Patents by Inventor Thomas Kautz
Thomas Kautz 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: 11573255Abstract: The invention relates to a method (MTH) for estimating the coverage area of a directive antenna of a local positioning system while setting up said system, said antenna being located in the vicinity of an area of interest, the method (MTH) comprising the following steps: —Distributing (DIS_TR) a plurality of transponders over the area of interest—Performing (MSD_SS) measurements of signal strength between the antenna and said transponders—Estimating (EST_CV) the coverage area by using said measurements.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2018Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignees: SWISS TIMING LTD, FRIEDRICH-ALEXANDER-UNIVERSITAET ERLANGEN-NUERNBERGInventor: Thomas Kautz
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Patent number: 11179600Abstract: A method for calculating the position of an athlete, referred to as target, on a sports field, including estimating an approximate position of the target using a radio-based positioning system, the system including tracking sensors attached to several athletes on the sports field and antennas installed around the sports field, defining a search space around the approximate position, detecting an athlete in the search space using an optical-based positioning system, the system including cameras installed above and/or around the sports field and image recognition device, determining an accurate position of the detected athlete, attributing the accurate position to the target.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: SWISS TIMING LTDInventors: Alexander Hiemann, Thomas Kautz
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Patent number: 10852386Abstract: A method for calibrating a time difference of arrival-based local positioning system for k?D localization, k=2 or 3, includes collecting N sets of time difference of arrival measurements related to a mobile node, N?2, each nth set of measurements being performed by Bn beacon nodes among B beacon nodes of the positioning system while the mobile node is located is a nth position within a region covered by the positioning system, Bn?k+2, and determining optimal beacon positions that minimize an objective function depending on N residual error vectors, the calculation of each nth position of the mobile node using beacon positions and the nth set of measurements, the calculation allowing the calculation of the nth residual error vector.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignees: Swiss Timing Ltd, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet Erlangen-NuernbergInventors: Thomas Kautz, Sebastian Scholz, Bjoern Eskofier
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Patent number: 10698071Abstract: A method for calculating a position of an object of interest in an environment. The method includes: predicting a position and an orientation of the object of interest in the environment; selecting a subset of base stations among a set of base stations located within the environment, by using the predicted position and orientation, and a radiation pattern of a system including the object of interest and a mobile transponder attached to the object of interest; and calculating an actual position of the object of interest, using time of arrival or time difference of arrival measurements between the base stations of the subset and the mobile transponder.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignees: Swiss Timing Ltd, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet Erlangen-NuernbergInventors: Thomas Kautz, Sebastian Scholz, Bjoern Eskofier
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Publication number: 20200191847Abstract: The invention relates to a method (MTH) for estimating the coverage area of a directive antenna of a local positioning system while setting up said system, said antenna being located in the vicinity of an area of interest, the method (MTH) comprising the following steps: —Distributing (DIS_TR) a plurality of transponders over the area of interest—Performing (MSD_SS) measurements of signal strength between the antenna and said transponders—Estimating (EST_CV) the coverage area by using said measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicants: SWISS TIMING LTD, FRIEDRICH-ALEXANDER-UNIVERSITAET ERLANGEN-NUERNBERGInventor: Thomas KAUTZ
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Publication number: 20190381354Abstract: A method for calculating the position of an athlete, referred to as target, on a sports field, including estimating an approximate position of the target using a radio-based positioning system, the system including tracking sensors attached to several athletes on the sports field and antennas installed around the sports field, defining a search space around the approximate position, detecting an athlete in the search space using an optical-based positioning system, the system including cameras installed above and/or around the sports field and image recognition device, determining an accurate position of the detected athlete, attributing the accurate position to the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: SWISS TIMING LTDInventors: Alexander HIEMANN, Thomas Kautz
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Patent number: 10455537Abstract: The invention relates to method for calculating a position of a transponder within an area of interest, by means of a local positioning system comprising a set of directive antennae located in the vicinity of the area of interest, each antenna having a coverage area, the method comprising the following steps: assessing an approximate position of the transponder selecting at least one antenna of the set of antennae that is such that the transponder is within range but not in the effective coverage area of said antenna, according to the approximated position of the transponder and the positions and orientations of the antennae redirecting the focus of the selected antenna so that the transponder is in the effective coverage area of said antenna, according to the approximated position of the transponder performing time-of-arrival or time-difference-of-arrival measurements with respect to the transponder, by the set of antennae calculating the effective position of the transponder by using said timing measuremType: GrantFiled: June 13, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignees: Swiss Timing Ltd, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet Erlangen-NuernbergInventor: Thomas Kautz
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Publication number: 20180359720Abstract: The invention relates to method for calculating a position of a transponder within an area of interest, by means of a local positioning system comprising a set of directive antennae located in the vicinity of the area of interest, each antenna having a coverage area, the method comprising the following steps: assessing an approximate position of the transponder selecting at least one antenna of the set of antennae that is such that the transponder is within range but not in the effective coverage area of said antenna, according to the approximated position of the transponder and the positions and orientations of the antennae redirecting the focus of the selected antenna so that the transponder is in the effective coverage area of said antenna, according to the approximated position of the transponder performing time-of-arrival or time-difference-of-arrival measurements with respect to the transponder, by the set of antennae calculating the effective position of the transponder by using said timing measuremType: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Applicants: Swiss Timing, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlanger-NurnbergInventor: Thomas KAUTZ
