Patents by Inventor Michael Schober

Michael Schober 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: 11908296
    Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided, comprising: a user device to be monitored for unauthorized displacement, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to set up a UWB communication channel with an external localization device and to perform at least one localization operation through said UWB communication channel, and a processing unit configured to detect said unauthorized displacement of the user device by analyzing an output of said localization operation. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a localization device is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to set up a UWB communication channel with an external system and to perform at least one localization operation through said UWB communication channel, and a processing unit configured to detect an unauthorized displacement of a user device comprised in said external system by analyzing an output of said localization operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Andreas Muehlmann, Michael Schober, Ghiath Al-kadi
  • Patent number: 11893843
    Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication node is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to enable UWB communication with a plurality of external communication nodes; a processing unit configured to perform ranging sessions between the communication node and said external communication nodes, wherein said ranging sessions comprise one or more distance measurements based on messages exchanged through the UWB communication unit between the communication node and said external communication nodes; and a prioritization unit configured to prioritize said ranging sessions in dependence on at least one previously measured distance between the communication node and the respective external communication nodes. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a communication node is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Schober, Christian Eisendle, Stefan Lemsitzer
  • Publication number: 20240030743
    Abstract: A sensor node is provided having a radio frequency (RF) circuit and a sensor interface circuit. The RF circuit wirelessly harvests energy from an external device such as a smart phone to produce a voltage at an output to charge a storage capacitor. The sensor interface circuit is configured to communicate with a sensor. In response to a request from the external device, the sensor node provides a voltage level of the capacitive element to the external device. The external device uses the voltage level to determine capabilities of the sensor node and to control sensing functions of the sensor node. In another embodiment, a method is provided to operate the sensor node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Ulrich Andreas Muehlmann, Michael Schober
  • Patent number: 11882455
    Abstract: In accordance with the first aspect of the present disclosure, an ultra-wideband communication node is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband communication unit configured to transmit one or more ultra-wideband frames to an external device; a processing unit configured to determine scrambled timestamp sequences for said ultra-wideband frames; wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine designated time slots, within which said scrambled timestamp sequences are to be received by said external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Schober, Ulrich Andreas Muehlmann, Hugues Jean Marie de Perthuis
  • Patent number: 11877256
    Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method is conceived for determining the position of at least one node in a communication network, wherein the communication network comprises a localization system that includes a processing unit, a primary anchor and at least one secondary anchor, the method comprising: the primary anchor transmits a poll message to the node and to the secondary anchor; the primary anchor receives a response message from the node; the secondary anchor receives said poll message from the primary anchor and said response message from the node; the processing unit calculates the position of the node using position information and timing information, wherein said position information is position information of the primary anchor and of the secondary anchor, and wherein said timing information is timing information of the poll message transmission by the primary anchor, of the poll message reception by the node and the secondary anchor, of the response message transmi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Schober, Christian Eisendle, Ghiath Al-kadi
  • Publication number: 20230417865
    Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising: a plurality of antennas configured to receive an ultra-wideband signal; a processing unit configured to determine an angle of arrival, AoA, of the ultra-wideband signal, wherein said AoA is based on a phase difference of arrival, PDoA, derived from the ultra-wideband signal; a polarization angle estimation unit configured to estimate a polarization angle of the ultra-wideband signal; wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine the AoA of the ultra-wideband signal using the polarization angle estimated by the polarization angle estimation unit. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a communication device is conceived. In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided for carrying out said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Schober, Pablo Corbalán Pelegrín, David Veit
  • Patent number: 11822000
    Abstract: A method is provided for estimating a signal's angle of arrival (AOA) in a communications system. Starting values for each of a horizontal AOA and a vertical AOA are estimated. The estimated vertical AOA starting value is used to select a horizontal PDOA trace of horizontal PDOA calibration data. The selected horizontal PDOA trace is interpolated to determine a best horizontal AOA estimate for a current iteration. The estimated horizontal AOA starting value is used to select a vertical PDOA trace of vertical PDOA calibration data. The selected vertical PDOA trace is interpolated to determine a best vertical AOA estimate for the current iteration. After each iteration, determining if a maximum number of iterations has been reached or if the best horizontal or vertical AOA estimate has not changed by a predetermined amount. When one of these is true, the best horizontal and vertical AOA estimates are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Schober, Pablo Corbalán Pelegrín, Shengyang Xu
