Calibration panel holding apparatus

Abstract

A holding apparatus (22) for mounting and holding a calibration panel (12) on a stand (11) comprises a mechanical connecting device (24) which is designed to connect the holding apparatus (22) to the stand (11); a holder (26) which enables the calibration panel (12) to be attached to the holding apparatus (22); a sensor device (28) which is designed to provide data which enable the current position of the holding apparatus (22) on the stand (11) to be determined; and a transmitting device (34) which is designed to transmit the data which enable the current position of the holding apparatus (22) to be determined.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] Calibration board holding device

[0004] The invention relates to a holding device for attaching and holding calibration panels, which are intended for calibrating driver assistance systems in motor vehicles, on a calibration device.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] To calibrate driver assistance systems installed in motor vehicles, calibration devices are used, particularly in workshops, which have at least one measuring board ("calibration board"). At least one optical pattern is formed on the at least one calibration board, which is optically captured by an image recording device of a driver assistance system to be calibrated in order to calibrate the driver assistance system.

[0007] In order to calibrate a driver assistance system with the required accuracy, the position and orientation of the calibration panel(s) in front of the motor vehicle must be set as precisely as possible to values ​​specified by the manufacturer of the driver assistance system to be calibrated.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to improve and in particular to simplify the positioning of calibration panels, which are intended for calibrating driver assistance systems, in front of a motor vehicle.

[0010] The invention comprises a holding device for attaching and holding a calibration board, in particular an optical calibration board, to a stand of a calibration device, wherein the holding device comprises: a mechanical connecting device designed to connect the holding device movably and optionally lockably to the stand, so that the holding device is supported by the stand; a holder that allows the calibration board to be attached to the holding device; and a sensor device designed to provide data that allows the current position of the holding device on the stand to be determined. The holding device also comprises a transmitting device and / or an output device.

[0011] The transmitting device is designed to transmit data that makes it possible to determine the current position of the holding device, so that this data can be received by a corresponding receiving device.

[0012] The output device enables data and / or instructions to be output to a user of the calibration device. The output device can, in particular, comprise a display device that enables visual displays to be output to a user. In this way, the current position of the holding device and / or instructions for correctly positioning the holding device can be displayed to the user.

[0013] The invention also encompasses a calibration device, in particular a calibration device for calibrating an image recording device of a driver assistance system. The calibration device comprises a stand and at least one holding device according to the invention, which can be attached to the stand. The calibration device can, in particular, comprise a support or arm that is height-adjustably attached to the stand. The at least one holding device can be displaceably and optionally fixably attached to the height-adjustable support or arm.

[0014] The invention further comprises a method for determining a position of a calibration board, in particular an optical calibration board, which is attached to a calibration device according to the invention. The method comprises acquiring data with the aid of the at least one sensor device, which data makes it possible to determine the current position of the holding device on the calibration device. The method further comprises transmitting the data representing the determined position of the holding device on the calibration device using a transmitting device and / or outputting or displaying the data using an output device.

[0015] The invention also includes a method for positioning a calibration board, in particular an optical calibration board, on a calibration device according to the invention, wherein the method comprises attaching the calibration board to the holding device, determining the position of the holding device on the calibration device using a method according to the invention as described above, and changing the position of the holding device until the determined position of the holding device corresponds to a predetermined position.

[0016] A holding device according to the invention, a calibration device according to the invention and the methods according to the invention make it possible to determine the current position of a calibration board with respect to the stand of the calibration device simply and with high accuracy with the aid of the at least one sensor device.

[0017] In this way, the calibration board can be quickly and reliably positioned at a desired or specified position on the calibration device. This reduces the risk of errors in the calibration of the driver assistance system that could result from incorrect positioning of the calibration board.

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least one sensor device comprises at least one optical sensor configured to read an optically readable scale attached or configured to the calibration device in order to determine the current position of the holding device, and thus also the current position of the measuring plate on the calibration device. The optically readable scale may comprise a human-readable scale, e.g., a scale with digits. Additionally or alternatively, the scale may comprise a particularly machine-readable scale, e.g., a barcode.

[0019] A combination of an optical sensor and an optically readable scale that can be read by the optical sensor is easy to implement, since existing optical scales, e.g. measuring tapes and meter sticks, that are formed on the calibration device, can be used as scales.

[0020] In one embodiment, the at least one optical sensor is designed to detect an optical pattern formed on a floor in order to be able to check the position of the optical pattern on the floor. The optical pattern can, in particular, be formed on a mat located on the floor. The pattern can be provided for calibrating cameras, for example, rearview cameras, of the motor vehicle.

[0021] The at least one optical sensor can also be designed to optically detect and check the position of at least one radar reflector provided for calibrating radar sensors of the motor vehicle.

[0022] In one embodiment, the holding device has at least one angle sensor that allows the roll and / or pitch angle of the carrier to be determined. The at least one angle sensor can, in particular, be equipped with an angle sensor display device that can be read by the at least one optical sensor of the sensor device. Thus, the values ​​determined by the at least one angle sensor can be automatically read and made available for further analysis.

[0023] In one embodiment, the holding device additionally comprises an illumination device configured to illuminate at least the area of ​​the optically readable scale that is currently being read by the optical sensor. Depending on the sensitivity of the optical sensor, the illumination device can emit light in the visible range, the infrared range, and / or the UV range to illuminate the scale.

[0024] In one embodiment, the at least one sensor device comprises at least one magnetic sensor and / or at least one mechanical sensor. In such an embodiment, the scale is configured to be readable by a magnetic sensor and / or a mechanical sensor.

[0025] Magnetic and mechanical sensors operate reliably even in poor lighting conditions. Magnetic sensors are also resistant to contamination and mechanical wear on the scale, thus offering a high level of operational reliability.

[0026] In one embodiment, the holding device additionally comprises a data processing device which is designed to process the data provided by the at least one sensor device in order to determine the current position of the holding device on the stand.

[0027] In this way, the current position of the holding device can be determined autonomously by the holding device and, if necessary, displayed on a display. This can significantly simplify the adjustment of the desired position of the holding device and the calibration board.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment, the data processing device can be provided separately from the holding device. This can reduce the weight and cost of the holding device.

[0029] In one embodiment, the holding device additionally comprises an identification device that allows the identification of a calibration plate arranged in the holder of the holding device. In this way, the desired position of the holding device on the stand can be determined depending on the currently used calibration plate, which has been identified by the identification device. If necessary, the used and identified calibration plate can be logged for later evaluation, e.g., in a calibration report.

[0030] Particularly in calibration systems that are used interchangeably with different calibration boards, the risk of using an incorrect calibration board that is not suitable for the currently calibrated driver assistance system and / or of positioning the currently used calibration board incorrectly can be reduced by automatically identifying the currently used calibration board with the aid of an identification device.

[0031] In one embodiment, the identification device comprises an RFID reading device designed to read identification data from an RFID element attached to the calibration panel currently in use. By using RFID elements attached to the calibration panels and an RFID reading device provided on the holding device to read the RFID elements attached to the calibration panels, different calibration panels can be identified easily, quickly, and reliably. In one embodiment, the holding device comprises an output device that enables data and / or instructions to be output to a user of the calibration device. The output device can in particular comprise a display device that enables visual displays to be output to a user.This allows the user to see the current position of the fixture and / or instructions for correct positioning. This can further simplify correct positioning of the fixture and further reduce the risk of positioning errors.

[0032] The output device may also comprise an acoustic output device which indicates, for example by emitting a signal tone, whether the holding device is correctly positioned.

[0033] In one embodiment, the holding device comprises an input device that allows data and / or commands to be input into the holding device. The data may include, for example, the desired position of the calibration board and / or the type of calibration board currently in use and / or the type of driver assistance system currently being calibrated.

[0034] In one embodiment, the display device is designed as a touch-sensitive screen ("touchscreen"), so that the display device can also be used as an input device.

[0035] In one embodiment, the sensor device comprises a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor can be configured to provide data that allows the current position of the holding device to be determined along a first direction. The second sensor can be configured to provide data that allows the current position of the holding device to be determined along a second direction.

[0036] The second direction is not aligned parallel to the first direction. In particular, the second direction can be aligned orthogonally to the first direction.

[0037] The first sensor can be configured, for example, to determine the position of the holding device along a horizontal direction. The second sensor can be configured, for example, to determine the position of the holding device along a vertical direction. The second sensor can, in particular, be configured to determine the height of the holding device above a floor.

