IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,500,497
Granted Patent B2
US 9,500,497 · App. 14/460,003 · Granted Nov 22, 2016

System and method of inputting an intended backing path

Inventors: Erick Michael Lavoie (Dearborn, MI); John Shutko (Ann Arbor, MI); Roger Arnold Trombley (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
G01C21/3676B60D1/245B60D1/62B60R1/00B60W30/00B62D13/06B62D15/027B62D15/0275B62D15/0285G01C21/32G01C21/3664G08G1/168H04N7/181H04N7/183B60R2300/302B60R2300/607B60R2300/806G01B7/30G01B11/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,500,497
App. No.
14/460,003
Granted
Nov 22, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A path input system is provided. The path input system includes at least one imaging device for generating image data. A GPS device is included for generating satellite image data. A controller generates an aerial view of a vehicle and a trailer based on the image data and the satellite data. A display is included for displaying the aerial view and registering a touch event thereon that inputs an intended path for the vehicle and the trailer.

Claims (24)

1. A path input system comprising:

a controller for generating an aerial view of a vehicle; and

a display having a touch screen for displaying the aerial view and registering a touch event thereon that traces 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 wherein the touch event further comprises dragging an obstructed portion of the intended backing path to modify a path curvature of the intended backing path.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to determine whether an unacceptable path condition is present and generate a warning indicating the presence of the unacceptable path condition.

3. The system 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 system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust a path curvature of the intended backing path to avoid an unacceptable path condition.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate one or more possible backing paths that are displayed alongside the intended backing path.

6. A path input system comprising:

a controller for generating an aerial view of a vehicle and a trailer; and

a display for displaying the aerial view on a touch screen configured to register a first touch event thereon that traces an intended backing path for the vehicle and the trailer and a second touch event thereon that modifies the intended backing path by dragging an obstructed portion of the intended backing path.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to determine whether an unacceptable path condition is present and generate a warning indicating the presence of the unacceptable path condition.

8. The system 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 system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust a path curvature of the intended backing path to avoid an unacceptable path condition.

10. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to generate one or more possible backing paths that are displayed alongside the intended backing path.

11. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to save the intended backing path for later use.

12. The system 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 path input system comprising:

a controller for generating an aerial view of a vehicle and a trailer; and

a display for displaying the aerial view on a touch screen configured to register a touch event thereon that traces an intended backing path for the vehicle and the trailer, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether an unacceptable path condition is present and generate a warning indicating the presence of the unacceptable path condition, and wherein the touch screen is further configured to register a touch event thereon that drags an obstructed portion of the intended backing path to modify a path curvature of the intended backing path.

14. The system 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 system 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 system of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust a path curvature of the intended backing path to avoid an unacceptable path condition.

17. The system of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to generate one or more possible backing paths that are displayed alongside the intended backing path.

18. The system of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to save the intended backing path for later use.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2014
From: LAVOIE, ERICK MICHAEL; SHUTKO, JOHN; TROMBLEY, ROGER ARNOLD
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 033539/0491 →
Continuity (15)
Continuation In Part 14289888 · May 29, 2014
Continuation In Part 14256427 · Apr 18, 2014
Continuation In Part 14249781 · Apr 10, 2014
Continuation In Part 14188213 · Feb 24, 2014
Continuation In Part 13847508 · Mar 20, 2013
Continuation In Part 14068387 · Oct 31, 2013
Continuation In Part 14059835 · Oct 22, 2013
Continuation In Part 13443743 · Apr 10, 2012
Continuation In Part 13336060 · Dec 23, 2011
Continuation In Part 14161832 · Jan 23, 2014
Continuation In Part 14059835 · Oct 22, 2013
Continuation In Part 14201130 · Mar 7, 2014
Continuation In Part 14068387 · Oct 31, 2013
Provisional Application 61477132 · Apr 19, 2011
Related Publication 20140358424A1 · Dec 4, 2014