Abstract: A device for detecting the surroundings of a motor vehicle includes a parking control unit, a first data processing device, and one or more sensor units that each includes one or more surroundings sensors for detecting the surroundings of a motor vehicle. The parking control unit is connected between the sensor units and the first data processing device.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining a free parking position for a vehicle, in which at least one measurement value is ascertained by at least one vehicle-side sensor, the at least one ascertained measurement value is transmitted by a vehicle-side communication device of at least one vehicle to a vehicle-external server unit, the at least one ascertained measurement value is evaluated with respect to a free parking position by the vehicle-external server unit, and the evaluated at least one free parking position is provided in a retrievable manner on the vehicle-external server unit. A system for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a steering axle, a steering device configured to steer the steering axle, wherein a steering wheel angle can be input via the steering device, wherein the steering wheel angle leadings to a steering angle of wheels of the steering axle, and a quotient of the steering wheel angle to the steering angle defines a steering ratio, a first drive, wherein the first drive allows a wheel-selective distribution of a first torque to the wheels of the steering axle, a second drive, wherein the second drive allows a wheel-selective distribution of a second torque to the wheels of a drive axle, and a controller configured to receive input variables defining driving dynamic variables of the vehicle, wherein the drive dynamic variables allow a change in the steering ratio to ascertained, and the controller outputs control information for distributing the drive torque.

Abstract: Objects are sensed by a distance sensor of a vehicle. Reflected signals are received as echo signals by the driving-environment sensor. Object distance is calculable, for example, from the propagation time of the signals. Of the sensed objects, those objects are identified which, e.g., based on their spatial disposition, are parking-space-delimiting objects. It is possible to differentiate between objects delimiting a parking space to the side (e.g., parked vehicles) and lateral parking-space delimitations (e.g., a curbstone) by evaluating the echo signals. The parking-space-delimiting objects are classified through characteristic structures of the echo signals assigned to the parking-space-delimiting objects, and an object class is assigned to each parking-space-delimiting object.

Abstract: A method includes a plurality of first motor vehicles traveling along a section of a street in the same direction of travel; scanning of a right side of the street by a first sensor directed laterally to the right, and a left side of the street by a second sensor directed laterally to the left on each first motor vehicle; determining right parking spaces on the right side of the street based on data from the first sensor and left parking spaces on the left side of the street based on data from the second sensor; ascertaining a confidence value based on a first accumulation with which right parking spaces were determined in the section, and based on a second accumulation with which left parking spaces were determined in the section; and assigning the confidence value to the section and to the direction of travel.

Abstract: A method for aiding finding of available parking areas of a street section includes receiving data corresponding to parking areas situated in a street section, the data including information ascertained by an ascertaining vehicle driving through the street section and information received from a server, determining an instantaneous occupancy estimate of the street section based on the received data, calculating a forecasted occupancy estimate based on the instantaneous occupancy estimate using a timer series forecasting model, and generating a display representation of the calculated forecasted occupancy estimate. The method includes receiving the data and determining the occupancy estimate, for example, each time an ascertaining vehicle drives through the street.

Abstract: A method for classifying a parking spot identified with the aid of a distance-based detection process for validity, including the following: comparing a position of the identified parking spot to a digital parking facility map which includes positions of valid and invalid parking areas; and classifying the identified parking spot as a valid or an invalid parking spot as a function of the comparison. Also described are a corresponding device, a corresponding parking guidance system, a corresponding motor vehicle, and a computer program.

Abstract: A method for detecting a parking area on at least one road section includes providing a usable width of the road section. The usable width represents a passable width of the road section between parking vehicles. The method further includes travelling on the road section using a detector vehicle and detecting lateral distances from objects with a detector device arranged in the detector vehicle. The method also includes comparing the detected lateral distances with the usable width, and detecting the parking area based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining a parking area of at least one street section includes providing information indicating a usable width of the street section, the usable width representing a drivable width of the street section between spaces for parked vehicles at the two lateral sides of a driving vehicle; the driving vehicle driving the street section and ascertaining lateral distances from objects using an ascertainment device situated in the driving vehicle; comparing the ascertained lateral distances to the usable width; and ascertaining the parking area by way of the comparison.

Abstract: A street parking space for a first motor vehicle is located within a predefined area. A method for determining an unoccupied street parking space includes steps of scanning environmental data of a second motor vehicle in the predefined area; determining an item of information regarding an unoccupied parking space in the area of the second motor vehicle on the basis of the environmental data; and reporting the item of information to a central instance. The central instance determines a demand for reports in the area on the basis of received information from a plurality of second motor vehicles, and suppresses further reports from a second motor vehicle as a function of the demand.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining a free parking position for a vehicle, in which at least one measurement value is ascertained by at least one vehicle-side sensor, the at least one ascertained measurement value is transmitted by a vehicle-side communication device of at least one vehicle to a vehicle-external server unit, the at least one ascertained measurement value is evaluated with respect to a free parking position by the vehicle-external server unit, and the evaluated at least one free parking position is provided in a retrievable manner on the vehicle-external server unit. A system for implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: A street parking space for a first motor vehicle is located within a predefined area. A method for determining an unoccupied street parking space includes steps of scanning environmental data of a second motor vehicle in the predefined area; determining an item of information regarding an unoccupied parking space in the area of the second motor vehicle on the basis of the environmental data; and reporting the item of information to a central instance. The central instance determines a demand for reports in the area on the basis of received information from a plurality of second motor vehicles, and suppresses further reports from a second motor vehicle as a function of the demand.

