Dear Diary

About Me

Bio
title: Dipl.-Inf. (FH)
name: Oliver Hendrik van Porten
born: May 20, 1982 in Cologne, Germany

Research Interests

Speech Recognition
Software Testing
Model Driven Development
Software Architectures
Process Modeling
Aspect Oriented Programming

Readings
Lots of Science Fiction (used to be a lot of Cyberpunk) and Fantasy, but also non-fictional novels.
Terry Pratchet and Douglas Adams have been long-time favourites. I also loved the Harry Potter novels by J.K. Rowling.

Oddly enough, I also enjoy reading technical literature most of the time and try to read as many technical books as possible in an effort to broaden my insight into computer sciences and other areas where possible.

Education

FernUniversität Hagen, Hagen, Germany
Computer Science, Master of Science, since August 2008
Specialization: Software Engineering and Programming Languages
University of Applied Sciences Aachen / FH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
Computer Science, Diplom Informatiker (FH), August 2002 – August 2007
Thesis topic: A Process For Tuning Engine Parameters of the VoCon3200 Speech Recognition Engine
Thesis grade: 1.0/1.0
Overall grade: Gut (1.9)
Gymnasium Bonnstrasse, Hürth, Germany
Abitur 2001

Additional Skills

Languages: German (native), English (business fluent), French (some), Spanish(little), Latin (very little)
Computer skills: C, C++, Python, C#, Java, PHP, JavaCC, Prolog, SQL, MatLAB, LATEX, UML, Windows & Linux
Other: Knowledge of speech recognition on embedded platforms and experience in the automotive and mobile market.

Experience

Nuance Communications Aachen GmbH, Aachen, Germany
Software Engineer, Embedded Research & Development, since October 2009
Software Developer, September 2007 – September 2009
Working in the professional services team as a software developer. The work includes porting the VoCon3200 ASR as well as the Vocalizer TTS engine onto
embedded devices running various operating systems. Moreover, the work involves designing and implementing (in C or OOC) complex software systems according to customer needs. This may range from simple API wrappers to full-edged remoting frameworks to support remote procedure calls on multi processor platforms.
University of Applied Sciences Aachen, Aachen, Germany
Student employee with Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Faÿbender, September 2005 – June 2006
Object Orientated Software Development, Compiler Construction.
Did several presentations on software testing techniques including JUnit, FIT/FitNesse and JWebUnit. Assisted fellow students during labs in both courses.
Nuance Communications Aachen GmbH, Aachen, Germany
Graduand, January 2007 – August 2007
Worked to establish and describe a process and tool framework to unify the parameter tuning process for the VoCon3200 Speech Recognition Engine. The
tools were all written in python, partially based on an existing framework. The process was remodeled taking into account experience from past projects.
Intern, June 2006 – January 2007
Worked as in intern in the professional services team completing my practical semester. Mostly software development in C for embedded platforms.
Student employee, December 2005 – June 2006
Speech data processing. Preparing speech data collections for customers. Developed some tools to simplify the process.
Developia.de, Berlin, Germany
Lead Developer, September 2005 – December 2006
Software Developer, June 2004 – August 2005
Co-developed and later on improved the current php-based content management software for developia.de. Developia.de is the biggest german hobby and
semi-pro developer community. Implemented a webservice using SOAP.
EMI Music Germany GmbH & Co. KG, Cologne, Germany
Intern with the department of information technology, June 2002 – August 2002
Worked in the sub-departments for networking technology, software development and helpdesk. Developed an application to process Media Control Charts
using C++ and a video asset database plus GUI frontend using Sybase SQL and Sybase Power Builder respectively.