TARGET MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20150138340A1
• Filed: 12/16/2014
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lavoie, Erick Michael
• Granted Patent: US 10,196,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/118
• CPC Class Codes: B60D 1/36 for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers , visual guide means, signalling aids B60D1/465 takes precedence; vehicle signalling in general B60Q; optical arrangements specially adapted for viewing trailer-hitches B60R1/003
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/005 using a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 13/06 for backing a normally drawn trailer
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0275 by overlaying a vehicle path based on present steering angle over an image without processing that image
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 15/0285 Parking performed automatically
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/30 for measuring angles or tapers; for testing the alignment of axes
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30204 Marker
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A target monitoring system and method are provided herein. An imager is configured to image a scene rearward of a vehicle and containing a target disposed on a trailer attached to the vehicle. A controller is configured to receive images from the imager, modify each image to increase the size of the imaged target, and analyze the modified images to determine at least one trailer related information.

Claims

1. A target monitoring system comprising:

an imager configured to image a scene rearward of a vehicle and containing a target disposed on a trailer attached to the vehicle; and

a controller configured to;

receive images from the imager;

modify each image to increase the size of the imaged target relative to the total size of the captured image; and

analyze the modified images to determine at least one trailer related information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller crops each image about the imaged target.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the imaged target is centered in the modified images.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to compress each modified image from a first resolution to a second resolution.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second resolution is lower than the first resolution.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one trailer related information comprises at least one of a hitch angle and a change in hitch angle.

7. The system of claim 1, for use in a trailer backup assist system.

8. A target monitoring system comprising:

an imager configured to image a scene rearward of a vehicle and containing a target disposed on a trailer attached to a vehicle; and

a controller configured to;

receive images from the imager;

modify the images to increase the size of the imaged target relative to the total size of the captured image;

center the imaged target within each modified image; and

analyze the modified images to determine at least one trailer related information.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the controller crops each image about the imaged target.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to compress each modified image from a first resolution to a second resolution.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the second resolution is lower than the first resolution.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one trailer related information comprises at least one of a hitch angle and a change in hitch angle.

13. The system of claim 8, for use in a trailer backup assist system.

14. A target monitoring method comprising the steps of:

imaging a scene rearward of a vehicle and containing a target disposed on a trailer attached to a vehicle;

supplying images to a controller;

modifying each image to increase the size of the imaged target relative to the total size of the captured image; and

analyzing the modified images to determine at least one trailer related information.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of modifying comprises cropping each image about the imaged target.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of centering the imaged target within the modified image.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of compressing each modified image from a first resolution to a second resolution.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second resolution is lower than the first resolution.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one trailer related information comprises at least one of a hitch angle and a change in hitch angle.

20. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of utilizing the method in conjunction with a trailer backup assist system to aid an operator of a vehicle in performing a trailer backing maneuver.