[0038] In one embodiment of a calibration device according to the invention, a first optically readable scale and a second optically readable scale are formed on the calibration device. In this embodiment, the at least one holding device has a first optical sensor designed to determine the current position of the holding device along the first direction by reading the first optically readable scale. The at least one holding device also has a second optical sensor designed to determine the current position of the holding device along the second direction by reading the second optically readable scale.

[0039] With at least two sensors, the position of the holding device and a measuring panel attached to the holding device can be determined in two dimensions or directions. This allows the measuring panel attached to the holding device to be positioned particularly easily and reliably with high accuracy at a specified position in space.

[0040] In one embodiment, the calibration plate has an optical code that can be read by at least one optical sensor of the sensor device. The optical code can be, for example, a barcode or a QR code. The optical code can contain information about the calibration plate that allows the calibration plate to be uniquely identified. Alternatively or additionally, the optical code can contain information about the position at which the calibration plate is to be positioned on the carrier.

[0041] In a method according to the invention for adjusting the position of a calibration board on a calibration device, the position of the holding device on the carrier can be changed manually or by means of a motor provided in the holding device.

[0042] A motor allows the fixture to be automatically positioned at a predetermined position. A fixture without a motor and therefore manually positioned is lighter and more cost-effective than a fixture equipped with a motor.

[0043] In one embodiment, the method for adjusting the position of the calibration board on the calibration device comprises clearly identifying the calibration board attached to the holding device. The desired target position at which the calibration board is to be positioned can then be specified or determined depending on the identified calibration board. In this way, different calibration boards intended for calibrating various driver assistance systems can be positioned at the position intended for the respective calibration board. The risk of incorrect positioning of the calibration boards can thus be reduced.

[0044] The method may, in particular, comprise reading data identifying the calibration board from an RFID element attached to the calibration board. This allows the calibration board to be identified particularly easily and reliably.

[0045] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0046] Short description of the characters

[0047] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a plan view of a measuring station with a motor vehicle and a calibration device designed according to the invention.

[0048] Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of a calibration device designed according to the invention.

[0049] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a holding device designed according to the invention.

[0050] Figure 4 shows an example of an optical sensor configured to read a scale extending vertically from the calibration device. Figure 5 shows a rear view of a measuring panel mounted on a support, with an optical sensor attached to the holding device.

[0051] Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a measuring station 2 with a motor vehicle 4 equipped with a driver assistance system 6. The driver assistance system 6 includes an image recording device 8.

[0052] A calibration device 10 is positioned in front of the motor vehicle 4. The calibration device 10 comprises a calibration panel 12, in particular an optical calibration panel 12, with an optical pattern not visible in Figure 1 (see Figure 2), which can be optically detected by the image recording device 8 in order to calibrate the driver assistance system 6 and / or the image recording device 8 of the driver assistance system 6. Optionally, an RFID element 48 can be attached to the calibration panel 12, which makes it possible to identify the calibration panel 12.

[0053] The calibration board 12 is usually aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis F of the motor vehicle 4, as shown in Figure 1.

[0054] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a calibration device 10 designed according to the invention with a calibration board 12 for calibrating a driver assistance system 6 which is installed in a motor vehicle 4, as shown in Figure 1.

[0055] The calibration device 10 comprises a stand 11 with a column 18 supported on a base 14, which extends substantially in a vertical direction orthogonal to the floor of the measuring station 2.

[0056] The base 14 is equipped with rollers 16 which allow the stand 11 to be moved on the floor of the measuring station 2.

[0057] Brakes (not shown in Figure 2) may be provided on the rollers 16. The brakes can be activated to prevent the stand 11 from rolling away accidentally after the stand 11 has been positioned in a desired position in front of the motor vehicle 4. Leveling elements 15 provided on the base 14 allow the base 14 to be aligned so that the column 18 extends vertically.

[0058] A height-adjustable support 20 or arm is attached to the column 18 and extends substantially orthogonally to the column 18 in the horizontal direction. The height-adjustable support 20 is attached to the column 18 in such a way that it can be moved along the column 18. As a result, the height of the support 20 above the floor of the measuring station 2 can be adjusted.

[0059] The height-adjustable support 20 can be fixed at different positions along the column 18, i.e. at different heights above the floor of the measuring station 2.

[0060] A calibration plate 12 is attached to the support 20 by means of a holding device 22 (see Figure 3) such that the holding device 22, together with the calibration plate 12, can be moved along the support 20, i.e., in the horizontal direction. The holding device 22 is concealed by the calibration plate 12 in Figure 2.

