Patents by Inventor Thomas Kaufmann
Thomas Kaufmann 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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Patent number: 11936122Abstract: An antenna is provided comprising a substrate formed of a dielectric material. The substrate has an upper surface, a lower surface, and one or more side surfaces connecting the upper surface with the lower surface. The antenna further comprises a conductive patch on the upper surface of the substrate; a first conductive strip on one of the one or more side surfaces; and a second conductive strip on one of the one or more side surfaces. The first and second conductive strips are arranged at opposing sides of the conductive patch. The antenna further comprises a ground plane, wherein the first and second conductive strips are galvanically isolated from the conductive patch and galvanically connected to the ground plane.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: u-blox AGInventor: Thomas Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20240086667Abstract: A method for manufacturing a portable data carrier by means of a continuous manufacturing method, comprises the steps: providing at least one foil as a rolled good, unrolling at least one first foil, with at least a first foil being coated at least partly with an adhesive on at least one side, with at least the first foil being scored on at least one side along at least one creasing edge, with at least the first foil being folded up in precise fit along at least one creasing edge and bonded, with the foil being folded up in the direction of the side which is coated with adhesive, with the side coated with adhesive being arranged on the opposite side of the foil which has at least one scored creasing edge along which it is folded.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Stefan BANNERT, Peter KAUFMANN, Lucas PERLITZ, Thomas TARANTINO, Robert GRIESMEIER, Tatjana MOSTHOF, Cordula REGENSBURGER
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Publication number: 20240086668Abstract: A method for manufacturing a portable data carrier by means of a continuous manufacturing method, comprises the steps: providing at least one foil as a rolled good, unrolling at least one first foil, with at least a first foil being coated at least partly with an adhesive on at least one side, with at least the first foil being scored on at least one side along at least one creasing edge, with at least the first foil being folded up in precise fit along at least one creasing edge and bonded, with the foil being folded up in the direction of the side which is coated with adhesive, with the side coated with adhesive being arranged on the opposite side of the foil which has at least one scored creasing edge along which it is folded.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Stefan BANNERT, Peter KAUFMANN, Lucas PERLITZ, Thomas TARANTINO, Robert GRIESMEIER, Tatjana MOSTHOF, Cordula REGENSBURGER
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Publication number: 20240086666Abstract: A method for manufacturing a portable data carrier by means of a continuous manufacturing method, comprises the steps: providing at least one foil as a rolled good, unrolling at least one first foil, with at least a first foil being coated at least partly with an adhesive on at least one side, with at least the first foil being scored on at least one side along at least one creasing edge, with at least the first foil being folded up in precise fit along at least one creasing edge and bonded, with the foil being folded up in the direction of the side which is coated with adhesive, with the side coated with adhesive being arranged on the opposite side of the foil which has at least one scored creasing edge along which it is folded.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: Stefan BANNERT, Peter KAUFMANN, Lucas PERLITZ, Thomas TARANTINO, Robert GRIESMEIER, Tatjana MOSTHOF, Cordula REGENSBURGER
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Patent number: 11929541Abstract: An antenna includes an optically transparent substrate layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface; a radiating element having a first mesh structure and disposed on the first surface of the substrate layer; a ground plane having a second mesh structure formed on the second surface of the substrate layer; at least two feed lines configured to connect the radiating element to an external circuit; and at least two stubs connected to the radiating element.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: u-blox AGInventors: Thomas Kaufmann, Seyedali Malakooti, Christophe Fumeaux
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Patent number: 11637360Abstract: An antenna includes a substrate layer having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the second surface having a metallization layer; a conductive layer disposed on the first surface of the substrate layer; a slot formed in the conductive layer, the slot including a first part and a second part that are symmetric to each other about a diagonal of the conductive layer; and at least one feed point on the conductive layer and spaced from the slot by a predetermined distance.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2020Date of Patent: April 25, 2023Assignee: u-blox AGInventor: Thomas Kaufmann
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Patent number: 11619744Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a potential fault in a positioning device, the apparatus including at least one memory for storing instructions, and at least one controller configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including obtaining information about a received signal received by the positioning device, the information including at least one of a control parameter or an estimation of bias based on the received signal; determining whether the potential fault is detected, based on the information and a detection threshold; and in response to a determination that the potential fault is detected, generating an indication that the potential fault is detected.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2022Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: u-blox AGInventor: Thomas Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20220368032Abstract: An antenna (100) comprising a plurality of like antenna elements (10) is disclosed. Each antenna element comprises: a radiating element (12, 13); a feed point (14); and a short to ground (16). The elements are spaced apart in different positions and oriented in different directions. Also provided are a GNSS receiver module (150) comprising the antenna, and a method of manufacturing the antenna. The antenna may be used, in particular, for receiving a circularly polarised signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventor: Thomas Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20220337277Abstract: The disclosure relates to an antenna assembly, a receiver assembly, communication methods for the same and a system. The antenna assembly comprises a signal line for connecting the antenna assembly to a single line communication cable. The antenna assembly further comprises an antenna, arranged to receive a radio frequency signal and to apply the radio frequency signal to the signal line of the antenna assembly. The antenna assembly further comprises an antenna multiplexer, arranged to separate a superimposed signal from the radio frequency signal on the signal line, wherein the superimposed signal comprises a supply voltage for the antenna assembly and a communication signal. The antenna assembly further comprises an antenna controller, arranged to receive the communication signal and to perform a monitoring and/or a control operation in response to the communication signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Thomas Kaufmann, Timo Saarnimo