Abstract: A method for providing an access option to a vehicle interior of a vehicle parked at a parking position, including receiving an access request for an access to the vehicle interior via a communication network, in response to the received access request, ascertaining unparking data, based on which the vehicle may at least partially leave its parking position, to provide an access option to the vehicle interior by opening a vehicle window and/or a vehicle door, transmitting the ascertained unparking data to the vehicle via the communication network, —receiving a signal via the communication network that the access option is no longer needed, in response to the signal, ascertaining parking data, based on which the vehicle may drive back into its parking position, and transmitting the ascertained parking data to the vehicle via the communication network.

Abstract: A method for aiding finding of available parking areas of a street section includes receiving data corresponding to parking areas situated in a street section, the data including information ascertained by an ascertaining vehicle driving through the street section and information received from a server, determining an instantaneous occupancy estimate of the street section based on the received data, calculating a forecasted occupancy estimate based on the instantaneous occupancy estimate using a timer series forecasting model, and generating a display representation of the calculated forecasted occupancy estimate. The method includes receiving the data and determining the occupancy estimate, for example, each time an ascertaining vehicle drives through the street.

Abstract: A method for identifying free spaces (parking not permitted) and/or permitted parking areas, vehicles transmitting pieces of information about possible parking spaces (PPS) to a central computer facility (CCF). Positions of PPS are detected with vehicle surroundings sensors, and the detected PPS are evaluated based on the data collected, a categorization being performed for recording the PPS, with positions, in a CCF database and evaluating the data using a cluster analysis. When the analysis is performed, PPS are assigned to a street portion, a function is assigned to the street portion, which is given by the quotient of the frequency of PPS detections in a certain position along the street portion and the number of vehicle passages through the street portion and a weighting factor from the evaluation. A free space is inferred when the function value is greater than a predefined second limiting value and/or a parking area is inferred when the function value is within a predefined range.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining a parking area of at least one street section includes providing information indicating a usable width of the street section, the usable width representing a drivable width of the street section between spaces for parked vehicles at the two lateral sides of a driving vehicle; the driving vehicle driving the street section and ascertaining lateral distances from objects using an ascertainment device situated in the driving vehicle; comparing the ascertained lateral distances to the usable width; and ascertaining the parking area by way of the comparison.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining a parking area of at least one street section includes providing information indicating a usable width of the street section, the usable width representing a drivable width of the street section between spaces for parked vehicles at the two lateral sides of a driving vehicle; the driving vehicle driving the street section and ascertaining lateral distances from objects using an ascertainment device situated in the driving vehicle; comparing the ascertained lateral distances to the usable width; and ascertaining the parking area by way of the comparison.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining a useful width of a segment of a street, including traveling the street in a first direction of travel and ascertaining of parking spaces on the basis of echo profiles of an ascertaining device situated in an ascertaining vehicle; ascertaining of lateral distances between the ascertaining device and parked vehicles at both sides of the street, at least one ascertaining of parking spaces and lateral distances being carried out to the right of the ascertaining vehicle, and at least one ascertaining of the parking spaces and lateral distances being carried out to the left of the ascertaining vehicle; and ascertaining of the useful width from the ascertained lateral distances.

Abstract: A method for identifying free spaces (parking not permitted) and/or permitted parking areas, vehicles transmitting pieces of information about possible parking spaces (PPS) to a central computer facility (CCF). Positions of PPS are detected with vehicle surroundings sensors, and the detected PPS are evaluated based on the data collected, a categorization being performed for recording the PPS, with positions, in a CCF database and evaluating the data using a cluster analysis. When the analysis is performed, PPS are assigned to a street portion, a function is assigned to the street portion, which is given by the quotient of the frequency of PPS detections in a certain position along the street portion and the number of vehicle passages through the street portion and a weighting factor from the evaluation. A free space is inferred when the function value is greater than a predefined second limiting value and/or a parking area is inferred when the function value is within a predefined range.

Abstract: A method is provided for use in producing a selected protein in mammalian cells, and to cDNA molecules useful in the method, and fusion proteins produced from expression of the cDNA. In the method, cDNA encoding a fusion protein that includes a mammalian DHFR and the selected protein is introduced into mammalian cells such that it is expressed. The naturally occurring repression of DHFR translation is overcome by treatment of the cells with a folate or antifolate or similar composition. The relief from this repression extends to the selected protein which is the second part of the expressed fusion, such that the treatment results in controllable and enhanced production of the selected protein.