Abstract: A method for environmental representation, in which two images of an environment (U) are taken respectively and a disparity image is determined by means of stereo image processing. An unobstructed free space (F) is identified in the disparity image, in that each pixel of the disparity image is allocated either to the unobstructed ground surface (B) or to one of several segments (S11 to Snu) depending on disparity values of the respective pixel. Segments (S11 to Snu) of the same width are formed from pixels of the same or similar distance to an image plane. An object (O1 to Ok) located outside of the free space (F) is modelled in the environment (U) using one segment (S11 to Snu) or several segments (S11 to Snu).

Abstract: A method for environmental representation, in which two images of an environment (U) are taken respectively and a disparity image is determined by means of stereo image processing. An unobstructed free space (F) is identified in the disparity image, in that each pixel of the disparity image is allocated either to the unobstructed ground surface (B) or to one of several segments (S11 to Snu) depending on disparity values of the respective pixel. Segments (S11 to Snu) of the same width are formed from pixels of the same or similar distance to an image plane. An object (O1 to Ok) located outside of the free space (F) is modelled in the environment (U) using one segment (S11 to Snu) or several segments (S11 to Snu).

Abstract: A method for detecting objects, wherein two images of a surrounding (1) are taken and a disparity image is determined by means of stereo image processing, wherein a depth map of the surrounding (1) is determined from the determined disparities, wherein a free space delimiting line (2) is identified, delimiting an unobstructed region of the surrounding (1), wherein outside and along the free space delimiting line (1) the depth card is segmented by segments (3) of a suitable width formed by pixels of the same or similar distance to an image plane, wherein a height of each segment (3) is estimated as part of an object (4.1 to 4.6) located outside of the unobstructed region in a way, such that each segment (3) is characterized by the two-dimensional position of the base (for example the distance and angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle) and the height thereof.

Abstract: A method for detecting objects, wherein two images of a surrounding (1) are taken and a disparity image is determined by means of stereo image processing, wherein a depth map of the surrounding (1) is determined from the determined disparities, wherein a free space delimiting line (2) is identified, delimiting an unobstructed region of the surrounding (1), wherein outside and along the free space delimiting line (1) the depth card is segmented by segments (3) of a suitable width formed by pixels of the same or similar distance to an image plane, wherein a height of each segment (3) is estimated as part of an object (4.1 to 4.6) located outside of the unobstructed region in a way, such that each segment (3) is characterized by the two-dimensional position of the base (for example the distance and angle to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle) and the height thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting objects on a pixel plane. Said movable object detection is frequently possible only by tracking the pre-segmented objects or the parts thereof. in this relation, the spatially adjacent objects often provoke problems, in particular in the case when a camera system or more precisely an observer is movable. The inventive method consists in determining a two-dimensional position of the relevant pixels inside a first image and in determining an associated remote value for each relevant pixel. Said pixels are tracked and localized on two ore more successive images, wherein the two-dimensional position or the pixel offset and the associated remote value are again determined for each pixel. The position and movement of the relevant pixels are also determined with the aid of a suitable filter. Finally, the relevant pixels are combined into objects under predefined conditions with respect to the position, moving direction and motion ratio thereof.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is described for damping torsional vibrations of a shaft, in particular, of the crankshaft of a reciprocating engine, having a housing which is connected to the shaft and has a closed, annular receiving chamber for receiving a flywheel ring and a highly viscous fluid, wherein the flywheel ring is coupled to the housing via spring elements. Here, the characteristic is determined firstly by the shearing forces of the highly viscous fluid, in particular, the silicone oil, in the gap spaces and secondly by the spring characteristic or rigidity of the resilient supporting ring. The flywheel ring is mounted circumferentially on an elastic supporting ring, which is connected to the housing. Alternatively, a torsional vibration damper may have the flywheel ring mounted on the inside on a rotationally elastic axial bearing.

Abstract: The opening of vehicle doors often leads to collisions with stationary obstacles that are not visible to the occupants or with moving obstacles that approach the vehicle without being noticed. Thus to avoid collisions when vehicle doors are opened, the aim of the invention is to take any modifications to the environmental situation of the vehicle as a result of a movement of the vehicle and the detected objects into consideration. This allows a collision of the vehicle doors with the objects to be reliably avoided. To achieve this, in a first step the probable trajectory of a vehicle is determined. In an additional step, the objects in the vicinity of the vehicle are detected and probable trajectories of said detected objects are determined. Respective probability ranges are then defined both for the vehicle and the pivoting zone of the vehicle doors and for the detected objects.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle (1) comprising at least one catadioptric camera (2), which is mounted on the vehicle and which has an optical axis (5) and at least one first mirror (6) that is arranged on the optical axis. The optical axis (5) of the camera (2) is slanted relative to a vertical (9).

Abstract: The first commercially-available driver assist systems required a compromise between the resolution of the scanning and the extent of the scanned region, according to application. Conventional video-based systems have a good compromise between resolution and recording range, however do not generally provide direct distance information. According to the new arrangement of the object of the invention, it is possible to achieve a system, which, on installation in a road vehicle, can record complex dynamic scenes, for example the lateral 3D geometry to the road edge from the point of view of the dynamically operating vehicle and use the same to advantage on parking. According to the invention, the monitoring and measuring of the lateral environment of a vehicle is displayed on the one hand by means of a camera with the digital images and on the other hand with a computer unit which serves to provide the images with a time stamp and to buffer the same.

