Abstract: A method for determining a location of a trailer in an image includes obtaining at least one real-time image from a vehicle. The at least one real-time image is processed with a controller on the vehicle to obtain a feature patch describing at least one real-time image. A convolution is performed of the feature patch and each filter from a set of filters with the filter being based on data representative of known trailers. A location of a trailer is determined in the at least one real-time image based on the convolution between the feature patch and each filter from the set of filters.

Abstract: A method, system and software product for maneuvering a vehicle-trailer unit in reverse travel with a trailer backing system is disclosed. The vehicle has a trailer hitch and a trailer is coupled to the trailer hitch thereby allowing a horizontal swivel movement of the trailer around the hitch. The trailer backing system includes an electronics control unit (ECU) and an input device communicatively coupled thereto. The method includes receiving, at the ECU, a selection of a trailer maneuver from a plurality of defined trailer maneuvers; and configuring the input device based upon the selected trailer maneuver, the input device being operable with the ECU to operate the vehicle for performing the trailer maneuver selected.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle's trailer reverse assist system is disclosed, including receiving vehicle sensor system data from one or more sensors supported by the vehicle. Based upon the received vehicle sensor data, a trailer pitch angle and a trailer roll angle of a coupled trailer are estimated relative to the vehicle. Surface unevenness of a surface traversed by the vehicle and the trailer is estimated, based upon the estimated trailer pitch angle and the estimated trailer roll angle. One or more parameters of the trailer reverse assist system or of the tow vehicle are adjusted based upon the estimated road surface variance. The trailer reverse assist system of the tow vehicle is subsequently operated using the adjusted one or more parameters.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a vehicle's trailer reverse assist system is disclosed, including receiving vehicle sensor system data from one or more sensors supported by the vehicle. Based upon the received vehicle sensor data, a trailer pitch angle and a trailer roll angle of a coupled trailer are estimated relative to the vehicle. Surface unevenness of a surface traversed by the vehicle and the trailer is estimated, based upon the estimated trailer pitch angle and the estimated trailer roll angle. One or more parameters of the trailer reverse assist system or of the tow vehicle are adjusted based upon the estimated road surface variance. The trailer reverse assist system of the tow vehicle is subsequently operated using the adjusted one or more parameters.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a trailer in an image includes obtaining at least one real-time image from a vehicle. The at least one real-time image is processed with a controller on the vehicle to obtain a feature patch describing at least one real-time image. A convolution is performed of the feature patch and each filter from a set of filters with the filter being based on data representative of known trailers. A location of a trailer is determined in the at least one real-time image based on the convolution between the feature patch and each filter from the set of filters.

Abstract: A trailer reverse assist (TRA) system for a tow vehicle aids in reversing an attached trailer. The TRA system includes a processor circuit; at least one camera to obtain images of the trailer; and vehicle dynamic sensors to obtain vehicle dynamics data from the vehicle. The processor circuit, while the TRA system is in a standby, non-active state and while the vehicle is in Drive and traveling forward at a speed above a threshold speed: learns parameters and/or image features of an attached trailer based on data from the at least one camera and the vehicle dynamic sensors; causes the learned parameters and/or image features of the attached trailer to be stored in a database; and informs the driver via the infotainment system that the TRA system can be activated.

Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle-trailer unit includes recording, with an electronic control unit for a trailer assist system, a plurality of maneuvers of the vehicle-trailer unit as each maneuver is executed in an original direction of travel. The method also includes retrieving the recorded plurality of maneuvers in response to an initiating of a tight spot reversal feature for the trailer assist system. The method further includes instructing vehicle systems to perform the retrieved recorded plurality of maneuvers in the reverse order and direction of travel in which they were recorded.

Abstract: A trailer reverse assist (TRA) system for a tow vehicle aids in reversing an attached trailer. The TRA system includes a processor circuit; at least one camera to obtain images of the trailer; and vehicle dynamic sensors to obtain vehicle dynamics data from the vehicle. The processor circuit, while the TRA system is in a standby, non-active state and while the vehicle is in Drive and traveling forward at a speed above a threshold speed: learns parameters and/or image features of an attached trailer based on data from the at least one camera and the vehicle dynamic sensors; causes the learned parameters and/or image features of the attached trailer to be stored in a database; and informs the driver via the infotainment system that the TRA system can be activated.

Abstract: A backing system for a vehicle and trailer includes a wireless control device in communication with an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured with programming to record an image of a hitch for the vehicle and trailer assembly and determine a hitch angle using a plurality of reference points on the trailer which are viewed by the camera. The portions of the image which are relevant to a current position of the vehicle and trailer assembly are determined by the electronic control unit. Data regarding the relevant portions are sent to the control device via a secured wireless connection and displayed on a display.

