RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/905.666, filed on November 18, 2013 and titled OVERHEAD VIEW FOR HITCH CONNECTION/' the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Embodiments of the invention refete to methods and systems for aiding a driver in attaching a vehicle hitch to a trailer coupler.

[0003] Due to view and sight line Imitations, 2 is difficult to connect a vehicle Midi with a hilc^moinited device or accessory (e.g., a trailer, another vehicle, a bike rack, a cargo carrier, etc.). For example, the vehicle towing ball needs to be properly aligned with a trailer coupler in a foiigtodinal (up-and-down) direction and a lateral direction (side-to-side). However, whfle operating a vehicle, the driver cannot directly see the towing ball or the trailer coupler.

SUMMARY

[0004] Accordingly, implementations of the iwention provide methods and systems for providing an overhead view in a vehicle to alow a driver to align a vehicle hitch with hkch- inounted accessory. A distance between the vehicle hitch (e.g., the towing ball) and the mating trailer coupler can be determined based on the overhead image data. The distance itaonnation can be coinmunicaied to the driver and/or used by a controller to autoniatieally control the vehicle.

[0005] The invention also provides a hitch connection system tor attaching a vehicle to a trailer. The hitch connection system includes at least one camera and a controller. The camera is configured to collect image data of a vehicl hitch and a trailer coupler. The controller is configured to generate an overhead view inage based on the image data. The controller is fiather configured to calculate a relative height between the vehicle hitch and the trailer coupler based on the inage data and generate a alert when the relative height is less than a predetermined threshold.

I [00Θ6] in addition, flie invention provides a method for aiding a driver in connecting a vehicle to a tra!er. The nieinod includes collecting image date of a veliicle hitch and a trailer coiipler by at least one camera. The method also includes generating, by a controller, a overhead view image based on the: knage data. The method lather includes calculating a relative height between the veliicle hitch and the bailer coupler based on the image data and generating an alert when the relative height is less ton predetermined threshold by the controller.

[0007] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. 1 is a diagram of a vehicle equipped with a hitch connection system.

[0009] Fig. 2 is an overhead view image generated by the hitch connection system of Fig. 1.

[0010] Fig. 3 is a diagram of a vehicle and a trailer .

[0011] Fig. 4 is a diagram of a vehicle and a trailer equipped with a hitch connection system

[0012] Fig. 5 represents a process for operating the hitch connection system of Fig. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Before any embodiments of flie invention are e^lained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited ii its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or ilistrated in the following drawings. The kwention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

[0014] Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for flie purpose of descr^tion and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of 'fee-lading," "comprising" or feg" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms 'mounted '

? "connected" and "coupled" are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect n»iBBi¾, conrjectrng and coupling. Further, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect Also, electronic coimiMiKations and notifications may be performed using known means including wired connections, wireless connections, etc.

[0015] It should also be noted that a plurality of hardware and software based devices, as well as a plurahry of different structural components may be utilized to implement the invention. It should also be noted that a plurality of hardware and software based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components may be used to implement me invention. In addition, should be understood that embodiments of the invention may include Imrdware, software, and electronic components or modules that, for purposes of discussion, may be illustrated and described as if the majority of the components were iinpleiuenled sofefy in Imrdware. However, one of ordinary skill in the art, and based on a reading of this detailed description, would recognize that, in at feast one embodinient, the electronic based aspects of the invention may be inpleinented in software (e.g., stored on non-transitory computer- readable medium) executable by one or more processors. As a result, M should be noted mat a plurality of hardware and software based devices, as well as a plurality of different structural components may be utilized to implement me invention. For example, "control units" and "controllers" described ii the specification can include processing components, including one or more processors, one or more memory modules including non-transitory computer-readabb medium, one or more input' uiput interlaces, and various connections (e.g., a system bus) connecting the components.

[0016] Fig. 1 iustraies a vehicle 100 with a bitch 105 (e.g. towing ball) and a hitch connection system 107. The hitch connection system 107 includes a plurality of cameras 11 OA- HOC mounted on the vehicle 100. Image data collected by the plurality of cameras 11 OA- HOC is used to produce an overhead view of the vehicle 100. The hitch connection system 107 also includes a controller 115 having an electronic processing unit 120 (e.g., a processor, application specific integrated circuit ("ASIC"), etc.), a nonr transitory computer- readable medium 125, and an input output interface 130. The controller 115 obtains the image data through the input'output interlace 130. For example, the input/output interlace 130 can be connected to the plurality of cameras I I OA- HOC through a wired connection or a wireless coisiection. In some embodiments, the plurality of cameras I 10A-I 10C are connected to the i i outout interface 130 over a dedicated wired connection or conmamkate with the iupu^output interface 130 over a coiiiiMication bus 135 (e.g., a CAN bus).

[0017] The electronic processing unit 120 included in the controller 1 Ϊ5 executes insuuctions stored in the r»& transitory computer-readable rnedimn 125 to generate an overhead view image 142 of the vehicle 100 as iDustrated in Fig. 2. The overhead view image 142 can be displayed on at least one display device 140 included in the hitch connection system 107 (e.g., an LED, LCD, or touchscreen display). The overhead view image includes Snee-dimensional data of the vehicle 100 and its smiouodings and can include one or more overlays. For example, in some knpknentatioris, the overhead view image 142 includes a overlay that indicates the position of the vehicle 100. The overhead view image 142 can also include overlays that highlight the hitch-mounted accessory (hereinafter referred to as a trailer 145. but such an "accessory" can include any object that can be towed by the vehicle 100, such as a trailer, another vehicle, a bike rack, a cargo earner, etc.) and/or other objects detected around the vehicle 100. hi some impfeiueiiiat iis, the overhead view image 142 can also include overlays that provide instructions 144 to die driver (e.g., arrows, warnings, textual commands or information, etc.).

