Patents by Inventor Thomas Bretterklieber

Thomas Bretterklieber 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: 8368393
    Abstract: In a measurement method, an array of magnetic field sensors (MS0-MS15) is provided, each emitting a sensor signal as a function of magnetic field intensity. A rotational value of a sector-wise magnetized magnetic source that is arranged movably with respect to the array is ascertained as a function of the emitted sensor signals. A set of sensor values is derived from the sensor signals. As a function of the ascertained rotational value, a number of sets of reference values is ascertained that corresponds to a number of predetermined positions of the magnetic source (MAG). The set of sensor values and the number of sets of reference values are compared to one another, and a position is selected from the number of predetermined positions as a function of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Austriamicrosystems AG
    Inventors: Hubert Zangl, Thomas Bretterklieber, Gerald Steiner, Markus Brandner
  • Patent number: 7944216
    Abstract: A capacitance sensor, having at least one electrode is disclosed. A frequency spread signal generation circuit is coupled to the at least one electrode to apply a frequency spread signal based on a spread sequence. A periodic signal with a frequency is coupled to the at least one electrode. A frequency controller is coupled to the frequency spread signal generation circuit to vary the frequency of the periodic signal. A receiver circuit is coupled to the at least one or a further electrode to receive a version of the frequency spread signal which depends on a capacitance applied to the at least one electrode. An evaluation circuit is coupled to the receiver circuit to determine a capacitance value based on the received, dependent version of the frequency spread signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Georg Brasseur, Thomas Bretterklieber, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Gert Holler, Tobias Werth, Hubert Zangl
  • Publication number: 20110025313
    Abstract: In a measurement method, an array of magnetic field sensors (MS0-MS15) is provided, each emitting a sensor signal as a function of magnetic field intensity. A rotational value of a sector-wise magnetized magnetic source that is arranged movably with respect to the array is ascertained as a function of the emitted sensor signals. A set of sensor values is derived from the sensor signals. As a function of the ascertained rotational value, a number of sets of reference values is ascertained that corresponds to a number of predetermined positions of the magnetic source (MAG). The set of sensor values and the number of sets of reference values are compared to one another, and a position is selected from the number of predetermined positions as a function of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Hubert Zangl, Thomas Bretterklieber, Gerald Steiner, Markus Brandner
  • Patent number: 7880481
    Abstract: A system includes a capacitive sensor including a first electrode and a second electrode. The system includes a measurement system configured to sense a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode and apply a first offset to the sensed capacitance to provide an offset compensated capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Hubert Zangl, Thomas Bretterklieber, Gert Holler, Georg Brasseur, Tobias Werth, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Mario Motz
  • Publication number: 20090243633
    Abstract: A capacitance sensor, having at least one electrode is disclosed. A frequency spread signal generation circuit is coupled to the at least one electrode to apply a frequency spread signal based on a spread sequence. A periodic signal with a frequency is coupled to the at least one electrode. A frequency controller is coupled to the frequency spread signal generation circuit to vary the frequency of the periodic signal. A receiver circuit is coupled to the at least one or a further electrode to receive a version of the frequency spread signal which depends on a capacitance applied to the at least one electrode. An evaluation circuit is coupled to the receiver circuit to determine a capacitance value based on the received, dependent version of the frequency spread signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Georg Brasseur, Thomas Bretterklieber, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Gert Holler, Tobias Werth, Hubert Zangl
  • Publication number: 20090160461
    Abstract: A system includes a capacitive sensor including a first electrode and a second electrode. The system includes a measurement system configured to sense a capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode and apply a first offset to the sensed capacitance to provide an offset compensated capacitance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Hubert Zangl, Thomas Bretterklieber, Gert Holler, Georg Brasseur, Tobias Werth, Dirk Hammerschmidt, Mario Motz