IP Library Granted Patent US 9,506,774
Granted Patent B2
US 9,506,774 · App. 14/459,926 · Granted Nov 29, 2016

Method of inputting a path for a vehicle and trailer

Inventors: John Shutko (Ann Arbor, MI); Roger Arnold Trombley (Ann Arbor, MI); Matt Y. Rupp (Canton, MI); Michael Hafner (Ann Arbor, MI)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
G01C21/3647B60D1/245B60D1/62B60R1/00B60W30/00B62D13/06B62D15/027B62D15/0275B62D15/0285G01C21/3664G08G1/168H04N7/181H04N7/183B60R2300/302B60R2300/607B60R2300/806G01B7/30G01B11/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,506,774
App. No.
14/459,926
Granted
Nov 29, 2016
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (29)

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.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 14, 2014
From: SHUTKO, JOHN; TROMBLEY, ROGER ARNOLD; RUPP, MATT Y.; HAFNER, MICHAEL
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 033538/0859 →
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
Continuation In Part 14201130 · Mar 7, 2014
Continuation In Part 14068387
Provisional Application 61477132 · Apr 19, 2011
Related Publication 20140358429A1 · Dec 4, 2014