Patents by Inventor Uli Joos

Uli Joos 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: 11290041
    Abstract: A method for controlling a semiconductor bridge of an electrically operable motor, the semiconductor bridge being controlled depending on a pulse width modulation signal by a first controllable semiconductor switch and a separate second controllable semiconductor switch for supplying the electrically operable motor with electrical energy, a ramp signal with a predeterminable ramp slope for controlling one of the two controllable semiconductor switches being generated by a ramp generator, depending on the pulse width modulation signal. The invention also relates to a control device and to an arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Uli Joos
  • Patent number: 10771346
    Abstract: A method monitors a data transmission network having a plurality of devices connected to one another over fixedly prescribed signal transmission paths, for anomalies. One of the devices is a master device that has a counter and a trigger apparatus, by which a prescribed signal feature of a signal is acquired, and upon the acquisition, a master counter state corresponding thereto is read. The method provides for an evaluation apparatus to determine, under predetermined conditions, a setpoint value of at least one network-specific parameter defined by a physical property of the network, before an actual value of the network-specific parameter is determined from a difference between the master counter state and a further counter state, and an anomaly is indicated if a predetermined deviation criterion between the actual value and the setpoint value is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Uli Joos, Florian Gerster, Lorenz Lieder
  • Publication number: 20200266737
    Abstract: A method for controlling a semiconductor bridge of an electrically operable motor, the semiconductor bridge being controlled depending on a pulse width modulation signal by a first controllable semiconductor switch and a separate second controllable semiconductor switch for supplying the electrically operable motor with electrical energy, a ramp signal with a predeterminable ramp slope for controlling one of the two controllable semiconductor switches being generated by a ramp generator, depending on the pulse width modulation signal. The invention also relates to a control device and to an arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Uli Joos
  • Publication number: 20200044937
    Abstract: A method monitors a data transmission network having a plurality of devices connected to one another over fixedly prescribed signal transmission paths, for anomalies. One of the devices is a master device that has a counter and a trigger apparatus, by which a prescribed signal feature of a signal is acquired, and upon the acquisition, a master counter state corresponding thereto is read. The method provides for an evaluation apparatus to determine, under predetermined conditions, a setpoint value of at least one network-specific parameter defined by a physical property of the network, before an actual value of the network-specific parameter is determined from a difference between the master counter state and a further counter state, and an anomaly is indicated if a predetermined deviation criterion between the actual value and the setpoint value is met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: ULI JOOS, FLORIAN GERSTER, LORENZ LIEDER
  • Patent number: 10097172
    Abstract: A method for protecting a controllable semiconductor switch from overload and short-circuiting in a load circuit, the method—including detecting an output voltage of the semiconductor switch;—comparing a detected output voltage with a predicted switching progress; and—deactivating the semiconductor switch if the detected output voltage is lower than the predicted switching progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Uli Joos, Alexander Pölzer, Martin Speckner, Norbert Stuhler
  • Patent number: 9520870
    Abstract: Pulse width modulated controller systems. Implementations may include: a microcontroller coupled with a memory, a switch controller coupled with the microcontroller, and a calibration unit. The calibration unit may include one or more comparators, one or more passive electrical components, and an encoder logic all operatively coupled together and coupled with the microcontroller and with the switch controller where the at least one comparator and the one or more passive electrical components are electrically coupled with a supply voltage to the semiconductor switch and with a load voltage (output voltage) from the semiconductor switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignees: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC, Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Robert H. Fugere, Andrew Talan, Daniel P. Connolly, Uli Joos, Norbert Stuhler
  • Publication number: 20160285448
    Abstract: Pulse width modulated controller systems. Implementations may include: a microcontroller coupled with a memory, a switch controller coupled with the microcontroller, and a calibration unit. The calibration unit may include one or more comparators, one or more passive electrical components, and an encoder logic all operatively coupled together and coupled with the microcontroller and with the switch controller where the at least one comparator and the one or more passive electrical components are electrically coupled with a supply voltage to the semiconductor switch and with a load voltage (output voltage) from the semiconductor switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicants: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC, Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Robert H. Fugere, Andrew Talan, Daniel P. Connolly, Uli Joos, Norbert Stuhler
  • Publication number: 20160197602
    Abstract: A method for protecting a controllable semiconductor switch from overload and short-circuiting in a load circuit, the method—including detecting an output voltage of the semiconductor switch;—comparing a detected output voltage with a predicted switching progress; and—deactivating the semiconductor switch if the detected output voltage is lower than the predicted switching progress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Conti Temic Microelectronic GMBH
    Inventors: Uli Joos, Alexander Pölzer, Martin Speckner, Norbert Stuhler
  • Patent number: 8541959
    Abstract: The system, which provides a control signal, includes an over-current control unit, a time clock that provides a periodic time signal, and a clock generator unit that includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal. The first input terminal is coupled to the time clock and the output terminal is coupled to the over-current control unit. The first input terminal of the clock generator unit receives the periodic time signal and the second input terminal of the clock generator unit receives a modification signal. The clock generator unit generates a clock signal based on the periodic time signal and the modification signal. The output terminal of the clock generator unit provides the clock signal to the over-current control unit, and the over-current control unit provides a control signal based on the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Adams, Uli Joos, Josef Schnell, Jochen Zwick
  • Patent number: 8508259
    Abstract: A method for driving a non-linear load element. On account of the non-linear interrelationship between the voltage and the current at the load element and the related non-linear dependence of the power loss on the quantities “voltage” and “current”, an adjustment of the switching speed only on the basis of the power loss in the switching element cannot be carried out with non-linear load elements without being confronted with undesirable switching losses and related electromagnetic noise fields. Therefore, the load current currently flowing in the load element is picked up in addition to the currently determined power loss in the switching element, and the switching speed of the switching element is controlled in dependence on the determined power loss and on the current picked up. The switching speed can be optimally adjusted when driving the non-linear load elements by means of PWM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Uli Joos, Jochen Zwick, Josef Schnell, Christian Voss
