US 12,202,406 B2
Systems and methods to guide an individual to an electrical power outlet in a vehicle
Stuart C. Salter, White Lake, MI (US); Brendan Diamond, Grosse Pointe, MI (US); Ryan O'Gorman, Beverly Hills, MI (US); David Celinske, Wolverine Lake, MI (US); Paul Kenneth Dellock, Northville, MI (US); David Brian Glickman, Southfield, MI (US); and Vyas Shenoy, Canton, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Sep. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/936,030.
Prior Publication US 2024/0101029 A1, Mar. 28, 2024
Int. Cl. G08B 21/00 (2006.01); B60Q 9/00 (2006.01); B60R 25/30 (2013.01); G06V 20/56 (2022.01); G06V 40/10 (2022.01); G08B 7/06 (2006.01); H01R 13/44 (2006.01)
CPC B60Q 9/00 (2013.01) [B60R 25/305 (2013.01); G06V 20/56 (2022.01); G06V 40/10 (2022.01); G08B 7/06 (2013.01); H01R 13/44 (2013.01); H01R 2201/26 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
determining, by a processor, that an individual is seeking an electrical power outlet provided on a vehicle;
selecting, by the processor, a first electrical power outlet from a plurality of electrical power outlets provided on the vehicle; and
providing, by the processor, location information of the first electrical power outlet,
wherein providing location information of the first electrical power outlet comprises providing, by the processor, at least one of an audio signal, a visual indication, an audible instruction, a graphical indication, and a text message, and
wherein the individual is located within a threshold distance outside the vehicle, wherein the audio signal comprises a beeping sound, wherein the visual indication comprises illumination of the electrical power outlet, wherein the audible instruction provides navigation assistance to reach the electrical power outlet, wherein the graphical indication includes location information of the electrical power outlet on the vehicle, and wherein the text message provides navigation assistance to reach the electrical power outlet.