US 12,643,476 B2Granted

Control system and method

AssigneeJaguar Land Rover Limited

InventorsJohn Hatzakis, Anand Govindankutty

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a control system (1) for providing assistance to an occupant of a vehicle (V1). The control system (1) is configured to receive hitch angle data indicative of a hitch angle (α) of a towed vehicle (V2) coupled to the towing vehicle (V1). The control system (1) selects first and second image data subsets of at least first image data (DIMG1). The first image data subset represents a first viewport (VPL, VPR) on a first side of the towing vehicle (V1) and the second image data subset representing a second viewport (VPL, VPR) on a second side of the towing vehicle (V1). A signal (SOUT1) indicative of the first image data subset and the second image data subset is output to at least one display (5) for displaying the first viewport (VPL, VPR) and the second viewport (VPL, VPR) to the occupant of the towing vehicle (V1). The control system (1) is configured to select the first image data subset and the second image data subset in dependence on the hitch angle data. The first image data subset is selected to increase the prominence of the first viewport (VPL, VPR) relative to the second viewport (VPL, VPR) when the hitch angle data indicates that the towed vehicle (V2) is disposed on the first side of the towing vehicle (V1); and the second image data subset is selected to increase the prominence of the second viewport (VPL, VPR) relative to the first viewport (VPL, VPR) when the hitch angle data indicates that the towed vehicle (V2) is disposed on the second side of the towing vehicle (V1). In a variant, the control system (1) is configured to adjust the prominence of the first viewport (VPL, VPR) relative to the second viewport (VPL, VPR) in dependence on steering angle data indicative of a steering angle (β) (of the vehicle (V1). The present invention relates to a vehicle (V1, V2) incorporating the control system (1); a method of assisting an occupant of a vehicle (V1); computer software; and a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A control system for providing assistance to an occupant of a towing vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to:

receive hitch angle data indicative of a hitch angle of a towed vehicle coupled to the towing vehicle via an articulated coupling, wherein the towing vehicle has a first longitudinal axis and the towed vehicle has a second longitudinal axis, wherein the hitch angle defines an angular orientation of the second longitudinal axis relative to the first longitudinal axis, and wherein when the hitch angle data indicates the hitch angle is zero, the first longitudinal axis is aligned with the second longitudinal axis, when the hitch angle data indicates the hitch angle is within a first range of angles, the towed vehicle is oriented to project outwardly, from the articulated coupling to a rear of the towed vehicle, on a first side of the towing vehicle, when viewed from a rear of the towing vehicle, and when the hitch angle data indicates the hitch angle is within a second range of angles, the towed vehicle is oriented to project outwardly, from the articulated coupling to the rear of the towing vehicle, on a second side of the towing vehicle, when viewed from the rear of the towing vehicle;
select first and second image data subsets of at least first image data, the first image data subset representing a first viewport on the first side of the towing vehicle captured with a first imaging device disposed on the first side of the towing vehicle and the second image data subset representing a second viewport on the second side of the towing vehicle captured with a second imaging device disposed on the second side of the towing vehicle;
and
output a signal indicative of the first image data subset and the second image data subset to at least one display for displaying the first viewport and the second viewport to the occupant of the towing vehicle;
wherein the control system is configured to select the first image data subset and the second image data subset in dependence on the hitch angle data;
the first image data subset being selected to increase the prominence of the first viewport relative to the second viewport when the hitch angle data indicates that the hitch angle is within the first range of angles;
and the second image data subset being selected to increase the prominence of the second viewport relative to the first viewport when the hitch angle data indicates that the hitch angle is within the second range of angles;
and
wherein increasing the prominence of the first viewport comprises increasing the size of the first viewport relative to the second viewport;
and/or increasing the prominence of the second viewport comprises increasing the size of the second viewport relative to the first viewport.

7 more elements

A control system for providing assistance to an occupant of a vehicle, the control system comprising one or more controllers, the control system configured to:

receive steering angle data indicative of a steering angle of the vehicle;
select first and second image data subsets of at least first image data, the first image data subset representing a first viewport on a first side of the vehicle and the second image data subset representing a second viewport on a second side of the vehicle, wherein the first viewport comprises or consists of the first image data subset, the first image data subset being captured by a first imaging device disposed on the first side of the vehicle and wherein the second viewport comprises or consists of the second image data subset, the second image data subset being captured by a second imaging device disposed on the second side of the vehicle;
and
output a signal indicative of the first image data subset and the second image data subset to at least one display for displaying the first viewport and the second viewport to the occupant of the vehicle;
wherein the control system is configured to select the first image data subset and the second image data subset in dependence on the steering angle data;
the first image data subset being selected to increase the prominence of the first viewport relative to the second viewport when the steering angle data indicates a travel direction towards the first viewport on the first side of the vehicle;
and the second image data subset being selected to increase the prominence of the second viewport relative to the first viewport when the steering angle data indicates a travel direction towards the second viewport on the second side of the vehicle;
and
wherein increasing the prominence of the first viewport comprises increasing the size of the first viewport relative to the second viewport;
and/or increasing the prominence of the second viewport comprises increasing the size of the second viewport relative to the first viewport.

7 more elements

A method of providing assistance to an occupant of a towing vehicle, the method comprising:

determining that a hitch angle of a towed vehicle coupled to the towing vehicle via an articulated coupling is in a first range of angles, wherein the towing vehicle has a first longitudinal axis and the towed vehicle has a second longitudinal axis, wherein the hitch angle defines an angular orientation of the second longitudinal axis relative to the first longitudinal axis, and wherein when the hitch angle is zero, the first longitudinal axis is aligned with the second longitudinal axis and when the hitch angle is in the first range of angles, a rear of the towed vehicle, when viewed from above, is displaced in a clockwise direction relative to a position of the rear of the towed vehicle when the hitch angle is zero;
responsive to determining that the hitch angle is in the first range of angles:
selecting a first viewport on a first side of the towing vehicle and a second viewport on a second side of the towing vehicle, opposite the first side, wherein the first viewport comprises or consists of a portion of a first image, the first image being captured by a first imaging device disposed on the first side of the towing vehicle and wherein the second viewport comprises or consists of a portion of a second image, the second image being captured by a second imaging device disposed on the second side of the towing vehicle;
and
displaying the first viewport and the second viewport to the occupant of the towing vehicle, wherein the first and second viewports are selected in dependence on the determined hitch angle such that the prominence of the first viewport is increased relative to the second viewport responsive to the determined hitch angle being in the first range of angles;
determining that the hitch angle is in a second range of angles, wherein when the hitch angle is in the second range of angles, the rear of the towed vehicle, when viewed from above, is displaced in a counterclockwise direction relative to the position of the rear of the towed vehicle when the hitch angle is zero;
responsive to determining that the hitch angle is in the second range of angles:
selecting the first viewport on the first side of the towing vehicle and the second viewport on the second side of the towing vehicle;
and
displaying the first viewport and the second viewport to the occupant of the towing vehicle, wherein the first and second viewports are selected in dependence on the hitch angle such that the prominence of the second viewport is increased relative to the first viewport responsive to the determined hitch angle being in the second range of angles;
and
wherein increasing the prominence of the first viewport comprises increasing the size of the first viewport relative to the second viewport;
and increasing the prominence of the second viewport comprises increasing the size of the second viewport relative to the first viewport.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/640,021Filed 27 Aug 2020
Priority: GB 19126283 Sep 2019
Published: US 2022/0297601 A122 Sep 2022
Granted: 2 Jun 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

B60R 1/28
For viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle: with an adjustable field of view
B60R 1/003
Specially adapted for covering the peripheral part of the vehicle, e.g. for viewing tyres, bumpers or the like: for viewing trailer hitches
B60R 1/25
With a predetermined field of view: to the sides of the vehicle
B60R 1/26
With a predetermined field of view: to the rear of the vehicle