System and method for receiving and recording a closure panel release request
A system and a method are provided for receiving and recording a closure panel release request. The system comprises an input device for transmitting the closure panel release request, a closure mechanism for securing the closure panel in the closed position, and a processor that is coupled to the vehicle, the closure mechanism, and the input device. The processor is configured to receive the closure panel release request and set a condition indicating that the closure panel is released from the closed position.
1. A system for receiving and recording a closure panel release request on a vehicle having a closure panel, the system comprising:
an input device for transmitting the closure panel release request;
a closure mechanism for securing the closure panel in a closed position; and
a processor coupled to the closure mechanism, and the input device, the processor configured to:
receive the closure panel release request;
receive a latch signal from the closure mechanism when the closure panel is in the closed position;
set a flag when the closure panel release request is received;
re-set the flag when the latch signal is received;
provide an alert if the flag is set while an additional condition is satisfied, provided that the flag has not been re-set;
not provide the alert when the additional condition is not satisfied; and
not provide the alert when the flag has been re-set.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to release the closure panel from the closed position upon receiving the closure panel release request.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor provides the alert even if the closure panel does not move away from the closed position.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the additional condition is satisfied when an ignition of the vehicle is turned on.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the input device comprises a remote key fob that is wirelessly coupled to the processor.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the additional condition is satisfied when the vehicle is travelling at a predetermined speed.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the additional condition is satisfied when a transmission of the vehicle is engaged.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a latch assembly for latching the closure panel in the closed position, the latch assembly comprising a fork bolt that is biased to move from a primary latched position to an unlatched position, and the latch signal is provided when the fork bolt is rotated into the primary latched position.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the latch assembly further comprises:
a detent that restrains the fork bolt in the primary latched position; and
a release mechanism for moving the detent to release the fork bolt from the primary latched position.
10. A method for receiving and recording a closure panel unlatch request on a vehicle having a closure panel, the method comprising:
receiving the closure panel unlatch request;
receiving a latch signal from the closure mechanism when the closure panel is in the closed position;
setting a flag when the closure panel unlatch request is received;
re-setting the flag when the latch signal is received;
providing an alert if the flag is set while an additional condition is satisfied, provided that the flag has not been re-set;
not providing the alert when the additional condition is not satisfied; and
not providing the alert when the flag has been re-set.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a latch assembly for latching the closure panel in the closed position, the latch assembly comprising a fork bolt that is biased to move from a primary latched position to an unlatched position, and the latch signal is provided when the fork bolt is rotated into the primary latched position.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the alert is provided irrespective of whether there is movement of the closure panel.
13. A closure panel system for alerting a user when a closure panel of a vehicle is not latched in a closed position, the closure panel comprising:
an input device for providing a closure panel unlatch request;
a power release latch assembly for latching the closure panel in the closed position, the power release latch assembly comprising a fork bolt that is biased to move from a primary latched position to an unlatched position, the power release latch assembly configured to provide a latch signal when the fork bolt is rotated into the primary latched position; and
a processor coupled to the power release latch assembly, and the input device, the processor configured to:
receive the closure panel unlatch request from the input device;
receive the latch signal from the power release latch assembly;
set a flag when the closure panel unlatch request is received;
re-set the flag when the latch signal is received;
provide an alert if the flag is set while an additional condition is satisfied, provided that the flag has not been re-set; and
not provide the alert when the flag has been re-set.
14. The closure panel system of claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
not provide the alert when the additional condition is not satisfied.
15. The closure panel system of claim 13 , wherein the alert is provided irrespective of whether there is movement of the closure panel.