A peripheral monitoring device according to an embodiment includes an acquirer configured to acquire a first image generated by an imaging device, and acquire a steering angle of a vehicle, the imaging device that images an area behind the vehicle; a calculator configured to calculate an estimate of trajectory of a first coupling device from the steering angle, the first coupling device being mounted on the vehicle to couple the vehicle to a towed vehicle; and an output configured to display the first image on a display screen for use in an interior of the vehicle and to superimpose a second image on the first image on the display screen. The second image is of a linear shape representing the estimate of trajectory. The linear shape widens continuously or in stages as being away from a vehicle-side end.

A vehicle control system includes an imager mounted with and directed to a rear of the vehicle and outputting image data, a vehicle speed sensor mounted with the vehicle and outputting vehicle speed data, and an image processor receiving the image data and the vehicle speed data. The image processor is programmed to monitor a signal from the vehicle speed sensor and, when the signal from the vehicle speed sensor indicates a vehicle speed above a predetermined minimum speed, execute a feature extraction function to locate a hitch ball mounted to the vehicle in the image data.

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.

A hitch assist system is provided herein that includes a sensing system configured to detect a trailer proximate a vehicle. The hitch assist system also includes a controller for determining an environmental visibility level; determining an offset from a first sensor in high visibility levels and from a second sensor in low visibility levels; and maneuvering the vehicle along a path to align a hitch ball with a coupler of the trailer.

The invention relates to a method for assisting a driver of a motor vehicle (1) in maneuvering the motor vehicle (1) with a trailer (3), wherein image data is captured from an environmental region (12) of the motor vehicle (1) by means of at least one vehicle-side camera (5) and by means of at least one trailer-side camera (10) and an image (B) of the environmental region (12) is created for displaying on a vehicle-side display device (14) depending on the captured image data, wherein a perspective (P1, P2), from which the environmental region (12) is displayed in the image (B), is determined depending on a pivot angle (17) between the trailer (3) and the motor vehicle (1). The invention additionally relates to a driver assistance system (2) as well as to a vehicle/trailer combination with a motor vehicle (1), a trailer (3) and a driver assistance system (2).

A motor vehicle includes apparatus for towing a trailer with a retractable drop leg. A backup camera captures a detection image with a field of view including the trailer. A vehicle controller detects an initiation of driving with the trailer being connected. A pattern memory prestores at least one image pattern indicative of an extended position or a retracted position of the drop leg. An image scanner receives the detection image when the initiation of driving is detected, wherein the image scanner compares the detection image and the at least one image pattern to detect whether the drop leg is in the extended position. A notification device responsive to the image scanner alerts a driver if the extended position is detected.

A vehicle maneuvering apparatus comprises an imaging device configured to capture image data and a controller in communication with a vehicle maneuvering system. The controller is configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer in the image data and compare a coupler height of the coupler position with a hitch height of a hitch ball. In response to the coupler height being insufficient to clear the hitch height, the controller is further configured to calculate a target position laterally offset from the coupler position and communicate the target position to the vehicle maneuvering system.

A vehicle control system includes an imager mounted with and directed to a rear of the vehicle and outputting image data, a vehicle speed sensor mounted with the vehicle and outputting vehicle speed data, and an image processor receiving the image data and the vehicle speed data. The image processor is programmed to monitor a signal from the vehicle speed sensor and, when the signal from the vehicle speed sensor indicates a vehicle speed above a predetermined minimum speed, execute a feature extraction function to locate a hitch ball mounted to the vehicle in the image data.

A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a camera module that is moveable back and forth between a first and a second position. In the first position, the camera module is mounted to, and at least partially housed within, a portion of a vehicle. In the second position, the camera module is mounted to a structure other than the vehicle. A viewing method includes using a camera module to view a first area when the camera module is at least partially housed within a portion of a vehicle in a first position. The method further includes using the camera module to view a different, second area after moving the camera module to a second position where the camera module is mounted to a structure other than the vehicle.

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.