Assisted trailer alignment system

Abstract

A method is provided for assisting a driver of a vehicle with left-right driving alignment. One embodiment of the method includes projecting a vertical line across a windshield of the vehicle, the vertical line is configured to operate as a visible indication of whether the vehicle is headed on a course that will cause the vehicle to pass substantially evenly between two points that the vehicle has not yet encountered.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for assisting a driver of a vehicle with left-right driving alignment while the vehicle is in motion, the method comprising projecting a vertical line across a windshield of the vehicle, the vertical line configured to operate as a visible indication of whether the vehicle is headed on a course that will cause the vehicle to pass substantially evenly between two points that the vehicle has not yet encountered. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein projecting the vertical line further comprises projecting a portion of the vertical line on a surface between the vehicle and the two points. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating a device that projects the vertical line, wherein activating comprises activating in response to a remotely provided signal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein projecting the vertical line further comprises projecting a portion of the vertical line on a surface located between the two points. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating a device that projects the vertical line, wherein activating comprises activating automatically in response to a sensed condition. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein projecting the vertical line further comprises projecting the vertical line such that part of the vertical line is on the vehicle and part of the vertical line is off of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating a device that projects the vertical line, wherein activating comprises activating in response to a signal transmitted from a device in the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein projecting the vertical line further comprises projecting the vertical line from a location in front of the vehicle as the vehicle is on course to pass between the two points. 
     
     
         9 . A method for assisting a driver of a vehicle with left-right driving alignment, the method comprising projecting a visible light indicator onto a windshield of the vehicle, wherein projecting comprises projecting from a position on a side of the windshield that is opposite a side where the driver is seated, and wherein projecting further comprises projecting such that the visible light indicator signals to the driver whether the vehicle is presently moving on a course that will cause the vehicle to pass substantially evenly between two points. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein projecting the visible light indicator further comprises projecting a portion of the visible light indicator onto a surface between the vehicle and the two points. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising activating a device that projects the visible light indicator, wherein activating comprises activating in response to a remotely provided signal. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein projecting the visible light indicator further comprises projecting a portion of the visible light indicator onto a surface located between the two points. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising activating a device that projects the visible light indicator, wherein activating comprises activating automatically in response to a sensed condition. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein projecting the visible light indicator further comprises projecting the visible light indicator such that part of the visible light indicator is on the vehicle and part is off of the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein projecting the visible light indicator further comprises projecting the visible light indicator from a location in front of the vehicle as the vehicle is on course to pass between the two points. 
     
     
         16 . A method for assisting a driver of a vehicle with left-right driving alignment, the method comprising providing the driver with a visual indication out in front of the vehicle of a string of locations that are substantially equidistant from two points through which the car will pass substantially evenly between if the vehicle is kept on a course that causes a centerline of the vehicle to stay substantially aligned with the locations. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing the visual indication further comprises providing the visual indication such that part of the visible indication is on the vehicle and part is off of the vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing the visual indication further comprises providing from a location in front of the vehicle as the vehicle is on course to pass between the two points. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein providing the visual indication further comprises providing a portion of the visual indication on a surface located between the vehicle and the two points. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising activating a device that provides the visual indication, wherein activating comprises activating in response to a remotely provided signal.