[0061] The holding device 22 can be fixed in the desired position on the carrier 20 in order to determine the position of the calibration board 12 along the carrier 20.

[0062] In front of the calibration device 10 there is a mat 54 on which an optical pattern 52 is formed.

[0063] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a holding device 22 which is designed according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0064] The holding device 22 comprises a mechanical connecting device 24 which is designed to connect the holding device 22 to the carrier 20 and to support it on the carrier 20 such that the holding device 22 is displaceable along the carrier 20.

[0065] The mechanical connecting device 24 can, for example, be designed as a carriage that is displaceable along the support 20. The mechanical connecting device 24 can also have rollers (not visible in Figure 3) to improve the mobility of the mechanical connecting device 24 along the support 20.

[0066] The mechanical connecting device 24 may also have a releasable fixing device or brake, e.g. a clamping device, which makes it possible to fix, in particular clamp, the mechanical connecting device 24 in a desired position on the carrier 20, so that the mechanical connecting device 24 is no longer displaceable along the carrier 20 when the fixing device or brake is activated.

[0067] The mechanical connecting device 24 also has at least one holder 26 which makes it possible to attach a calibration board 12 (see Figure 2) (not shown in Figure 3) to the mechanical connecting device 24.

[0068] The holder 26 can, for example, comprise one or more magnets that allow the calibration panel 12 to be attached to the holder 26 by magnetic force. The magnets can be permanent magnets. The magnets can also be electromagnets that can be electrically activated and deactivated, so that the calibration panel 12 can be fixed to the holder 26 by activating the electromagnets and, if necessary, easily released from the holder 26 by deactivating the electromagnets.

[0069] Alternatively or additionally, the holder 26 may have a mechanical fastening device (not shown in Figure 3) which makes it possible to attach and fix the calibration panel 12 to the mechanical connecting device 24 mechanically, e.g. by clamping and / or by a positive connection.

[0070] The holding device 22 further comprises a sensor device 28 which is designed to provide data which makes it possible to determine the current position of the holding device 22 on the stand 11.

[0071] The sensor device 28 can, for example, have a (first) optical sensor 29a, in particular a camera, wherein the (first) optical sensor 29a is designed to optically detect or read a scale 30 formed on the carrier 20 in order to be able to determine the current position of the holding device 22 along the carrier 20. The scale 30 can, for example, be designed as an optically readable scale that can also be read by a human, as shown in Figure 3. The scale 30 can also have numbers, not shown in Figure 3.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, the scale 30 can be designed as a readily machine-readable code, for example, a barcode. The scale 30 can also be designed such that it can be read by a magnetic sensor 29a and / or a mechanical sensor 29a.

[0073] Optionally, the sensor device 28 may also comprise a second sensor 29b, which is designed to determine the height of the holding device 22 above the floor of the measuring station 2.

[0074] The second sensor 29b may, for example, be another optical sensor designed to read a second scale 31 (see Figure 2) attached to the calibration device 10, which scale extends in the vertical direction.

[0075] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of a second optical sensor 29b, which is designed to read a second scale 31 attached to the calibration device 10, which extends in the vertical direction.

[0076] At least one of the first optical sensor 29a and the second optical sensor 29b can be configured to optically detect an optical code 50, for example a barcode or a QR code, formed on the calibration panel 12, to enable the calibration panel 12 to be identified based on the optical code 50 applied to the calibration panel 12. The optical code 50 can, in particular, be formed on a rear side of the calibration panel 12, which faces one of the optical sensors 29a, 29b when the measuring panel 12 is attached to the holding device 22.

[0077] Figure 5 shows a rear view of a measuring panel 12 attached to a carrier 20. Figure 5 also shows a holding device 22 with a first optical sensor 29a, which is capable of reading a scale 30 formed on the carrier 20 in order to determine the position of the holding device 22 with the measuring panel 12 along the carrier 20. The first optical sensor 29a is also capable of recording an image of an optical code 50 provided on the rear side of the measuring panel 12, so that the measuring panel 12 can be clearly identified based on the image of the optical code 50 recorded by the first optical sensor 29a.

[0078] At least one of the first optical sensor 29a and the second optical sensor 29b can also be configured to detect an optical pattern 52 formed on the floor of the measuring station 2 in front of the calibration device 10 in order to be able to determine the position of the optical pattern 52 on the floor of the measuring station 2. The optical pattern 52 can be provided, for example, to calibrate cameras, in particular rear-view cameras of the motor vehicle.

[0079] The optical pattern 52 can in particular be formed on a mat 54 which is placed in front of the calibration device 10 on the floor of the measuring station 2, as shown in Figure 2.

[0080] At least one angle sensor 56 can also be provided on the support 20 or on the holding device 22, which makes it possible to determine the roll and / or pitch angle of the support 20. The angle sensor 56 can comprise an acceleration sensor that detects the effect of gravitation on the angle sensor 56.

[0081] Two angle sensors 56 may also be provided, one of which is designed to determine the roll angle of the carrier 20 and the other of which is designed to determine the pitch angle of the carrier 20.

[0082] The at least one angle sensor 56 can be designed to transmit its measurement result wirelessly, e.g. via WLAN or Bluetooth®, or wired, e.g. via a USB connection, to the sensor device 28 or to an external evaluation device.

[0083] The at least one angle sensor 56 can also be equipped with an angle sensor display device, for example, an LCD display or an LED display. The angle sensor display device is arranged in the field of view of one of the optical sensors 29a, 29b such that the values ​​displayed on the angle sensor display device can be read by the optical sensor 29a, 29b. In this way, the measured values ​​determined by the at least one angle sensor 56 can be read by the optical sensor 29a, 29b and made available for evaluation.

[0084] The second sensor 29b can also be designed as a magnetic sensor or as a mechanical sensor in order to read a correspondingly designed magnetic or mechanical second scale 31.

[0085] The second sensor 29b can also be designed as an ultrasonic sensor, which makes it possible to determine the height of the holding device 22 above the floor of the measuring station 2 by measuring the propagation time of an ultrasonic signal between the second sensor 29b and the floor of the measuring station 2. If the second sensor 29b is designed as an ultrasonic sensor, the second scale 31 can be omitted.

[0086] The holding device 22 also comprises a data transmission device 34, in particular a transmission device, which is designed to transmit the data provided by the sensor device 28, which make it possible to determine the current position of the holding device 22 on the carrier 20, and in this way to transmit it to an external device 36.

[0087] Optionally, the holding device 22 may also comprise a receiving device 35 that enables data to be received from the external device 36.

[0088] The data can be transmitted wirelessly, for example, via a Bluetooth® connection, a WLAN connection, or a radio connection in the UHF band. Alternatively, the data can also be transmitted via a cable connection (not shown in the figures), e.g., via a USB connection or another serial data connection, between the holding device 22 and the external device 36.

[0089] Both the data provided by the sensor device 28 ("raw data") and data processed in a control unit 32 of the holding device 22 can be transmitted to the external device 36.

[0090] The control unit 32 may, in particular, comprise a data processing device 38, for example, with a microprocessor, which is designed to process the raw data supplied by the at least one sensor device 28 in order to determine the current position of the holding device 22 on the stand 11. Both computer-aided image processing and image analysis methods, such as computer-aided pattern recognition, as well as artificial intelligence ("deep learning") methods can be used for data processing.

[0091] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the holding device 22 also has a display device 40 which makes it possible to display data supplied by the sensor device 28 and / or data provided by the data processing device 38 in such a way that they can be read by a user.

[0092] In particular, the current position of the holding device 22 along the carrier 20, as determined from the data supplied by the sensor device 28, can be displayed on the display device 40. If determined by the sensor device 28, the height of the holding device 22 above the floor of the measuring station 2 can also be displayed.

[0093] Optionally, a target position at which the holding device 22 is to be positioned can also be displayed. In this case, the difference between the current position and the target position and / or instructions to the user for moving the holding device 22 along the support 20 or along the column 18 can also be displayed. For example, arrows can be displayed on the display device 40 to inform the user in which direction the holding device 22 must be moved to position it at a predetermined target position.

[0094] A confirmation that the current position of the holding device 22 is correct can also be displayed on the display device 40 when the holding device 22 is located at the desired target position. The confirmation and / or the instructions for moving the holding device 22 can alternatively or additionally be output as acoustic signals by an acoustic output device 42.

[0095] The holding device 22 may also have an input device 44, e.g. a keyboard, which enables the user to enter data, e.g. a desired target position and / or information about the calibration panel 12 currently in use and / or information about the driver assistance system 6 to be calibrated.

[0096] The display device 40 can in particular be designed as a touch-sensitive screen ("touchscreen"), so that the display device 40 can also be used as an input device 44.

[0097] The holding device 22 may additionally have a calibration plate identification device 46 which makes it possible to identify a calibration plate 12 attached to the holding device 22.

[0098] The identification device 46 may, for example, comprise an RFID reading device which is designed to read identification data from an RFID element 48 (see Figure 1) which is attached to the calibration panel 12.

[0099] An identification device 46 for reading data from an RFID element 48 attached to the calibration board 12 is not required if the identification of the calibration board 12 is carried out by an optical code 50 attached to or formed on the calibration board 12, which can be read by one of the optical sensors 29a, 29b, as previously described.

[0100] The identification data may, in particular, include information about the calibration board 12, which can be used to calibrate the driver assistance system 6. The identification data may also contain information about the correct position of the calibration board 12 on the calibration device 10.

[0101] The identification data may also contain an identifier that uniquely identifies the calibration table 12, thus making it possible to retrieve the data required to calibrate the driver assistance system 6 from a table ("look-up table") and / or from a database in which the required data for a plurality of optical calibration tables 12 are stored.

[0102] This table or database can be stored locally in the holding device 22. The table or database can also be stored separately from the holding device 22, e.g., in the external device 36, and accessed via the data connection. The table or database can also be stored outside the measuring station 2, in particular, in a central server of the manufacturer, and accessed, for example, via the Internet. It is also possible for a local database containing the required data to be stored in the external device 36, which is updated as needed or at regular intervals, e.g., via the Internet.

[0103] The identification device 46 can be designed to be pluggable, e.g. in the form of a USB plug, so that the holding device 22 can be specifically equipped with an identification device 46 by plugging in the identification device 46, if desired, in particular if the calibration device 10 is used alternately with different calibration panels 12.

[0104] A pluggable identification device 46 makes it possible to provide the identification device 46 as an option, wherein the identification device 46 can be omitted in order to reduce the costs for the calibration device 10 if no identification device 46 is required, e.g. because the calibration device 10 is always used with the same calibration panel 12.

[0105] The holding device 22 also includes a control unit 32, which, for example, includes the data processing device 38 for processing the data supplied by the at least one sensor device 28. The control unit 32 can further be configured to control the sensor device 28, the transmitting device 34, the receiving device 35, the display device 40, the acoustic output device 42, the input device 44, and the identification device 46, and to coordinate the communication between these devices 28, 34, 35, 40, 42, 44.

[0106] The holding device 22 can also comprise an electrical energy source 33, e.g. an electrical accumulator, an electrical battery or a solar cell, which is designed to supply the sensor device 28, the transmitting device 34, the receiving device 35, the display device 40, the acoustic output device 42, the input device 44 and the identification device 46 with electrical energy.

[0107] Alternatively, the sensor device 28, the transmitting device 34, the

[0108] Receiving device 35, the display device 40, the acoustic output device 42, the input device 44 and the identification device 46 can also be supplied with electrical energy from an external energy source, in particular from an electrical power supply, via a cable connection (not shown in the figures), for example a USB cable.

[0109] With a holding device 22 according to the invention, the positioning of a calibration board 12 on a calibration device 10 can be significantly simplified. Furthermore, the risk of incorrect positioning of the calibration board 12 and thus the risk of incorrect calibration of the driver assistance system 6 can be significantly reduced. In this way, the reliability of the calibration can be significantly improved.

