Tailgate ajar and security monitoring system

• US 20050222732A1
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Published: 10/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Robertson, Timothy H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,400,971 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/103 where lower door part moves independently from other door structures, e.g. by being hinged on the vehicle body

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention is a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly adapted to indicate a position of a cargo door/tailgate including a processor configured to receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device, receive input from a door/gate position input device, analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device, analyze the input from the door/gate position input device, and output a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device and the input from the door/gate position input device. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a reconfigurable security device configured to selectively take into account the position of a cargo door/tailgate to determine whether a vehicle'"'"'s security has been breached.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly adapted to indicate a position of a cargo door/tailgate, comprising:

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device;

receive input from a door/gate position input device;

analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device;

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device; and

output a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device and the input from the door/gate position input device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device and determine that the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device; and

output a signal to the door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar when the processor determines that the door/gate is ajar.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device and determine that the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device; and

output a signal to the door/gate position indicator to change a state of the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar when the door/gate is determined to be ajar.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device and determine that the door/gate is not ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device; and

output a signal to the door/gate position indicator to change a state of the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate is determined not to be ajar.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device and determine that the door/gate is not ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device; and

output a signal to the door/gate position indicator to change a state of the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate is determined not to be ajar.

6. A reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly adapted to indicate a position of a cargo door/tailgate comprising:

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device; and

receive input from a door/gate position input device;

wherein

the processor includes logic to;

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device and determine whether the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device;

analyze, only if the processor determines that the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device, input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device, wherein the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device includes a determination that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly; and

output, only if the processor determines that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly, a signal to a door/gate position indicator to;

control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

receive input from a gear indicator; and

determine whether the input from the gear indicator is indicative of a vehicle in a gear other than the parked gear;

wherein

the logic of the processor is such that the processor does not analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device if the processor determines that the input from the gear indicator is indicative of a vehicle in a gear other than the parked gear.

8. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

output, only if the processor determines that the door/gate is not ajar based on input from the door/gate position input device, a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar; and

output, only if the processor has determined that the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device and only if the processor has not determined that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly, a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is ajar.

10. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is ajar and is not ajar;

wherein the processor includes logic to;

place the door/gate position indicator in a mode to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar if the processor determines that the door/gate is not ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device; and

place the door/gate position indicator in a mode to indicate that the door/gate is ajar if the processor had determined that the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device and if the processor has not determined that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the logic is adapted to determine that the processor has not determined that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly if the processor has not determined that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly within a predetermined time period.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the device further includes:

a door/gate monitoring mode input device including a switch adapted to output a signal indicative of switch toggling or button actuation;

wherein

the processor is adapted to receive the signal indicative of switch toggling or button actuation and determine that receipt by the processor of a predetermined number of signals within a predetermined time period is output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly.

9. A reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly adapted to indicate a position of a cargo door/tailgate comprising:

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device; and

receive input from a door/gate position input device;

wherein

the processor includes logic to;

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device and determine whether the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device;

output, only if the processor determines that the door/gate is not ajar based on input from the door/gate position input device, a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar; and

output, only if the processor determines that the door/gate is ajar based on input from the door/gate position input device, a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is ajar; and

analyze input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device, wherein the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device includes a determination that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly; and

output, only if the processor determines that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly, a signal to a door/gate position indicator to;

change an indication state of the door/gate position indicator.

13. A reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly adapted to indicate a position of a cargo door/tailgate comprising:

a processor adapted to;

device; and

receive input from a door/gate position input device;

wherein

the processor includes logic to;

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device and determine whether or not the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device,

output, if the processor determines that the door/gate is not ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device, a signal to a door/gate position indicator to;

maintain the indication state of the door/gate position indicator or control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar;

analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device and determine whether or not output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly;

output, if the processor has determined that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is not indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly, a signal to a door/gate position indicator to;

maintain the indication state of the door/gate position indicator or control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is ajar; and

output, if the processor determines that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly, a signal to a door/gate position indicator to;

control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar.

14. The assembly of claim 13. wherein the logic of the processor is such that the processor does not analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device if the processor determines that the door/gate is not ajar.

15. A vehicle, comprising:

a vehicle including;

a cargo door or a tailgate; and

a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly including;

a door/gate position indicator; and

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device;

analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device; and

output a signal to the door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device;

wherein

the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly is adapted to indicate to a driver of the vehicle whether the cargo door or tailgate, is actually ajar utilizing the door/gate position indicator.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the door/gate position indicator is adapted to indicate that the door/gate is ajar at least sometimes when a door/gate position input device outputs information indicative that the door/gate is ajar;

and wherein the processor is further adapted to;

control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar when the door/gate position input device outputs information indicative that the door/gate is ajar.

17. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the door/gate position indicator is adapted to indicate that the door/gate is ajar at least sometimes when a door/gate position input device outputs information indicative that the door/gate is ajar;

and wherein the processor is further adapted to;

control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar when the door/gate position input device outputs information indicative that the door/gate is ajar based on input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly.

18. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising a door/gate position input device adapted to output information indicative that the door/gate is ajar;

wherein the door/gate position indicator is adapted to indicate that the door/gate is ajar at least sometimes when the door/gate position input device outputs information indicative that the door/gate is ajar; and

wherein the processor is further adapted to;

control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar when the door/gate position input device outputs information indicative that the door/gate is ajar.

19. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the processor is further adapted to receive input indicative of a position of the cargo door or the tail gate.

20. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the processor is adapted to output a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device and based on an analysis of input from a door/gate position input device.

21. The vehicle of claim 20, wherein the processor is adapted to control, after receiving input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device indicative of a user'"'"'s desire to have the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly operate in a user controlled mode, the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the cargo door or tailgate, is ajar when the cargo door or tailgate, is actually not ajar.

22. A security device adapted to monitor the security of a vehicle with a cargo door/tailgate, comprising:

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate position input device;

receive input from a cabin door position input device;

receive input from a door/gate security mode input device;

analyze input from the door/gate position input device;

analyze input from the cabin door position input device;

analyze input from the door/gate security mode input device;

wherein the processor includes logic to;

determine that security of a vehicle has been breached if;

the input from the door/gate security mode input device indicates that the processor should consider received input from the door/gate position input device indicative of the door/gate being open to be indicative of a security breach; and

the input from the door/gate position input device is indicative of the door/gate being open; and

determine that the security of a vehicle has been breached if;

the input from the door/gate security mode input device indicates that the processor should consider received input from the door/gate position input device indicative of the door/gate being open to not be indicative of a security breach; and

the input from the door/gate position input device is indicative of the door/gate being open; and

input from the cabin door position input device is indicative of the cabin door being open; and

determine that the security of the vehicle has not been breached if;

the input from the door/gate security mode input device indicates that the processor should consider received input from the door/gate position input device indicative of the door/gate being open to not be indicative of a security breach; and

the input from the door/gate position input device is indicative of the door/gate being open; and

input from the cabin door position input device is indicative of the cabin door not being open.

23. A vehicle with a security device adapted to monitor the position of a cabin door and a cargo door/tailgate, comprising:

a vehicle including;

a cargo door or a tail gate;

a cabin door;

a door/gate position input device;

a cabin door position input device; and

a security device, wherein the security device is adapted to;

receive input indicative of a users'"'"' desire for the security device to operate in at least a first mode of security and a second mode of security and enter a respective mode of security based on the received input indicative of the user'"'"'s desire to operate in at least the first mode of security and the second mode of security;

determine, while operating in the first or second mode of security, that the security of a vehicle has been breached based on input from the cabin door position input device indicating that the cabin door is ajar;

determine, while operating in the first mode of security, that the security of a vehicle has been breached based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the door/gate is ajar; and

determine, while operating in the second mode of security, that the security of a vehicle has not been breached based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the door/gate is ajar.

24. The vehicle according to claim 23, wherein the security device is further adapted to:

receive input indicative of at least a third mode of security and enter the third mode of security based on the received input indicative of the third mode of security;

determine, while operating in the third mode of security, that the security of a vehicle has not been breached based on input from the cabin door position input device indicating that the cabin door is ajar or based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the door/gate is ajar.

25. A vehicle with a security device adapted to monitor the position of a cabin door and a cargo door/tailgate, comprising:

a vehicle including;

a cargo door or a tail gate;

a cabin door;

a door/gate position input device;

a cabin door position input device; and

a security device, wherein the security device is adapted to;

receive input indicative of a users'"'"' desire for the security device to operate in at least a first mode of security and a second mode of security and enter a respective mode of security based on the received input indicative of the user'"'"'s desire to operate in at least a first mode of security and a second mode of security;

determine, while operating in the either the first or second mode of security, that the security of a vehicle has been breached based on input from the cabin door position input device indicating that the cabin door is ajar;

determine, while operating in the first mode of security, that the security of a vehicle has been breached based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the cargo door or tailgate is ajar; and

disregard, while operating in the second mode of security, any output from the door/gate position input device indicative of the cargo door or tailgate being ajar.

26. The vehicle according to claim 25, wherein the security device is adapted to analyze input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the cargo door or tailgate is ajar;

wherein the security device further includes;

a device adapted to generate, while the security device operates in the second mode of security, input substantially replicating input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the cargo door or tailgate is not ajar;

wherein

the security device analyzes, while the security device operates in the second mode of security, the input substantially replicating input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the cargo door or tailgate is not ajar instead of input from the door/gate position input device.

