Patents by Inventor Robert A. Schmidt

Robert A. Schmidt 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: 8620556
    Abstract: A correction method in which characteristic curves and/or correction values are produced, by way of which the drive current for one or more electrically activated hydraulic values operated in an analog fashion is measured during a pressure regulation in such a way that, during the operation of an anti-lock regulation, one or a respective characteristic curve is first prescribed and then the prescribed characteristic curve is corrected, particularly in a learning process, wherein, after a pressure build-up phase, the current pressure model value (Pmod) is compared to and/or analyzed using a model locking pressure level (Pmax).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Jochen Müller, Jochen Zimmermann, Robert Schmidt, Dieter Burkhard
  • Publication number: 20130333466
    Abstract: A probe unit comprising a probe housing, an at least sectionally rod-shaped, probe electrode, a supplemental electrode, which surrounds the probe electrode at least sectionally coaxially and is isolated from the probe electrode by an electrical insulation. A first securement means, by means of which the supplemental electrode is secured in the probe housing is included, and a contacting module, which is mountable on a rod-shaped section of the probe electrode arranged in the probe housing, and which has a flexible circuit board having at least one first conductive trace for electrically contacting the probe electrode and at least one second conductive trace for electrically contacting the supplemental electrode, and a second securement means for securing the contacting module on the probe electrode are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Schmidt, Andreas Krumbholz
  • Patent number: 8610013
    Abstract: A rotary switch assembly includes a knob, a wheel joined to the knob, a first frame that moves toward the wheel, a second frame joined to the first frame, and a shape memory alloy member made from a shape memory alloy and joined to the second frame. The shape memory alloy member changes shape, and the second frame transforms the changing shape of the shape memory alloy member into movement of the first frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Schmidt, Charles B. Banter
  • Publication number: 20130332030
    Abstract: A vehicle sensor device, which includes at least one sensor for detecting the yaw rate of a vehicle, at least one sensor for detecting the lateral acceleration of a vehicle, at least one computing unit and at least one interface of a data bus, especially CAN or FlexRay, via which the sensor signals or sensor data derived therefrom can be transmitted to at least one electronic control device. According to an aspect of the invention, a steering angle sensor is integrated with the other sensors in a housing, and the computing unit carries out plausibility checking and/or calibration of the yaw rate signals and/or the lateral acceleration signals and/or the steering angle signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & CO. OHG
    Inventors: Vladimir Koukes, Ralf Herbst, Rainer Kitz, Robert Schmidt, Peter Wanke
  • Patent number: 8566692
    Abstract: A method of decoding, composing and rendering a scene. First information is obtained, the first information including a part of a MPEG-4 BIFS scene description stream and at least one coded MPEG-4 media stream. The first information is decoded by invoking a BIFS scene decoder and one or more specific media decoders that are required by the scene. Second information is obtained, the second information including a second part of a BIFS scene description stream that contains a reference to an external application. The second information is decoded by invoking the BIFS scene decoder and an external application decoder. An integrated scene is composed, the integrated scene including one or more decoded MPEG-4 media objects and one or more external application objects specified in the decoded scene descriptions streams. The composed integrated scene is rendered on a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Lai-tee Cheok, Atul Puri, Robert Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8554533
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for advancing time in a distributed business process simulation are disclosed. The methods and apparatus simulate an interdependent business process, such as a financial transaction system, in a secure distributed manner. Each business entity that is part of the interdependent business process models itself on a local client device at any chosen level of detail. A simulation server connects the separate client based simulations into one large simulation. Details of each local simulation may be hidden from other simulation participants. However, interruptions in business flow caused by simulated disruptions introduced at the simulation server and/or a client device are propagated to all of the effected simulation participants via the simulation server. In addition, simulation time may be warped from one breakpoint to another breakpoint thereby facilitating an efficient ratio of simulation time to real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Norwich University Applied Research Institutes
    Inventors: Andrew Cutts, Robert Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8550390
