Method of controlling a vehicle door lock system

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, wherein sensing the current status of the door lock system includes sensing a current 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 door lock system is disposed in an inactive 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;
• automatically generating a control signal to deactivate the double door lock feature if the double door lock feature is disposed in the active state, the measured time period is equal to or greater than the maximum delay time, and the door is in the unopened position;
• and
• 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 double door lock feature is in the inactive state, the measured time period is equal to or greater than the maximum delay time, and the door is in the unopened position.

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;
• 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, wherein sensing the current status of the door lock system includes sensing a current 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 door lock system is disposed in an inactive state;
• and
• automatically generating a control signal to deactivate the double door lock feature if the double door lock feature is disposed in the active state and the door is in the unopened position.