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US 10,370,005 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for vehicle valet control devices
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsJohn Robert Van Wiemeersch, Aaron Delong, Vivekanandh Elangovan, Timothy Thivierge, Jr., Brian Wilkerson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system includes a processor configured to place a vehicle into a valet mode, restricting vehicle usage. The processor is also configured to determine that a valet tag, having a wireless connection to the vehicle, is in motion, while the vehicle is in valet mode and activate an external indicator usable to find the vehicle, responsive to the tag motion.
Claims16
A system comprising:
- a processor configured to:
- place a vehicle into a valet mode, restricting vehicle usage;
- determine that a valet tag, having a wireless connection to the vehicle, is in motion, while the vehicle is in valet mode;
- and
- responsive to the tag motion as well as responsive to detecting an increasing wireless signal strength from the valet tag, activate an external indicator usable to find the vehicle.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a processor configured to:
- place a vehicle into a valet mode, restricting vehicle usage:
- determine that a valet tag, having a wireless connection to the vehicle, is in motion, while the vehicle is in valet mode;
- and
- responsive to the tag motion as well determining that the tag ceased motion, following activation of the valet mode, for at least a predetermined time period, activate an external indicator usable to find the vehicle.
2 more elements
A computer-implemented method comprising:
- determining that a valet tag is in motion after having ceased motion for a predetermined period of time;
- determining that a vehicle is in a valet mode, restricting vehicle functionality;
- and
- providing a visual or audible indicator, usable to find the vehicle from a location exterior to the vehicle, responsive to determining that the tag is in motion and that the vehicle is in valet mode.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.