  • Patent number: 8461780
    Abstract: A method is intended to make it possible to drive a PTC electrical load element with a switching unit with the highest possible operational reliability. For this purpose, the electric current is switched off if a predetermined current threshold value is exceeded, the magnitude of the current threshold value being determined from the operating parameters of the load element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignees: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Laurent Guillot, Kamel Abouda, Philippe Rosado, Helmut Henssler, Uli Joos, Josef Schnell, Norbert Stuhler
  • Patent number: 8310112
    Abstract: A control unit for triggering a plurality of electric loads with a plurality of input signals, wherein the electric loads are triggered by pulse width modulated signals, and the input signals are PWM signals. A method is described with which the control unit triggers a plurality of electric loads with a plurality of input signals. The control unit includes controllable switching provisions, wherein these switching provisions connect at least one load respectively with one of at least two different PWM inputs. A method is described for triggering a plurality of electric loads with the aid of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Uli Joos, Thomas Michael, Josef Schnell, Thomas Rössler
  • Publication number: 20120119678
    Abstract: A method is intended to make it possible to drive a PTC electrical load element with a switching unit with the highest possible operational reliability. For this purpose, the electric current is switched off if a predetermined current threshold value is exceeded, the magnitude of the current threshold value being determined from the operating parameters of the load element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicants: CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRONIC GMBH, FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Laurent Guillot, Kamel Abouda, Philippe Rosado, Helmut Henssler, Uli Joos, Josef Schnell, Norbert Stuhler
  • Patent number: 8134308
    Abstract: A method is intended to make it possible to drive a PTC electrical load element with a switching unit with the highest possible operational reliability. For this purpose, the electric current is switched off if a predetermined current threshold value is exceeded, the magnitude of the current threshold value being determined from the operating parameters of the load element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignees: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Laurent Guillot, Kamel Abouda, Philippe Rosado, Helmut Henssler, Uli Joos, Josef Schnell, Norbert Stuhler
  • Patent number: 8093833
    Abstract: Disclosed is for controlling a light source by pulse width modulation of a supply voltage. The supply voltage, or a parameter dependent thereon, is measured and the pulse width is controlled as function of the measured value. The supply voltage or parameter is measured at least twice during the pulse and may be cyclically measured. The pulse width of the current or a subsequent pulse is matched to the recorded value of the supply voltage or the parameter. A total value is generated from all of the measured values and compared with a given value and the pulse width of subsequent pulses are matched as function of the difference between the total value and the given value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Conit Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Uli Joos, Christian Voss, Josef Schnell, Jochen Zwick
  • Patent number: 8035363
    Abstract: A procedure for triggering a load element using an electronic switch element is presented, in which voltage on the load element is controlled with a maximum specified increase. The increase does not remain constant, but is controlled via the switching procedure in dependence on the effectively occurring power loss or a value which is dependant on it (Ua/Ubat), preferably in several phases, whereby preferably at the beginning and the end of the switch-over procedure in the phase where the output voltage changes, the increase is selected as being low relative to the increase in the middle phase, since as a result, the power loss is only insignificantly raised, yet the high-frequency interferences can be noticeably dampened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic, GmbH
    Inventors: Uli Joos, Armin Lenk
  • Patent number: 7977817
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for pulse width modulated control of a plurality of load elements, particularly during supply of the load elements from a common supply system in motor vehicles. The load elements are controlled in a time staggered manner with respect to one another, more particularly in a phase staggered manner within a common pulse width. Switch loads and high frequency interferences in the supply lines and the corresponding emissions can thus be reduced. The invention also discloses a circuit arrangement in which a corresponding phase staggered control is achieved with only one counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic, GmbH
    Inventors: Uli Joos, Josef Schnell
  • Publication number: 20110140636
    Abstract: The system, which provides a control signal, includes an over-current control unit, a time clock that provides a periodic time signal, and a clock generator unit that includes a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal. The first input terminal is coupled to the time clock and the output terminal is coupled to the over-current control unit. The first input terminal of the clock generator unit receives the periodic time signal and the second input terminal of the clock generator unit receives a modification signal. The clock generator unit generates a clock signal based on the periodic time signal and the modification signal. The output terminal of the clock generator unit provides the clock signal to the over-current control unit, and the over-current control unit provides a control signal based on the clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Adams, Uli Joos, Josef Schnell, Jochen Zwick
  • Patent number: 7924021
    Abstract: The function of a lamp circuit is tested by measuring the current and voltage. A resistance value is taken into account which is specified as a polynomial of at least the 1st order depending on the effective measured voltage on the lamp circuit. The parameters of the polynomial are determined by a quantity of measurements which correspond to the order of the polynomial, under operating conditions which are known to differ, and the specific resistance value or a value derived from it are compared with a specified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic, GmbH
    Inventors: Uli Joos, Jochen Zwick, Nicolai Jeutner
  • Patent number: 7888890
    Abstract: A method for controlling electrical light sources, in particular, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by pulse width modulation of a supply voltage is disclosed, whereby the supply voltage or a parameter dependent thereon, for example the current or the electrical power, is measured and the pulse width is controlled as a function thereof. According to the invention, for the light source a characteristic curve for the brightness is generated as a function of the supply voltage or the parameter dependent thereon and, from the measured supply voltage or the parameter dependent thereon, an actual brightness value is determined with the characteristic curve and is compared with a given brightness value and the pulse width controlled as a function thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Conti Temic Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Uli Joos, Christian Voss, Josef Schnell, Jochen Zwick