Eliminating unexpected activation of components of a vehicle when parked in a garage

US11721144B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Stuart C. Salter · White Lake, US
• Kristopher Karl Brown · Dearborn, US
• Peter Kung · Jona, CH
• Mike Kipley · Saline, US
• John Van Wiemeersch · Novi, US
• Hussein H. Berry · Dearborn, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 24, 2021
• Grant date: Aug 8, 2023
• Expiry date: Aug 24, 2041

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07C2009/00928
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

This disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for eliminating false activation of components of a vehicle when the vehicle is parked in a garage. Example components can be a door lock, a door latch, a door activation servomotor, or a light. In an example method, a vehicle entry authorization system of a vehicle operates a sensor system to obtain dimensional information of an interior portion of the garage. The vehicle entry authorization system may then detect a presence of a mobile device (such as a phone-as-a-key or a vehicle key fob) and determines the location of the mobile device based on the dimensional information. If the mobile device is located outside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system refrains from activating a component of the vehicle. However, if the mobile device is located inside the garage, the vehicle entry authorization system activates the component.