Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Franke
Thomas A. Franke 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: 20180203570Abstract: An input device is described which comprises a touch-sensitive surface and a force sensor, wherein the force sensor is adapted to detect a force applied to the touch-sensitive surface. The input device further comprises a vibration sensor and a control unit, wherein the control unit is coupled with the force sensor, the touch-sensitive surface and the vibration sensor. The control unit is adapted to validate a force detected by the force sensor as an input in dependence on a touch of the touch-sensitive surface and in dependence on a vibration detected by the vibration sensor. There is further described a motor vehicle which comprises such an input device. A method of detecting an input at an input device is further described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: THOMAS FRANKE, THOMAS FUESSINGER, MICHAEL BECK
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Patent number: 9882312Abstract: An electrical connecting device is described that is designed to indicate a geometrical orientation of a connection between this connecting device and a complementary connecting device when the two connecting devices are connected to one another. The connecting device comprises at least one terminal for contacting by the complementary connecting device, whereby the terminal comprises a plurality of contact regions. Differing electrical parameters are assigned to the contact region, so that in the event of a contacting of the terminal by the complementary connecting device a resultant parameter is assigned to the contacting of the terminal, which indicates in which contact region (or in which group of contact regions) the contacting exists.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: e.solutions GmbHInventors: Thomas Franke, Michael Himmel
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Publication number: 20170321177Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one set of embodiments, droplets may be sorted using surface acoustic waves. The droplets may contain cells or other species. In some cases, the surface acoustic waves may be created using a surface acoustic wave generator such as an interdigitated transducer, and/or a material such as a piezoelectric substrate. The piezoelectric substrate may be isolated from the microfluidic substrate except at or proximate the location where the droplets are sorted, e.g., into first or second microfluidic channels. At such locations, the microfluidic substrate may be coupled to the piezoelectric substrate (or other material) by one or more coupling regions. In some cases, relatively high sorting rates may be achieved, e.g., at rates of at least about 1,000 Hz, at least about 10,000 Hz, or at least about 100,000 Hz, and in some embodiments, with high cell viability after sorting.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: David A. Weitz, Thomas Franke, Achim Wixforth, Lothar Schmid, Jeremy Agresti, Adam R. Abate
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Patent number: 9753202Abstract: A polarizing multilayer film is provided. The polarizing multilayer film comprises a first adhesive layer, a second adhesive layer, a polarization layer which is arranged between the first and second adhesive layers, a first separating film which is removably arranged on a side of the first adhesive layer remote from the polarization layer, and a second separating film which is removably arranged on a side of the second adhesive layer remote from the polarization layer. There are further provided a method of using the polarizing multilayer film and a method for producing a screen, a light-emitting decorative element or another device using the polarizing multilayer film.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: E.SOLUTIONS GmbHInventors: Thomas Franke, Jens Rasmussen
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Publication number: 20170246634Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the manipulation of fluids using acoustic waves such as surface acoustic waves. In some aspects, one fluid may be introduced into another fluid via application of suitable acoustic waves. For example, a fluid may be added or injected into another fluid by applying acoustic waves where, in the absence of the acoustic waves, the fluid cannot be added or injected, e.g., due to the interface or surface tension between the fluids. Thus, for example, a fluid may be injected into a droplet of another fluid. Other embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems and methods for making or using such systems, kits involving such systems, or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2015Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicants: President and Fellows of Harvard College, The University Court of the University of GlasgowInventors: David A. Weitz, Thomas Franke
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Patent number: 9695390Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention relate to the control and manipulation of fluidic species, for example, in microfluidic systems. In one set of embodiments, droplets may be sorted using surface acoustic waves. The droplets may contain cells or other species. In some cases, the surface acoustic waves may be created using a surface acoustic wave generator such as an interdigitated transducer, and/or a material such as a piezoelectric substrate. The piezoelectric substrate may be isolated from the microfluidic substrate except at or proximate the location where the droplets are sorted, e.g., into first or second microfluidic channels. At such locations, the microfluidic substrate may be coupled to the piezoelectric substrate (or other material) by one or more coupling regions. In some cases, relatively high sorting rates may be achieved, e.g., at rates of at least about 1,000 Hz, at least about 10,000 Hz, or at least about 100,000 Hz, and in some embodiments, with high cell viability after sorting.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2011Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignees: President and Fellows of Harvard College, Universität AugsburgInventors: David A. Weitz, Thomas Franke, Achim Wixforth, Lothar Schmid, Jeremy Agresti, Adam R. Abate
