SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CREATING A PET-FRIENDLY AUTOMOTIVE ENVIRONMENT

• US 20200130702A1
• Filed: 10/25/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ferreira, Francisco, Flores Alonso, Luis, Garrido, Itzel, Becerril, Luis
• Granted Patent: US 11,247,693 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 11/006 Automatic identification systems for animals, e.g. electronic devices, transponders for animals identification systems for access to feeding pens A01K1/0209; ear tags with electronic identification means A01K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00964 Control systems or circuits characterised by including features for automatic and non-automatic control, e.g. for changing from automatic to manual control
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 10/30 including control of auxiliary equipment, e.g. air-conditioning compressors or oil pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/45 External transmission of data to or from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2710/30 Auxiliary equipments
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0098 Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/531 Doors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/542 Roof panels
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/48 for in-vehicle communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication

Abstract

A key fob includes selectors for performing conventional remote operations (e.g., locking/unlocking doors) as well as a “pet mode” selector. When the pet mode selector is pressed by a user, a coded wireless signal is sent to a vehicle computer. The vehicle computer is operatively connected to multiple vehicle systems that each controls various features of the vehicle. Responsive to receipt of the coded wireless signal, the vehicle computer instructs a selected group of the systems to operate in a specified manner so as to create a comfortable environment for a pet within the vehicle. For example, in pet mode, the vehicle computer may cause one or more windows to lower, the sunroof to open the trunk lift gate to pivot open, and the seat backs of one or more rows of seats to tilt or fold down.

Claims

1. A method for creating a pet-friendly environment in an automotive vehicle, comprising:

receiving, by a vehicle computer of the automotive vehicle, a coded wireless signal to adjust a plurality of vehicle parameters in the automotive vehicle;

adjusting, by the vehicle computer and in response to the signal, at least one door of the automotive vehicle from a closed position to an open position; and

adjusting, by the vehicle computer and in response to the signal, at least one additional vehicle parameter of the plurality of vehicle parameters from a first setup to a second setup.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the coded wireless signal is received from a key fob responsive to a single dedicated button of the key fob being selected.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the coded wireless signal is received from a user mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the at least one additional vehicle parameter comprises adjusting at least one window of the automotive vehicle from a first closed position to a first open position.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein adjusting the at least one additional vehicle parameter further comprises adjusting a sunroof of the automotive vehicle from a second closed position to a second open position.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the at least one additional vehicle parameter comprises tilting at least a portion of a row of seats of the automotive vehicle from an upright position to a folded or reclined position.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the automotive vehicle comprises:

at least one front seat;

a middle row comprising at least one seat; and

a back row comprising at least one seat,

wherein tilting at least a portion of a row of seats comprises tilting at least a portion of the at least one seat in the middle row and the at least one seat in the back row.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one door is a trunk door of the automotive vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting at least one additional vehicle parameter of the plurality of vehicle parameters comprises one or more of adjusting an audio level, adjusting an audio selection, adjusting a temperature level in at least a portion of the automotive vehicle;

adjusting a ventilation level in at least a portion of the automotive vehicle, arming a child lock device on at least one rear door of the automotive vehicle; and

arming a window lock on at least one window of the automotive vehicle.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the vehicle computer, a user input of the at least one additional vehicle parameter to adjust in response to the receipt of the coded wireless signal;

storing, by the vehicle computer, the user input of the at least one additional vehicle parameter to adjust; and

identifying, by the vehicle computer, the user input of the at least one additional vehicle parameter to adjust in response to the receipt of the coded wireless signal.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the vehicle computer, a second coded wireless signal subsequent to the coded wireless signal;

determining, by the vehicle computer, that the automotive vehicle is in a pet mode; and

adjusting, by the vehicle computer, the at least one vehicle parameter from the second setup to the first setup.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the vehicle computer, sensor data from at least one sensor within the automotive vehicle;

determining, by the vehicle computer and based on the sensor data, if a pet is inside of the automotive vehicle; and

adjusting, by the vehicle computer, the at least one vehicle parameter from the second setup to the first setup based on a negative determination that the pet is inside of the automotive vehicle.

13. A system for creating a pet-friendly environment in an automotive vehicle, comprising:

a hand-held wireless device configured to wirelessly transmit a coded wireless signal;

a vehicle computer disposed within an automotive vehicle and in wireless communication with the hand-held wireless device, the vehicle computer capable of controlling a plurality of vehicle systems in the automotive vehicle and comprising;

memory operable to store computer-executable instructions; and

a processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to;

receive, from the hand-held wireless device, a first coded wireless signal to adjust a plurality of vehicle parameters in the automotive vehicle;

adjust, in response to the first coded wireless signal, at least one door of the automotive vehicle from a closed position to an open position; and

adjust, in response to the first coded wireless signal, at least one additional vehicle parameter of the plurality of vehicle parameters from a first setup to a second setup.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein adjusting at least one additional vehicle parameter of the plurality of vehicle parameters comprises one or more of:

adjusting at least one window of the automotive vehicle from a first closed position to a first open position, adjusting a sunroof of the automotive vehicle from a second closed position to a second open position, tilting at least a portion of a row of seats of the automotive vehicle from an upright position to a folded or reclined position, adjusting an audio level, adjusting an audio selection, adjusting a temperature level in at least a portion of the automotive vehicle;

adjusting a ventilation level in at least a portion of the automotive vehicle, arming a child lock device on at least one rear door of the automotive vehicle; and

arming a window lock on at least one window of the automotive vehicle.

15. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

at least one sensor communicably coupled to the processor of the vehicle computer, wherein the processor is further configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to;

receive sensor data from the at least one sensor;

determine, based on the sensor data, if a pet is inside of the automotive vehicle; and

adjust the at least one vehicle parameter from the second setup to the first setup based on a negative determination that the pet is inside of the automotive vehicle.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor uses a probabilistic model to determine if the pet is inside of the automotive vehicle.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a navigation system communicably coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is further configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to:

receive an indication from the navigation system that the automotive vehicle has reached a destination;

wherein adjusting the at least one vehicle parameter from the second setup to the first setup is based on the negative determination that the pet is inside of the automotive vehicle and the indication that the automotive vehicle has reached the destination.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the hand-held wireless device is one of a key fob and a mobile computing device.

19. A method for creating a pet-friendly environment in an automotive vehicle, comprising:

receiving, by a vehicle computer of the automotive vehicle, a first coded wireless signal to adjust a plurality of vehicle parameters in the automotive vehicle;

adjusting, by the vehicle computer and in response to the signal, a first vehicle parameter of the plurality of vehicle parameters from a first setup to a second setup; and

adjusting, by the vehicle computer and in response to the signal, a second vehicle parameter of the plurality of vehicle parameters from a third setup to a fourth setup.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving, by the vehicle computer, a second coded wireless signal subsequent to the coded wireless signal;

determining, by the vehicle computer, that the automotive vehicle is in a pet mode;

adjusting, by the vehicle computer, the first vehicle parameter from the second setup to the first setup; and

adjusting, by the vehicle computer, the second vehicle parameter from the fourth setup to the third setup.