Abstract: A method for determining the vital functions of a vehicle occupant enables precise measurements and is easy to use without negatively affecting the vehicle occupant. The method includes determining the vital functions of the vehicle occupant using a sensor device integrated in a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle, and acquiring measurement signals of the vehicle occupant from which cardiogram signals are acquired. The method further includes using an evaluation unit to ascertain the vital functions of the vehicle occupant from the cardiogram signals. The sensor device is a magnetic field sensor device, and the cardiogram signals are magnetic cardiogram signals.

Abstract: A sensor unit for detecting brain current-induced magnetic fields in an unshielded environment has a plurality of gradiometer units configured for arrangement around a head of a user. Each gradiometer unit has two magnetometers which are arranged at a fixed distance from each other. Each magnetometer has a sensor medium and is configured to detect a magnetic field strength at a measurement location by reading a spin resonance in the sensor medium depending on the magnetic field strength. The sensor unit further includes at least one excitation light source for radiating light into the sensor media of the magnetometer. The sensor unit further incudes at least one signal processing unit for determining a magnetic field gradient at a gradiometer unit as a difference of the output signals of the two magnetometers of the gradiometer unit and for detecting a time course of the magnetic field gradient.

Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle. The method includes reading an occupant signal, via an interface from at least one sensor apparatus of the vehicle, which represents a behavior of at least one vehicle occupant detected by the at least one sensor apparatus. A state signal is ascertained using the occupant signal. The state signal represents at least one state of attentiveness of the at least one vehicle occupant. At least one parameter of driving behavior planning for the vehicle is adapted depending on the state signal. A computing capacity required for the adapted driving behavior planning is determined in order to generate a capacity signal. The capacity signal represents a free computing capacity which corresponds to a difference between the required computing capacity and an overall available computing capacity. The free computing capacity is released to execute a function of the vehicle, depending on the capacity signal.

Abstract: A method for determining the vital functions of a vehicle occupant enables precise measurements and is easy to use without negatively affecting the vehicle occupant. The method includes determining the vital functions of the vehicle occupant using a sensor device integrated in a vehicle seat of a motor vehicle, and acquiring measurement signals of the vehicle occupant from which cardiogram signals are acquired. The method further includes using an evaluation unit to ascertain the vital functions of the vehicle occupant from the cardiogram signals. The sensor device is a magnetic field sensor device, and the cardiogram signals are magnetic cardiogram signals.

Abstract: A method for supporting an attentiveness and/or driving readiness of a driver during automated driving operation of a vehicle, including computing a failure probability value using at least one read-in map information signal, environmental condition signal, and/or probability signal. The failure probability value represents a failure probability of a driver assistance system for performing an automated driving operation. The probability signal represents an error probability and/or failure probability of at least one vehicle sensor of the driver assistance system. The method also includes determining a comparison parameter in response to the computed failure probability value, the comparison parameter representing the result of a comparison of an extent of a necessary driving requirement on the traveled travel route of the vehicle to a degree of instantaneous driver attentiveness. The method also includes providing an advance warning signal in response to the determined comparison parameter.

Abstract: A method for supporting an attentiveness and/or driving readiness of a driver during an automated driving operation of a vehicle. The method includes computing a failure probability value using at least one read-in map information signal, environmental condition signal, and/or probability signal. The failure probability value represents a failure probability of a driver assistance system for carrying out an automated driving operation. The probability signal represents an error probability and/or failure probability of at least one vehicle sensor of the driver assistance system. The method also includes determining a comparison parameter in response to the computed failure probability value, the comparison parameter representing the result of a comparison of an extent of a necessary driving requirement on the traveled travel route of the vehicle to a degree of instantaneous attentiveness of the driver.

Abstract: A method for estimating a direction of view of an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes a step of ascertaining a head fixation position of the head of the vehicle occupant, terminating a current head movement of the head, using sensor data concerning an angular speed of the current head movement, and a step of combining the head fixation position and a head movement gain parameter in order to estimate the direction of view of the vehicle occupant, the head movement gain parameter being a function of a specific human head movement pattern during a visual fixing of an object.

