Magna Electronics Inc.

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Timothy M Phillips

Ronald Henry Dybalski

Frederick J Berg

Clarence Patrick McElroy

Timothy J Bennett

Richard Kremer Riefe

Theodore J Church

Jyothi P Gali

Alan C Davis

Nikhil Gupta

Richard C Bozich

Daniel W Hodgman

Remon J Jiddou

Ashok Chandy

Clarence P Mcelroy

A vehicular trailering assist system includes at least one vehicle camera, an electronic control unit (ECU) and a display screen disposed at a vehicle. When a trailer hitched to the vehicle is not a trailer for which the vehicular trailering assist system has been previously calibrated, the driver is instructed to calibrate the system for the trailer. When the vehicular trailering assist system is calibrated, the system determines an obstacle-free path of travel for the vehicle and the trailer to follow to maneuver toward a target location. The system controls steering of the vehicle to maneuver the vehicle and the trailer along the determined obstacle-free path of travel. While the vehicle and the trailer are maneuvered along the determined obstacle-free path of travel, the determined obstacle-free path of travel is displayed on the display screen overlaying displayed video images derived from image data captured by the vehicle camera.

Vehicle and trailer maneuver assist system

A vehicular trailer guidance system includes an electronic control unit (ECU), a rear backup camera and a trailer camera disposed at a rear portion of a trailer hitched to the vehicle. A display screen is disposed in the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the vehicle. With the trailer hitched to the vehicle, the display screen is operable to display video images derived from image data captured by the trailer camera. At least in part via processing at the ECU of image data captured by the trailer camera, an instruction that aids maneuvering the vehicle in reverse with the trailer hitched thereto during a reversing maneuver of the vehicle and trailer is generated. During the reversing maneuver of the vehicle and trailer, the display screen displays an alert when angling of the trailer relative to the vehicle approaches a jackknife condition.

Vehicular trailer guidance system

A vehicular trailer assist system includes a plurality of vehicle cameras disposed at a vehicle, a trailer camera disposed at a rear portion of a trailer and viewing at least rearward of the trailer, and an electronic control unit (ECU) having a processor operable to process image data captured by the cameras. A display screen displays images of a region rearward of the trailer and includes a touch screen. Responsive to a touch input that is representative of a target location, the ECU, via processing of image data captured by the cameras, determines a path of travel for the vehicle and trailer to follow to maneuver the vehicle and trailer toward the target location. The ECU, responsive to an input indicative of an updated target location, updates the path of travel for the vehicle and trailer to follow to maneuver the vehicle and trailer toward the updated target location.

A vehicular vision system includes an underbody camera disposed at an underside of a body of a vehicle and viewing a ground surface under the body of the vehicle and being traveled on by the vehicle. The underbody camera captures image data as the vehicle is moving, An illumination source, when operated to emit light, emits near infrared light illuminating the ground surface under the body of the vehicle. An electronic control unit (ECU) is disposed at the vehicle and includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the underbody camera. The underbody camera views at least forward towards a front portion of the underside of the body of the vehicle. The vehicular vision system, via processing at the ECU of image data captured by the underbody camera, determines presence of an object forward of the underbody camera and having height greater than a threshold height.

Vehicular vision system with underbody camera

A vehicular trailer guidance system includes an electronic control unit (ECU), a plurality of vehicle cameras and at least one trailer camera including a rear trailer camera disposed at a rear portion of a trailer hitched to the vehicle. A display screen is disposed in the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The display screen displays video images derived from captured image data, with the displayed video images including bird's-eye view images of a region at least partially surrounding the vehicle and trailer including an area rearward of the trailer hitched to the vehicle. During a reversing maneuver, and via processing of captured image data, an instruction for maneuvering the vehicle and trailer in reverse toward a target location is generated by the ECU. The generated instruction includes at least an instruction pertaining to steering of the vehicle during the reversing maneuver.

A vehicular vision system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) disposed at a vehicle and including an image processor that processes image data captured by at least one camera of the vehicle. An under-trailer camera is disposed at an underside of a trailer hitched to the vehicle. The under-trailer camera has a field of view under the trailer that includes a ground surface under the trailer that is traveled over by the trailer. The under-trailer camera captures image data as the vehicle and trailer are moving. The ECU, responsive to processing of image data captured by the under-trailer camera, detects an object under the trailer and determines that the detected object under the trailer is greater than a threshold size. The ECU, responsive to determination that the detected object under the trailer is greater than the threshold size, generates an output.