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Publication number: 20220328967Abstract: An antenna is provided comprising a substrate formed of a dielectric material. The substrate has an upper surface, a lower surface, and one or more side surfaces connecting the upper surface with the lower surface. The antenna further comprises a conductive patch on the upper surface of the substrate; a first conductive strip on one of the one or more side surfaces; and a second conductive strip on one of the one or more side surfaces. The first and second conductive strips are arranged at opposing sides of the conductive patch. The antenna further comprises a ground plane, wherein the first and second conductive strips are galvanically isolated from the conductive patch and galvanically connected to the ground plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Inventor: Thomas Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20220252733Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a potential fault in a positioning device, the apparatus including at least one memory for storing instructions, and at least one controller configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including obtaining information about a received signal received by the positioning device, the information including at least one of a control parameter or an estimation of bias based on the received signal; determining whether the potential fault is detected, based on the information and a detection threshold; and in response to a determination that the potential fault is detected, generating an indication that the potential fault is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2022Publication date: August 11, 2022Applicant: u-blox AGInventor: Thomas KAUFMANN
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Publication number: 20220244405Abstract: A method is provided for calibrating a vehicle-mounted GNSS antenna. The method comprises measuring a response of the antenna, while the antenna is mounted on the vehicle. Based on the measured response, data characterizing a group delay variation of the antenna is calculated. The data may be used to correct ranging measurements derived from GNSS signals received via the vehicle-mounted antenna. Alternatively or in addition, the data may be used in estimating the integrity of a position fix.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventor: Thomas Kaufmann
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Patent number: 11385358Abstract: An apparatus includes an antenna assembly including an antenna configured to receive a signal and, based on the received signal, generate a first linearly polarized signal at a first feed point and a second linearly polarized signal at a second feed point; and a switching circuit configured to periodically switch between the first feed point and the second feed point to select a polarized signal between the first and second polarized signals at a point in time based on a switching signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: U-BLOX AGInventor: Thomas Kaufmann
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Patent number: 11387555Abstract: A multiband patch antenna, a method for receiving radio frequency signals in multiple bands by a multiband patch antenna and a method of producing a patch element are disclosed. The antenna comprises a substrate layer having a first surface and a second surface and a base element on the first surface. A multi-resonance patch element comprising a pattern of outward extending resonance formations is provided on the second surface. At least two proximity feed elements configured for connection to a multiband hybrid coupler circuit and extending within the substrate layer from the first surface to the second surface are also provided. The multi-resonance patch element is configured to leave areas where the proximity feed elements extend to the second surface uncovered by the multi-resonance patch element.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: U-BLOX AGInventors: Thomas Kaufmann, Timo Saarnimo
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Patent number: 11353594Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a potential fault in a positioning device, the apparatus including at least one memory for storing instructions, and at least one controller configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including obtaining information about a received signal received by the positioning device, the information including at least one of a control parameter or an estimation of bias based on the received signal; determining whether the potential fault is detected, based on the information and a detection threshold; and in response to a determination that the potential fault is detected, generating an indication that the potential fault is detected.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: u-blox AGInventor: Thomas Kaufmann
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Publication number: 20220166125Abstract: An antenna includes an optically transparent substrate layer having a first surface and an opposing second surface; a radiating element having a first mesh structure and disposed on the first surface of the substrate layer; a ground plane having a second mesh structure formed on the second surface of the substrate layer; at least two feed lines configured to connect the radiating element to an external circuit; and at least two stubs connected to the radiating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2020Publication date: May 26, 2022Inventors: Thomas KAUFMANN, Seyedali MALAKOOTI, Christophe FUMEAUX
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Publication number: 20220021104Abstract: An antenna includes a substrate layer having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the second surface having a metallization layer; a conductive layer disposed on the first surface of the substrate layer; a slot formed in the conductive layer, the slot including a first part and a second part that are symmetric to each other about a diagonal of the conductive layer; and at least one feed point on the conductive layer and spaced from the slot by a predetermined distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2020Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventor: Thomas KAUFMANN
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Publication number: 20220011441Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a potential fault in a positioning device, the apparatus including at least one memory for storing instructions, and at least one controller configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including obtaining information about a received signal received by the positioning device, the information including at least one of a control parameter or an estimation of bias based on the received signal; determining whether the potential fault is detected, based on the information and a detection threshold; and in response to a determination that the potential fault is detected, generating an indication that the potential fault is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2020Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventor: Thomas KAUFMANN
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Patent number: 11139590Abstract: An apparatus includes an antenna assembly including an antenna configured to receive a signal and generate, at a plurality of feed points of the antenna, a plurality of corresponding polarized signals having respective polarization directions different from each other, using the received signal; and a switching circuit configured to periodically switch between the plurality of feed points to select a corresponding one of the polarized signals among the plurality of polarized signals at a point of time based on a switching signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: U-BLOX AGInventors: Thomas Kaufmann, Roderick Bryant
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Publication number: 20210226346Abstract: An apparatus includes an antenna assembly including an antenna configured to receive a signal and generate, at a plurality of feed points of the antenna, a plurality of corresponding polarized signals having respective polarization directions different from each other, using the received signal; and a switching circuit configured to periodically switch between the plurality of feed points to select a corresponding one of the polarized signals among the plurality of polarized signals at a point of time based on a switching signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: u-blox AGInventors: Thomas KAUFMANN, Roderick BRYANT