Abstract: A method of controlling a backing system for a vehicle and trailer assembly comprises initiating a backing system mode with an electronic control unit (ECU) for the backing system when a start system input is received from a control device. At least one input is received by the ECU from the control device which includes information about a desired vehicle action. The ECU interprets from the at least one input the desired vehicle action and calculates a required vehicle response to achieve the desired vehicle action. The ECU then sends a request to at least one vehicle system to perform the calculated vehicle response.

Abstract: A hitch assist system for a vehicle comprises a camera mounted to view a reverse path of a vehicle, an input device connected for the hitch assist system, and a controller. The controller includes instructions for detecting a trailer proximate to a vehicle with the camera, determining a vehicle hitch ball location, determining a trailer hitch location, and calculating a vehicle path from an initial position to a final position. The vehicle hitch ball is laterally aligned with the trailer hitch in the final position. The controller also includes instructions for calculating the steering and braking maneuvers necessary to move the vehicle along the path to the final position and sending instructions to a vehicle steering system and a vehicle brake system to perform the calculated maneuvers.

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 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 backing system for a vehicle comprises a camera for recording a video image of a user performing a gesture and an electronic control unit for the backing system, wherein the electronic control device includes instructions for: determining that the vehicle is backing up; interpreting a gesture with the electronic control unit to determine the meaning of the gesture; calculating a steering angle based upon the meaning of the gesture; and sending a request to a steering system to provide the steering angle.

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 disclosed method of maneuvering a vehicle-trailer unit in reverse travel with a backing system includes, among other things, determining that the vehicle-trailer unit is backing up with an electronic control unit for the backing system. A current hitch angle is determined, which represents the relative angle between the vehicle and the trailer with the electronic control unit. A requested hitch angle rate of change versus distance traveled is calculated with the electronic control unit, wherein the requested hitch angle rate of change is based upon an input which provides a requested hitch angle rate of change signal value. A steering angle is calculated with the electronic control unit based upon the requested hitch angle rate of change, wherein the steering angle will allow movement of the vehicle-trailer unit in the reverse direction to obtain the requested hitch angle rate of change; and a request is sent to a steering system to provide the steering angle.

Abstract: A disclosed method of maneuvering a vehicle-trailer unit in reverse travel with a backing system includes, among other things, determining that the vehicle-trailer unit is backing up with an electronic control unit for the backing system. A current hitch angle is determined, which represents the relative angle between the vehicle and the trailer with the electronic control unit. A requested hitch angle rate of change versus distance traveled is calculated with the electronic control unit, wherein the requested hitch angle rate of change is based upon an input which provides a requested hitch angle rate of change signal value. A steering angle is calculated with the electronic control unit based upon the requested hitch angle rate of change, wherein the steering angle will allow movement of the vehicle-trailer unit in the reverse direction to obtain the requested hitch angle rate of change; and a request is sent to a steering system to provide the steering angle.

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 disclosed method of maneuvering a vehicle-trailer unit in reverse travel with a backing system includes, among other things, determining that the vehicle-trailer unit is backing up with an electronic control unit for the backing system. A current hitch angle is determined, which represents the relative angle between the vehicle and the trailer with the electronic control unit. A requested hitch angle rate of change versus distance traveled is calculated with the electronic control unit, wherein the requested hitch angle rate of change is based upon a input from a joystick control which provides a requested hitch angle rate of change signal value in proportion to the joystick position.

Abstract: A backing system for a vehicle comprises a camera for recording a video image of a user performing a gesture and an electronic control unit for the backing system, wherein the electronic control device includes instructions for: determining that the vehicle is backing up; interpreting a gesture with the electronic control unit to determine the meaning of the gesture; calculating a steering angle based upon the meaning of the gesture; and sending a request to a steering system to provide the steering angle.

Abstract: A hitch assist system for a vehicle comprises a camera mounted to view a reverse path of a vehicle, an input device connected for the hitch assist system, and a controller. The controller includes instructions for detecting a trailer proximate to a vehicle with the camera, determining a vehicle hitch ball location, determining a trailer hitch location, and calculating a vehicle path from an initial position to a final position. The vehicle hitch ball is laterally aligned with the trailer hitch in the final position. The controller also includes instructions for calculating the steering and braking maneuvers necessary to move the vehicle along the path to the final position and sending instructions to a vehicle steering system and a vehicle brake system to perform the calculated maneuvers.

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 method of controlling a backing system for a vehicle and trailer assembly comprises initiating a backing system mode with an electronic control unit (ECU) for the backing system when a start system input is received from a control device. At least one input is received by the ECU from the control device which includes information about a desired vehicle action. The ECU interprets from the at least one input the desired vehicle action and calculates a required vehicle response to achieve the desired vehicle action. The ECU then sends a request to at least one vehicle system to perform the calculated vehicle response.

Abstract: A disclosed method of maneuvering a vehicle-trailer unit in reverse travel with a backing system includes, among other things, determining that the vehicle-trailer unit is backing up with an electronic control unit for the backing system. A current hitch angle is determined, which represents the relative angle between the vehicle and the trailer with the electronic control unit. A requested hitch angle rate of change versus distance traveled is calculated with the electronic control unit, wherein the requested hitch angle rate of change is based upon a input from a joystick control which provides a requested hitch angle rate of change signal value in proportion to the joystick position.