Application of auxiliary lighting in automatic hitch operation
US11964692B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 22, 2022 |
| Grant date | Apr 23, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60R2300/808
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller executing an initial alignment process including searching for a trailer within a specified area of image data that is less than a total field of the image data in directions corresponding with both a longitudinal distance between the vehicle and the trailer and a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal distance, presenting an indication to a driver of the vehicle to reposition the vehicle when the trailer is not identified within the specified area, and removing the indication when the trailer is identified within the specified area. The controller further executes an automated backing process upon identifying the trailer within the specified area, including identifying a coupler of the trailer and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the trailer during reversing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.