    Abstract: A food homogenizer is provided, including a base with a driving motor and a homogenizer assembly removably coupled to the base. The homogenizer assembly includes a homogenizing chamber, an inlet chute, and an exit spout. A shredder is disposed within the homogenizing chamber and is driven by the driving motor to homogenize food ingredients into a soft texture with a similar consistency as ice cream or sherbet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Healthy Foods, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Louis Machovina, Robert Johnson, Robert Schmidt, Winston Breeden, Douglas Edward Whitner, Eileen McHale
  • Publication number: 20130239413
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hair removal apparatus (100) having a base body (10) and a slide (20), which is mounted thereon to be movable (displaceably). At least one wet shaver unit (40) comprising a razor blade, such as a blade cartridge for wet shaving, is mounted on the slide. Due to the mobility of the slide (20), this wet shaver unit (40) is protected from damage in the event of impact of the hair removal apparatus, e.g., in a fall to the floor. Certain target positions of the slide (20) can be secured with a slip clutch, such that they become unlocked on exceeding a minimum force that is acting and thereby release a movement of the slide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Fischer, Cirilo Javier Perez-Lopez, Robert Schmidt, Andreas Larscheid
  • Patent number: 8509994
    Abstract: In a method for determining a steering angle for a vehicle, a steering angle is determined using a single-track model of the vehicle, wherein the steering angle is corrected only if the difference between the derivative of a measured steering lock angle and the derivative of a calculated steering lock angle is below a threshold value. Otherwise the measurement is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. OHG
    Inventors: Vladimir Koukes, Ralf Herbst, Mathias Niepelt, Robert Schmidt, Jochen Führer
  • Publication number: 20130151066
    Abstract: Method and control device for determining a steering angle of a motor vehicle, wherein a theoretical steering angle is calculated by a vehicle model and a measured steering angle is determined with a steering angle sensor, and the difference between the measured and theoretical steering angles is determined, wherein at least one data record including a number of successive measured values is acquired, and a correction constant for the measured steering angle is determined from the mean value of the differences between the theoretical steering angle and the measured steering angle. According to the invention, a confidence level, which changes incrementally between successive data records, is calculated by travel conditions present during the acquisition of the data record and/or an analysis of the data record.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventors: Vladimir Koukes, Robert Schmidt, Mathias Niepelt, Jochen Führer, Ralf Herbst
  • Publication number: 20130151423
    Abstract: Systems and methods that provide for valuing data are discussed herein. These systems and methods can provide for determining an initial measure of value of the data asset and calculating a baseline monetary ratio based at least in part on the initial measure of value. Additionally, the innovation can include measuring one or more quality factors associated with the data asset, measuring a utility associated with the data asset, calculating a new measure of value of the data asset based at least in part on the baseline monetary ratio, the utility, and the one or more quality factors, and reporting the new measure of value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
    Inventors: Robert Schmidt, Jennifer T. Fisher
  • Patent number: 8458908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hair removal apparatus (100) having a base body (10) and a slide (20), which is mounted thereon to be movable (displaceably). At least one wet shaver unit (40) comprising a razor blade, such as a blade cartridge for wet shaving, is mounted on the slide. Due to the mobility of the slide (20), this wet shaver unit (40) is protected from damage in the event of impact of the hair removal apparatus, e.g., in a fall to the floor. Certain target positions of the slide (20) can be secured with a slip clutch, such that they become unlocked on exceeding a minimum force that is acting and thereby release a movement of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Fischer, Xavier Perez-Lopez, Robert Schmidt, Andreas Larscheid
  • Patent number: 8370123
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for simulating a distributed business process are disclosed. The methods and apparatus simulate an interdependent business process, such as a financial transaction system, in a secure distributed manner. Each business entity that is part of the interdependent business process models itself on a local client device at any chosen level of detail. A simulation server connects the separate client based simulations into one large simulation. Details of each local simulation may be hidden from other simulation participants. However, interruptions in business flow caused by simulated disruptions introduced at the simulation server and/or a client device are propagated to all of the effected simulation participants via the simulation server. In addition, if a client based model is not available, the server supplies a software agent to replace the inputs and outputs normally associated with that portion of the overall simulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Norwich University Applied Research Institutes
    Inventors: Andrew Cutts, Robert Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20130026818
