Daimler Chrysler Ag

Mercedes-benz Aktiengesellschaft

Mechaless Systems Gmbh

Juergen Setzer

Max Reeb

Juergen Minuth

Gerhard Nagel

Peter Hanf

Gerd Reime

Horst Brinkmeyer

Andreas Rodewald

Peter Langer

Volker Wilhelmi

Rolf Melcher

Thomas Rick

Guenter Schwegler

Michael Dietz

Frank Rottmann

Guenther Schwarz

The invention relates to a device and a method for identifying an object O in an opening that can be closed by means of a mobile element (). Light is fed into at least one fiber-optic light guide () from a light source (), and variations in the received light are detected by means of at least one receiver (Ea, Eb), the fiber-optic light guide being arranged at least partially along the edge of the opening (). A first fiber-optic light guide sends light transversally to the length thereof, said light being then received by a second fiber-optic light guide transversally to the length thereof. The second fiber-optic light guide () is connected to the receiver (Eb). The fiber-optic light guides are arranged on the edge of the opening () in such a way that a light field (F) at least partially bridging the opening is produced. At least one light source () and at least one receiver (Ea, Eb) are respectively associated with each fiber-optic light guide (), and a clock circuit is used to alternately feed the light received by the respective receiver into the fiber-optic light guides. Comparison means are used to compare the signals on the receivers in order to identify the object.

Device and method for identifying an object in or on a closable opening

A method for testing and safeguarding the availability of a networked system which is assigned to a system carrier, wherein a multiplicity of subscribers exchange data via a bus-type network which is comprised of one or more bus lines. Specific voltage levels are applied to the bus line or the lines by the appropriate subscribers. By virtue of this, as a minimum, at least individual subscribers transmit data. The bus line or the lines is/are monitored by the at least one receiving subscriber for an overshoot or undershoot of voltage levels. Due to this, the data is evaluated in at least one receiving subscriber with the aid of voltage levels. During operation of the system, signals present on the bus-type network are discriminated, tested or measured with respect to at least one signal criterion by individual subscribers under conditions defined in a network-wide manner for all subscribers. In each case, characteristic status data is generated for each signal criterion (with respect to each subscriber) and collected and arranged in at least one status map of the system. This status data characterizes both the current and at least one earlier status, with regard to the tested subscribers and with respect to the at least one criterion. At least one measure of the margin of error of the networked system with respect to the at least one criterion is obtained from the status data.

Process for testing and ensuring the availability of a networked system

A semiconductor circuit for an electronic unit having at least one microcontroller comprises at least one voltage regulator for providing, from a first supply voltage, at least one second supply voltage for the microcontroller and for circuits of the unit which cooperate with the microcontroller. The circuit further comprises, in monolithic form, a transceiver unit having transmitting and receiving device for coupling a microcontroller to the two-wire bus. This monolithic construction may additionally comprise watchdog functions, various wake-up functions and an interface via which a serial data exchange with the at least one microcontroller is possible. Furthermore, it may have an apparatus for determining, throughout the network, bus subscribers having reference-ground potential faults and for quantifying such faults.

Semiconductor circuit for an electronic unit

Process for determining potential shifts between eletronic modules in a wire bus network

In a method for testing the ground contact of parts of a networked system in which data are sent and received via at least one line, at least one line at each part is connected via a resistance arrangement to a common potential of the parts and is connectable via a controllable switch to a further potential. The voltage across the resistance arrangement is compared with a predetermined potential when the line is at one potential in a steady state, and the state of the ground contact of the part is deduced from a comparison of the voltage across the resistance arrangement with the predetermined potential.

Process for testing the ground contact of parts of a networked system

An electronic vehicle key has a radio receiver for receiving radio call information which is transmitted by a control center, and a key communication device for communicating with a vehicle communication device in an associated vehicle, signals transmitted by the key communication device to the vehicle communication device serving to activate or deactivate an immobilizer on the vehicle. According to the invention, a key controller, which administers a mobility account, is provided in the electronic vehicle key; and radio call information is transmitted by a control center is registered as a &ldquo;credit&rdquo; in the mobility account. Relevant events are processed as &ldquo;debits&rdquo; in the mobility account, and deactivation or activation of the immobilizer on the vehicle is dependent on the account value of the mobility account.

Electronic vehicle key

An adjusting device having a multi-function operating switch is provided. The function elements which can be controlled by the operating switch can be selected in a variable manner on the user side from a totality of function elements. In a motor vehicle, the operating switch may, for example, have the configuration of a tunnel driving switch by which function elements that can be selected by the user, such as window lifting mechanisms, low-beam and interior-light units, etc. can be controlled into function positions which can also be predetermined by the user for driving through tunnels. This implements a high operating comfort for the individual and situation-adapted adjustment of a condition which can be influenced by a totality of function elements.

Adjusting device having a multi-functional operating switch

Growing community of inventors

Illingen, Germany

Juergen Setzer