Programmable one-touch-down power window

• US 5,572,101 A
• Filed: 12/02/1994
• Issued: 11/05/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Incorporated (Visteon Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Rutkowski, David J., Arghavani-Badrabadi, Mohammad H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cabeca, John W.
• Application Number:
  US08/348,402
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 318/DIG. 2, 318/265, 318/470, 318/266, 318/282, 318/468, 318/434, 318/565, 318/469, 318/466, 318/444, 318/467, 318/473, 318/280, 49/28, 49/349, 49/352, 49/199
• US Class Current: 318/470
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/005 Electro-mechanical devices, e.g. switched electric switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/73 Single use of elements

Abstract

A power window system equipped with a "one-touch-down" feature for a motor vehicle includes provisions for programming the system to enable and/or disable the one-touch-down feature. The programming is done via a sequence of commands provided to the controller of the one-touch-down feature from various switches on the motor vehicle. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, all such commands are issued from devices already on the vehicle to perform functions other than programming of the "one-touch-down" feature.

Claims

1. A programming method for a power window system of a motor vehicle, said power window system equipped to provide a one-touch-down feature, said method comprising:

accepting commands regarding a desired change of state of said power window system from one-touch-down feature ENABLED to DISABLED or from DISABLED to ENABLED; and

changing the state of the power window system in accordance with said commands;

wherein all said commands are issued from devices already in the vehicle to perform function other than providing commands regarding a desired change of state of said power window system from one-touch-down feature ENABLED to DISABLED or from DISABLED to ENABLED; and

wherein said step of accepting commands regarding a desired change of state of said power window system from one-touch-down feature ENABLED to DISABLED or from DISABLED to ENABLED further includes the step of accepting commands from a power window control switch and a key-in-ignition switch.

2. A programming method for a power window system as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of accepting commands includes:

monitoring for a predetermined state of said key-in-ignition switch;

monitoring for a predetermined state of said power window switch;

monitoring for a change of state of said key-in-ignition switch; and

monitoring for a change of state of said power window switch.

3. A programming method for a power window system as recited in claim 2, wherein said devices include at least one door switch and an ignition switch;

and

the step of accepting commands further includes;

monitoring for said at least one door switch to be in a predetermined state; and

monitoring for said ignition switch to be in a predetermined state.

4. A programming method for a power window system as recited in claim 3, wherein the step of monitoring for at least one door switch to be in a predetermined state includes monitoring for said switch to be in said predetermined state for substantially the entire performance of said programming method.

5. A programming method as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of accepting commands regarding a desired change of state of said power window system from one-touch feature ENABLED to DISABLED or from DISABLED to ENABLED further includes the step of accepting all said commands due to a person actuating said devices.

6. A programming method for a power window system of a motor vehicle, said vehicle containing a key-in-ignition switch, a power window control switch, two front door switches and an ignition switch with an "OFF" position, said power window system equipped to provide a one-touch-down feature, said method comprising:

monitoring both front door switches to indicate that both said doors are closed;

monitoring said ignition switch to indicate that it is in said "OFF" position;

monitoring said key-in-ignition switch to indicate that no ignition key is in the ignition;

monitoring for the pressing and holding of said power window control switch;

monitoring for insertion of an ignition key into the ignition within a predetermined time after said power window control switch is pressed and while said power window control switch is being held;

monitoring for release of said power window control switch within a predetermined time after said ignition key is inserted into the ignition; and

changing the state of the power window system from one-touch-down feature ENABLED to DISABLED or from DISABLED to ENABLED.

7. A programming method for a power window system as recited in claim 6, further comprising the step of providing an audible signal accompanying said change of state.

8. A programming method for a power window system as recited in claim 7, further comprising the step of issuing an audible signal when said pressing and holding of said driver'"'"'s window down switch is recognized.

9. A programming method for a power window system of a motor vehicle, said power window system equipped to provide a one-touch feature, said method comprising:

accepting commands regarding a desired change of state of said power window system from one-touch feature ENABLED to DISABLED or from DISABLED to ENABLED; and

changing the state of the power window system in accordance with said commands;

wherein all said commands are issued from devices already in the vehicle to perform function other than providing commands regarding a desired change of state of said power window system from one-touch feature ENABLED to DISABLED or from DISABLED to ENABLED; and

wherein said step of accepting commands regarding a desired change of state of said power window system from one-touch feature ENABLED to DISABLED or from DISABLED to ENABLED further includes the step of accepting commands from a key-in-ignition switch and a power window control switch.

10. A power window system programming apparatus for power window system of a motor vehicle, said power window system equipped to provide a one-touch-down feature, said apparatus comprising:

means for accepting commands regarding a desired change of state of said power window system from one-touch-down feature ENABLED to DISABLED or from DISABLED to ENABLED; and

means for changing the state of the power window system in accordance with said commands;

wherein said motor vehicle contains a key-in-ignition switch and a power window control switch and wherein said means for accepting commands includes;

means for monitoring for a predetermined state of said key-in-ignition switch;

means for monitoring for a predetermined state of said power window switch;

means for monitoring for a change of state of said key-in-ignition switch; and

means for monitoring for a change of state of said power window switch.

11. A power window system programming apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein said motor vehicle further contains at least one door switch and an ignition switch and wherein said means for accepting commands includes:

means for monitoring said at least one door switch to be in a predetermined state; and

means for monitoring for said ignition switch to be in a predetermined state.