# US 2013/0158803 A1 · Trailer backing aid using gps mapping and camera image display > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0158803 A1 - Document ID: US20130158803A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/331,380 - Filed: 2011-12-20 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-20 - Assignees: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. - Inventors: Philip M. Headley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130158803A1 ## CPC - B62D 13/06: for backing a normally drawn trailer - B62D 15/028: {Guided parking by providing commands to the driver, e.g. acoustically or optically} - 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) ## Abstract A method of controlling a vehicle and trailer assembly comprises initiating an input mode for a trailer backing system. A first set of data points, a second set of data points, and a third set of data points are input into the trailer backing system. The input mode for the trailer backing system is ended. An intended backing path is determined based upon the first, second, and third set of data points. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of controlling a vehicle and trailer assembly comprising: initiating an input mode for a trailer backing system; inputting a first set of data points; inputting a second set of data points; inputting a third set of data points; ending the input mode; and determining an intended backing path based upon the first, second, and third set of data points. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising instructing at least one vehicle system with the trailer backing system to direct the vehicle and trailer assembly along the intended backing path. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein inputting the first set of data points further comprises inputting at least one data point relating to a current position of at least one of a vehicle and a trailer of the vehicle and trailer assembly and calculating the remaining data points in the first set of data points based upon the at least one data point and data relating to the vehicle and trailer assembly configuration previously stored in the trailer backing system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein inputting the second set of data points further comprises inputting at least one data point relating to a final position of at least one of a vehicle and a trailer of the vehicle and trailer assembly and calculating the remaining data points in the second set of data points based upon the at least one data point and data relating to the vehicle and trailer assembly configuration previously stored in the trailer backing system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein inputting the third set of data points further comprises inputting at least one data point for each obstacle proximate to a current vehicle and trailer assembly position and the final vehicle and trailer assembly position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising: obtaining a camera image for a current position of the vehicle and trailer assembly from a camera mounted to one of a vehicle and a trailer for the vehicle and trailer assembly; obtaining a GPS location for a current position of the vehicle and trailer assembly; and indicating the current position on the image display based upon the first set of data points and the GPS data. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein inputting the first set of data points, the second set of data points, and the third set of data points further comprises moving a locator on the display screen to each of the data point location on the image. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein inputting the first set of data points, the second set of data points, and the third set of data points further comprises moving a hand-held locator to each data point location and selecting that location, and transferring the selected data point locations from the hand-held locator to the trailer backing system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein indicating the current position on the image display based upon the first set of data points and the GPS data further comprises adjusting the GPS location for the current position of the vehicle and trailer assembly to align with the camera image. ### Claim 10 A method of controlling a vehicle and trailer assembly comprising: initiating an input mode for a trailer backing system; inputting a first set of data points into the trailer backing system, wherein the first set of data points utilize a GPS system to determine a current position of the vehicle and trailer assembly; inputting a second set of data points into the trailer backing system, wherein the second set of data points utilize the GPS system to determine a final position for the vehicle and trailer assembly; inputting a third set of data points into the trailer backing system, wherein the third set of data points utilize the GPS system to determine a current position of obstacles proximate to the current and the final positions of the vehicle and trailer assembly; ending the input mode into the trailer backing system; and determining an intended backing path based upon the first, second, and third set of data points. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising instructing at least one vehicle system with the backing system to direct the vehicle and trailer assembly along the intended backing path. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein inputting the first set of data points further comprises inputting at least one data point of at least one of a vehicle and a trailer of the vehicle and trailer assembly and calculating the remaining data points in the first set of data points based upon the at least one data point and data relating to the vehicle and trailer assembly configuration previously stored in the trailer backing system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein inputting the second set of data points further comprises inputting at least one data point of at least one of a vehicle and a trailer of the vehicle and trailer assembly and calculating the remaining data points in the second set of data points based upon the at least one data point and data relating to the vehicle and trailer assembly configuration previously stored in the trailer backing system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein inputting the third set of data points further comprises inputting at least one data point for each obstacle proximate to a current vehicle and trailer assembly position and the final vehicle and trailer assembly position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein inputting the first set of data points, the second set of data points, and the third set of data points further comprises moving a hand-held locator to each data point location and selecting that location, and transferring the selected data point locations from the hand-held locator to the trailer backing system. ### Claim 16 A method of controlling a vehicle and trailer assembly comprising: obtaining a camera image for a current position of the vehicle and trailer assembly from a camera mounted to one of a vehicle and a trailer for the vehicle and trailer assembly; displaying the camera image on a display screen for a trailer backing system; initiating an input mode for the trailer backing system; inputting a first set of data points into the trailer backing system; inputting a second set of data points into the trailer backing system; inputting a third set of data points into the trailer backing system; ending the input mode into the trailer backing system; and determining an intended backing path based upon the first, second, and third set of data points. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising instructing at least one vehicle system with the trailer backing system to direct the vehicle and trailer assembly along the intended backing path. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein inputting the first set of data points further comprises inputting at least one data point relating to a current position of at least one of a vehicle and a trailer of the vehicle and trailer assembly and calculating the remaining data points in the first set of data points based upon the at least one data point and data relating to the vehicle and trailer assembly configuration previously stored in the trailer backing system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein inputting the second set of data points further comprises inputting at least one data point relating to a final position of at least one of a vehicle and a trailer of the vehicle and trailer assembly and calculating the remaining data points in the second set of data points based upon the at least one data point and data relating to the vehicle and trailer assembly configuration previously stored in the trailer backing system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein inputting the third set of data points further comprises inputting at least one data point for each obstacle proximate to a current vehicle and trailer assembly position and the final vehicle and trailer assembly position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein inputting the first set of data points, the second set of data points, and the third set of data points further comprises moving a locator on the display screen to each of the data point location on the image.