Daimler Ag

Daimler Chrysler Ag

Robert Boschgmbh

Eads Deutschland Gmbh

Helmuth Eggers

Stefan Hahn

Gerhard Kurz

Juergen Seekircher

Thomas Wohlgemuth

Joerg Moisel

Volker Oltmann

Bernd Woltermann

Philipp Lehner

Ralf Ackermann

Volker Reinhold

Martin Meinke

Rainer Ott

Lars Krüger

Werner Ritter

Henrik Baur

Manuel Schaefer

Jörg Moisel

Otto Löhlein

A method and apparatus for detecting surroundings around a vehicle may include the step of periodically scanning the surroundings in a first detection region by a laser scanner. The method may also include detecting the surroundings in a second detection region by an optical camera. The first detection region and the second detection region may at least overlap each other. An optical sensor in the camera may be exposed at least twice within one period of the laser scanner. A first exposure time for a first exposure of the at least two exposures of the optical sensor may be chosen and synchronized with the laser scanner so that the first exposure occurs within a first time window, in which the laser scanner scans the first detection region.

Method and apparatus for detecting surroundings, and vehicle with such an apparatus

A device for controlling a driving light of a vehicle includes a headlight with a light source, a device for pivoting a produced light distribution and an optical element that provides adjustable light distribution. The optical element includes a light passage opening pivotable into an optical axis of the light source. A beam of the light distribution is limited or deflected such that a limited light field is produced in a pre-settable region in front of the vehicle, which light field has an external form of the light passage opening. Further light passage structures provide a 'high beam' or 'partial high beam' light pattern and thereafter the &#x201c;high beam&#x201d; light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in one direction, and another further light passage structure provides a &#x201c;motorway&#x201d; and thereafter a &#x201c;country road&#x201d; light pattern by turning, pivoting and/or displacing the optical element in an opposite direction.

Device for controlling a low beam of a vehicle

Method for at least one of model-based classification and target recognition of an object. The method includes recording an image of an inanimate object, determining a feature that represents a part of the inanimate object, determining at least one condition associated with the feature that indicates an applicability of the feature based on at least one of geometry of the object, distance of the object from a camera, illumination conditions, contrast, speed of the object, height of the object, and relative position of the object to a camera, and carrying out the at least one of classification and target recognition of the object by recording the feature when the at least one condition indicates the applicability of the feature. At least one of object classification and target recognition is carried out for a feature of the object that is visible and recordable according to the position of the object. The recording, the determining the feature, the determining the at least one condition, and the carrying out are implemented on a computer.

Model-based object classification and target recognition

Future motor vehicles will require additional lighting means. Additional lighting means are required, above all, in conjunction with environmental sensors, especially sensors which are used in night vision systems. As a result of the generally increasing number of electric and electronic systems in motor vehicles, such systems must be easy to operate for the driver. The invention thus relates to a switching arrangement which enables a plurality of lighting systems to be ergonomically operated on one motor vehicle. Said switching arrangement comprises a single switch having a plurality of switching stages. In this way, all switching stages pertaining to different lighting systems are located in the same switching region, enabling the lighting systems to be operated in a simple and intuitive manner.

Switching arrangement for actuating lighting systems on a motor vehicle

A method for detecting surroundings by an automotive night vision system comprising several areas, including a detection area () in which surroundings related data is detected, an evaluation area within which the surroundings-related data detected by the night vision system is evaluated, and an area of representation in which information about the surroundings-related data detected therein is represented to the driver by an optical display unit. The area of representation is therefore restricted in the inventive method for detecting surroundings such that the area of representation comprises no more than the high beam area (). The driver is shown only the surroundings related data which he/she would see anyway when actuating the conventional high beam due to the fact that the area of representation is restricted.

Area of representation in an automotive night vision system

The invention relates to an automobile infrared-night viewing device comprising an infrared camera used to receive image data representing the surroundings of the automobile. Said device also comprises an image processing unit which is connected to the infrared-camera and which processes the image data supplied by said camera in such am manner that a continuous image section from the supplied image data is selected and said selected data is retransmitted to a display. Said display then completely or almost completely reproduces the selected data, thereby renouncing any other further representations of the image data. Preferably, the selection of the image data is made according to the speed of the vehicle, the surroundings of the vehicle or the driver.

Automobile infrared night vision device

The invention concerns an automobile display unit, an automobile infrared night vision device and an automobile with such a display unit or, as the case may be, with such an infrared night vision device. The display includes an image processing unit which processes the image data supplied to it such that contiguous areas of maximal light intensity are recognized and these image data are adapted to the extent that they are at least partially replaced by image data with reduced light intensity values. These changed image data are supplied to the display, which reproduces these image data. This display unit makes possible a reduction or a prevention of blinding by brilliant light, which is particularly disturbing in a case of display of infrared night vision image information.

Automobile infrared night vision device and automobile display

Growing community of inventors

Ulm, Germany

Helmuth Eggers