Abstract: A driver assistance system and a method for operating this driver assistance system, where signals of at least one surround sensor provided on the vehicle are evaluated, and if the evaluation reveals an increased probability of a collision with a detected object, emergency braking is automatically triggered and carried out, and in the event of an increased probability of a collision with a detected object, which lies above a second threshold value, the current vehicle position is stored, or the vehicle position within a predefined period of time after exceedance of the second threshold value is stored, and in the event of traveling through the spatial area about the vehicle position again, the stored information is taken into account for the triggering or the preparation of a warning of danger or emergency braking.

Abstract: A driver assistance system and a method for operating this driver assistance system, where signals of at least one surround sensor provided on the vehicle are evaluated, and if the evaluation reveals an increased probability of a collision with a detected object, emergency braking is automatically triggered and carried out, and in the event of an increased probability of a collision with a detected object, which lies above a second threshold value, the current vehicle position is stored, or the vehicle position within a predefined period of time after exceedance of the second threshold value is stored, and in the event of traveling through the spatial area about the vehicle position again, the stored information is taken into account for the triggering or the preparation of a warning of danger or emergency braking.

Abstract: A method for controlling illumination of operational controls in a motor vehicle, using a passenger-compartment camera for photographing a driver, in which a visual perception capability of the driver is determined with the aid of the passenger-compartment camera, and in which the illumination of an operational control is adjusted as a function of the visual perception capability of the driver.

Abstract: A method for operating a motor vehicle using an apparatus to prompt the driver for an interaction, the motor vehicle having the ability to be operated at least in one operating mode with semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicle guidance and in an operating mode with vehicle guidance controlled by the driver, a reaction of the driver with respect to a prompt for an interaction being checked during operation of the semi-autonomous or autonomous vehicle guidance. The method is includes that a viewing direction of the driver and/or a vocal utterance by the driver is/are considered when checking the reaction of the driver.

Abstract: A method for controlling illumination of operational controls in a motor vehicle, using a passenger-compartment camera for photographing a driver, in which a visual perception capability of the driver is determined with the aid of the passenger-compartment camera, and in which the illumination of an operational control is adjusted as a function of the visual perception capability of the driver.

Abstract: A driver assistance method and system senses the presence of a trailer secured to a host vehicle and provides an indication thereof. When a yaw rate for the vehicle exceeds a predetermined value during turning of the host vehicle, the system determines the length of the trailer. To determine trailer length, reflection points from an output of a rear sensor unit are sensed to detect a side wall of the trailer. The farthest reflection point of the trailer is utilized to determine a longitudinal distance and a transverse distance of the trailer with respect to the reflection sensor. The longitudinal distance corresponds to a longitudinal axis of the host vehicle and the transverse axis is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The trailer length is estimated from the yaw rate that provides a trailer angle relative to the host vehicle, and the longitudinal and transverse distances.

Abstract: A system for longitudinal and lateral control of a vehicle. The system includes a camera generating a plurality of images representative of a field of view in front of the vehicle, and a controller receiving the plurality of images. The controller detects an object in the plurality of images, extracts a plurality of features from the plurality of images, generates a reference feature depiction based on the plurality of features from one or more of the plurality of images, generates a comparison feature depiction based on the plurality of features from one of the plurality of images, compares the reference feature depiction and the comparison feature depiction, and determines a longitudinal position of the vehicle relative to the object based on differences between the reference feature depiction and the comparison feature depiction.

Abstract: A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described. The rear-viewing system includes a first camera, a second camera, an electronic control unit, and a display. The electronic control unit receives a first image data set from the first camera and a second image data set from the second camera. The electronic control unit then produces a panoramic image based on the first image data set and the second image data set and displays the panoramic image on the display.

Abstract: A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described that includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to identify a driving corridor in image data received from at least one camera. The driving corridor corresponds to a predicted path of motion of the vehicle travelling in reverse. When a moving object is detected in the image data, the electronic control unit predicts, based on the image data, whether the moving object will enter the driving corridor. If the moving object is predicted to enter the driving corridor, the electronic control unit calculates an estimated time when the object is predicted to enter the driving corridor.

Abstract: A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described. The rear-viewing system includes a first camera and a second camera. The first and second cameras are positioned with partially overlapping fields of view. An electronic control unit is configured to receive image data from the cameras and generated three-dimensional data for the overlapping portion of the fields of view. The electronic control unit then analyzes the movement of vehicles within the overlapping field of view based on the three-dimensional data. Movement of vehicles in the non-overlapping fields of view is analyzed based on two-dimensional image data from either the first camera or the second camera.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle and a trailer. The vehicle has a front and a rear end, and the trailer is coupled to the rear end. The method includes sensing a plurality of vehicle characteristics, sensing a distance between the vehicle and the trailer with at least one sensor positioned on the rear end of the vehicle, determining an oscillatory action of the trailer based on the sensed distance, and applying a braking force on at least one wheel of the vehicle in response to the oscillatory action.

Abstract: A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described. The rear-viewing system includes a first camera, a second camera, an electronic control unit, and a display. The electronic control unit receives a first image data set from the first camera and a second image data set from the second camera. The electronic control unit then produces a panoramic image based on the first image data set and the second image data set and displays the panoramic image on the display.

Abstract: A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described that includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to identify a driving corridor in image data received from at least one camera. The driving corridor corresponds to a predicted path of motion of the vehicle travelling in reverse. When a moving object is detected in the image data, the electronic control unit predicts, based on the image data, whether the moving object will enter the driving corridor. If the moving object is predicted to enter the driving corridor, the electronic control unit calculates an estimated time when the object is predicted to enter the driving corridor.

Abstract: A rear-viewing camera system for a vehicle is described. The rear-viewing system includes a first camera and a second camera. The first and second cameras are positioned with partially overlapping fields of view. An electronic control unit is configured to receive image data from the cameras and generated three-dimensional data for the overlapping portion of the fields of view. The electronic control unit then analyzes the movement of vehicles within the overlapping field of view based on the three-dimensional data. Movement of vehicles in the non-overlapping fields of view is analyzed based on two-dimensional image data from either the first camera or the second camera.

Abstract: A rear-view camera system for a vehicle. The rear-view camera system includes a first camera positioned on a rear side of the vehicle. The first camera produces a first data set that includes image data corresponding to a first field of view. A second camera is positioned on the rear side of the vehicle spaced a horizontal distance from the first camera. The second camera produces a second data set that includes image data corresponding to a second field of view. The first field of view and the second field of view cover a space adjacent the rear side of the vehicle. An electronic control unit receives the first data set and the second data set and processes the first data set and the second data set to determine the presence of an object in the space adjacent the rear side of the vehicle. The electronic control unit is configured to stitch the first data set and the second data set to produce a panoramic image that corresponds to the space adjacent the rear side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A display system for a vehicle including a dual-sided display panel pivotably mounted to the interior ceiling of the vehicle. The dual-sided display panel displays an image from a media device to a rear-seat passenger of the vehicle and displays a different image to the driver on a second side of the display panel. The second side of the display panel is viewable by a driver of the vehicle through a rear-view mirror. A user-operated switch indicates what video source is displayed to the driver on the second side of the display panel. A first selectable video source is a camera mounted on the rear of the vehicle to capture rear-view images of the exterior behind the vehicle. A second selectable video source is a camera mounted in the rear passenger area of the vehicle to capture images of a rear-seat passenger.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for motor vehicle/trailer combinations having a towing vehicle and at least one trailer, having a sensor unit for detecting the dynamics of the trailer, an electronic analysis unit for analyzing the data of the sensor unit, and an output unit for outputting an instability signal, which indicates a dynamic instability of the trailer established by the analysis unit, and having at least one assistance function which automatically triggers and controls a braking operation under specific conditions, the assistance function being designed to limit the absolute value of the deceleration of the vehicle during the braking operation to a value as a function of the instability signal.

Abstract: A system for assisting a driver in aligning a trailer hitch of a vehicle with a trailer coupling of a trailer. The system includes a camera system with a field of view behind the vehicle. A controller analyzes image data from the camera system and detects a first target affixed to the trailer coupling. The first target is of a known size and dimensions. The controller determines the location of the trailer coupling relative to the trailer hitch based on the image data and the known size and dimensions of the trailer coupling marker. The controller then determines a path of travel from the current position of the vehicle to a second position where the trailer hitch will be positioned within a predetermined threshold distance from the trailer coupling.

Abstract: A device for longitudinally guiding a motor vehicle includes a sensor system for locating preceding vehicles, a regulator that regulates the speed of the vehicle to a setpoint speed, either in a free driving mode or in a following driving mode, the setpoint speed depending on the distance from a preceding vehicle, as well as an interface to a navigation system that provides information concerning the route traveled, and a limiting device for limiting the setpoint speed based on the information provided. The limiting device is designed to deactivate automatically when changing from free driving mode to following driving mode and activate automatically when changing from following driving mode to free driving mode.

Abstract: A system for controlling an engine of a vehicle. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one monitoring device mounted on the vehicle, a controller in electronic communication with the at least one monitoring device, and a computer readable memory storing instructions executed by the controller. The instructions cause the controller to determine a current driving path of the vehicle based on data received from the at least one monitoring device, to detect a traffic congestion ahead of the vehicle in the current driving path based on data received from the at least one monitoring device, and to determine an alternative driving path of the vehicle based on data received from the at least one monitoring device.