# US 10,479,404 B2 · Backup system for a vehicle with a trailer hitch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,404 B2 - Document ID: US10479404B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/919,922 - Filed: 2018-03-13 - Published: 2019-09-19 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-13 - Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.; Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: David B. Auner; Yuhei Oka - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479404B2 ## CPC - B62D 15/0275: {by overlaying a vehicle path based on present steering angle over an image without processing that image} - B60D 1/06: Ball-and-socket hitches - B60D 1/36: for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers - B60D 1/62: involving supply lines, electric circuits or the like - B60R 1/003: {for viewing trailer hitches} - B60R 1/26: to the rear of the vehicle - B62D 15/0295: {by overlaying a vehicle path based on present steering angle over an image without processing that image} - G08G 1/168: {Driving aids for parking, e.g. acoustic or visual feedback on parking space} - H04N 7/183: {for receiving images from a single remote source} - H04N 23/63: by using electronic viewfinders - B60R 2300/8066: for monitoring rearward traffic - B60R 2300/808: for facilitating docking to a trailer - B60R 2300/8086: for vehicle path indication - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B60D: VEHICLE CONNECTIONS - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93}) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A vehicle includes upright sides, a hitch point between the upright sides, an interior display, and a control module communicatively connected with the display. The control module is configured to, in response to a backup event, operate the display during the backup event to display an area behind the vehicle, general-purpose steering guidelines, and a trailer-hitching steering guideline. The general-purpose steering guidelines lead from the upright sides, indicate a projected locus of the vehicle, and have a reach that is maintained regardless of changing steering angles. The trailer-hitching steering guideline leads from the hitch point, indicates a projected path of the hitch point, and has a reach that is adjusted based on changing steering angles. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle, comprising: upright sides; a hitch point between the upright sides; an interior display; and a control module communicatively connected with the display, the control module configured to, in response to a backup event, operate the display during the backup event to display: an area behind the vehicle; general-purpose steering guidelines, the general-purpose steering guidelines leading from the upright sides, indicating a projected locus of the vehicle, and having a lengthwise reach that is maintained regardless of changing steering angles; and a trailer-hitching steering guideline, the trailer-hitching steering guideline leading from the hitch point, indicating a projected path of the hitch point, and having a lengthwise reach that is adjusted based on changing steering angles. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the trailer-hitching steering guideline has, from a baseline lengthwise reach at an on-center steering angle, an increasingly longer lengthwise reach at increasingly off-center steering angles, including a full lengthwise reach at a full-lock off-center steering angle, and the full lengthwise reach of the trailer-hitching steering guideline accounts for a projected quarter turn of the vehicle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the trailer-hitching steering guideline has, from a baseline lengthwise reach at an on-center steering angle, an increasingly longer lengthwise reach at increasingly off-center steering angles, including a full lengthwise reach at a full-lock off-center steering angle, and the full lengthwise reach of the trailer-hitching steering guideline is at least 2 times longer than the baseline lengthwise reach of the trailer-hitching steering guideline. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein at increasingly off-center steering angles, the general-purpose steering guidelines have a standard lengthwise reach, and the trailer-hitching steering guideline has an increasingly longer lengthwise reach. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the general-purpose steering guidelines feature elongate, laterally-spaced locus guidelines, the locus guidelines respectively leading from the upright sides, and outlining the projected locus of the vehicle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the trailer-hitching steering guideline is elevated an assumed distance above the hitch point. ### Claim 7 A backup system for a vehicle with a trailer hitch, comprising: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor and storing: a control module including instructions that when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to: monitor for backup events in a vehicle with upright sides and a hitch point between the upright sides; and in response to identifying a backup event, operate an interior display in the vehicle during the backup event to display: an area behind the vehicle; general-purpose steering guidelines, the general-purpose steering guidelines leading from the upright sides, indicating a projected locus of the vehicle, and having a lengthwise reach that is maintained regardless of changing steering angles; and a trailer-hitching steering guideline, the trailer-hitching steering guideline leading from the hitch point, indicating a projected path of the hitch point, and having a lengthwise reach that is adjusted based on changing steering angles. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The backup system of claim 7, wherein the trailer-hitching steering guideline has, from a baseline lengthwise reach at an on-center steering angle, an increasingly longer lengthwise reach at increasingly off-center steering angles, including a full lengthwise reach at a full-lock off-center steering angle, and the full lengthwise reach of the trailer-hitching steering guideline accounts for a projected quarter turn of the vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The backup system of claim 7, wherein the trailer-hitching steering guideline has, from a baseline lengthwise reach at an on-center steering angle, an increasingly longer lengthwise reach at increasingly off-center steering angles, including a full lengthwise reach at a full-lock off-center steering angle, and the full lengthwise reach of the trailer-hitching steering guideline is at least 2 times longer than the baseline lengthwise reach of the trailer-hitching steering guideline. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The backup system of claim 7, wherein at increasingly off-center steering angles, the general-purpose steering guidelines have a standard lengthwise reach, and the trailer-hitching steering guideline has an increasingly longer lengthwise reach. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The backup system of claim 7, wherein the general-purpose steering guidelines feature elongate, laterally-spaced locus guidelines, the locus guidelines respectively leading from the upright sides, and outlining the projected locus of the vehicle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The backup system of claim 7, wherein the trailer-hitching steering guideline is elevated an assumed distance above the hitch point. ### Claim 13 A vehicle, comprising: upright sides; a hitch point between the upright sides; an interior display; and a control module communicatively connected with the display, the control module configured to, in response to a backup event, operate the display during the backup event to display: an area behind the vehicle; and a trailer-hitching steering guideline, the trailer-hitching steering guideline leading from the hitch point, indicating a projected path of the hitch point, and having, from a baseline lengthwise reach at an on-center steering angle, an increasingly longer lengthwise reach at increasingly off-center steering angles. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the increasingly longer lengthwise reach of the trailer-hitching steering guideline at the increasingly off-center steering angles includes a full lengthwise reach at a full-lock off-center steering angle, and the full lengthwise reach of the trailer-hitching steering guideline accounts for a projected quarter turn of the vehicle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the increasingly longer lengthwise reach of the trailer-hitching steering guideline at the increasingly off-center steering angles includes a full lengthwise reach at a full-lock off-center steering angle, and the full lengthwise reach of the trailer-hitching steering guideline is at least 2 times longer than the baseline lengthwise reach of the trailer-hitching steering guideline. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the trailer-hitching steering guideline is elevated an assumed distance above the hitch point.