Abstract: A method of controlling a backing system for a vehicle and trailer assembly includes: initiating a backing system mode; recording at least one image of a trailer for the vehicle and trailer assembly with a camera mounted to the vehicle; identifying a current plurality of features of the trailer in the image; learning a current plurality of distances associated with the current plurality of features. Then comparing the current plurality of features and distances with stored plurality of features of distances to determine if there is a match. If there is not a match a current calibration of a plurality of relative distances associated with the plurality of reference features is learned while the driver performs a number of preset calibration maneuvers. A relative position between the vehicle and the trailer is determined using the stored calibration and the current plurality of features and current plurality of relative distance.

Abstract: A failure detection and correction function which is able to detect a failure of an automatic braking system, and provide a corrected action. The failure detection and correction function is independent of the automatic braking function. The failure detection and correction function uses object coordinates and the speed of the vehicle to determine the collision risk, and then calculates a desired deceleration if there is imminent collision. The function uses desired deceleration to compare to a deceleration request from automatic braking function to determine if there is a failure. The failure detection and correction function takes corrected action to avoid the collision if the automatic braking function has failed.

Abstract: A method of generating an overhead view of a tow vehicle and a trailer attached to the tow vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving first sensor system data from a sensor system and determining a trailer width based on the first sensor system data. The method includes receiving a second sensor system data from the sensor system and determining a trailer length based on the sensor system data. The method includes determining a separation distance between the trailer and the vehicle based on the first and/or second sensor system data. The method includes generating an overhead image including a vehicle representation and a trailer representation based on the trailer width, the trailer length, the separation distance, the vehicle length, and the vehicle width. The method also includes transmitting instructions to display the overhead image.

Abstract: A method for determining a water level with respect to a vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving vehicle sensor data from one or more sensors supported by the vehicle. The method also includes determining the water level based on the received sensor data. The method includes transmitting instructions to a drive system. The instructions causing vehicle brakes supported by the vehicle to engage.

Abstract: A backing system for a trailer and vehicle and associated method includes recording an image of a hitch for the vehicle and trailer assembly with a camera. A plurality of distances related to geometry of the vehicle and the trailer and a plurality of reference points are learned based on the camera inputs. A plurality of reference distances related to the plurality of reference points are then determined. A current hitch angle may then be determined using the plurality of reference distances and the geometry distances.

Abstract: A method of avoiding a collision while operating a vehicle in reverse comprises detecting an object proximate to a vehicle with at least one sensor including detecting objects located along side of a vehicle and determining a predicted vehicle path, including a tracking path for front wheels of the vehicle. A probability is determined with a controller located within the vehicle of collision of one of the front corner and a side of the vehicle with the object while the vehicle is travelling in reverse and at least one collision avoidance response is determined with the controller based on the probability of collision.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a camera disposed on a side of the vehicle and configured to capture images associated with a field-of-view adjacent the side of the vehicle. A display is disposed adjacent or near the side of the vehicle and in communication with the camera to display the images captured by the camera. The display may supplement and/or replace traditional side-view mirrors of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of generating an overhead view of a tow vehicle and a trailer attached to the tow vehicle is provided. The method includes receiving first sensor system data from a sensor system and determining a trailer width based on the first sensor system data. The method includes receiving a second sensor system data from the sensor system and determining a trailer length based on the sensor system data. The method includes determining a separation distance between the trailer and the vehicle based on the first and/or second sensor system data. The method includes generating an overhead image including a vehicle representation and a trailer representation based on the trailer width, the trailer length, the separation distance, the vehicle length, and the vehicle width. The method also includes transmitting instructions to display the overhead image.

Abstract: A failure detection and correction function which is able to detect a failure of an automatic braking system, and provide a corrected action. The failure detection and correction function is independent of the automatic braking function. The failure detection and correction function uses object coordinates and the speed of the vehicle to determine the collision risk, and then calculates a desired deceleration if there is imminent collision. The function uses desired deceleration to compare to a deceleration request from automatic braking function to determine if there is a failure. The failure detection and correction function takes corrected action to avoid the collision if the automatic braking function has failed.

Abstract: A backing system for a vehicle-trailer unit includes an input device for providing a input used to determine a first and second requested hitch angle. The first hitch angle is disposed within a standard range of motion of the input device while the second hitch angle is disposed within a maximum range of motion, different from the standard range of motion. Movement of the input device in the standard range of motion limits the requested hitch angle to a first maximum value to prevent jack-knifing of the vehicle-trailer unit. However, movement of the input device in the maximum range of motion does not limit the actual hitch angle.

Abstract: A method of controlling a backing system for a vehicle and trailer assembly includes: initiating a backing system mode; recording at least one image of a trailer for the vehicle and trailer assembly with a camera mounted to the vehicle; identifying a current plurality of features of the trailer in the image; learning a current plurality of distances associated with the current plurality of features. Then comparing the current plurality of features and distances with stored plurality of features of distances to determine if there is a match. If there is not a match a current calibration of a plurality of relative distances associated with the plurality of reference features is learned while the driver performs a number of preset calibration maneuvers. A relative position between the vehicle and the trailer is determined using the stored calibration and the current plurality of features and current plurality of relative distance.