Patent ID: 7786849

Claim:
A proximity sensor system for a vehicle, the system comprising: a first remote sensor that senses first objects in a right rearward area relative to the vehicle; a second remote sensor that senses second objects in a left rearward area relative to the vehicle; a steering angle sensor that senses a steering angle of the vehicle; a trailer detection module in communication with said first remote sensor, said second remote sensor, and said steering angle sensor, said trailer detection module identifying a first condition when said first remote sensor senses an object in said right rearward area in conjunction with said steering angle sensor sensing a first steering angle and identifying a second condition when said second remote sensor senses an object in said left rearward area in conjunction with said steering angle sensor sensing a second steering angle different than said first steering angle and determining the presence of a trailer attached to the vehicle based on a predetermined pattern of at least one of said first condition and said second condition; a response module that selectively responds to said first and second objects other than said trailer based on said first and second objects other than said trailer outside of a predetermined distance threshold; and an indicator that responds to response module signals.