27. The vehicle according to claim 26, wherein the security device is adapted to determine that the door/gate is not ajar based on the input substantially replicating input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the cargo door or tailgate is not ajar instead of input from the door/gate position input device when the cargo door or tailgate is actually ajar, and thus determine, while operating in the second mode of security, that the security of a vehicle has not been breached when the cargo door or the tailgate is actually ajar.

28. A method of making a vehicle with a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly, comprising:

obtaining a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes;

a cargo door or a tailgate; and

installing a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly onto the vehicle, the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator including;

a door/gate position indicator; and

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device;

analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device; and

output a signal to the door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device;

wherein

the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly is adapted to indicate to a driver of the vehicle whether the cargo door or tailgate is actually ajar utilizing the door/gate position indicator.

29. A method of modifying a vehicle with a cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly to include a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly, comprising:

obtaining a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes;

a cargo door or a tailgate;

a door/gate position input device adapted to receive input regarding whether the cargo door or the tailgate is ajar and output information indicative of whether the cargo door or the tailgate is ajar; and

a door/gate position indicator;

wherein the door/gate position indicator indicates that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate position input device receives input that the door/gate is ajar; and

modifying the vehicle, wherein modifying the vehicle includes;

installing a modification device on the vehicle so that a user can selectively prevent the door/gate position indicator from indicating that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate position input device receives input that the door/gate is ajar.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the modification device comprises a switch, and wherein the method further includes:

installing the switch on the vehicle so that the switch at least one of;

opens a circuit in which the door/gate position input device is located such that the door/gate position input device cannot indicate that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate position input device receives input that the door/gate is ajar; and

shorts a circuit in which the door/gate position input device is located such that the door/gate position input device cannot indicate that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate position input device receives input that the door/gate is ajar.

31. A method of making a vehicle with a security device, comprising:

obtaining a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes;

a cargo door or a tailgate

a cabin door;

a door/gate position input device;

a security system; and

modifying the security system of the vehicle so that the security system of the vehicle is adapted to;

receive input indicative of a users'"'"' desire for the security device to operate in at least a first mode of security and a second mode of security and enter a respective mode of security based on the received input indicative of the user'"'"'s desire to operate in at least the first mode of security and the second mode of security;

determine, while operating in the first or second mode of security, that the security of a vehicle has been breached based on input from a cabin door position input device indicating that the cabin door is ajar;

determine, while operating in the first mode of security, that the security of a vehicle has been breached based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the door/gate is ajar; and

determine, while operating in the second mode of security, that the security of a vehicle has not been breached based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the door/gate is ajar.

32. A method of making a vehicle with a security device, comprising:

obtaining a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes;

a cargo door or a tailgate;

a cabin door;

a door/gate position input device;

a security system; and

modifying the security system of the vehicle, wherein modifying the security system of the vehicle includes;

installing a modification device on the vehicle so that a user can selectively prevent a door/gate position indicator from indicating that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate position input device receives input that the door/gate is ajar.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the modification device comprises a switch, and wherein the method further includes:

installing the switch on the vehicle so that the switch at least one of;

opens a circuit in which the door/gate position input device is located such that the door/gate position input device cannot indicate that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate position input device receives input that the door/gate is ajar; and

shorts a circuit in which the door/gate position input device is located such that the door/gate position input device cannot indicate that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate position input device receives input that the door/gate is ajar.

34. A program product for reconfiguring a cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly, comprising machine-readable program code for causing, when executed, a machine to perform the following method actions:

analyze input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device;

analyze input from a door/gate position input device; and

output a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device and the input from the door/gate position input device.

35. The program product of claim 34, wherein, when executed, the program product further causes the machine to perform the following method actions:

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device and determine that the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device; and

output a signal to the door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar when the processor determines that the door/gate is ajar.

36. A program product for reconfiguring a security system, comprising machine-readable program code for causing, when executed, a machine to perform the following method actions:

analyze input from a door/gate position input device;

analyze input from a cabin door position input device;

analyze input from a door/gate security mode input device;

determine that security of a vehicle has been breached if;

the input from the door/gate security mode input device indicates that the machine should consider received input from the door/gate position input device indicative of the door/gate being open to be indicative of a security breach; and

the input from the door/gate position input device is indicative of the door/gate being open;

determine that the security of a vehicle has been breached if;

the input from the door/gate security mode input device indicates that the machine should consider received input from the door/gate position input device indicative of the door/gate being open to not be indicative of a security breach; and

the input from the door/gate position input device is indicative of the door/gate being open; and

input from the cabin door position input device is indicative of the cabin door being open; and

determine that the security of a vehicle has not been breached if;

the input from the door/gate security mode input device indicates that the machine should consider received input from the door/gate position input device indicative of the door/gate being open to not be indicative of a security breach; and

the input from the door/gate position input device is indicative of the door/gate being open; and

input from the cabin door position input device is indicative of the cabin door not being open.