Claims

A holding device (22) for attaching and holding a calibration board (12) to a stand (11), wherein the holding device (22) comprises: a mechanical connecting device (24) designed to mechanically connect the holding device (22) to the stand (11); a holder (26) that allows the calibration board (12) to be attached to the holding device (22); a sensor device (28) designed to provide data that make it possible to determine the current position of the holding device (22) on the stand (11); a transmitting device (34) designed to transmit the data that make it possible to determine the current position of the holding device (22); and / or an output device (40) that makes it possible to output the data that make it possible to determine the current position of the holding device (22); wherein the output device (40) in particular comprises a display device.The holding device (22) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor device (28) comprises at least one optical sensor (29a, 29b). The holding device (22) according to claim 2, wherein the holding device (22) has at least one optical sensor (29a, 29b) configured to detect an optical pattern (52) formed on a floor in order to be able to determine the position of the optical pattern (52) on the floor. Holding device (22) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the holding device (22) has at least one angle sensor (56) that allows a roll and / or pitch angle of the carrier (20) to be determined; wherein the at least one angle sensor (56) is in particular equipped with an angle sensor display device that can be read by an optical sensor (29a, 29b) of the holding device (22). Holding device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding device (22) additionally comprises a data processing device (38) that is designed to process the data supplied by the at least one sensor device (28) in order to determine the current position of the holding device (22).Holding device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding device (22) additionally comprises an identification device (46) which makes it possible to identify a calibration panel (12) arranged in the holder (26) of the holding device (22); wherein the identification device (46) in particular comprises an RFID reading device which is designed to read identification data from an RFID element (48). Holding device (22) according to one of the preceding claims with an input device (44) which makes it possible to input data and / or commands into the holding device (22). Holding device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (28) comprises a first sensor (29a) and a second sensor (29b). wherein the first sensor (29a) is designed to provide data that make it possible to determine the current position of the holding device (22) along a first direction; and wherein the second sensor (29b) is designed to provide data that make it possible to determine the current position of the holding device (22) along a second direction that is not aligned parallel to the first direction; wherein the second direction is in particular aligned orthogonally to the first direction.Calibration device (10), in particular a calibration device (10) for calibrating an image recording device (8) of a driver assistance system (6), comprising a stand (11); and at least one holding device (22) according to one of the preceding claims, which can be movably attached to the stand (11); wherein the calibration device (10) in particular comprises a carrier (20) that is height-adjustably attached to the stand (11), and wherein the at least one holding device (22) can be movably attached to the height-adjustable carrier (20). Calibration device (10) according to claim 9, wherein at least one optically readable scale (30a, 30b) is formed on the stand (11); and wherein the at least one holding device (22) has at least one optical sensor (29a, 29b) which is designed to determine the current position of the holding device (22) on the stand (11) by reading the at least one optically readable scale (30). Calibration device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the stand (11) has a first optically readable scale (30a) and a second optically readable scale (30b); wherein the at least one holding device (22) has a first optical sensor (29a) which is designed to determine the current position of the holding device (22) along a first direction by reading the first optically readable scale (30a); wherein the at least one holding device (22) has a second optical sensor (29b) which is designed to determine the current position of the holding device (22) along a second direction by reading the second optically readable scale (30b); and wherein the second direction is not aligned parallel to the first direction, wherein the second direction is in particular aligned orthogonally to the first direction.Calibration device (10) according to one of claims 9 to 11, comprising at least one calibration board (12) that can be arranged on or in the holder (26) of the holding device (22); wherein the calibration board (12) has, in particular, an RFID element (48) that contains information about the calibration board (12) and / or about a predetermined position of the calibration board (12) on the calibration device (10); and / or wherein the calibration board (12) has, in particular, an optical code (50) that can be read by an optical sensor (29a, 29a) of the holding device (22), wherein the optical code (50) contains information about the calibration board (12) and / or about a predetermined position of the calibration board (12) on the calibration device (10). Method for determining a position of a calibration board (12) on a calibration device (10) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the method comprises arranging the calibration board (12) on or in the holder (26) of the holding device (22) and determining the position of the holding device (22) on the calibration device (10) with the aid of the at least one sensor device (28), wherein the method in particular comprises transmitting data representing the determined position of the holding device (22) on the calibration device (10) with the transmitting device (34) and / or outputting or displaying the data with the output device (40).Method for positioning a calibration board (12) on a calibration device (10) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the method comprises determining the position of the holding device (22) on the calibration device (10) using a method according to claim 12 or 13 and changing the position of the holding device (22) until the determined position of the holding device (22) corresponds to a predetermined position, wherein the method in particular comprises changing the position of the holding device (22) by motor or wherein the method comprises changing the position of the holding device (22) manually.Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the method comprises identifying the calibration board (12); wherein the method in particular comprises reading data from an RFID element (48) attached to the calibration board (12), which data identify the calibration board (12) and / or a predetermined position of the calibration board (12) on the calibration device (10); and / or wherein the method in particular comprises detecting an optical code (50) attached to the calibration board (12) with an optical sensor (29a, 29b), wherein the optical code (50) contains information which the. Calibration board (12) and / or a predetermined position of the calibration board (12) on the calibration device (10) are clearly identified.

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