AUTOMATED HANDS-FREE EVENT INITIATION IN RESPONSE TO POSITION OR OPERATIONAL STATUS OF VEHICLE

• US 20090128352A1
• Filed: 01/05/2009
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kirk B. Urick
• Original Assignee: Kirk B. Urick
• Inventors: Urick, Kirk B.
• Application Number:
  US12/348,893
• Publication Number:
  US 20090128352A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.600
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/074 for retracting the mirror arrangements to a non-use position alongside the vehicle

Abstract

The present invention provides a system including a mirror mounted on a vehicle, the mirror being movable between open and closed positions. A motor is provided, the motor being operable to move the mirror to either the open or closed position in response to an actuation signal from an onboard controller. The onboard controller is able to substantially automatically provide the actuation signal to the motor in response to the occurrence of an actuation condition, which is associated with the engaging or disengaging of a transmission of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a mirror mounted on a vehicle, the mirror being movable between an open position and a closed position;

a motor operable to, in response to an actuation signal, move the mirror to one of the open and closed positions; and

an onboard controller operable to substantially automatically provide the actuation signal to the motor in response to the occurrence of an actuation condition,

wherein the actuation condition is associated with engaging or disengaging a transmission of said vehicle.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the actuation condition is placing said vehicle in park, and further wherein said motor operates to close said mirror in response to said actuation signal.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the actuation condition is placing said vehicle in drive, and further wherein said motor operates to open said mirror in response to said actuation signal.

4. A system comprising:

a mirror mounted on a vehicle, the mirror being movable between an open position and a closed position;

a motor operable to, in response to an actuation signal, move the mirror to one of the open and closed positions; and

an onboard controller operable to substantially automatically provide the actuation signal to the motor in response to the occurrence of an actuation condition,

wherein the actuation condition is associated with the initiation of a shift from a first gear of said vehicle to a second gear of said vehicle.

5. A vehicle-mounted system for activation of a remote event, the system comprising:

a transmitter adapted to transmit an activation signal to a remote receiver for activation of a remote event, said activation signal being transmitted in response to an actuation signal; and

an onboard controller operable to substantially automatically provide said actuation signal to said transmitter when the vehicle enters a predetermined location as determined by global positioning system technology.

6. The vehicle-mounted system of claim 5 wherein said remote event is the control of a garage door, and said onboard controller provides said actuation signal to said transmitter when the vehicle enters a predetermined location with respect to said garage door as determined by global positioning system technology.

7. The vehicle-mounted system of claim 5 wherein said remote event is the control of a gate, and said onboard controller provides said actuation signal to said transmitter when the vehicle enters a predetermined location with respect to said gate as determined by global positioning system technology.

8. The vehicle-mounted system of claim 5 wherein said remote event is the control of a hangar door, and said onboard controller provides said actuation signal to said transmitter when the vehicle enters a predetermined location with respect to said hangar door as determined by global positioning system technology.

9. The vehicle-mounted system of claim 5 wherein said remote event is the control of at least one light, and said onboard controller provides said actuation signal to said transmitter when the vehicle enters a predetermined location with respect to said at least one light as determined by global positioning system technology.

10. The vehicle-mounted system of claim 5 wherein said remote event is the control of a security system, and said onboard controller provides said actuation signal to said transmitter when the vehicle enters a predetermined location with respect to said security system as determined by global positioning system technology.

11. A vehicle-mounted system for activation of a remote event, the system comprising:

an onboard controller operable to substantially automatically provide a signal to a remote receiver when the vehicle enters a predetermined location as determined by global positioning system technology, a remote event being initiated by receipt of said signal.

12. The system according to claim 11 wherein said remote receiver is a component of a cell phone system and said remote event is transmission of a text message providing a geographic location of said vehicle.

13. The system according to claim 11 wherein said remote receiver is a component of a cell phone system and said remote event is transmission of a text message providing a message predetermined by an operator of said vehicle.

14. The system according to claim 11 wherein said remote receiver is a Global Positioning Satellite and said remote event is a first remote event, said first remote event being the transmission of a signal by said Global Positioning Satellite, the signal transmitted by said Global Positioning Satellite initiating a second remote event.

15. The vehicle-mounted system of claim 14 wherein said second remote event is the control of a garage door.

16. The vehicle-mounted system of claim 14 wherein said second remote event is the control of a hangar door.

17. The vehicle-mounted system of claim 14 wherein said second remote event is the control of at least one light.

18. The vehicle-mounted system of claim 14 wherein said second remote event is the control of a security system.

19. The vehicle-mounted system of claim 14 wherein said second remote event is the control of a lock.