Input signal management for vehicle park-assist

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10814866-B2
Application number	US-202016878532-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 19, 2020
Priority date	Apr 9, 2018
Publication date	Oct 27, 2020
Grant date	Oct 27, 2020

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for input signal management for vehicle park-assist. An example vehicle includes an autonomy unit for remote parking, a communication module, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is to designate a mobile device responsive to determining the remote parking is inactive and receiving an activation request from the mobile device. When the mobile device is designated, the controller also is to process remote parking signals of the mobile device, stop the remote parking when the sensor detects engagement of a door handle, and prevent processing of other nonemergency requests.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle comprising:
an autonomy unit for remote parking;
a communication module;
a sensor; and
a controller to:
designate a first mobile device responsive to:
determining the remote parking is inactive; and
receiving a first activation request from the first mobile device;
receiving a second activation request from a second mobile device; and
denying the second activation request; and

when the first mobile device is designated:
process remote parking signals of the first mobile device; and
prevent processing of other nonemergency requests.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to send, via the communication module, an alert to the second mobile device indicating that the first mobile device is currently designated.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein the controller is configured to send, via the communication module, an alert to the second mobile device indicating a duration of time during which the first mobile device will remain designated.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to send, via the communication module, a request to the first mobile device for permission to change designation to the second mobile device.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the communication module is configured to communicate with the first mobile device or the second mobile device via a Bluetooth low-energy protocol, a Wi-Fi protocol, cellular communication, Ultra-Wide Band communication, and/or super-high frequency communication.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the autonomy unit activates the remote parking in response to the controller designating the first mobile device for the remote parking.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the autonomy unit performs the remote parking based upon the remote parking signals received by the communication module from the first mobile device.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the autonomy unit is configured to stop vehicle motive functions of the remote parking upon receipt of an emergency signal for an emergency event.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the emergency signal for the emergency event is received from the first mobile device or the second mobile device.

10. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the communication module is configured to receive the emergency signal from phones-as-keys and key fobs.

11. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the emergency signal includes a panic request signal received by the communication module.

12. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the emergency signal includes a plurality of requests received by the communication module within a predefined time period.

13. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein the emergency event includes an obstacle being positioned along a vehicle path of the vehicle motive functions.

14. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to receive the nonemergency requests from one or more phones-as-keys, one or more key fobs, a vehicle keypad, a liftgate sensor, and a cellular network.

15. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to prioritize competing activation requests from competing mobile devices.

16. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the nonemergency requests include passive-entry passive-start signals and remote keyless entry signals.

17. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the nonemergency requests include a remote door unlock request.

18. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein, when the remote parking is stopped, the controller is configured to unlock a door in response to the sensor detecting engagement with the door handle.

19. A method comprising:
designating, via processor, a first mobile device for remote parking responsive to:
determining the remote parking is inactive; and
receiving, via a communication module, an activation request from the first mobile device;
receiving a second activation request from a second mobile device; and
denying the second activation request;

processing, via an autonomy unit, remote parking signals of the first mobile device; and
preventing processing of other nonemergency requests during the remote parking.

20. The method of claim 19 , prioritizing competing activation requests from competing mobile devices.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Lavoie Erick Michael
• Hassani Ali
• Chatten Alyssa
• Van Wiemeersch John Robert

Classifications

• B60W30/06 Primary

  Automatic manoeuvring for parking · CPC title

• B60R25/24

  using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user · CPC title

• B60R25/34

  of conditions of vehicle components, e.g. of windows, door locks or gear selectors · CPC title

• B60R2325/205

  Mobile phones · CPC title

• B60W2050/0064

  using a remote, e.g. cordless, transmitter or receiver unit, e.g. remote keypad or mobile phone · CPC title