Patents by Inventor Thomas KLEFFEL
Thomas KLEFFEL 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: 11941218Abstract: The invention relates to an input device comprising: a touch-sensitive input surface facing towards an operator (B); a detection device for the spatially resolved detection of an approach towards and touch on the touch-sensitive input surface having a sensor array for capacitive and/or inductive detection, which extends parallel to the input surface; an input part, which is disposed on the input surface and mounted so as to be movable from a rest position (X0) into an actuation position (XE) along an actuating direction (B1) extending perpendicularly to the input surface, for enabling a performance of an operating input by the operator (B) through a manual displacement of the input part along the actuating direction (B1); a position indicator for contactless position detection, which is attached to the input part and cooperates with the detection device; restoring means for generating a restoring force (F) with snap haptics counteracting the manual shifting from the rest position (X0); wherein the detection dType: GrantFiled: August 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: PREH GMBHInventors: Norbert Bauer, Thomas Kleffel
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Patent number: 11861083Abstract: The invention relates to an input device comprising capacitive detection device having detection surface including first array of array electrodes; electronic evaluation unit electrically connected to array electrodes to form associated electric measuring field array for spatially resolving detection of capacitive influence on detection surface; handling means disposed on detection surface to be movable along an adjustment path parallel to detection surface, in order to perform an operating input; position indicator; and coupling device with a first surface on which a second array of coupling electrodes is formed, and with a second surface on which a third array including spaced-apart contact surfaces is formed. Based on the position of the handling means, contact surfaces are touch-contacted by the position indicator. The coupling device includes several electrically conductive connections to capacitively influence the measuring field array.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Preh GmbHInventors: Benedikt Schmidt, Manuel Wittwer, Markus Klein, Thomas Rauch, Elmar Greulich, Stefan Menninger, Thomas Kleffel
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Patent number: 11816276Abstract: An input device includes a capacitive detection device, which has a detection surface while forming a first array of array electrodes associated with the detection surface, that are arranged so as to cross one another several times while being electrically insulated to form one junction point at the locations where they cross one another; an electronic evaluation unit, which is electrically connected to the array electrodes to form an associated electric measuring field array for the spatially resolving detection of a capacitive influence on the detection surface; a handling means mounted on the detection surface movable along an adjustment path parallel to the detection surface to perform an operating input by a manually effected movement along the adjustment path; and at least one position indicator moved along with the handling means to capacitively influence at least one measuring field of the measuring field array.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: PREH GMBHInventors: Thomas Kleffel, Norbert Bauer
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Publication number: 20220317785Abstract: An input device includes a capacitive detection device, which has a detection surface while forming a first array of array electrodes associated with the detection surface, that are arranged so as to cross one another several times while being electrically insulated to form one junction point at the locations where they cross one another; an electronic evaluation unit, which is electrically connected to the array electrodes to form an associated electric measuring field array for the spatially resolving detection of a capacitive influence on the detection surface; a handling means mounted on the detection surface movable along an adjustment path parallel to the detection surface to perform an operating input by a manually effected movement along the adjustment path; and at least one position indicator moved along with the handling means to capacitively influence at least one measuring field of the measuring field array.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: Preh GmbHInventors: Thomas KLEFFEL, Norbert BAUER
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Publication number: 20220308706Abstract: The invention relates to an input device comprising: a touch-sensitive input surface facing towards an operator (B); a detection device for the spatially resolved detection of an approach towards and touch on the touch-sensitive input surface having a sensor array for capacitive and/or inductive detection, which extends parallel to the input surface; an input part, which is disposed on the input surface and mounted so as to be movable from a rest position (X0) into an actuation position (XE) along an actuating direction (B1) extending perpendicularly to the input surface, for enabling a performance of an operating input by the operator (B) through a manual displacement of the input part along the actuating direction (B1); a position indicator for contactless position detection, which is attached to the input part and cooperates with the detection device; restoring means for generating a restoring force (F) with snap haptics counteracting the manual shifting from the rest position (X0); wherein the detection dType: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2020Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: PREH GMBHInventors: Norbert BAUER, Thomas KLEFFEL
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Publication number: 20220236814Abstract: The invention relates to an input device comprising capacitive detection device having detection surface including first array of array electrodes; electronic evaluation unit electrically connected to array electrodes to form associated electric measuring field array for spatially resolving detection of capacitive influence on detection surface; handling means disposed on detection surface to be movable along an adjustment path parallel to detection surface, in order to perform an operating input; position indicator; and coupling device with a first surface on which a second array of coupling electrodes is formed, and with a second surface on which a third array including spaced-apart contact surfaces is formed. Based on the position of the handling means, contact surfaces are touch-contacted by the position indicator. The coupling device includes several electrically conductive connections to capacitively influence the measuring field array.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Benedikt Schmidt, Manuel Wittwer, Markus Klein, Thomas Rauch, Elmar Greulich, Stefan Menninger, Thomas Kleffel