Abstract: A method for estimating a direction of view of an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes a step of ascertaining a head fixation position of the head of the vehicle occupant, terminating a current head movement of the head, using sensor data concerning an angular speed of the current head movement, and a step of combining the head fixation position and a head movement gain parameter in order to estimate the direction of view of the vehicle occupant, the head movement gain parameter being a function of a specific human head movement pattern during a visual fixing of an object.

Abstract: A method for classifying driver movements in order to ascertain the driver's degree of attentiveness during the driving a motor vehicle, using an interior compartment camera for recording at least a part of the driver. Based on the recording, a movement quantity that represents a head movement of the driver is evaluated, and a driver movement is classified as a safety view if the movement quantity corresponds to a defined condition.

Abstract: A method for estimating a direction of view of an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes a step of ascertaining a head fixation position of the head of the vehicle occupant, terminating a current head movement of the head, using sensor data concerning an angular speed of the current head movement, and a step of combining the head fixation position and a head movement gain parameter in order to estimate the direction of view of the vehicle occupant, the head movement gain parameter being a function of a specific human head movement pattern during a visual fixing of an object.

Abstract: A method for classifying driver movements in order to ascertain the driver's degree of attentiveness during the driving a motor vehicle, using an interior compartment camera for recording at least a part of the driver. Based on the recording, a movement quantity that represents a head movement of the driver is evaluated, and a driver movement is classified as a safety view if the movement quantity corresponds to a defined condition.

Abstract: A method is described for recognizing fatigue, the method comprising an ascertaining step, a determining step, and a comparing step. In the ascertaining step a first saccade and at least one further saccade of an eye movement of a person are ascertained using a gaze direction signal that models the eye movement. In the determining step, a first data point representing a first amplitude of the first saccade and a first peak velocity of the first saccade, and at least one further data point representing a further amplitude of the further saccade and a further peak velocity of the further saccade, are determined using the gaze direction signal. In the comparing step, the first data point and at least the further data point are compared with a saccade model. The person is recognized as fatigued if the data points have a predetermined relationship to a confidence region of the saccade model.

Abstract: A method for predicting a line of vision of an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes a step of reading in an initial line of vision of the vehicle occupant, a step of ascertaining a maximum speed of a present head and/or eye movement of the vehicle occupant, starting from the initial line of vision, using sensor data concerning a change in the visual angle of the vehicle occupant representing the present head and/or eye movement, a step of determining an expected magnitude of the present head and/or eye movement, represented with the aid of a predefined model, using the ascertained maximum speed, and a step of using the initial line of vision and the expected magnitude of the present head and/or eye movement to predict the line of vision of the vehicle occupant.

Abstract: A method is described for recognizing fatigue, the method comprising an ascertaining step, a determining step, and a comparing step. In the ascertaining step a first saccade and at least one further saccade of an eye movement of a person are ascertained using a gaze direction signal that models the eye movement. In the determining step, a first data point representing a first amplitude of the first saccade and a first peak velocity of the first saccade, and at least one further data point representing a further amplitude of the further saccade and a further peak velocity of the further saccade, are determined using the gaze direction signal. In the comparing step, the first data point and at least the further data point are compared with a saccade model. The person is recognized as fatigued if the data points have a predetermined relationship to a confidence region of the saccade model.

Abstract: A method for estimating a direction of view of an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes a step of ascertaining a head fixation position of the head of the vehicle occupant, terminating a current head movement of the head, using sensor data concerning an angular speed of the current head movement, and a step of combining the head fixation position and a head movement gain parameter in order to estimate the direction of view of the vehicle occupant, the head movement gain parameter being a function of a specific human head movement pattern during a visual fixing of an object.

Abstract: A method for predicting a line of vision of an occupant of a vehicle. The method includes a step of reading in an initial line of vision of the vehicle occupant, a step of ascertaining a maximum speed of a present head and/or eye movement of the vehicle occupant, starting from the initial line of vision, using sensor data concerning a change in the visual angle of the vehicle occupant representing the present head and/or eye movement, a step of determining an expected magnitude of the present head and/or eye movement, represented with the aid of a predefined model, using the ascertained maximum speed, and a step of using the initial line of vision and the expected magnitude of the present head and/or eye movement to predict the line of vision of the vehicle occupant.