Patents by Inventor Valentin SCHMIDT

Valentin SCHMIDT 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).

  • Publication number: 20260336511
    Abstract: A method for illuminating an area in which a motor vehicle including a motor vehicle lighting device is located, a motor vehicle light distribution being variable with regard to an emission-angle-dependent brightness being generated by the motor vehicle lighting device, an additional vehicle light distribution being generated by an additional vehicle lighting device of an additional vehicle located in the area, an item of illumination information that relates to the additional vehicle light distribution being transmitted from the additional vehicle to the motor vehicle, an overall illumination pattern in the area being determined based on the item of illumination information, and the motor vehicle light distribution and/or the additional vehicle light distribution being modified such that a motor vehicle illumination pattern generated by the motor vehicle light distribution and an additional vehicle illumination pattern generated by the additional vehicle light distribution produce the overall illumination pa
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: October 29, 2026
    Inventors: Valentin SCHMIDT, Tilman ARMBRUSTER, Marcel DEBELEC
  • Patent number: 12767161
    Abstract: A method for controlling a configuration state of at least one vehicle device of a motor vehicle, wherein calibration state data which signal a current calibration state of a self-calibration routine carried out by the calibration device during a driving operation of the motor vehicle are received from a calibration device of the vehicle device in question. A progress value is assigned to the respective current calibration state data in accordance with a predefined evaluation rule and a configuration data set which defines a configuration state of the vehicle device in question is selected from a plurality of predefined configuration data sets depending on the current progress value, and the vehicle device is configured by the selected configuration data set, wherein at least one function parameter is set according to the respective configuration data set for the execution of the least one sub-function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2026
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin Schmidt, Marcel Debelec
  • Patent number: 12691815
    Abstract: A method for operating an illuminating device of a motor vehicle, wherein light is radiated into a lighting volume by the illuminating device, wherein a control condition is evaluated, the fulfillment of which depends on whether the lighting volume comprises a partial lighting volume by which an area and/or an environment volume is illuminated that is illuminated or can be illuminated by an infrastructure luminaire, wherein when the control condition is fulfilled, the illuminating device is controlled in such a way that light is radiated into the partial lighting volume with a different light intensity than into a residual lighting volume of the lighting volume, which residual lighting volume lies outside the partial lighting volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2026
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin Schmidt, Tilman Armbruster, Stephan Berlitz
  • Patent number: 12643462
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one illumination device, by means of which at least one light signal can be generated which is visible from outside the motor vehicle, and comprising at least one acoustic device, by means of which at least one acoustic signal can be generated which is audible from outside the motor vehicle. The at least one control device of the motor vehicle is configured to check whether at least one output condition is satisfied and, if the at least one output condition is satisfied, to control the at least one illumination device and the at least one acoustic device in such a way that the light signal and the acoustic signal are generated simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Stephan Berlitz, Tanja Kammann, Cesar Muntada Roura, Valentin Schmidt, Konrad Tröger
  • Patent number: 12403816
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has a lighting device comprising at least two headlight devices, wherein the headlight devices is arranged horizontally offset on a front side of the motor vehicle and each having one or more dimmable lamps, wherein a spatial region extending in front of the motor vehicle over a horizontal angular range can be illuminated by each headlight device according to a respective brightness generated by the lamp or lamps, wherein, before or during a reverse travel of the motor vehicle, as a function of a steering angle of the motor vehicle, the brightnesses of the lamp or lamps of at least one of the headlight devices are adjusted,—wherein, when using headlight devices comprising multiple lamps, the lamps are adjusted such that at least one portion of the spatial region-opposite the direction of the turning of the steering wheel is illuminated at an increased brightness, and/or—wherein, when using headlight devices comprising at least one lamp, the bri
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin Schmidt, Tilman Armbruster, Johannes Reim, Marcel Debelec
  • Publication number: 20250229794
    Abstract: A method for controlling a configuration state of at least one vehicle device of a motor vehicle, wherein calibration state data which signal a current calibration state of a self-calibration routine carried out by the calibration device during a driving operation of the motor vehicle are received from a calibration device of the vehicle device in question. A progress value is assigned to the respective current calibration state data in accordance with a predefined evaluation rule and a configuration data set which defines a configuration state of the vehicle device in question is selected from a plurality of predefined configuration data sets depending on the current progress value, and the vehicle device is configured by the selected configuration data set, wherein at least one function parameter is set according to the respective configuration data set for the execution of the least one sub-function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin SCHMIDT, Marcel DEBELEC
  • Patent number: 12358416
