Abstract: The invention relates to a device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle, having a radiation source for infrared radiation for irradiating the surroundings of the vehicle, having an infrared-sensitive camera for taking images of at least part of the irradiated surroundings, having a display unit for displaying collected image data, and having a control unit for controlling the device. Furthermore, an image evaluation unit is provided which is connected to the camera and the control unit and which evaluates the sensed image data with respect to the recommended maximum velocity Vmax. A velocity sensor which is connected to the control unit is provided in such a way that the control unit causes the display to be switched off when the vehicle velocity v exceeds the maximum velocity vmax. The display is preferably switched on when the vehicle velocity v drops below the maximum velocity vmax. This device ensures that the vehicle with the device operates in a safe way for the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle, having a radiation source for infrared radiation for irradiating the surroundings of the vehicle, having an infrared-sensitive camera for taking images of at least part of the irradiated surroundings, having a display unit for displaying collected image data, and having a control unit for controlling the device. In this context, the control unit is embodied in such a way that the display is switched off after a time period t which is selected as a function of the collected image data has expired. The camera is preferably selected in such a way that it is sensitive in the range of visible light. The time period t is preferably selected as a function of the brightness values and/or the contrast values of the collected image data. This device ensures very reliable operation for the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle, having a radiation source for infrared radiation for irradiating the surroundings of the vehicle, having an infrared-sensitive camera for taking images of at least part of the irradiated surroundings, having a display unit for displaying collected image data, and having a control unit for controlling the device. In this context, the control unit is embodied in such a way that, while the device is operating, the display represents image data in a chronologically limited fashion by means of controlled switching on and switching off, and in the process the switching off of the representation of images on the display is made gradual. The gradual switching off is carried out in particular by changing the brightness limiting values, the contrast limiting values and/or by increasing or reducing the noise of the image data to be represented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for improving the visibility conditions in a motor vehicle, having a radiation source for infrared radiation for irradiating the surroundings of the vehicle, having an infrared-sensitive camera for taking images of at least part of the irradiated surroundings, having a display unit for displaying collected image data, and having a control unit for controlling the device. In this context, the control unit is embodied in such a way that the display is switched off after a predefined time period t has expired. This device ensures very safe operation for the user.

Abstract: The invention concerns a headlight (1) for a motor vehicle. This includes a light source (2) for visible light and a source (3) for infrared radiation and a lens (6) through which the visible light and the infrared radiation can be emitted out of the headlight (1). In accordance with the invention there is additionally provided a bi-metallic element (4) in the area between the source (3) for the infrared radiation and the lens (6) in such a manner that during operation of the light source (2) the path of the infrared radiation from the source (3) to the lens (6) is open, and in the non-operating condition of the light source (2) the path is interrupted. The invention provides a headlight (1) for motor vehicles which is very safe for eyes.

Abstract: A method and a device for vision enhancement in a motor vehicle. Image data are detected from the surroundings, and additionally the weather situation is determined from image data, one or more areas of an image and/or a plurality of images recorded at different points in time being compared for determining the weather situation.

Abstract: A vision-enhancing device for a motor vehicle has an image-recording device, an image-processing device and an image-display device, the image-processing device is configured to assign display color values for display by the image-display device to the input color values recorded by the image-recording device, certain display color values being provided for each input color value as a function of the environmental conditions.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining measured values, in particular measured pressure values, strain values, or temperature value, using a plurality of optical fiber Bragg grating sensors. The optical fiber Bragg grating sensors are combined to form various arrays of optical fiber Bragg grating sensors that are arranged one behind the other, are connected by fiber optics, and exhibit different frequency selectivities. Delay elements are assigned to these arrays. The Bragg grating sensors receive a uniform query signal representing a time-differentiated, frequency-selective light. The frequency-selective Bragg grating sensors of the various arrays generate partial signals. The partial signals, separated temporally from one another by the delay elements, form a sequence of partial signals.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for operation of a vehicle headlight as well as a vehicle headlight (1) with a housing and a light source (3) provided within the housing. In accordance with the invention the housing of the vehicle headlight (1) is designed to be pressure-tight and the headlight (1) is associated with a controller (7), which controls the headlight (1) depending upon the pressure within the housing. The controller (7) brings about that the headlight, depending upon the pressure within the housing, is switched off, is adapted in its light intensity and/or is changed in its emission characteristic. Thereby a headlight is produced characterized by being safe for the eyes.

Abstract: A system for improving the visibility in vehicles, including the following: an illumination optical system (2) for continuous radiation of infrared pulsed light; an associated receiver optical system (3) for receiving reflected components of the radiated light; a display (4) for representing information obtained by the receiver optical system (3), and a device (5, 6) for determining the presence of glare in the receiver optical system (3) from a foreign vehicle illumination optical system and for changing the keying interval or duty cycle of the infrared pulsed light of the illumination optical system (2) driven with fixed keying interval in dependence upon the vehicle direction of travel in such a manner that the glare is eliminated. Therein the illumination optical system is driven is driven with a fixed keying interval depending upon the vehicle direction of travel or, in certain cases, the direction of illumination.

Abstract: An electronically variable light attenuator and method for electronically attenuating light. The attenuator has an array of liquid crystal regions. The regions in a first set thereof are interspersed with the regions in a second set thereof. The array is adapted to receive a beam of light directed along an axis. A pair of electrodes is provided. At least one of the sets of regions is disposed between the electrodes. The regions in the first set are configured to produce a first diffraction pattern in response to the received light and the regions in the second set are configured to produce a second diffraction pattern in response to the received light. The pair of electrodes are arranged to enable the first and second diffraction patterns to combine with a degree of interference along an axis selected in accordance with an electric field produced between the pair of electrodes and through the at least one of the sets of regions.

Abstract: Process for improving the view in a vehicle, in particular in darkness, bad weather and fog, wherein laser light with a wavelength outside of the visible spectrum is emitted in a predetermined spatial area, which is observed by a camera, of which the images are displayed to the vehicle operator. According to the invention the laser light and/or the camera is additionally used for optical communication with other vehicles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for improving visibility in a vehicle, especially in darkness, bad weather and fog, including one or more laser headlights radiating laser light of a wavelength outside the visible spectrum into a predetermined solid angle area ahead of the vehicle, a camera which is sensitive outside the visible spectrum and used for taking images of current traffic scenes, as well as an optical display system in the vehicle for reproducing the captured images in the visible spectrum. According to the present invention, provision is made for at least two different types of laser headlights which each illuminate different parts of the solid angle area to be observed to produce an angle-dependent radiation pattern of the laser light in a simple manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for improving the view in vehicles, in particular at night, poor weather and fog, in which laser light is emitted at a wavelength outside the visible spectrum in a predetermined angular range, which is being observed with a camera, of which the images are provided to the vehicle operator. The laser light is emitted essentially continuously only when the headlights of the vehicle are in operation and/or when the vehicle is in motion. In this manner the vision of other traffic participants is ensured in a particularly simple manner.

Abstract: A system for improving the visibility in vehicles, including the following: an illumination optical system (2) for continuous radiation of infrared pulsed light; an associated receiver optical system (3) for receiving reflected components of the radiated light; a display (4) for representing information obtained by the receiver optical system (3), and a device (5, 6) for determining the presence of glare in the receiver optical system (3) from a foreign vehicle illumination optical system and for changing the keying interval or duty cycle of the infrared pulsed light of the illumination optical system (2) driven with fixed keying interval in dependence upon the vehicle direction of travel in such a manner that the glare is eliminated. Therein the illumination optical system is driven is driven with a fixed keying interval depending upon the vehicle direction of travel or, in certain cases, the direction of illumination.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining measured values, in particular measured pressure values, strain values, or temperature value, using a plurality of optical fiber Bragg grating sensors. The optical fiber Bragg grating sensors are combined to form various arrays of optical fiber Bragg grating sensors that are arranged one behind the other, are connected by fiber optics, and exhibit different frequency selectivities. Delay elements are assigned to these arrays. The Bragg grating sensors receive a uniform query signal representing a time-differentiated, frequency-selective light. The frequency-selective Bragg grating sensors of the various arrays generate partial signals. The partial signals, separated temporally from one another by the delay elements, form a sequence of partial signals.

Abstract: A ring laser gyro uses a composition for the gain medium which optimizes the effect of the Fresnel-Fizeau drag on the output signal of the gyro. In one embodiment, a composition of the gain medium is used which produces no change in the Fresnel-Fizeau component of the output signal as the discharge current varies from a nominal amount. In another embodiment, a gain medium composition is used which eliminates the Fresnel-Fizeau component of the output signal at a predetermined level of discharge current.

Abstract: A ring laser gyro uses means for shaping the gas flow, which inevitably develops as a result of a DC discharge, to optimize the effect of the Fresnel-Fizeau drag on the output signal of the gyro. In one embodiment, a sufficient component of the gain medium flow is provided to produce a substantially constant Fresnel-Fizeau component of the output signal even in the presence of variations of the discharge current. In another embodiment, a sufficient component of gain medium flow is provided to substantially eliminate the Fresnel-Fizeau component of the output signal at a predetermined level of discharge current.

Abstract: A laser gyroscope is described having a ring resonator adapted to support a plurality of resonant transverse electric and magnetic field modes TEM.sub.qmn, wherein the longitudinal mode index q is a sequentially different integer for each mode and the transverse mode indices m and n are constant. The gain medium bandwidth is sufficient to simultaneously support at least two adjacent modes, such as TEM.sub.qmn and TEM.sub.(q+1)mn modes. Each mode is split into a set of four components having distinct frequencies, arranged in orthogonally polarized pairs, typically counter-propagating right-handed and left-handed circularly polarized. At least six components can resonate, arranged in three pairs of alternating polarization, two of the pairs from a first mode, for example TEM.sub.qmn, and the third pair formed from the first two components from a second mode, for example TEM.sub.