Abstract: A Lidar system includes an array of photodetectors. The system includes a beam-steering device and a light emitter aimed at the beam-steering device. The beam-steering device is designed to aim light from the light emitter into a field of illumination positioned to be detected by a segment of the array of photodetectors. The segment is smaller than the array. The system includes a computer having a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor to adjust the aim of the beam-steering device to move the field of illumination relative to the array of photodetectors.

Abstract: A lidar sensor assembly includes a first lidar sensor having a first light source configured to generate light at a first wavelength and a first detector configured to receive reflected light at the first wavelength. The lidar sensor assembly also includes a second lidar sensor having a second light source to generate light at a second wavelength and a second detector configured to receive reflected light in the second wavelength. The first wavelength is different from the second wavelength such that interference between the first light source and the second light source is minimized.

Abstract: A method of automatically preventing or reducing aquaplaning during the driving operation of a motor vehicle on a route provides that: a) a camera-based road sign recognition of a road sign on a section of the route determines whether the road sign indicates a risk of aquaplaning on the section of the route, b) at least one sensor device detects whether there is a wet road condition on the section of the route, and c) a driving assistance function for preventing or reducing aquaplaning is carried out if the road sign recognition determines that the road sign indicates the risk of aquaplaning and the sensor device detects the wet road condition on the section of the route.

Abstract: A method and system for autonomous tracking of a following vehicle on the track of a leading vehicle. A lead message is received by the following vehicle and rejected by the following vehicle or confirmed with a follow message. After receipt of the follow message, a first element of coordination information for coordination of the autonomous tracking is sent to the following vehicle by the leading vehicle. A second element of coordination information is detected for coordination of the autonomous tracking by environment sensors of the following vehicle on the basis of movements of the leading vehicle. The first and second elements of coordination information are compared by the following vehicle. In the case of a matching comparison result, the autonomous tracking is performed corresponding to the first and second elements of coordination information and, in the case of a deviating comparison result, the autonomous tracking is ended.

Abstract: A method and system for autonomous tracking of a following vehicle on the track of a leading vehicle. A lead message is received by the following vehicle and rejected by the following vehicle or confirmed with a follow message. After receipt of the follow message, a first element of coordination information for coordination of the autonomous tracking is sent to the following vehicle by the leading vehicle. A second element of coordination information is detected for coordination of the autonomous tracking by environment sensors of the following vehicle on the basis of movements of the leading vehicle. The first and second elements of coordination information are compared by the following vehicle. In the case of a matching comparison result, the autonomous tracking is performed corresponding to the first and second elements of coordination information and, in the case of a deviating comparison result, the autonomous tracking is ended.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a motor vehicle has a surroundings sensor and an evaluation unit for evaluating the surroundings sensor data. The evaluation unit receives data from a positioning device. Furthermore, a reduced or limited subset of data taken from a digital roadmap is stored in a non-volatile memory, which is provided to the evaluation unit. The reduced data are selected to include only data relevant for the function(s) of the driver assistance system. Thereby the driver assistance system does not need to be connected for data transmission with a navigation system.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting motor vehicles and their approach angles by passive or active transponders which are provided on the motor vehicles is described, which can be triggered by a transceiver device to transfer information stored in the transponders. It is recommended that on a motor vehicle at least two transponders are arranged with a restricted emission angle range and a different emission direction, and that information suitable for identifying the motor vehicle is stored in the transponders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically preventing aquaplaning during the driving operation of a motor vehicle on a route, which method provides according to the invention that a) information relating to a section of the route and regarding the risk of aquaplaning is provided in the motor vehicle, b) at least one sensor device for determining a wet pavement is provided, and c) an assistance function for preventing aquaplaning is carried out if there is a section of the route having a risk of aquaplaning and if a wet pavement is detected.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a motion state of a motor vehicle. The sensor device includes at least one laser unit having a light source for emitting coherent light which is transmitted in the direction of a roadway surface, and an interference detector which is designed to detect at least one measurement variable which characterizes interference between the light scattered at the surface and the light of the light source. The measurement variable represents a speed component of the sensor device and/or a distance between the sensor device and the roadway surface. The laser unit is coupled to an evaluation device which is designed to determine, from the measurement variable, at least one variable which characterizes the motion state of the vehicle, in particular a speed component of the center of gravity of the vehicle, a rotational angle or a rotation rate of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for detecting misalignment of a vehicle headlight using a camera system is specified. For this purpose, the headlight is in a predefined position and the camera system is arranged on or in the vehicle and is oriented in such a manner that the light distribution pattern of the headlight in front of the motor vehicle is detected. With a predefined headlight position, an actual light distribution pattern of the headlight is recorded using the camera system and is compared with a desired light distribution pattern for the predefined headlight position. If the actual light distribution pattern differs from the desired light distribution pattern, misalignment of the headlight is detected.

Abstract: A device and a method for detecting motor vehicles and their approach angles by passive or active transponders which are provided on the motor vehicles is described, which can be triggered by a transceiver device to transfer information stored in the transponders. It is recommended that on a motor vehicle at least two transponders are arranged with a restricted emission angle range and a different emission direction, and that information suitable for identifying the motor vehicle is stored in the transponders.

Abstract: The invention relates to a driver assistance system for a motor vehicle, comprising a surroundings sensor and an evaluation unit for the surroundings sensor data, wherein the evaluation unit is provided with data from a positioning device and reduced data from a digital road map.

Abstract: A method for detecting misalignment of a vehicle headlight using a camera system is specified. For this purpose, the headlight is in a predefined position and the camera system is arranged on or in the vehicle and is oriented in such a manner that the light distribution pattern of the headlight in front of the motor vehicle is detected. With a predefined headlight position, an actual light distribution pattern of the headlight is recorded using the camera system and is compared with a desired light distribution pattern for the predefined headlight position. If the actual light distribution pattern differs from the desired light distribution pattern, misalignment of the headlight is detected.

Abstract: A sensor device for detecting a motion state of a motor vehicle. The sensor device includes at least one laser unit having a light source for emitting coherent light which is transmitted in the direction of a roadway surface, and an interference detector which is designed to detect at least one measurement variable which characterizes interference between the light scattered at the surface and the light of the light source. The measurement variable represents a speed component of the sensor device and/or a distance between the sensor device and the roadway surface. The laser unit is coupled to an evaluation device which is designed to determine, from the measurement variable, at least one variable which characterizes the motion state of the vehicle, in particular a speed component of the center of gravity of the vehicle, a rotational angle or a rotation rate of the vehicle.

Abstract: An optical sensor arrangement is protected against interfering environmental influences by a transparent cover. To avoid interfering reflections, a baffle with lamellae oriented in the direction of the emitted and reflected light is arranged between the cover and the transmitting-receiving device.

Abstract: A light beam is deflected by refraction and total internal reflection through a first prism, and projected through a first lens onto a scene that is to be scanned. The prism rotates, which varies the deflection angle and scans the beam across the scene along a scan line. Preferably, the successive side surfaces of the prism have different tilt angles relative to the rotation axis, so as to respectively deflect the beam in different deflection planes which cause successive scan lines of the beam across the scene. The emitted beam gives rise to a reflected beam from the scene, which is received through a second lens and deflected onto a photodetector through a second prism congruent to and rotating synchronously with the first prism. This apparatus is suitable as a laser scanning device for an object recognition system or a spacing distance regulation system of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an environment detection system having two emitters of electromagnetic waves and two correspondingly directed receivers for receiving reflections of the emitted waves. The first emitter with a first receiver is directed towards a first target area and the second emitter with the second receiver is directed towards a second target area. In order to detect a third target area, an optical device is arranged at least in front of the first emitter. The optical device directs at least occasionally at least a proportion of the waves emitted by the emitter towards the third target area. An optical device is arranged at least in front of the second receiver, to direct at least occasionally reflections of the waves emitted by the first emitter towards the third target area towards the second receiver. The optical devices may be are arranged permanently and only one emitter is alternately active a time so that one receiver a time carries out an undisturbed detection of the third target area.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sensor arrangement, which, in connection with the new sensor arrangement, is protected against interfering environmental influences by a transparent cover. For the avoidance of interfering reflections, a baffle with lamellae oriented in the direction of the emitted and reflected light is provided between the cover and the transmitting-receiving device.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a radiation source that emits a radiation beam, a rotating first prism that deflects the emitted beam, a first lens that projects the deflected emitted beam onto a scene to be scanned, a second lens that receives a reflected beam arising as a reflection of the emitted beam from the scene and projects the reflected beam onto a rotating second prism, which deflects the reflected beam onto a photodetector. The first and second prisms are respectively rigidly mounted on or connected to a common rotatable drive axle, preferably on two opposite ends of the drive axle, which is preferably a rotor shaft of a drive motor. Thereby, the rotation of the two deflection prisms is positively and precisely synchronized, and the overall apparatus is compact, simple and robust. This apparatus is suitable for use in an optical distance radar system for a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A light beam is deflected by refraction and total internal reflection through a first prism, and projected through a first lens onto a scene that is to be scanned. The prism rotates, which varies the deflection angle and scans the beam across the scene along a scan line. Preferably, the successive side surfaces of the prism have different tilt angles relative to the rotation axis, so as to respectively deflect the beam in different deflection planes which cause successive scan lines of the beam across the scene. The emitted beam gives rise to a reflected beam from the scene, which is received through a second lens and deflected onto a photodetector through a second prism congruent to and rotating synchronously with the first prism. This apparatus is suitable as a laser scanning device for an object recognition system or a spacing distance regulation system of a motor vehicle.