    Abstract: A method for illuminating vehicle surroundings of a motor vehicle that comprises an illumination device and a detection device, wherein the illumination device is set up to illuminate at least part of a solid angle region of the vehicle surroundings with different illumination patterns, in particular with visible light, wherein the illumination patterns each predefine illumination intensities for different solid angle subregions of the solid angle region, comprising the steps of: illuminating the vehicle surroundings with a first of the illumination patterns by means of the illumination device, detecting a light pattern that results from the illumination of the vehicle surroundings with the first illumination pattern by means of the detection device, selecting a second of the illumination patterns on the basis of the detected light pattern, and illuminating the vehicle surroundings with the second illumination pattern by means of the illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin Schmidt, Tilman Armbruster, Johannes Reim, Marcel Debelec
  • Patent number: 12331903
    Abstract: A method for operating a taillight of a motor vehicle, wherein the taillight, in particular in addition to a functional light source assigned to at least one further light function, has a taillight source assigned to a taillight function, having a plurality of lighting regions that can be controlled independently with respect to operation and brightness, wherein at least one environment sensor of the motor vehicle records sensor data describing other traffic participants behind within a predefined distance range from the rear of the motor vehicle, wherein if at least one activation criterion evaluating the sensor data and checking for the presence of at least one further traffic participant within a predetermined distance range from the rear of the motor vehicle, a brightness-increasing switching operation, in particular an activation and/or a dimming, of a second lighting region of the taillight source which was previously inactive or is operating with lower brightness than at least one other, first lighting
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin Schmidt, Daniel Halbig, Ernst Reiter, Roman Horst, Viktor Hahn
  • Patent number: 12325355
    Abstract: The present disclosure relate to a motor vehicle comprising a sensor device for detecting the position and the distance from an object located in front of the motor vehicle and a device for projecting a light marker onto the ground in the region of the object, wherein the device is configured, on the basis of the detected position and distance data, to project either a round or polygonal light marker on a region around the object, wherein this is dimensioned is such a way that its border is indicates a minimum distance to be maintained around the object when driving past, and/or the device is configured to generate a linear light marker and project it on the ground into the region in front of the motor vehicle running by the object in such a way that the distance of the light marker corresponds to the minimum distance to be maintained from the object when driving past and indicates when the motor vehicle can reenter the lane after passing the object while maintaining a safe distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Tilman Armbruster, Stefanie Köppe, Johannes Reim, Valentin Schmidt, Michael Augustin, Marcel Debelec
  • Patent number: 12097797
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle, comprising an illumination device, which comprises a plurality of light sources and a control device for illuminating an illumination region which can be simultaneously illuminated and which completely covers the surroundings of the motor vehicle in the circumferential direction. The illumination region is divided by the control device into illumination segments, which are controllable independently for illumination as part of at least one light function, in particular an assisting light function, of a vehicle system, wherein the illumination region of the illumination device has at least two illumination segments, one following the other in a spacing direction from the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin Schmidt, Michael Flachhuber
  • Publication number: 20240278712
    Abstract: A method for operating a taillight of a motor vehicle, wherein the taillight, in particular in addition to a functional light source assigned to at least one further light function, has a taillight source assigned to a taillight function, having a plurality of lighting regions that can be controlled independently with respect to operation and brightness, wherein at least one environment sensor of the motor vehicle records sensor data describing other traffic participants behind within a predefined distance range from the rear of the motor vehicle, wherein if at least one activation criterion evaluating the sensor data and checking for the presence of at least one further traffic participant within a predetermined distance range from the rear of the motor vehicle, a brightness-increasing switching operation, in particular an activation and/or a dimming, of a second lighting region of the taillight source which was previously inactive or is operating with lower brightness than at least one other, first lighting
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin SCHMIDT, Daniel HALBIG, Ernst REITER, Roman HORST, Viktor HAHN
  • Publication number: 20240227661
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one illumination device, by means of which at least one light signal can be generated which is visible from outside the motor vehicle, and comprising at least one acoustic device, by means of which at least one acoustic signal can be generated which is audible from outside the motor vehicle. The at least one control device of the motor vehicle is configured to check whether at least one output condition is satisfied and, if the at least one output condition is satisfied, to control the at least one illumination device and the at least one acoustic device in such a way that the light signal and the acoustic signal are generated simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Stephan BERLITZ, Tanja KAMMANN, Cesar MUNTADA ROURA, Valentin SCHMIDT, Konrad TRÖGER
  • Publication number: 20240190337
    Abstract: A motor vehicle comprising a sensor device for detecting the position and the distance from an object located in front of the motor vehicle and a device for projecting a light marker onto the ground in the region of the object, wherein the device is configured, on the basis of the detected position and distance data, to project either a round or polygonal light marker on a region around the object, wherein this is dimensioned is such a way that its border is indicates a minimum distance to be maintained around the object when driving past, and/or the device is configured to generate a linear light marker and project it on the ground into the region in front of the motor vehicle running by the object in such a way that the distance of the light marker corresponds to the minimum distance to be maintained from the object when driving past and indicates when the motor vehicle can reenter the lane after passing the object while maintaining a safe distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Tilman ARMBRUSTER, Stefanie Koppe, Johannes Reim, Valentin Schmidt, Michael Augustin, Marcel Debelec
