VEHICLE DOOR ENGAGEMENT DETECTION

• US 20150300046A1
• Filed: 04/18/2014
• Published: 10/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: LANGE, RICHARD J., PROEFKE, DAVID T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,434,337 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/544 for indicating other states or conditions of the vehicle occupants, e.g. for indicating disabled occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 5/005 automatically actuated
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/02 Occupant safety arrangements or fittings , e.g. crash pads seat belts with crash pads B60R22/14; removable children's seats having a front guard or barrier B60N2/2839
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 77/48 by electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 81/64 Monitoring or sensing, e.g. by using switches or sensors

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for implementing door engagement detection for a vehicle. A sensor is configured to detect when an apparatus of a door of a vehicle is engaged from inside the vehicle. A processor is coupled to the sensor, and is configured to at least facilitate providing a notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting, using a sensor, when an apparatus of a door of a vehicle is engaged from inside the vehicle; and

providing, using a processor, a notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises means to unlock or open a rear door of the vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step of detecting when the apparatus of the door is engaged comprises detecting when a handle of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle; and

the step of providing the notification comprises providing the notification if the handle of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step of detecting when the apparatus of the door is engaged comprises detecting when an unlocking latch or switch of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle; and

the step of providing the notification comprises providing the notification if the unlocking latch or switch of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether a child lock of the vehicle is activated;

wherein the step of providing the notification comprises providing the notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle, provided further that the child lock is activated.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether an alarm of the vehicle is activated;

wherein the step of providing the notification comprises providing the notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle, provided further that the alarm is activated.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the notification comprises providing an audio notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the notification comprises providing a visual notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the notification comprises contacting an authorized individual if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

deactivating a child lock of the door a predetermined amount of time after the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

11. A method comprising:

determining whether a child lock of a vehicle is activated;

determining whether a condition for the vehicle is satisfied, the condition selected from the group consisting of;

an alarm of the vehicle has been set, the vehicle has been stopped, and all doors of the vehicle have been locked; and

deactivating the child lock a predetermined amount of time after the condition has been satisfied.

12. A system comprising:

a sensor configured to detect when an apparatus of a door of a vehicle is engaged from inside the vehicle; and

a processor coupled to the sensor and configured to at least facilitate providing a notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the apparatus comprises means to unlock or open a rear door of the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein:

the sensor is configured to detecting when a handle of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle; and

the processor is configured to provide the notification if the handle of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein:

the processor is configured to detect when an unlocking latch or switch of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle; and

the processor is configured to at least facilitate providing the notification if the unlocking latch or switch of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate:

determining whether a child lock of the vehicle is activated; and

providing the notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle, provided further that the child lock is activated.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate:

determining whether an alarm of the vehicle is activated; and

providing the notification if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle, provided further that the alarm is activated.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to at least facilitate providing an audio notification, a visual notification, or both, if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate contacting an authorized individual if the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the processor is further configured to at least facilitate deactivating a child lock of the door a predetermined amount of time after the apparatus of the door is engaged from inside the vehicle.