US 12,291,169 B2
Automatic trigger strategy for clearing exterior biometric sensors
Jake S. Schwartz, Dearborn, MI (US); John R. Van Wiemeersch, Novi, MI (US); and David A. Hiskens, Ypsilanti, MI (US)
Assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Oct. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/968,895.
Prior Publication US 2024/0132020 A1, Apr. 25, 2024
Prior Publication US 2024/0227734 A9, Jul. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. B60R 25/25 (2013.01); B60R 25/20 (2013.01); B60R 25/24 (2013.01); B60R 25/30 (2013.01); B60S 1/02 (2006.01); B60S 1/56 (2006.01); G01K 3/00 (2006.01); G06V 20/58 (2022.01); G06V 40/13 (2022.01)
CPC B60R 25/252 (2013.01) [B60R 25/209 (2013.01); B60R 25/245 (2013.01); B60R 25/305 (2013.01); B60S 1/026 (2013.01); B60S 1/56 (2013.01); G01K 3/005 (2013.01); G06V 20/58 (2022.01); G06V 40/13 (2022.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:
a biometric device mounted on the vehicle for detecting an identity corresponding to a user of the vehicle;
a heating device mounted proximate to the biometric device;
a power manager configured to inactivate a data acquisition system when an energy reserve falls below a threshold;
the data acquisition system configured to identify a parking status of the vehicle as indoor or outdoor, measure an ambient exterior temperature at the vehicle, and collect a weather forecast applying to an area where the vehicle is located;
a controller configured to determine whether to activate the heating device, when the data acquisition system has not been inactivated, using a set of rules comprising:
(A) collecting baseline data when the vehicle enters a key-off state;
(B) leaving the heating device inactivated if the parking status is identified as indoor;
(C) leaving the heating device inactivated if the ambient exterior temperature is above a predetermined threshold;
(D) leaving the heating device inactivated if the weather forecast indicates a probability of snow or ice less than a threshold; and
(E) activating the heating device in response to a user activity if the heating device has not been left inactivated in (A) through (D).