The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 10, 2014
Filed:
Jan. 05, 2012
Rene A. Whelan, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Richard W. Smith, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abraham Phillip, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Thomas L. Miller, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Rene A. Whelan, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Richard W. Smith, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abraham Phillip, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Thomas L. Miller, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
Restricted operating modes are provided for a motor vehicle when driven by a secondary driver (such as a less experienced driver). A seat occupancy sensor detects the presence of at least one rear seat passenger. A controller includes a memory storing rules defining a restricted operating mode containing a plurality of limitations to be applied to operation of various vehicle accessories in conjunction with the secondary driver. The controller selectively controls the operation of at least one of the accessories according to one of the rules in response to simultaneously detecting the secondary driver and the presence of at least one rear seat passenger. Use of the rules may also depend on whether the rear seat passenger has an unbuckled seat belt.