Abstract: In complex vehicle maneuvers it is often difficult for the driver of the motor vehicle to estimate along which tract the vehicle will move and how much free space is necessary in order to avoid collision. A process is provided for monitoring the environment space in the direction of travel of the own vehicle, in which image data of the environment around the vehicle in the direction of travel of the vehicle is recorded using a camera system the three-dimensional free space required for unimpeded travel is calculated in advance in a signal processing unit and the vehicle operator is informed regarding whether or not a sufficient free space is available to him for unimpeded travel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a night vision system for vehicles. According to the invention, the road in front of the vehicle is stereoscopically recorded via two night vision-capable cameras, e.g. infrared or low-light-level cameras that are mounted in the front of the vehicle at a distance from one another. Corresponding stereoscopic image display devices permit the driver to observe the road in front of the vehicle in three-dimensions. Objects located in front of the vehicle can be detected in critical areas by means of additional image evaluating devices and can be differently accentuated or marked in the image representation. The night vision system can be designed to also permit a two-dimensional display of images or data alternatively or in conjunction with 3D representation. In an enhanced embodiment, head movements and/or the line of sight of the driver are/is detected and used for a corresponding tracking of the image display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for displaying a perspective image and to a display device for at least one passenger of a motor vehicle. The air of the vehicle is to guarantee by simple means a high road safety that is substantially independent of the knowledge and skills of the driver. To this end, a method for displaying a perspective image (B) with one image element (4A to 4H) for at least one passenger of a motor vehicle is provided, said image (B) representing the view of the passenger. According to the inventive method, the image element (4A to 4H) is changed in at least one size depending on the forward travel way (F), on at least one operational parameter of the motor vehicle and/or on at least one parameter of an object (6) identified in the range of the travel way (F).

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for assisting an operator of a technical appliance, with a image display device (2), of which the image is in the normal field of vision of the operator, for display of operationally relevant information in the form of images or symbols (1). According to the invention, a respective image or symbol is displayed at least once for a brief period of time, of which the duration is below the threshold of conscious recognition and above the threshold of subconscious recognition of the operator.

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 process and system for monitoring the ability to work under pressure or receptiveness and effectiveness of a vehicle operator. The EEG-patterns of the mental activity are continuously recorded in various frequency ranges and evaluated according to various criteria. The occurrence of signals shapes or changes which indicate a impairment of operating ability are thus detected and lead, depending upon the detected status, to triggering of stepwise gradually increasing responses, from warning signals up to direct intervention and the control of the vehicle.

Abstract: A camera based position recognition system for a road vehicle. The environment in the direction of travel of the vehicle is acquired by a camera. Using the acquired image data, the position of the vehicle in its environment is determined with regard to an optical signature identified in the obtained image data. For determining the position of the vehicle, use is made of the knowledge of the relationship between the environment coordinate system of the optical signature and that of the camera coordinate system. In simplified manner, position determination occurs with regard to the optical signature on the basis of a template matching imposed on the image data. For this, a template or an optical signature recorded in memory is superimposed on the optical signature identified in the image data in the environment of the vehicle (template matching).

Abstract: In order to assist the driver, future vehicles are being equipped with systems for detecting the surroundings. Such systems serve to provide the driver with advance warning about possible collisions with other participants in traffic, for example, pedestrians. Here, the detection of the information about the surroundings is done, among others, using image sensors and their evaluation via an image processing unit. The evaluation of image data is limited to simple geometric and dynamic models which describe the behavior of participants in traffic. Therefore, an image-processing system is proposed which takes into consideration the attention of other participants in traffic. Especially here, the direction of looking of recognized participants in traffic is detected and, based on the detected direction of looking, a probability is determined for evaluating the risk of collision with other participants in traffic.

Abstract: In complex vehicle maneuvers it is often difficult for the driver of the motor vehicle to estimate along which tract the vehicle will move and how much free space is necessary in order to avoid collision. A process is provided for monitoring the environment space in the direction of travel of the own vehicle, in which image data of the environment around the vehicle in the direction of travel of the vehicle is recorded using a camera system the three-dimensional free space required for unimpeded travel is calculated in advance in a signal processing unit and the vehicle operator is informed regarding whether or not a sufficient free space is available to him for unimpeded travel.

