Patents by Inventor Ronald Muetzel
Ronald Muetzel 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: 10115284Abstract: An early alert system may comprise a data processing unit and a plurality of monitoring units distributed in a defined area. Each of the plurality of monitoring units is configured to detect physical information associated with a fluid. The data processing unit is configured to receive physical information associated with a fluid from a plurality of monitoring units that are distributed in a defined area; calculate a flow field associated with the fluid within the defined area based on the physical information associated with the fluid that is received from the plurality of monitoring units; predict future physical information associated with the fluid at a target coordinate in the defined area based on the flow field; and send a message associated with the predicted future physical information to a receiver upon receipt of a trigger signal associated with the predicted future physical information.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Patent number: 9871673Abstract: A telemetry network may be a communication network that comprises a plurality of telemetry devices. The plurality of telemetry devices may comprise a parent device and at least one child device. The parent device may be capable of sending data to and receiving data from an external network outside the communication network; and the child device may connect to the parent device and may be capable of sending data to and receiving data from the parent device and communicating with the external network via the parent device. Each telemetry device of the plurality of telemetry devices may provide an individual local network to end users.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Patent number: 9214073Abstract: A container alert system may include an actuator with a generator that creates electrical energy upon activation of the actuator. The system may utilize the electrical energy to transmit a signal to a receiver based on characteristics of the container, such as use of the container, volume of the material in the container, available capacity of the container, material being added to the container, and location of the container.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Patent number: 9142064Abstract: The present application is related to an vehicle driving mode detection system. The system may comprise a sensor interface and a processor. The sensor interface may be configured to receive measurement data associated with a plurality of operating parameters of a vehicle; and send the measurement data to a processor. The processor may be configured to execute a set of instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium to receive the measurement data from the sensor interface; determine a driving mode of the vehicle based on the measurement data; compare the driving mode of the vehicle with a first reference driving mode of the vehicle; produce an alert signal when the driving mode is substantially different from a first reference driving mode; and send the alert signal to an information center remote to the sensor unit when a predetermined condition occurs.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Sabine Ibele, Thomas Roesch
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Patent number: 9092914Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for detecting vehicle efficiency and recognizing a vehicle defect. A vehicle operating parameter may be measured and recorded at a specific vehicle location. The measurement may be compared to prior measurements of the same operating parameter at the same location previously recorded for the same vehicle or a comparable vehicle. A vehicle defect may be detected where the measurement shows a statistical deviation from previous measurements. The vehicle's operator, owner, lessee, or lessor may be notified of the defect.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Patent number: 9049564Abstract: A vehicle may include a vehicle broadcasting system for providing occupant interaction between one or more vehicle occupants. The on-board device may receive communications from occupants in the vehicle or from a different vehicle within a predetermined communication range. Vehicle occupants may send communications to the on-board device through a communication device, e.g., a cell phone, or through a user interface in the vehicle. The vehicle broadcasting system may implement any number of interaction functionalities, such as supporting a conversation between vehicle occupants, interactive video, game, quiz, karaoke, or other occupant interactions.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Sabine Ibele, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20150042479Abstract: An early alert system may comprise a data processing unit and a plurality of monitoring units distributed in a defined area. Each of the plurality of monitoring units is configured to detect physical information associated with a fluid. The data processing unit is configured to receive physical information associated with a fluid from a plurality of monitoring units that are distributed in a defined area; calculate a flow field associated with the fluid within the defined area based on the physical information associated with the fluid that is received from the plurality of monitoring units; predict future physical information associated with the fluid at a target coordinate in the defined area based on the flow field; and send a message associated with the predicted future physical information to a receiver upon receipt of a trigger signal associated with the predicted future physical information.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20150046046Abstract: The present application is related to an vehicle driving mode detection system. The system may comprise a sensor interface and a processor. The sensor interface may be configured to receive measurement data associated with a plurality of operating parameters of a vehicle; and send the measurement data to a processor. The processor may be configured to execute a set of instructions stored in a computer-readable storage medium to receive the measurement data from the sensor interface; determine a driving mode of the vehicle based on the measurement data; compare the driving mode of the vehicle with a first reference driving mode of the vehicle; produce an alert signal when the driving mode is substantially different from a first reference driving mode; and send the alert signal to an information center remote to the sensor unit when a predetermined condition occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Sabine Ibele, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20150042472Abstract: A non-battery powered wireless security system may include one or more sensors. Each sensor may include a switch and a generator that creates electrical energy upon activation or motion of the switch