Vehicular vision system with undercarriage cameras

A trailer assist system for a vehicle includes a plurality of sensors disposed at a vehicle, a trailer sensor disposed at a rear portion of a trailer and having a field of sensing at least rearward of the trailer, and a control having a processor operable to process data captured by the sensors. A display screen displays an area rearward of the trailer. Responsive to a user input selecting a target area present in the displayed image, the control, via processing of data captured by the sensors, is operable to determine a path of travel for the vehicle and trailer to follow to maneuver the vehicle and trailer toward a target location represented by the selected displayed target area. The control, responsive to determination of the path of travel, controls at least steering of the vehicle to maneuver the vehicle and trailer along the determined path of travel.

A vehicular vision system includes an underbody camera disposed at an underside of a body of a vehicle such that a ground surface under the body of the vehicle and being traveled on by the vehicle is at least partially viewed by the underbody camera. A control includes an image processor for processing image data captured by the underbody camera. The underbody camera views at least forward or at least rearward, and the control, via processing of image data captured by the underbody camera, determines presence of an object forward or rearward of the underbody camera and having height greater than a threshold height. The control, responsive to determination of presence of the object under the body of the vehicle that has height greater than the threshold height, generates an output to inform a driver of the vehicle of presence of the determined object under the body of the vehicle.

Vehicle vision system with undercarriage cameras

A trailer maneuvering guidance system for a vehicle includes vehicle-based cameras disposed at a vehicle and a trailer camera disposed at a rear portion of a trailer hitched to the vehicle. A control includes a processor that processes image data captured by the cameras. A display screen is disposed in the vehicle and viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The display screen displays images derived from captured image data, with the displayed images including bird's-eye view images of a region at least partially surrounding the vehicle and trailer including an area rearward of the trailer. Responsive to a user input selecting a target path in the displayed images, the control, via processing of captured image data, generates instructions for the driver of the vehicle to follow to maneuver the vehicle and trailer along the selected target path and toward a target location.

Vehicle and trailer backup guidance system

A vision system for a vehicle includes at least one underbody camera disposed at an underside of a vehicle and having a field of view encompassing a ground surface under the vehicle and being traveled on by the vehicle. The underbody camera captures image data as the vehicle is moving. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the underbody camera. The control, responsive to processing of image data captured by the underbody camera, detects an object under the vehicle that is greater than a threshold height. The control, responsive to detection of the object, generates an output to inform a driver of the vehicle of the detected object under the vehicle.

User interface for a computer display

Display panel with a computer icon of an instrument gauge of a vehicle

An information system for a vehicle includes a computer for handling informational data corresponding to operation of the vehicle. A primary display is connected to the computer in a position to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle for presenting the informational data in multiple, sequential, interactive menu screens. A manual controller mounted on the steering wheel allows input to the computer and manipulation of the primary display through the menu screens. The controller includes a scroll wheel which is oriented so that its rotational axis is parallel to the steering axis. The controller includes a central push button for activating a particular selection highlighted on the primary display. A plurality of category selector buttons operate as mode switches for activating various vehicle system subjects through the information system. The scroll wheel and push button selectors establish an interface for the driver which can be operated intuitively, without taking eyes off the road or releasing the driver's grip of the steering wheel.

Vehicle information system with steering wheel controller

An information system for a vehicle includes a computer for handling informational data. This information data includes vehicle data corresponding to operation of the vehicle and external data such as internet web pages and email. A primary display is connected to the computer and in a position to be viewed by a driver of the vehicle. A primary input device allows input to the computer and manipulation of the primary display. A plurality of remote communicators are also operatively connected to the computer and movable about the vehicle. Each of the remote communicators includes a secondary display and a secondary input device for sending input to the computer and manipulating the secondary display. The secondary input device is also programmed to control the primary display for manipulating the informational data that is displayed to the driver.

Vehicle information system with remote communicators in a network environment

The invention provides a communications interface module mountable in a vehicle. The communications interface module includes a first electrical interface for electrically communicating with a control system of a vehicle. The communications interface module also includes a second electrical interface spaced from the first electrical interface for being positioned in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The communications interface module includes a plurality of communication lines extending in parallel between the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface. The plurality of communication lines exchange a plurality of different communication formats between the first electrical interface and the second electrical interface.

Growing community of inventors

Fenton, MI, United States of America

Timothy M Phillips