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Patent number: 10924111Abstract: An input device is disclosed, including a capacitive force sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and an evaluation unit, where the capacitive force sensor includes an operating surface and a first conductive electrode, and a second conductive electrode; wherein the evaluation unit is configured to detect an associated characteristic value of a touch on the operating surface during the operation, such as a location surface of action of the touch, by means of the capacitive touch sensor, and wherein the evaluation unit is further configured to detect a measured quantity changing with the operating force by generating a first measuring capacitance between the first and second electrodes and to assign a switching or controlling function to the operation in accordance with the characteristic value detected by the capacitive touch sensor and with the measured quantity detected in the operation-detection step.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Inventors: Norbert Bauer, Thomas Kleffel, Jochen Schlereth, Florian Schmitt
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Patent number: 10775950Abstract: The invention relates to an input device including: a capacitive detector with a detection surface forming an array of electrodes; an electronic evaluation unit electrically connected to the electrodes and forming an associated array of electrical measuring fields for the spatially resolving detection of a capacitive influence on the detection surface; a handling means disposed on the detection surface in a manner movable along an adjustment path to perform an operating input by means of a movement by an operator; a coupling electrode assembly which is partially moved along with the handling means and disposed in an electrically insulated manner with respect to the operator while they touch the handling means, and where at least one position of the handling means is provided where two measuring fields are capacitively influenced by a means of the coupling electrode assembly, where these influences are detected to obtain position information.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: PREH GMBHInventors: Norbert Bauer, Thomas Kleffel
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Publication number: 20200064951Abstract: The invention relates to an input device including: a capacitive detector with a detection surface forming an array of electrodes; an electronic evaluation unit electrically connected to the electrodes and forming an associated array of electrical measuring fields for the spatially resolving detection of a capacitive influence on the detection surface; a handling means disposed on the detection surface in a manner movable along an adjustment path to perform an operating input by means of a movement by an operator; a coupling electrode assembly which is partially moved along with the handling means and disposed in an electrically insulated manner with respect to the operator while they touch the handling means, and where at least one position of the handling means is provided where two measuring fields are capacitively influenced by a means of the coupling electrode assembly, where these influences are detected to obtain position information.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: PREH GMBHInventors: Norbert BAUER, Thomas KLEFFEL
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Publication number: 20200052695Abstract: An input device is disclosed, including a capacitive force sensor, a capacitive touch sensor, and an evaluation unit, where the capacitive force sensor includes an operating surface and a first conductive electrode, and a second conductive electrode; wherein the evaluation unit is configured to detect an associated characteristic value of a touch on the operating surface during the operation, such as a location surface of action of the touch, by means of the capacitive touch sensor, and wherein the evaluation unit is further configured to detect a measured quantity changing with the operating force by generating a first measuring capacitance between the first and second electrodes and to assign a switching or controlling function to the operation in accordance with the characteristic value detected by the capacitive touch sensor and with the measured quantity detected in the operation-detection step.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2017Publication date: February 13, 2020Applicant: PREH GMBHInventors: Norbert BAUER, Thomas KLEFFEL, Jochen SCHLERETH, Florian SCHMITT
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Patent number: 10161860Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fog detection method in a vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a first fog sensor with a first transmitter emitting a first encoded optical signal into a vehicle's surroundings, and an associated first receiver for receiving an optical signal reflected from the vehicle's surroundings, and a first analyzing unit for decoding, analyzing and providing a first detection result related to the reception, wherein, for encoding, a code is selected among a plurality of possible codes (A,B,C) by the first transmitter in a code selection, and the code selection is communicated from the first transmitter to the first receiver and/or the analyzing unit, wherein, upon analyzing the signal received from the first receiver by the first analyzing unit, the code selection is used for identifying the first encoded optical signal in the received signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2018Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: PREH GMBHInventors: Thomas Kleffel, Norbert Bauer
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Publication number: 20180224372Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fog detection method in a vehicle comprising the steps of: providing a first fog sensor with a first transmitter emitting a first encoded optical signal into a vehicle's surroundings, and an associated first receiver for receiving an optical signal reflected from the vehicle's surroundings, and a first analyzing unit for decoding, analyzing and providing a first detection result related to the reception, wherein, for encoding, a code is selected among a plurality of possible codes (A,B,C) by the first transmitter in a code selection, and the code selection is communicated from the first transmitter to the first receiver and/or the analyzing unit, wherein, upon analyzing the signal received from the first receiver by the first analyzing unit, the code selection is used for identifying the first encoded optical signal in the received signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: PREH GMBHInventors: Thomas KLEFFEL, Norbert BAUER