TRAILER TARGET MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20140058655A1
• Filed: 10/31/2013
• Published: 02/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Trombley, Roger Arnold, Reed, Eric L., Shutko, John, Nave, Christopher Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,102,272 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/300
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/00 Traction couplings; Hitches; Draw-gear; Towing devices devices specially adapted for connection between tractors and agricultural machines or implements A01B59/00; fifth-wheel couplings B62D
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/64 Couplings or joints therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/06 for backing a normally drawn trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/027 Parking aids, e.g. instruction means
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

A vehicle trailer backup assist system and method includes a hitch angle detection apparatus and a target monitor controller. The target monitor controller processes images acquired of the trailer towed by a towing vehicle to assist with placement of a target on the trailer. The target monitor controller also monitors the target and provides feedback to the user as to proper positioning of the target on the trailer. A target move detection routine detects movement of a target by processing the pixels of the image to determine if a new trailer has been connected. Further, a trailer connection monitoring routine monitors for a changed trailer based on loss of the hitch angle or target for a predetermined time period.

Claims

1. A method of determining location of a trailer feature comprising:

acquiring with a camera a first image of a feature of a trailer connected to a vehicle;

acquiring with the camera a second image of the feature of a trailer;

comparing the first and second images; and

prompting entry of trailer information when the first and second images are different.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the feature comprises a target operatively coupled to the trailer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of comparing comprises comparing pixel sizes of the first and second images and the step of prompting entry of trailer information occurs when pixel sizes of the first and second images are different.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the target is located on a tongue of the trailer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the camera is mounted to a rear side of the vehicle.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of determining a location of the trailer based on the feature in the first and second images, wherein a user is prompted to enter trailer information when the location of the trailer has moved.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first image is acquired prior to a trailer reconnection and the second image is acquired after the trailer reconnection.

8. A method of determining location of a trailer target comprising:

acquiring a first image of a target on a trailer;

acquiring a second image of the target on the trailer;

comparing pixel sizes of the first and second images; and

prompting entry of trailer information when the pixel sizes in the first and second images are different.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the target is located on a tongue of the trailer.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein a camera is mounted to a rear side of the vehicle to acquire the first and second images.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the first image is acquired prior to a trailer reconnection and the second image is acquired after the trailer reconnection.

12. A trailer target monitoring system comprising:

a camera mounted on a vehicle and arranged to generate images of a trailer connected to the vehicle;

an image processor for processing a first image of a feature on the trailer and a second image of the feature and comparing pixel sizes of the first and second images; and

a user interface for prompting a user to enter trailer information to the vehicle when the pixel sizes of the first and second images are different.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the feature comprises a target.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the target is located on a tongue of the trailer.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the camera is mounted to a rear side of the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the user interface comprises a display.