Abstract:
A method and apparatus for controlling movement of a liftgate are provided. The method includes: capturing an image of a pattern on a surface; determining a distance between the liftgate and the surface based on the image of the pattern; and controlling a movement of the liftgate based on the determined distance.
Abstract:
A vehicle door controller is disclosed. The vehicle door controller is in communication with an actuator configured to control a door and is further in communication with a temperature sensing device. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensing device. Based on the temperature signal, the controller is configured to identify an actuator condition. In response to the actuator condition, the controller is configured to control the actuator to move the door to a resting position.
Abstract:
A smart opening system is provided. The smart opening system includes a vehicle defining an aperture, a door coupled to the vehicle to assume a first position at which the aperture is closed and multiple second positions at which the aperture is open and to move between the first and second positions, a sensor disposed to sense obstructions surrounding the vehicle and a processing element coupled to the sensor and configured to determine whether any of the obstructions are within a range of motion of the door.
Abstract:
A method is disclosed of operating an automatic door installation comprising door sensor equipment including a door sensor. The automatic door installation is operable in at least a standard mode, in which the door sensor equipment conducts an obstacle check to determine whether an obstacle is present according to a first obstacle check procedure, and a contingency mode, in which the door sensor equipment conducts the obstacle check according to a different second obstacle check procedure. The method includes the steps of evaluating an operating condition of the automatic door installation; determining whether the operating condition lies within a standard operating range; and operating the automatic door installation in the contingency mode when the operating condition lies outside a respective standard operating range.
Abstract:
A hatch control system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and having a rearward field of view that encompasses a region at the rear of the vehicle that is swept by a hatch or liftgate or deck lid or door of the vehicle as the hatch is opened and closed, such as via a powered hatch opening/closing system. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera to determine if an object is present in the region that is swept by the hatch to determine if the hatch may collide with the detected object when the hatch is being opened/closed. Responsive to determination of a potential collision of the hatch with a detected object, the vehicle hatch control system may stop movement of the hatch and/or may move the hatch to a holding position.
Abstract:
A hatch control system for a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a rear portion of the vehicle and having a rearward field of view that encompasses a region at the rear of the vehicle that is swept by a hatch or liftgate or deck lid or door of the vehicle as the hatch is opened and closed, such as via a powered hatch opening/closing system. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera to determine if an object is present in the region that is swept by the hatch to determine if the hatch may collide with the detected object when the hatch is being opened/closed. Responsive to determination of a potential collision of the hatch with a detected object, the vehicle hatch control system may stop movement of the hatch and/or may move the hatch to a holding position.
Abstract:
Monitoring apparatus for monitoring a movement element pivoted between open and closed states of an opening to be closed, the apparatus having a sensor for detecting an object and for monitoring a spatial angle originating at or near the rotation axis. The sensor is fitted at or near the rotation axis and includes a transmitter and receiver for transmitting and receiving radiation within the spatial angle. The sensor emits detection signals generated by the receiver when radiation is detected. The monitoring apparatus includes an evaluation unit that evaluates the detection signals depending on the angular position of the detected radiation in the spatial angle and determines whether an object has been detected and/or the position of the detected object. The evaluation unit draws a distinction between the movement element and an object depending on the current angular position of the movement element.
Abstract:
Time-of-flight (TOF) three-dimensional sensing systems are deployed on or in a motor vehicle to image contact zones associated with potential contact between an avoidable object and the vehicle or vehicle frame and/or remotely controllable motorized moving door or liftgate. An algorithm processes depth data acquired by each TOF system to determine whether an avoidable object is in the associated contact zone. If present, a control signal issues to halt or reverse the mechanism moving the door. A stored database preferably includes a depth image of the contact zone absent any object, an image of the door, and volume of the door. Database images are compared to newly acquired depth images to identify pixel sensors whose depth values are statistically unlikely to represent background or the door. Pixels within the contact zone so identified are an object, and the control signal is issued.
Abstract:
An electronic gate includes a foldable portion, a motor, a time-of-flight (TOF) camera, a switch, and a safety system. The foldable portion is located between a first support and a second support. The motor controls the foldable portion. The TOF camera captures an image of a scene between the first support and the second support and obtains data about distances between a number of points in the scene and the TOF camera. The safety system builds a three dimension (3D) model of the scene according to the image of the scene and the data about distances between the number of points in the scene and the TOF camera. In addition, the safety system checks the 3D model to determine whether there are people between the first support and the second support, and control the switch to cut off a power supply from the motor according to the determination result.
Abstract:
A laser sensor projects laser light in the downward direction. If the laser sensor does not receive any laser light reflected by an obstacle or the ground, it is determined that the obstacle is present in the direction of projection of the laser light. It is thus possible to detect the presence of the obstacle, which will at least affect the opening of the vehicle door.