Method of inputting a path for a vehicle and trailer

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9506774-B2
Application number	US-201414459926-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 14, 2014
Priority date	Apr 19, 2011
Publication date	Nov 29, 2016
Grant date	Nov 29, 2016

Abstract

A method of inputting a path is provided. The method includes the steps of generating an aerial view of a vehicle and a trailer based on at least one of image data and satellite image data, displaying the aerial view on a display having a touch screen, and registering a touch event on the touch screen that inputs an intended path for the vehicle and the trailer.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of inputting a backing path, comprising:
displaying an aerial view of a vehicle and a trailer on a display having a touch screen;
tracing, on the touch screen, an intended backing path for the vehicle and the trailer, wherein unobstructed portions and obstructed portions of the intended backing path are displayed in different colors; and
dragging an obstructed portion of the intended backing path to modify a path curvature of the intended backing path.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining whether an unacceptable path condition is present and generating a warning indicating the presence of the unacceptable path condition.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the unacceptable path condition comprises one of a traced portion of the intended backing path resulting in a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer exceeding a maximum hitch angle and one or more obstacles blocking a traced portion of the intended backing path.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising automatically adjusting a path curvature of the intended backing path to avoid an unacceptable path condition.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating one or more possible backing paths and selecting between the intended backing path and the one or more possible backing paths.

6. A method of inputting a backing path, comprising the steps of:
displaying an aerial view of a vehicle and a trailer on a touch screen;
tracing, on the touch screen, an intended backing path for the vehicle and the trailer; and
dragging an obstructed portion of the intended backing path to modify the intended backing path.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising determining whether an unacceptable path condition is present and generating a warning indicating the presence of the unacceptable path condition.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the unacceptable path condition comprises one of a traced portion of the intended backing path resulting in a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer exceeding a maximum hitch angle and one or more obstacles blocking a traced portion of the intended backing path.

9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising automatically adjusting a path curvature of the intended backing path to avoid an unacceptable path condition.

10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising generating one or more possible backing paths and selecting between the intended backing path and the one or more possible backing paths.

11. The method of claim 6 , further comprising saving the intended backing path for later use.

12. The method of claim 6 , wherein the obstructed portion of the intended backing path is displayed in a color that is visually distinguishable from a color used to display an unobstructed portion of the intended backing path.

13. A method of inputting a backing path, comprising the steps of:
displaying an aerial view of a vehicle and a trailer on a touch screen;
tracing, on the touch screen, an intended backing path for the vehicle and the trailer;
determining whether an unacceptable path condition is present;
generating a warning indicating the presence of the unacceptable path condition; and
dragging an obstructed portion of the intended backing path to modify a path curvature of the intended backing path.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the obstructed portion of the intended backing path is displayed in a color that is visually distinguishable from a color used to display an unobstructed portion of the intended backing path.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the unacceptable path condition comprises one of a traced portion of the intended backing path resulting in a hitch angle between the vehicle and the trailer exceeding a maximum hitch angle and one or more obstacles blocking a traced portion of the intended backing path.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising automatically adjusting a path curvature of the intended backing path to avoid an unacceptable path condition.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising generating one or more possible backing paths and selecting between the intended backing path and the one or more possible backing paths.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising saving the intended backing path for later use.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Shutko John
• Trombley Roger Arnold
• Rupp Matt Y
• Hafner Michael

Classifications

• B60W2554/00

  Input parameters relating to objects · CPC title

• B60W2050/146

  Display means · CPC title

• B60W2300/14

  Tractor-trailers, i.e. combinations of a towing vehicle and one or more towed vehicles, e.g. caravans; Road trains · CPC title

• B60W30/06

  Automatic manoeuvring for parking · CPC title

• B62D13/06 Primary

  for backing a normally drawn trailer · CPC title