Patents by Inventor Peter Hora
Peter Hora 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: 6698289Abstract: The invention relates to a device for distance measurement, comprising a transmission element (9) for emitting pulsed acoustic or electromagnetic waves. Said transmission element is provided at a first end of a distance (L) or at a known distance from said first end. The device contains a receiving element (13) for the emitted waves. Said receiving element (13) receives said waves at a second end of the distance (L) or, after reflection at the second end, at the first end. An evaluation and control unit (11) calculates the distance (L) from the running time and the signal speed. According to the invention, a telescope tube (3) with two engaging tube elements (5, 7) is used between the first and second end. The transmission element (9) and the receiving element (13) are arranged on the tube elements (5, 7) respectively or are coupled thereto via waveguides. One of the tube elements can also be coupled to a displaceable element which can change location.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Sören Lemcke, Peter Hora
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Patent number: 6236920Abstract: A distributed vehicle safety system (10) includes an actuatable safety system device (e.g., 16) and a central controller (14) for outputting communication regarding actuation of the device. A communication bus (36) extends from the central controller (14) toward the device (16) and conveys the communication. A bus plug unit (68) of a connection assembly (e.g., 50) is located remote from the device (16). The bus plug unit (68) is connected to the bus (36) and controls actuation of the device (16) in response to communication on the bus. Preferably, the bus plug unit (68) includes a portion (78) that interrupts a normally through-connected portion (84) of the bus (36), and includes portions (72 and 74) that connect to a conductor (38) of the bus on two sides of the interrupted portion upon connection of the bus plug unit to the bus.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventor: Peter Hora
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Patent number: 6233153Abstract: A subassembly, intended for use in motor vehicles in particular, consisting of a one-piece or multi-part housing, a plug unit with connecting pins formed integrally with the housing, and a circuit board to accommodate components, wherein the circuit board is configured and arranged in such a way that the connecting pins of the plug unit are guided directly onto or into the circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1995Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Assignee: Temic Telefunken microelectronic GmbHInventors: Richard Baur, Peter Hora, Guido Wetzel, Alfons Wöhrl
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Patent number: 6140821Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the recognition of insulation defects in a circuit adapted for connection to a low-ohmic current source or sink having off-load voltage U.sub.n0, Towards this end the circuit is initially subjected, in a separated state, to a diagnostic voltage from a current limited current source or sink whose off-load voltage U.sub.h0 corresponds to exceeds or, respectively, is less than the voltage U.sub.n0. A decision is made as to the presence or absence of an insulation defect based on the current and/or voltage dependence during application of the diagnostic voltage. Finally, in the event that a defect is present, an error message is issued and the low-ohmic current source or sink is not connected to the circuit for self-diagnosis. Otherwise, the low-ohmic current source is connected to the circuit, or the sink, in sequential fashion for self-diagnosis testing. In this fashion even hidden insulation defects are recognized.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1998Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronics GmbHInventors: Gunter Fendt, Hans Spies, Peter Hora, Guido Wetzel
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Patent number: 6070114Abstract: In the case of a data transmission system for the exchange of digital data between a central processor unit and several peripheral control modules which are connected to the former by a bus system such that communication is enabled and which are provided for the purpose of activating one each, respectively, out of several safety devices such as airbags or belt tensioning systems, or similar devices, in a motor vehicle, and wherein these peripheral control modules are each provided with one buffer capacitor whose energy content is sufficient for operating the respective module, and the device driven by this module, within specifications over a limited period of time, the bus system is designed as a single wire system for the purpose of achieving a simple setup and reducing installation and fitting costs. In this single wire system the control modules are supplied with electrical operating energy, and digital data are transmintted, by the same line sections.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1997Date of Patent: May 30, 2000Assignee: Telefunken Temic microelectronic GmbHInventors: Gunter Fendt, Peter Hora, Norbert Muller, Gerhard Wagner
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Patent number: 6056755Abstract: In order to transport a bone segment (5) in order to bridge a bone defect (4) on a tubular bone (1) in a self-inductive manner using a fully implanted device, it is proposed for the segment (5) to be driven by means of a tensile force which is generated in the cord (10) or the like by means of flexural movement of the healthy bone (9) which is articulated to the joint (8) the tensile force, from said cord or the like, is directly or indirectly applied to the segment (5) through the medullary nail in an intramedullary fashion.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1999Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Inventors: Uwe Peter Horas, Marcus Erben
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Patent number: 5982048Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure for selectively connecting a status detection device--from a group of such devices based on different physical action principles, in particular belt buckle status detection, and seat occupation detection, within a passive safety system for motor vehicles, in particular an airbag system, and/or a belt pretensioning system,--to the signal input of a control unit, using a single wire connection, by causing the control unit to activate an appropriate current/voltage supply in accordance with the physical action principle, and by appropriately processing the signals generated by the status detection device, which signals will then be fed to the control unit for evaluation. Furthermore, an interface circuit is specified for implementing the procedure according to the invention.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1997Date of Patent: November 9, 1999Assignees: Temic Telefunken microelectronic GmbH, Bayerische MotorenwerkeInventors: Gunter Fendt, Peter Hora, Hans Spies, Helmut Rauh
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Patent number: 5969631Abstract: In a method and system for transmitting digital data, a data acceptance clock signal generator that has a controllable clock frequency in a peripheral module is correspondingly adapted to clock frequency information derived from a synchronization pulse train transmitted by a central unit. The same oscillator is used as a frequency source for determining the clock frequency information and for generating the data acceptance clock pulse. In this manner, simple RC oscillators are adequate to fulfill any requirements of long time accuracy of the oscillator. The clock frequency can be changed in that the central unit simply transmits altered clock frequency information. It is also possible to carry out an adjustment or adaptation in the case of deviations of the oscillator frequency in the peripheral unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1997Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: TEMIC TELEFUNKEN microelectronic GmbHInventors: Manfred Ammler, Peter Hora, Guenter Fendt, Norbert Mueller
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Patent number: 5962934Abstract: An arrangement for supplying electrical power to at least one load arranged along a power supply line, preferably in motor vehicles, is characterized by having a power supply facility that has at least one input for a supply voltage and at least one output for the supply voltage and a testing device, by the testing device being designed to test an output for the supply voltage to establish whether a short-circuit, i.e. a resistance of too low a value, exists at this output, and by the power supply facility having a switching device and being designed in such a way that a supply voltage fed to it is switched through by the switching device to the output tested by the testing device only when the test has established the non-existence of a short-circuit. This allows the power supply to be maintained if a single fault occurs.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 1997Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Assignee: Temic Telefunken microelectronic GmbHInventors: Gunter Fendt, Peter Hora
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Patent number: 5929535Abstract: An ignition circuit output stage which is driven by one or several microprocessors. Up to now different modes of operation each required their own different ignition circuit output stage. The ignition circuit output stage according to the invention is programmable - that is, using one and the same output stage, different modes of operation can be selected such as, for example, the unregulated or output stage mode as well as the regulated and limited output current mode. The circuit essentially consists of a down converter which, when activated, will regulate and limit the discharge current. The down converter can be activated and deactivated by means of an appropriate signal. When the down converter is in its deactivated state, an unregulated discharge takes place; this is the output stage mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1997Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Assignee: TEMIC TELEFUNKEN microelectronic GmbHInventors: Gunter Fendt, Peter Hora, Norbert Muller
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Patent number: 5812565Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the automatic recognition and correction of an invalid data set stored in a programmable circuit memory which is part of a group of at least three identical stored data sets, wherein the data sets of the group are compared to each other, and in the event that one data set of the group does not agree with the remaining data sets of the group same is recognized as being invalid and the remaining agreeing data sets are recognized as being valid, and the invalid data set is corrected through replacement with a valid data set. The invention is also directed to a system adapted to carry out this method.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1996Date of Patent: September 22, 1998Assignee: Temic Telefunken Micro-Electric GmbHInventors: Gunter Fendt, Peter Hora, Hans Spies, Guido Wetzel, Derrick Zechmair
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Patent number: 5712784Abstract: A trigger circuit for occupant protection systems in motor vehicles comprises a control unit which will effect the triggering of a means of restraint such as an airbag, depending on sensor signals generated by one or more external sensor units. To achieve a degree of triggering certainty, data interrogation must take place in very short time intervals. A safe transmission of data between the control unit and the sensor units will be ensured if, in accordance with this invention, the information units to be transmitted will each be encoded by means of a PWM signal with a certain period duration. The control unit will check the period duration of the PWM signal received, and, in the event of this actual period duration not matching the specified nominal value, it will not accept the relevant unit of information.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Temic Telefunken microelectronic GmbHInventors: Gunter Fendt, Hans Spies, Peter Hora, Derrick Zechmair
