Trailer angle detection target fade warning
First Claim
1. A method of alerting a user that an optical target on a trailer needs to be replaced, the method comprising:
- generating a first set of data corresponding to optical characteristics of an optical target on a trailer;
generating a second set of data corresponding to optical characteristics of an optical target on a trailer at least twenty four hours after generating the first set of data; and
providing an alert indicating that the optical target on the trailer needs to be replaced if differences between the first and second sets of data exceed predefined criteria indicating that the target has;
1) degraded due to changes in a material forming the optical target that are not a result of environmental lighting changes, or
2) is likely to degrade due to changes in a material forming the optical target that are not a result of environmental lighting changes within a predefined period of time.
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Abstract
A method of detecting degradation of an optical target on a trailer. The method includes generating a first set of data corresponding to optical characteristics of an optical target on a trailer. The method also includes generating a second set of data corresponding to optical characteristics of an optical target on a trailer after generating the first set of data. The method further includes providing an alert if differences between the first and second sets of data exceed predefined criteria indicating that the target has degraded. The predefined criteria may comprise fading or other suitable optical characteristics of the target.
167 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of alerting a user that an optical target on a trailer needs to be replaced, the method comprising:
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generating a first set of data corresponding to optical characteristics of an optical target on a trailer; generating a second set of data corresponding to optical characteristics of an optical target on a trailer at least twenty four hours after generating the first set of data; and providing an alert indicating that the optical target on the trailer needs to be replaced if differences between the first and second sets of data exceed predefined criteria indicating that the target has;
1) degraded due to changes in a material forming the optical target that are not a result of environmental lighting changes, or
2) is likely to degrade due to changes in a material forming the optical target that are not a result of environmental lighting changes within a predefined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of replacing a target on a trailer, comprising:
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generating first and second images of a target on a trailer at first and second times utilizing a vehicle-mounted camera; generating first and second sets of image data corresponding to the first and second images; generating an alert if the first and second sets of image data indicate target fading not caused by changes in lighting has occurred; and removing and replacing the target. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A system for detecting degradation of a target on a trailer, the system comprising:
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a target defining a plurality of optical properties, wherein the target is configured to be mounted to a trailer; a camera configured to generate image data of the target utilizing light from the target to provide input to a trailer backup assist system; a controller configured to utilize image data from the camera generated at chronologically spaced first and second times to determine if at least a selected one of the optical properties of the target has degraded according to predefined criteria; and
wherein;the system is configured to generate an alert if the selected one of the optical properties of the target has degraded due to changes in light from the target that are not due to changes in environmental lighting conditions according to the predefined criteria. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification