Patents by Inventor Thomas Führer

Thomas Führer 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).

  • Publication number: 20060203748
    Abstract: A method for the exchange of data in messages between at least two users which are connected by a bus system, the messages containing the data being transmitted by the users via the bus system, and each user containing a predefinable and/or ascertainable timing mark; a first user, in a function as timer, controls the messages as a function of time in such a way that it repeatedly transmits a reference message, which contains time information of the first user, via the bus at a specifiable time interval, and if the timing mark of the second user is reached without a reference message of the first user reaching the second user, the at least second user takes over the function of timer by transmitting its own reference message with its own time information via the bus system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Andreas Weigl, Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Muller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel
  • Patent number: 7107473
    Abstract: A method, a device, and a bus system for synchronizing at least two TTCAN buses having at least one bus user, a global time being determined in each TTCAN bus, and the deviations in the global times of the TTCAN buses being determined from the global times, the TTCAN buses being connected via at least one user and the deviations in the individual global times being transmitted to at least one bus user, and the global times of the TTCAN buses connected via at least one user being adjusted to one another as a function of the deviations in the global times, so that the TTCAN buses are synchronized with respect to the global times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel
  • Patent number: 7075898
    Abstract: A method for the exchange of data in messages between at least two users which are connected by a bus system, the messages containing the data being transmitted by the users via the bus system, and each user containing a predefinable and/or ascertainable timing mark; a first user, in a function as timer, controls the messages as a function of time in such a way that it repeatedly transmits a reference message, which contains time information of the first user, via the bus at a specifiable time interval, and if the timing mark of the second user is reached without a reference message of the first user reaching the second user, the at least second user takes over the function of timer by transmitting its own reference message with its own time information via the bus system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Weigl, Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Müller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel
  • Publication number: 20050228911
    Abstract: A method and device are described for padding segments for transmitting data on a bus system and a bus system. The segments have a predetermined total number of bytes and the data being transmitted in segments, in the event of a transmission of data including fewer bytes than the predetermined total number of the segment, the missing bytes of the data being padded to the total number of the segment by a filling pattern of a corresponding byte number, distinguished in that a filling pattern, whose byte number corresponds to the total number of the segment, is first written into the segment and the bytes of the data are subsequently written into the same segment, the particular bytes of the filling pattern being overwritten by the bytes of the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Robert Hugel
  • Publication number: 20050169189
    Abstract: A method and device for checking a monitoring function of a bus system and a bus system having at least one user are described, first time slots being provided in which messages are transmitted and a communication cycle being formed from a number of first time slots in such a way that the messages are transmitted in first time slots, the number of first time slots and the particular position of a first time slot for the messages of the user being predetermined in the communication cycle, a second time slot, in which no messages may be transmitted, being provided after the communication cycle and the monitoring function being checked in this second time slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller
  • Publication number: 20050131852
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cyclical time-based communication system, for the transmission of useful data (DATA) between users of the system, which comprises a databus and users connected thereto. The data transmission occurs within cyclical repeating timeframes, each with at least two timeslots. Each timeslot is provided for the transmission of a message (Ni). A message (Ni) comprises at least part of the useful data (DATA) and each message (Ni) is provided with a code (ID). The bandwidth available for data transmission may be better utilized, if the code (ID) is placed within the message (Ni) as a part thereof, each message (Ni) is additionally provided with time information concerning the timeslot which may be extracted from the code and at least one of the timeslots within the timeframes may be used for transmission of various messages in various cycles. In a preferred embodiment the information relating to the current cycle comprises an ordinal number for the cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Josef Berwanger, Anton Schedl, Ralf Belschner, Peter Lohrmann, Matthias Kuehlewein, Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel, Carsten Gebauer
  • Publication number: 20050066101
    Abstract: A method for connecting at least one sensor or actuator to a time-controlled bus system, the sensor or actuator carrying out a signal processing in at least two phases, the signal processing in a first phase taking place at a higher speed than in a second phase, the sensor or actuator being synchronized to a time, which is external to the sensor, of the time-controlled bus system in at least one of the phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Reinhard Neul
  • Patent number: 6842808
    Abstract: A method and device for the exchange of data in messages between at least two users which are connected by a bus system and have separate time bases, the messages containing the data being transmitted by the users via the bus system; and a first user, in a function as timer, controls the messages as a function of time in such a way that it repeatedly transmits a reference message, which contains time information regarding the time base of the first user, via the bus at a specifiable time interval; the at least second user forms its own time information, using its time base, as a function of the time information of the first user; a correction value is ascertained from the two pieces of time information; and the second user adapts its time information and/or its time base as a function of the correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Weigl, Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Müller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel
  • Publication number: 20040228366
    Abstract: A method and device for transmitting communications on a bus system, as well as a bus system, is provided, in which the communications are transmitted in communication frames and the communication frames and the communications contain a security sequence. In the bus system, communications of various lengths can be transmitted, and for all of the communications to be transmitted in the bus system, a maximum length of a communication is provided. A first code is contained in the communication frame, by means of which the maximum length of the respective communication to be transmitted can be specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller
  • Publication number: 20040193932
