Patents by Inventor Thomas Kropf

Thomas Kropf 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: 9707970
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle, and to a control device for carrying out the method and a computer program product having program code for carrying out the method. In order to improve the safety of use of the motor vehicle, it is provided that functions of the motor vehicle are enabled as a function of stored data relating to the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Mueller, Thomas Kropf
  • Patent number: 9570254
    Abstract: A portable electronic user device, in the form of an electronic key, having an inherently rigid button for activation by a user. The portable electronic user device further has a flexibly deformable membrane including a first side having at least one support section on which the at least one button is supported via the plunger, and an actuating section, separate from the at least one support section, for receiving and forwarding an actuation of the button to an electrical switch element. There is a rigid frame which bears the membrane on a second side opposite the first side, wherein, in the assembled state, having the membrane in the region of the at least one support section, the frame has at least one breakout, via which the membrane is moveable by the plunger upon activating the at least one button and, in dependence on the size and/or the shape of the breakout, provides a force for resetting the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Kropf, Wolfgang Kaiser, Florian Schweiger, Rudolf Renner
  • Publication number: 20160264147
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle, and to a control device for carrying out the method and a computer program product having program code for carrying out the method. In order to improve the safety of use of the motor vehicle, it is provided that functions of the motor vehicle are enabled as a function of stored data relating to the driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Alexander Mueller, Thomas Kropf
  • Publication number: 20160055991
    Abstract: A portable electronic user device, in the form of an electronic key, having an inherently rigid button for activation by a user. The portable electronic user device further has a flexibly deformable membrane including a first side having at least one support section on which the at least one button is supported via the plunger, and an actuating section, separate from the at least one support section, for receiving and forwarding an actuation of the button to an electrical switch element. There is a rigid frame which bears the membrane on a second side opposite the first side, wherein, in the assembled state, having the membrane in the region of the at least one support section, the frame has at least one breakout, via which the membrane is moveable by the plunger upon activating the at least one button and, in dependence on the size and/or the shape of the breakout, provides a force for resetting the button.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Kropf, Wolfgang Kaiser, Florian Schweiger, Rudolf Renner
  • Publication number: 20140350852
    Abstract: A device for detecting objects in a stream of sensor image data corresponding to images of vehicle surroundings detected by a surroundings sensor of a vehicle includes: a position determination unit for determining a vehicle position, an ascertainment unit for ascertaining which object is situated in the direction of travel according to the determined vehicle position on a route of the vehicle, and a filter for filtering the sensor image data according to a location of the ascertained object in order to detect the object in the sensor image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan Nordbruch, Thomas Kropf
  • Publication number: 20140316690
    Abstract: A device for determining a position of a vehicle, including a position determining device for determining the position, and a transmitter for sending the position to the vehicle. Also described is a method and a system for determining a position of a vehicle. In addition, a computer program is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan Nordbruch, Thomas Kropf, Christian Braeuchle