Abstract: A method for operating an automated utility vehicle includes, after a change in the load state of the automated utility vehicle, determining a current weight and/or a current load distribution of the automated utility vehicle. The method further includes making available the determined current weight and/or the determined current load distribution in the form of current load information. The current load information is used for situation-dependent adaptation of planning and/or control of a trajectory of the automated utility vehicle.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the self-motion of a vehicle in an environment are provided, in which at least part of the environment is recorded via snapshots by an imaging device mounted on the vehicle. At least two snapshots are analyzed for determining the optical flows of image points, reference points that seem to be stationary from the point of view of the imaging device being ascertained from the optical flows. The reference points are collected in an observed set, new reference points being dynamically added to the observed set with the aid of a first algorithm, and existing reference points being dynamically removed from the observed set with the aid of a second algorithm.

Abstract: In a method for calibrating a multi-camera system having at least two cameras spaced at a distance from one another, the cameras are aligned with one another with respect to their optical axes. The cameras are used for supplying three-dimensional image information, and the multi-camera system is situated on a vehicle. The position of the cameras relative to one another, in particular the alignment of their optical axes relative to one another, is retained unchanged before, during and after the calibration, and the cameras are calibrated by electronic processing of image information from at least one of the cameras.

Abstract: A method is described for detecting a traffic space comprising a driver assistance system including a monocular image sensor. The image sensor produces chronologically successive images of the traffic space. The images of the image sequence are used to ascertain the visual flow and examine it for discontinuities. Discontinuities found in the visual flow are assigned to objects in the traffic space.

Abstract: Processing of image data relating to moving scenarios, especially for recognizing and tracking objects located therein, requires identifying corresponding pixels or image areas in the individual successive image data sets. Likewise, processing of stereo images requires identifying the data areas which correspond to each other in two images that are recorded substantially at the same time from different angles of vision. According to the novel method of analyzing correspondences in image data sets, the image data sets that are to be compared are transformed using a signature operator such that a signature string is calculated for each pixel and is stored in a signature table allocated to the individual image data sets along with the pixel coordinates in a first step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for automatically monitoring a motor vehicle, especially for automatically monitoring a vehicle (E) in a traffic jam. Said system comprises at least one sensor (2) for monitoring the space in front of the vehicle (E), and an electronic regulating device for regulating travel, braking and steering. According to the invention, said sensor is designed in such a way that it detects the movement of a vehicle (A) changing lanes in front of vehicle (E). The control of the vehicle is returned to the driver, or the driver is requested to regain control of the vehicle, when motor vehicle (E) shows a desire to follow the lane change of vehicle (A), and when it is determined, by means of the signals of the lateral sensor (8, 10), that during the monitoring, vehicle (E) is not at a sufficiently safe distance from a vehicle (B) detected by the lateral sensor. One such system for automatically monitoring a motor vehicle thus increases road safety in a simple manner.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the self-motion of a vehicle in an environment are provided, in which at least part of the environment is recorded via snapshots by an imaging device mounted on the vehicle. At least two snapshots are analyzed for determining the optical flows of image points, reference points that seem to be stationary from the point of view of the imaging device being ascertained from the optical flows. The reference points are collected in an observed set, new reference points being dynamically added to the observed set with the aid of a first algorithm, and existing reference points being dynamically removed from the observed set with the aid of a second algorithm.

Abstract: Processing of image data relating to moving scenarios, especially for recognizing and tracking objects located therein, requires identifying corresponding pixels or image areas in the individual successive image data sets. Likewise, processing of stereo images requires identifying the data areas which correspond to each other in two images that are recorded substantially at the same time from different angles of vision. According to the novel method of analyzing correspondences in image data sets, the image data sets that are to be compared are transformed using a signature operator such that a signature string is calculated for each pixel and is stored in a signature table allocated to the individual image data sets along with the pixel coordinates in a first step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for automatically monitoring a motor vehicle, especially for automatically monitoring a vehicle (E) in a traffic jam. Said system comprises at least one sensor (2) for monitoring the space in front of the vehicle (E), and an electronic regulating device for regulating travel, braking and steering. According to the invention, said sensor is designed in such a way that it detects the movement of a vehicle (A) changing lanes in front of vehicle (E). The control of the vehicle is returned to the driver, or the driver is requested to regain control of the vehicle, when motor vehicle (E) shows a desire to follow the lane change of vehicle (A), and when it is determined, by means of the signals of the lateral sensor (8, 10), that during the monitoring, vehicle (E) is not at a sufficiently safe distance from a vehicle (B) detected by the lateral sensor. One such system for automatically monitoring a motor vehicle thus increases road safety in a simple manner.

Abstract: For substantial relieving the driver of a vehicle with respect to the monitoring of the preceding environment as well as the evaluation of distances and speeds of multiple preceding vehicles, there is provided in accordance with the invention a process for detecting and monitoring a number of vehicles (A through C) preceding one's own vehicle (E), which process divides the preceding environment into at least a near zone (ZII) and at least one distant zone (ZI), wherein for the preceding vehicles (A through C) respectively their lane (S1 through S3), speed (VA through VC) and/or distance to the monitoring vehicle (E) are determined, and on the basis of the respective determined lane (S1 through S3), speed (VA through VC) and/or distance for the preceding vehicles (A through C) their position with respect to the near zone (ZII) or the distant zone (ZI) are determined, wherein on the basis of the respective determined speeds (VA through VC) and/or positions of the preceding vehicles (A through C) the actual

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for image recognition in motor vehicles, whereby electromagnetic waves emanating from an object are detected by at least one sensor with regard to the direction and intensity thereof, evaluated and transferred to an image matrix. The untouched original image of the object and additional reflected waves from the object, reflected at the chassis, called the mirror image below, is recorded by the sensor. The mirror image and the original image are then taken for evaluation, whereby, firstly, the position and geometry of the reflecting surfaces of the chassis relative to the sensor are determined.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a space of a vehicle. The method includes sensing the space using a first sensor including at least one surveillance camera so as to produce an image data, performing an evaluation of the image data, selecting at least one area of the space using the evaluation of the image data, sensing the at least one area using a second alignable sensor having a restricted spatial sensing range so as to produce a second data, and evaluating the second data. In addition, a vehicle that includes a first sensor having at least one surveillance camera disposed in an interior of the vehicle, the first sensor having a field of view at least partially covering at least one of the interior and an exterior of the vehicle, and a second alignable sensor having a restricted spatial sensing range, an alignment of the second sensor being controllable using the first sensor.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for the optical monitoring of the internal space of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle internal space is monitored by at least one panorama camera (2; 4), of which images are supplied in curvilinear coordinates, wherein the images obtained from the panorama camera (2; 4) are transformed to cylindrical or planar coordinates (6) and wherein the transformed images are subjected to an electronic image evaluation (8). The invention makes it possible with one single camera to carry out various monitoring functions both in the internal spaces as well as the external space of the vehicle.

Abstract: For substantial relieving the driver of a vehicle with respect to the monitoring of the preceding environment as well as the evaluation of distances and speeds of multiple preceding vehicles, there is provided in accordance with the invention a process for detecting and monitoring a number of vehicles (A through C) preceding one's own vehicle (E), which process divides the preceding environment into at least a near zone (ZII) and at least one distant zone (ZI), wherein for the preceding vehicles (A through C) respectively their lane (S1 through S3), speed (VA through VC) and/or distance to the monitoring vehicle (E) are determined, and on the basis of the respective determined lane (S1 through S3), speed (VA through VC) and/or distance for the preceding vehicles (A through C) their position with respect to the near zone (ZII) or the distant zone (ZI) are determined, wherein on the basis of the respective determined speeds (VA through VC) and/or positions of the preceding vehicles (A through C) the actual spee

Abstract: In a system for optical acquisition of the road and traffic in front of a road vehicle by electronic processing and evaluation of the image signals from a video camera mounted at the level of the top edge of the windshield of the vehicle, with the optical axis of the camera running at an angle to the road in a plane that is parallel to or approximately parallel to the vertical lengthwise central plane of the vehicle, the lens of the video camera is designed as a wide-angle lens and the slope angle that the optical axis of the lens forms with the plane of the road is less than half the total aperture angle of the lens, but corresponds approximately to half of its value.