IP Library Granted Patent US 9,156,398
Granted Patent B2
US 9,156,398 · App. 13/974,666 · Granted Oct 13, 2015

Method for operating a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,156,398
App. No.
13/974,666
Granted
Oct 13, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method is provided for operating a motor vehicle. At least one transport device is rigidly connected to the motor vehicle in an outer region, an object is fastened to the transport device and the motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to a sensor. The one transport device in a state in which it is connected to the motor vehicle is partially arranged within a recording range of the sensor. The method includes, but is not limited to determining whether one object is fastened to the transport device takes place based on data determined by the at least one sensor. In the event that it is determined that the object is fastened to the transport device, determining of at least one parameter takes place. The parameter characterizes a possible disconnecting of the one object from the transport device, based on data determined by the sensor.

Claims (38)

1. A method for operating a motor vehicle with a transport device that is configured for a rigid connection to the motor vehicle in an outer region of the motor vehicle and an object fastened to the transport device, the motor vehicle comprising a sensor and the transport device that, when connected to the motor vehicle, at least partially arranged within a recording range of the sensor, the method comprising:

a first determining step of determining with the sensor if the object is fastened to the transport device;

monitoring a parameter when the first determining step determines that the object is fastened to the transport device, wherein the parameter characterizes a possible disconnecting of the object from the transport device based on data determined by the sensor;

a second determining step of determining if the object is disconnecting from the transport device based on the parameter;

outputting of a warning message with an output device of the motor vehicle only when the first determining step determines that the object is fastened to the transport device and when the second determining step determines that the object is disconnecting from the transport device.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising a third determining step of determining whether there is a connection between the motor vehicle and the transport device, and

wherein the first determining step determines if the object is fastened to the transport device only when the third determining step determines that there is the connection between the motor vehicle and the transport device.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the third determining step comprises determining whether there is an electrical coupling between the motor vehicle and the transport device.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an electromagnetic sensor.

5. A method for operating a motor vehicle with a transport device having a first operating position that is configured to fasten an object to the transport device, the motor vehicle comprising a sensor and the transport device in the first operating position is at least partially arranged within a recording range of the sensor, the method comprising:

a first determining step of determining with data from the sensor if the object is fastened to the transport device

monitoring a parameter when the first determining step determines that the object is fastened to the transport device, wherein the parameter characterizes a possible disconnecting of the object from the transport device based on the data determined by the sensor;

a second determining step of determining if the object is disconnecting from the transport device based on the parameter;

outputting a warning message with an output device of the motor vehicle only when the first determining step determines that the object is fastened to the transport device and when the second determining step determines that the object is disconnecting from the transport device.

6. The method according to claim 5 ,

wherein the sensor is an optical camera, and

wherein the monitoring of the parameter comprises a taking of a first image and a second image with the optical camera and evaluating the first image and the second image with a differential image method.

7. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the sensor is an optical camera and the monitoring of the parameter comprises a taking of a first image and a second image with the optical camera and an evaluating of the first image and of the second image with a pattern recognition method.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the evaluating of the first image and the second image with the pattern recognition method takes place based on a predetermined pattern of a bicycle.

9. A motor vehicle, comprising

a sensor is arranged such that a transport device is rigidly connected to the motor vehicle in an outer region within a recording range of the sensor;

a first determining device is configured to determine if an object is fastened to the transport device based on data determined by the sensor;

a second determining device that is configured to determine a parameter that characterizes a possible disconnecting of the object from the transport device based on the data determined by the sensor upon determining with the first determining device that the object is fastened to the transport device;

a third determining device that is configured to determine if the object is disconnecting from the transport device based on the parameter; and

an output device that is configured to output a warning message only when the first determining device determines that the object is fastened to the transport device and when the third determining device determines that the object is disconnecting from the transport device.

10. The motor vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the sensor is an acoustic sensor.

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the sensor is an electromagnetic sensor.

12. The motor vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the sensor is an optical camera.

13. A motor vehicle, comprising

a transport device having a first operating position of for fastening to an object;

a sensor arranged such that the transport device in the first operating position is at least partially arranged within a recording range of the sensor,

a first determining device that is configured to determine if the object is fastened to the transport device based on data determined by the sensor;

a second determining device that is configured to determine a parameter, the parameter characterizing a possible disconnecting of the object from the transport device based on the data determined by the sensor when the first determining device determines that the object is fastened to the transport device,

a third determining device that is configured to determine if the object is disconnecting from the transport device based on the parameter;

an output device that is configured to output a warning message only when the first determining device determines that the object is fastened to the transport device and when the third determining device determines that the object is disconnecting from the transport device.

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 13 ,

wherein the transport device is configured to transition from the first operating position into a second operating position,

wherein the transport device in the first operating position is arranged in an outer region of the motor vehicle and the transport device in the second operating position is arranged in an inner region of the motor vehicle.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 2, 2015
From: VOOS, ALEXANDER
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 036474/0471 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2014
From: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
To: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 034189/0065 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2014
From: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST COMPANY
Reel/Frame 033135/0440 →