Patents by Inventor Theodor HEINZE

Theodor HEINZE 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: 11661061
    Abstract: Assisting a driver in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an environment sensor system for acquiring environment data of an environment surrounding the vehicle and a controller for determining a current traffic status from the acquired environment data. A current overtaking maneuver status is determined, wherein each overtaking maneuver status includes one of a plurality of successive situations during an overtaking maneuver, making available at least one assistance information item on the basis of the determined current traffic status, wherein the assistance information is made available in accordance with the determined current overtaking maneuver status, and outputting the assistance information which is made available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Marius Spika, Theodor Heinze, Jan Sonnenberg, Hannes Wendland, Roland Penner, Jan Bickerdt, Carsten Semmler, Julia Drüke
  • Patent number: 11485380
    Abstract: A method for warning a driver of a motor vehicle and to a control device for a motor vehicle are disclosed. The method comprises: steps: receiving, using the vehicle, position data of a first object from a communication device external to the vehicle; detecting a vehicle environment by a detection device of the motor vehicle and detecting an own position of the motor vehicle. In addition, determining if the detection device detects a second object hiding the first object in a field of view between the motor vehicle and the first object, and determining if in a potentially critical situation for the motor vehicle results from the first object. If it is recognized that the first object is hidden and that the potentially critical situation for the motor vehicle results from the first object, a specified warning cascade is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hannes Wendland, Marius Spika, Jan Sonnenberg, Theodor Heinze
  • Publication number: 20210300402
    Abstract: A method for warning a driver of a motor vehicle and to a control device for a motor vehicle are disclosed. The method comprises: steps: receiving, using the vehicle, position data of a first object from a communication device external to the vehicle; detecting a vehicle environment by a detection device of the motor vehicle and detecting an own position of the motor vehicle. In addition, determining if the detection device detects a second object hiding the first object in a field of view between the motor vehicle and the first object, and determining if in a potentially critical situation for the motor vehicle results from the first object. If it is recognized that the first object is hidden and that the potentially critical situation for the motor vehicle results from the first object, a specified warning cascade is initiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hannes Wendland, Marius Spika, Jan Sonnenberg, Theodor Heinze
  • Patent number: 11046326
    Abstract: A method for controlling functions in a transportation vehicle wherein a driving behavior of a driver is determined. To be able to classify the driving behavior of the driver, a driving behavior of other drivers is also provided. The driving behavior of the one driver is evaluated based on the driving behavior of the other drivers for at least one specific driving situation, and functions in the transportation vehicle are actuated based on the evaluation thereby achieving a comfortable adjustment of the functions for the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Theodor Heinze, Thomas Benscheid, Jochen Adamek, Jens Fliegner
  • Publication number: 20210163009
    Abstract: Assisting a driver in a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has an environment sensor system for acquiring environment data of an environment surrounding the vehicle and a controller for determining a current traffic status from the acquired environment data. A current overtaking maneuver status is determined, wherein each overtaking maneuver status includes one of a plurality of successive situations during an overtaking maneuver, making available at least one assistance information item on the basis of the determined current traffic status, wherein the assistance information is made available in accordance with the determined current overtaking maneuver status, and outputting the assistance information which is made available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Marius Spika, Theodor Heinze, Jan Sonnenberg, Hannes Wendland, Roland Penner, Jan Bickerdt, Carsten Semmler, Julia Drüke
  • Publication number: 20180319405
    Abstract: A method for controlling functions in a transportation vehicle wherein a driving behavior of a driver is determined. To be able to classify the driving behavior of the driver, a driving behavior of other drivers is also provided. The driving behavior of the one driver is evaluated based on the driving behavior of the other drivers for at least one specific driving situation, and functions in the transportation vehicle are actuated based on the evaluation thereby achieving a comfortable adjustment of the functions for the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Theodor HEINZE, Thomas BENSCHEID, Jochen ADAMEK, Jens FLIEGNER