Hidden storage compartment having a user notification system and method of using the same

A vehicle having a hidden storage compartment with a user notification system and method of using the same is provided. The vehicle includes a storage container securely fixed onto an interior surface of a vehicle floor panel in the footwell area. A floor covering is disposed over the footwell area covering the storage container and includes a flap having a living hinge configured to selectively cover and uncover the lid of the storage container. The storage container includes a biometric scanner, a mass sensor, and a lid sensor in communication with a notification controller. The notification controller analyzes the information received from the biometric scanner, lid sensor, and mass sensor, and determines the state of the storage container based on a logic table. The notification controller then selectively transmit a predetermined message to the user based on the state of the storage container.

INTRODUCTION

The present disclosure relates to storage compartments in a vehicle, more particularly to a hidden storage compartment having a user notification system.

It is common for modern vehicles to have interior storage compartments provided in the passenger cabin for the convenience of the occupants of the vehicle to store personal items or objects such as documents, sun glasses, wallets, etc. The storage compartments are provided in various different locations within the passenger cabin that are immediately accessible to the user. Examples of such locations include a glove box in the instrument panel area of the vehicle, side pockets of the doors, overhead consoles, and floor consoles located between the driver and passenger seats.

While storage compartments are desirable, it also takes up valuable passenger compartment space including headroom, floor space, seat space, and leg space. These storage compartments are also visible to any passersby viewing into the passenger cabin, thus suggesting there might be something of value contained within the storage compartments and possibly inviting theft. It is not uncommon to provide a locking mechanism to selected compartments to safeguard the interior contents, such as a key lock on the glove box. However, key locks might be easily compromised and the contents removed without the awareness of the user.

Thus, while interior storage compartments in the passenger cabin of vehicles achieve their intended purpose, there is a need for a storage compartment that does not significantly intrude into the occupant space and not immediately visible to passersby. There is also a further need for a storage compartment that is accessible to only the intended user and notifies the user of any unauthorized access.

SUMMARY

According to several aspects, a vehicle having a hidden storage container is disclosed. The vehicle includes a floor panel having an interior surface defining a footwell area, a storage container securely fixed onto the interior surface of the floor panel in the footwell area, and a floor covering disposed over the footwell area covering the storage container. The storage container includes an interior surface defining a storage compartment and a lid configured to selectively cover and uncover the storage compartment. The floor covering includes a flap configured to selectively cover and uncover the lid of the storage container.

In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, the interior surface of the storage container includes a foam coating configured to reduce the noise, vibration, and harshness of an object shifting in the storage container during a normal operation of the vehicle.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle further includes an insulating layer between the floor panel and floor covering. The insulating layer defines a space in which the storage container is disposed in.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the storage container further includes a biometric lock having a biometric scanner configured to recognize one or more of a unique predetermined characteristics of a user.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the storage container further includes a mass sensor configured to detect a change in mass within the storage compartment to determine if an object has been added or removed.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the storage container further includes a lid sensor configured to detect if the lid is in an open or closed position.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle further includes a vehicle transmitter and a notification controller in electronic communications with the biometric scanner, lid sensor, mass sensor, and vehicle transmitter. Each of the electronic mass sensor, lid sensor, and biometric scanner is configured to collect and send information to the notification controller. The notification controller is configured to analyze the information received from the biometric scanner, lid sensor, and mass sensor, and selectively transmit, using the vehicle transmitter, a predetermined message to the user.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle further includes an engine control module (ECM) in electronic communication with the notification controller.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, in which the remote receiver is a personal communication device.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, in which the floor covering is a carpeting layer and includes a living hinge connecting the flap.

According to several aspects, a storage container notification system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a storage container having an interior surface defining a storage compartment; a lid configured to selectively open and close the storage compartment; a lid sensor configured to detect whether the lid is in an open position or in a closed position; a biometric scanner configured to authenticate a predetermined user; a vehicle transmitter; and a notification controller in communication with the lid sensor, biometric scanner, and transmitter. The notification controller is configured to transmit a predetermined message, using the vehicle transmitter, if the lid sensor detects the lid in an open position and the biometric scanner fails to authenticate the predetermined user.

In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, the system further includes an electronic mass sensor configured to detect whether the storage compartment is in an occupied state or empty state.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the system further includes a remote receiver, wherein the notification controller is configured to transmit a predetermined message to the remote receiver.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the remote receiver is one of a personal communication device and a service provider that relays the predetermined message to the user.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the system further includes an electronic key pad activated by authentication of the use by the biometric scanner.

According to several aspects, a method of using a vehicle storage container notification system is disclosed. The method includes determining, using a lid sensor, whether a lid of a storage container is in one of an open and closed position; scanning at least one unique characteristics of a predetermined user, using a biometric scanner, to authenticate the predetermined user; and sending a message to a remote receiver if the lid is in an open position and the predetermined user was not authenticated.

In an additional aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes determining, using a mass sensor, whether an object is present in the storage container; assigning one of a first status to the mass sensor if an object is present in the storage container and a second status if an object is not present in the storage container; assigning one of a first status to the biometric scanner if the user was authenticated by the biometric scanner and a second status if the user was not authenticated by the biometric scanner; assigning one of a first status to the lid sensor if the lid is in an open position and a second status if the lid is in a closed position; and processing the combinations of first and second statuses assigned to the biometric scanner, mass sensor, and lid sensor to make an interpretation as to an overall state of the storage container and identify an action item output.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the action item output includes transmitting a predetermined message including notification user of object placement, unauthorized entry, reminder about leftover belonging, notification of object retrieval, and notification of theft.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes selecting the predetermined message, using a logic table, based on a combination of first and second statuses assigned to the mass sensor, biometric scanner, and lid sensor.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the method further includes sending the predetermined message to a remote device including at least one of a personal communication device and message relay service provider.

The vehicle storage compartment having a user notification system as disclosed summarized herein provides the advantage of a storage compartment that does not significantly intrude into the occupant space. It also provides the further advantage of a storage compartment that is readily accessible by the vehicle occupant/user. It further provides the advantage of a storage compartment that is not immediately visible to passersby and is accessible to only the intended user thereby reducing the risk of theft. It still further provides the advantage a user notification system that notifies the user of any unauthorized access to the storage compartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. The illustrated embodiments are disclosed with reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several drawings. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular features. The specific structural and functional details disclosed are not intended to be interpreted as limiting, but as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art as to how to practice the disclosed concepts.

FIG. 1is a top view of a portion of an interior passenger cabin, generally indicated by reference numeral100, of an exemplary land-based vehicle, such as a passenger car. It should be appreciated that the interior passenger cabin100may also be that of a water-based or air-based vehicle without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The portion of the interior passenger cabin100illustrated includes a front end102, an opposing rear end104, a right side106generally extending between the front end102and rear end104, and an opposing108left side. The passenger cabin100contains multiple occupant seating areas including an operator seating area101A, front passenger seating area101B, a left rear passenger seating area101C, and right rear passenger seating area101D. For clarity of illustration and description, the portion of the interior passenger cabin100is illustrated without the seating assemblies, center console, and instrument panel.

At least one of the seating areas101A,101B,101C,101D includes a hidden storage container120having a user notification system200. The left rear passenger seating area101C will be referenced as an exemplary seating area having the hidden storage container120. The seating area101C includes a seating assembly (not shown) mounted on a raised platform area110and a recessed footwell area112immediately adjacent the platform area110. The footwell area112is configured to receive the extension of the occupant's legs and placement of the occupant's foot. The footwell area112includes a footwell floor114having a floor covering116such as carpeting or vinyl layer and may include a floor mat117over a portion of the floor covering116.

FIG. 2is a schematic cross-section of the vehicle along line2-2of the left passenger area101C shown inFIG. 1. The floor covering116includes a flap118that may be selectively folded back, lifted, or removed to provide access to a hidden storage container120disposed in the footwell area112beneath the floor covering116. It is preferable that the hidden storage container120is disposed at a sufficient distant from the raised platform area110such that the occupant positioned in the seating assembly on the platform area110only needs to bend forward at the waist to access the hidden storage container120while the passenger is in a seated position.

The vehicle includes a floor panel122that is formed by stamping a sheet of metallic material, such as steel, or molded from a composite material. The floor panel122includes an interior surface124facing the interior passenger cabin100of the vehicle, a thermal insulator layer127disposed onto the interior surface124, and the floor covering116disposed onto the insulator layer127. The storage container120is disposed between the floor panel122and the floor covering116in a space defined by an absence of the insulator layer127. The storage container120includes an interior container surface126defining a storage compartment128and a lid130configured to selectively cover and uncover the storage compartment128. The flap118of the floor covering116(shown in an open uncovered position) is placed over the storage container120and is configured to selectively allow access to the lid130of the storage container120. The flap118may include a living hinge132for the ease of bending the flap118between an uncovered position and covered position. The living hinge132connects the flap118with the main floor covering116. The living hinge132is a thin flexible hinge made from the same material as the flap118and the main floor covering116in order to visually conceal the folding edge of the flap118. Hook and loop fasteners134may be used to securely fasten the flap118in the covered position to visually obscure the storage container120.

The storage container120is securely fixed onto the floor panel122to prevent removal of the storage container120from the vehicle. The storage container120may be formed of a metallic material welded to or securely bolted to the metallic floor panel122or may be formed of a composite material epoxied to the floor panel122. The interior surface126of the storage container120includes a foam coating136configured to damping noise, vibration, and harshness generated by an object121shifting or vibrating within the storage container120caused by the normal operation of the vehicle. The storage container120further includes an electronic mass sensor138to detect the change in mass of the content of the storage container120to determine if an article has been added or removed from the storage container120, an electronic lid sensor140to detect if the storage container120is in an open or closed position, and an electronic lock142configured to selectively lock the lid130in the closed position.

