IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,381,877
Granted Patent B2
US 9,381,877 · App. 14/491,488 · Granted Jul 5, 2016

Method for operating a motor vehicle in a presentation mode

Inventors: Lukas Preusser (Cologne NRW, DE); Nils David Schloesser (Cologne NRW, DE)
Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
B60R16/023
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,381,877
App. No.
14/491,488
Granted
Jul 5, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for operating a motor vehicle having one or more electrical systems/devices, wherein the systems/devices are operable in at least two different modes. In a normal mode, a vehicle key is required for activation of at least one of the electrical devices. After enabling of a presentation mode, activation of the at least one device is possible without use of the vehicle key. The presentation mode is optimized for use in a dealership, where certain electrical/electronic functions of the vehicle should be available for use by a potential buyer without the requirements of a dealership employee being present with the vehicle key.

Claims (26)

1. A method for operating a motor vehicle comprising:

operating in a first mode wherein a vehicle key is required for activation of an electrical device of the vehicle; and

enabling a second mode wherein activation of the device is possible without use of the vehicle key, the second mode enabled using a diagnostic device which is temporarily connected to on-board electronics of the vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein, after enabling of the second mode, activation of the device is triggered by at least one of opening a vehicle door, detection that a vehicle seat is occupied, and detection that a vehicle passenger compartment is occupied.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein, after enabling of the second mode, a variable setting of the electrical device is reset to a standard/default setting.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the reset of the variable setting is triggered by at least one of opening of a vehicle door, closing of a vehicle door, detection that a vehicle seat is unoccupied, and detection a vehicle passenger compartment is unoccupied.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical device executes a predefined functional program upon activation.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the predefined functional program comprises displaying a welcome message.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrical device, after being activated in the second mode, is deactivated if the device is not used within a predefined time interval.

8. A method for operating a motor vehicle comprising:

operating in a first mode wherein a vehicle key is required for activation of an electrical device of the vehicle;

using a diagnostic device which is temporarily connected to on-board electronics of the vehicle to enable a second mode wherein the device is operational in a sleep-state and may be activated without use of the vehicle key; and

triggering activation of the device by at least one of opening a vehicle door, detection that a vehicle seat is occupied, and detection that a vehicle passenger compartment is occupied.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein, after enabling of the second mode, a variable setting of the electrical device is reset to a standard/default setting.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the reset of the variable setting is triggered by at least one of opening of a vehicle door, closing of a vehicle door, detection that a vehicle seat is unoccupied, and detection a vehicle passenger compartment is unoccupied.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the electrical device executes a predefined functional program upon activation.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the predefined functional program comprises displaying a welcome message.

13. A motor vehicle having an electrical device alternatively operable in at least two modes, the modes comprising:

a first mode wherein activation of an electrical device of the vehicle requires prior activation by a vehicle key; and

a second mode wherein operation of the device is possible without prior activation by the vehicle key, the second mode enabled using a diagnostic device which is temporarily connected to on-board electronics of the vehicle.

14. The motor vehicle of claim 13 wherein, when operating in the second mode, activation of the device is triggered by at least one of opening a vehicle door, detection that a vehicle seat is occupied, and detection that a vehicle passenger compartment is occupied.

15. The motor vehicle of claim 13 wherein, when operating in the second mode, a variable setting of the electrical device is reset to a standard/default setting.

16. The motor vehicle of claim 15 wherein the reset of the variable setting is triggered by at least one of opening of a vehicle door, closing of a vehicle door, detection that a vehicle seat is unoccupied, and detection a vehicle passenger compartment is unoccupied.

17. The motor vehicle of claim 13 wherein the electrical device executes a predefined functional program upon activation.

18. The motor vehicle of claim 17 wherein the predefined functional program comprises displaying a welcome message.

19. The motor vehicle of claim 13 wherein the electrical device, after being activated in the second mode, is deactivated if the device is not used within a predefined time interval.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 19, 2014
From: PREUSSER, LUKAS; SCHLOESSER, NILS
To: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 033780/0915 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2013 218 920 · Sep 20, 2013 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20150088377A1 · Mar 26, 2015