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Publication number: 20170150816Abstract: A pull-out guide for furniture parts that can be moved in relation to each other includes at least two pull-out rails, each having at least one running surface, between which at least one first rolling element and at least one second rolling element are arranged. The rolling elements may be rotatably retained in at least one rolling-element cage. The at least one first rolling element and the at least one second rolling element of the rolling-element cage have an identical nominal diameter. The pull-out guide is distinguished in that at least one of the running surfaces has a free-running segment in which the at least one first rolling element is positioned in a retracted state of the pull-out guide, the running surfaces having a greater distance from each other inside the free-running segment than outside the free-running segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2015Publication date: June 1, 2017Inventors: Andreas KÄTHLER, Steffen JAEKEL, Thomas FRANKE, Janine MERTENS, Reinhard BÜSCHER
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Publication number: 20170075423Abstract: A touch-sensitive device with haptic feedback is described. In one embodiment, the device comprises a layer sequence which has a translucent cover element with an upper side and a touch-sensitive arrangement which is arranged on a side of the cover element lying opposite the upper side and is designed to detect contact with the upper side of the cover element. In the embodiment, the device comprises at least one first actuator which is designed to transmit a movement impulse to the layer sequence in such a way that a haptically detectable movement of the cover element is brought about, and a second actuator which is designed to generate electrostatic signals which can be detected haptically at the cover element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: THOMAS FRANKE, THOMAS FUESSINGER, JUERGEN JOOS, STEFAN CHRISTMANN, JENS BARTELS
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Publication number: 20170069293Abstract: A display color management device includes instructions to access color profile data for each display device of a set of display devices. The color profile data is indicative of a relationship between digital color values input into a respective display device and associated physical color values displayed by the respective display device. The color profile data is representative of a color gamut of the respective display device. An overlap color gamut is determined as an overlap of all color gamuts of the set of display devices based on the color profile data. Conversion information for each display device of the set of display devices is determined based on the color profile data and based on the overlap color gamut, wherein the conversion information is configured to convert an input digital color value to dedicated output digital color values for two or more of the display devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Inventors: STEFAN CHRISTMANN, THOMAS FRANKE
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Publication number: 20160276767Abstract: A substrate for an electric flat cable is disclosed that includes an inner limb, having a first and a second portion spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal extent of the inner limb, at least one outer limb, having a first and a second portion spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal extent of the outer limb, and a connecting web, which extends so as to adjoin the first portions of the inner and the at least one outer limb. The inner limb extends at least substantially parallel to the outer limb, in a first direction. The second portion of the outer limb surrounds the second portion of the inner limb, at least partially such that at least a cart of the second portion of the outer limb is disposed in the first direction in respect of the second portion of the inner limb.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Applicant: e.solutions GmbHInventors: THOMAS FRANKE, MICHAEL HIMMEL
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Publication number: 20160147091Abstract: An optical device is described. The device has a sensor having a light incident side, wherein the sensor is designed to convert light that is incident upon the light incident side into an electrical signal. In one embodiment, the device further has at least one lens and a liquid crystal device which is arranged in front of the light incident side of the sensor in such a manner that the at least one lens is situated between the liquid crystal device and the sensor, wherein the liquid crystal device comprises at least one region whose light transmission is electronically controllable. There are further described an electronic device, a method of controlling an optical device, and a computer program.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Stefan CHRISTMANN, Thomas FRANKE
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Publication number: 20150333453Abstract: An electrical connecting device is described that is designed to indicate a geometrical orientation of a connection between this connecting device and a complementary connecting device when the two connecting devices are connected to one another. The connecting device comprises at least one terminal for contacting by the complementary connecting device, whereby the terminal comprises a plurality of contact regions. Differing electrical parameters are assigned to the contact region, so that in the event of a contacting of the terminal by the complementary connecting device a resultant parameter is assigned to the contacting of the terminal, which indicates in which contact region (or in which group of contact regions) the contacting exists.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: Thomas Franke, Michael Himmel
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Publication number: 20150329197Abstract: A flow body for an aircraft with a leading edge and a trailing edge includes a first spar, a second spar, and an external skin that spans from the leading edge to the trailing edge and on both sides rests on the spars. At least one of the first spar and the second spar includes a web and two spaced-apart flanges that enclose the web, on which flanges the skin that spans the respective spar is arranged. At least one of the first spar and the second spar includes at least one load introduction fin that forms an integral component with the web and extends outwards by way of one of the flanges and the skin that rests on the spars.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBHInventors: Oliver Seack, Tamas Havar, Mirko Missbach, Thomas Franke
