Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a plurality of locks associated with a vehicle based on a security mode. The method includes receiving a request to unlock one of the plurality of locks and receiving, from a source of data, a first mode for the operation of the plurality of locks. The method includes determining a current mode of operation based on whether an input has been received that indicates a change to a default mode of operation, and selectively outputting one or more control signals to unlock one or more of the plurality of locks based on the determining.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure generally relates to vehicles and more particularly relates to systems and methods for unlocking one or more doors and/or a trunk or liftgate associated with the vehicle based on a security mode. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Typically, a vehicle can include a cabin, which can have one or more doors to gain entry to the cabin, and can include a trunk or a liftgate that can provide access to a cargo area associated with the vehicle. Generally, each of the doors and the trunk or liftgate can have a lock, which can be actuated to secure the door and trunk or liftgate to the vehicle to prevent unwanted entry into the cabin of the vehicle or the cargo area. In certain instances, depending upon the vehicle surroundings, it may be desirable to unlock one door of the vehicle or to unlock one or more doors associated with the vehicle. In addition, depending on the vehicle surroundings, it may be desirable to unlock the trunk or liftgate only, or to unlock the trunk or liftgate and each of the doors. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, it is desirable to provide systems and methods to unlock one or more doors of the vehicle and/or the trunk or liftgate of the vehicle based on a security mode. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A method is provided for controlling a plurality of locks associated with a vehicle based on a security mode. The method includes receiving a request to unlock one of the plurality of locks and receiving, from a source of data, a first mode for the operation of the plurality of locks. The method includes determining a current mode of operation based on whether an input has been received that indicates a change to a default mode of operation, and selectively outputting one or more control signals to unlock one or more of the plurality of locks based on the determining. 
         [0005]    An apparatus is provided for a lock control system for a vehicle having a security mode. The apparatus includes a mode selector switch coupled to the vehicle that transmits a mode selector control signal based on an input and a door coupled to the body and including a lock. The apparatus includes a source of data that provides a first mode for the operation of the lock and a control module that receives the data from the source, the mode selector control signal and a request to unlock the lock. The control module outputs one or more control signals to unlock the lock according to the first mode of operation provided by the source of data or outputs one or more control signals to unlock the lock according to a default mode based on the mode selector control signal. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram illustrating a vehicle that includes a door lock system and cargo lock system in accordance with various embodiments; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a dataflow diagram illustrating a lock control system of the door lock system and cargo lock system in accordance with various embodiments; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the lock control system in accordance with various embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. As used herein, the term module refers to any hardware, software, firmware, electronic control component, processing logic, and/or processor device, individually or in any combination, including without limitation: application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. 
         [0011]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a vehicle  10  is shown to include a lock system  12  in accordance with various embodiments. The lock system  12  includes one or more door lock systems  14 , a cargo lock system  16 , and a control module  18 . As will be discussed in greater detail herein, the control module  18  of the lock system  12  can receive one or more inputs from the one or more door lock systems  14  and/or the cargo lock system  16  to control an operation of one or more locks of the lock system  12 . The control module  18  controls the operation based on a lock mode. As can be appreciated, the control module  18  can alternatively be implemented as multiple control modules (not shown), one for each door lock system  14  and cargo lock system  16 . For exemplary purposes, the control module  18  will be discussed as a single control module  18  that controls the multiple door lock systems  14  and the cargo lock system  16 . 
         [0012]    Generally, a door lock system  14  can be associated with one or more doors  20  of the vehicle  10 . The doors  20  can be coupled to a body  22  of the vehicle  10 , and can permit ingress and egress from a cabin defined by the body  22  of the vehicle  10  as well known to those skilled in the art. The doors  20  can include, but are not limited to, entry doors and cargo entry doors. For exemplary purposes, a single door lock system  14  is associated with a single door  20  of the vehicle  10 . Thus, the vehicle includes multiple door lock systems  14 . 
         [0013]    Each door lock system  14  can include a lock  24 , a lock actuator  26 , a notification system  28 , a latch  29 , a latch actuator  31  and a sensor  33 . The lock  24  can be any suitable locking mechanism, including, but not limited to, an electrical device or an electro-mechanical device, suitable for selectively securing (locking and unlocking) the door  20  to the body  22  to prevent access to the cabin of the vehicle  10 . The lock actuator  26  can comprise any suitable lock actuation device, which can be in communication with the control module  18 . For example, the lock actuator  26  can comprise a virtual lock actuator, which can serve to electronically prevent the unlocking of the door  20  based on an electric lock state recorded in the control module  18 . In this example, when the electric lock state is recorded in the control module  18  as locked, the latch actuator  31  is prevented from actuating the latch  29  unless the electric lock state is changed to unlocked (based on the receipt of a signal from a remote keyless entry (RKE) system  46 , for example). Thus, the lock actuator  26  need not be a separate component, but could be a state of the lock  24  associated with the control module  18 . The lock actuator  26  receives signals from the control module  18  and actuates the unlocking and locking of the lock  24 . 
         [0014]    The notification system  28  can notify the operator that one or more of the locks  24  of the doors  20  are locked or unlocked. The notification system  28  can include one or more visual indicators, which can be in communication with the control module  18 . In one example, a visual indicator can be coupled to each of the doors  20 , however, the visual indicator could be coupled adjacent to the doors  20 . The visual indicators can visually indicate whether that the lock  24  of the door  20  is locked and secured to the body  22  of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0015]    The latch  29  can be any suitable latching mechanism, including, but not limited to, an electrical device or an electro-mechanical device, suitable for selectively latching (latching and unlatching) the door  20  to the body  22  to secure the door  20  to the vehicle  10 . The latch actuator  31  can comprise any suitable actuation device, which can be in communication with the control module  18 , including, but not limited to an electrical switch, mechanical handle, etc. In addition, the door  20  can include more than one latch actuator  31 . For example, the door  20  can include a latch actuator  31  on an exterior of the door  20 , including, but not limited to an electrical switch, and can include a latch actuator  31  on an interior of the door  20 , including, but not limited to a mechanical handle. The latch actuator  31  sends and receives signals from the control module  18  and actuates the unlatching and latching of the latch  29 . The sensor  33  observes conditions associated with the door  20  and generates sensor signals based on the observed conditions. In one example, the sensor  33  observes if the door  20  is opened relative to the body  22 . Thus, the sensor  33  includes, but is not limited to, a door ajar sensor. 
         [0016]    The cargo lock system  16  can be associated with a cargo entry structure  30 , such as, a trunk lid or a liftgate, associated with the vehicle  10 . The cargo entry structure  30  can be coupled to the body  22  of the vehicle  10 , and can permit access to a cargo area associated with the vehicle  10 , which may or may not be separate from the passenger cabin of the vehicle  10 . The cargo lock system  16  can include a cargo lock  32 , a cargo lock actuator  34 , a notification system  36 , a cargo latch  37 , a cargo latch actuator  39  and a cargo sensor  41 . The cargo lock  32  can be any suitable mechanism, including, but not limited to, an electrical device or an electro-mechanical device, suitable for selectively securing (locking and unlocking) the cargo entry structure  30  to the body  22  to prevent access to the cargo area of the vehicle  10 . The cargo lock actuator  34  can comprise any suitable electrical actuation device, which can be in communication with the control module  18 . The cargo lock actuator  34  receives signals from the control module  18  and actuates the unlocking or locking of the cargo lock  32 . 
         [0017]    The notification system  36  can notify the operator that the cargo lock  32  of the cargo entry structure  30  is locked or unlocked. The notification system  36  can include one or more visual indicators, which can be in communication with the control module  18 . In one example, a visual indicator can be coupled to the cargo entry structure  30 , however, the visual indicator could be coupled adjacent to the cargo entry structure  30 . The visual indicators can visually indicate whether that the cargo lock  32  of the cargo entry structure  30  is locked and secured to the body  22  of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0018]    The cargo latch  37  can be any suitable latching mechanism, including, but not limited to, an electrical device or an electro-mechanical device, suitable for selectively latching (latching and unlatching) the cargo entry structure  30  to the body  22  to secure the cargo entry structure  30  to the vehicle  10 . The cargo latch actuator  39  can comprise any suitable actuation device for the cargo latch  37 , which can be in communication with the control module  18 , including, but not limited to an electrical switch, mechanical handle, etc. The cargo latch actuator  39  sends and receives signals from the control module  18  and actuates the unlatching and latching of the cargo latch  37 . The cargo sensor  41  observes conditions associated with the cargo entry structure  30  and generates sensor signals based on the observed conditions. In one example, the cargo sensor  41  observes if the cargo entry structure  30  is opened relative to the body  22 . Thus, the cargo sensor  41  includes, but is not limited to, an ajar sensor. 
         [0019]    In various embodiments, at least one, if not more, of the door lock systems  14  or the cargo lock system  16  of the vehicle  10  includes a mode selector switch  44 . For exemplary purposes, the disclosure will be discussed in the context of a single mode selector switch  44 . The mode selector switch  44  can be coupled to the exterior of the vehicle  10 , and in one example, can be coupled to the doors  20  or the cargo entry structure  30  of the vehicle  10 . The mode selector switch  44  can be in communication with the control module  18 , and can comprise any suitable user input device that can be actuated to send a signal to the control module  18 . It should be noted that the one or more mode selector switches  44  need not be coupled directly to the doors  20 , but could be coupled to an exterior pillar associated with the body  22  of the vehicle  10 , such as the B-pillar, or any other exterior component of the vehicle  10 , or component exterior to the vehicle  10  (e.g., a key fob or other device). Further, the one or more mode selector switches  44  can be coupled to an interior of the vehicle  10 , such as within a passenger cabin of the vehicle  10 . In addition, the one or more mode selector switches  44  can be coupled to a portion of the RKE system  46 , such as a fob  48  of the RKE system  46 . In this example, the mode selector switch  44  associated with the fob  48  may act as a permanent mode selector switch, such that the mode selector switch  44  on the fob  48  sets a default mode for the operation of the door lock systems  14  and the cargo lock system  16 , and a mode selector switch  44  located on the vehicle  10  may act as a temporary override switch, such that the mode selector switch  44  on the vehicle  10  may temporarily change the mode of operation of the door lock systems  14  and the cargo lock system  16  from the default mode to another mode. 
