Abstract: A method for actuating an electric motor with a motor control signal with an application-specific frequency, which signal is provided by an electronic motor control unit, wherein the electric motor is used in a vehicle roof for activating a component of this roof while being connected to a region of the roof. Embodiments provide that the electric motor can be actuated by the motor control unit with an additional signal whose frequency and amplitude are suitable for causing the region of the vehicle roof to which said electric motor is connected to oscillate in order to generate sound.

Abstract: A roof module for a motor vehicle having a roof skin and a roof substructure as well as a means for autonomous driving or semi-autonomous driving of the motor vehicle. The means having at least one sensor module having at least one environmental sensor for detecting a vehicle environment, the sensor module being covered by the roof skin, having a means for generating sound which are covered by the roof skin and means for recording sound which are covered by the roof skin. The environmental sensor and the means for generating sound and the means for recording sound are connected to a controller which is part of the means for autonomous driving or semi-autonomous driving of the motor vehicle. The means for generating sound and the means for recording sound are part of the means for autonomous driving or semi-autonomous driving of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A method for recognizing directional structures on a window pane of a vehicle is described. The method includes carrying out an assessment of image points of an image of the window pane, which image points are disposed along an evaluation path, a course of the evaluation path being dependent on an expected orientation of the directional structures on the window pane. The method further includes recognizing a directional structure based on the assessment.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle including: a detection device for detecting the vehicle surroundings, a position determination device for determining a vehicle position relative to the vehicle surroundings, a database having an ontological data structure in which traffic rules are implemented, a linker for linking the detected vehicle surroundings and the vehicle position to the ontological data structure to form a linked data structure, and an evaluator for evaluating the linked data structure. Also described is a method for operating a driver assistance system for a vehicle.

Abstract: A camera system for a motor vehicle includes: a camera, which includes an image sensor for outputting image signals, and camera optics for detecting a first environment and for imaging the first environment on the image sensor at a first subject distance. The camera system has camera supplementary optics, which are at least partially provided in the optical path in front of the camera optics, the camera optics and the camera supplementary optics jointly forming an optics system by which a second environment, e.g., a region of a surface of a window, is able to be imaged or focused on the image sensor at a second object distance that differs from the first object distance.

Abstract: A method for recognizing directional structures on a window pane of a vehicle is described. The method includes carrying out an assessment of image points of an image of the window pane, which image points are disposed along an evaluation path, a course of the evaluation path being dependent on an expected orientation of the directional structures on the window pane. The method further includes recognizing a directional structure based on the assessment.

Abstract: A safety device for motor vehicles, having a sensor system for locating objects at least on one adjacent lane next to one's own lane, and having a prediction module for predicting a degree of blocking of at least one adjacent lane, the prediction module being configured for predicting a degree of blocking of the adjacent lane by hitherto non-located objects as a function of information about located objects. Also described is a method including the operations of locating an object on the adjacent lane next to one's own lane of a motor vehicle, predicting a degree of blocking of the adjacent lane by hitherto non-located objects as a function of the performed object location.

Abstract: A driver assistance system for a vehicle including: a detection device for detecting the vehicle surroundings, a position determination device for determining a vehicle position relative to the vehicle surroundings, a database having an ontological data structure in which traffic rules are implemented, a linker for linking the detected vehicle surroundings and the vehicle position to the ontological data structure to form a linked data structure, and an evaluator for evaluating the linked data structure. Also described is a method for operating a driver assistance system for a vehicle.

Abstract: A camera system for detecting a state of a vehicle window pane is described, having at least the following: a camera having an image sensor for detecting a first radiation emitted by the vehicle surroundings and for outputting image signals; and a radiation source for emitting a second optical radiation. At least a portion of the emitted second optical radiation is detectable by the image sensor as a function of a state of the window pane. The camera system is set up in such a way that a state of the vehicle window pane is determinable on the basis of the image signals output by the image sensor during measurements in which the vehicle window pane is illuminated differently by the second optical radiation. For this purpose, an evaluation unit which determines a state of the vehicle window pane on the basis of the image signals output by the image sensor during the measurements may be provided to record the image signals and to ascertain a state of the window pane.

Abstract: A camera system for a motor vehicle includes: a camera, which includes an image sensor for outputting image signals, and camera optics for detecting a first environment and for imaging the first environment on the image sensor at a first subject distance. The camera system has camera supplementary optics, which are at least partially provided in the optical path in front of the camera optics, the camera optics and the camera supplementary optics jointly forming an optics system by which a second environment, e.g., a region of a surface of a window, is able to be imaged or focused on the image sensor at a second object distance that differs from the first object distance.