Patents by Inventor Christian Prehofer

Christian Prehofer 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: 11885900
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for tracking a mobile device based on a series of motion measurements of said device comprises retrieving a topological map providing a graph of topological paths, wherein each topological path is associated with a corresponding path direction; statistically generating, on a virtual map, a plurality of particles around an estimated initial position of the mobile device, representing an initial uncertainty of said estimated initial position of the mobile device; determining, from said series of motion measurements, a measured displacement vector of the mobile device representing an estimated displacement direction and an estimated displacement distance of the mobile device; displacing each of said particles on the virtual map according to a randomized particle displacement vector which is derived from said measured displacement vector based on an uncertainty of the measured displacement vector and recording said particle displacement vector for each displaced particle; determining
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Technische Universität München
    Inventors: Georgios Pipelidis, Nikolaos Tsiamitros, Christian Prehofer
  • Patent number: 11400957
    Abstract: A technology of controlling vehicle environment data transmission between a vehicle and a server is configured to receive mode information determining a mode among a monitoring mode, an urgency mode, or an efficiency mode. When determined to be operated in the monitoring mode, a control command for instructing the vehicle to perform a continuous monitoring or a regular monitoring of an environment of the vehicle is generated. When determined to be operated in the urgency mode, a control command for instructing the vehicle to transmit an increased amount of the vehicle environment data from the vehicle to the server is generated. When determined to be operated in the efficiency mode, a control command for instructing the vehicle to store the vehicle environment data and to selectively transmit the vehicle environment data based on at least two different data transmission standards is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Christian Prehofer
  • Publication number: 20220113366
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for tracking a mobile device based on a series of motion measurements of said device comprises retrieving a topological map providing a graph of topological paths, wherein each topological path is associated with a corresponding path direction; statistically generating, on a virtual map, a plurality of particles around an estimated initial position of the mobile device, representing an initial uncertainty of said estimated initial position of the mobile device; determining, from said series of motion measurements, a measured displacement vector of the mobile device representing an estimated displacement direction and an estimated displacement distance of the mobile device; displacing each of said particles on the virtual map according to a randomized particle displacement vector which is derived from said measured displacement vector based on an uncertainty of the measured displacement vector and recording said particle displacement vector for each displaced particle; determining
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: Georgios PIPELIDIS, Nikolaos TSIAMITROS, Christian PREHOFER
  • Publication number: 20210056093
    Abstract: A technology for supporting an event-based transaction using a continuous data stream relating to a vehicle includes: continuously acquiring a data stream of input data relating to the vehicle or relating to an environment of the vehicle from at least one device, the input data to be used in a transaction; calculating a consistency of the input data, errors in the input data, errors in an interpretation of the input data in relation to the transaction, or errors in relation to the data stream of the input data; and improving the input data to be used in the transaction by correcting or adding information before executing the transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventor: Christian PREHOFER
  • Publication number: 20210046950
    Abstract: A technology of controlling vehicle environment data transmission between a vehicle and a server is configured to receive mode information determining a mode among a monitoring mode, an urgency mode, or an efficiency mode. When determined to be operated in the monitoring mode, a control command for instructing the vehicle to perform a continuous monitoring or a regular monitoring of an environment of the vehicle is generated. When determined to be operated in the urgency mode, a control command for instructing the vehicle to transmit an increased amount of the vehicle environment data from the vehicle to the server is generated. When determined to be operated in the efficiency mode, a control command for instructing the vehicle to store the vehicle environment data and to selectively transmit the vehicle environment data based on at least two different data transmission standards is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: Christian PREHOFER
  • Patent number: 10311446
    Abstract: In some examples, context information is determined. The context information is associated with a user and based on information of a communication device associated with the user. The context information is obfuscated based on a user information, such privacy policy, user profile, user preferences, user activity, and/or any combination of the aforementioned, associated with the user. In other examples, the context information is determined based on a user location and/or user information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Christian Prehofer, Sasu Tarkoma
  • Patent number: 9803986
