Park assist system and method

• US 8,618,955 B2
• Filed: 02/23/2010
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Baker, Stephen M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Labbees, Edny
• Application Number:
  US12/711,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20110205088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 340/932, 340/932.1, 340/932.2, 340/435, 340/436, 340/437, 340/438, 340/439, 340/995.1, 340/995.26, 701/45, 701/51, 701/65, 348/143, 348/148
• US Class Current: 340/932.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/006 using a distance sensor

Abstract

A system and method of parking assist includes a detection device located in a rear portion of a vehicle. The detection device acquires data representative of a viewable area behind the vehicle. The detection device is in communication with a park assist controller. A first viewable area that includes an area where a tow device is located when attached to the rear portion of the vehicle is monitored, where the first viewable area is associated with a first field of view (FOV). If the tow device is detected within the first viewable area, the park assist controller switches between the first FOV to a second field of view (FOV) associated with a second viewable area, where the second viewable area does not include the area where the tow device is located. Feedback is provided to a display indicating if an obstacle is located within the second FOV.

Claims

1. A park assist system for a vehicle, comprising:

an imaging device located in a rear portion of the vehicle that acquires image data representative of a viewable area behind the vehicle;

a display;

a monitoring device that determines if a tow device is attached to the rear portion of the vehicle; and

a controller in communication with the imaging device, the display, and the monitoring device, wherein the controller has a first field of view (FOV) that is associated with image data of a first viewable area and a second field of view (FOV) that is associated with image data of a second viewable area, and wherein the first viewable area includes an area where the tow device is located when attached to the rear portion of the vehicle, and wherein the second viewable area does not include the area where the tow device is located, wherein the controller includes;

a first controller logic for monitoring the first viewable area and acquiring image data representative of the first viewable area by the imaging device;

a second controller logic for calculating positioning data associated with the first FOV, wherein the positioning data produces a visual indicator on the display that guides the vehicle around an obstacle;

a third control logic for displaying image data and positioning data associated with the first FOV on the display;

a fourth control logic for determining if the tow device is detected by the monitoring device within the first viewable area;

a fifth control logic for switching from the first FOV to the second FOV if the tow device is detected within the first viewable area; and

a sixth control logic for displaying image data and positioning data associated with the second FOV on the display.

2. The park assist system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a memory for storing the second FOV that is associated with the second viewable area.

3. The park assist system of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a seventh control logic for calculating the second FOV that is associated with the second viewable area.

4. The park assist system of claim 1 wherein the tow device is located at about a center of a rear bumper of the vehicle.

5. The park assist system of claim 1 wherein the monitoring device is a switch member located within an opening of a trailer hitch receiver, wherein the switch member indicates if a tow device is installed within the opening of the trailer hitch receiver.

6. The park assist system of claim 1 wherein the monitoring device is a proximity sensor that monitors the first FOV.

7. A park assist system for a vehicle, comprising:

a plurality of parking sensors located in a rear portion of the vehicle that acquire proximity data representative of a viewable area behind the vehicle;

a display;

a monitoring device that determines if a tow device is attached to the rear portion of the vehicle; and

a controller in communication with the parking sensors, the display, and the monitoring device, wherein the controller has a first field of view (FOV) that is associated with the proximity data of a first viewable area and a second field of view (FOV) that is associated with the proximity data of a second viewable area, and wherein the first viewable area includes an area where the tow device is located when attached to the rear portion of the vehicle, and wherein the second viewable area does not include the area where the tow device is located, wherein the controller includes;

a first controller logic for monitoring the first viewable area by acquiring proximity data representative of the first viewable area from the parking sensors;

a second control logic for determining if the tow device is detected by the monitoring device within the first viewable area;

a third control logic for switching from the first FOV to the second FOV if the tow device is detected within the first viewable area; and

a fourth control logic for providing feedback to the display that indicates if an obstacle is located within the second FOV.

8. The park assist system of claim 7 wherein the controller includes a memory for storing the second FOV that is associated with the second viewable area.

9. The park assist system of claim 7 wherein the controller includes a seventh control logic for calculating the second FOV that is associated with the second viewable area.

10. The park assist system of claim 7 wherein the tow device is located at about a center of a rear bumper of the vehicle.

11. The park assist system of claim 7 wherein the monitoring device is a switch member located within an opening of a trailer hitch receiver, wherein the switch member indicates if a tow device is installed within the opening of the trailer hitch receiver.

12. The park assist system of claim 7 wherein the monitoring device is a proximity sensor that monitors the first FOV.