Tailgate ajar and security monitoring system

• US 7,400,971 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2004
• Issued: 07/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America Incorporated (Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Robertson, Timothy H.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US10/813,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20050222732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,567 Days
• Field of Search: 701/207, 701/1, 701/49, 701/36, 340/426.24, 340/438, 340/457, 340/459, 340/460, 340/461, 340/687, 49/13, 49/14, 49/26
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/103 where lower door part moves independently from other door structures, e.g. by being hinged on the vehicle body

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention is a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly adapted to indicate a position of a cargo door/tailgate including a processor configured to receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device, receive input from a door/gate position input device, analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device, analyze the input from the door/gate position input device, and output a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device and the input from the door/gate position input device. In another embodiment of the present invention, there is a reconfigurable security device configured to selectively take into account the position of a cargo door/tailgate to determine whether a vehicle'"'"'s security has been breached.

Claims

1. A reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly adapted to indicate a position of a cargo door and/or a tailgate comprising:

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device;

receive input from a door/gate position input device; and

control a door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is ajar and control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar;

wherein

the processor includes logic to;

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device and determine whether the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device;

analyze, only if the processor determines that the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device, input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device, wherein the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device includes a determination that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly;

output, only if the processor determines that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly, a signal to the door/gate position indicator to;

control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar;

place the door/gate position indicator in a mode to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar if the processor determines that the door/gate is not ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device; and

place the door/gate position indicator in a mode to indicate that the door/gate is ajar if the processor has determined that the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device and if the processor has not determined that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

receive input from a gear indicator; and

determine whether the input from the gear indicator is indicative of a vehicle in a gear other than the parked gear;

wherein

the logic of the processor is such that the processor does not analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device if the processor determines that the input from the gear indicator is indicative of a vehicle in a gear other than the parked gear.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the processor is further adapted to:

output, only if the processor determines that the door/gate is not ajar based on input from the door/gate position input device, the signal to hail the door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is not ajar; and

output, only if the processor has determined that the door/gate is ajar based on the input from the door/gate position input device and only if the processor has not determined that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly, a signal to the door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator to indicate that the door/gate is ajar.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the logic is adapted to determine that the processor has not determined that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly if the processor has not determined that output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device is indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly within a predetermined time period.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly further includes:

the door/gate monitoring mode input device, the door/gate monitoring mode input device including a switch adapted to output a signal indicative of switch toggling and/or button actuation;

wherein

the processor is adapted to receive the signal indicative of switch toggling and/or button actuation and determine that receipt by the processor of a predetermined number of signals within a predetermined time period is output from the door/gate monitoring mode input device indicative of input into the door/gate monitoring mode input device to reconfigure the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly.

6. An assembly including a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly adapted to indicate a position of a cargo door and/or a tailgate and a security device adapted to monitor security of a vehicle with the cargo door/tailgate, the assembly comprising:

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device;

receive input from a door/gate position input device;

receive input from a cabin door position input device;

receive input from a door/gate security mode input device;

analyze input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device;

analyze input from the door/gate position input device;

analyze input from the cabin door position input device;

analyze input from the door/gate security mode input device; and

output a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device and the input from the door/gate position input device;

wherein the processor includes logic to;

determine that security of the vehicle has been breached if;

the input from the door/gate security mode input device indicates that the processor should consider received input from the door/gate position input device indicative of the door/gate being open to be indicative of security breach; and

the input from the door/gate position input device is indicative of the door/gate being open; and

determine that the security of the vehicle has been breached if;

the input from the door/gate security mode input device indicates that the processor should consider received input from the door/gate position input device indicative of the door/gate being open to not be indicative of security breach; and

the input from the door/gate position input device is indicative of the door/gate being open; and

input from the cabin door position input device is indicative of the cabin door being open; and

determine that the security of the vehicle has not been breached if;

the input from the door/gate security mode input device indicates that the processor should consider received input from the door/gate position input device indicative of the door/gate being open to not be indicative of security breach; and

the input from the door/gate position input device is indicative of the door/gate being open; and

input from the cabin door position input device is indicative of the cabin door not being open.

7. A vehicle with a security device adapted to monitor a position of a cabin door and a cargo door and/or a tailgate, comprising:

a vehicle including;

a cargo door or a tailgate;

a cabin door;

a door/gate position input device;

a cabin door position input device; and

a security device, wherein the security device is adapted to;

receive input indicative of a user'"'"'s desire for the security device to operate in at least a first mode of security and a second mode of security and enter a respective mode of security based on the received input indicative of the user'"'"'s desire to operate in at least the first mode of security and the second mode of security;

determine, while operating in the first or second mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has been breached based on input from the cabin door position input device indicating that the cabin door is ajar;

determine, while operating in the first mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has been breached based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the door/gate is ajar; and

determine, while operating in the second mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has not been breached based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the door/gate is ajar;

wherein the vehicle further includes a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly adapted to indicate the position of the door/tailgate, comprising;

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device;

receive input from the door/gate position input device;

analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device;

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device; and

output a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device and the input from the door/gate position input device.

