Rotatable driver interface for trailer backup assist
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving trailer angle information from a trailer angle detection apparatus of a vehicle having a trailer attached thereto, wherein the trailer angle information is generated as a function of an angular displacement between the vehicle and the trailer;
receiving trailer steering information from a trailer backup steering input apparatus of the vehicle, wherein the trailer backup steering input apparatus includes a rotational control input device biased at a zero curvature commanding position and moveable to positions within opposing rotational ranges of motion relative to the zero curvature commanding position and wherein the trailer steering information is derived from at least one of an amount of rotation of the rotational control input device with respect to the zero curvature commanding position, a rate movement of the rotational control input device, and a direction of movement of the rotational control input device with respect to the zero curvature commanding position; and
controlling a power steering system of the vehicle using vehicle steering information as the trailer is being backed by the vehicle, wherein the vehicle steering information is generated as a function of the trailer angle information and the trailer steering information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A trailer backup steering input apparatus is coupled to a vehicle. The trailer backup steering input apparatus comprises a rotatable control element (e.g., a knob) and a rotatable control element movement sensing device. The rotatable control element biased to an at-rest position between opposing rotational ranges of motion. The rotatable control element movement sensing device is coupled to the rotatable control element for sensing movement of the rotatable control element. The rotatable control element movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of an amount of rotation of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position, a rate movement of the rotatable control element, and/or a direction of movement of the rotatable control element with respect to the at-rest position.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving trailer angle information from a trailer angle detection apparatus of a vehicle having a trailer attached thereto, wherein the trailer angle information is generated as a function of an angular displacement between the vehicle and the trailer; receiving trailer steering information from a trailer backup steering input apparatus of the vehicle, wherein the trailer backup steering input apparatus includes a rotational control input device biased at a zero curvature commanding position and moveable to positions within opposing rotational ranges of motion relative to the zero curvature commanding position and wherein the trailer steering information is derived from at least one of an amount of rotation of the rotational control input device with respect to the zero curvature commanding position, a rate movement of the rotational control input device, and a direction of movement of the rotational control input device with respect to the zero curvature commanding position; and controlling a power steering system of the vehicle using vehicle steering information as the trailer is being backed by the vehicle, wherein the vehicle steering information is generated as a function of the trailer angle information and the trailer steering information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A trailer backup steering input apparatus coupled to a vehicle, the trailer backup steering input apparatus, comprising:
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a rotatable control element positionable at a zero curvature commanding position and at positions within opposing rotational ranges of motion relative to the zero curvature commanding position; and a rotatable control element movement sensing device coupled to the rotatable control element for sensing movement of the rotatable control element, wherein the rotatable control element movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of at least one of an amount of rotation of the rotatable control element with respect to the zero curvature commanding position, a rate movement of the rotatable control element, and a direction of movement of the rotatable control element with respect to the zero curvature commanding position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A vehicle, comprising:
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a trailer angle detection apparatus configured for outputting a signal generated as a function of an angle between the vehicle and a trailer attached to the vehicle; a trailer backup steering input apparatus including a knob and a knob movement sensing device coupled to the knob for sensing movement of the knob, wherein the knob is biased to zero curvature commanding position between opposing rotational ranges of motion and wherein the knob movement sensing device outputs a signal generated as a function of at least one of an amount of rotation of the knob with respect to the zero curvature commanding position, a rate movement of the knob, and a direction of movement of the knob with respect to the zero curvature commanding position; and a power-steering assist system coupled to a trailer angle detection apparatus and the trailer backup steering input apparatus, wherein the power-steering assist system includes a control module structure configured for generating power steering system control information as a function of the trailer angle detection apparatus signal and the backup steering input apparatus signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification