A sensor outputs distance information indicating a distance to an object located in a detection area. A control device controls an operation of a device to be controlled based on a fact that the distance information satisfies prescribed conditions that include: i) a condition that the distance exhibits a change corresponding to an entry of the object into the detection area; ii) a condition that the distance maintains a first value for at least a first time length; and iii) a condition that a change of the distance including a monotonic decrease from the first value and a subsequent monotonic increase to a second value is finished within a second time length, wherein a difference between the first value and the second value is no greater than a threshold value.

In a passage assistance apparatus (1) according to the present invention, a storage unit (10) stores passage assistance information regarding passage through an automatic door, a passage condition regarding passage through the automatic door and information regarding an attribute of an image of the surrounding region of the automatic door are associated with each other in the passage assistance information. The passage condition is at least one of the automatic door opening/closing condition and a passage guide condition for the automatic door user, an image acquisition unit (11) acquires a real time image of the surrounding region of the automatic door, an identification unit (12) identifies attribute information, with respect to the real time image, a passage condition selection unit (13) selects a passage condition associated with attribute information in the storage unit (10) that has matched the identified attribute information, and an output unit (14) outputs the selected passage condition.

Systems and methods of opening a vehicle liftgate based on an interior radar sensor that may be used to detect a user outside the rear of the vehicle are provided. The interior radar sensor may be installed behind the center line of a headliner of the vehicle, and detect the user's head and/or an upper-body gesture through the rear window of the vehicle. e.g., upon detection of a key fob carried by the user outside the vehicle. Upon detection of a valid gesture, e.g., a predetermined pattern of movement, by the user, the liftgate may be actuated to open.

Example door control systems and methods are described. In one implementation, a method receives image data from a camera mounted to a vehicle. The image data is analyzed by a door control system to determine whether a user is near the vehicle. If a user is identified near the vehicle, the method determines whether the user intends to open a garage door based on the image data.

A registrant detection means detects, by checking a captured image captured by an imaging apparatus mounted on a vehicle against face images of registrants, that the registrant has approached the vehicle, and detects a position of the registrant. A control target determination means determines which of a plurality of doors of the vehicle is to be controlled based on the position of the registrant. An inquiry means asks the registrant whether or not to unlock a door lock. A door control means unlocks a lock of the door determined to be the control target based on a result of the inquiry.

A sensor outputs distance information indicating a first distance to a first obj ect located in a detection area and a second distance to a second object located in the detection area. A control device allows an operation control of a device to be controlled based on a fact that the distance information satisfies prescribed conditions that include: i) a condition that the first distance and the second distance exhibit changes corresponding to entries of the first object and the second object into the detection area; and ii) a condition that one of the first distance and the second distance monotonically decreases and then monotonically increases while the other one of the first distance and the second distance maintains a first value.

Vehicle-based package delivery and alignment systems and methods are provided herein. An example method includes performing a first alignment of a delivery door of a vehicle with a receiving door of a package locker using location signals that are indicative of a location of the package locker, performing a second alignment of the delivery door with the receiving door based on camera images of an alignment target, and transferring a package from the vehicle to the package locker.

A vehicle hatch clearance determining system includes a plurality of cameras disposed at the vehicle and a control having a processor for processing image data captured by the cameras. During a parking event, and responsive to processing of captured image data, the system detects objects, gathers information pertaining to detected objects exterior the vehicle and generates an environmental model based at least in part on the gathered information. With the vehicle parked, the system determines location of the vehicle relative to at least one detected object of the environmental model and determines if the model includes an object in a region that would be swept by a hatch of the parked vehicle when the hatch is being opened or closed. Responsive to determination that the object is in the region that would be swept by the hatch, the system stops movement of the hatch to avoid impact with the object.

A system including a sensor supported by a motor vehicle, the sensor configured to send a first signal corresponding to an obstacle within a proximity of a door, an electronic control unit configured to receive the first signal from the sensor, the electronic control unit configured to send a second signal based upon the first signal, the second signal being capable of controlling operation of the door, an energy source configured to power the sensor and the electronic control unit independent of whether the motor vehicle is in an on condition or an off condition, and wherein the sensor sends the first signal and the electronic control unit sends the second signal to control operation of the door when the sensor detects an obstacle within proximity of the door.

A warehouse dock door control system (101) has a system controller (147), an interior side unit (144), an exterior side unit (142) comprising a key repository and a key detector. The key detector is configured to detect and identify a specific vehicle key having unique identification data associated therewith. The key detector is configured to detect the presence of the key within the key repository and to read the identification data associated therewith. The controller is configured to use the identification data to determine whether the vehicle key is an authorised vehicle key. In response to the determination, the controller communicates with the interior side unit to authorise opening of the dock door and controls the exterior side unit to secure the vehicle key in the key repository to inhibit removal therefrom until a signal is received indicating that a loading or unloading process is complete.