Abstract: A method for determining the position of a vehicle involves determining a plurality of position hypotheses by comparing landmark objects detected by a sensor system of the vehicle with landmark objects stored in a map, in particular in a map section. By analyzing all position hypotheses and filtering out all false information using probabilistic analysis, a position hypothesis with an integrity value is determined. A position hypothesis with a position accuracy sufficient in a predetermined way for determining the position of the vehicle is determined by filtering according to predetermined limit values.

Abstract: A method for determining measured values using at least two different measuring methods involves, with each of the measuring methods, determining provisional measured values and suppling data for an integrity of the determined provisional measured values. The determined provisional measured values are merged to give combined measured values and information on the integrity of the combined measured values is determined. Depending on the data concerning the integrity of the determined provisional measured values and the combined measured values and depending on a period of time during which the determined provisional measured values and the combined measured values in each case meet specified requirements regarding their integrity, it is decided which of the measured values are supplied for further processing.

Abstract: A method for landmark-based localization of a vehicle involves forming a plurality of position hypotheses for a vehicle position based on a forming of associations between sensor landmark objects detected by sensor and map landmark objects stored in a digital map. A most likely vehicle position is ascertained as the localization result on the basis of a probabilistic filtering of the position hypotheses, and a guaranteed position area is ascertained, in which a predefined error upper limit is not exceeded. This is performed several times with different set-ups of the probabilistic filtering. The localization result with the smallest guaranteed position area is selected as vehicle position if the guaranteed position areas overlap fully in pairs.

Abstract: A method for landmark-based localization of a vehicle involves forming a plurality of position hypotheses for a vehicle position based on a forming of associations between sensor landmark objects detected by sensor and map landmark objects stored in a digital map. A most likely vehicle position is ascertained as the localization result on the basis of a probabilistic filtering of the position hypotheses, and a guaranteed position area is ascertained, in which a predefined error upper limit is not exceeded. This is performed several times with different set-ups of the probabilistic filtering. The localization result with the smallest guaranteed position area is selected as vehicle position if the guaranteed position areas overlap fully in pairs.

Abstract: A method for determining measured values using at least two different measuring methods involves, with each of the measuring methods, determining provisional measured values and suppling data for an integrity of the determined provisional measured values. The determined provisional measured values are merged to give combined measured values and information on the integrity of the combined measured values is determined. Depending on the data concerning the integrity of the determined provisional measured values and the combined measured values and depending on a period of time during which the determined provisional measured values and the combined measured values in each case meet specified requirements regarding their integrity, it is decided which of the measured values are supplied for further processing.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a vehicle involves determining a plurality of position hypotheses by comparing landmark objects detected by a sensor system of the vehicle with landmark objects stored in a map, in particular in a map section. By analyzing all position hypotheses and filtering out all false information using probabilistic analysis, a position hypothesis with an integrity value is determined. A position hypothesis with a position accuracy sufficient in a predetermined way for determining the position of the vehicle is determined by filtering according to predetermined limit values.

Abstract: A method for controlling a vehicle system of a vehicle which is equipped to carry out an automated driving operation involves localizing the vehicle and approving the vehicle system for activation depending on a result of the localization. The vehicle is localized with at least two different localization methods. The at least two localization methods include at least one landmark-based localization method and one localization method based on at least one global navigation satellite system. The vehicle system is only approved for activation if it is confirmed with each of the applied localization methods that the vehicle is located on a route section approved for automated driving operation.

Abstract: A method for operating a driver assistance system of a vehicle involves, for determining a position of the vehicle in a digital environment map, detecting environment data for the vehicle using an on-board sensor system and matched with map data stored in the environment map. A position of the vehicle in a real environment is determined using position data of the vehicle from an on-board satellite receiver. Accuracy of the determined position of the vehicle is determined based on the position data and environment data matched with the environment data. Accuracy is predicted with which the position of the vehicle in the environment map can be determined for a predetermined section of road ahead of the vehicle. Fully automated operation of the vehicle is enabled when the determined accuracy and the predicted accuracy for the predetermined section of road ahead of the vehicle are greater than at least one accuracy threshold.

Abstract: A system produces devices that include a semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part. A front end is configured to receive a semiconductor part and to process the semiconductor part. A back end is configured to receive the processed semiconductor part and to assemble the processed semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part into a device. A transfer device is configured to automatically handle the semiconductor part in the front end and to automatically transfer the processed semiconductor part to the back end.

Abstract: A system produces devices that include a semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part. A front end is configured to receive a semiconductor part and to process the semiconductor part. A back end is configured to receive the processed semiconductor part and to assemble the processed semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part into a device. A transfer device is configured to automatically handle the semiconductor part in the front end and to automatically transfer the processed semiconductor part to the back end.

