Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a glow plug in a combustion engine, where a state of aging A of the glow plug is ascertained, and the control of the glow plug is influenced as a function of the state of aging A of the plug.

Abstract: In a method for detecting a replacement of sheathed-element glow plugs in an internal combustion engine, an electrical parameter of the sheathed-element glow plug is determined during a driving cycle and is compared with a stored value of the same electrical parameter of the sheathed-element glow plug that was determined in a preceding driving cycle. In the driving cycle, the same electrical parameter is determined for all sheathed-element glow plugs installed in the internal combustion engine, and the determined pattern of the electrical parameter is compared with a pattern that was ascertained in a preceding driving cycle, a replacement of a sheathed-element glow plug being detected if the pattern of the driving cycle deviates from a pattern of the preceding driving cycle.

Abstract: In a method for detecting a replacement of sheathed-element glow plugs in an internal combustion engine, an electrical parameter of the sheathed-element glow plug is determined during a driving cycle and is compared with a stored value of the same electrical parameter of the sheathed-element glow plug that was determined in a preceding driving cycle. In the driving cycle, the same electrical parameter is determined for all sheathed-element glow plugs installed in the internal combustion engine, and the determined pattern of the electrical parameter is compared with a pattern that was ascertained in a preceding driving cycle, a replacement of a sheathed-element glow plug being detected if the pattern of the driving cycle deviates from a pattern of the preceding driving cycle.

Abstract: A device and a method for controlling at least one glow plug of a motor vehicle are described. The at least one glow plug is controlled as a function of the operating state of the internal combustion engine. In this case, the control is effected as a function of a variable which depends on the exhaust gas temperature and/or as a function of the fulfillment of a fuel quantity condition and/or time condition.

Abstract: A night vision device for a vehicle is provided, in which a travel path that is set or is to be set is inserted in an image recorded by a camera, the travel path being determined from an evaluation of a location-finding or travel direction sensor.

Abstract: A method for detecting an optical structure from image sequences of an image recording system. An optical flow field is derived from the image sequences of the image recording system. The vectors of the optical flow field are broken down into components by projection onto a coordinate system of the image recorded by the image recording system. At least one component of the flow vectors is analyzed for a change of direction. The image elements containing a change of direction of a vector component are connected to form a curve.

Abstract: In a method and a device for driver assistance, traffic elements that point to potential danger zones are detected on the road, using a camera. If such potential danger zones are detected, at least one headlight of the vehicle is controlled in such a way that the potential danger zone is illuminated.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one sheathed-element glow plug in an internal combustion engine, the temperature of the sheathed-element glow plug being controlled as a function of at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine in such a way that optimal combustion properties of the internal combustion engine prevail at all times.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting the exchange of sheathed-element glow plugs (GPE) in a combustion engine, in which at least one electric characteristic quantity of at least one glow plug is measured at the beginning of a driving cycle, an instantaneous value of this characteristic quantity is determined and compared to at least one stored value of the same electric variable quantity of this glow plug, which was determined at the beginning of at least one preceding driving cycle, and if the deviation of the instantaneous value from the stored value exceeds a specifiable threshold value, an exchange of the glow plug (GPE) will be inferred.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling a glow plug in a combustion engine, where a state of aging A of the glow plug is ascertained, and the control of the glow plug is influenced as a function of the state of aging A of the plug.

Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one glow plug of an internal combustion engine in which a time-dependent variable, which characterizes the current flowing through the at least one glow plug, is compared for fault recognition to at least one time-dependent minimum and/or maximum threshold value, and a fault is recognized if the time-dependent variable is greater and/or less than the minimum and/or maximum threshold value. The method is characterized in that the first derivative of the time-dependent variable is compared to the first derivative of the maximum threshold value and the second derivative of the time-dependent variable is compared to the second derivative of the maximum threshold value, and a fault is recognized if the first derivative of the time-dependent variable is less than the first derivative the maximum threshold value, and the second derivative of the time-dependent variable is less than the second derivative of the maximum threshold value.

Abstract: A device and a method for controlling at least one glow plug of a motor vehicle are described. The at least one glow plug is controlled as a function of the operating state of the internal combustion engine. In this case, the control is effected as a function of a variable which depends on the exhaust gas temperature and/or as a function of the fulfillment of a fuel quantity condition and/or time condition.

Abstract: A modular camera system, including a camera which is disposed in a first housing that has a first contact element, and a signal processing and control unit which is disposed in a second housing that has a second contact element, the first housing being couplable with the second housing in a manner disposed so as to abut in planar fashion, and when disposed so as to abut in planar fashion, the first contact element being connected to the second contact element.

Abstract: A sheathed-element glow plug unit includes an input for connecting the sheathed-element glow plug unit to a control line, via which a sheathed-element glow plug of the sheathed-element glow plug unit is able to be controlled. The sheathed-element glow plug unit has an output, via which at least one further sheathed-element glow plug unit is able to be connected to the control line.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting the exchange of sheathed-element glow plugs (GPE) in a combustion engine, in which at least one electric characteristic quantity of at least one glow plug is measured at the beginning of a driving cycle, an instantaneous value of this characteristic quantity is determined and compared to at least one stored value of the same electric variable quantity of this glow plug, which was determined at the beginning of at least one preceding driving cycle, and if the deviation of the instantaneous value from the stored value exceeds a specifiable threshold value, an exchange of the glow plug (GPE) will be inferred.

Abstract: A night vision device for a vehicle is provided, in which a travel path that is set or is to be set is inserted in an image recorded by a camera, the travel path being determined from an evaluation of a location-finding or travel direction sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one sheathed-element glow plug in an internal combustion engine, the temperature of the sheathed-element glow plug being controlled as a function of at least one operating parameter of the internal combustion engine in such a way that optimal combustion properties of the internal combustion engine prevail at all times.

Abstract: In a method and a device for driver assistance, traffic elements that point to potential danger zones are detected on the road, using a camera. If such potential danger zones are detected, at least one headlight of the vehicle is controlled in such a way that the potential danger zone is illuminated.

Abstract: A method and a device for bi-directional transmission of data are provided such that an interface for digital communication on a signal line is obtained which is suited for automotive use. In accordance with the present invention, the following are provided: at least one switchable load unit, the load unit of the temporary transmitter being able to be deenergized prior to transmission of the data; and being able to be reenergized after transmission of the data; in each case at least one switchable current-source unit is assigned to the load unit, the current-source unit of the transmitter being able to be clocked to generate the signals to be transmitted via the communication path; and in each case at least one comparator unit is assigned to the load unit, corresponding output signals being generated at the comparator unit of the receiver from the signals transmitted via the communication path.

Abstract: A control/evaluation system for a set of sensors, in particular in motor vehicles, has a plurality of areas, each of which has at least one controller and a plurality of sensor devices connected thereto; the controllers may be connected to each other for a common application function.