  • Patent number: 11777345
    Abstract: A stator of a directly driven wind power generator includes a stator support including flanges with bores and stator segments positioned on the flanges, when viewed in a circumferential direction. Each stator segment includes a segment support having recesses. At least two securing devices for each of the stator segments secure the stator segment to the flanges. Each securing device includes a bore part insertable in a corresponding one of the recesses, a shim, and an alignment pin insertable in a corresponding one of the bores of the flanges, so that the stator segment is positioned and secured vertically via the bore part and the alignment pin and via the shim to thereby realize a uniform air gap between the stator and a rotor of the wind power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Flender GmbH
    Inventors: Attila Koeszegi, Andreas Lindmeier, Dominik Ratzisberger, Franz Xaver Michael Schober, Christoph Schwarzbauer, Lei Yue
  • Publication number: 20230305137
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for, UWB, ranging of a target using a plurality of antenna arrays. The method comprises: determining a first RSSI, from a first antenna of a first antenna arrays, and a second RSSI from a second antenna of a second antenna arrays; in response to the first RSSI being larger than the second RSSI, selecting the first antenna array, and selecting the second antenna array otherwise; using the selected antenna array, performing a UWB ranging measurement including measuring an angle of arrival of the signal from the target; including, if the angle of arrival of the signal from the target is out of range: selecting a different one of the plurality of antennae arrays, as a presently-selected antenna array; and, using that antenna array, performing a UWB ranging measurement including measuring an angle of arrival of the signal from the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Sunil Dilipkumar Jogi, Purnank Harjivanbhai Ghumalia, Michael Schober, Stefan Lemsitzer, Srivathsa Masthi Parthasarathi, Guillaume Lepoittevin
  • Publication number: 20230283121
    Abstract: A laminated-core segment includes a plurality of axially layered metal sheets. Each metal sheet includes a yoke having grooves, teeth, and a yoke rear which connects the teeth, with at least some of the teeth having axially aligned recesses on a groove distal side of the metal sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Applicant: Flender GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Adlfinger, Andreas Lindmeier, Dominik Ratzisberger, Andreas Jöckel, Franz Xaver Michael Schober
  • Patent number: 11743091
    Abstract: A method of estimating a clock frequency offset in a mobile device relative to a clock frequency of a controller within a UWB network comprises (a) determining, for each of a plurality of anchors, an anchor clock frequency offset relative to the controller clock frequency, (b) broadcasting an anchor data packet from each anchor, the anchor data packet including the respective anchor clock frequency offset, (c) receiving at least one anchor data packet at the mobile device, (d) estimating a mobile device clock frequency offset relative to the anchor clock frequency of the anchor from which the at least one anchor data packet was received, and (e) estimating the clock frequency offset in the mobile device based on the estimated mobile device clock frequency offset and the anchor clock frequency offset included in the at least one received anchor data packet. Furthermore, a TDoA-based localization method and a TDoA-based localization system are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Pablo Corbalán Pelegrín, Michael Schober, Srivathsa Masthi Parthasarathi, Stefan Lemsitzer
  • Publication number: 20230266422
    Abstract: A method for determining an angle of arrival at a communication device is described. The method comprises performing a message exchange between the communication device and a further communication device. The message exchange comprises receiving at least one first message associated with a first frequency at the communication device by means of a first antenna and a second antenna and receiving at least one second message associated with a second frequency at the communication device by means of the first antenna and the second antenna. The method further comprises determining the angle of arrival defined by an orientation of the communication device and a transmission direction of the message exchange, wherein the angle of arrival is determined based on the received first message and the received second message. Furthermore, a corresponding communication device is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Schober, Pablo Corbalán Pelegrín, Ghiath Al-kadi
  • Publication number: 20230134329
    Abstract: A method is provided for estimating a signal’s angle of arrival (AOA) in a communications system. Starting values for each of a horizontal AOA and a vertical AOA are estimated. The estimated vertical AOA starting value is used to select a horizontal PDOA trace of horizontal PDOA calibration data. The selected horizontal PDOA trace is interpolated to determine a best horizontal AOA estimate for a current iteration. The estimated horizontal AOA starting value is used to select a vertical PDOA trace of vertical PDOA calibration data. The selected vertical PDOA trace is interpolated to determine a best vertical AOA estimate for the current iteration. After each iteration, determining if a maximum number of iterations has been reached or if the best horizontal or vertical AOA estimate has not changed by a predetermined amount. When one of these is true, the best horizontal and vertical AOA estimates are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Schober, Pablo Corbalán Pelegrín, Shengyang Xu
  • Publication number: 20230077848
