VEHICLE HITCH DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
Patent Images
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 a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch when an electrical hitch connection is detected; and
a controller 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.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A trailer backup assist system comprising:
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a camera arranged to capture images of a vehicle hitch; an image processor processing the images to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch when an electrical hitch connection is detected; and a controller 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)
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7. A trailer backup assist system comprising:
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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; and a controller 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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method of controlling a trailer backup assist system, comprising:
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detecting an electrical hitch connector connected with the vehicle; capturing images of the hitch with a camera; processing the images with a processor 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; and controlling with a controller 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. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification