Patents by Inventor Stefan KNOLLER

Stefan KNOLLER 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: 11498557
    Abstract: A longitudinally guiding driver assistance system in a motor vehicle has a first detection system for detecting currently applying events or relevant events lying ahead, which require a change of the permissible maximum speed, a second detection system for detecting the course of the route, and a function unit which, when detecting a relevant event while taking into account the location of the relevant event, determines a location-dependent point in time, whose reaching causes the function unit to initiate an automatic adaptation of the currently permissible maximum speed or an output of a prompt information for permitting an automatic adaptation of the currently permissible maximum speed to anew permissible maximum speed. The function unit is designed to take into account available information concerning the course of the route when determining the location-dependent point in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Knoller
  • Patent number: 11364907
    Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle takes into consideration a target speed, in particular in order to regulate the speed at a specified target speed, and includes a detection system for detecting upcoming events which require an adaptation of the target speed; a functional unit which triggers a request notification output to approve an automatic adaptation of the target speed to a new target speed at a defined point in time when an upcoming event is detected that requires an adaptation of the target speed; a notification system for outputting the request notification to the driver after the defined point in time; and an operating element which is designed to allow a clearance to approve the automatic adaptation to the new target speed when the request notification has been output and the operating element has been actuated. In response to the clearance, the functional unit automatically triggers the adaptation of the target speed to the new target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Knoller
  • Patent number: 11292448
    Abstract: A longitudinal driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes a capture system configured to detect upcoming relevant events which require adaptation of a predefined maximum permissible top speed, and a functional unit which, upon detecting an upcoming relevant event, is configured to determine, based on a location of the upcoming relevant event, a first location or first time, the reaching of which causes the functional unit to output a notification to a driver of the vehicle relating to an automatic adaptation of the maximum permissible top speed. The functional unit is also configured to determine a second location or time to be reached after the first location or first time, respectively, the reaching of which causes the functional unit to intervene in a longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle in a direction of a new maximum permissible top speed at the location of the upcoming relevant event if there is no driver-initiated refusal of the automatic adaptation of the maximum permissible top speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Ulrich, Stefan Knoller, Walter Kagerer, Andreas Lechner
  • Patent number: 11110921
    Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle has a detection system for identifying events ahead that, on account of a currently valid speed limit being lifted, allow the current speed to be increased, and a functional unit for ascertaining an at least two-stage acceleration strategy for increasing the speed, wherein the first stage of the acceleration strategy can be implemented at most up to the location of the event ahead and the second stage of the acceleration strategy can be implemented at the earliest starting from the location of the event ahead. The implementation is started at a defined time and/or location before the event ahead is reached if the implementation of the acceleration strategy is permitted. In the first stage of the two-stage acceleration strategy, the acceleration profile to be implemented is ascertained and/or prompted depending on an identified defined acceleration behavior of a relevant target object travelling ahead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Knoller, Andreas Lechner
  • Patent number: 10858002
    Abstract: A speed control system for controlling a speed of a vehicle to a predetermined target speed is provided, wherein in order to achieve and maintain the target speed, a control unit transmits corresponding control signals to a drive unit or a brake unit, and wherein the control unit is configured, during active speed control, to detect the end of a manually triggered temporary acceleration request, to detect the actual speed at the end of a manually triggered temporary acceleration request and to generate a signal to initiate a coasting mode if, after the ending of the manually triggered temporary acceleration request, the actual speed is greater than the predetermined target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Knoller
  • Patent number: 10773633
    Abstract: A distance information system and method are provided for a motor vehicle. At least one sensor measures the distance between the own motor vehicle and a vehicle situated ahead. A control unit is configured to determine as a function of signals of the sensor whether the measured distance is less than a specified minimum distance for longer than a specified time period. At least one optical display is activated when it is determined that the measured distance is less than the specified minimum distance for more than a specified time period. The minimum distance and/or the time period is/are defined as a function of a detected or inferred lane-change situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Kagerer, Nils Huebner, Stefan Knoller
  • Patent number: 10654480
    Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle, by which system, when the cruise control is activated, a predefined target speed is maintained essentially constantly via an electronic control device and sensors connected thereto. Depending on a control error with respect to the predefined speed, a drive system and/or a brake system is actuated with the aim of compensating the control error. The electronic control device is configured such that when a coasting mode is present with the cruise control actuated the current speed is detected by way of the sensors and the coasting mode is maintained despite a target-speed-dependent maximum permissible speed having been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Kagerer, Stefan Knoller, Andreas Lechner
  • Patent number: 10576979
    Abstract: A longitudinal driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes a detection system for recognizing upcoming relevant events which require a change in the maximum permitted top speed, and a functional unit which, upon recognizing a relevant event, determines a location-dependent time taking into consideration the location of the relevant event. Upon achieving this, the functional unit prompts the transmission of request information for permitting an automatic adaptation of the current maximum permitted top speed to a new maximum permitted top speed. With the determining of the location-dependent time, the functional unit is also configured to take into consideration a predetermined minimum duration for the transmission of the request information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Knoller
  • Patent number: 10549754
    Abstract: A longitudinally guiding driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes a detection system for detecting currently applying events and relevant events lying ahead, which require an adaptation of the permissible maximum speed, and a function unit which, when detecting a relevant event, while taking into account the location of the relevant event lying ahead, determines a location-dependent point in time, whose reaching causes the function unit to initiate an output of prompt information for permitting an automatic adaptation of the currently permissible maximum speed to a new permissible maximum speed. The function unit is designed, in the case of an activation of the longitudinally guiding driver assistance system, while taking into account a detected currently applying event, to initiate a first output of prompt information for permitting an automatic first setting of the currently applying permissible maximum speed as the new permissible maximum speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Knoller, Sebastien Mathieu, Florian Schmitt
  • Patent number: 10363942
    Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes a map-based detection system for detecting upcoming events which lead to a change in the maximum permissible speed, and a functional unit which, when a relevant upcoming event is detected by the map-based detection system, at a defined time before the upcoming event is reached, initiates an output of a request indication to permit an automatic adjustment of the current maximum permissible speed to a new maximum permitted speed. When a manually triggered authorization confirmation or detected rejection is identified the functional unit, initiates a withdrawal of the request indication. The functional unit is configured to prompt a withdrawal of the output of the request indication after passing the relevant upcoming event when there is no detected authorization confirmation or no detected rejection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Knoller
  • Publication number: 20190168755
    Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle has a detection system for identifying events ahead that, on account of a currently valid speed limit being lifted, allow the current speed to be increased, and a functional unit for ascertaining an at least two-stage acceleration strategy for increasing the speed, wherein the first stage of the acceleration strategy can be implemented at most up to the location of the event ahead and the second stage of the acceleration strategy can be implemented at the earliest starting from the location of the event ahead. The implementation is started at a defined time and/or location before the event ahead is reached if the implementation of the acceleration strategy is permitted. In the first stage of the two-stage acceleration strategy, the acceleration profile to be implemented is ascertained and/or prompted depending on an identified defined acceleration behavior of a relevant target object travelling ahead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Stefan KNOLLER, Andreas LECHNER
  • Patent number: 10214209
    Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes a detection system for detecting upcoming events which permit an increase in current speed as a result of the lifting of a restriction on a currently valid speed, a functional unit for determining an acceleration strategy for increasing the speed, and an information system for issuing request information to the driver to allow automatic implementation of the acceleration strategy. The functional unit initiates the automatic implementation of the acceleration strategy upon confirmation by the driver of the request information. The request information can be issued to the driver already at a defined point in time before the upcoming event that lifts the restriction on the current speed. If the driver confirms the request information before the upcoming event that lifts the restriction on the current speed has been reached, the functional unit initiates an acceleration strategy that is composed of two-stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Walter Kagerer, Stefan Knoller
  • Publication number: 20190016335
    Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle, by which system, when the cruise control is activated, a predefined target speed is maintained essentially constantly via an electronic control device and sensors connected thereto. Depending on a control error with respect to the predefined speed, a drive system and/or a brake system is actuated with the aim of compensating the control error. The electronic control device is configured such that when a coasting mode is present with the cruise control actuated the current speed is detected by way of the sensors and the coasting mode is maintained despite a target-speed-dependent maximum permissible speed having been reached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Walter KAGERER, Stefan KNOLLER, Andreas LECHNER
  • Publication number: 20180345948
