Hitch cross path alert systems
View Patent ↗A hitch cross path alert system for a vehicle is presented. A first sensor may detect whether a hitch is connected to a hitch receiver connected to the vehicle. A second sensor may identify a pedestrian in proximity to the vehicle. A processor may be configured to predict a path of the pedestrian based on data captured by the second sensor and to cause the vehicle to output an audio or visual warning to the pedestrian.
1. A hitch cross path alert system for a vehicle comprising:
a first sensor to detect whether a hitch is connected to a hitch receiver connected to the vehicle;
a second sensor to identify a pedestrian in proximity to the vehicle; and
a processor configured to predict a path of the pedestrian based on data captured by the second sensor and to cause the vehicle to output an audio or visual warning to the pedestrian when it is determined that the predicted path of the pedestrian intersects within a predetermined distance of the hitch.
2. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 1 , wherein:
the processor is configured to determine a speed of the pedestrian; and
the processor is configured to determine a time to intersection of the pedestrian within the predetermined distance of the hitch based on the predicted path of the pedestrian and the speed of the pedestrian.
3. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the vehicle to output the audio or visual warning when the processor determines that the time to intersection is less than a predetermined threshold time.
4. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the vehicle to output the audio or visual warning when the processor determines that the pedestrian is within a predetermined threshold distance from the hitch.
5. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third sensor to detect whether a trailer is connected to the hitch;
wherein the processor is configured to cause the vehicle to output the audio or visual warning when:
the first sensor detects that the hitch is connected to the hitch receiver;
the second sensor identifies the pedestrian;
the third sensor detects that the trailer is connected to the hitch; and
the processor determines that the predicted path of the pedestrian intersects within a predetermined distance of the hitch.
6. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 5 , wherein the third sensor comprises a rear-facing camera attached to the vehicle.
7. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor comprises a rear-facing camera attached to the vehicle.
8. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 1 , wherein the second sensor comprises a rear-facing camera or a RADAR attached to the vehicle and a classifier.
9. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 1 , wherein the audio warning is output by one or more external speakers attached to the vehicle.
10. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 1 , wherein the visual warning comprises causing one or more external lights of the vehicle to flash.
11. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to cause a display inside the vehicle to indicate the presence of the pedestrian upon causing the vehicle to output the audio or visual warning.
12. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the vehicle to output the audio or visual warning only when the first sensor detects that the hitch is connected to the hitch receiver.
13. A hitch cross path alert system for a vehicle comprising:
a first sensor to detect whether a hitch is connected to a hitch receiver connected to the vehicle;
a second sensor to identify a pedestrian in proximity to the vehicle;
a third sensor to detect whether a trailer is connected to the hitch; and
a processor configured to predict a path of the pedestrian based on data captured by the second sensor and to cause the vehicle to output an audio or visual warning to the pedestrian when:
the first sensor detects that the hitch is connected to the hitch receiver;
the second sensor identifies the pedestrian;
the third sensor detects that the trailer is connected to the hitch; and
the processor determines that the predicted path of the pedestrian intersects within a predetermined distance of the hitch.
14. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the vehicle to output the audio or visual warning when the processor determines that the pedestrian is within a predetermined threshold distance from the hitch.
15. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 13 , wherein the first sensor comprises a rear-facing camera attached to the vehicle.
16. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 13 , wherein the second sensor comprises a rear-facing camera or a RADAR attached to the vehicle and a classifier.
17. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 13 , wherein the third sensor comprises a rear-facing camera attached to the vehicle.
18. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 13 , wherein the audio warning is output by one or more external speakers attached to the vehicle.
19. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 13 , wherein the visual warning comprises causing one or more external lights of the vehicle to flash.
20. The hitch cross path alert system of claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to cause a display inside the vehicle to indicate the presence of the pedestrian upon causing the vehicle to output the audio or visual warning.