    Abstract: A method, a device, and a bus system for synchronizing at least two TTCAN buses having at least one bus user, there being cycle times of the basic cycles in the TTCAN buses, a global time being determined in each TTCAN bus and the deviations of the global times of the TTCAN buses which are linked together by at least one user being determined from the global times, and the deviations of the individual global times being transmitted to at least one bus user, the cycle times of the TTCAN buses, which are connected by at least one user, being mutually adjusted as a function of the deviations in the global times in such a way that the buses are synchronized with respect to the cycle times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel
  • Publication number: 20040158362
    Abstract: A bus system includes at least two data buses, the first data bus having a first number of users and the second data bus having a second number of users. At least two TTCAN buses, which are interlinked by users connected simultaneously to both TTCAN buses, are used as the data buses. Fewer users than the sum of the number of users of the first TTCAN bus and the number of users of the second TTCAN bus are connected to the two TTCAN buses at the same time. A generating arrangement is included to generate a scalable fault tolerance in the bus system as a function of the number of users connected to the at least two TTCAN buses at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel
  • Publication number: 20040156462
    Abstract: Method of synchronizing at least one user of a bus system which is operated with a preselectable system clock period (NTU), a local clock period (LNTU) and a reference clock period (GNTU) being preselected for the at least one user, and the reference clock period (GNTU) being synchronized with the system clock period (NTU), a local clock period (SLNTU), synchronized with the system clock period (NTU), of the at least one user being generated by linking the local clock period (LNTU) to a scaling factor (P), the scaling factor (P) reflecting a ratio of the reference clock period (GNTU) to the local clock period (LNTU), the scaling factor (P) for synchronization of the local clock period (LNTU) being adapted to the system clock period (NTU) by addition or subtraction of an adjustment value (O).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel
  • Publication number: 20040153682
    Abstract: A method for creating a time schedule for transmitting messages on a bus system (bus schedule), the time schedule being created by using a genetic algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller
  • Publication number: 20040148540
    Abstract: A method for forming clock pulses of a second clock cycle (AT, TT) from clock pulses of a specified first clock cycle (ET) in a bus system having at least one user, a first number (E) of the clock pulses of the first clock cycle being determined or specified in a specifiable time interval and a second number (A) of the clock pulses of the second clock cycle being determined or specified in the specifiable time interval, wherein an intermediate value (R) of the number of clock pulses is specified in the specifiable time interval, and the intermediate value (R) is compared to a value (C) which is formed from the first number (E) of clock pulses and the second number (A) of clock pulses and from the comparison a truth value (TRUE, FALSE) is yielded, a clock pulse of the second clock cycle (AT, TT) being generated as a function of the truth value (TRUE, FALSE).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel
  • Publication number: 20040148537
    Abstract: A method, a device, and a bus system for synchronizing at least two TTCAN buses having at least one bus user, a global time being determined in each TTCAN bus, and the deviations in the global times of the TTCAN buses being determined from the global times, the TTCAN buses being connected via at least one user and the deviations in the individual global times being transmitted to at least one bus user, and the global times of the TTCAN buses connected via at least one user being adjusted to one another as a function of the deviations in the global times, so that the TTCAN buses are synchronized with respect to the global times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel
  • Publication number: 20040146051
    Abstract: A method for transmitting data in messages on a bus system where the messages are transmitted in transmission time slots at a certain transmission rate, the transmission rate within a transmission time slot being changeable in such a way that the message, allocated to this transmission time slot, may be transmitted repeatedly within this transmission time slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas Fuehrer
  • Publication number: 20040083272
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a communications system (1) for the exchange of data between at least two users (2, 3, 4) who are in contact with one another using a bus system (5). The data are included in messages which are transmitted by users (2, 3, 4) over the bus system (5). A specifiable priority is assigned to each message. In order to achieve, in the normal case, a high probability of a short latency period (t) of a message to be transmitted, and to be able to guarantee, in the worst case, a maximum latency period (tmax), it is proposed that the priorities assigned to the messages be dynamically modified during the operation of bus system (5). Preferably, the set of all messages is subdivided into equivalence classes, and a priority is assigned to each equivalence class. During the operation of the bus system (5), the priorities of the messages are dynamically modified within an equivalence class, and the priorities of the equivalence classes are dynamically modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller
  • Publication number: 20040030482
    Abstract: A method of triggering a component (Akt—1) in a distributed safety-related system, in particular a component (Akt—1) of an X-by-wire system in a motor vehicle, is described. The component (Akt—1) is triggered by a process computer (Pro—1) assigned to the component (Akt—1) and connected to a communication system (K—1) via a communications controller (S—1). A monitoring unit which is independent of the process computer (Pro—1) is provided for monitoring the process computer (Pro—1). To simplify the design of such a safety-related system while at the same time at least retaining the safety that is achievable on enabling the components, the functions of the monitoring unit are executed by the communications controller (S—1). The communications controller (S—1) preferably executes a question-and-answer communication with the process computer (Pro—1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller
  • Publication number: 20030184158
    Abstract: A method of operating a distributed safety-related system, [in particular] i.e., an X-by-wire system in a motor vehicle, is described. The distributed system includes at least one first process computer [(Pro—1)] for triggering a component [(Akt—1)] of the system and at least one additional process computer[(Pro_m)]. The process computers [(Pro—1, Pro_m)] are each connected to a communication system [(K—1)] via a communications controller[(S—1, S_m)]. The functionality of the at least one first process computer [(Pro—1)] is checked by the at least one additional process computer [(Pro_m)]. This method is also [known] referred to as a distributed monitoring concept.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Thomas Fuehrer
  • Publication number: 20030131171
    Abstract: A method and a device for exchanging data in messages between at least two stations connected via a bus system, the messages containing the data being transmitted by the stations over the bus system and the messages being controlled over time by a first station in such a manner that the first station repeatedly transmits a reference message over the bus at at least one specifiable time interval and the time interval is divided into time windows of specifiable length, the messages being transmitted in the time windows, a reference message and the subsequent time windows until the next reference message being combined into a first cycle, and the first station interrupting the transmission at the end of a first cycle due to a stop request, in particular, a message of the at least second station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Andreas Weigl, Thomas Fuehrer, Bernd Mueller, Florian Hartwich, Robert Hugel, Peter Baeuerle