Abstract: A color mask for an image sensor of a vehicle camera, the color mask having a matrix configuration of filter pixels having different spectral transmission behaviors, some filter pixels being transparent filter pixels, which are at least essentially uniformly transparent for optical light, and additional filter pixels being color pixels having a wavelength-selective transmission behavior, the color mask having a color pattern as a repeating configuration of filter pixels having a specific transmission behavior. The color mask has a central area having a first color pattern and a lower area and/or an upper area having a second color pattern, the first color pattern and the second color pattern being different, and the first color pattern containing transparent filter pixels.

Abstract: In an image processing method for a driver assistance system for detecting and classifying a portion of a predefined image element having a road sign in a digital image captured by an image sensor of the driver assistance system, first scale-invariant image features and their relative geometric arrangement with respect to one another are computed based on at least one image region of the digital image to be searched, after which a classifier compares the first scale-invariant image features and their relative geometric arrangement with respect to one another to stored and/or learned second scale-invariant image features and their relative geometric arrangement with respect to one another which are computed based on the at least one predefined image element.

Abstract: A vehicle-based image acquisition system having an image sensor that has a characteristic curve assembled from linear segments. The system includes an arrangement for determining the distance of luminous objects imaged by the image sensor.

Abstract: A camera is described having an image capturing device, an evaluation and control unit and a storage unit, the evaluation and control unit analyzes an image sequence having at least two successively captured images recorded by the image capturing device to segment and stabilize at least one object to be recorded during the image recording. The evaluation and control unit ascertains a deliberate panning movement of the camera and compares it with ascertained movements of objects represented in the captured images, the evaluation and control unit determining at least one object as an object to be recorded, the ascertained movement of which is most consistent with the camera's ascertained panning movement, and the evaluation and control unit storing an image section of the image captured by the image capturing device in the storage unit which represents the at least one object to be recorded. Also described is a corresponding method.

Abstract: A color mask for an image sensor of a vehicle camera, the color mask having a matrix configuration of filter pixels having different spectral transmission behaviors, some filter pixels being transparent filter pixels, which are at least essentially uniformly transparent for optical light, and additional filter pixels being color pixels having a wavelength-selective transmission behavior, the color mask having a color pattern as a repeating configuration of filter pixels having a specific transmission behavior. The color mask has a central area having a first color pattern and a lower area and/or an upper area having a second color pattern, the first color pattern and the second color pattern being different, and the first color pattern containing transparent filter pixels.

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 an image processing method for a driver assistance system for detecting and classifying a portion of a predefined image element having a road sign in a digital image captured by an image sensor of the driver assistance system, first scale-invariant image features and their relative geometric arrangement with respect to one another are computed based on at least one image region of the digital image to be searched, after which a classifier compares the first scale-invariant image features and their relative geometric arrangement with respect to one another to stored and/or learned second scale-invariant image features and their relative geometric arrangement with respect to one another which are computed based on the at least one predefined image element.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the self-motion of a vehicle in an environment are provided, in which at least part of the environment is recorded via snapshots by an imaging device mounted on the vehicle. At least two snapshots are analyzed for determining the optical flows of image points, reference points that seem to be stationary from the point of view of the imaging device being ascertained from the optical flows. The reference points are collected in an observed set, new reference points being dynamically added to the observed set with the aid of a first algorithm, and existing reference points being dynamically removed from the observed set with the aid of a second algorithm.

Abstract: A camera is described having an image capturing device, an evaluation and control unit and a storage unit, the evaluation and control unit analyzes an image sequence having at least two successively captured images recorded by the image capturing device to segment and stabilize at least one object to be recorded during the image recording. The evaluation and control unit ascertains a deliberate panning movement of the camera and compares it with ascertained movements of objects represented in the captured images, the evaluation and control unit determining at least one object as an object to be recorded, the ascertained movement of which is most consistent with the camera's ascertained panning movement, and the evaluation and control unit storing an image section of the image captured by the image capturing device in the storage unit which represents the at least one object to be recorded. Also described is a corresponding method.

Abstract: The camera has a main sensor for capturing a first image of a scene having at least one object. A lens is provided for the main sensor. At least one auxiliary sensor, which is situated at a distance from the main sensor, is used to capture a second image of the scene at a viewing angle different from that of the main sensor. An evaluation device stereoscopically determines a distance to the at least one object on the basis of the first and second images. An autofocus system sets a focus of the lens in response to the determined distance.

Abstract: A vehicle-based image acquisition system having an image sensor that has a characteristic curve assembled from linear segments. The system includes an arrangement for determining the distance of luminous objects imaged by the image sensor.

Abstract: An integrated circuit processes image data of a video camera by determining the optical flow and uses this to calculate output data that are either a measure for the position and/or movement of body parts of persons, or that represent and code gestures of persons. Furthermore, an electronic data-processing system, a method, and a computer program are provided.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the self-motion of a vehicle in an environment are provided, in which at least part of the environment is recorded via snapshots by an imaging device mounted on the vehicle. At least two snapshots are analyzed for determining the optical flows of image points, reference points that seem to be stationary from the point of view of the imaging device being ascertained from the optical flows. The reference points are collected in an observed set, new reference points being dynamically added to the observed set with the aid of a first algorithm, and existing reference points being dynamically removed from the observed set with the aid of a second algorithm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle (1) comprising at least one catadioptric camera (2), which is mounted on the vehicle and which has an optical axis (5) and at least one first mirror (6) that is arranged on the optical axis. The optical axis (5) of the camera (2) is slanted relative to a vertical (9).

Abstract: An apparatus for application of force to a steering device, e.g., of a motor vehicle, includes an operative apparatus associated with the steering device and a counterelement disposed on the steering device. The operative apparatus has an induction assemblage producing an electromagnetic force on the counterelement, and the counterelement has at least one electromagnetically influenceable region, so that a force displacing the counterelement with respect to the operative apparatus can be produced for application of force to the steering device.

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: The invention relates to a photographic objective comprising a first (4) and at least one second mirror (5) and at least one lens (8). A barrel (7, 11), inside of which the lens (8) is anchored, is formed by a supporting body (3) of the first mirror (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle (1) comprising at least one catadioptric camera (2), which is mounted on the vehicle and which has an optical axis (5) and at least one first mirror (6) that is arranged on the optical axis. The optical axis (5) of the camera (2) is slanted relative to a vertical (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for image recognition in motor vehicles, whereby electromagnetic waves emanating from an object are detected by at least one sensor with regard to the direction and intensity thereof, evaluated and transferred to an image matrix. The untouched original image of the object and additional reflected waves from the object, reflected at the chassis, called the mirror image below, is recorded by the sensor. The mirror image and the original image are then taken for evaluation, whereby, firstly, the position and geometry of the reflecting surfaces of the chassis relative to the sensor are determined.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a space of a vehicle. The method includes sensing the space using a first sensor including at least one surveillance camera so as to produce an image data, performing an evaluation of the image data, selecting at least one area of the space using the evaluation of the image data, sensing the at least one area using a second alignable sensor having a restricted spatial sensing range so as to produce a second data, and evaluating the second data. In addition, a vehicle that includes a first sensor having at least one surveillance camera disposed in an interior of the vehicle, the first sensor having a field of view at least partially covering at least one of the interior and an exterior of the vehicle, and a second alignable sensor having a restricted spatial sensing range, an alignment of the second sensor being controllable using the first sensor.