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).
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Patent number: 11440586Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Frank Peter Engels, Muhammad Adeel Awan, Oliver Nehls, Otto Hofmann, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner
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Patent number: 11247715Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, ThyssenKrupp Presta AktiengesellschaftInventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Jens Dornhege, Goetz-Philipp Wegner, Otto Hofmann, Frank Peter Engels, Kristof Polmans
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Publication number: 20190152513Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Muhammad Adeel Awan, Jens Dornhege, Goetz-Philipp Wegner, Otto Hofmann, Frank Peter Engels, Kristof Polmans
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Publication number: 20180273092Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Frank Peter Engels, Muhammad Adeel Awan, Oliver Nehls, Otto Hofmann, Goetz-Phillipp Wegner
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Patent number: 9604607Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jianbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-Ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
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Publication number: 20160046266Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Hassen HAMMOUD, Jianbo LU, Gilberto BURGIO, Todd N. CLARK, Otto HOFMANN, Mohsen LAKEHAL-AYAT, Shweta M. FARMER, Jason SHOMSKY, Roland SCHAEFER
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Patent number: 9205815Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 18, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jianbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-Ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
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Publication number: 20150006053Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Hassen HAMMOUD, Jianbo LU, Gilberto BURGIO, Todd N. CLARK, Otto HOFMANN, Mohsen LAKEHAL-AYAT, Shweta M. FARMER, Jason SHOMSKY, Roland SCHAEFER
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Patent number: 8903620Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jianbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
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Patent number: 8903618Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Ford Global TechnologiesInventors: Jianbo Lu, Roland Schaefer, Peter W. A. Zegelaar, Gilberto Burgio, Monika Derflinger, Otto Hofmann
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Publication number: 20130253792Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventors: Hassen Hammoud, Jainbo Lu, Gilberto Burgio, Todd N. Clark, Otto Hofmann, Mohsen Lakehal-ayat, Shweta M. Farmer, Jason Shomsky, Roland Schaefer
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Publication number: 20120061878Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Otto Hofmann, Jens Bliedtner, Hartmut Mueller, Juergen Bischoff
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Publication number: 20120004819Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Jianbo Lu, Roland Schaefer, Peter W.A. Zegelaar, Gilberto Burgio, Monika Derflinger, Otto Hofmann
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Patent number: 5712678Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 6, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Messerschmitt Bolkow Blohm GmbHInventor: Otto Hofmann
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Patent number: 5043924Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 22, 1988Date of Patent: August 27, 1991Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbHInventor: Otto Hofmann
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Patent number: 4984892Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 1989Date of Patent: January 15, 1991Assignee: Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm GmbHInventor: Otto Hofmann
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Patent number: 4940312Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 23, 1988Date of Patent: July 10, 1990Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbHInventor: Otto Hofmann
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Patent number: 4814607Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 1987Date of Patent: March 21, 1989Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbHInventor: Otto Hofmann
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Patent number: 4747574Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 15, 1986Date of Patent: May 31, 1988Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbHInventor: Otto Hofmann
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Patent number: 4708472Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 13, 1983Date of Patent: November 24, 1987Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbHInventor: Otto Hofmann