US 12,331,561 B2
Low-power vehicle secure access
David Jeffeory Berels, Plymouth, MI (US); Sheran Anthony Alles, Livonia, MI (US); Stephen Jay Osterhoff, Livonia, MI (US); Otto Shafer, Canton, MI (US); Leann Kridner, New Boston, MI (US); Bhushan Joshi, Canton, MI (US); and Zaid Amro, Canton, MI (US)
Assigned to FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Feb. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/671,113.
Prior Publication US 2023/0258028 A1, Aug. 17, 2023
Int. Cl. E05B 81/80 (2014.01); B60R 16/033 (2006.01); G07C 9/00 (2020.01); H02J 7/00 (2006.01); H02J 9/06 (2006.01)
CPC E05B 81/80 (2013.01) [B60R 16/033 (2013.01); G07C 9/00174 (2013.01); G07C 2009/00634 (2013.01); H02J 7/0048 (2020.01); H02J 9/06 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A secured access system for a vehicle, comprising:
a power input configured to receive power from a source external to the vehicle;
a voltage monitor configured to measure voltage and/or state of health of a vehicle battery;
an access component configured to provide secured access to the vehicle;
a first switch electrically connected between the vehicle battery and the access component;
a second switch electrically connected between the power input and the access component; and
a processor configured to, responsive to the voltage monitor indicating the vehicle battery is unable to power the access component, open the first switch to electrically disconnect the vehicle battery from the access component, and close the second switch to electrically connect the power input to the access component, thereby transitioning from a normal mode in which the access component is powered by the vehicle battery and the power input is electrically isolated from the access component to a low power mode in which the power input is electrically connected for powering the access component and the vehicle battery is electrically isolated from the access component.