Systems and methods for a human machine interface for a trailer hitch system. One method includes receiving, a first user input, and presenting on a display a captured video image including a coupler, and determining an area into which the vehicle can be guided. The method includes presenting an indication of the area overlaying the captured video image. The method includes, in response to receiving a second user input indicating a location relative to the coupler, and when the vehicle is not in a reverse gear, presenting a visual command to put the vehicle in the reverse gear, and, when the vehicle is in the reverse gear, automatically steering the vehicle to the coupler based on the location. The method includes, during the automatic steering, receiving the speed of the vehicle, and, when the speed exceeds a threshold, presenting on the display a second visual command to slow the vehicle.

A trailer control device for mounting on a trailer, wherein the trailer control device includes a receiver unit configured to receive a signal from an external transmitter unit, a comparator connected to the receiver unit and configured to compare the received signal with a pre-defined signal stored in the comparator, and a transmitter unit connected to the comparator and configured to send a response signal to an external receiver unit for locating and/or identifying the trailer control device if the received signal matches the pre-defined signal.

A trailer assist system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of a vehicle and viewing a trailer hitch disposed at the vehicle. A control includes an image processor that processes image data captured by the camera that is representative of images of the trailer hitch viewed by the camera. The control, responsive to processing at the control of image data captured by the camera, detects a feature of the trailer hitch at determines Cartesian coordinates of the trailer hitch location and transforms the Cartesian coordinates of the detected feature to cylindrical coordinates. The control, responsive at least in part to determining the cylindrical coordinates of the detected feature, determines a three-dimensional location of the trailer hitch at the vehicle.

A vehicle is provided that includes a trailer hitch, a camera oriented to capture images of the trailer hitch, and a controller processing the captured images, detecting a trailer safety chain associated with a trailer, determining a connection state of the trailer safety chain to the vehicle, and generating an output indicative of the determined connection state of the trailer safety chain to the vehicle. The vehicle may determine a change in a scene of the captured image following placement of a trailer coupler onto a vehicle hitch and determine a trailer connection state based on the change in scene.

A vehicle is provided with a trailer hitch, a camera oriented to capture images of the trailer hitch, and a controller processing the captured images, detecting a trailer coupler coupled to the trailer hitch, determining a locked or unlocked state of the hitch coupler by comparing the captured images to known trailer coupler images, and generating an output indicative of the determined state of the trailer coupler.

A method of calibrating a driver assistance system comprises entering a calibration mode for a driver assistance system, determining a first estimated position and heading of the vehicle at a first location, capturing an image from a camera and selecting at least one feature in the image. The method of calibrating also includes moving the vehicle to a second location and heading and determining a second estimated position and heading of the vehicle, capturing a second image from a camera and selecting at least one feature in the second image, where the selected feature in the second image the same feature as the selected feature in the first image. The method also includes calculating new vehicle motion parameter values based on the first estimated position and heading, second estimated position and heading, first recorded at least one feature data, and second recorded at least one feature data.

A method for training an image-based trailer identification system comprises capturing a plurality of captured images in a field of view and identifying a detected trailer angle for a trailer in connection with a vehicle in each of the captured images. The method further comprises comparing the captured images and the corresponding trailer angles to a predetermined image set comprising a plurality of teaching trailer angles and identifying at least one required trailer angle of the teaching trailer angles that is not included in the captured images. Based on the captured images, a simulated angle image is generated. The simulated image comprises a depiction of the trailer in connection with the vehicle at the at least one required angle not included in the captured images. The method further comprises supplying the simulated angle image to the identification system for training.

A vehicle hitching assistance system includes a controller acquiring image data from the vehicle, identifying a plurality of trailers within the image data, receiving a selection of a subject trailer of the plurality of trailers, identifying a coupler of the subject trailer, and outputting a steering signal to the vehicle to cause the vehicle to steer to align a hitch ball of the vehicle with the coupler of the subject trailer.

A backup assist system for a vehicle reversing a trailer includes a controller receiving a driver control signal and outputting a vehicle backing steering command based on the control signal and limited by one of a first angle limit corresponding with a calculated maximum controllable angle and a second angle limit at a maneuverability threshold below the maximum controllable angle. The system further includes an interface outputting an indication of the one of the first and second angle limits.

A vehicular vision system includes a rear backup camera and a display device viewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle. The display device includes a video screen operable to display video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera. Video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera are displayed by the video screen of the display device when a transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted into reverse gear by the driver of the equipped vehicle. The video screen continues to display video images derived, at least in part, from image data captured by the rear backup video camera for a threshold time period after the transmission of the equipped vehicle is shifted out of reverse gear by the driver of the equipped vehicle.