Method for controlling a vehicle boot lid of a vehicle and associated vehicle

• US 9,205,806 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2012
• Issued: 12/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Audi AG (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Gnter, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Ansari, Tahmina
• Application Number:
  US14/240,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20140219508A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,221 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/01 operating on vehicle systems or fittings, e.g. on doors, seats or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2045 by hand gestures
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2054 by foot gestures
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/73 responsive to movement or presence of persons or objects
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/767 using cameras
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/546 Tailgates
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/548 Trunk lids

Abstract

A method for controlling a vehicle lid of a vehicle includes the following steps: A user is identified in the vicinity of the lid; at least one image of the user is captured by a camera; the captured image is evaluated as to whether the lid needs to be opened; and if necessary, opening the lid.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a lid of a vehicle, comprising:

identifying a user present in the vicinity of the lid;

capturing with a camera at least one first image of the user, evaluating the at least one captured image to determine, whether the user carries baggage or carries a shopping cart, or both;

subsequently capturing with the camera at least one second image and analyzing the at least one second image to detect a movement pattern representing an approving or a disapproving movement by the identified user, and opening the lid when the detected movement pattern is interpreted as the approving movement and not opening the lid when the detected movement pattern is different from the approving movement or when the detected movement pattern is interpreted as the disapproving movement in order to prevent the lid from being opened accidentally.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user carries a remote key and is identified based on the remote key.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the camera comprises a rearview back-up camera.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting an optical signal after identification of the user.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the optical signal is outputted by a light-emitting diode (LED).

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the approving or disapproving movement is detected as an image sequence or as a motion picture.

7. A motor vehicle comprising:

a lid, a transponder for identifying a user, a camera for capturing a first image and a second image of the user, and a control device configured to evaluate the captured first image and to determine from the captured first image whether the user carries baggage or carries a shopping cart, or both, to detect, in the captured second image a movement pattern representing an approving movement or a disapproving movement by the identified user, and to open the lid when the detected movement is interpreted as the approving movement and not to open the lid when the detected movement pattern is different from the approving movement or when the detected movement pattern is interpreted as the disapproving movement, in order to prevent the lid from being opened accidentally.

8. The motor vehicle of claim 7, wherein the camera is a rearview back-up camera.