# US 11,993,227 B2 · Control method and apparatus for controlling operation of an access control device for a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,993,227 B2 - Document ID: US11993227B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/044,613 - Filed: 2019-02-08 - Published: 2021-07-01 - Granted: 2024-05-28 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-04 - Assignees: Jaguar Land Rover Limited - Applicants: Jaguar Land Rover Limited - Inventors: Howard Siswick; Mohammed Khan; John Davies - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993227B2 ## CPC - B60R 25/24: using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user - G07C 9/00309: {operated with bidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks} - G07C 2009/00587: {by battery} - G07C 2209/08: With time considerations, e.g. temporary activation, valid time window or time limitations - G07C 2209/63: Comprising locating means for detecting the position of the data carrier, i.e. within the vehicle or within a certain distance from the vehicle - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to a controller (20) for controlling operation of an access control device (2) for a vehicle (3). The access control device (2) is selectively operable in a first operating mode (P1) and a second operating mode (P2). The access control device (2) is in a limited response mode when operating in the first operating mode (P1). The controller (20) includes a processor (24) and a memory means (23). The processor (24) is configured to determine a position of the access control device (2) and to generate a control signal for activating the first operating mode (P1). The control signal is generated in dependence on the determined position of the access control device (2). The controller (20) may be provided in the access control device (2). The present disclosure also relates to a method of controlling operation of an access control device (2). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A controller for controlling operation of an access control device for a vehicle, the access control device being selectively operable in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, the access control device being in a limited response mode when operating in the first operating mode, the controller comprising a processor and a memory means, the processor being configured to: determine a position of the access control device; and generate a control signal for activating the first operating mode, the control signal being generated in dependence on the determined position of the access control device; and identify when the access control device is located in a low usage position where expected usage of the access control device is low, the expected usage of the access control device being predicted in dependence on historic usage of the access control device in a particular position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to identify when the access control device is positioned within a designated area; and to generate the control signal for activating the first operating mode in dependence on identification that the access control device is positioned within the designated area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A controller as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to identify the designated area by: recording a first time when the access control device is substantially stationary and optionally not in communication with the vehicle; recording a second time when the access control device is actuated; determining a time period elapsed between said first and second times; and identifying the designated area as the position of the access control device between said first and second times when the time period is greater than a predefined time period. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A controller as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to identify one or more position of the access control device when the access control device is actuated; and optionally also determining an actuation rate of the access control device at a given position; the processor being configured optionally to identify the designated area by identifying one or more position where the actuation rate of the access control device is less than a predefined actuation threshold. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A controller as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to generate the control signal in dependence on determination that the access control device has been dormant for a predetermined period of time. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A controller as claimed in claim 5, wherein, when the access control device is positioned inside the designated area, the predetermined period of time is a first dormant time; and, when the access control device is positioned outside the designated area, the predetermined period of time is a second dormant time; the second dormant time being longer than the first dormant time. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) A controller as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to identify the designated area by identifying a position where the access control device switches from the second operating mode to the first operating mode on a predetermined number of occasions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to vary a dormant time before generating the control signal in dependence on a historic actuation rate of the access control device at a current position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An access control device comprising the controller as claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) An access control system comprising the access control device as claimed in claim 9. ### Claim 11 A method of controlling operation of an access control device which is selectively operable in a first operating mode and a second operating mode, the access control device being in a limited response mode when operating in the first operating mode, the method comprising: determining a position of the access control device; and generating a control signal for activating the first operating mode, the control signal being generated in dependence on the determined position of the access control device; and identifying when the access control device is located in a low usage position where expected usage of the access control device is low, the expected usage of the access control device being predicted in dependence on historic usage of the access control device in a particular position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method as claimed in claim 11, comprising: identifying when the access control device is positioned within a designated area; and activating the first operating mode upon identification that the access control device is positioned within the designated area. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A method as claimed in claim 12, comprising identifying the designated area by: recording a first time when the access control device is substantially stationary and optionally not in communication with the vehicle; recording a second time when the access control device is actuated; determining a time period elapsed between said first and second times; and identifying the designated area as the position of the access control device between said first and second times when the time period is greater than a predefined time period. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) A method as claimed in claim 12, comprising identifying one or more position of the access control device when the access control device is actuated; and determining an actuation rate of the access control device at a given position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method as claimed in claim 14, comprising identifying the designated area by identifying an area where the actuation rate of the access control device is less than a predefined actuation threshold. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) A method as claimed in claim 12, comprising activating the first operating mode in dependence on determination that the access control device has been dormant for a predetermined period of time. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein, when the access control device is positioned inside the designated area, the predetermined period of time is a first dormant time; and, when the access control device is positioned outside the designated area, the predetermined period of time is a second dormant time; the second dormant time being longer than the first dormant time. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) A method as claimed in claim 12, comprising identifying the designated area by identifying a position where the access control device switches from the second operating mode to the first operating mode on a predetermined number of occasions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) A method as claimed in claim 11, comprising varying a dormant time before generating the control signal in dependence on a historic actuation rate for a current position of the access control device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) A non-transitory computer-readable medium having a set of instructions stored therein which, when executed, cause a processor to perform the method claimed in claim 11.