    Abstract: An approach is provided for generating trace data corresponding to one or more mobile devices detected within a premises, where the trace data specifies movement of the mobile device(s) within the premises. A map customizing platform utilizes the user traces to determine accessibility information about areas within the premises using connecting elements of the premises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Core Wireless Licensing S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Christian Prehofer
  • Patent number: 9154301
    Abstract: Location information is provided with an authenticator in order to enable future providing of an authentication to a service or application making use of the location information. The authenticator is based on a cryptographic method known by a provider and recipient of and also optionally based on position data provided by the location information. The authenticator is carried as a watermark in the location information so that the location information can be used by prior existing systems and enables the authentication of the location information in compatible authentication enabled systems. On receiving the location information, an authentication enabled recipient obtains the authenticator from the location information and checks using the authenticator whether use of the location information may be allowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Prehofer, Sasu Tarkoma
  • Patent number: 8966390
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for visually indicating location probability, particularly in a multi-level, three-dimensional environment. In general, a method of a graphical user interface may be provided that displays the uncertain location of a device within an environment in an easily discernable format. A method may be provided that includes providing for transmission of a location request from a first location within an environment and receiving at least two potential locations that are within the environment. The method may further include providing for display of a graphical representation of the environment including visual indicators of the potential locations within the graphical representation of the environment and receiving an indication that a potential location corresponds to the first location. Each visual indicator may convey the accuracy confidence level for each respective location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Christian Prehofer
  • Patent number: 8797853
    Abstract: An access control function (ZF) which checks a requested use (NU) of a service (DI) by considering an available capacity Cv which is detected by considering the entire transmission capacity (G) and is available to an access node (ZK) for transmitting traffic flows (VS) to the communications network. The service is carried out in at least one communications network (KN) that is provided with an entire transmission capacity (G). The access node (ZK) is allocated to the access control function (ZF) which checks the requested use (NU) of the service (DI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudolf Bitzinger, Christian Prehofer, Viktor Ransmayr
  • Patent number: 8538688
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product are disclosed for creating and displaying shortcuts and landmarks on a navigational map. The embodiments include storing context data in a mobile wireless device, the context data including at least one of travel class of a shortcut path, limits of a shortcut path, or restrictions of a shortcut path. The shortcuts may be categorized by their context in travel classes such as car, bike, pedestrian, pram, wheelchair, walker, blind pedestrian, disabled pedestrian, or the like. The embodiments register in the mobile wireless device a starting location for a shortcut path and record locations of the device as the device moves along the shortcut path. The embodiments receive signals describing a landmark at a landmark location along the shortcut path, including digital photographs, descriptive text and voice clips. The embodiments then form in a shortcut mapping file the recorded shortcut path, information about the landmark, and the context data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Christian Prehofer
  • Patent number: 8218511
    Abstract: In communication system (SYS) including a first network (IN) with at least a first terminal node (CN), and an ad hoc network (AHN) with at least a second terminal node (RN1-RN4; MN), and a gateway (GW), transmission information (TI) is forwarded between the first terminal node (CN) of the first network (IN) and the second terminal node (RN1-RN4; MN) of the ad hoc network (AHN). In order to perform a more accurate flow control of transmission information (TI) inside the mobile ad hoc network (AHN), the gateway (GW) and the second terminal node (MN) exchange transmission information (TI) as well as acknowledgement information (ACTAN, ACTAN?, ACTAN?). Preferably, the exchange of the transmission information (TI) and the acknowledgement information (ACTAN, ACTAN?, ACTAN?) is carried out through a tunnel link (TUN1) established between the gateway (GW) and the second terminal node (MN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Prehofer, Philipp Hofmann
  • Patent number: 8174979
    Abstract: According to the invention, in order to control the access of traffic streams (VS) to the communications network (KN), an available capacity (VK), placed at the disposal of an access node (ZK) for transferring traffic streams (VS) to said communications network (KN), is determined from an access node (ZK) of the communications network (KN), taking into account the total transfer capacity (G) of the communications network (KN). The available capacity (VS) is notably redetermined whenever the routing information (RI) of the access node (ZK) is modified. An access control of this type guarantees the quality of service required in a connectionless communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Joachim Charzinski, Thomas Engel, Christian Prehofer, Rainer Sauerwein