    Abstract: A longitudinal driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes a capture system configured to detect upcoming relevant events which require adaptation of a predefined maximum permissible top speed, and a functional unit which, upon detecting an upcoming relevant event, is configured to determine, based on a location of the upcoming relevant event, a first location or first time, the reaching of which causes the functional unit to output a notification to a driver of the vehicle relating to an automatic adaptation of the maximum permissible top speed. The functional unit is also configured to determine a second location or time to be reached after the first location or first time, respectively, the reaching of which causes the functional unit to intervene in a longitudinal guidance of the motor vehicle in a direction of a new maximum permissible top speed at the location of the upcoming relevant event if there is no driver-initiated refusal of the automatic adaptation of the maximum permissible top speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Holger ULRICH, Stefan Knoller, Walter Kagerer, Andreas Lechner
  • Publication number: 20180290651
    Abstract: A speed control system for controlling a speed of a vehicle to a predetermined target speed is provided, wherein in order to achieve and maintain the target speed, a control unit transmits corresponding control signals to a drive unit or a brake unit, and wherein the control unit is configured, during active speed control, to detect the end of a manually triggered temporary acceleration request, to detect the actual speed at the end of a manually triggered temporary acceleration request and to generate a signal to initiate a coasting mode if, after the ending of the manually triggered temporary acceleration request, the actual speed is greater than the predetermined target speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventor: Stefan KNOLLER
  • Publication number: 20180134294
    Abstract: A longitudinal driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes a detection system for recognizing upcoming relevant events which require a change in the maximum permitted top speed, and a functional unit which, upon recognizing a relevant event, determines a location-dependent time taking into consideration the location of the relevant event. Upon achieving this, the functional unit prompts the transmission of request information for permitting an automatic adaptation of the current maximum permitted top speed to a new maximum permitted top speed. With the determining of the location-dependent time, the functional unit is also configured to take into consideration a predetermined minimum duration for the transmission of the request information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventor: Stefan KNOLLER
  • Publication number: 20180037225
    Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle takes into consideration a target speed, in particular in order to regulate the speed at a specified target speed, and includes a detection system for detecting upcoming events which require an adaptation of the target speed; a functional unit which triggers a request notification output to approve an automatic adaptation of the target speed to a new target speed at a defined point in time when an upcoming event is detected that requires an adaptation of the target speed; a notification system for outputting the request notification to the driver after the defined point in time; and an operating element which is designed to allow a clearance to approve the automatic adaptation to the new target speed when the request notification has been output and the operating element has been actuated. In response to the clearance, the functional unit automatically triggers the adaptation of the target speed to the new target speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventor: Stefan KNOLLER
  • Publication number: 20180029609
    Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes a map-based detection system for detecting upcoming events which lead to a change in the maximum permissible speed, and a functional unit which, when a relevant upcoming event is detected by the map-based detection system, at a defined time before the upcoming event is reached, initiates an output of a request indication to permit an automatic adjustment of the current maximum permissible speed to a new maximum permitted speed. When a manually triggered authorization confirmation or detected rejection is identified the functional unit, initiates a withdrawal of the request indication. The functional unit is configured to prompt a withdrawal of the output of the request indication after passing the relevant upcoming event when there is no detected authorization confirmation or no detected rejection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventor: Stefan KNOLLER
  • Publication number: 20170144660
    Abstract: A driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes a detection system for detecting upcoming events which permit an increase in current speed as a result of the lifting of a restriction on a currently valid speed, a functional unit for determining an acceleration strategy for increasing the speed, and an information system for issuing request information to the driver to allow automatic implementation of the acceleration strategy. The functional unit initiates the automatic implementation of the acceleration strategy upon confirmation by the driver of the request information. The request information can be issued to the driver already at a defined point in time before the upcoming event that lifts the restriction on the current speed. If the driver confirms the request information before the upcoming event that lifts the restriction on the current speed has been reached, the functional unit initiates an acceleration strategy that is composed of two-stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Walter KAGERER, Stefan KNOLLER
  • Publication number: 20170015320
    Abstract: A longitudinally guiding driver assistance system in a motor vehicle includes a detection system for detecting currently applying events and relevant events lying ahead, which require an adaptation of the permissible maximum speed, and a function unit which, when detecting a relevant event, while taking into account the location of the relevant event lying ahead, determines a location-dependent point in time, whose reaching causes the function unit to initiate an output of prompt information for permitting an automatic adaptation of the currently permissible maximum speed to a new permissible maximum speed. The function unit is designed, in the case of an activation of the longitudinally guiding driver assistance system, while taking into account a detected currently applying event, to initiate a first output of prompt information for permitting an automatic first setting of the currently applying permissible maximum speed as the new permissible maximum speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Stefan KNOLLER, Sebastien MATHIEU, Florian SCHMITT