US 11,753,076 B2
Automated hitching system with subject trailer selection from multiple identified trailers
Kenneth Michael Mayer, Ypsilanti, MI (US); Seyed Armin Raeis Hosseiny, Canton, MI (US); Bo Bao, Bloomfield, MI (US); and Luke Niewiadomski, Dearborn, MI (US)
Assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Sep. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/30,590.
Application 17/030,590 is a continuation of application No. 16/184,437, filed on Nov. 8, 2018, granted, now 10,829,152.
Prior Publication US 2021/0009205 A1, Jan. 14, 2021
Int. Cl. B62D 15/02 (2006.01); B60R 1/00 (2022.01); B60D 1/36 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 15/025 (2013.01) [B60D 1/36 (2013.01); B60R 1/00 (2013.01); B60R 2300/808 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hitching assistance system for a vehicle, comprising:
a human-machine interface within the vehicle; and
a controller:
acquiring image data from the vehicle;
identifying a plurality of trailers within the image data;
indicating, via the human-machine interface, that at least one of the plurality of trailers is at least one reachable trailer by the at least one trailer being positioned within a specified area of the image data, the specified area being less than a total field of the image data and defined by left and right steering angle limits of the vehicle;
receiving a selection, via the human-machine interface, of a subject trailer of the at least one reachable trailer within the specified area;
identifying a coupler of the subject trailer; and
autonomously steering the vehicle to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the subject trailer.