Patents by Inventor Simon Hainz

Simon Hainz 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).

  • Publication number: 20180017607
    Abstract: A sensor system having a current interface includes a supply and current interface, an electronic control unit and an enhanced initialization sensor. The supply and current interface is configured to receive a supply voltage. The electronic control unit is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is configured to initialize the supply and current interface at a suitable current level to mitigate erroneous information. measurement system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Christoph Schroers, Christof Bodner, Simon Hainz
  • Patent number: 9869568
    Abstract: A sensing system and method for correcting an input waveform from a coded wheel. The coded wheel is configured to generate a signal that varies with rotation of the coded wheel relative to a sensor. The sensor is configured to sense the varying signal and output a corresponding input waveform. A correction module is configured to receive the input waveform and compare the input waveform to at least one stored waveform and to correct the input waveform if a defect is detected in the coded wheel in response to the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Simon Hainz, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Ernst Katzmaier
  • Patent number: 9805525
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an error signal for a control unit, the error signal indicating a malfunction of a sensor unit. The apparatus includes an input module configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor unit, the sensor signal being a periodic signal between an upper level and a lower level of a physical quantity. Further, the apparatus includes a determination module configured to determine the malfunction of the sensor unit and an output module configured to provide the error signal indicating the malfunction for the control unit. The error signal comprises a predetermined level of the physical quantity which differs from the upper level and from the lower level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Peter Slama, Friedrich Rasbornig, Simon Hainz, Kirk Herfurth, Robert Hermann
  • Patent number: 9784779
    Abstract: A sensor system having a current interface includes a supply and current interface, an electronic control unit and an enhanced initialization sensor. The supply and current interface is configured to receive a supply voltage. The electronic control unit is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is configured to initialize the supply and current interface at a suitable current level to mitigate erroneous information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Christoph Schroers, Christof Bodner, Simon Hainz
  • Publication number: 20170241812
    Abstract: A magnetic circuit may include a magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor may determine an adjustment factor associated with calculating a variable switching threshold. The variable switching threshold may be a configurable switching threshold based on which the magnetic sensor provides outputs associated with a speed signal corresponding to a rotation of a tooth wheel. The magnetic sensor may provide an output, associated with the speed signal, based on the variable switching threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Klaus GRAMBICHLER, Tobias WERTH, Simon HAINZ
  • Publication number: 20170195754
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a memory circuit and a transmission circuit. The transmission circuit sends a first data signal to an external receiver in a first state of a read-out-mode of the sensor device, if an oscillation period of the oscillating quantity is longer than a period threshold. Further, the transmission circuit sends a second data signal to the external receiver in a second state of the read-out-mode, if the oscillation period of the oscillating quantity is shorter than the period threshold. The second data signal contains information on at least one of a first local extremum sensor data value and a succeeding second local extremum sensor data value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: Klaus Grambichler, Simon Hainz, Catalina-Petruta Juglan
  • Patent number: 9680635
    Abstract: A sensor subassembly having a memory unit for storing a sensor data value from the sensor subassembly and a transmission unit for sending a data signal with information about the stored sensor data value to an external receiver at a data rate that is dependent on a clock frequency of a clock signal produced by the sensor subassembly. The transmission unit sends the data signal with the information about the stored sensor data value on the basis of a piece of trigger information in an externally received control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Simon Hainz
  • Patent number: 9677911
    Abstract: At least one embodiment relates to magnetic field sensors being operable at different calibration modes, wherein the magnetic sensor is capable of switching between the different calibration modes during normal operation of the sensor. The switching may be possible in response to different motion types detected within the sensor. Such sensors may be used in vehicles such as cars, the sensors for example being part of the engine control system or the ABS. Another embodiment relates to a method of changing calibration modes during operation of sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Klaus Grambichler, Simon Hainz
  • Publication number: 20170150240
    Abstract: A signal generator comprises a signal provider and a signal processing unit. The signal provider is configured to provide a sensor signal indicating a repeatedly detected event, occurring within differing time intervals. The signal processing unit is configured to generate a transmit signal based on the sensor signal. The transmit signal comprises event information representing the temporal occurrence of the event and additional information representing additional data. The event information comprises pulses associated to detected events, wherein the pulses are temporarily separated within the transmit signal according to the differing time intervals of detected events so that each time interval of the differing time intervals comprises one pulse associated to a detected event. Further, the additional data comprises at least one frame comprising a predefined number of additional data bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Simon Hainz, Tobias Werth, Michael Westpfahl, Robert Hermann, Lorenzo Coceani, Dirk Hammerschmidt
  • Publication number: 20170122772
    Abstract: A circuit for obtaining information on a physical quantity according to an embodiment includes a sensor arrangement sensitive to the physical quantity, at least one further sensor element sensitive to the physical quantity and a supply circuit configured to provide the sensor arrangement with a supply signal comprising a supply voltage controlled by the supply circuit in a closed-loop configuration. The supply circuit is further configured to provide the at least one further sensor element with a further supply signal comprising a further supply current such that a magnitude of the further supply current fulfills a predetermined relationship with a magnitude of a supply current of the supply signal. As a consequence, it may be possible to improve a trade-off between an improved compensation of variations, simplifying an implementation, simplifying the manufacturing, simplifying the sensing and providing stable sensing conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Alessandro Michelutti, Bernhard Schaffer, Wolfgang Horn, Simon Hainz
  • Publication number: 20170092024
