jianbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8903618
    Abstract: A method and system for providing braking assistance in a motor vehicle after an initial collision involves detecting an initial collision, pre-charging a brake system, detecting an intent to brake on the part of a driver, and providing assistance to a braking process by means of a braking assistance system on the basis of the detection of the initial collision and the detection of intent to brake on the part of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Roland Schaefer, Peter W. A. Zegelaar, Gilberto Burgio, Monika Derflinger, Otto Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20130253792
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle braking system, includes: (i) detecting whether a collision has occurred; (ii) detecting whether a predetermined condition follows the collision; (iii) determining whether a driver has applied the brakes; and (iv) when a driver has not applied the brakes, autonomously initiating braking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jainbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20120061878
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for machining the periphery of a workpiece (8) by means of a laser (1). The device includes a peripheral mirror (5) with a peripheral mirror system axis (9) and an optical system which couples a radiation beam (3) perpendicular to the peripheral mirror system axis (9) into the peripheral mirror (5) such that it hits the workpiece (8) after several reflections, the workpiece axis (11) extending in the same direction within the peripheral mirror (5) than the peripheral mirror system axis (9). According to the method of the invention, the radiation beam (3) is coupled into the peripheral mirror (5) over a predefined machining time, wherein the workpiece (8), the peripheral mirror (5) and/or the optical system are maintained in a relative position of rest or moved in relation to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Otto Hofmann, Jens Bliedtner, Hartmut Mueller, Juergen Bischoff
  • Publication number: 20120004819
    Abstract: A method and system for providing braking assistance in a motor vehicle after an initial collision involves detecting an initial collision, pre-charging a brake system, detecting an intent to brake on the part of a driver, and providing assistance to a braking process by means of a braking assistance system on the basis of the detection of the initial collision and the detection of intent to brake on the part of the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Roland Schaefer, Peter W.A. Zegelaar, Gilberto Burgio, Monika Derflinger, Otto Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5712678
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for scanning a surface of an object, transversely to a direction of motion. A scanner is provided for flying over the object at a flight altitude and flight velocity, having a system focal length, a scanning element rotating at a rotation speed which scans a surface over a scanning angle and a detector row, arranged at right angles to the scanning direction. A detector row is provided with a plurality of equal size individual detectors, which are capable of generating fundamental object pixels of a size which depends upon the distance from the object up to a maximum scanning distance. A standard object pixel, of a size corresponding to a fundamental object pixel, is driven at the maximum scanning distance. For each scanning sweep, via a sampling process, a uniform grid is formed which is composed of standard object pixels of a size corresponding to a fundamental object pixel at the maximum scanning distance in several lines and without gaps and/or overlaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Messerschmitt Bolkow Blohm GmbH
    Inventor: Otto Hofmann
  • Patent number: 5043924
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for scanning the terrain surface and other objects transversely to the flight direction or direction of motion of the scanner with a detector row arranged perpendicularly to the direction of scanning and containing several individual detectors of equal size, wherein the terrain- or object strip to be scanned is divided into various distance ranges, within which the fundamental detector signals within the detector row as well as of consecutive exposure periods are collated respectively in such a way by averaging, that the collated individual signals form or cover respectively one object pixel of approximately constant magnitude independent of the scanning distance, and wherein these object pixels stand always at right angles with respect to the scanning beam and where each scanning sweep produces a terrain- or object strip with approximately equal object pixel size as well as constant object pixel number along the width and length of the scanned strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventor: Otto Hofmann
  • Patent number: 4984892
    Abstract: A spherical space, especially a hemispherical space, is scanned by an optical scanner for the presence of a target in the scanned spaced. The optical scanner includes an objective lens (4) which scans the space through an optical deflector (1 or 7) arranged upstream of the objective lens and rotatable about two axes, one of which is the optical axis (2, 3) of the objective lens. At least one tiltable prism (5) is arranged downstream of the objective lens (4). At least one row of sensors (6) is arranged downstream of the prism (5) for converting received optical signals into respective electrical signals which are processed under control of a central processing unit (CPU) including a computer and memory (21). Drives (9, 16) controlled by the CPU rotate the deflectors (1 or 7) about the two axes (2, 3) extending perpendicularly to each other. The imaging speed at which an image passes the detector row (6) is always constant independently of the instantaneous viewing or scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventor: Otto Hofmann
  • Patent number: 4940312
    Abstract: The determination of the orientation parameters of a missile by means of a three-line scanner requires the generation of scanning traces which are oriented at a specific angle with respect to the direction of flight. In the present invention the scanning traces are produced with a two or four part scanning prism, whose reflecting surfaces are arranged at a specific angel .beta. with respect to the axis of rotation of the scanning prism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventor: Otto Hofmann
  • Patent number: 4814607
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for recording the image of an object, for instance the earth's surface, from a flying body, in this case an earth satellite. The flying body flies over the object at an altitude. Herein, the object is scanned in lines by a line scanner. The viewing angle .alpha. of the liner scanner with respect to the direction of flight v is increased during the scanning process, whereby a higher resolution capacity is attained. Preferably several line sensors are used in the line scanner, which are arranged on a carrier, which is displaced during the flight of the flying body relative to a length in the direction of flight v. The displacement occurs by way of a cyclically functioning drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventor: Otto Hofmann
  • Patent number: 4747574
    Abstract: In the disclosed device, a lens arrangement focuses light upon a detecting sensor arrangement as a vehicle passes over an object, such as the ground, whose surface is to be determined. An optical device slews the path of light to the lens arrangement from left to right relative to the direction of vehicle movement. In one embodiment, a four-part prism rotating on an axis along the direction of vehicle movement passes light through three lenses angled down, for, and aft the vertical and separate radiation detectors simultaneously sense radiation from the earth's surface. In another embodiment, a rotating hexagonal prism has outer reflecting surfaces skewed normal, for, and aft, so that a single lens views sequential signals and applies them to a radiation detector. The signals are sampled, held, digitally converted, recorded, and stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1988
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventor: Otto Hofmann
  • Patent number: 4708472
    Abstract: A stereophotogrammetric surveying and evaluation method is presented. A camera is carried over the terrain of interest, the camera having three sensor lines arranged transversely or obliquely to the line of flight. From the resulting three overlapping line image strips both elevational terrain data and camera orientation data are statistically obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbH
    Inventor: Otto Hofmann