    Abstract: There is described a method of determining a time of arrival of a signal at a UWB ranging device comprising a first antenna, the signal being transmitted by another UWB ranging device, the method comprising: determining a first channel impulse response based on at least a part of the signal received at the first antenna; determining a first time value as an earliest point in time at which the amplitude of the first channel impulse response exhibits a peak value; setting a candidate time value to the first time value; determining a first upper value as the amplitude of the first channel impulse response at a time value corresponding to the candidate time value plus a predetermined upper time value; determining a second upper value as the peak value plus a predetermined upper amplitude value; determining a first lower value as the amplitude of the first channel impulse response at a time value corresponding to the candidate time value minus a predetermined lower time value; determining a second lower value as t
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Dominik Doedlinger, Michael Schober, Christian Eisendle
  • Publication number: 20230065013
    Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit configured to enable UWB communication with at least one external communication device; a processing unit configured to perform a ranging session between the communication device and the external communication device, wherein said ranging session comprises one or more distance measurements based on messages exchanged between the communication device and the external communication device, wherein said messages are exchanged through the UWB communication unit; a prioritization unit configured to prioritize said ranging session using a synchronization indicator associated with said ranging session. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a communication device is conceived. In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided for carrying out said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Boyoung Kim, Michael Schober, Robert Spreitzer, Nidhin Vadakkan, Srivathsa Masthi Parthasarathi
  • Publication number: 20230052581
    Abstract: There is described a ultra-wide band (UWB) communication device, comprising: i) a UWB antenna, configured to receive a UWB signal from a further UWB communication device, and ii) a control device, configured to iia) determine an angle of arrival (?) based on the received UWB signal, iib) determine a distance between the UWB communication device and the further UWB communication device, and thereby iic) compensate for a distance determination disturbance using the determined angle of arrival (?). Further, a UWB communication system and a method of determining a distance are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Pablo Corbalán Pelegrín, Michael Schober, David Veit
  • Publication number: 20220385519
    Abstract: A method of estimating a clock frequency offset in a mobile device relative to a clock frequency of a controller within a UWB network comprises (a) determining, for each of a plurality of anchors, an anchor clock frequency offset relative to the controller clock frequency, (b) broadcasting an anchor data packet from each anchor, the anchor data packet including the respective anchor clock frequency offset, (c) receiving at least one anchor data packet at the mobile device, (d) estimating a mobile device clock frequency offset relative to the anchor clock frequency of the anchor from which the at least one anchor data packet was received, and (e) estimating the clock frequency offset in the mobile device based on the estimated mobile device clock frequency offset and the anchor clock frequency offset included in the at least one received anchor data packet. Furthermore, a TDoA-based localization method and a TDoA-based localization system are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Pablo Corbalán Pelegrín, Michael Schober, Srivathsa Masthi Parthasarathi, Stefan Lemsitzer
  • Patent number: 11516621
    Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a localization device is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband, UWB, communication unit configured to transmit a localization signal to an external device and to receive a response signal from the external device; an angle of arrival measurement unit configured to measure an angle at which the response signal is received; an orientation sensor configured to sense an orientation of the localization device; and a processing unit configured to determine if an angle at which the localization signal is received by the external device, an orientation of the external device, said orientation of the localization device, and said angle at which the response signal is received meet a predefined relationship. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a localization device is conceived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Ghiath Al-kadi, Ulrich Andreas Muehlmann, Michael Schober
  • Patent number: 11501633
    Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a control system is provided for controlling electronic devices, the control system comprising: an ultra-wideband communication unit configured to receive ultra-wideband signals from the electronic devices, and a processing unit configured to select a specific electronic device among said electronic devices for further communication, wherein the processing unit is configured to select said specific electronic device using an angle of arrival of the ultra-wideband signals received from the electronic devices. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding control method for controlling electronic devices is conceived. In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a control system for controlling electronic devices, cause said control system to carry out or control a method of the kind set forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Ghiath Al-kadi, Michael Schober, Derek Park
  • Publication number: 20220295430
    Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising: a communication unit configured to execute a time-of-flight ranging session with an external communication counterpart; a clock offset measurement unit configured to measure a frequency offset of a device clock, wherein said device clock is configured to be used by the communication unit when said ranging session is executed; a processing unit configured to determine whether the measured frequency offset of the device clock has a predefined correlation with a frequency offset of a counterpart clock, wherein said counterpart clock is configured to be used by the external communication counterpart when said ranging session is executed. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a communication device is conceived. In accordance with a third aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding computer program is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Schober, Frank Leong, Dominik Doedlinger