Approach activated closure entry system for a motor vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10563448-B2
Application number	US-201514936824-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 10, 2015
Priority date	Nov 10, 2015
Publication date	Feb 18, 2020
Grant date	Feb 18, 2020

Abstract

An approach activated closure entry system is provided for a motor vehicle. That system includes a proximity sensor, a projector, a power operated closure and a controller. The controller is configured to project an image onto the ground when the motor vehicle is approached by an authorized user, vary that image when the approach activated closure entry system operation is initiated and open the power operated closure in response to the authorized user stepping into the image for a predetermined period of time.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. An approach activated closure entry system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a proximity sensor;
a projector;
a power operated closure;
a sensing device for detecting an authorized user within a predetermined distance of said motor vehicle; and
a controller configured to (a) project an image onto the ground when said motor vehicle is approached by said authorized user, (b) change said image when said approach activated closure entry system operation is initiated and (c) open said power operated closure in response to said authorized user stepping into said image for a predetermined period of time.

2. The approach activated closure entry system of claim 1 wherein said controller is configured to detect activity adjacent said closure after projecting the image on the ground and before varying said image.

3. The approach activated closure entry system of claim 2 , wherein said controller is configured to initially project an image of a motor vehicle manufacturer logo onto the ground.

4. The approach activated closure entry system of claim 3 wherein said controller is configured to vary said image from said motor vehicle manufacturer logo to a footprint to indicate said approach activated closure entry system is ready to open said power operated closure in response to said user stepping into said image.

5. The approach activated closure entry system of claim 4 , wherein said power operated closure includes a power operated latch and closure drive motor for displacing the closure of said motor vehicle between a closed position and an open position.

6. The approach activated closure entry system of claim 2 , wherein said controller is configured to flash said image to indicate said approach activated closure entry system is ready to open said power operated closure in response to said user stepping into said image.

7. The approach activated closure entry system of claim 1 wherein said closure is a tailgate.

8. A method of automatically opening a closure of a motor vehicle by means of an approach activated closure entry system, comprising:
projecting, by projector, an image onto the ground adjacent said closure;
detecting, by sensor, an authorized vehicle user within a predetermined distance of said motor vehicle before projecting said image;
changing, by controller, said image to indicate activation of said approach activated closure entry system; and
opening, by controller, said closure in response to the authorized user stepping into said image for a predetermined period of time.

9. The method of claim 8 , further including detecting, by sensor, activity adjacent said closure before varying said image.

10. The method of claim 9 , including initially projecting, by said projector, a motor vehicle manufacturer logo image onto the ground adjacent said closure is response to detecting an authorized vehicle user within said predetermined distance of said motor vehicle.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein varying said image includes changing said image from said motor vehicle manufacturer logo image to a footprint image.

12. The method of claim 11 , including changing said footprint image back to said motor vehicle manufacturer logo image after a predetermined period of time of an authorized user failing to step into said projected footprint image.

13. The method of claim 12 , including deactivating, by said controller, said sensor and said projector when said motor vehicle is started.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein varying said image includes flashing said image on the ground.

15. The method of claim 8 , including projecting said image onto said ground in a position allowing said closure to fully open without contacting an individual standing in said image.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Nania Adrian
• Linden Howard Paul Tsvi

Classifications

• E05B81/78

  as part of a hands-free locking or unlocking operation · CPC title

• G07C2209/14

  With a sequence of inputs of different identification information · CPC title

• E05B81/04

  Electrical (electrical circuits E05B81/54) · CPC title

• G07C2209/63

  Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle · CPC title

• G07C2209/64

  using a proximity sensor · CPC title