TRAILER MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20170129403A1
• Filed: 11/11/2015
• Published: 05/11/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2015
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 10,017,115 B2
• Time in Patent Office: 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 1/003 for viewing trailer hitches
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/26 to the rear of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/04 Mounting of cameras operative during drive; Arrangement of controls thereof relative to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/806 for aiding parking
• 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: B62D 15/0285 Parking performed automatically

Abstract

A trailer monitoring system is provided herein. The system includes an imager configured to image a scene rearward of a vehicle and containing a target disposed on a trailer attached to the vehicle. The imager is configured separate the images into a first portion and a second portion. A display is configured to display the first portion of images. A controller is configured to analyze the second portion of images, adjust an image capture setting of the imager based on a status input, and modify each image in the second portion to increase the size of the imaged target relative to the total size of the captured image to determine at least one trailer related information.

Claims

1. A vehicle backup assist system, comprising:

an imager generating images of a scene rearward of a vehicle and containing a target disposed on a trailer attached to the vehicle, wherein the imager is configured separate a plurality of the images into a first portion and a second portion;

a display configured to display the first portion of images; and

a controller configured to analyze the second portion of images, adjust an image capture setting of the imager based on a status input, and modify each image in the second portion to increase a size of the imaged target relative to a total size of the captured scene to determine at least one trailer related information.

2. The vehicle backup assist system of claim 1, wherein the controller crops each image in the second portion about the imaged target to create a modified image.

3. The vehicle backup assist system of claim 2, wherein the imaged target is centered in the modified image.

4. The vehicle backup assist system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to compress each modified image from a first resolution to a second resolution.

5. The vehicle backup assist system of claim 1, wherein the image capture setting includes at least one of a white balance and an exposure of the imager.

6. The vehicle backup assist system of claim 1, wherein the at least one trailer related information comprises at least one of a hitch angle and a change in hitch angle.

7. The vehicle backup assist system of claim 1, wherein the controller sets a reference point on one of the target and the trailer and analyzes image data with respect to the reference point to determine whether an adjustment to the image capture setting of the imager is needed.

8. A vehicle system, comprising:

an imager configured to image a scene rearward of a vehicle containing a trailer attached thereto, wherein the imager is configured to alternately distribute a plurality of images from the imager into first and second portions;

a display configured to display the first portion of images; and

a controller configured to receive the second portion of images and analyze the second portion of images to determine at least one vehicle related information.

9. The vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the trailer includes a target and the controller crops each image in the second portion about the imaged target.

10. The vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to compress each image in the second portion from a first resolution to a second resolution.

11. The vehicle system of claim 10, wherein the first portion of images is interlaced therebetween prior to being presentation on the display.

12. The vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the at least one vehicle related information is trailer related information and includes at least one of a hitch angle and a change in hitch angle.

13. The vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an image capture setting of the imager based on a status input from a vehicle lighting system, image data from the imager, and locational input from a positioning device.

14. A trailer backup assist method comprising the steps of:

generating images of imaging a scene rearward of a vehicle having a trailer attached thereto;

separating the images into a first portion and a second portion;

displaying the first portion of images on a display;

using a controller to set a reference point; and

analyzing the second portion of images with respect to the reference point to determine whether an adjustment to a camera image capture setting is needed.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the trailer includes a target thereon that is processed in the images.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of:

modifying the second portion of images by cropping each image about the target.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of centering the imaged target within a modified image.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of compressing each modified image from a first resolution to a second resolution.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of interlacing the first portion of images prior to placement on the display.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of applying the adjustment to the camera image capture setting to the first portion of images prior to displaying the first portion of images on the display.