Patents by Inventor Ralf Trachte

Ralf Trachte 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: 11198462
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a sensor structure wrapped around a surface of a steering wheel element. The sensor structure includes a substrate material, first sensor lines made from conductive material and formed on the substrate material, second sensor lines made from conductive material, and feed lines. The first sensor lines extend in a first direction. The second sensor lines extend in a second direction. The first direction and the second direction have a non-zero angle between them. The sensor device includes an electronic control unit configured to measure capacitive values of the sensor structure and detect touch or proximity of fingers or hands, which are distinguishable in their position on the surface, based on the measurement. The feed lines are configured to electrically connect the first sensor lines to the electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Inventor: Ralf Trachte
  • Patent number: 8537133
    Abstract: The steering wheel input is a flexible, interactive input, based on a touch-sensitive surface. Groups of functions are available from many positions of hands and fingers, gripping and controlling the steering wheel. For example travel directions indicators, headlight flashing/dipping and windscreen wipers can be controlled without having to raise the hand from the steering wheel. The keypad of a mobile telephone can also be simulated. PDA inputs can be carried out. A computer keyboard can be simulated Continuous encompassment of the hands is corrected by computer. The touch areas are continuously and dynamically adapted in the relationship thereof with respect to the balls of the hands or the thumb and fingers. This concept produces ergonomically appropriate and dynamically updated touch areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Ralf Trachte
  • Publication number: 20120268406
    Abstract: The steering wheel input is a flexible, interactive input, based on a touch-sensitive surface. Groups of functions are available from many positions of hands and fingers, gripping and controlling the steering wheel. For example travel directions indicators, headlight flashing/dipping and windscreen wipers can be controlled without having to raise the hand from the steering wheel. The keypad of a mobile telephone can also be simulated. PDA inputs can be carried out. A computer keyboard can be simulated Continuous encompassment of the hands is corrected by computer. The touch areas are continuously and dynamically adapted in the relationship thereof with respect to the balls of the hands or the thumb and fingers. This concept produces ergonomically appropriate and dynamically updated touch areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventor: Ralf Trachte
  • Patent number: 8243039
    Abstract: The steering wheel input is a flexible, interactive input, based on a touch-sensitive surface. Groups of functions are available from many positions of hands and fingers, gripping and controlling the steering wheel. For example travel directions indicators, headlight flashing/dipping and windscreen wipers can be controlled without having to raise the hand from the steering wheel. The keypad of a mobile telephone can also be simulated. PDA inputs can be carried out. A computer keyboard can be simulated Continuous encompassment of the hands is corrected by computer. The touch areas are continuously and dynamically adapted in the relationship thereof with respect to the balls of the hands or the thumb and fingers. This concept produces ergonomically appropriate and dynamically updated touch areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Inventor: Ralf Trachte
  • Patent number: 7898530
    Abstract: The steering wheel input is a flexible, interactive input, based on a touch-sensitive surface. Groups of functions are available from many positions of hands and fingers, gripping and controlling the steering wheel. For example travel direction indicators, headlight flashing/dipping and windscreen wipers can be controlled without having to raise the hand from the steering wheel. The keypad of a mobile telephone can also be simulated. PDA inputs can be carried out. A computer keyboard can be simulated. Continuous encompassment of the hands is corrected by computer. The touch areas are continuously and dynamically adapted in the relationship thereof with respect to the balls of the hands or the thumb and fingers. This concept produces ergonomically appropriate and dynamically updated touch areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Ralf Trachte
  • Patent number: 7352365
    Abstract: The invention relates to a “Flexible Computer Input”, determined from the data from a touch-sensitive input surface for fingertip positions and pressure trigger regions in comparison with a stored topography for the input signal of a computer. The base topography (base positions of the fingertips) and the layout topography (arrangement of the target pressure points) determined therefrom, can be changed and can thus be adjusted to ergonomically match individual hands and working practices. Said topography may be dynamically altered: progressive changes may be made (for example displacements of the hands, reductions in the average separations) and allowed for, such that a matching of the inputs to individual practices occurs. (See FIG. 1) An input surface which is as transparent as possible displays layouts or objects and works like a touchscreen or visualized touch area. An optional fine-motor feedback can be achieved by means of a surface of elastic construction with a determined geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Ralf Trachte
  • Publication number: 20070100523
    Abstract: The steering wheel input is a flexible, interactive input based on a touch-sensitive surface. Groups of functions are available from many positions of hand surfaces and fingers on said surface. A computer keyboard can be simulated. The keypad of a mobile telephone can also be simulated. PDA inputs can be carried out by means of longitudinally aligned pressure places. Travel directions, headlight flashing/dipping and windscreen wipers can be controlled without having to raise the hand from the steering wheel. Continuous encompassment of the hands is corrected by computer. The interactive surface produces ergonomically appropriate and dynamically updated touch areas, particularly around the middle finger, index finger and thumb. More particularly, differentiation occurs with regard to the activities of curbed and extended finger positions. The applications on the steering wheel are highlighted and descriegd with variants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Inventor: Ralf Trachte
  • Publication number: 20050024344
    Abstract: The invention relates to a “Flexible Computer Input”, determined from the data from a touch-sensitive input surface for fingertip positions and pressure trigger regions in comparison with a stored topography for the input signal of a computer. The base topography (base positions of the fingertips) and the layout topography (arrangement of the target pressure points) determined therefrom, can be changed and can thus be adjusted to ergonomically match individual hands and working practices. Said topography may be dynamically altered: progressive changes may be made (for example displacements of the hands, reductions in the average separations) and allowed for, such that a matching of the inputs to individual practices occurs. (See FIG. 1) An input surface which is as transparent as possible displays layouts or objects and works like a touchscreen or visualized touch area. An optional fine-motor feedback can be achieved by means of a surface of elastic construction with a determined geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventor: Ralf Trachte