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Patent number: 5696776Abstract: A data transmission method in a real-time data processing system, comprising a control unit and at least one function unit linked to this control unit through a data line, is described that permits noise-free and noise-insensitive transmission of data. In accordance with the invention, the data is stored in a buffer memory made up of a shift register and an intermediate storage, before being loaded into a main memory of the function unit. Transfer to the intermediate storage takes place only if certain conditions are satisfied that identify transmission faults. Before the data is stored in the main memory, the data is read-back into the control unit memory for the purposes of checking and there it is compared with the original data. If there is no correspondence, data transmission is performed again.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1995Date of Patent: December 9, 1997Assignee: Temic Telefunken microelectronic GmbHInventors: Hans Spies, Peter Hora, Gunter Fendt, Derrik Zechmair
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Patent number: 5608269Abstract: Increasingly, motor vehicles are being equipped with safety systems for vehicle occupants and where these safety systems are controlled by electrically actuated triggering means such as ignition pills for airbags that in turn are controlled from an output stage. The invention demonstrates a method that ensures safe and uninterrupted operation of these triggering means and which protects the output stage from being destroyed should a fault occur as a result of, for example, an ignition pill by-pass.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 1995Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: Temic Telefunken microelectronic GmbHInventors: Gunter Fendt, Peter Hora, Hans Spies
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Patent number: 5608628Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing a crash, in a vehicle by measuring vehicle speed change continuously within a limited time periods and comparing the measured values with those determined in prior time periods. Acceleration can be differentiated out by means of the above-mentioned process/arrangement and can be evaluated if, in the case of a high-speed and low-speed crash, it should not be possible to differentiate sufficiently by means of the partial speed difference. Different partial speed differences (by means of observation periods of different durations) can be measured and compared in order to permit ignition in the case of slower (oblique) crashes only within a limited time window in the initial phase of the crash.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1994Date of Patent: March 4, 1997Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbHInventors: Johannes Drexler, Alfons Wohrl, Heinz Bader, Andreas Bernitt, Hans Spies, Gunter Fendt, Peter Hora
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Patent number: 5544915Abstract: To trigger driver and passenger airbags as well as side airbags, the sensor signals generated by collision sensors will be fed into a central control unit for processing.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1995Date of Patent: August 13, 1996Assignee: Temic Telefunken microelectronic GmbHInventors: Gunter Fendt, Peter Hora, Hans Spies, Helmut Steurer, Willibald Watzka, Guido Wetzel
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Patent number: 5457982Abstract: Acceleration sensors in a vehicular safety system with at least two acceleration sensors are stimulated by an electrical or sound excitation so that one of the sensors functions as a body sound transmitter, while the other(s) receive(s) these signals and vice versa. The performance which includes a calibration check, and the coupling to the housing structure are evaluated through a signal processing circuit. The safety system including its output trigger stage, remains switched-on during testing.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 1994Date of Patent: October 17, 1995Assignee: TEMIC Telefunken Microelectronic GmbHInventors: Hans Spies, Horst Laucht, Peter Hora, Alfons Woehrl
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Patent number: 5424583Abstract: A device for triggering a passive safety system in a vehicle upon detection of an impact. At least two acceleration sensors, the sensitivity axes of which are aligned for detecting an angle of a frontal impact, are each assigned to a signal channel which, in series with the respective impact sensor, comprises an evaluation circuit, particularly an integrator circuit for its output signals, and a threshold value circuit. During the formation of the speed integral, the physical signal course and the course of the signal edges is evaluated by several logic units in a logical unit (LOG) in order to obtain factors which influence the integration constant of integrators (by multiplication and reduction) to enlarge the area that can be evaluated.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1992Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Bolohm GmbHInventors: Hans Spies, Peter Hora, Gunter Fendt, Kenneth Francis, Helmut Steurer
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Patent number: 5389822Abstract: A triggering circuit for a safety device, such as an air bag or a belt tightening device, such as an air bag or a belt tightening device, for the protection of motor vehicle occupants during an impact of the motor vehicle. The triggering circuit has a redundant arrangement of at least two acceleration sensors with mutually independent analyzing circuits, and all acceleration sensors with their analyzing circuits are connected with one another by way of an electric AND-circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1991Date of Patent: February 14, 1995Assignee: Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm GmbHInventors: Peter Hora, Gunther Fendt
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Patent number: 5373722Abstract: Acceleration sensors in a vehicular safety system with at least two acceleration sensors are stimulated by an electrical or sound excitation so that one of the sensors functions as a body sound transmitter, while the other(s) receive(s) these signals and vice versa. The performance which includes a calibration check, and the coupling to the housing structure are evaluated through a signal processing circuit. The safety system including its output trigger stage, remains switched-on during testing.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 1992Date of Patent: December 20, 1994Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronic GmbHInventors: Hans Spies, Horst Laucht, Peter Hora, Alfons Woehrl