Abstract: A method for operating a data processing unit of a driver assistance system, the unit including main and slave computers. The main computer ascertains surroundings data from a surroundings detection system by using a processing specification. The slave computer operates a communication interface of the data processing unit, using a communication instruction. The method includes initializing, a first testing, a carrying out, a second testing and a forwarding. In initializing, the main computer, in response to a signal, is initialized by performing an initialization instruction on the main computer. In the first testing, the slave computer, in response to the signal, is initialized by performing a self-test instruction on the slave computer. In the carrying out, the communication instruction is performed on the slave computer to send and/or receive data via the communication interface, when the slave computer is tested and while the main computer is initialized.

Abstract: A method for classifying surroundings of a motor vehicle includes: providing a hypothesis regarding the class to which the surroundings belong; sampling pieces of information from the surroundings of the motor vehicle; determining a criterion which supports or weakens the hypothesis based on the sampled pieces of information; and determining a probability of the hypothesis being correct, using the criterion with the aid of Bayesian filtering.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and signaling a traffic situation in the surrounding environment of a vehicle, a sensor acquiring a surrounding environment of the vehicle, an object at risk being recognized in the acquired environment, a collision probability and a prediction reliability being determined for the recognized object at risk, and when there is a given collision probability and a low prediction reliability an action of a first type being carried out, and when there is a given collision probability and a high prediction reliability an action of a second type being carried out. The present invention further relates to a driver assistance system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method for operating a data processing unit of a driver assistance system, the unit including main and slave computers. The main computer ascertains surroundings data from a surroundings detection system by using a processing specification. The slave computer operates a communication interface of the data processing unit, using a communication instruction. The method includes initializing, a first testing, a carrying out, a second testing and a forwarding. In initializing, the main computer, in response to a signal, is initialized by performing an initialization instruction on the main computer. In the first testing, the slave computer, in response to the signal, is initialized by performing a self-test instruction on the slave computer. In the carrying out, the communication instruction is performed on the slave computer to send and/or receive data via the communication interface, when the slave computer is tested and while the main computer is initialized.

Abstract: A method for transferring data from an image-data-based map service for use in an assistance system of a vehicle includes the following: ascertaining the position and/or orientation of the vehicle, retrieving image data of the vehicle surroundings from the image-data-based map service, extracting items of information from the image data of the map service, and transferring the items of information into the assistance system.

Abstract: A method for generating a surround-view image of a vehicle 's surroundings, having a first vehicle camera for photographing a first partial area of the surroundings and at least one second vehicle camera for photographing a second partial area of the surroundings differing at least in part from the first partial area, including illuminating the surroundings with at least two illumination devices. Using at least one first illumination device, the first partial area of the surroundings is illuminated by electromagnetic radiation in the visible and/or infrared wavelength range. Using at least one second illumination device, the second partial area of the surroundings is illuminated by electromagnetic radiation at least in the infrared wavelength range. The method also includes reading in camera image data, so as by combining the image data, to generate the surround-view image of the surroundings, the image data representing photos of partial areas of the illuminated surroundings.

Abstract: A method for controlling a cleaning apparatus for a vehicle camera includes: a step of reading in image data that represent at least one image area of an image taken by the vehicle camera of a vehicle environment; a step of evaluating an image property of the at least one image area of the image in order to determine a soiling value of the vehicle camera; and a step of generating a control signal for controlling the cleaning apparatus as a function of the soiling value.

Abstract: A method for opening a door of a vehicle includes: a step of identifying an authorization device for use of the vehicle approaching the vehicle; a step of detecting when the authorization device approaches a relevant door of the vehicle; and a step of activating a unit for opening the relevant door.

Abstract: A method for classifying surroundings of a motor vehicle includes: providing a hypothesis regarding the class to which the surroundings belong; sampling pieces of information from the surroundings of the motor vehicle; determining a criterion which supports or weakens the hypothesis based on the sampled pieces of information; and determining a probability of the hypothesis being correct, using the criterion with the aid of Bayesian filtering.

Abstract: A method for transferring data from an image-data-based map service for use in an assistance system of a vehicle includes the following: ascertaining the position and/or orientation of the vehicle, retrieving image data of the vehicle surroundings from the image-data-based map service, extracting items of information from the image data of the map service, and transferring the items of information into the assistance system.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and signaling a traffic situation in the surrounding environment of a vehicle, a sensor acquiring a surrounding environment of the vehicle, an object at risk being recognized in the acquired environment, a collision probability and a prediction reliability being determined for the recognized object at risk, and when there is a given collision probability and a low prediction reliability an action of a first type being carried out, and when there is a given collision probability and a high prediction reliability an action of a second type being carried out. The present invention further relates to a driver assistance system for carrying out the method.