REMOTE AUTOMATIC CLOSURE OF POWER WINDOWS, SUN ROOF AND CONVERTIBLE TOP
First Claim
1. An apparatus for automatically closing a vehicle'"'"'s window, sun roof or convertible top, the apparatus comprising:
- a motor, operatively coupled to move the window, sun roof or convertible top between open and closed positions responsive to a signal received by the motor from a motor controller;
a humanoid detector, configured to detect at least part of a human within a predetermined distance of at least one of the window, sun roof and convertible top of the vehicle and thereafter provide a humanoid-detected output signal, which indicates detection of at least part of a human near the vehicle; and
a motor controller coupled to the motor and coupled to the humanoid detector, the motor controller configured to provide a close signal to the motor responsive to a single closure signal for a window, sun roof or convertible top, and configured to inhibit operation of the motor responsive to the motor controller'"'"'s receipt of the humanoid-detected signal from the humanoid detector.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A precipitation detector, a single actuation of a switch or the departure of a drive triggers operation of a motor to close a window, sun roof or convertible top. In order to prevent injury to a person who might be nearby the vehicle when the motor operates, humanoid detectors monitor the area around a vehicle and detect whether a person is nearby and who could thus be injured by a computer-controlled operation of the window, sun roof or top. The operation of a power window, sun roof or convertible top is stopped or inhibited when a person is detected near the vehicle in order to prevent the person from being injured by the closure of with window, sun roof or top.
34 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus for automatically closing a vehicle'"'"'s window, sun roof or convertible top, the apparatus comprising:
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a motor, operatively coupled to move the window, sun roof or convertible top between open and closed positions responsive to a signal received by the motor from a motor controller; a humanoid detector, configured to detect at least part of a human within a predetermined distance of at least one of the window, sun roof and convertible top of the vehicle and thereafter provide a humanoid-detected output signal, which indicates detection of at least part of a human near the vehicle; and a motor controller coupled to the motor and coupled to the humanoid detector, the motor controller configured to provide a close signal to the motor responsive to a single closure signal for a window, sun roof or convertible top, and configured to inhibit operation of the motor responsive to the motor controller'"'"'s receipt of the humanoid-detected signal from the humanoid detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of automatically closing a vehicle'"'"'s window, sun roof or convertible top responsive to receipt of a closure signal for the window, sun roof or convertible top, the method comprising:
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when the window, sun roof or convertible top is in an open position, electronically surveilling a predetermined area around the exterior of the vehicle with a humanoid detector configured to provide first and second output signals, the first output signal indicating that at least part of a humanoid shape is detected within the predetermined area, the second output signal indicating that no humanoid shape is detected within the predetermined area; receiving a closure signal; actuating the closure mechanism for the window, sun roof or convertible top, responsive to receipt of the closure signal and receipt of the second output signal; and inhibiting the closure mechanism operation responsive to receipt of the first output signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification