Apparatus and method for discerning a driver's intent and for aiding the driver
First Claim
1. A method for creating a path to assist a driver in parking a trailer coupled to a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a first signal from a first transmitter located at a fixed first position to a receiver located in the motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is located at a stationary second position;
transmitting a plurality of second signals from a second transmitter to the receiver while the motor vehicle is located at the second position, each of the plurality of second signals transmitted from a different way point to define the path; and
determining a location of each way point relative to the first position and the second position using triangulation based on the first signal and the plurality of second signals.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the intent of a driver of a motor vehicle in moving a trailer towed by the motor vehicle along a desired path. The method comprises the step of positioning a first reference point at a first location spaced apart from the motor vehicle and sequentially positioning a second reference point at a plurality of way points along the desired point. A signal relative to the motor vehicle, the first reference point, and the plurality of way points is transmitted as the second reference point is positioned at each of the way points. The transmitted signals corresponding to each of the way points are received and are used to determine the position of the plurality of way points relative to the motor vehicle by a process of triangulation. The position of the plurality of way points indicate positions along the desired path.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for creating a path to assist a driver in parking a trailer coupled to a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a first signal from a first transmitter located at a fixed first position to a receiver located in the motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is located at a stationary second position; transmitting a plurality of second signals from a second transmitter to the receiver while the motor vehicle is located at the second position, each of the plurality of second signals transmitted from a different way point to define the path; and determining a location of each way point relative to the first position and the second position using triangulation based on the first signal and the plurality of second signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for creating a path to assist a driver in parking a motor vehicle the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a first reference point at a fixed first location spaced apart from the motor vehicle; sequentially positioning a second reference point at a plurality of way points along the path; transmitting a first signal from the fixed first location to the motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is stationary; transmitting a second signal from each of the plurality of way points to the motor vehicle while the motor vehicle is stationary; receiving the transmitted signals; and using triangulation based on the first signal and the second signals to determine a position of each way point relative to the motor vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for assisting a driver in parking a trailer coupled to a motor vehicle comprising the steps of:
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positioning a first beacon at a first fixed location spaced apart from the motor vehicle; moving a second beacon along a path including a plurality of way points defining the path; triangulating signals transmitted from the first beacon and the second beacon to determine the coordinates of the plurality of way points relative to the first beacon and the motor vehicle; transmitting signals from predetermined elements of the trailer to the motor vehicle to determine a position of the elements relative to the motor vehicle and the first beacon; positioning the second beacon at a second fixed location spaced apart from the first fixed location and from the motor vehicle; determining the location of the predetermined elements as the motor vehicle moves along the desired path by triangulation; calculating a position of the predetermined elements relative to the plurality of way points as the motor vehicle moves along the path; and providing feedback information to the driver in response to the step of calculating. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for creating a path to assist a driver in parking a trailer coupled to a motor vehicle comprising:
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a first transmitter positioned at a fixed location spaced apart from the motor vehicle and configured to transmit a first signal to the motor; a second transmitter configured to transmit a second signal at each of a plurality of way points defining the path; a receiver located in the motor vehicle and configured to receive the first signal and the second while the motor vehicle is stationary; a calculating device configured to calculate a location of the plurality of way points relative to the fixed location by triangulation in response to the receiver receiving the first signal and the second signals, the calculating device further configured to calculate a location of the trailer relative to the plurality of calculated locations of the way points as the motor vehicle and the trailer move along the path; and a feedback display configured to provide information to a driver of the motor vehicle relating to the location of the trailer relative to the plurality of calculated locations of the way points. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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Specification