Patents by Inventor Ralf WISTORF

Ralf WISTORF 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: 10981565
    Abstract: A method for automatic initiation of a vehicle function of a vehicle includes ascertaining a first location of an object at a first time in a surrounding area of the vehicle, and ascertaining a second location of the object at a second time in the surrounding area of the vehicle. The method also includes calculating a movement vector depending on the ascertained first location of the object at the first time and the ascertained second location of the object at the second time, determining a point of intersection between the movement vector and a virtual vehicle region, wherein the virtual vehicle region corresponds at least in part to a real vehicle region of the vehicle, and initiating a vehicle function of the vehicle in response to a point of intersection between the movement vector and a virtual vehicle region being present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gabriele Abinger, Stefan Heinbockel, Thomas Klattig, Ralf Wistorf
  • Patent number: 10836351
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle by a portable identification transmitter is provided. According to the method, a first vehicle antenna emits a first signal, which is received by an identification-transmitter antenna. The identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of the first electromagnetic field of the received first signal. A second vehicle antenna emits a second signal, which is received by the identification-transmitter antenna. The identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of the second electromagnetic field of the received second signal. A computer determines the angle between the determined spatial component of the first electromagnetic field and the determined spatial component of the second electromagnetic field. The identification transmitter transmits an authorization signal for authorizing use of the motor vehicle to the motor vehicle only if the angle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Wagatha, Stefan Heinbockel, Fredrik Hocke, Ralf Wistorf
  • Patent number: 10782386
    Abstract: A method is provided for generating reference data for determining a position of objects relative to a vehicle. The method includes: determining a measured value of a radio signal for each position of an object from a predetermined number of positions of the object in at least two spatial zones of the vehicle; determining focal points for the determined measured values in each spatial zone of the vehicle, wherein each focal point represents a group of determined measured values in one of the defined spatial zones of the vehicle; and storing the focal points as reference data for determination of the position of objects in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ralf Wistorf, Stefan Heinbockel
  • Patent number: 10703334
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle, in particular a two-wheeled or four-wheeled motor vehicle, which has a first and a second antenna where the first antenna and the second antenna are spaced apart from each other, by a portable identification device which has an identification transmitter antenna. In order to increase the manipulation security of a known method, it is determined whether the identification device is moving toward the motor vehicle. This can on the one hand be determined in that the identification device repeatedly identifies the field strength of the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and identifies whether the field strength or field strengths is or are increasing. This can on the other hand be determined in that the identification device repeatedly determines the angle between the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and examines whether the repeatedly determined angles are increasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Wagatha, Stefan Heinbockel, Ralf Wistorf, Fredrik Hocke
  • Patent number: 10640085
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle by a portable identification transmitter is provided. According to the method, a first vehicle antenna emits a first signal and a second vehicle antenna emits a second signal. An identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of first and second electromagnetic fields, respectively, of the first and second signals. The identification transmitter transmits a measure or a value for the at least one spatial component of the first electromagnetic field, and a measure or a value for the at least one spatial component of the second electromagnetic field to the motor vehicle. A computer determines an angle between the spatial components of the first and second electromagnetic fields. The motor vehicle transmits an authorization signal for authorizing use of the motor vehicle only if the angle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Wekre Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fredrik Hocke, Helmut Wagatha, Stefan Heinbockel, Ralf Wistorf
  • Patent number: 10614643
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle having a first and second antenna spatially remote from one another, includes emitting, from the first vehicle antenna, a first signal that is received by an identification transmitter antenna of a portable identification transmitter. The method also includes establishing at least one spatial component of a first electromagnetic field of the received first signal using an angle-resolving magnetic field sensor, emitting, by the second vehicle antenna, a second signal that is received by the portable identification transmitter antenna, and establishing at least one spatial component of the second electromagnetic field of the received second signal using the angle-resolving magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fredrik Hocke, Ralf Wistorf, Stefan Heinbockel, Helmut Wagatha
  • Patent number: 10611340
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle, having a first and second antenna spatially remote from one another, includes emitting, from the first vehicle antenna, a first signal that is received by an identification transmitter antenna of a portable identification transmitter. The method includes establishing at least one spatial component of a first electromagnetic field of the received first signal using an angle-resolving magnetic field sensor, emitting, by the second vehicle antenna, a second signal that is received by the portable identification transmitter antenna, and establishing at least one spatial component of the second electromagnetic field of the received second signal using the angle-resolving magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Heinbockel, Helmut Wagatha, Fredrik Hocke, Ralf Wistorf
  • Patent number: 10562494
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle, including a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are spaced apart from each other in space, by a portable identification device that has an identification device antenna. According to the method, it is determined whether the identification device is moving toward the motor vehicle, which can be determined by the identification device repeatedly identifying the field strength of the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and examining whether the field strength is increasing. Alternatively, the identification device can repeatedly identify the angle between the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and examine whether the repeatedly identified angles are increasing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Wagatha, Stefan Heinbockel, Ralf Wistorf, Fredrik Hocke
  • Patent number: 10543810
    Abstract: A motor includes at least a first and a second antenna, wherein the antennas are arranged spaced apart spatially from one another, by means of a portable identification signal generator which has an identification signal generator antenna. In order to improve the protection against tampering, the first vehicle antenna outputs a first signal which is received by the identification signal generator antenna. The identification signal generator determines at least one of the spatial components of the first electromagnetic field of the received first signal. The second vehicle antenna outputs a second signal which is received by the identification signal generator antenna. The identification signal generator determines at least one of the spatial components of the second electromagnetic field of the received second signal. The identification signal generator transmits the data to the vehicle. A computer determines the angle at least between the special components of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Heinbockel, Helmut Wagatha, Fredrik Hocke, Ralf Wistorf
  • Patent number: 10538219
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor, having at least one first vehicle antenna and one second vehicle antenna located at a spatial distance from one another, includes transmitting, by the first vehicle antenna, a first signal that is received by an identification provider antenna of a portable identification provider, and ascertaining, by the portable identification provider, at least one spatial component of a first electromagnetic field of the received first signal using an angle-resolving magnetic field sensor. The method also includes transmitting, by the second vehicle antenna, a second signal that is received by the identification provider antenna, and ascertaining, by the portable identification provider, at least one spatial component of a second electromagnetic field of the received second signal using the angle-resolving magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Fredrik Hocke, Ralf Wistorf, Stefan Heinbockel, Helmut Wagatha
  • Publication number: 20190061746
    Abstract: A method for automatic initiation of a vehicle function of a vehicle includes ascertaining a first location of an object at a first time in a surrounding area of the vehicle, and ascertaining a second location of the object at a second time in the surrounding area of the vehicle. The method also includes calculating a movement vector depending on the ascertained first location of the object at the first time and the ascertained second location of the object at the second time, determining a point of intersection between the movement vector and a virtual vehicle region, wherein the virtual vehicle region corresponds at least in part to a real vehicle region of the vehicle, and initiating a vehicle function of the vehicle in response to a point of intersection between the movement vector and a virtual vehicle region being present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Gabriele ABINGER, Stefan HEINBOCKEL, Thomas KLATTIG, Ralf WISTORF
  • Publication number: 20190023226
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle, having a first and second antenna spatially remote from one another, includes emitting, from the first vehicle antenna, a first signal that is received by an identification transmitter antenna of a portable identification transmitter. The method includes establishing at least one spatial component of a first electromagnetic field of the received first signal using an angle-resolving magnetic field sensor, emitting, by the second vehicle antenna, a second signal that is received by the portable identification transmitter antenna, and establishing at least one spatial component of the second electromagnetic field of the received second signal using the angle-resolving magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Stefan HEINBOCKEL, Helmut WAGATHA, Fredrik HOCKE, Ralf WISTORF
  • Publication number: 20190026967
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle having a first and second antenna spatially remote from one another, includes emitting, from the first vehicle antenna, a first signal that is received by an identification transmitter antenna of a portable identification transmitter. The method also includes establishing at least one spatial component of a first electromagnetic field of the received first signal using an angle-resolving magnetic field sensor, emitting, by the second vehicle antenna, a second signal that is received by the portable identification transmitter antenna, and establishing at least one spatial component of the second electromagnetic field of the received second signal using the angle-resolving magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Fredrik HOCKE, Ralf WISTORF, Stefan HEINBOCKEL, Helmut Name Suffix
  • Publication number: 20190023225
    Abstract: A motor includes at least a first and a second antenna, wherein the antennas are arranged spaced apart spatially from one another, by means of a portable identification signal generator which has an identification signal generator antenna. In order to improve the protection against tampering, the first vehicle antenna outputs a first signal which is received by the identification signal generator antenna. The identification signal generator determines at least one of the spatial components of the first electromagnetic field of the received first signal. The second vehicle antenna outputs a second signal which is received by the identification signal generator antenna. The identification signal generator determines at least one of the spatial components of the second electromagnetic field of the received second signal. The identification signal generator transmits the data to the vehicle. A computer determines the angle at least between the special components of the signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Stefan HEINBOCKEL, Helmut WAGATHA, Fredrik HOCKE, Ralf WISTORF
  • Publication number: 20190016304
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor, having at least one first vehicle antenna and one second vehicle antenna located at a spatial distance from one another, includes transmitting, by the first vehicle antenna, a first signal that is received by an identification provider antenna of a portable identification provider, and ascertaining, by the portable identification provider, at least one spatial component of a first electromagnetic field of the received first signal using an angle-resolving magnetic field sensor. The method also includes transmitting, by the second vehicle antenna, a second signal that is received by the identification provider antenna, and ascertaining, by the portable identification provider, at least one spatial component of a second electromagnetic field of the received second signal using the angle-resolving magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Fredrik Hocke, Ralf Wistorf, Stefan Heinbockel, Helmut Wagatha
  • Publication number: 20180290624
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle by a portable identification transmitter is provided. According to the method, a first vehicle antenna emits a first signal, which is received by an identification-transmitter antenna. The identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of the first electromagnetic field of the received first signal. A second vehicle antenna emits a second signal, which is received by the identification-transmitter antenna. The identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of the second electromagnetic field of the received second signal. A computer determines the angle between the determined spatial component of the first electromagnetic field and the determined spatial component of the second electromagnetic field. The identification transmitter transmits an authorization signal for authorizing use of the motor vehicle to the motor vehicle only if the angle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Helmut WAGATHA, Stefan HEINBOCKEL, Fredrik HOCKE, Ralf WISTORF
  • Publication number: 20180290625
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle, in particular a two-wheeled or four-wheeled motor vehicle, which has a first and a second antenna where the first antenna and the second antenna are spaced apart from each other, by a portable identification device which has an identification transmitter antenna. In order to increase the manipulation security of a known method, it is determined whether the identification device is moving toward the motor vehicle. This can on the one hand be determined in that the identification device repeatedly identifies the field strength of the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and identifies whether the field strength or field strengths is or are increasing. This can on the other hand be determined in that the identification device repeatedly determines the angle between the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and examines whether the repeatedly determined angles are increasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Helmut WAGATHA, Stefan Heinbockel, Ralf Wistorf, Fredrik Hocke
  • Publication number: 20180290626
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle, including a first antenna and a second antenna, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are spaced apart from each other in space, by a portable identification device that has an identification device antenna. According to the method, it is determined whether the identification device is moving toward the motor vehicle, which can be determined by the identification device repeatedly identifying the field strength of the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and examining whether the field strength is increasing. Alternatively, the identification device can repeatedly identify the angle between the signals emitted by the motor vehicle and examine whether the repeatedly identified angles are increasing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Helmut WAGATHA, Stefan HEINBOCKEL, Ralf WISTORF, Fredrik HOCKE
  • Publication number: 20180290623
    Abstract: A method for authorizing the use of a motor vehicle by a portable identification transmitter is provided. According to the method, a first vehicle antenna emits a first signal and a second vehicle antenna emits a second signal. An identification transmitter determines at least one of the spatial components of first and second electromagnetic fields, respectively, of the first and second signals. The identification transmitter transmits a measure or a value for the at least one spatial component of the first electromagnetic field, and a measure or a value for the at least one spatial component of the second electromagnetic field to the motor vehicle. A computer determines an angle between the spatial components of the first and second electromagnetic fields. The motor vehicle transmits an authorization signal for authorizing use of the motor vehicle only if the angle exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Fredrik HOCKE, Helmut WAGATHA, Stefan HEINBOCKEL, Ralf WISTORF
  • Publication number: 20180113190
    Abstract: A method is provided for generating reference data for determining a position of objects relative to a vehicle. The method includes: determining a measured value of a radio signal for each position of an object from a predetermined number of positions of the object in at least two spatial zones of the vehicle; determining focal points for the determined measured values in each spatial zone of the vehicle, wherein each focal point represents a group of determined measured values in one of the defined spatial zones of the vehicle; and storing the focal points as reference data for determination of the position of objects in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventors: Ralf WISTORF, Stefan HEINBOCKEL