Abstract: The opening of vehicle doors often leads to collisions with stationary obstacles that are not visible to the occupants or with moving obstacles that approach the vehicle without being noticed. Thus to avoid collisions when vehicle doors are opened, the aim of the invention is to take any modifications to the environmental situation of the vehicle as a result of a movement of the vehicle and the detected objects into consideration. This allows a collision of the vehicle doors with the objects to be reliably avoided. To achieve this, in a first step the portable trajectory of a vehicle is determnined. In an additional step, the objects in the vicinity of the vehicle are detected and probable trajectories of said detected objects are determined. Respective probability ranges are then defined both for the vehicle and the pivoting zone of the vehicle doors and for the detected objects.

Abstract: The first commercially-available driver assist systems required a compromise between the resolution of the scanning and the extent of the scanned region, according to application. Conventional video-based systems have a good compromise between resolution and recording range, however do not generally provide direct distance information. According to the new arrangement of the object of the invention, it is possible to achieve a system, which, on installation in a road vehicle, can record complex dynamic scenes, for example the lateral 3D geometry to the road edge from the point of view of the dynamically operating vehicle and use the same to advantage on parking. According to the invention, the monitoring and measuring of the lateral environment of a vehicle is displayed on the one hand by means of a camera with the digital images and on the other hand with a computer unit which serves to provide the images with a time stamp and to buffer the same.

Abstract: An image processing system for a motor vehicle, includes a camera system, an image processing module having a data interface for receiving image data produced by the camera system, a memory unit for storing an image processing program, an image processor unit for processing the image data, a display unit for displaying the processed image data, and a miniature computer. At least one of the image processor unit and the display unit are disposed in the miniature computer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle (1) comprising at least one catadioptric camera (2), which is mounted on the vehicle and which has an optical axis (5) and at least one first mirror (6) that is arranged on the optical axis. The optical axis (5) of the camera (2) is slanted relative to a vertical (9).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for estimating the course of a lane of a motor vehicle, where the course of the lane is detected by detecting the trajectory of a vehicle traveling in front in the lane, where the detected course of the trajectory subjected to filtering in order to obtain the actual course of the trajectory, where the course of the trajectory is evaluated by means of at least two different filters, where movements of the vehicle in the lateral direction in the lane are filtered on the basis of the output of a filter, and where movements of the vehicle which correspond to a lane change are detected on the basis of the output of a further filter.

Abstract: A camera based position recognition system for a road vehicle. The environment in the direction of travel of the vehicle is acquired by a camera. Using the acquired image data, the position of the vehicle in its environment is determined with regard to an optical signature identified in the obtained image data. For determining the position of the vehicle, use is made of the knowledge of the relationship between the environment coordinate system of the optical signature and that of the camera coordinate system. In simplified manner, position determination occurs with regard to the optical signature on the basis of a template matching imposed on the image data. For this, a template or an optical signature recorded in memory is superimposed on the optical signature identified in the image data in the environment of the vehicle (template matching).

Abstract: A method for monitoring a space of a vehicle. The method includes sensing the space using a first sensor including at least one surveillance camera so as to produce an image data, performing an evaluation of the image data, selecting at least one area of the space using the evaluation of the image data, sensing the at least one area using a second alignable sensor having a restricted spatial sensing range so as to produce a second data, and evaluating the second data. In addition, a vehicle that includes a first sensor having at least one surveillance camera disposed in an interior of the vehicle, the first sensor having a field of view at least partially covering at least one of the interior and an exterior of the vehicle, and a second alignable sensor having a restricted spatial sensing range, an alignment of the second sensor being controllable using the first sensor.

Abstract: A monitoring device for a protected area of a machinery installation, the area being accessible through at least one access opening which can be closed off by an element, such as a door, shutter, or the like, which is movable between an open position and a closed position. The monitoring device being arranged adjacent to the movable element and comprising a safety switch having a housing, an evaluation device, a movable element positionable between a closed and an open position, a coded release mechanism located on the movable element, and a read head for reading the coded release mechanism when the movable element is in the closed position. The safety switch being further provided with an actuator bearing a release mechanism, and which, in a locking position in the housing, locks the movable element in its closed position. The housing having a receiving space for the actuator such that the release mechanism is located adjacent to the read head when the actuator is in the locking position in the housing.

Abstract: In a technique for the configurable charting of data such as price shares, the data to be displayed are loaded from a server (2) to a terminal (5) by means of the Internet (1). The displayed data can then be individually configured on the display unit (monitor) (6) of the terminal (5). The user can select the configuration of the display using a pointer control unit (9) by positioning a cursor (11) in the display field (12) of the data itself. In addition, it is possible to install highlighted buttons (13, 13′) in the display field (12) of the data, which when a cursor (11) is activated provide additional information linked to the position of the button (13, 13′). For example, the data can reflect share price histories and the buttons (13, 13′) are provided at those temporal positions of a share price chart where events that could be of importance to the development of the share prices took place.

Abstract: A device for acquiring data indicative of the path of a lane is provided. The device incorporates a lane detection sensing circuit, an object position sensing circuit that detects at least the distance of an object located in front of the vehicle and its directional angle relative to the direction of vehicle motion, and a sensing circuit for the vehicle's own motion. An estimating device is provided that is supplied with lane recognition measurement data, object position measurement data, and measurement data on the vehicle's own motion. As a function of the vehicle's own motion, the estimating device determines the lane curvature and/or the transverse position of an object ahead of the vehicle relative to the lane by estimation, using a presettable estimation algorithm including a dynamic vehicle motion model. The device preferably includes a Kalman filter for this purpose, and is used, for example, in road vehicles.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatic transverse vehicle guidance is provided for the automatic transverse guidance of a vehicle along a traffic lane. The apparatus can be activated in such a way using an activating actuation of an operating element that the actual transverse-position value present at the activation instant serves as a desired transverse-position value for subsequent automatic transverse guidance operation.