US 10,864,787 B2Granted

Systems and methods for a human machine interface for a trailer hitch system

AssigneeRobert Bosch GmbH

InventorsRajani Janardhana, Gary B. Ward

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Abstract

Systems and methods for a human machine interface for a trailer hitch system. One method includes receiving, a first user input, and presenting on a display a captured video image including a coupler, and determining an area into which the vehicle can be guided. The method includes presenting an indication of the area overlaying the captured video image. The method includes, in response to receiving a second user input indicating a location relative to the coupler, and when the vehicle is not in a reverse gear, presenting a visual command to put the vehicle in the reverse gear, and, when the vehicle is in the reverse gear, automatically steering the vehicle to the coupler based on the location. The method includes, during the automatic steering, receiving the speed of the vehicle, and, when the speed exceeds a threshold, presenting on the display a second visual command to slow the vehicle.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A trailer hitch guidance system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

a display;
a user interface;
a camera;
a velocity sensor configured to measure a speed of the vehicle;
an electronic controller communicatively coupled to the display, the user interface, and the velocity sensor, and configured to
receive, via the user interface, a first user input;
in response to the first user input, present on the display a captured video image from the camera, the captured video image including a coupler;
determine within the captured video image, based on steering restrictions for the vehicle, an area within which the trailer hitch guidance system is able to guide the vehicle;
present on the display an indication of the area overlaying the captured video image;
in response to receiving a second user input indicating a location relative to the coupler, when the electronic controller determines that the vehicle is not in a reverse gear, present, on the display, a visual command to put the vehicle in the reverse gear;
when the vehicle is in the reverse gear, activate an automatic steering of the vehicle steering the vehicle to the coupler based on the location;
during the automatic steering the vehicle, receive, from the velocity sensor, the speed of the vehicle;
when the speed exceeds a first predetermined speed threshold, present on the display a second visual command to slow the vehicle;
determine when the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance from the coupler;
in response to the vehicle being less than the predetermined distance from the coupler, display a third visual command to stop the vehicle, shift the vehicle to a parking gear, and set a parking brake;
determine, after displaying the third command, if the parking brake has been set;
and
when the parking brake is not set, present, on the display a second captured video image, the second captured video image including a top down view of the coupler.

15 more elements

A trailer hitch guidance method for a vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving, via a user interface, a first user input;
in response to the first user input, presenting on a display a captured video image from a camera, the captured video image including a coupler;
determining within the captured video image, based on steering restrictions for the vehicle, an area within which the trailer hitch guidance system is able to guide the vehicle;
presenting on the display an indication of the area overlaying the captured video image;
in response to receiving a second user input indicating a location relative to the coupler, when the vehicle is not in a reverse gear, presenting, on the display, a visual command to put the vehicle in the reverse gear;
when the vehicle is in the reverse gear, activating an automatic steering of the vehicle steering the vehicle to the coupler based on the location;
during the automatic steering the vehicle, receiving, from the velocity sensor, the speed of the vehicle;
when the speed exceeds a first predetermined speed threshold, presenting on the display a second visual command to slow the vehicle;
determining when the vehicle is less than a predetermined distance from the coupler;
in response to the vehicle being less than the predetermined distance from the coupler, displaying a third visual command to stop the vehicle, shift the vehicle to a parking gear, and set a parking brake
determining, after displaying the third command, if the parking brake has been set;
and
when the parking brake is not set, presenting, on the display a second captured video image, the second captured video image including a top down view of the coupler.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/658,923Filed 25 Jul 2017 · us provisional application
Priority: 28 Jul 2016
Published: US 2018/0029429 A11 Feb 2018
Granted: 15 Dec 2020
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

B60D 1/36
Characterised by arrangements for particular functions: for facilitating connection, e.g. hitch catchers
B60D 1/62
Auxiliary devices: involving supply lines, electric circuits or the like
B60R 1/26
With a predetermined field of view: to the rear of the vehicle
B62D 15/025
Steering position indicators ; Steering position determination; Steering aids: active steering aids, e.g. helping the driver by actively…

Family

Application62/367,733Us provisional application · filed 28 Jul 2016
US 2018/0029429 A1Pre-grant publication · published 1 Feb 2018
US 10,864,787 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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