Vehicle hitch detection system and method

• US 10,220,839 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2018
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lavoie, Erick Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Azarian, Seyed H
• Application Number:
  US15/969,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20180244268A1
• Time in Patent Office: 307 Days
• Field of Search: 382100, 382103-107, 382155, 382162, 382168, 382173, 382181, 382209, 382219, 382254, 382274, 382276, 382286-291, 382305, 382312, 348148, 701 291, 701 25, 280477, 3404255
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/60 Covers, caps or guards , e.g. comprising anti-theft devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/62 involving supply lines, electric circuits, or the like
• 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 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/004 outside the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/307 virtually distinguishing relevant parts of a scene from the background of the scene
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/808 for facilitating docking to a trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0062 Adapting control system settings
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/00 Input parameters relating to data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/06 Automatic manoeuvring for parking
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0098 Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/082 Selecting or switching between different modes of propelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/56 exterior to a vehicle by using sensors mounted on the vehicle

Abstract

A vehicle hitch detection system is provided. The vehicle hitch detection system includes a camera arranged to capture images of a vehicle hitch and a controller processing the images to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch based on the processed images when an electrical hitch connection is detected. The controller may further control a driver assistance system based on the detected hitch ornament to enable or disable the system.

Claims

1. A trailer backup assist system comprising:

a camera arranged to capture images of a vehicle hitch;

an image processor processing the images to detect an illuminated hitch ornament connected to the hitch when an electrical hitch connection is detected, wherein the processor detects an object connected to the hitch and determines the object is the illuminated hitch ornament when the object is not moving with a dynamic hitch angle; and

control circuitry comprising a microprocessor and memory configured to enable the trailer backup assist system when the hitch ornament is not detected and disable the trailer backup assist system when the hitch ornament is detected.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor detects the illuminated hitch ornament when the vehicle brakes are applied.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the illuminated hitch ornament is detected based on an illuminated hitch ornament light detected in the processed images.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor detects the illuminated hitch ornament based on at least one of a detected illuminated hitch ornament light and movement.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the image processor detects the illuminated hitch ornament connected to the hitch based on an illuminated hitch ornament light detected or movement of an object in the processed images.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor detects the illuminated hitch ornament when the vehicle brakes are applied.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the illuminated hitch ornament is detected based on an illuminated hitch ornament light detected in the processed images.

8. A trailer backup assist system comprising:

a camera arranged to capture images of a vehicle hitch;

an image processor processing the images to detect a hitch ornament connected to the hitch, wherein the processor detects an object connected to the hitch and determines the object is an illuminated hitch ornament when the object is not moving with a dynamic hitch angle; and

control circuitry comprising a microprocessor and memory configured to enable the trailer backup assist system when the hitch ornament is not detected and disable the trailer backup assist system when the hitch ornament is detected.

9. A method of controlling a trailer backup assist system, comprising:

detecting an electrical hitch connector connected with the vehicle;

capturing images of the hitch with a camera;

processing the images with a processor comprising a microprocessor and memory to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch based on an illuminated hitch ornament detected when the electrical hitch connector is detected connected to the vehicle, wherein the processor detects an object connected to the hitch and determines the object is the illuminated hitch ornament when the object is not moving with a dynamic hitch angle; and

controlling with control circuitry the trailer backup assist system to enable the trailer backup assist system when the hitch ornament is not detected and disable the trailer backup assist system when the hitch ornament is detected.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the processor detects a powered hitch ornament when the vehicle brakes are applied.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the processor detects a powered hitch ornament based on at least one of a detected illuminated hitch ornament light and movement.