Vehicle hitch detection system and method
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorErick Michael Lavoie
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle hitch detection system is provided. The vehicle hitch detection system includes a camera arranged to capture images of a vehicle hitch and a controller processing the images to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch based on the processed images when an electrical hitch connection is detected. The controller may further control a driver assistance system based on the detected hitch ornament to enable or disable the system.
Claims20
A vehicle hitch detection system comprising:
- a camera arranged to capture images of a vehicle hitch;
- and
- an image processor processing the images to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch based on the processed images when an electrical hitch connection is detected.
A driver assistance system comprising:
- a camera arranged to capture images of a vehicle hitch;
- an image processor processing the images to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch based on the processed images;
- and
- a controller controlling a driver assistance system based on the detected hitch ornament when an electrical hitch connection is detected.
A method of detecting a hitch ornament connected to a vehicle hitch assembly comprising:
- detecting an electrical hitch connector connected with the vehicle;
- capturing images of the hitch with a camera;
- and
- processing the images to detect a powered hitch ornament connected to the hitch when the electrical hitch connector is detected connected to the vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.