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 are disclosed for performing a trailer operation for a vehicle having a tow ball. The method includes receiving a first image from a rear camera disposed along a rear portion of the vehicle in a first position; and detecting a pixel position of a representation of the tow ball in the first image. Following the rear camera being moved from the first position to a second position along the rear portion of the vehicle, the method includes receiving a second image from the rear camera. The method also includes detecting a second pixel position of a representation of the tow ball in the second image; and estimating a position of the tow ball relative to the vehicle based on the first and second positions of the rear camera and the detected pixel positions of the representations of the tow ball in the first and second images.

Abstract: A method includes calculating, at a data processing hardware, a relative angle between a tow vehicle and a trailer attached to the tow vehicle. An absolute angle of the tow vehicle is determined at the data processing hardware. An absolute angle of the trailer based on the relative angle and the absolute angle of the tow vehicle is calculated at the data processing hardware. A dimension of the trailer is determined at the data processing hardware. A trailer levelling adjustment based on the absolute angle of the trailer and the dimension of the trailer is calculated at the data processing hardware.

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 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 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 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 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 vision system for a vehicle includes an image sensor disposed at a subject vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the subject vehicle. A control is operable to process image data captured by the image sensor to detect an object exterior of the subject vehicle. The control is operable to process captured image data to detect points of interest present in the field of view of the image sensor and, responsive to processing of captured image data, the control is operable to determine movement of the detected points of interest. The control is operable to process captured image data to determine movement vectors and, responsive to processing of captured image data, the control is operable to determine an object of interest in the field of view of the image sensor and exterior of the subject vehicle.

Abstract: A vision system for a vehicle includes an image sensor disposed at a subject vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the subject vehicle. A control is operable to process image data captured by the image sensor to detect an object exterior of the subject vehicle. The control is operable to process captured image data to detect points of interest present in the field of view of the image sensor and, responsive to processing of captured image data, the control is operable to determine movement of the detected points of interest. The control is operable to process captured image data to determine movement vectors and, responsive to processing of captured image data, the control is operable to determine an object of interest in the field of view of the image sensor and exterior of the subject vehicle.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement having a master microcontroller operably connected to a sensor for detecting a parameter. A power communications line is connected between the power source, master microcontroller, and sensor, wherein the power communications line carries power to the sensor as well as communication signals between the sensor and the master microcontroller. An embodiment of an automotive ultrasonic sensor system for object detection is disclosed, where the master microcontroller is connected to a number of external ultrasonic sensors via the circuit arrangement. The circuit arrangement is also advantageous in enabling a separate wire harnesses to be configured for the external ultrasonic sensors that operates at logic power levels (e.g., 5V) rather than the vehicular accessory drive voltage (typically 12V) present in the vehicular wire harness that interfaces the master microcontroller with other controllers in the vehicle.

Abstract: A method for filtering an object by a vehicular sensor system, including emitting a first signal, detecting a first echo, the first echo including at least a portion of the first signal reflected by the object, filtering a first time value of the first echo, emitting a second signal, detecting a second echo, the second echo including at least a portion of the second signal reflected by the object, and filtering a second time value of the second echo.

Abstract: The integration areas, system and method of interconnecting components provide efficient techniques for separating the conductive path between components from the pin-to-pin integration between components through the use of conductive elements that may be interconnected in a variety of manners. The interconnections between the conductive elements may be configured automatically and may be modified relatively easily. The integration area includes component connection receptacles, first conductive elements that extend from each component connection receptacle, second conductive elements that extend across at least one first conductive element, and connections between the conductive elements to interconnect the components. The conductive elements may include flatwire segments and/or printed circuit boards. The connections between the conductive elements may be made with pins and jumpers, connection vias and solder patches and/or various insulation barriers through which the conductive elements connect.

Abstract: The electrical connector insert, apparatus and associated fabrication method provide a connector insert attached to flat wire segments. In addition, the connector insert retains the industry accepted openings into which connection portions, such as pins, of the component are positioned. The insert includes at least one housing, which includes multiple openings to receive at least one connector portion of at least one component and multiple conductive contacts, such as conductive pins and/or conductive sockets, that extend at least partially within the at least one housing, where each conductive contact is associated with an opening. The insert also includes at least one flat wire segment having conductive traces and connection elements to connect the conductive contacts of the housing to the conductive traces. If there are at least two housings, the housings may be sized and shaped to cooperate with each other when the housings are positioned adjacent one another.

Abstract: The electrical connector insert, apparatus and associated fabrication method provide a connector insert attached to flat wire segments. In addition, the connector insert retains the industry accepted openings into which connection portions, such as pins, of the component are positioned. The insert includes at least one housing, which includes multiple openings to receive at least one connector portion of at least one component and multiple conductive contacts, such as conductive pins and/or conductive sockets, that extend at least partially within the at least one housing, where each conductive contact is associated with an opening. The insert also includes at least one flat wire segment having conductive traces and connection elements to connect the conductive contacts of the housing to the conductive traces. If there are at least two housings, the housings may be sized and shaped to cooperate with each other when the housings are positioned adjacent one another.

Abstract: The integration areas, system and method of interconnecting components provide efficient techniques for separating the conductive path between components from the pin-to-pin integration between components through the use of conductive elements that may be interconnected in a variety of manners. The interconnections between the conductive elements may be configured automatically and may be modified relatively easily. The integration area includes component connection receptacles, first conductive elements that extend from each component connection receptacle, second conductive elements that extend across at least one first conductive element, and connections between the conductive elements to interconnect the components. The conductive elements may include flatwire segments and/or printed circuit boards. The connections between the conductive elements may be made with pins and jumpers, connection vias and solder patches and/or various insulation barriers through which the conductive elements connect.