Patents by Inventor Stephan Berlitz
Stephan Berlitz 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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Publication number: 20240227661Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one illumination device, by means of which at least one light signal can be generated which is visible from outside the motor vehicle, and comprising at least one acoustic device, by means of which at least one acoustic signal can be generated which is audible from outside the motor vehicle. The at least one control device of the motor vehicle is configured to check whether at least one output condition is satisfied and, if the at least one output condition is satisfied, to control the at least one illumination device and the at least one acoustic device in such a way that the light signal and the acoustic signal are generated simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2022Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: AUDI AGInventors: Stephan BERLITZ, Tanja KAMMANN, Cesar MUNTADA ROURA, Valentin SCHMIDT, Konrad TRÖGER
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Publication number: 20240140305Abstract: A method for operating at least one direction indicator of a motor vehicle, wherein, as of an actuation time, the direction indicator outputs a light signal comprising a periodic repetition of alternately successive on-phases and off-phases. A discrepancy of a starting phase angle of the light signal with respect to a predefined reference signal is determined at the actuation time and is compared with a predefined target phase angle assigned to the direction indicator. When there is a phase offset between the starting phase angle and the target phase angle—at least two of the on-phases and/or the off-phases of the light signal are extended or shortened by a different time difference value in each case after the actuation time such that the phase angle of the light signal with respect to the reference signal then corresponds to the predefined target phase angle, and/or—the light signal is started with a first off-phase (11) at the actuation time.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2021Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: AUDI AGInventors: Tilman ARMBRUSTER, Stephan BERLITZ, Johannes RESCHKE, Marcel DEBELEC
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Publication number: 20240131980Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one illumination device, by means of which at least one light signal can be generated which is visible from outside the motor vehicle, and comprising at least one acoustic device, by means of which at least one acoustic signal can be generated which is audible from outside the motor vehicle. The at least one control device of the motor vehicle is configured to check whether at least one output condition is satisfied and, if the at least one output condition is satisfied, to control the at least one illumination device and the at least one acoustic device in such a way that the light signal and the acoustic signal are generated simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2022Publication date: April 25, 2024Applicant: AUDI AGInventors: Stephan BERLITZ, Tanja KAMMANN, Cesar MUNTADA ROURA, Valentin SCHMIDT, Konrad TRÖGER
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Publication number: 20230278485Abstract: A method for operating an illuminating device of a motor vehicle, wherein light is radiated into a lighting volume by the illuminating device, wherein a control condition is evaluated, the fulfillment of which depends on whether the lighting volume comprises a partial lighting volume by which an area and/or an environment volume is illuminated that is illuminated or can be illuminated by an infrastructure luminaire, wherein when the control condition is fulfilled, the illuminating device is controlled in such a way that light is radiated into the partial lighting volume with a different light intensity than into a residual lighting volume of the lighting volume, which residual lighting volume lies outside the partial lighting volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: AUDI AGInventors: Valentin SCHMIDT, Tilman ARMBRUSTER, Stephan BERLITZ
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Patent number: 10800326Abstract: A motor vehicle, comprising at least one linear lighting device for directly or indirectly lighting a vehicle interior. The at least one lighting device extends, at least in some sections, horizontally along at least one component of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle additionally comprises a position-sensing unit for sensing ego information describing a position and an orientation of the motor vehicle. The at least one lighting device is divided horizontally into a plurality of lighting segments, each having a fixed emission profile. The motor vehicle has a control device, configured to: determine a direction of the destination in relation to the motor vehicle; select a sub-group of the plurality of lighting segments comprising at least one lighting segment to be activated; and activate the at least one lighting segment belonging to the sub-group according to lighting brightness or lighting color of the at least one lighting segment.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Julia Kastner, Friedrich-Uwe Tontsch, Stephan Berlitz
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Patent number: 10645529Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed that includes at least one linear lighting means for directly and/or indirectly lighting a vehicle interior. A position-sensing unit senses ego information describing a position and an orientation of the motor vehicle. A control device determines, from location information describing the position of a person, and from the ego information, direction information describing a direction of the person in relation to the motor vehicle (1), selects, in accordance with the direction information, a sub-group of lighting segments that includes at least one lighting segment to be activated, and activates the lighting segment belonging to the sub-group in accordance with a configuration, which specifies the lighting brightness and/or the lighting color of the lighting segment, and which visualizes the position of the person.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Stephan Berlitz, Friedrich-Uwe Tontsch, Julia Kastner
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Publication number: 20190322212Abstract: A motor vehicle, comprising at least one linear lighting device for directly or indirectly lighting a vehicle interior. The at least one lighting device extends, at least in some sections, horizontally along at least one component of the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle additionally comprises a position-sensing unit for sensing ego information describing a position and an orientation of the motor vehicle. The at least one lighting device is divided horizontally into a plurality of lighting segments each having a fixed emission profile. The motor vehicle has a control device, configured to: determine a direction of the destination in relation to the motor vehicle; select a sub-group of the plurality of lighting segments comprising at least one lighting segment to be activated; and activate the at least one lighting segment belonging to the sub-group according to lighting brightness or lighting color of the at least one lighting segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2017Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Julia KASTNER, Friedrich-Uwe TONTSCH, Stephan BERLITZ
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Publication number: 20190090091Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed that includes at least one linear lighting means for directly and/or indirectly lighting a vehicle interior. A position-sensing unit senses ego information describing a position and an orientation of the motor vehicle. A control device determines, from location information describing the position of a person, and from the ego information, direction information describing a direction of the person in relation to the motor vehicle (1), selects, in accordance with the direction information, a sub-group of lighting segments that includes at least one lighting segment to be activated, and activates the lighting segment belonging to the sub-group in accordance with a configuration, which specifies the lighting brightness and/or the lighting color of the lighting segment, and which visualizes the position of the person.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: Audi AGInventors: Stephan BERLITZ, Friedrich-Uwe TONTSCH, Julia KASTNER
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Patent number: 10195987Abstract: The disclosure relates to a motor vehicle having one or more flashing light devices for generating a turn signal light or a blinking hazard light, one or more elongated interior lighting devices for emitting visible light in a form of moving light in the interior of the motor vehicle, and a control device associated with the interior lighting devices, and the control device is configured to to control the one or more interior lighting devices such that, during the time the turn signal light or the blinking hazard light is being generated by the one or more flashing light devices, visible light in the form of a moving light will be emitted by the one or more interior lighting devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Stephan Berlitz, Friedrich-Uwe Tontsch, Julia Kastner
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Publication number: 20180257558Abstract: The disclosure relates to a motor vehicle having one or more flashing light devices for generating a turn signal light or a blinking hazard light, one or more elongated interior lighting devices for emitting visible light in a form of moving light in the interior of the motor vehicle, and a control device associated with the interior lighting devices, and the control device is configured to to control the one or more interior lighting devices such that, during the time the turn signal light or the blinking hazard light is being generated by the one or more flashing light devices, visible light in the form of a moving light will be emitted by the one or more interior lighting devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2016Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Stephan BERLITZ, Friedrich-Uwe TONTSCH, Julia KASTNER
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Patent number: 8970112Abstract: An actuation device (4) for a lighting device (3) of a motor vehicle (1), which includes at least one LED associated with a turn signal and at least one LED associated with another type of light, in particular a daytime running light and/or a position light, and a common optical system (10) for the types of light, wherein the actuation device (4) has a single DC/DC converter (11) used for both the LEDs of the turn signal and for the LEDs of the other type of light, as well as a control unit (12) for controlling the DC/DC converter (11) in response to a control signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Thomas Baier, Stephan Berlitz
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Patent number: 8858020Abstract: An illuminated display for representing a three-dimensional object includes a display element containing the object, wherein information becomes visible when light is coupled into the display element. The display element is transparent. The three-dimensional object is made from a first plastic material having a first refractive index and is partially or completely surrounded by a second plastic material having a second refractive index.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Audi AGInventors: Tobias Schwab, Stephan Berlitz
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Publication number: 20140049160Abstract: An actuation device (4) for a lighting device (3) of a motor vehicle (1), which includes at least one LED associated with a turn signal and at least one LED associated with another type of light, in particular a daytime running light and/or a position light, and a common optical system (10) for the types of light, wherein the actuation device (4) has a single DC/DC converter (11) used for both the LEDs of the turn signal and for the LEDs of the other type of light, as well as a control unit (12) for controlling the DC/DC converter (11) in response to a control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2012Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: Audi AGInventors: Thomas Baier, Stephan Berlitz
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Publication number: 20130094205Abstract: An illuminated display for representing a three-dimensional object includes a display element containing the object, wherein information becomes visible when light is coupled into the display element. The display element is transparent. The three-dimensional object is made from a first plastic material having a first refractive index and is partially or completely surrounded by a second plastic material having a second refractive index.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: April 18, 2013Applicant: AUDI AGInventors: Tobias Schwab, Stephan Berlitz
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Patent number: 6851843Abstract: A light assembly for a motor vehicle has a housing having a housing opening covered by a lens. At least one reflector is arranged in the housing, and at least one light guide is arranged in the housing between the at least one reflector and the lens. One or more LEDs as a light source are arranged hidden in the housing such that rays emitted by the LEDs are partially reflected on the at least one reflector toward the light guide. The light guide gives the impression of a fluorescent lamp being mounted in the light assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2002Date of Patent: February 8, 2005Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Otto Rolf Müller, Stephan Berlitz, Friedbert Schmitt
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Publication number: 20020114166Abstract: A light assembly for a motor vehicle has a housing having a housing opening covered by a lens. At least one reflector is arranged in the housing, and at least one light guide is arranged in the housing between the at least one reflector and the lens. One or more LEDs as a light source are arranged hidden in the housing such that rays emitted by the LEDs are partially reflected on the at least one reflector toward the light guide. The light guide gives the impression of a fluorescent lamp being mounted in the light assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2002Publication date: August 22, 2002Applicant: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Otto Rolf Muller, Stephan Berlitz, Friedbert Schmitt
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Patent number: 5707130Abstract: A vehicle taillight has a housing and a light-transmissive cover for closing off the housing. At least one light source is located within the housing for emitting light through the light-transmissive cover. At least one light-guiding member is positioned within the housing between the light source and the light-transmissive cover. The light-guiding member consists of light guide material and reflects light emitted by the light source onto the light-transmissive cover.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1996Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Reitter & Schefenacker GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Hubert Zwick, Otto Muller, Stephan Berlitz