[0018] Fig. 3 illustrates the vehicle Ϊ00 of Fig. 1 and a trailer 145 with a coupler 150. The controller 1 Ϊ 5 can also calculate distance infonraubn based on the overhead view image (ie., based on the thiee-dinensional data represented in the overhead view image). For example, the controller 115 can determine a hitch height 155 of th Mch 105 and a coupler height 160 of the coupler 150 relative to the ground, hi some implementations, the controller 1 15 determines a relative height 165 between the hitch 105 and the coupler 150. The controller 115 uses the relative height 165 to warn the driver when the Mch 105 may crash into the coupler 150 or oilier components of the trailer 145 (as compared to connecting with the coupler 150) so that the driver can take appropriate action. For example, the controller 115 can generate an audible warning, visual warnings, haptic warning, or a coinbinatkm thereof to warn the driver of a possible collision.

[0019} hi some impbmentations, the distance information is calculated based on the image data collected by the plurality of cameras 110A- 110C. In some impbmentations, tire distance information is calculated based on the image data and the overhead view image. In some inpfementations, tiie distance kforiiBfion is calculated based solely on die overhead view image.

[0020] In some implementations, the: controller 115 is also configured to automatically operate the vehicle 100 to avoid a detected potential crash. For example, in those vehicles with active suspension, tlie controller 115 can be configured to aitoinatically adjust tiie vehicle suspension height to avoid a collision. Alenativefy or in addition, die controller 115 can be configured to aitoinaticalfy adjust a Mch height 155 of tlie Mch 105 (in vehicles equipped with an efectronicaify adjustable hitch}, in sons impfe entations. the controller 115 can also be configured to perform similar height adjustments to level a load caii'ied in tiie trailer 145 (e.g., automatically or based on manual commands}. Also, in some impkinentat ns, the controller 115 is configured to aitomaticalry control tlie vehicle's steering angle and or speed to help align the vehicle 100 with the traier 145 for connection.

[0021] To eilify tlie hitch 105 and coupler 150 locations, tlie controller 115 can be configured to display one or more images (e.g., the overhead view image 142} to the driver and receive an indication from tlie driver of die location of tlie Mch 105 and tlie coupler 150. For example, if tlie vehicle 100 incksdes a display device 140, tlie controller 115 receives touch points on the display device 40 that indicate the position of the Mch 105 and/or the coupler 150. Aftemativery or in addition, tlie controller 1 15 can aitomaticaly identify tlie hitch 105 and/or the: coupler 150 using feature recognition, in some iti lementations, the controller 115 also uses prior location detennitiations to learn locations or improve feature recognition.

[0022] Fig. 4 illustrates a vehicle 100 ixiiding a wired camera 170 and a teller 145 including a wireless camera 175. in some impfementations, one or more wireless cameras can be used to aid a driver in connecting a trailer 145. For example, one or more wireless cameras can be placed at various locations on tlie vehicle 100 or the trailer 4 to obtain a desired a field-of-view not easily obtained using wired cameras. In some implementations, tlie wireless cameras are removable such that they can be used with different trailers and/or manually positioned based on tlie vehicle, the traier, and tlie connection environment. Image data collected by the wireless cameras can be used win image data collected by wired cameras to produce the overhead view image. Alternatively or ii addition, the image data collected by the wireless cameras can be kept separate from me image data collected by tlie wired cameras. Therefore, during operation, two different views can be provided. The particular view displayed to the driver can switch based on manual selections or ai&omaticaliy. For example, in one implementation, the controller 115 can provide a first overhead view when a driver is performing a trailer connection that is based on image data collected by the wired camera 170. When the toiler 145 is connected to or close to being connected to the vehicle 100, tlie controller 115 can automatically switch to a second overhead view that is based on image data collected by the wireless camera 175. For example, after tlie vehicle 100 and Hie trailer 145 are connected or shortly before such a connection occurs, the tr ailer 145 may block tlie view of one or more cameras mounted at the rear of the vehicle 100. Therefore, switching the wireless cameras can provide a better view for tlie driver wlien completing tlie connection

[0023] Fig 5 illustrates a process 500 for operating the hitch connection system 107 to aid a driver in connecting a hitch 105 of a vehicle 100 to a coupler 150 of a trailer 145. The steps of tlie process 500 are described in an iterative manner for descriptive purposes. Various steps described herein with respect to the process 500 are capable of being executed simultaneous^, in parallel or in an order fiat differs torn the illustrated serial and iterative manner of execution At step 510, tlie at feast one camera collects image data of tlie hitch 105 and the coupler 150. At step 520. the controller 115 generates an overhead view image 142 based on the image data. At step 530, tlie controller 115 calculates a relative height 165 between the hitch Ϊ05 and the coupler 150. At step 540, the controller 1 Ϊ5 compares the relative height 165 to a predetemined threshold. If the: relative height 165 is greater than or equal to the predetermined fceshold, tlie controller 115 detemrioes that the Mch 105 is a safe enough vertical distance away from tlie coupler 150 and tlie process 500 returns to step 510 to collect new image data. On tlie other hand, if tlie relative height 165 is less than the predetemmied threshold, the controller 115 detemiines that tlie hitch 105 may crash into tlie coupler 150, instead of mating wall tlie coupler 150, and the process 500 proceeds to step 550. At step 550, the controller 115 generate an alert to warn tlie driver that the hitch 105 may crash into the coupler 150. At step 560, tlie controller 115 adjusts the height of the hitch 105.

[0024] Thus, tlie invention provides, among other things, a Mch connection system for a vehicle and a trailer. Various features and advantages of tlie invention are set form in tlie following claims.