  • Publication number: 20240131980
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one illumination device, by means of which at least one light signal can be generated which is visible from outside the motor vehicle, and comprising at least one acoustic device, by means of which at least one acoustic signal can be generated which is audible from outside the motor vehicle. The at least one control device of the motor vehicle is configured to check whether at least one output condition is satisfied and, if the at least one output condition is satisfied, to control the at least one illumination device and the at least one acoustic device in such a way that the light signal and the acoustic signal are generated simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Stephan BERLITZ, Tanja KAMMANN, Cesar MUNTADA ROURA, Valentin SCHMIDT, Konrad TRÖGER
  • Patent number: 11878627
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating an assistance system of a motor vehicle, wherein the assistance system has a projector. A message relating to a wrong-way driver is received, and a position of the wrong-way driver transmitted with the message is compared with a current position. Depending on the comparison, a recommendation for adapting a driving parameter is projected into an area in front of the motor vehicle for the driver by means of the projector. The present disclosure also relates to an assistance system of a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin Schmidt, Tilman Armbruster, Johannes Reschke, Faruk Krijestorac
  • Publication number: 20230373383
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle, comprising an illumination device, which comprises a plurality of light sources and a control device for illuminating an illumination region which can be simultaneously illuminated and which completely covers the surroundings of the motor vehicle in the circumferential direction. The illumination region is divided by means of the control device into illumination segments, which are controllable independently for illumination as part of at least one light function, in particular an assisting light function, of a vehicle system, wherein the illumination region of the illumination device has at least two illumination segments, one following the other in a spacing direction from the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin SCHMIDT, Michael FLACHHUBER
  • Publication number: 20230365052
    Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has a lighting device comprising at least two headlight devices, wherein the headlight devices is arranged horizontally offset on a front side of the motor vehicle and each having one or more dimmable lamps, wherein a spatial region extending in front of the motor vehicle over a horizontal angular range can be illuminated by each headlight device according to a respective brightness generated by the lamp or lamps, wherein, before or during a reverse travel of the motor vehicle, as a function of a steering angle of the motor vehicle, the brightnesses of the lamp or lamps of at least one of the headlight devices are adjusted, wherein, when using headlight devices comprising multiple lamps, the lamps are adjusted such that at least one portion of the spatial region opposite the direction of the turning of the steering wheel is illuminated at an increased brightness, and/or-wherein, when using headlight devices comprising at least one lamp, the bri
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin SCHMIDT, Tilman ARMBRUSTER, Johannes REIM, Marcel DEBELEC
  • Publication number: 20230278485
    Abstract: A method for operating an illuminating device of a motor vehicle, wherein light is radiated into a lighting volume by the illuminating device, wherein a control condition is evaluated, the fulfillment of which depends on whether the lighting volume comprises a partial lighting volume by which an area and/or an environment volume is illuminated that is illuminated or can be illuminated by an infrastructure luminaire, wherein when the control condition is fulfilled, the illuminating device is controlled in such a way that light is radiated into the partial lighting volume with a different light intensity than into a residual lighting volume of the lighting volume, which residual lighting volume lies outside the partial lighting volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin SCHMIDT, Tilman ARMBRUSTER, Stephan BERLITZ
  • Publication number: 20230046242
    Abstract: A method for illuminating vehicle surroundings of a motor vehicle that comprises an illumination device and a detection device, wherein the illumination device is set up to illuminate at least part of a solid angle region of the vehicle surroundings with different illumination patterns, in particular with visible light, wherein the illumination patterns each predefine illumination intensities for different solid angle subregions of the solid angle region, comprising the steps of: illuminating the vehicle surroundings with a first of the illumination patterns by means of the illumination device, detecting a light pattern that results from the illumination of the vehicle surroundings with the first illumination pattern by means of the detection device, selecting a second of the illumination patterns on the basis of the detected light pattern, and illuminating the vehicle surroundings with the second illumination pattern by means of the illumination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin SCHMIDT, Tilman ARMBRUSTER, Johannes REIM, Marcel DEBELEC
  • Publication number: 20230050851
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating an assistance system of a motor vehicle, wherein the assistance system has a projector. A message relating to a wrong-way driver is received, and a position of the wrong-way driver transmitted with the message is compared with a current position. Depending on the comparison, a recommendation for adapting a driving parameter is projected into an area in front of the motor vehicle for the driver by means of the projector. The present disclosure also relates to an assistance system of a motor vehicle and to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Valentin SCHMIDT, Tilman ARMBRUSTER, Johannes RESCHKE, Faruk KRIJESTORAC