in response to a change in condition of the location of the sensor. The system may utilize the electrical energy to transmit a security event signal to a receiver based on characteristics associated with the sensor, such as movement of the switch, location of the sensor, and time of sending the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20150042470Abstract: A personal emergency response system may include an actuator with a generator that creates electrical energy upon activation or motion of the switch. The system may utilize the electrical energy to transmit an emergency alert signal to a receiver based on characteristics of the switch, such as movement of the switch, location of the switch, and time of sending the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20150040840Abstract: An animal tracking system may include an actuator with a generator that creates electrical energy upon motion of the actuator. The system may utilize the electrical energy to transmit a signal to determine the location of an animal. The system also utilizes the electrical energy to notify the animal when it reaches a predefined location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20150046362Abstract: Described are a system and methods for forecasting a delivery time and updating the forecasted delivery time of an object when a delay occurs. The delay of delivery may be determined based on information of a delivery vehicle provided by an on-board device or delivery status of the object stored in a delivery server. A historic delivery time to a place corresponding to the destination of the object or data collected from an outside service provider may be used for detecting delay condition of the delivery. A delivery service provider, a sender or a recipient may be notified of the delay or an updated delivery time.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20150042482Abstract: A container alert system may include an actuator with a generator that creates electrical energy upon activation of the actuator. The system may utilize the electrical energy to transmit a signal to a receiver based on characteristics of the container, such as use of the container, volume of the material in the container, available capacity of the container, material being added to the container, and location of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20140376778Abstract: A license plate recognition system may include a vehicle and an analysis server. The vehicle may include an image capture device and an on-board device. The image capture device may capture a vehicle image that includes a license plate of a target vehicle. The on-board device may capture various vehicle data of the target vehicle, such as speed, direction, and location. The analysis server may receive and process the vehicle image and/or vehicle data to determine whether alert criteria are met, e.g., if the target vehicle is stolen. If so, the analysis server may send an alert indication to the vehicle that may include a possible current location of the target vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20140379205Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for detecting vehicle efficiency and recognizing a vehicle defect. A vehicle operating parameter may be measured and recorded at a specific vehicle location. The measurement may be compared to prior measurements of the same operating parameter at the same location previously recorded for the same vehicle or a comparable vehicle. A vehicle defect may be detected where the measurement shows a statistical deviation from previous measurements. The vehicle's operator, owner, lessee, or lessor may be notified of the defect.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20140379170Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described for selecting a drive strategy based on a vehicle location. A vehicle's location may be received and used to select a drive strategy for that particularly location. The location may also be used to select a geo zone that encompasses the location. The selected drive strategy may also be based on the geo zone. The vehicle may then enforce the drive strategy such that the vehicle's operation complies with or follows the drive strategy.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20140375807Abstract: A vehicle may be equipped with one or more cameras, each of which may be connected to a storage medium. In turn, the storage medium may be connected to a transmitter that may be used to transmit images (still or video) to a remote server. Image capture may be triggered by various occurrences, events, or signals. An input device, including but not limited to, a button, switch, or voice-activated interface, may be used to trigger image capture.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2013Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20140222324Abstract: A traffic condition detection system is provided for accessing traffic detection units and obtaining traffic data from the accessed traffic detection units. By analyzing the obtained traffic data, an end to a traffic congestion pattern may be estimated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Inventors: Ronald Muetzel, Thomas Roesch
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Publication number: 20140220966Abstract: A vehicle may include a vehicle broadcasting system for providing occupant interaction between one or more vehicle occupants. The on-board device may receive communications from occupants in the vehicle or from a different vehicle within a predetermined communication range. Vehicle occupants may send communications to the on-board device through a communication device, e.g., a cell phone, or through a user interface in the vehicle. The vehicle broadcasting system may implement any number of interaction functionalities, such as supporting a conversation between vehicle occupants, interactive video, game, quiz, karaoke, or other occupant interactions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: Ronald Muetzel, Sabine Ibele, Thomas Roesch
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Patent number: 7814806Abstract: A method and apparatus for cycling a neutral switch of an automated mechanical transmission includes software which, either independently or by operator command through a shift actuator having side-to-side motion capability and sensors, controls a select piston and cylinder assembly to provide shift rail motion along a transverse axis of the transmission which simulates operator commanded motion of a shift rail of a conventional (manual) transmission as the operator checks for neutral. Such activity may release a malfunctioning neutral switch thereby providing a proper neutral indication to associated transmission and engine components to, for example, permit starting of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AGInventors: James H. DeVore, Rudolf Kalthoff, Rupert Kramer, Ronald Muetzel, Robert Sayman, Mario Steinborn