System and method for controlling object detection based on driver status

US8019545B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Thomas Lee Miller · Ann Arbor, US
• Anthony Dwayne Cooprider · Rochester Hills, US
• Ronald Patrick Brombach · Plymouth, US
• Kevin Thomas Hille · Plymouth, US
• John Robert Van Wiemeersch · Harper Woods, US
• Karl William Wojcik · Sterling Heights, US
• Shimul Bhuva · Ann Arbor, US
• Aaron L. Mills · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 6, 2008
• Grant date: Sep 13, 2011
• Expiry date: Feb 4, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

Primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on each of the primary and secondary keys and is configured to generate a driver status signal indicative of whether the driver the primary driver or the secondary driver. A controller is operably coupled to the key ignition device. The controller is adapted to determine whether the driver is the primary driver or the secondary driver. The controller is adapted to generate a position notification signal indicative of the position of the object with respect to the vehicle. The controller is adapted to notify the primary and secondary drivers of the position of the object. The controller is adapted to selectively control the operation of generating the position notification signals based on whether the driver is the primary driver or the secondary driver.