Abstract: For the attention control for an operator of technical equipment, a display device for displaying action-relevant information in the form of images or symbols is implemented in which the duration of the display of the specific image or symbol lies below a conscious and above an unconscious perception threshold of the operator, and in which the specific image or symbol is displayed at those locations of the field of vision of the operator at which objects are located to which his/her attention is to be drawn. The advantage of the present invention consists in that the operator does not need to turn his/her view away from the scene to be monitored and in that he/she is not unnecessarily disturbed by the representation of information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the identification of templates, in the form of stored information. An identifying suggestion is automatically generated for the template. The generation of said suggestion can occur separately from the actual identification process, for example when the method for generation of the suggestion is time-consuming. A generation of the suggestion during the identification process is also possible, for example, when the method is in the position to generate the suggestion in real-time or almost in real-time. The identification suggestions for the observer, thus, are rapidly generated, permitting a representative object recognition.

Abstract: A process for moving a motor vehicle into a target position includes placing the motor vehicle in a starting position near the target position; following a first driver-side activation, scanning the environment of the motor vehicle continuously at least for detection of the target position, and determining continuously the current motor vehicle position; determining control data for moving the motor vehicle into the target position with the aid of the determined environment and position information; and after a second driver-side activation, delivering control data-dependent control commands to at least one of a drive train, a brake system and a steering system of the motor vehicle, thus driving the motor vehicle driver-independently into the target position.

Abstract: A gate-keeping message broker spanning a firewall to provide interconnected message brokering services spanning the firewall. The gate-keeping message broker provides for the creation of an international business transaction information system (“IBTIS”) for a user having service needs regarding the relocation of purchased goods across international borders. The IBTIS is configured to work with a plurality of internal service engines and reference servers that are present on both sides of the firewall. The gate-keeping message broker also provides form and syntax validation for messages that it brokers. It further provides content verification and completion services on the content of the messages, the verification being based on business-logic specific to the type of message being brokered.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for providing advanced warning or advanced information of other road users via a vehicle, which includes an optical signal device for detection of other road users, with a sensor for automatic recognition of situations, which may possibly require an advanced warning or advanced information for other road users. When such a situation is recognized, the signal device is activated at least once for a short duration, of which the duration is below the conscious detection threshold and above the subconscious detection threshold of the road user.

Abstract: A process for moving a motor vehicle into a target position includes placing the motor vehicle in a starting position near the target position; following a first driver-side activation, scanning the environment of the motor vehicle continuously at least for detection of the target position, and determining continuously the current motor vehicle position; determining control data for moving the motor vehicle into the target position with the aid of the determined environment and position information; and after a second driver-side activation, delivering control data-dependent control commands to at least one of a drive train, a brake system and a steering system of the motor vehicle, thus driving the motor vehicle driver-independently into the target position.

Abstract: For the attention control for an operator of technical equipment, a display device for displaying action-relevant information in the form of images or symbols is implemented in which the duration of the display of the specific image or symbol lies below a conscious and above an unconscious perception threshold of the operator, and in which the specific image or symbol is displayed at those locations of the field of vision of the operator at which objects are located to which his/her attention is to be drawn. The advantage of the present invention consists in that the operator does not need to turn his/her view away from the scene to be monitored and in that he/she is not unnecessarily disturbed by the representation of information.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has devices for temporary automatic vehicle driving and devices for the communication between a vehicle user and at least one electronic communication system. An operating device is provided by which the communication devices can be activated for implementing a communication operation and the vehicle driving devices can be activated for an automatic vehicle driving. When it is recognized that resumption of manual vehicle driving is becoming necessary, the activated vehicle driving devices transmit a take-over information signal to the communication devices, which display this take-over information on a display unit.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for controlling the longitudinal velocity of a motor vehicle is provided with a continuous determination of the vehicle position and controlling of the longitudinal velocity while defining a desired velocity defining value and/or velocity defining limit value as a function of the determined vehicle position. By using corresponding velocity defining devices, velocity data are detected by way of the actual value and/or a set desired value and/or a set limit value of the longitudinal vehicle velocity as a function of the vehicle position. The desired velocity defining value and/or velocity defining limit value is determined from the velocity data detected for the respective vehicle position during one or several preceding drives. The detected velocity data themselves and/or the desired defining value data or defining limit value data are stored in a retrievable manner.

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.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for determining the distance of a vehicle from a roadway side marking. An arrangement of light sensitive sensor elements is fitted to the vehicle for optically scanning a portion of the roadway located in front of the vehicle. An evaluation unit, connected downstream of the sensor element arrangement, is also provided. Only one or a few sensor element lines are used as the sensor element arrangement. Each line scans a narrow strip of the roadway which runs in front of the vehicle, not parallel to the vehicle longitudinal axis, and extends laterally as far as the roadway side marking. The evaluation unit reads each sensor element line sequentially and processes the received signals to determine the lateral distance of the vehicle from the roadway marking. The relatively small quantity of data which accumulates permits the processing of the data digitally in real time by a conventional microprocessor. The apparatus is used as sleep warning system or lane guard for motor vehicles.