Trailer type identification system

• US 10,127,459 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2016
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hu, Zheng, Rolfes, Nathaniel Abram, Lavoie, Erick Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Thirugnanam, Gandhi
• Application Number:
  US15/352,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20170177949A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/00 Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/04 including control of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/184 with wheel brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/20 including control of steering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/0953 the prediction being responsive to vehicle dynamic parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/14 Means for informing the driver, warning the driver or prompting a driver intervention
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/06 for backing a normally drawn trailer
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30252 Vehicle exterior; Vicinity of vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/12 Edge-based segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/08 Detecting or categorising vehicles

Abstract

A trailer type identification system is provided herein. The system includes an imaging device for capturing images of a trailer connected to a vehicle, and a controller for analyzing the captured. The controller identifies vehicle and trailer contours, predicts a trailer type based on detection of a connection between the identified vehicle and trailer contours, and validates the prediction if the identified trailer contour exhibits motion during a vehicle turn event.

Claims

1. A trailer type identification system comprising:

an imaging device capturing images of a trailer connected to a vehicle; and

a controller analyzing the captured images to;

identify vehicle and trailer contours;

predict that the trailer is a fifth wheel trailer if unable to detect a connection between the identified vehicle and trailer contours;

validate the prediction if the identified trailer contour exhibits motion during a vehicle turn event; and

control backing the trailer based on the prediction.

2. The trailer type identification system of claim 1, wherein the controller predicts that the trailer is a standard trailer if able to detect the connection between the identified vehicle and trailer contours.

3. The trailer type identification system of claim 1, wherein an identified vehicle contour defines a rear bumper of the vehicle.

4. The trailer type identification system of claim 1, wherein the connection comprises a connecting member providing a qualified connection between the vehicle and the trailer.

5. The trailer type identification system of claim 4, wherein the connecting member is defined by a trailer tongue and a drawbar coupled thereto.

6. The trailer type identification system of claim 4, wherein the controller considers at least one of size and shape in detecting the connecting member.

7. The trailer type identification system of claim 1, wherein the controller saves one or more captured images showing an identified trailer contour in its last known position, and wherein the controller attempts to match the one or more saved captured images to subsequently captured images in order to ascertain the identity of the trailer.

8. A trailer type identification system comprising:

an imaging device capturing images of a trailer connected to a vehicle; and

a controller analyzing the captured images to;

identify vehicle and trailer contours;

predict a trailer type based on detection of a connection between the identified vehicle and trailer contours;

validate the prediction if the identified trailer contour exhibits motion during a vehicle turn event; and

controlling backing the trailer based on the trailer type.

9. The trailer type identification system of claim 8, wherein the controller predicts that the trailer is a fifth wheel trailer if unable to detect the connection between the identified vehicle and trailer contours.

10. The trailer type identification system of claim 8, wherein the controller predicts that the trailer is a standard trailer if able to detect the connection between the identified vehicle and trailer contours.

11. The trailer type identification system of claim 8, wherein the connection comprises a connecting member providing a qualified connection between the vehicle and the trailer.

12. The trailer type identification system of claim 11, wherein the connecting member is defined by a trailer tongue and a drawbar coupled thereto.

13. The trailer type identification system of claim 11, wherein the controller considers at least one of size and shape in detecting the connecting member.

14. The trailer type identification system of claim 8, wherein the controller saves one or more captured images showing an identified trailer contour in its last known position, and wherein the controller attempts to match the one or more saved captured images to subsequently captured images in order to ascertain the identity of the trailer.

15. A trailer type identification system comprising:

an imaging device capturing images of a trailer connected to a vehicle; and

a controller analyzing the captured images to;

detect vehicle and trailer contours;

predict a trailer type based on detection of a connection between the identified vehicle and trailer contours;

validate the prediction if the detected trailer contour exhibits an expected motion during a vehicle turn event; and

control backing the trailer based on the trailer type.

16. The trailer type identification system of claim 15, wherein the controller predicts that the trailer is a fifth wheel trailer if unable to detect the connection between the identified vehicle and trailer contours.

17. The trailer type identification system of claim 15, wherein the controller predicts that the trailer is a standard trailer if able to detect the connection between the identified vehicle and trailer contours.

18. The trailer type identification system of claim 15, wherein the expected motion is based on input related to a turn direction of the vehicle.

19. The trailer type identification system of claim 18, wherein if the input indicates a turn in a leftward direction, the expected motion occurs in a clockwise direction.

20. The trailer type identification system of claim 18, wherein if the input indicates a turn in a rightward direction, the expected motion occurs in a counterclockwise direction.