Trailer sensor module and associated method of wireless trailer identification and motion estimation
First Claim
1. A method of identifying a trailer with a vehicle, comprising:
- transmitting a unique identifier with a wireless transmitter attached to the trailer;
receiving the unique identifier with a wireless receiver on the vehicle;
determining that the trailer associated with the unique identifier is coupled with a hitch of the vehicle based on the wireless receiver consistently receiving signals from the wireless transmitter; and
accessing a parameter of the trailer based on the received unique identifier for autonomously guiding the trailer along a desired backing path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of identifying a trailer with a vehicle includes a step of transmitting a unique identifier with a wireless transmitter attached to the trailer. The wireless transmitter may be housed as part of a sensor module with a sensor that senses a parameter of the trailer for operating a trailer backup assist system. The housing of the sensor module may be adapted to be removably attached to the trailer. The unique identifier emitted by the wireless transmitter is received with a wireless receiver on the vehicle. After the unique identifier is recognized by a controller on the vehicle, a parameter of the trailer may be accessed for autonomously guiding the trailer along a desired backing path.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of identifying a trailer with a vehicle, comprising:
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transmitting a unique identifier with a wireless transmitter attached to the trailer; receiving the unique identifier with a wireless receiver on the vehicle; determining that the trailer associated with the unique identifier is coupled with a hitch of the vehicle based on the wireless receiver consistently receiving signals from the wireless transmitter; and accessing a parameter of the trailer based on the received unique identifier for autonomously guiding the trailer along a desired backing path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A trailer sensor module for communicating with a vehicle, comprising:
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a yaw rate sensor sensing a yaw rate of a trailer; and a wireless transmitter emitting a unique identifier configured to be recognized by the vehicle and, upon recognition, transmitting the yaw rate of the trailer to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A trailer backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer, comprising:
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a wireless transmitter coupled with the trailer and emitting a unique identifier; a wireless receiver coupled with the vehicle for receiving the unique identifier; and a controller on the vehicle identifying the trailer based on the unique identifier and accessing a parameter of the identified trailer for autonomously guiding the trailer with the vehicle along a desired backing path, wherein the parameter includes a yaw rate of the trailer generated by a yaw rate sensor attached to the trailer, and wherein upon identification of the trailer, the wireless transmitter emits the yaw rate of the trailer for determining a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification