Abstract: A method for adding one or more anchor points to a map of an environment, wherein a description has been or is in particular associated with the one or more anchor points. The map is based on a SLAM graph. The map is in particular used to navigate a mobile device in the environment. The method includes, for each of the one or more anchor points: providing a position and/or orientation of the anchor point; associating the anchor point with a node in the SLAM graph, in particular a node nearest the anchor point; creating a link between the anchor point and the node; and adding the anchor point to the map of the environment.

Abstract: A method for recognizing an erroneous map of an environment. The map being obtained by merging a first map and a second map which are based on a SLAM graph and on data sets with information about the environment. The method includes: providing an updated second map obtained by merging the first map and the second map and updated after the merge; determining whether the updated second map is erroneous, including: performing a comparison of first map data of the first map from the first acquisition period to second map data from the second acquisition period, determining a degree of matching between the second map data and the first map data, determining that the updated second map is erroneous if the degree of matching fulfills a specified criterion; and providing, if it has been determined that the updated second map is erroneous, information that the map is erroneous.

Abstract: A device for controlling a driving light of a vehicle includes a headlight with a light source, a device for pivoting a produced light distribution and an optical element that provides adjustable light distribution. The optical element includes a light passage opening pivotable into an optical axis of the light source. A beam of the light distribution is limited or deflected such that a limited light field is produced in a pre-settable region in front of the vehicle, which light field has an external form of the light passage opening. Further light passage structures provide a “high beam” or “partial high beam” light pattern and thereafter the “high beam” light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in one direction, and another further light passage structure provides a “motorway” and thereafter a “country road” light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in an opposite direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation using a model based on NMR data, imaging data, and NMR tool response characteristics. The method may include constructing a model of the earth formation. The method may also include constructing a predictive model for estimating the parameter of interest. The apparatus may include an NMR tool and at least one processor configured to estimate the parameter of interest. The apparatus may also include an imaging tool configured to acquire the imaging data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation using a model based on NMR data, imaging data, and NMR tool response characteristics. The method may include constructing a model of the earth formation. The method may also include constructing a predictive model for estimating the parameter of interest. The apparatus may include an NMR tool and at least one processor configured to estimate the parameter of interest. The apparatus may also include an imaging tool configured to acquire the imaging data.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a medium at an adjustable temperature, comprising a pump, a hose having one end connected to the pump, and the other end for delivering the medium, a heating element provided along a portion of the hose such that the medium flowing through the hose is heated, wherein a thermal resistance is present between the heating element and the medium, and a circuit for adjusting the temperature of the heating element. A resistance detection device connected to the heating element detects the resistance of the heating element. A power detection device connected to the heating element detects the power supplied to the heating element, and a control device establishes the temperature of the medium on the basis of the values established by the resistance detection device and the power detection device, and adjusts the temperature of the heating element according to said established temperature of the medium.

Abstract: A device for controlling a driving light of a vehicle includes a headlight with a light source, a device for pivoting a produced light distribution and an optical element that provides adjustable light distribution. The optical element includes a light passage opening pivotable into an optical axis of the light source. A beam of the light distribution is limited or deflected such that a limited light field is produced in a pre-settable region in front of the vehicle, which light field has an external form of the light passage opening. Further light passage structures provide a “high beam” or “partial high beam” light pattern and thereafter the “high beam” light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in one direction, and another further light passage structure provides a “motorway” and thereafter a “country road” light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in an opposite direction.

Abstract: Poor visibility at night is a tiring and dangerous situation in traffic, feared by many drivers. As a result of poor visibility, the frequency of accidents at night is significantly higher than during the day with good visibility conditions. Cars are thus prospectively fitted with night vision systems, in order to increase safety in traffic. A night vision system used for this purpose generally comprises an illumination unit for illuminating the environment surrounding the vehicle, an image recording unit for collecting environmental data, and an image processing unit for evaluating the environmental data. So that the operation of the night vision system can be adapted to different situations, it must be designed in a flexible manner. To this end, the individual components of the night vision system must be able to be operated in different combinations. In order to achieve this, the components of the night vision system can be individually controlled by means of at least one control signal.

Abstract: Assistance systems are increasingly being used to assist vehicle drivers when driving their vehicles. To this end, a camera is used to record image data from the area surrounding a vehicle, and at least some of the image data (1) are shown on a display following object identification and image processing. After the image data have been recorded by the camera, they are processed using object identification in order to identify objects (2, 3) in the recorded image data. At least some of the objects (2, 3) which have been identified in this manner are highlighted when showing the image data (1) on the display. In this case, the identified objects (2, 3) are highlighted in such a manner that the image data (1) to be shown are divided into two types of regions. In this case, the first type of region comprises the objects (2, 3) which have been identified and are to be highlighted and a surrounding region (2a, 3a) which respectively directly adjoins the latter in a corresponding manner.

Abstract: Future motor vehicles will require additional lighting means. Additional lighting means are required, above all, in conjunction with environmental sensors, especially sensors which are used in night vision systems. As a result of the generally increasing number of electric and electronic systems in motor vehicles, such systems must be easy to operate for the driver. The invention thus relates to a switching arrangement which enables a plurality of lighting systems to be ergonomically operated on one motor vehicle. Said switching arrangement comprises a single switch having a plurality of switching stages. In this way, all switching stages pertaining to different lighting systems are located in the same switching region, enabling the lighting systems to be operated in a simple and intuitive manner.

Abstract: A method for detecting surroundings by an automotive night vision system comprising several areas, including a detection area (3) in which surroundings related data is detected, an evaluation area within which the surroundings-related data detected by the night vision system is evaluated, and an area of representation in which information about the surroundings-related data detected therein is represented to the driver by an optical display unit. The area of representation is therefore restricted in the inventive method for detecting surroundings such that the area of representation comprises no more than the high beam area (2). The driver is shown only the surroundings related data which he/she would see anyway when actuating the conventional high beam due to the fact that the area of representation is restricted.

Abstract: In a vehicle headlight system with a light source (2) and at least one reflector (1) for shaping the light emitted by the light source into a high beam and a low beam, and with a shield (7) adjustable via an actuating element (9) between a position in which the light from the light source (2) is blocked across a maximum cross section and an essentially transmissive position in which this light is substantially allowed to pass through, the actuating element (9) adapted for adjusting the shield (7) in a plurality of intermediate positions between the maximal blocking and the essentially transmissive position in which intermediate position the blocked cross section is less than the maximal cross section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automobile infrared-night viewing device comprising an infrared camera used to receive image data representing the surroundings of the automobile. Said device also comprises an image processing unit which is connected to the infrared-camera and which processes the image data supplied by said camera in such am manner that a continuous image section from the supplied image data is selected and said selected data is retransmitted to a display. Said display then completely or almost completely reproduces the selected data, thereby renouncing any other further representations of the image data. Preferably, the selection of the image data is made according to the speed of the vehicle, the surroundings of the vehicle or the driver.

Abstract: In a brake shoe (1) comprising a carrier plate (2) having arranged thereon first a dampening and noise-reducing intermediate layer (4) and then a friction lining (6), it is provided that the intermediate layer (4), on the side thereof facing towards the friction lining (6), comprises a three-dimensional surface structure, and that the friction lining (6) on the carrier-plate side is adapted to the surface contour (5) of the intermediate layer (4).

Abstract: In a brake shoe (1) comprising a carrier plate (2) having arranged thereon first a dampening and noise-reducing intermediate layer (4) and then a friction lining (6), it is provided that the intermediate layer (4), on the side thereof facing towards the friction lining (6), comprises a three-dimensional surface structure, and that the friction lining (6) on the carrier-plate side is adapted to the surface contour (5) of the intermediate layer (4).

Abstract: In a method for changing the acceleration mode of a motor vehicle, the driver can change from a normal acceleration mode into a rapid acceleration mode to increase the supply of air and fuel. The change into the rapid acceleration mode is carried out if the driver exceeds a pedal-speed threshold value when activating the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A device comprising two cameras (1; 2) of which a first camera (1) is sensitive in the visible spectral range and a second camera (2) is sensitive in the infrared spectral range. The cameras (1; 2) are placed at a defined distance (a) from one another in order to record images of an identical scene (3) containing at least one object (4). The device also comprises a triangulation device (7) that calculates a distance of the object (4) from the cameras (1; 2) based on a defined distance (a) and on the images recorded by the two cameras (1; 2).

Abstract: The invention concerns an automobile display unit, an automobile infrared night vision device and an automobile with such a display unit or, as the case may be, with such an infrared night vision device. The display includes an image processing unit which processes the image data supplied to it such that contiguous areas of maximal light intensity are recognized and these image data are adapted to the extent that they are at least partially replaced by image data with reduced light intensity values. These changed image data are supplied to the display, which reproduces these image data. This display unit makes possible a reduction or a prevention of blinding by brilliant light, which is particularly disturbing in a case of display of infrared night vision image information.

Abstract: First commercial automobile night vision systems are already available on the market. These should assist the driver in difficult situations involving poor visibility, particularly in darkness or fog. To this end, systems of this type have an active infrared illuminating device (2), a camera (3) for recording infrared images, and an image display (1) for playing back the image information obtained by the system. In doing this, the activation of the active infrared illuminating device (2) ensues according to an evaluation of operating parameters (5) and parameters (6) of the surroundings (4). In addition, according to a feature of the present invention, a controller (7), which is independent of the evaluator (4), is provided for directly activating/deactivating the image display (1). The controller (7) enables the driver to immediately obtain information regarding a successful activation of the night vision system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting surroundings by means of an automotive night vision system comprising several areas, including a detection area (3) in which surroundings-related data is detected, an evaluation area within which the surroundings-related data detected by means of the night vision system is evaluated, and an area of representation in which information about the surroundings-related data detected therein is represented to the driver by means of an optical display unit. All previous commercially available night vision systems are configured so as to be able to display objects at the greatest possible distance. However, said systems involve the great risk of leading the driver into driving faster than would be possible without the night vision system in situations where visibility is poor or in the dark.