The electronic lock142may include an electronic key pad144for a user of the storage container120to enter a predetermine authentication code or password in order to unlock the lid130. The electronic lock142may also be that of a biometric lock having a biometric scanner146that recognizes one or more user unique characteristics of the user, such as the face, voice, fingerprint, and/or retina in order to unlock the lid130. The electronic lock142may also be that of a combination biometric and key pad144lock were the biometric scanner146authenticate the user by recognizing one or more user unique characteristics, and then allows the user to enter the predetermined authentication code to unlock the lid130.

Referring toFIG. 3is functional diagram of the hidden storage compartment128having a notification system200in a vehicle202. The notification system200includes a notification controller204in electronic communication with the mass sensor138, lid sensor140, and biometric scanner146of the storage container120. The electronic mass sensor138is configured to send a message to the notification controller204indicating whether the container120contains an object121or does not contain an object121. The lid sensor140is configured to send a message to the notification controller204indicating whether the lid130is in an open position or closed position. The biometric scanner146is configured to send a message to the notification controller204indicating whether the biometric scanner146was activated by the user or not activated by the user. The notification controller204may also be in electronic communication with an engine control module (ECM)206of the vehicle202, where the ECM206communicates to the notification controller204on whether the vehicle ignition is in an on position or an off position. The notification controller204is also in communication with a vehicle transmitter208.

The information collected by the mass sensor138, biometric scanner146, and lid sensor140may be processed by the notification controller204, a separate processor (not shown), and/or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designed for the specific types of lid sensor140, mass sensor138, and/or biometric scanner146used in the user notification system200. It should be appreciated that the ASIC processor may be built into the circuitry of the each of the lid sensor140, mass sensor138, and/or biometric scanner146. The notification controller204may be that of one or more micro-processors; one or more control modules having a memory210or non-transitory computer readable medium used to store notification applications214, and a processor212used to process to execute the stored applications214; and/or that of the vehicle ECM206itself.

Based on the information received from the biometric scanner146, mass sensor138, and lid sensor140, the notification controller204assigns a first status (such as a YES or a 1) or a second status (such as a NO or a 2) to each of the biometric scanner146, mass sensor138, and lid sensor140. Referring to Table 1 below:

The user notification controller204assigns a YES status to the biometric scanner146to indicate that the owner/user was authenticated by biometric scanner146or a NO status to indicate the owner/user was not authenticated by the biometric scanner146. The user notification controller204assigns a YES status to the mass sensor138to indicate that an object121is present in the storage container120or a NO status to indicate that an object121is not present in the storage container120. The user notification controller204assigns a YES status to the lid sensor140to indicate that the lid130is in an open position or a NO status to indicate that the lid130is in a closed position.

The notification controller204processes the various combinations of statuses of the biometric scanner146, mass sensor138, and lid sensor140to make an interpretation as to the overall state of the contents of the storage container120and identifies an action item output from the user notification system200based on a logic table. The action items include, but are not limited to, transmitting a predetermined message to a remote receiver216notifying the user of: object placement, unauthorized entry, reminder about leftover belonging, object retrieval, and/or potential theft. In all cases the biometric scanner146will auto-lock the system after 10-15 seconds of inactivity of the lid sensor140.

Table 2 below is an exemplary logic table that the notification system200may utilize to make an interpretation as to the state of the content (STATE) in the storage container120and to make a determination as to the associated action output, such as transmitting a predetermined message to the remote receiver216. The remote receiver216may be that of a personal communication device including, but not limited to, a smart phone, a pager, a tablet, a computer, and/or a key fob. The remote receiver may also be that of a service provider that relays the predetermined message to the user.

In a first example, referring to Table 2, STATE 1, a first status (YES) is assigned to the biometric scanner146to indicate that a predetermined user was authenticated by the biometric scanner146, a first status (YES) is assigned to the mass sensor138to indicate an object is present in the storage container, and a first status (YES) is assigned to the lid sensor140to indicate the lid is in an open position. Based on a first status (YES) assigned to the biometric scanner146, mass sensor138, and lid sensor140, the notification controller204interprets the state of the content to be “insertion of an object into the container or the user inspects an object already in the container”. The notification controller204will then transmit a predetermined message of “Notification of object placement” to the remote receiver216.

In a second example, referring to Table 2, STATE 6, a second status (NO) is assigned to the biometric scanner146to indicate that a predetermined user was not authenticated by the biometric scanner146, a second status (NO) is assigned to the mass sensor138to indicate an object is not present in the storage container, and a first status (YES) is assigned to the lid sensor140to indicate the lid is in an open position. Based on a first status (YES) assigned to the lid sensor140, and a second status (NO) assigned to both the biometric scanner146and mass sensor138, the notification controller204interprets the state of the content to be “forced retrieval”. The notification controller204will then transmit a predetermined message of “Notification of theft” to the remote receiver216.

The vehicle storage compartment128having a user notification system200as disclosed herein provides at least the advantages of a storage compartment128that does not significantly intrude into the occupant space, a storage compartment128that is readily accessible by the vehicle occupant/user, a storage compartment128that is not immediately visible to passersby, a storage compartment128that is accessible to only the intended user, and a user notification system200that notifies the user of any unauthorized access to the storage compartment128.