Abstract: A method for producing a depth map from a detection region of the Earth's surface, a detection region being arranged in an underground pipeline, wherein the method includes recording at least one image sequence via at least one camera, determining the position and orientation of the camera corresponding to each individual recording, determining a spatial position and orientation of the underground pipeline arranged in the detection region, producing the depth map of the detection region via a plane sweep method based on the individual recordings and the associated camera positions, where the maximum depth region of the plane sweep method is subdivided into a total of N sections in an adaptive manner, i.e., in accordance with a predetermined minimum layer thickness for the ground covering the underground pipeline, via a predetermined number of planes spaced differently from one another and extending parallel with respect to one another.

Abstract: A method is provided for the detection of biometric characteristic data for authentication. According to the invention, the quality of the characteristic data is statically evaluated, and the statistical evaluation is used as another data set for authentication.

Abstract: An authentication method is provided for biometric characteristic data, especially characteristic data taken from finger-prints. The characteristic data is captured at least twice for each authentication request, and a position alteration between successive captures is evaluated and rated.