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Publication number: 20180348332Abstract: A method for calibrating a time difference of arrival-based local positioning system for k?D localization, k=2 or 3, includes collecting N sets of time difference of arrival measurements related to a mobile node, N?2, each nth set of measurements being performed by Bn beacon nodes among B beacon nodes of the positioning system while the mobile node is located is a nth position within a region covered by the positioning system, Bn?k+2, and determining optimal beacon positions that minimize an objective function depending on N residual error vectors, the calculation of each nth position of the mobile node using beacon positions and the nth set of measurements, the calculation allowing the calculation of the nth residual error vector.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: December 6, 2018Applicants: Swiss Timing Ltd, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet Erlangen- NuernbergInventors: Thomas KAUTZ, Sebastian SCHOLZ, Bjoern ESKOFIER
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Publication number: 20180341004Abstract: A method for calculating a position of an object of interest in an environment. The method includes: predicting a position and an orientation of the object of interest in the environment; selecting a subset of base stations among a set of base stations located within the environment, by using the predicted position and orientation, and a radiation pattern of a system including the object of interest and a mobile transponder attached to the object of interest; and calculating an actual position of the object of interest, using time of arrival or time difference of arrival measurements between the base stations of the subset and the mobile transponder.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2016Publication date: November 29, 2018Applicants: Swiss Timing Ltd, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet Erlangen-NuernbergInventors: Thomas KAUTZ, Sebastian SCHOLZ, Bjoern ESKOFIER
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Publication number: 20060074586Abstract: The present invention relates to a temperature sensing device with a first temperature sensor mounted to a housing at a first location proximate a first surface of the housing. The first temperature sensor senses a first temperature while a second temperature sensor senses a second temperature. A processor circuit is coupled to the first and second temperature sensors and a mounting device is coupled to either the housing or the processor circuit. The mounting device mounts the second temperature sensor at a second location proximate a second surface of the housing which is spaced apart from the first surface. The processor circuit is configured to estimate a third temperature based on the first and second temperatures and a distance between the first and second locations which is an estimate of a temperature at a third location.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2005Publication date: April 6, 2006Inventors: Thomas Kautz, Dominic Ticali, Robert Freimuth
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Publication number: 20050209813Abstract: A temperature sensing device includes a first temperature sensor configured for mounting to a structure at a first distance relative to the structure. The temperature sensing device also includes a second temperature sensor configured for mounting to the structure at a second distance relative to the structure. The temperature sensing device also includes a processor coupled to the first and second temperature sensors and configured to estimate a third temperature based on the first and second temperatures and the distance separating the first and second temperature sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2004Publication date: September 22, 2005Inventors: Thomas Kautz, Kirk Drees
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Patent number: 6860167Abstract: A transmission with an essentially unloaded neutral position includes two curved-path carriers each having a curved path and a coupling element configured to engage with the curved paths of the curved-path carriers. The coupling element includes an engaging element which engages with the curved paths of the curved-path carriers. The engaging element is biased by a prestress against the curved path of each of the curved-path carriers in the essentially unloaded neutral position of the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Roland Schmidt, Thomas Kautz, Torsten Wey
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Patent number: 6789813Abstract: A torsion bar spring arrangement, particularly a stabilizer arrangement, for a double-track vehicle, has at least one prestressed spring element which limits the introduction of force into the torsion bar spring or the stabilizer to a value defined by the prestressing force of the spring element, in which case the spring element acts as an overload protection such that, when a force is introduced which significantly exceeds the prestressing force, the torsion bar spring arrangement would be damaged without this spring element. The torsion bar spring can have a divided construction and the spring element can be clamped in between the two parts of the torsion bar spring, in which case these two parts of the torsion bar spring can be mutually rotatable by way of an actuator.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Roland Schmidt, Thomas Kautz, Torsten Wey
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Publication number: 20030015048Abstract: A transmission with an essentially unloaded neutral position includes two curved-path carriers each having a curved path and a coupling element configured to engage with the curved paths of the curved-path carriers. The coupling element includes an engaging element which engages with the curved paths of the curved-path carriers. The engaging element is biased by a prestress against the curved path of each of the curved-path carriers in the essentially unloaded neutral position of the transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2002Publication date: January 23, 2003Applicant: BAYERISCHE MOTOR WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT.Inventors: Roland Schmidt, Thomas Kautz, Torsten Wey
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Publication number: 20020195791Abstract: A torsion bar spring arrangement, particularly a stabilizer arrangement, for a double-track vehicle, has at least one prestressed spring element which limits the introduction of force into the torsion bar spring or the stabilizer to a value defined by the prestressing force of the spring element, in which case the spring element acts as an overload protection such that, when a force is introduced which significantly exceeds the prestressing force, the torsion bar spring arrangement would be damaged without this spring element. The torsion bar spring can have a divided construction and the spring element can be clamped in between the two parts of the torsion bar spring, in which case these two parts of the torsion bar spring can be mutually rotatable by way of an actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2002Publication date: December 26, 2002Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AGInventors: Roland Schmidt, Thomas Kautz, Torsten Wey