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Publication number: 20150298157Abstract: Acoustic waves, including surface acoustic waves, are useful to control fluids. In one aspect, acoustic waves may be applied to a fluid flowing in a channel to control or alter its flow characteristics, e.g., its flow rate or direction. Acoustic waves are typically applied using electrically-controlled acoustic wave generators, and thus, the flow of fluid can be controlled to a surprisingly high degree. If the fluid is caused to form a series of droplets, then acoustic waves may be used to control the volume of fluid in each droplet, to alter the rate droplets are formed, or the like. Acoustic waves may be used to deflect the flow of fluid in a channel, and in some cases, to cause fluid to flow to different locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: October 22, 2015Applicant: President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeInventors: David A. Weitz, Thomas Franke, Lothar Schmid
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Publication number: 20150192546Abstract: The present invention generally relates to manipulation of entities using acoustic waves. For example, by applying acoustic waves to a surface containing entities such as particles, cells, droplets, etc., the entities may be manipulated in various ways on the surface. The surface acoustic waves may be created using a surface acoustic wave generator such as an interdigitated transducer, and/or a material such as a piezoelectric substrate. In some cases, two or more acoustic waves may be applied, and the waves may interfere to create standing waves. The standing waves can be manipulated to manipulate the entities on the surface. For instance, the frequencies of the surface acoustic waves may be slightly mismatched to cause travelling standing waves to occur, which may be used to align the entities.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2013Publication date: July 9, 2015Inventors: David A. Weitz, Thomas Franke
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Publication number: 20150109668Abstract: A polarizing multilayer film is provided. The polarizing multilayer film comprises a first adhesive layer, a second adhesive layer, a polarization layer which is arranged between the first and second adhesive layers, a first separating film which is removably arranged on a side of the first adhesive layer remote from the polarization layer, and a second separating film which is removably arranged on a side of the second adhesive layer remote from the polarization layer. There are further provided a method of using the polarizing multilayer film and a method for producing a screen, a light-emitting decorative element or another device using the polarizing multilayer film.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: e.solutions GmbHInventors: Thomas Franke, Jens Rasmussen
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Publication number: 20150015807Abstract: A glass-surface composite is described for arrangement in front of a visual display, in front of an operating panel and/or for use as a decorative element, in particular in a motor vehicle. The glass-surface composite comprises a glass layer provided by way of surface, a flexible backing layer and an adhesive layer which connects the glass layer to the backing layer two-dimensionally. In addition, a tablet computer is described that includes such a glass-surface composite.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Applicant: e.Solutions GmbHInventors: THOMAS FRANKE, Michael Boettinger
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Publication number: 20140127933Abstract: The invention relates to a plug-in connector (1) having a receiving sleeve (2) which encloses an insulation for the contacts (4), and a plug-in portion (3) which can be assembled with said sleeve and which also encloses an insulation (5) for counter contacts (6), wherein said plug-in connector can be coupled and attached in the inserted position without requiring a threading having a counter threading or having a counter nut. For this purpose, the outer side of the plug-in portion (3) and the inner side of the receiving sleeve (2) each have a non-round cross section in some regions on a rotating sleeve (7) which is rotatable relative to the receiving sleeve (2). Said non-round cross sections of the plug regions that can be inserted into one another fit together in a form-fit manner in the peripheral direction, and thus enable assembly in the position of use thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Hummel AGInventors: Thomas Franke, Fritz Zügel, Sven Rissler, Achim Hoch
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Publication number: 20140125352Abstract: An apparatus comprising: a first terminal; and a second terminal; wherein: the first terminal is configured to electrically couple with a respective first terminal of a second apparatus when the apparatus and said second apparatus are in either of a first mated condition and a second mated condition; and the second terminal is configured: to electrically couple with a respective second terminal of said second apparatus when the apparatus and said second apparatus are in the first mated condition, and to electrically decouple from said respective second terminal of said second apparatus when the apparatus and said second apparatus are in a second mated condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2011Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: NOKIA CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas Franke, Tim Sobig
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Patent number: 8599158Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a first side, second side and touch sensitive layer, the touch sensitive layer coupled with the apparatus and comprising a wiring pattern for receiving a touch signal, the touch sensitive layer having a first portion opposing the first side and a second portion opposing the second side.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventors: Martin Punke, Ilkka Juhani Niemela, Thomas Franke