Abstract: A method for determining the position of a vehicle, including: determination of a GNS vehicle position by a GNS unit, sensor acquisition of a surrounding environment of the GNS vehicle position by a radar sensor unit of the vehicle in order to ascertain radar data corresponding to the acquired surrounding environment, detection of objects situated in the surrounding environment based on the radar data, ascertaining of a direction vector that points from a detected object to a reference point fixed to the vehicle, comparison of the radar data and the ascertained direction vector to a digital map that has objects and direction vectors assigned to the objects, the direction vectors assigned to the objects pointing to a position in the digital map from which the corresponding object was acquired by a radar sensor unit, and ascertaining of a corrected vehicle position based on the GNS vehicle position and the comparison.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a vehicle, including: determination of a GNS vehicle position by a GNS unit, sensor acquisition of a surrounding environment of the GNS vehicle position by a radar sensor unit of the vehicle in order to ascertain radar data corresponding to the acquired surrounding environment, detection of objects situated in the surrounding environment based on the radar data, ascertaining of a direction vector that points from a detected object to a reference point fixed to the vehicle, comparison of the radar data and the ascertained direction vector to a digital map that has objects and direction vectors assigned to the objects, the direction vectors assigned to the objects pointing to a position in the digital map from which the corresponding object was acquired by a radar sensor unit, and ascertaining of a corrected vehicle position based on the GNS vehicle position and the comparison.

Abstract: In a method for safely parking a vehicle, it is checked whether an emergency situation is present, and the vehicle is driven by the driver assistance system to a road shoulder upon recognition of an emergency situation. In controlling the driving operation, information is requested from an external database and taken into account by the driver assistance system.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a vehicle. The method includes steps of acquiring a plurality of sensor data from a radar sensor associated with the vehicle; obtaining an approximate location of the vehicle using a GPS unit; comparing the sensor data to a database of geo-referenced sensor data; and based on the comparison, determining a location of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a method for safely parking a vehicle, it is checked whether an emergency situation is present, and the vehicle is driven by the driver assistance system to a road shoulder upon recognition of an emergency situation. In controlling the driving operation, information is requested from an external database and taken into account by the driver assistance system.

Abstract: A mapping method includes using a first mobile unit to map two-dimensional features while the first mobile unit traverses a surface. Three-dimensional positions of the features are sensed during the mapping. A three-dimensional map is created including associations between the three-dimensional positions of the features and the map of the two-dimensional features. The three-dimensional map is provided from the first mobile unit to a second mobile unit. The second mobile unit is used to map the two-dimensional features while the second mobile unit traverses the surface. Three-dimensional positions of the two-dimensional features mapped by the second mobile unit are determined within the second mobile unit and by using the three-dimensional map.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a vehicle. The method includes steps of acquiring a plurality of sensor data from a radar sensor associated with the vehicle; obtaining an approximate location of the vehicle using a GPS unit; comparing the sensor data to a database of geo-referenced sensor data; and based on the comparison, determining a location of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for assisting in parallel parking includes providing a vehicle with a forward-looking camera and/or a backward-looking camera. The camera is used to capture an image of a parking area including at least one unoccupied parking space and a plurality of parking spaces occupied by other vehicles. A homography of the captured image is created. The homography is used to estimate an image of the parking area from an overhead viewpoint. A portion of the overhead image including the unoccupied parking space is displayed on a display screen within a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a three dimensional imaging system includes a portable housing configured to be carried by a user, microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) projector supported by the housing sensor supported by the housing and configured to detect signals emitted by the MEMS projector, a memory including program instructions for generating an encoded signal with the MEMS projector, emitting the encoded signal, detecting the emitted signal after the emitted signal is reflected by a body, associating the detected signal with the emitted signal, comparing the detected signal with the associated emitted signal, determining an x-axis dimension, a y-axis dimension, and a z-axis dimension of the body based upon the comparison, and storing the determined x-axis dimension, y-axis dimension, and z-axis dimension of the body, and a processor operably connected to the memory, to the sensor, and to the MEMS projector for executing the program instructions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an autonomously navigated mobile platform includes a support frame, a projector supported by the frame, a sensor supported by the frame, a memory including a plurality of program instructions stored therein for generating an encoded signal using a phase shifting algorithm, emitting the encoded signal with the projector, detecting the emitted signal with the sensor after the emitted signal is reflected by a detected body, associating the detected signal with the emitted signal, identifying an x-axis dimension, a y-axis dimension, and a z-axis dimension of the detected body, and one or more of a range and a bearing to the detected body, based upon the associated signal, identifying a present location of the mobile platform, navigating the mobile platform based upon the identified location, and a processor operably connected to the memory, to the sensor, and to the projector for executing the program instructions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an autonomously navigated mobile platform includes a support frame, a projector supported by the frame, a sensor supported by the frame, a memory including a plurality of program instructions stored therein for generating an encoded signal using a phase shifting algorithm, emitting the encoded signal with the projector, detecting the emitted signal with the sensor after the emitted signal is reflected by a detected body, associating the detected signal with the emitted signal, identifying an x-axis dimension, a y-axis dimension, and a z-axis dimension of the detected body, and one or more of a range and a bearing to the detected body, based upon the associated signal, identifying a present location of the mobile platform, navigating the mobile platform based upon the identified location, and a processor operably connected to the memory, to the sensor, and to the projector for executing the program instructions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a three dimensional imaging system includes a portable housing configured to be carried by a user, microelectrical mechanical system (MEMS) projector supported by the housing. sensor supported by the housing and configured to detect signals emitted by the MEMS projector, a memory including program instructions for generating an encoded signal with the MEMS projector, emitting the encoded signal, detecting the emitted signal after the emitted signal is reflected by a body, associating the detected signal with the emitted signal, comparing the detected signal with the associated emitted signal, determining an x-axis dimension, a y-axis dimension, and a z-axis dimension of the body based upon the comparison, and storing the determined x-axis dimension, y-axis dimension, and z-axis dimension of the body, and a processor operably connected to the memory, to the sensor, and to the MEMS projector for executing the program instructions.

Abstract: A mapping method includes using a first mobile unit to map two-dimensional features while the first mobile unit traverses a surface. Three-dimensional positions of the features are sensed during the mapping. A three-dimensional map is created including associations between the three-dimensional positions of the features and the map of the two-dimensional features. The three-dimensional map is provided from the first mobile unit to a second mobile unit. The second mobile unit is used to map the two-dimensional features while the second mobile unit traverses the surface. Three-dimensional positions of the two-dimensional features mapped by the second mobile unit are determined within the second mobile unit and by using the three-dimensional map.

Abstract: A method for assisting in parallel parking includes providing a vehicle with a forward-looking camera and/or a backward-looking camera. The camera is used to capture an image of a parking area including at least one unoccupied parking space and a plurality of parking spaces occupied by other vehicles. A homography of the captured image is created. The homography is used to estimate an image of the parking area from an overhead viewpoint. A portion of the overhead image including the unoccupied parking space is displayed on a display screen within a passenger compartment of the vehicle.