Patents by Inventor Ulrich Seger

Ulrich Seger has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20120075471
    Abstract: A camera for a vehicle is described. The camera has at least one optoelectronic image converter, a camera housing in whose interior the image converter is accommodated, a camera optical element, which is accommodated in an optical mounting reference surface of the camera housing and is provided for imaging a primary detection area on the image converter, and a camera position reference surface for positioning the camera in relation to a vehicle window. At least one receiving surface for at least one light-guiding device e.g., one or a plurality of mirrors, is formed on the camera housing for deflecting light from at least one additional detection area to the camera optical element. The optical mounting reference surface, camera position reference surface, and receiving surface are preferably formed on a single housing component, e.g., an upper shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Nikolai Bauer
  • Publication number: 20120026330
    Abstract: A camera system for a motor vehicle includes: a camera, which includes an image sensor for outputting image signals, and camera optics for detecting a first environment and for imaging the first environment on the image sensor at a first subject distance. The camera system has camera supplementary optics, which are at least partially provided in the optical path in front of the camera optics, the camera optics and the camera supplementary optics jointly forming an optics system by which a second environment, e.g., a region of a surface of a window, is able to be imaged or focused on the image sensor at a second object distance that differs from the first object distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Huelsen, Ulrich Seger, Matthias Karl, Annette Frederiksen
  • Publication number: 20120026318
    Abstract: A camera system for detecting a state of a vehicle window pane is described, having at least the following: a camera having an image sensor for detecting a first radiation emitted by the vehicle surroundings and for outputting image signals; and a radiation source for emitting a second optical radiation. At least a portion of the emitted second optical radiation is detectable by the image sensor as a function of a state of the window pane. The camera system is set up in such a way that a state of the vehicle window pane is determinable on the basis of the image signals output by the image sensor during measurements in which the vehicle window pane is illuminated differently by the second optical radiation. For this purpose, an evaluation unit which determines a state of the vehicle window pane on the basis of the image signals output by the image sensor during the measurements may be provided to record the image signals and to ascertain a state of the window pane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Michael Huelsen, Ulrich Seger, Matthias Karl, Annette Frederiksen, Roland Schmid, Werner Uhler, Norbert Hog
  • Publication number: 20120001287
    Abstract: An image sensor and a method for manufacturing an image sensor are described in which the image sensor includes at least one substrate having a plurality of light-sensitive elements forming a sensor field and first microfilter elements for wavelength-selective filtering of incident light. The first microfilter elements are attached to a transparent carrier made of glass or a transparent film, for example. A first microfilter element is situated in front of a portion of the light-sensitive elements for wavelength-selective filtering of light striking the light-sensitive element. No microfilter element is situated in front of a further portion of the light-sensitive elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Roland Schmid, Uwe Apel, Gerald Franz, Andreas Reppich
  • Publication number: 20110273564
    Abstract: A camera system for detecting the surroundings of a vehicle through a vehicle window pane (1), having a camera (2) having an image sensor (4) for recording images, a first optical radiation (6) generated by the vehicle surroundings being detectable by a sensor surface (10) of the image sensor (4), and having a radiation source (3) for emitting a second optical radiation (7). At least a portion of the emitted second optical radiation (7) is detectable by the sensor surface (10) of the image sensor (4), and the portion of the second optical radiation (7) detected by the sensor surface (10) is a function of a state of the vehicle window pane (1). The first optical radiation (6) and the second optical radiation (7) are jointly detectable via at least one partial area (8, 9) of the sensor surface (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Gerald Franz
  • Publication number: 20110260035
    Abstract: An image acquisition system, in particular for automotive applications, includes: a substrate; an image sensor mounted on the substrate and contacted via contact points; an optically transparent sealing compound that covers the image sensor, the contact points, and a portion of the upper substrate side; an optical device being arranged or secured in or on the sealing compound. The optical device can be placed into the sealing compound after shaping of the sealing compound or directly. Furthermore, the optical device can also be arranged directly by shaping the sealing compound. Manufacture of the image acquisition system can be incorporated into a board populating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Gerald Franz
  • Publication number: 20110254960
    Abstract: An image converter includes: a pixel array having multiple imager pixels for outputting imager pixel signals, and a readout and processing device for reading out the pixel array and for receiving and processing the imager pixel signals. The pixel array has multiple reference pixels for outputting reference pixel signals, and at least one reference current device for outputting reference currents to the reference pixels for simulating illumination intensities. The readout and processing is adapted to jointly read out, receive, and process the reference pixel signals and the imager pixel signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Ulrich SEGER, Hans-Georg Drotleff
  • Patent number: 7935928
    Abstract: A method and a device for generating images in a motor vehicle are provided. An infrared-sensitive camera generates images of the surroundings of the motor vehicle. An emission source emitting in the near infrared spectral region is used for the pulsed illumination of sub-ranges of the image recording region of the camera. The camera generates the images by recording partial image regions. To record the partial image regions, a synchronization in time is carried out with the pulsed illumination of the sub-range including at least the partial image region. In the preferred exemplary embodiment, the recording of partial image regions of an infrared-sensitive CMOS camera is synchronized in time with a laser diode array emitting in the near infrared spectral region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Jens Schick
  • Publication number: 20110015805
    Abstract: A method for controlling a driver assistance system having sensors for recording the vehicle's environment and a device for intervening in onboard systems of the vehicle as a function of output signals of the sensors, the driver assistance system recording at least the course of a travel lane along which the vehicle is traveling and the position of the vehicle with respect to the travel lane, and guiding the vehicle on a trajectory; in this context, the driver assistance system establishes the trajectory as a function of the driver request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Ulrich Seger
  • Publication number: 20100134616
    Abstract: A color mask for an image sensor of a vehicle camera has a matrix arrangement made up of first filter pixels and second filter pixels. In every horizontal row and/or every vertical column, first filter pixels and second filter pixels are situated, the first filter pixels and the second filter pixels having different transmission behaviors. The second filter pixels have a more comprehensive transmission behavior, e.g., completely transparent to optical light. The first filter pixels are preferably red.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Lothar Bergen, Steffen Fritz
  • Patent number: 7693344
    Abstract: A method and a device for image processing and for a night vision system for motor vehicles, in which a standard camera that is sensitive in the near infrared delivers images which are displayed on a display arrangement having a lower resolution than the camera. In addition, the image processing method improves the raw images of the sensor using image-sharpening methods and/or contrast-enhancing methods, so that display on a display arrangement is made possible for viewing by a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Franz Matthias
  • Publication number: 20100026805
    Abstract: In an image capture system for use in vehicles as well as an optical system for use in the automotive sector, the image capture system has at least one image sensor element having a plurality of image sensors situated in an image plane and at least one micro-lens system having a plurality of micro-lenses. Optionally, at least one aperture mask having a plurality of openings is situated between the micro-lens system and the at least one image sensor element. One image sensor, one micro-lens and one opening respectively define a pick-up direction of the image sensor. The totality of the pick-up directions defines a main viewing direction, which together with the image plane encloses an angle ? of less than 80°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Uwe Apel, Christian Hoellt
  • Publication number: 20090141128
    Abstract: A method and a device for image processing and for a night vision system for motor vehicles, in which a standard camera that is sensitive in the near infrared delivers images which are displayed on a display arrangement having a lower resolution than the camera. In addition, the image processing method improves the raw images of the sensor using image-sharpening methods and/or contrast-enhancing methods, so that display on a display arrangement is made possible for viewing by a viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Franz Matthias
  • Patent number: 7474798
    Abstract: A method and a device for image processing and for a night vision system for motor vehicles, in which a standard camera that is sensitive in the near infrared delivers images which are displayed on a display arrangement having a lower resolution than the camera. In addition, the image processing method improves the raw images of the sensor using image-sharpening methods and/or contrast-enhancing methods, so that display on a display arrangement is made possible for viewing by a viewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Franz Matthias
  • Publication number: 20080036878
    Abstract: A system 1 for capturing and displaying images is described, which includes a camera module 10 having an image sensor 11, a display unit 18 and a control unit 17. The camera module 10 includes a memory module 14 for storing patterns and messages as well as a function module 13 for superimposing patterns and/or messages stored in the memory module 14 upon an image of the image sensor 11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Roland Schmid, Ulrich Seger, Jens Schick
  • Patent number: 7266902
    Abstract: A method and device for securing a sensor, a stereo camera in motor vehicles in particular, in which accurate alignment of the sensor holding element is achieved during assembly using an adjusting gauge having the dimensions of the sensor and optionally pins which are inserted into matching receiving parts of the sensor holding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kurfiss, Ulrich Seger, Uwe Apel, Andre Skuppin
  • Publication number: 20070023660
    Abstract: A method and a device for generating images in a motor vehicle are provided. An infrared-sensitive camera generates images of the surroundings of the motor vehicle. An emission source emitting in the near infrared spectral region is used for the pulsed illumination of sub-ranges of the image recording region of the camera. The camera generates the images by recording partial image regions. To record the partial image regions, a synchronization in time is carried out with the pulsed illumination of the sub-range including at least the partial image region. In the preferred exemplary embodiment, the recording of partial image regions of an infrared-sensitive CMOS camera is synchronized in time with a laser diode array emitting in the near infrared spectral region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Jens Schick
  • Publication number: 20060257140
    Abstract: A method and a device for generating images in a motor vehicle. An infrared-sensitive camera generates images of the surroundings of the motor vehicle, line by line in scanning lines. The image recording region of the infrared-sensitive camera is illuminated in pulsed fashion by at least one emission source that radiates in the infrared spectral region. The recording of the scanning lines is carried out synchronized in time with the pulsed illumination. In a first example embodiment, the recording of scanning lines of an infrared-sensitive CMOS camera is synchronized in time with a laser diode emitting in the near infrared spectral region. In a second example embodiment, the synchronization in time of the recording of scanning lines of the infrared-sensitive CMOS camera with the pulsed illumination is performed autonomously by the CMOS camera by evaluation of at least one recorded scanning line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Uwe Apel, Jens Schick, Bjorn Abel, Michael Burg, Joerg Heerlein
  • Patent number: 7111996
    Abstract: A stereo camera system in a motor vehicle, in particular for classifying objects and determining distance. In order to ensure secure installation and precise positioning of the camera system, in particular fixing of its lateral position, the camera system is provided with at least two camera modules, and a mount, in which camera modules are installed at a specified lateral distance apart, the mount being cemented to the inside of the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Seger, Uwe Apel
  • Patent number: 7104149
    Abstract: A method and a device for attaching a sensor device relative to a glass pane of a motor vehicle are described, a contact space being provided, which is sealed and which is provided with a partial vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Kurfiss, Ulrich Seger, Uwe Apel, Andre Skuppin