  • Patent number: 8046429
    Abstract: A system and method for exchanging components between platforms is described. As a user terminal changes location or preferences, the user terminal may be provided with a new platform that supports desired services. A method and system that relates to migrating one or more components that provide composite services from one communication platform to another is described. A user terminal may receive one or more composite services provided by two or more components existing on platform. As the user terminal switches from one platform to another, the platforms attempt to provide the same services to the user with little to no interruption. Various aspects relate to shifting one or more components from the first platform to the second platform to provide local support for the services desired by the user terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Sasu Tarkoma, Christian Prehofer
  • Patent number: 8023465
    Abstract: A method for performing a handover in a mesh network for a plurality of nodes (A, A?, B) of said mesh network from a first access point (AP1) to a second access point (AP2), whereas said plurality of nodes (A, A?, B) forms a tree of nodes, said tree comprising a root node (B) and one or more further nodes (A,A?) connected to said root node either directly or via intermediate nodes, and said handover being performed for said tree of nodes in a coordinated fashion, said method comprising: forwarding to said members of said tree (A, A?, B) information about said second access point (AP2) and timing information to enable a coordinated handover of said nodes of said tree; switching said root node (B) and said further (A,A?) nodes from said first access point to said second access point according to said timing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Prehofer
  • Publication number: 20110161855
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for visually indicating location probability, particularly in a multi-level, three-dimensional environment. In general, a method of a graphical user interface may be provided that displays the uncertain location of a device within an environment in an easily discernable format. A method may be provided that includes providing for transmission of a location request from a first location within an environment and receiving at least two potential locations that are within the environment. The method may further include providing for display of a graphical representation of the environment including visual indicators of the potential locations within the graphical representation of the environment and receiving an indication that a potential location corresponds to the first location. Each visual indicator may convey the accuracy confidence level for each respective location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Christian Prehofer
  • Publication number: 20110121963
    Abstract: An approach is provided for generating trace data corresponding to one or more mobile devices detected within a premises, where the trace data specifies movement of the mobile device(s) within the premises. A map customizing platform utilizes the user traces to determine accessibility information about areas within the premises using connecting elements of the premises.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Christian PREHOFER
  • Publication number: 20100146583
    Abstract: In some examples, context information is determined. The context information is associated with a user and based on information of a communication device associated with the user. The context information is obfuscated based on a user information, such privacy policy, user profile, user preferences, user activity, and/or any combination of the aforementioned, associated with the user. In other examples, the context information is determined based on a user location and/or user information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Christian Prehofer, Sasu Tarkoma
  • Publication number: 20100125406
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for providing point of interest navigation services. An apparatus may include a processor configured to receive a request for navigation instructions comprising an origin location and a destination location. The processor may be further configured to determine a route between the origin location and the destination location. The processor may additionally be configured to determine one or more points of interest along the route based at least in part upon prior usage data associated with each point of interest. The prior usage data may be received and aggregated from users of a navigation system. The processor may also be configured to provide navigation instructions comprising the one or more determined points of interest. Corresponding methods and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventor: Christian Prehofer
  • Publication number: 20100125409
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product are disclosed for creating and displaying shortcuts and landmarks on a navigational map. The embodiments include storing context data in a mobile wireless device, the context data including at least one of travel class of a shortcut path, limits of a shortcut path, or restrictions of a shortcut path. The shortcuts may be categorized by their context in travel classes such as car, bike, pedestrian, pram, wheelchair, walker, blind pedestrian, disabled pedestrian, or the like. The embodiments register in the mobile wireless device a starting location for a shortcut path and record locations of the device as the device moves along the shortcut path. The embodiments receive signals describing a landmark at a landmark location along the shortcut path, including digital photographs, descriptive text and voice clips. The embodiments then form in a shortcut mapping file the recorded shortcut path, information about the landmark, and the context data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Christian PREHOFER