Vehicle center console having powered storage compartment cover and method

Abstract

A vehicle includes a console having a base housing having a first compartment having an open top end, a powered cover coupled to the base housing and configured to move between an open compartment position exposing the first compartment, and a closed compartment position covering the first compartment, at least one sensor including an imaging camera located in the vehicle and orientated to capture images of the first compartment when the cover is in the open compartment position, and image processing for processing the captured images and detecting one or more objects determined to be of value located within the first compartment. A controller controls the powered cover to move the powered cover from the open compartment position to the closed compartment position when an item of value is detected located within the first compartment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.