Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

David Toppenberg

John Robert Van Wiemeersch

Howard Paul Tsvi Linden

Laura Viviana Hazebrouck

Onoyom Essien Ekanem

Robert Chapman

A power door system for a vehicle including a plurality of power-operated doors is provided. The system includes a passive remote entry device configured to emit a signal to one or more cooperating vehicle receivers and a controller configured to cause the power door system to open the at least one power-operated door when the passive remote entry device signal is received and an individual is detected in a predefined activation zone for a predetermined period of time. The system further includes a vehicle-mounted user detection device. The passive remote entry device may be selected from the group consisting of a key fob, a smart key, a key card, a cellular telephone or smartphone configured with a phone-as-a-key function, a Bluetooth&#xae;-activated and vehicle-recognized cellular telephone, a Bluetooth&#xae;-activated and vehicle-recognized smartphone, and a Bluetooth&#xae;-activated and vehicle-recognized smartwatch. Methods for controlling a power door system for a vehicle are described.

Automatic power door opening on sustained presence

A system comprising a vehicle control device that includes a body fittable to a vehicle receptacle. An engagement pin is mounted to a side of the body, releasably lockable to a receptacle hole. A first electrical connector, mounted to a first end of the body, is mateable to an electrical connector, mounted to the receptacle, when the engagement pin is engaged. A steering wheel is releasably and rotatably engagable by a second end of the body.

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Ypsilanti, MI, United States of America

David Toppenberg