In a state that an engine is started up by using a mobile device from outside a vehicle, a power mode changeover switch is switched from a fixed contact OFF to a fixed contact START while avoiding a fixed contact ACC and a fixed contact ON, and the power mode changeover switch is maintained at the fixed contact START even after the engine is placed in an operation state. When an electric power is not supplied through the fixed contact ACC, a detection unit places itself in a state in which a detection operation is possible, and when the electric power is supplied, the detection unit places itself in a detection operation prohibition state.

A vehicle door opening/closing device includes a front door configured to open and close a front left opening of a vehicle body, a rear sliding door configured to open and close a rear left opening of the vehicle body, a vehicle door opening/closing device main body configured to automatically open and close the rear sliding door, a detection unit configured to detect the presence of the left foot of a user, and a control unit (detection ECU, door lock ECU, sliding door driving ECU). If the front door is in an opened state at the time when the detection unit detects the presence of the left foot, the control unit does not put the rear sliding door into a closed state.

A method to actuate a locking element for a vehicle including detecting a movement of an object using an optical sensor, activating an ultrasound sensor in accordance with the detected movement, detecting a gesture using the ultrasound sensor, and actuating the locking element in accordance with the detected gesture.

Security systems for secured assets such as vehicles, are described in which facial recognition systems or other biometrics systems provide enhanced security for an authorized user. Subtle or covert cues provided by the user during authentication or subsequent monitoring of the user by the facial recognition system and other input systems are used to invoke user-editable personal security rules that respond to the cues to implement the user's desired responses for added security in various situations. Related security systems, methods, and devices are described to protect an asset such as an automobile or other vehicle or other secured asset through the use of biometrics and personal security rules. In such systems, a training module may provide periodic training and practice sessions to assist the user in being prepared to properly use the personal rules system in response to various scenarios and threats, and can guide adjustment of personal rules for better success.

A message is received that a mobile device is in proximity to a vehicle. For example, a cloud system may receive a message that the mobile device is in proximity to the car of a specific person. Based on the mobile device being in proximity to the vehicle, sensor information is received from one or more sensors on the vehicle. For example, an array of cameras on the vehicle may be used to detect a gesture. The received information from the one or more sensors on the vehicle is processed to identify one or more actions to implement on the vehicle. One or more commands are then sent to implement one or more actions on the vehicle. For example, the one or more commands may be to open a specific door on the vehicle and to turn on a specific heating system in the vehicle.

A vehicular sensing device for a vehicular function control system includes a plurality of sensors and at least one illumination source operable to backlight a plurality of icons at a cover element, each icon of the plurality of icons representative of a respective vehicle function. With the vehicular sensing device disposed at a vehicle, and with the at least one illumination source activated to backlight the plurality of icons, the backlit icons are viewable at an exterior portion of the vehicle, and each sensor of the plurality of sensors has a respective field of sensing associated with a respective icon of the plurality of icons. Responsive to sensing by one of the sensors of proximity or movement of a user in the field of sensing of that sensor, a controller generates an output to control the vehicle function that is represented by the respective backlit icon associated with that sensor.

Provided are a motion determination device and a method capable of correctly determining a kicking motion by a user about to open or close a gate of a vehicle. The motion determination device includes sensors respectively mounted on positions spaced apart from each other and detecting approach of an object, and a determination device which determines that the predetermined kicking motion has been performed, when each detection value shows a predetermined pattern, a time until each of the detection values becomes less than a first threshold value after it becomes the first threshold value or more is within a predetermined time, and a ratio of a maximum value among detection values by a first sensor and a maximum value among the detection values by a second sensor different from the first sensor is within a predetermined range.

A lower structure of a vehicle includes a rear bumper cover, a rear floor cover serving as an under cover that is provided at a lower side, in an up-and-down direction of the vehicle, than a floor panel of the vehicle and at a front side of the vehicle relative to the rear bumper cover, and a kick sensor having a signal line which extends in a width direction of the vehicle and a sensor part placed on the signal line. The kick sensor is placed inside a closed cross-section space surrounded by a connected structure of the rear bumper cover and the under cover and formed on the side of the floor panel, isolated from an outside of the vehicle.

The disclosure concerns a method for controlling a sliding door arrangement of a motor vehicle, wherein the sliding door arrangement comprises a sliding door, a drive arrangement for motorized displacement of the sliding door, a control arrangement and a sensor arrangement with at least one sensor element, in particular implemented as a proximity sensor, where-in during operator event monitoring by means of the control arrangement the sensor signals of the sensor arrangement are monitored as to whether a predetermined operator event exists. It is proposed that the sensor arrangement is disposed at least partly in or on the sliding door and that opening the sliding door at least from a closed end position and/or closing the sliding door at least from an open end position is/are carried out by means of the drive arrangement depending on the result of the operator event monitoring.

A vehicle function control system includes a sensing and projecting module disposed at an exterior portion of the vehicle and having an illumination source operable to project a plurality of icons onto a ground area at or near the vehicle or an exterior surface of the vehicle, with each of the projected icons being representative of a respective vehicle function. The module includes a sensing device operable to sense the presence of a user at or near one of the projected icons and, responsive to the sensing of the presence of the user, the system determines which of the projected icons is being selected by the user. A control is responsive to an output of the sensing device and, responsive to determination of the user at or near a selected particular projected icon, the control controls a function of the vehicle associated with the selected particular projected icon.