    Abstract: An electronic control device for a pressure controller, by way of which solenoid valves for pressure control are actuated with current via an actuating electronic system, and having a pump assembly is actuated as a function of a pressure request, which generates a volumetric flow with a periodically fluctuating amplitude. The wheel brake circuit isolating valve, during an active pressure build-up, discharging part of the delivery volume into a reservoir volume, at least in the case of a control operation which performs an intervention for driving stability which is not critical to safety, if the pressure which is built up by the assembly is higher than the pressure which is to be set, the electric coil current for the actuation of the isolating valve is modulated and the periodic actuation being interrupted at least when the control device has to carry out an intervention for driving stability which is critical to safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL TEVES AG & CO. OAG
    Inventors: Robert Schmidt, Joachim Bohn, Michael Hitzel
  • Patent number: 8359658
    Abstract: A secure framework for authoring and execution of user-entered database scripts, rules, procedures and other forms of programming is provided. A performance management application is used as an interface between a client data modeling, manipulation or analysis application and one or more data sources or analysis services to prevent malicious or inadvertent implementation of harmful, damaging and/or unauthorized new or modified scripts, rules, procedures or other forms of programming to one or more data sources or data analysis/manipulation services that may be used for retrieving, storing, modifying or using data contained in or affected by the one or more data sources or data analysis/manipulation services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Sanjay Jacob, Robert L. Vogt, Kevin Robert Schmidt, Xiaohong Mark Yang, Peiyuan Yan
  • Publication number: 20120310604
    Abstract: In some implementations, there may be provide a method for modeling and simulation. The method may include generating a model of an object, wherein the model defines at least a surface of the object, wherein the surface comprises a plurality of patches generated based on a function (e.g., a spline, a T-spline, a non-uniform rational B-spline, and the like); presenting, at a user interface, the surface of the object in accordance with the model; inserting into the model of the object a bending strip between a first patch on the surface and a second patch on the surface; performing an analysis of the model including the bending strip, the first patch, and the second patch; and presenting, at the user interface, a three-dimensional representation of the object including a result of the analysis. Related system, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Yuri Bazilevs, Ming-Chen Hsu, Kai-Uwe Bletzinger, Michael Breitenberger, Roland Wuechner, Josef Kiendl, Robert Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20120292358
    Abstract: A cargo carrier adapted to be removably mounted to a roof of a vehicle includes a body portion and an interior space defined by the body portion. The cargo carrier further includes a lid portion that provides access to the interior space. The lid portion is releasably attachable to the body portion by relative linear motion between the lid portion and the body portion. The cargo carrier further includes at least one mechanical fastening assembly slidingly engageable with a complementary fastening assembly, wherein the mechanical fastening assembly prevents relative motion between the lid portion and the body portion. Another embodiment of the cargo carrier includes a lid cover constructed to coact with a space defined by the lid portion and the body portion. The lid cover creates mechanical interference to prevent relative linear motion between the lid portion and the body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: WINSTON PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: Thaddeus T. Brej, Curtis Patrick Taylor, Winston Breeden, Robert Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20120247934
    Abstract: A rotary switch assembly includes a knob, a wheel joined to the knob, a first frame that moves toward the wheel, a second frame joined to the first frame, and a shape memory alloy member made from a shape memory alloy and joined to the second frame. The shape memory alloy member changes shape, and the second frame transforms the changing shape of the shape memory alloy member into movement of the first frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Robert SCHMIDT, Charles B. BANTER
  • Patent number: 8249692
    Abstract: A device for positioning at least one ultrasound probe of an ultrasound apparatus can include a recording device for recording an object and an evaluating unit that evaluates data corresponding to the object obtained from the recording device. A computational unit can generate positional data for the at least one ultrasound probe of the ultrasound apparatus. The device can be used for setting at least one parameter of the ultrasound apparatus based on data obtained by the recording device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Stefan Vilsmeier, Alexander Pfäffle, Robert Schmidt
  • Patent number: D682606
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Healthy Foods, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Louis Machovina, Robert Johnson, Robert Schmidt, Winston Breeden, Douglas Edward Whitner, Eileen McHale