Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing two-piece can bodies by drawing and ironing a laminated metal sheet, and more particularly to a processing method which prevents abrasion damage or scuffing of the laminate layer on the can body during its ironing, and a drawn and ironed two-piece can body produced thereby.

Abstract: A method for detecting a cylinder-specific combustion profile parameter value for an internal combustion engine is described. The method includes the following: (a) detecting a toothed encoder signal, (b) determining a cylinder-specific tooth time interval on the basis of the toothed encoder signal, (c) determining a cylinder-specific phase value on the basis of a Fourier transformation of a part of the toothed encoder signal corresponding to the cylinder-specific tooth time interval, (d) determining the combustion profile parameter value on the basis of the cylinder-specific phase value and a stored transfer function which represents a relationship between the combustion profile parameter and the phase value.

Abstract: Provided is a triggering system for triggering a plurality of vehicle-mounted cameras for obtaining a set of images. The present invention further relates to a camera system including the same. The triggering system includes a central unit and a plurality of camera controllers that each control one or more cameras. The present invention proposes a combination of a de-centralized updating process to determine the respective triggering time instants for the cameras, and a local timer in each of the camera controllers that is repeatedly synchronized using GNSS time information. This allows better control of the position of the entrance pupils of the cameras at the time of recording images. This will in turn produce a set of images that enables the generation of a panoramic image having less parallax-related errors.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a position of a mobile device is disclosed. In particular, a method and system in which the position of a mobile device is determined using measurements of received Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, satellite signals is disclosed. The present invention therefore proposes to qualify a received satellite signal based on whether a signal propagation characteristic of this signal falls within an expected range of this characteristic. The expected range is determined using information about the satellite that sent the signal. The position of the mobile device is computed based on the validated satellite signals.

Abstract: A method for detecting a cylinder-specific combustion profile parameter value for an internal combustion engine is described. The method includes the following: (a) detecting a toothed encoder signal, (b) determining a cylinder-specific tooth time interval on the basis of the toothed encoder signal, (c) determining a cylinder-specific phase value on the basis of a Fourier transformation of a part of the toothed encoder signal corresponding to the cylinder-specific tooth time interval, (d) determining the combustion profile parameter value on the basis of the cylinder-specific phase value and a stored transfer function which represents a relationship between the combustion profile parameter and the phase value.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an image stitching method. It is further related to an image stitching device and to a computer readable medium carrying instructions for performing such method. The method according to the invention includes determining a pixel value of a pixel at an interpolation position in the region to be stitched using pixel values of corresponding pixels in a plurality of sub-images. According to the invention, the interpolation position corresponds to a weighted sum of positions of the corresponding pixels. The weighting factor for the position of a corresponding pixel in a given sub-image depends on a relative distance of at said interpolation position to a border of the region to be stitched associated with that sub-image.

Abstract: A method and system for improving position information associated with a collection of images is disclosed, more in particular, a method and system for improving position information of images obtained using a camera system including at least one camera mounted on or to a vehicle. A 3D model is constructed from an overlapping region in which at least two images obtained at different positions of the vehicle among the collection of images at least partially overlap. By comparing the 3D model to an aerial image, the position of the 3D model can be updated.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating a position of a mobile device is disclosed. In particular, a method and system in which the position of a mobile device is determined using measurements of received Global Navigation Satellite System, GNSS, satellite signals is disclosed. The present invention therefore proposes to qualify a received satellite signal based on whether a signal propagation characteristic of this signal falls within an expected range of this characteristic. The expected range is determined using information about the satellite that sent the signal. The position of the mobile device is computed based on the validated satellite signals.

Abstract: A method for generating a panoramic image includes providing a 3D point model of an area surrounding a virtual viewpoint, acquiring multiple images of the area surrounding the virtual viewpoint, projecting the acquired images onto the 3D point model and generating the panoramic image using the thus obtained 3D point model of the surrounding area.

Abstract: A method and system for improving position information associated with a collection of images is disclosed, more in particular, a method and system for improving position information of images obtained using a camera system including at least one camera mounted on or to a vehicle. A 3D model is constructed from an overlapping region in which at least two images obtained at different positions of the vehicle among the collection of images at least partially overlap. By comparing the 3D model to an aerial image, the position of the 3D model can be updated.

Abstract: A method for determining an effective injection time of a valve having a coil drive includes determining an opening time of the valve, determining a closing time of the valve, and determining the effective injection time of the electric actuation of the valve for an injection operation based on the defined opening time and the defined closing time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a device, and vehicle for recording panoramic images. According to the present invention, panoramic images can be obtained using a plurality of optical cameras and light directing elements which are arranged based on a parabola. This allows a compact device to be obtained while ensuring that each camera records a partial image as if it were at substantially the same focus point as the other cameras. By arranging the plurality of cameras and light directing elements such that the respective focus points are slightly offset relative to each other, a slight overlap between adjacent field of views can be obtained to improve stitching of the partial images to from the panoramic image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating a panoramic image. The method includes the steps of providing a 3D point model of an area surrounding a virtual viewpoint, acquiring multiple images of the area surrounding the virtual viewpoint, projecting the acquired images onto the 3D point model and generating the panoramic image using the thus obtained 3D point model of the surrounding area.

Abstract: A method for determining an effective injection time of a valve having a coil drive includes determining an opening time of the valve, determining a closing time of the valve, and determining the effective injection time of the electric actuation of the valve for an injection operation based on the defined opening time and the defined closing time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, a device, and vehicle for recording panoramic images. According to the present invention, panoramic images can be obtained using a plurality of optical cameras and light directing elements which are arranged based on a parabola. This allows a compact device to be obtained while ensuring that each camera records a partial image as if it were at substantially the same focus point as the other cameras. By arranging the plurality of cameras and light directing elements such that the respective focus points are slightly offset relative to each other, a slight overlap between adjacent field of views can be obtained to improve stitching of the partial images to from the panoramic image.

Abstract: A method for determining a fuel pressure present at a direct injection valve comprising a solenoid drive comprises (a) detecting a voltage induced in the solenoid drive within a time span comprising a closing point in time of the direct injection valve, and (b) determining the fuel pressure based on the detected induced voltage. Further, a corresponding device, a common rail system, a motor vehicle, and a computer program for determining the fuel pressure of a valve comprising a solenoid drive are provided.

Abstract: A method for determining a closing time of a valve having a coil drive, in particular a direct injection valve for an engine of a motor vehicle, has the steps: (a) switching off a current flow through a coil (L_inj) of the coil drive, so that the coil (L_inj) is depowered, (b) capturing a time curve (110) of a voltage induced in the non-powered coil (L_inj), wherein the induced voltage is generated by decaying eddy currents in a magnetic circuit of the coil drive and by a motion of the armature relative to the coil (L_inj), (c) evaluating the captured time curve (110) of the voltage induced in the coil (L_inj), and (d) determining the closing time based on the evaluated time curve (110). A corresponding device and a computer program for determining the closing time of a valve with a coil drive can be provided accordingly.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a time duration for an electric actuation of a valve which has a coil drive, in particular of a direct-injection valve for an internal combustion engine. The method may include a deactivation of a current flow through a coil of the coil drive, such that the coil is in a currentless state, a detection of a time profile of a voltage induced in the currentless coil, a determination of the closing time of the valve on the basis of the detected time profile, and a determination of a time duration of the electric actuation of the valve for a future injection process on the basis of the determined closing time. A corresponding device and a computer program for carrying out the described method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one injection valve for delivering fluid, which has an electromagnetic actuator. A final stage unit is designed for creating a current profile for triggering the electromagnetic actuator with at least one given profile parameter (PP). Upon achieving magnetic saturation of a magnetic circuit of the electromagnetic actuator an assigned saturation current (I_sat_mes) is determined and at least one profile parameter (PP) is adjusted depending on the saturation current (I_sat_mes) thus determined and a given reference saturation current.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a time duration for an electric actuation of a valve which has a coil drive, in particular of a direct-injection valve for an internal combustion engine. The method may include a deactivation of a current flow through a coil of the coil drive, such that the coil is in a currentless state, a detection of a time profile of a voltage induced in the currentless coil, a determination of the closing time of the valve on the basis of the detected time profile, and a determination of a time duration of the electric actuation of the valve for a future injection process on the basis of the determined closing time. A corresponding device and a computer program for carrying out the described method are also disclosed.