Systems and methods for lock notification
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A lock notification system for a vehicle having a cabin, comprising:
- a door coupled to the cabin and including a lock that is actuatable to secure the door to the cabin;
an input device in the vehicle that receives a setting for the lock notification system;
an ambient conditions sensor that generates a first signal that indicates an amount of light surrounding the vehicle; and
a control module that receives the first signal and a request to actuate the lock, and based on the first signal, the request to actuate the lock and the setting, the control module;
outputs only audible data to indicate that the lock is locked when the vehicle is in daylight;
outputs visual data and audible data for a specified period of time after the vehicle is observed to be in twilight and outputs visual data after the expiration of the specified period of time; and
outputs only visual data to indicate that the lock is locked when the vehicle is in darkness.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for notifying an operator that a door of a vehicle is locked. The method can include receiving a request to lock a lock associated with the door, and determining an ambient lighting condition associated with the vehicle. Based upon the ambient lighting condition, outputting audible data, visual data or both audible data and visual data to indicate that the door is locked.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A lock notification system for a vehicle having a cabin, comprising:
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a door coupled to the cabin and including a lock that is actuatable to secure the door to the cabin; an input device in the vehicle that receives a setting for the lock notification system; an ambient conditions sensor that generates a first signal that indicates an amount of light surrounding the vehicle; and a control module that receives the first signal and a request to actuate the lock, and based on the first signal, the request to actuate the lock and the setting, the control module; outputs only audible data to indicate that the lock is locked when the vehicle is in daylight; outputs visual data and audible data for a specified period of time after the vehicle is observed to be in twilight and outputs visual data after the expiration of the specified period of time; and outputs only visual data to indicate that the lock is locked when the vehicle is in darkness. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A vehicle including a lock notification system, the vehicle comprising:
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a cabin including a door, the door having a lock that is actuatable to lock the door to the cabin; a remote keyless entry system that generates a first signal to actuate the lock; an input device in the vehicle that receives a setting for the lock notification system; an ambient conditions sensor that generates a second signal that indicates an amount of light surrounding the vehicle; and a control module that receives the first signal, the second signal and the setting, and based on the first signal, the second signal and the setting, the control module; outputs only audible data to indicate that the lock is locked when the vehicle is in daylight; outputs only visual data to indicate that the lock is locked when the vehicle is in darkness; and outputs visual data and audible data for a specified period of time after the vehicle is observed to be in twilight and outputs only visual data after the expiration of the specified period of time. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of notifying that a door of a vehicle is secured to a cabin of the vehicle, comprising:
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receiving a request to lock a lock associated with the door; receiving a setting for a lock notification system from an input device in the vehicle; determining an ambient lighting condition associated with the vehicle; based on the setting and the ambient lighting condition indicating daylight, outputting visual data and audible data to indicate that the door is locked; and based on the setting and the ambient lighting condition indicating twilight; outputting audible data and visible data for a specified period of time after the vehicle is observed to be in twilight; and outputting visible data after the expiration of the specified period of time. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification