Abstract: An evaluation method for radar measurement data of a mobile radar measurement system includes the steps of preparing a multidimensional range-Doppler map from the radar measurement data. In this evaluation method, each multidimensional range-Doppler map is stored together with time information. Moreover, at least one multidimensional range-Doppler map with time information is propagated on the basis of known movement data of the radar measurement system to the current time. The multiple multidimensional range-Doppler maps may be combined to form a combined range-Doppler map.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting misalignment of a radar unit (2) of a vehicle (3), the apparatus comprising: an accelerometer (4) arranged to determine the acceleration of the radar unit (2) along three axes, and having an output for a signal indicative of the acceleration; and a processor arranged coupled to the output of the accelerometer; in which the processor is arranged to determine the misalignment based on the acceleration measured by the accelerometer (4), and in which the determination of the misalignment is made: about two axes, if the vehicle (3) is stationary; and about a third axis perpendicular to the two axes when the vehicle is moving.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting misalignment of a radar unit (2) of a vehicle (3), the apparatus comprising: a rotational speed sensor (1) arranged to measure the rotational speed of the radar unit (2) about at least one axis and having an output for a signal indicative of the rotational speed; and a processor (5) arranged coupled to the output of the rotational speed sensor; in which the processor (5) is arranged to determine the misalignment at least in part based on the rotational speed measured by the rotational speed sensor (1).

Abstract: A device for detecting rain includes a camera and a lighting source for emitting visible light onto a window. The camera and the lighting source are configured and arranged in such a way that the camera can detect a signal of the visible light which the lighting source emits onto the window. The signal which is detected by the camera correlates with visible light of the lighting source, which visible light is reflected or scattered at the inner face of the window or outer face of the window and/or at the raindrop. The visible light passes through a shutter device which causes the light to be blocked or highly attenuated in a predefined direction perpendicular to the illumination direction of structures of the shutter device. In contrast, the light in the direction perpendicular to the predefined direction and to the illumination direction can propagate virtually unimpeded through the shutter device.

Abstract: A device for redundant object detection includes a stereo camera having two image sensors, a first processor for detecting objects by stereo image evaluation of image data from the two image sensors, and a second processor for classifying the detected objects by evaluation of image data from at least one of the two image sensors. A method and a program for such object detection and classification are also provided.

Abstract: A device and a method for determining a position of one or more structural elements of a vehicle the position of which can be changed and a change in the position of which alters external dimensions of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for detecting rain (4). The device for detecting rain comprises a camera with an image sensor (5) and colour filters for pixels of the image sensor in a number of primary filter colours (R; G; B) and an illumination source (3) for producing monochromatic light (h) of a first primary filter colour. The monochromatic light is provided in a visible wavelength range which is transmitted by the first primary filter colour and blocked by the other primary filter colours. The camera and the illumination source (3) are designed and arranged in such a manner that the camera can detect a signal from the monochromatic light (r1, r2?) with which the illumination source illuminates a pane (2).

Abstract: A device for detecting rain includes a camera and a lighting source for emitting visible light onto a window. The camera and the lighting source are configured and arranged in such a way that the camera can detect a signal of the visible light which the lighting source emits onto the window. The signal which is detected by the camera correlates with visible light of the lighting source, which visible light is reflected or scattered at the inner face of the window or outer face of the window and/or at the raindrop. The visible light passes through a shutter device which causes the light to be blocked or highly attenuated in a predefined direction perpendicular to the illumination direction of structures of the shutter device. In contrast, the light in the direction perpendicular to the predefined direction and to the illumination direction can propagate virtually unimpeded through the shutter device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assisting a driver in driving a vehicle by detecting weather-related visibility limitations, wherein image data of the surroundings of the vehicle and of the windshield are generated by a camera that is directed toward the windshield.