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an error signal for a control unit, the error signal indicating a malfunction of a sensor unit. The apparatus includes an input module configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor unit, the sensor signal being a periodic signal between an upper level and a lower level of a physical quantity. Further, the apparatus includes a determination module configured to determine the malfunction of the sensor unit and an output module configured to provide the error signal indicating the malfunction for the control unit. The error signal comprises a predetermined level of the physical quantity which differs from the upper level and from the lower level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Slama, Friedrich Rasbornig, Simon Hainz, Kirk Herfurth, Robert Hermann
  • Patent number: 9488505
    Abstract: A circuit for obtaining information on a physical quantity according to an embodiment includes a sensor arrangement sensitive to the physical quantity, at least one further sensor element sensitive to the physical quantity and a supply circuit configured to provide the sensor arrangement with a supply signal comprising a supply voltage controlled by the supply circuit in a closed-loop configuration. The supply circuit is further configured to provide the at least one further sensor element with a further supply signal comprising a further supply current such that a magnitude of the further supply current fulfills a predetermined relationship with a magnitude of a supply current of the supply signal. As a consequence, it may be possible to improve a trade-off between an improved compensation of variations, simplifying an implementation, simplifying the manufacturing, simplifying the sensing and providing stable sensing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alessandro Michelutti, Bernhard Schaffer, Wolfgang Horn, Simon Hainz
  • Patent number: 9465683
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an error signal for a control unit, the error signal indicating a malfunction of a sensor unit. The apparatus includes an input module configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor unit, the sensor signal being a periodic signal between an upper level and a lower level of a physical quantity. Further, the apparatus includes a determination module configured to determine the malfunction of the sensor unit and an output module configured to provide the error signal indicating the malfunction for the control unit. The error signal comprises a predetermined level of the physical quantity which differs from the upper level and from the lower level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Peter Slama, Friedrich Rasbornig, Simon Hainz, Kirk Herfurth
  • Publication number: 20160211837
    Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for outputting a protocol pulse based on a speed signal representing speed of an object. The apparatus includes a zero-crossing circuit, and a delay circuit. The zero-crossing circuit is configured to output the protocol pulse at a zero-crossing of the speed signal. The delay circuit is coupled to the output of the zero-crossing circuit and configured to delay the protocol pulse. A first edge of the protocol pulse is asynchronous with a clock, and a second edge of the protocol pulse is synchronous with the clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Simon Hainz, Theodor Kranz, Hubert Fischer, Tobias Werth
  • Publication number: 20160004585
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing an error signal for a control unit, the error signal indicating a malfunction of a sensor unit. The apparatus includes an input module configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor unit, the sensor signal being a periodic signal between an upper level and a lower level of a physical quantity. Further, the apparatus includes a determination module configured to determine the malfunction of the sensor unit and an output module configured to provide the error signal indicating the malfunction for the control unit. The error signal comprises a predetermined level of the physical quantity which differs from the upper level and from the lower level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Peter Slama, Friedrich Rasbornig, Simon Hainz, Kirk Herfurth
  • Publication number: 20150247889
    Abstract: A sensor system having a current interface includes a supply and current interface, an electronic control unit and an enhanced initialization sensor. The supply and current interface is configured to receive a supply voltage. The electronic control unit is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is coupled to the supply and current interface. The enhanced initialization sensor is configured to initialize the supply and current interface at a suitable current level to mitigate erroneous information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Christoph Schroers, Christof Bodner, Simon Hainz
  • Publication number: 20150229469
    Abstract: A sensor subassembly having a memory unit for storing a sensor data value from the sensor subassembly and a transmission unit for sending a data signal with information about the stored sensor data value to an external receiver at a data rate that is dependent on a clock frequency of a clock signal produced by the sensor subassembly. The transmission unit sends the data signal with the information about the stored sensor data value on the basis of a piece of trigger information in an externally received control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventor: Simon Hainz
  • Publication number: 20150211889
    Abstract: At least one embodiment relates to magnetic field sensors being operable at different calibration modes, wherein the magnetic sensor is capable of switching between the different calibration modes during normal operation of the sensor. The switching may be possible in response to different motion types detected within the sensor. Such sensors may be used in vehicles such as cars, the sensors for example being part of the engine control system or the ABS. Another embodiment relates to a method of changing calibration modes during operation of sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Klaus Grambichler, Simon Hainz
  • Publication number: 20150137800
    Abstract: A sensing system and method. A coded wheel is configured to generate a signal that varies with rotation of the coded wheel. A sensor is configured to sense the varying signal and output a corresponding signal. A correction module is configured to receive the signal output by the sensor and compare the received signal to a stored signal and detect a defect in the coded wheel in response to the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Simon Hainz, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Ernst Katzmaier
  • Publication number: 20150115932
    Abstract: A circuit for obtaining information on a physical quantity according to an embodiment includes a sensor arrangement sensitive to the physical quantity, at least one further sensor element sensitive to the physical quantity and a supply circuit configured to provide the sensor arrangement with a supply signal comprising a supply voltage controlled by the supply circuit in a closed-loop configuration. The supply circuit is further configured to provide the at least one further sensor element with a further supply signal comprising a further supply current such that a magnitude of the further supply current fulfills a predetermined relationship with a magnitude of a supply current of the supply signal. As a consequence, it may be possible to improve a trade-off between an improved compensation of variations, simplifying an implementation, simplifying the manufacturing, simplifying the sensing and providing stable sensing conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Alessandro Michelutti, Bernhard Schaffer, Wolfgang Horn, Simon Hainz