Abstract: A system produces devices that include a semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part. A front end is configured to receive a semiconductor part and to process the semiconductor part. A back end is configured to receive the processed semiconductor part and to assemble the processed semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part into a device. A transfer device is configured to automatically handle the semiconductor part in the front end and to automatically transfer the processed semiconductor part to the back end.

Abstract: A system produces devices that include a semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part. A front end is configured to receive a semiconductor part and to process the semiconductor part. A back end is configured to receive the processed semiconductor part and to assemble the processed semiconductor part and a non-semiconductor part into a device. A transfer device is configured to automatically handle the semiconductor part in the front end and to automatically transfer the processed semiconductor part to the back end.

Abstract: Materials such as titanium are vapor-deposited in the presence of, e.g., oxygen to form a film on a substrate, such as to provide an adhesion layer between a silicon movable structure in an optical MEMS device and a gold layer serving as a reflecting surface. The resulting film contains titanium and oxygen. Varying the conditions under which the film is deposited varies the intrinsic stress of the film, which varies the change in substrate shape caused by the presence of the film. A film having a desired intrinsic stress may be obtained by control of the oxygen partial pressure when the film is deposited. In one embodiment, the oxygen partial pressure in the atmosphere present during titanium deposition is greater than about 2×10?7 Torr, and preferably between about 1×10?6 Torr and about 2×10?6 Torr.

Abstract: A device and a method for determining the freezing point of a washer fluid with a heater for heating the washer fluid. The invention provides a temperature sensor, which provides continuous electric signals, which represent the current temperature values of the washer fluid, and an analyzing and controlling unit, which ascertains the temperature behavior of the washer fluid from the signals and determines the characteristic values of the washer fluid from the ascertained temperature behavior.

Abstract: Materials such as titanium are vapor-deposited to form a film on a substrate while the substrate is thermally coupled to a temperature-controlling thermal source. Varying the temperature conditions of the substrate when the film is deposited varies the intrinsic stress of the film, which varies the change in substrate shape caused by the presence of the film. A film having a desired intrinsic stress may be obtained by control of the substrate temperature when the film is deposited. A stress-controlled titanium film may be used, for example, as an adhesion layer between a silicon movable structure in an optical MEMS device and a gold layer serving as a reflecting surface.

Abstract: A MEMS device employed in an optical switch has a position sensor configured to determine mirror orientation in the device. The position sensor includes at least one light sensor located under an etch gap defining the mirror in the switch. Change of light intensity at each light sensor due to the change in separation corresponding to the etch gap during mirror motion is measured and related to the mirror deflection angle. Information about the angle may be used to provide feedback to the motion actuator, which then may be operated to orient the mirror more accurately.

Abstract: A wireless communication system having primary and supplemental communication sub-systems. The primary communication sub-system includes a plurality of base stations and a mobile services switching center (MSC) of the prior art. The supplemental communication sub-system includes one or more supplemental transceiver units (STUs) controlled by a supplemental switching center (SSC) having access to a public switched telephone network. Each STU has a primary function and, in addition, is adapted to support (i) a wireless communication link with at least one mobile station and (ii) a wire-line communication link with the SSC. In one embodiment, an STU of the invention has a conventional TV receiver and a TV screen whose primary function is to receive and display television programs supplied over a cable network.

Abstract: Materials such as titanium are vapor-deposited in the presence of, e.g., oxygen to form a film on a substrate, such as to provide an adhesion layer between a silicon movable structure in an optical MEMS device and a gold layer serving as a reflecting surface. The resulting film contains titanium and oxygen. Varying the conditions under which the film is deposited varies the intrinsic stress of the film, which varies the change in substrate shape caused by the presence of the film. A film having a desired intrinsic stress may be obtained by control of the oxygen partial pressure when the film is deposited. In one embodiment, the oxygen partial pressure in the atmosphere present during titanium deposition is greater than about 2×10−7 Torr, and preferably between about 1×10−6 Torr and about 2×10−6 Torr.

Abstract: Materials such as titanium are vapor-deposited to form a film on a substrate while the substrate is thermally coupled to a temperature-controlling thermal source. Varying the temperature conditions of the substrate when the film is deposited varies the intrinsic stress of the film, which varies the change in substrate shape caused by the presence of the film. A film having a desired intrinsic stress may be obtained by control of the substrate temperature when the film is deposited. A stress-controlled titanium film may be used, for example, as an adhesion layer between a silicon movable structure in an optical MEMS device and a gold layer serving as a reflecting surface.

Abstract: A MEMS device employed in an optical switch has a position sensor configured to determine mirror orientation in the device. The position sensor includes at least one light sensor located under an etch gap defining the mirror in the switch. Change of light intensity at each light sensor due to the change in separation corresponding to the etch gap during mirror motion is measured and related to the mirror deflection angle. Information about the angle may be used to provide feedback to the motion actuator, which then may be operated to orient the mirror more accurately.