Patent ID: 7551995
Filing Date: 2009-06-23
Classification: B60P

Abstract:
1. An access system for a vehicle having a door control system that opens and closes a vehicle door, the door control system coupled to a vehicle data bus that carries data in a first format, the access system comprising: a ramp control system including a ramp that is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position; an interface system coupled to and communicating with the ramp control system to initiate movement of the ramp between the stowed and deployed positions, and to receive ramp status signals indicating whether the ramp is stowed or deployed; a gateway module coupled to the vehicle data bus for communication thereon; and a gateway bus coupled to the gateway module and the interface system for carrying data signals therebetween, the gateway bus carrying data in a second format, wherein the interface system relays the ramp status signals to the gateway module via the gateway bus, wherein the gateway module relays the ramp status signals to the door control system via the vehicle data bus, and wherein the gateway module translates data from the first format to the second format for relaying data from the vehicle data bus to the gateway bus, and from the second format to the first format for relaying data from the gateway bus to the vehicle data bus.