# US 2016/0355128 A1 · Method of controlling a vehicle door lock system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0355128 A1 - Document ID: US20160355128A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/729,616 - Filed: 2015-06-03 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-03 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Jeffrey L. Konchan; William A. Biondo; David T. Proefke; Frank J. Arabia, JR.; Thomas E. Utter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160355128A1 ## CPC - B60Q 9/00: Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 {, e.g. haptic signalling} - E05B 77/28: for anti-theft purposes, e.g. double-locking or super-locking - E05B 81/70: the wing position - E05B 81/72: the lock status, i.e. locked or unlocked condition - E05B 81/76: Detection of handle operation; Detection of a user approaching a handle; Electrical switching actions performed by door handles - B60R 2025/1016: {Remote signals alerting owner or authorities, e.g. radio signals} - E05B 45/00: Alarm locks - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - E05B: LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A method of controlling a vehicle includes sensing movement of an interior door handle of the vehicle with a sensing device, such as a door lock switch. A position of a door of the vehicle is sensed with a door position sensor, after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, to determine if the door remains in an unopened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, or if the door moves into an opened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed. When movement of the interior door handle is sensed and the door remains in the unopened position after movement of the interior door handle, instructions are provided with an audio or video device related to the proper procedure for unlocking and opening the door. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of controlling a vehicle, the method comprising: sensing movement of an interior door handle of the vehicle with a sensing device; sensing a position of a door of the vehicle with a door position sensor after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, to determine if the door remains in an unopened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, or if the door moves into an opened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed; and providing instructions with an audio or video device related to the proper procedure for unlocking and opening the door, when movement of the interior door handle is sensed and the door remains in the unopened position after movement of the interior door handle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising sensing a current status of a door lock system with a lock switch to determine if the door lock system is disposed in a locked state or if the door lock system is disposed in an unlocked state. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method set forth in claim 2 further comprising resetting a value of an opening attempt counter equal to zero when the door lock system is disposed in the locked state. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising starting an opening timer to measure a time period when movement of the interior door handle is sensed. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method set forth in claim 4 further comprising comparing the measured time period to a maximum delay time, with a vehicle lock controller, when the door remains in the unopened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, to determine if the measured time period is equal to or greater than the maximum delay time, or if the measured time period is less than the maximum delay time. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method set forth in claim 5 wherein providing instructions with the audio or video device is further defined as providing instructions with the audio or video device when the measured time period is equal to or greater than the maximum time delay. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method set forth in claim 1 further comprising incrementing a value of an opening attempt counter by one for each occurrence of a sensed movement of the interior door handle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method set forth in claim 7 further comprising comparing the value of the opening attempt counter to a first counter value, with a vehicle lock controller, to determine if the value of the opening attempt counter is equal to or greater than the first counter value, or if the value of the opening attempt counter is less than the first counter value. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method set forth in claim 8 further comprising automatically contacting a service provider, with an onboard communication device of the vehicle, to request assistance in opening or unlocking the door of the vehicle, when the value of the opening attempt counter is equal to or greater than the first counter value. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The method set forth in claim 2 wherein sensing the current status of the door lock system includes sensing a state of a double door lock feature of the door lock system to determine if the double door lock feature is disposed in an active state, or if the double door lock feature is disposed in an inactive state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method set forth in claim 10 further comprising activating an alarm system of the vehicle to signal an alert when the double door lock system is disposed in the active state. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method set forth in claim 10 further comprising comparing the value of the opening attempt counter to a second counter value, with the vehicle lock controller, to determine if the value of the opening attempt counter is equal to or greater than the second counter value, or if the value of the opening attempt counter is less than the second counter value. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method set forth in claim 12 further comprising activating an alarm system of the vehicle to signal an alert when the double door lock system is disposed in the inactive state, and the value of the opening attempt counter is equal to or greater than the second counter value. ### Claim 14 A method of controlling a door lock system of a vehicle, the method comprising: sensing a current status of the door lock system with a lock switch to determine if the door lock system is disposed in a locked state or if the door lock system is disposed in an unlocked state; sensing movement of an interior door handle of the door with a sensing device; starting an opening timer to measure a time period after movement of the interior door handle is sensed; sensing a position of the door of the vehicle with a door position sensor after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, to determine if the door remains in an unopened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, or if the door moves into an opened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed; comparing the measured time period to a maximum delay time, with a vehicle lock controller, when the door remains in the unopened position after movement of the interior door handle is sensed, to determine if the measured time period is equal to or greater than the maximum delay time, or if the measured time period is less than the maximum delay time; and providing instructions with an audio or video device related to the proper procedure for unlocking and opening the door, when movement of the interior door handle is sensed, the door remains in the unopened position after movement of the interior door handle, and the measured time period is equal to or greater than the maximum delay time. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method set forth in claim 14 further comprising incrementing a value of an opening attempt counter by one for each occurrence of a sensed movement of the interior door handle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method set forth in claim 15 further comprising automatically contacting a service provider, with an onboard communication device of the vehicle, to request assistance in opening or unlocking the door of the vehicle, when the value of the opening attempt counter is equal to or greater than a first counter value. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method set forth in claim 16 further comprising moving the door lock system from the locked state to the unlocked state, with the vehicle lock controller, in response to a signal remotely sent from the service provider. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method set forth in claim 16 wherein sensing the current status of the door lock system includes sensing a state of a double door lock feature of the door lock system to determine if the double door lock feature is disposed in an active state, or if the double door lock feature is disposed in an inactive state. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method set forth in claim 18 further comprising activating an alarm system of the vehicle to signal an alert when the double door lock system is disposed in the active state. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method set forth in claim 18 further comprising activating an alarm system of the vehicle to signal an alert when the double door lock system is disposed in the inactive state, and the value of the opening attempt counter is equal to or greater than a second counter value.