Abstract: In a braking maneuver using a braking assistant (9) in a motor vehicle (3), the braking assistant (9) initiates an automatic braking maneuver when an actual distance (a) between the motor vehicle (3) and an object (5) located ahead of the motor vehicle (3) becomes less than a specified minimum distance (amin). Then an acceleration of the decelerating vehicle (3) is ascertained during the braking maneuver, and if the acceleration is positive then the braking maneuver initiated by the braking assistant (9) is automatically interrupted.

Abstract: A device for increasing the precision of the distance and the relative velocity of a camera-based sensor with the aid of longitudinal acceleration for use in vehicles, e.g., in passive safety applications. In a first arithmetic unit of the inventive device, a correction of a slowly repeated camera-based measurement of the distance to an object is performed with the aid of an internal, longitudinal acceleration signal sampled at a much higher rate, wherein the inventive correction may be performed within an arithmetic unit of the camera, within a passive safety system or in a unit outside the camera and outside the safety system in the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved emergency braking assist system for a vehicle takes account of the region to the rear when specifying emergency braking parameters. The region to the rear is also monitored and the emergency braking parameters optionally adapted during the emergency braking operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for performing a braking maneuver using a braking assistant (9) in a motor vehicle (3), wherein the braking assistant (9) initiates an automatic braking maneuver when a distance between the motor vehicle (3) and an object (5) located ahead of the motor vehicle (3) is less than a minimum distance amin, an acceleration signal of the decelerating vehicle (3) is ascertained, and if the acceleration signal is positive the braking maneuver initiated by the braking assistant (9) is automatically interrupted.

Abstract: A device for increasing the precision of the distance and the relative velocity of a camera-based sensor with the aid of longitudinal acceleration for use in vehicles, e.g., in passive safety applications. In a first arithmetic unit of the inventive device, a correction of a slowly repeated camera-based measurement of the distance to an object is performed with the aid of an internal, longitudinal acceleration signal sampled at a much higher rate, wherein the inventive correction may be performed within an arithmetic unit of the camera, within a passive safety system or in a unit outside the camera and outside the safety system in the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adapting the signal processing of at least one sensor device arranged behind a window in a motor vehicle, wherein the adaptation of the signal processing comprises changing at least one detection threshold value if a probability of ice being on the window is detected on the basis of a determined temperature, characterized in that a temperature signal of at least one temperature sensor integrated in the sensor device is used to detect the probability of ice on the window.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adapting the signal processing of at least one sensor device arranged behind a window in a motor vehicle, wherein the adaptation of the signal processing comprises changing at least one detection threshold value if a probability of ice being on the window is detected on the basis of a determined temperature, wherein a temperature signal of at least one temperature sensor integrated in the sensor device is used to detect the probability of ice on the window.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to determine a vehicle's lateral velocity during abnormal driving situations of a vehicle during controlled side-impact or rollover crash tests that involve the pulling of a vehicle sideways into an object. A high-resolution, low-range, lateral accelerometer is integrated to determine the lateral velocity. Furthermore, is a method to initiate the integration of the acceleration signal and a method to stop and reset the integration. The method recognizes special conditions associated with abnormal driving situations like controlled crash tests, and therefore will not be active during normal operating conditions. The method also includes a means to handle offset tolerances associated with accelerometers by finding the sensor's zero-g point while the vehicle is at rest.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method to determine a vehicle's lateral velocity during abnormal driving situations of a vehicle during controlled side-impact or rollover crash tests that involve the pulling of a vehicle sideways into an object. A high-resolution, low-range, lateral accelerometer is integrated to determine the lateral velocity. Furthermore, is a method to initiate the integration of the acceleration signal and a method to stop and reset the integration. The method recognizes special conditions associated with abnormal driving situations like controlled crash tests, and therefore will not be active during normal operating conditions. The method also includes a means to handle offset tolerances associated with accelerometers by finding the sensor's zero-g point while the vehicle is at rest.

Abstract: Method for the evaluating of an installation location of an acceleration sensor assembly in a vehicle with respect to the transmission characteristics to this installation location of acceleration impulses acting on the vehicle, with a following serially-connected evaluating circuit, especially for the triggering of occupant protection devices, in that a prescribed acceleration impulse is impressed at at least one prescribed position on the vehicle, the impulse response is measured at the installation location, the frequency spectrum of the impulse response is determined, and the installation location is evaluated through comparison of this frequency spectrum with a prescribed nominal spectrum.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for measuring accelerations for a vehicle passenger protection system, whereby a first and second acceleration sensor with a first or second sensitivity direction are fitted in relation to a prespecified main direction of measurement, which form a first or second transverse projection in their projection onto a first or second transverse direction which is aligned vertically to the main direction of measurement, together with suitable evaluation devices for evaluating the processed first and second measuring signals. The first and second transverse projection of the first and second sensitivity directions run parallel to each other, and the first and second main projection of the first and second sensitivity direction run antiparallel to each other. Furthermore, the evaluation of the measured values provided by the sensors is conducted in such a manner that at least a partial error compensation results when the reference value changes in relation to the first and the second signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for object recognition for an automotive passenger protection system, comprising a signal source (10), adapted to generate at least one electromagnetic wave (12), and a receiver (14) for the at least one electromagnetic wave (18) reflected by an obstacle (16). The inventive device is provided with an evaluation unit (20) that is adapted to evaluate the polarization of the at least one electromagnetic wave (18) reflected by the obstacle (16) and received by the receiver (14) and to generate at least one evaluation signal (22). The inventive device and method allow for obtaining additional information on the obstacle such as its surface structure and using the same for the automotive passenger protection system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for measuring accelerations for a vehicle passenger protection system, whereby a first and second acceleration sensor with a first or second sensitivity direction are fitted in relation to a prespecified main direction of measurement, which form a first or second transverse projection in their projection onto a first or second transverse direction which is aligned vertically to the main direction of measurement, together with suitable evaluation devices for evaluating the processed first and second measuring signals. The first and second transverse projection of the first and second sensitivity directions run parallel to each other, and the first and second main projection of the first and second sensitivity direction run antiparallel to each other. Furthermore, the evaluation of the measured values provided by the sensors is conducted in such a manner that at least a partial error compensation results when the reference value changes in relation to the first and the second signal.

Abstract: Method for the triggering of a safety device in a motor vehicle in a rollover process, wherein the rotation rate signals ? generated by a rotation rate sensor are evaluated for the recognition of the rollover process of the motor vehicle about one of its axes. In that regard, predominantly roll bars, side airbags, and belt tensioners come into consideration as safety devices. The object of the invention consists in presenting a method for the triggering of a safety device, without, however, simultaneously suffering an impairment of the safe and reliable recognizing of a tip-over. According to the invention, low-pass filtered rotation rate signals are compared with an adjustable threshold value, whereby this threshold value is generated dependent on the integrated rotation rate signal. In that regard, the low-pass filtering occurs with a limit frequency, with which the signal components of the rotation rate signal characteristic for a rollover process remain unfiltered.

Abstract: Method for the evaluating of an installation location of an acceleration sensor assembly in a vehicle with respect to the transmission characteristics to this installation location of acceleration impulses acting on the vehicle, with a following serially-connected evaluating circuit, especially for the triggering of occupant protection devices, in that a prescribed acceleration impulse is impressed at at least one prescribed position on the vehicle, the impulse response is measured at the installation location, the frequency spectrum of the impulse response is determined, and the installation location is evaluated through comparison of this frequency spectrum with a prescribed nominal spectrum.

Abstract: An activating algorithm is generated for rollover detection for safety-related devices in automotive vehicles. First, a theoretical characteristic rollover curve, adapted to the respective vehicle, is assumed. This theoretical rollover curve is approximated with the aid of low pass filter functions to specific cutoff frequencies and trigger thresholds respectively. These cutoff frequencies and trigger thresholds are adapted to the rollover scenarios to be detected. The sensor signals generated by an angular rate sensor for sensing the rotational velocity of the rolling motion, are processed and evaluated by these low pass filter functions for activating a safety device, if necessary. The low pass filter functions provide a rollover curve which is an approximation of the theoretical rollover curve.

Abstract: A method for rollover detection for automotive vehicles with safety-related devices, such as roll bars, (side) airbags and seat-belt tensioners involves the following steps and features. An angular rate of rotation (&ohgr;x) around the vehicle longitudinal axis is provided by the signal of a gyrosensor, and an initial position angle (&agr;0) identifying the initial position of the vehicle transverse axis is determined from at least one sensor signal. An integral of the angular rate is added to the initial position angle. The absolute value of the resulting sum, which is proportional to the momentary inclination angle relative to the horizontal plane, is then compared to a trigger threshold that is a function of the angular rate and vehicle-specific parameters. A safety-related device is triggered if the absolute value of the resulting sum exceeds the trigger threshold.

Abstract: Method for rollover detection for automotive vehicles with safety-related devices, such as roll bars, (side) airbags and seat-belt tensioners.

Abstract: Conventional airbag apparatuses have a very large volume for offering the greatest possible protection for the passenger, and therefore block the driver's view of the traffic situation and preclude further steering actions. Additionally, the passenger is endangered if he is in an atypical sitting position. Multi-stage airbag systems permit an adaptation of the degree of deployment to the size and/or position of the passenger, but are very complicated and slow.

Abstract: Method for generating an activating algorithm for rollover detection for safety-related devices in automotive vehicles Here, the safety devices in question are mainly roll bars, side airbags, and seat belt tensioners.