The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 14, 2021
Filed:
Apr. 30, 2019
Continental Automotive Systems, Inc., Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Eduardo Jose Ramirez Llanos, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Julien Ip, Madison Heights, MI (US);
Continental Automotive Systems, Inc., Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A method of detecting and localizing a coupler of a trailer hitch associated with a trailer positioned behind a tow vehicle is provided. The method includes determining a region of interest within images from a rear camera. The region of interest includes a representation of the trailer hitch. The method includes determining a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud representing objects inside the region of interest. The method includes determining a camera plane based on the images. The method includes projecting the cloud points onto the camera plane and determining a coupler location based on the projected cloud points onto the camera plane. The method includes determining a path based on the coupler location. The path ending when the tow vehicle is attached to the trailer. The method also includes sending instructions to a drive system causing the tow vehicle to autonomously drive in a rearward direction along the path.