Abstract: A holding fixture for a camera and a method for monitoring the surrounding area of a vehicle, using at least one camera, which is used to draw a holding fixture out of the body shell of a vehicle, as needed. The holding fixture is extended as a function of a speed signal or a transmission-setting signal, and, in addition to a camera, the holding fixture has a further device, in particular a washer device or a trunk handle. Furthermore, the holding fixture can be drawn out as a function of a signal from a control element. Holding fixtures having cameras can be attached at various positions of the vehicle.

Abstract: To determine the visual range of, in particular, a driver in a motor vehicle, a contrast ((c(x1), c(x2)) is measured from at least two measuring positions (x1, x2) of a measuring device situated at different distances from the object, and the ratio of the measured contrast values is converted to a visual range (?), using the difference of the distances of the measuring positions from the object.

Abstract: A method and device for capturing a surrounding area and interior of a motor vehicle are described. The device for performing the method includes a camera device that has a beam path that points in a direction of the surrounding area of the vehicle, in particular a road, and has a beam path that points in a direction of the vehicle interior. A processing unit controls and evaluates the image information obtained.

Abstract: A method for the transmission of data using radio transmission systems between transmitter/receiver stations is provided, and a computer for the allocation of radio transmission systems for the transmission of data between transmitter/receiver stations is provided, which serve to select radio transmission systems dynamically, for a communication from at least one transmitter/receiver station, on the basis of a subscriber profile, a location of the one transmitter/receiver station, and/or a speed of the transmitter/receiver station, in order to transmit data between transmitter/receiver stations. A computer in a switching device calculates which radio transmission system best meets the criteria. During a data transmission, it is possible to switch automatically to a further radio transmission system if the transmission quality of the radio transmission system currently being used declines.

Abstract: Method for determining the lighting conditions in front of a moving object, in particular in front of a motor vehicle. The arrangement includes a sensor unit which scans the area in front of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel as well as an evaluation unit which measures both the general lighting conditions and the lighting conditions in front of the vehicle in the direction of vehicle travel based on the values supplied by the sensor unit. The brightness measurement is carried out with a two-dimensional image sensor, and one or more information values relating to the lighting conditions, for example before entering a tunnel, is generated with the help of a sectoral and/or global evaluation of the brightness values measured by the image sensor in the respective sectors used on a traffic lane between the edges of the traffic lane.

Abstract: A method for the display of information in a motor vehicle, in which a segment of an image from a camera is displayed on a display unit and the image segment contains a road sign after analysis by a control and analysis unit.

Abstract: Proposed is a holding fixture for a camera and a method for monitoring the surrounding area of a vehicle, using at least one camera, which is used to draw a holding fixture out of the body shell of a vehicle, as needed. The holding fixture is extended as a function of a speed signal or a transmission-setting signal, and, in addition to a camera, the holding fixture has a further device, in particular a washer device or a trunk handle. Furthermore, the holding fixture can be drawn out as a function of a signal from a control element. Holding fixtures having cameras can be attached at various positions of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device for receiving data via radio signals in a motor vehicle, where a single operation of an input means putting the device in a state, stored in the memory, for playback of the data. As a result, when confronted with an apparently hopeless situation, a user in a motor vehicle, in the simplest of operations and without being distracted from driving activities, is able to return the device to a state where it may be optimally utilized. Various input devices are possible here, such as a pushbutton, a remote control or a microphone. The state may be characterized by various selection options, including resumption of data reception from a service, resumption of a service used previously, returning to a portal of a service provider or restarting the device, in which case the restart may be performed either through hardware or software. A pushbutton may cause various states of the device, depending on the length of time of operation of the pushbutton.

Abstract: A method via which the range of vision in a vehicle's field of view can be determined precisely, so that with the help of range-of-vision information the driver can be advised to modify his driving style. The contrast of an object detected by a radar or lidar sensor is measured by a monocular video sensor, and the range of vision is determined from the measured values supplied by the radar or lidar sensor and by the monocular video sensor. Alternatively, the distance to and contrast of at least one object can be measured by a binocular video sensor, the range of vision then being determined from the measured contrast and distance values.

Abstract: A device for controlling the brightness of dashboard lights in a motor vehicle is described, where an optoelectric receiver adjusts the light intensity of the dashboard lights with the output signal as a function of ambient brightness. To obtain an automatic measurement of the ambient brightness distribution in the direction of vehicle travel, taking into account the brightness in certain regions in the vicinity of the vehicle, an image sensor pointing in the direction of vehicle travel is provided as an optoelectric receiver to perform a location-selective absolute brightness measurement, and its electric output signal, weighted with preselected or preselectable algorithms for determining ambient brightness by an analyzer unit, so it can be sent to a control unit to influence the brightness of the dashboard lights.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the undercarriage of a vehicle with means for adjusting vehicle parameters, such as, for example, the spring travel or the spring constant, in accordance with computed control signals. A signal receiving means receives signals from the environment of the vehicle and converts the signals into environmental signals. A signal processing means determines vehicle-related data from the environmental signals and a computing means computes the control signals for the vehicle control system with the aid of the vehicle-related data.