Abstract: A brake control system for motor vehicles includes a stability system for stabilizing the vehicle from the standpoint of driving dynamics during braking, a triggering unit for the automatic output of a braking demand as a function of the traffic situation, a braking unit which converts the braking demand into a braking action, and a control unit for modifying the braking demand prior to its implementation as a function of the state of the stability system.

Abstract: A method and a device for estimating the coefficient of friction by a 3D camera. The 3D camera records at least one image of the vehicle's surroundings. The image data of the 3D camera is used to produce a height profile of the road surface in the entire space ahead of the vehicle. Based on the height profile, the local coefficient of friction of the road surface that is to be expected in the space ahead of the vehicle is estimated.

Abstract: A method and a device for estimating the coefficient of friction by a 3D camera. The 3D camera records at least one image of the vehicle's surroundings. The image data of the 3D camera is used to produce a height profile of the road surface in the entire space ahead of the vehicle. Based on the height profile, the local coefficient of friction of the road surface that is to be expected in the space ahead of the vehicle is estimated.

Abstract: A device for redundant object detection includes a stereo camera having two image sensors, a first processor for detecting objects by stereo image evaluation of image data from the two image sensors, and a second processor for classifying the detected objects by evaluation of image data from at least one of the two image sensors. A method and a program for such object detection and classification are also provided.

Abstract: A method for classifying objects into obstacles and non-obstacles for a vehicle is described. The vehicle comprises a sensor for covering the surroundings that detects stationary and moving objects in a scene in front of a vehicle. Where required, the path of the motion of the objects is tracked. The method provides one or several observers, wherein one observer classifies an object according to predetermined features and contributes to an overall classification result when there are several observers. An observer detects the path of the motion of vehicles in the surroundings of at least one stationary object and classifies the stationary object in dependence thereon.

Abstract: A method and device for identifying and classifying objects, electromagnetic radiation being emitted by a sensor, the radiation components reflected on objects being received by the sensor, the received signals being analyzed by comparison with stored characteristic values and the class of the reflecting object being deduced on the basis of the analysis. To this end, an analyzer is provided for analyzing the received signals, a memory is provided for storing characteristic patterns, its stored patterns being compared with the analyzed signals and thus the class of the reflecting objects being deducible on the basis of the comparison.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for motor vehicles has a sensor device for measuring data about the environment of the vehicle, at least two assistance functions, and a data processing device, which analyzes the measured data and generates at least one specific environmental hypothesis for each assistance function, which provides output data in a form prepared for the corresponding assistance function, at least one environmental hypothesis which has a structure divided into a plurality of partial hypotheses being predefined in the data processing device, and the partial hypotheses having such a logical relationship with one another that output data of one partial hypothesis flow into the generation of the other partial hypothesis, and at least two assistance functions directly or indirectly use a shared partial hypothesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for assisting a driver in driving a vehicle by detecting weather-related visibility limitations, wherein image data of the surroundings of the vehicle and of the windshield are generated by a camera that is directed toward the windshield.

Abstract: A method for classifying objects into obstacles and non-obstacles for a vehicle is described. The vehicle comprises a sensor for covering the surroundings that detects stationary and moving objects in a scene in front of a vehicle. Where required, the path of the motion of the objects is tracked. The method provides one or several observers, wherein one observer classifies an object according to predetermined features and contributes to an overall classification result when there are several observers. An observer detects the path of the motion of vehicles in the surroundings of at least one stationary object and classifies the stationary object in dependence thereon.

Abstract: A method for predicting object movements in a driver assistance system of a motor vehicle, in which the movements of objects located periodically by a locating device (12) are precalculated by dynamic modeling of the objects, characterized in that a plurality of dynamic models (16) are held in readiness which are based on different hypotheses about the object, and that the models are selected and/or weighted as a function of the situation in accordance with the correctness probability (P1, P2) of the hypotheses for the prediction.

Abstract: In an object verification method for use in radar systems for motor vehicles, the distances and relative velocities of located objects are determined on the basis of received radar echoes. The signature of multiple reflections is searched for in the received radar echoes to verify real objects.