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the security device is further adapted to:

receive input indicative of at least a third mode of security and enter the third mode of security based on the received input indicative of the third mode of security;

determine, while operating in the third mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has not been breached based on input from the cabin door position input device indicating that the cabin door is ajar or based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the door/gate is ajar.

9. A vehicle with a security device adapted to monitor the position of a cabin door and a cargo door and/or a tailgate, comprising:

a vehicle including;

a cargo door or a tailgate;

a cabin door;

a door/gate position input device;

a cabin door position input device; and

a security device, wherein the security device is adapted to;

receive input indicative of a user'"'"'s desire for the security device to operate in at least a first mode of security and a second mode of security and enter a respective mode of security based on the received input indicative of the user'"'"'s desire to operate in at least the first mode of security and the second mode of security;

determine, while operating in the either the first or second mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has been breached based on input from the cabin door position input device indicating that the cabin door is ajar;

determine, while operating in the first mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has been breached based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the cargo door or tailgate is ajar; and

disregard, while operating in the second mode of security, any output from the door/gate position input device indicative of the cargo door or tailgate being ajar;

wherein the vehicle further includes a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly adapted to indicate the position of the door/tailgate, comprising;

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device;

receive input from the door/gate position input device;

analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device;

analyze the input from the door/gate position input device; and

output a signal to a door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device and the input from the door/gate position input device.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the security device is adapted to analyze input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the cargo door or tailgate is ajar;

wherein the security device further includes;

a device adapted to generate, while the security device operates in the second mode of security, input substantially replicating input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the cargo door or tailgate is not ajar;

wherein

the security device analyzes, while the security device operates in the second mode of security, the input substantially replicating input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the cargo door or tailgate is not ajar instead of input from the door/gate position input device.

11. The vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the security device is adapted to determine that the door/gate is not ajar based on the input substantially replicating input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the cargo door or tailgate is not ajar instead of input from the door/gate position input device when the cargo door or tailgate is actually ajar, and thus determine, while operating in the second mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has not been breached when the cargo door or the tailgate is actually ajar.

12. A method of making a vehicle with a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly and a security device, comprising:

obtaining a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes;

a cargo door or a tailgate;

a cabin door;

a door/gate position input device; and

a security system;

modifying the security system of the vehicle so that the security system of the vehicle is adapted to;

receive input indicative of a user'"'"'s desire for the security device to operate in at least a first mode of security and a second mode of security and enter a respective mode of security based on the received input indicative of the user'"'"'s desire to operate in at least the first mode of security and the second mode of security;

determine, while operating in the first or second mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has been breached based on input from a cabin door position input device indicating that the cabin door is ajar;

determine, while operating in the first mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has been breached based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the door/gate is ajar; and

determine, while operating in the second mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has not been breached based on input from the door/gate position input device indicating that the door/gate is ajar; and

installing a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly onto the vehicle, the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly including;

a door/gate position indicator; and

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device;

analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device; and

output a signal to the door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device;

wherein

the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly is adapted to indicate to the user whether the cargo door or tailgate is actually ajar utilizing the door/gate position indicator.

13. A method of making a vehicle, comprising:

obtaining a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes;

a cargo door or a tailgate;

a cabin door;

a door/gate position input device; and

a security system;

modifying the security system of the vehicle, wherein modifying the security system of the vehicle includes;

installing a modification device on the vehicle so that a user can selectively prevent a door/gate position indicator from indicating that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate position input device receives input that the door/gate is ajar; and

installing a reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly onto the vehicle, the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly including;

the door/gate position indicator; and

a processor adapted to;

receive input from a door/gate monitoring mode input device;

analyze the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device; and

output a signal to the door/gate position indicator to control the door/gate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/gate monitoring mode input device;

wherein

the reconfigurable cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly is adapted to indicate to a driver of the vehicle whether the cargo door or tailgate is actually ajar utilizing the door/gate position indicator.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the modification device comprises a switch, and wherein the method further includes:

installing the switch on the vehicle so that the switch at least one of;

opens a circuit in which the door/gate position input device is located such that the door/gate position input device cannot indicate that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate position input device receives input that the door/gate is ajar; and

shorts the circuit in which the door/gate position input device is located such that the door/gate position input device cannot indicate that the door/gate is ajar when the door/gate position input device receives input that the door/gate is ajar.

15. A program product embedded in a computer-readable medium for reconfiguring a cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly, comprising:

machine-readable program code on a computer-readable medium for causing, when executed, a machine to perform the following method actions;

analyze input from a door/tailgate monitoring mode input device;

analyze input from a door/tailgate position input device; and

output a signal to a door/tailgate position indicator to control the door/tailgate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/tailgate monitoring mode input device and the input from the door/tailgate position input device.

16. The program product of claim 15, wherein, when executed, the program product further causes the machine to perform the following method actions:

analyze the input from the door/tailgate position input device and determine that the door/tailgate is ajar based on the input from the door/tailgate position input device; and

output a signal to the door/tailgate position indicator to control the door/tailgate position indicator to indicate that the door/tailgate is not ajar when the processor determines that the door/tailgate is ajar.

17. A program product embedded in a computer-readable medium for reconfiguring a cargo door/tailgate position indicator assembly and a security system, comprising:

machine-readable program code on a computer-readable medium for causing, when executed, a machine to perform the following method actions;

analyze input from a door/tailgate position input device;

analyze input from a cabin door position input device;

analyze input from a door/tailgate security mode input device;

analyze input from a door/tailgate monitoring mode input device;

output a signal to a door/tailgate position indicator to control the door/tailgate position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the door/tailgate monitoring mode input device and the input from the door/tailgate position input device;

determine that security of a vehicle has been breached if;

the input from the door/tailgate security mode input device indicates that the machine should consider received input from the door/tailgate position input device indicative of the door/tailgate being open to be indicative of security breach; and

the input from the door/tailgate position input device is indicative of the door/gate being open;

determine that the security of the vehicle has been breached if;

the input from the door/tailgate security mode input device indicates that the machine should consider received input from the door/tailgate position input device indicative of the door/tailgate being open to not be indicative of security breach; and

the input from the door/tailgate position input device is indicative of the door/tailgate being open; and

input from the cabin door position input device is indicative of the cabin door being open; and

determine that the security of the vehicle has not been breached if;

the input from the door/tailgate security mode input device indicates that the machine should consider received input from the door/tailgate position input device indicative of the door/tailgate being open to not be indicative of security breach; and

the input from the door/tailgate position input device is indicative of the door/tailgate being open; and

input from the cabin door position input device is indicative of the cabin door not being open.

18. A vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member, comprising:

a vehicle including;

a cargo area closure member;

a passenger area closure member; and

a security device, wherein the security device is configured to;

monitor a position of the passenger area closure member and the cargo area closure member;

operate in at least a first mode of security and a second mode of security and enter a respective mode of security based on received input indicative of a command to operate in at least the first mode of security and the second mode of security;

determine, while operating in the first mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has been breached based on at least one of the passenger area closure member and the cargo area closure member being ajar; and

determine, while operating in the second mode of security, that the security of the vehicle has been breached based on the passenger area closure member being ajar regardless of the position of the cargo area closure member.

19. The vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member according to claim 18, wherein the vehicle further includes a reconfigurable cargo area closure member monitoring device having a position indicator configured to indicate a position of the cargo area closure member.

20. The vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member according to claim 19, wherein the reconfigurable cargo area closure member monitoring device is configured to receive input from a user directing the position indicator to indicate a position of the cargo area closure member, and wherein the reconfigurable cargo area closure member position indicator is configured to receive input from a user reconfiguring the cargo area closure member monitoring device to indicate that the cargo area closure member is closed regardless of the position of the cargo area closure member.

21. The vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member according to claim 19, wherein the vehicle further includes a signal generator configured to output a signal to the cargo area closure member monitoring device to direct the position indicator to indicate that the cargo area closure member is closed when input from a user reconfigures the cargo area closure member monitoring device.

22. The vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member according to claim 19, wherein the cargo area closure member monitoring device is configured to receive input from a user reconfiguring the cargo area closure member monitoring device to deactivate the position indicator.

23. The vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member according to claim 18, wherein the vehicle further includes a cargo area closure member position sensor configured to sense the position of the cargo area closure member.

24. The vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member according to claim 23, wherein the vehicle further includes a signal generator configured to direct the cargo area closure member position sensor to indicate that the cargo area closure member is closed regardless of the position of the cargo area closure member when operating in the second mode of security.

25. The vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member according to claim 18, wherein the vehicle further includes a passenger area closure member position sensor configured to sense a position of the passenger area closure member.

26. The vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member according to claim 18, wherein the vehicle includes a transmission gear position sensor configured to determine a gear position of a transmission, and wherein the security device is configured to enter the first mode of security when the transmission gear position sensor senses that the vehicle is in a parked gear.

27. The vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member according to claim 18, wherein the vehicle includes a transmission gear position sensor configured to determine a gear position of a transmission, wherein the vehicle further includes a cargo area closure member monitoring device configured to indicate the position of the cargo area closure member, and wherein the cargo area closure member monitoring device is activated to indicate that the cargo area closure member is ajar upon a determination that the cargo area closure member is ajar and the transmission gear position sensor senses that the vehicle is in a parked gear.

28. The vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member according to claim 18, wherein the vehicle includes a user input device to receive input from a user to enter at least one of the first mode of security and the second mode of security.

29. The vehicle with a security device configured to monitor a position of a passenger area closure member and a cargo area closure member according to claim 18, wherein the vehicle further includes a reconfigurable cargo area closure member monitoring device configured to indicate a position of the cargo area closure member, comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive input from a cargo area closure member monitoring mode input device;

receive input from a cargo area closure member position input device;

analyze the input from the cargo area closure member monitoring mode input device;

analyze the input from the cargo area closure member position input device; and

output a signal to a position indicator to control the position indicator based on the analysis of the input from the cargo area closure member monitoring mode input device and the input from the cargo area closure member position input device.