         [0020]    In various embodiments, the RKE system  46  can be used to send a signal to the control module  18  to generate signals to actuate one or more of the lock actuators  26 ,  34 . Alternatively, the RKE system  46  can send a signal to the control module  18  to change the lock state from locked to unlocked. Generally, the RKE system  46  can include a fob  48  and a receiver  50  as known to one skilled in the art. In one example, the fob  48  can include one or more user input devices  52  and a transmitter  54 . In the case of an “active” RKE system  46 , the user input devices  52  can be actuated by an operator to generate a signal to lock or unlock the locks of one or more of the doors  20  and/or the cargo entry structure  30  of the vehicle  10 . The signals generated by the actuation of the user input devices  52  can be transmitted by the transmitter  54  over a suitable wireless link to the receiver  50 . 
         [0021]    Alternatively, in the case of a “passive” RKE system  46 , the transmitter  54  can transmit a signal to the receiver  50  when the fob  48  has left or has entered a predetermined zone associated with the vehicle  10 . For example, the transmitter  54  can transmit a signal when the fob  48  is about or within fifteen feet from the vehicle  10 . The receiver  50  can receive the signals from the transmitter  54  of the fob  48 . The receiver  50  can be in communication with the control module  18  to provide the signals received from the transmitter  54  to the control module  18 . 
         [0022]    As will be discussed in greater detail below, the control module  18  can control the operation of the door lock actuators  26 , the cargo lock actuator  34 , the latch actuators  31  and/or the cargo latch actuator  39  based on input received from the RKE system  46 , the mode selector switch  44 , the latch actuators  31  and/or the cargo latch actuator  39 . In particular, when the RKE system  46  generates an unlock request and a request to unlatch one or more latches  29  or cargo latch  37  has been received by a respective one of the latch actuators  31  and/or cargo latch actuator  39 , the control module  18  generates one or more signals to the door lock systems  14  and/or the cargo lock system  16  to unlock one or more doors  20  or the cargo entry structure  30  based on a current mode of operation of the lock system  12 . The control module  18  can change the current mode of operation from a first mode to a second mode based on signals received from the mode selector switch  44 . The first mode can be, for example, but is not limited to, a “Convenience Mode” that unlocks all locks, a “Security Mode” that unlocks only one lock, or a user-configured mode. The second mode can be associated with the first mode as an alternative mode and can likewise include, the “Convenience Mode,” the “Security Mode,” or a user-configured mode. In various embodiments, the control module  18  changes the current mode of operation of the lock system from the first mode to the second mode based on the association. 
         [0023]    In various embodiments, the modes and/or the associations can be configured by a user. In order to configure the modes and/or the associations, the vehicle  10  includes a display device  60 . The display device  60  can be in communication with the control module  18  and can provide visual information to the driver and/or other users of the vehicle  10 . In one example, the display device  60  can be implemented as a flat panel display in an instrument panel or console of the vehicle  10 . Those skilled in the art may realize other techniques to implement the display device  60  in the vehicle  10 . 
         [0024]    The display device  60  includes a user input device  62 , which can receive inputs from the user to configure modes of operation of the lock system  12 . The user input device  62  may be implemented as a keypad (not separately shown), a microphone (not separately shown), a touchscreen layer associated with the display device  60 , or other suitable device to receive data and/or commands from the user. Of course, multiple input devices  62  can also be utilized. In addition, the user input device  62  receives inputs from the user to set a mode of operation of the lock system  12 , such as the “Convenience Mode,” the “Security Mode,” or the user-configured mode. 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  and with continued reference to  FIG. 1 , a dataflow diagram illustrates various embodiments of the control module  18  of the lock system  12 . Various embodiments of the control module  18  according to the present disclosure can include any number of sub-modules embedded within the control module  18 . As can be appreciated, the sub-modules shown in  FIG. 2  can be combined and/or further partitioned to similarly generate control signals to one or more of the door lock systems  14  and the cargo lock system  16  based on a current mode. Inputs to the control module  18  may be sensed from the vehicle  10  ( FIG. 1 ), received from other control modules (not shown) within the vehicle  10 , and/or determined/modeled by other sub-modules (not shown) within the control module  18 . In various embodiments, the control module  18  can include a user interface (UI) control module  100 , a mode selector module  102 , a door lock control module  104 , a cargo lock control module  106 , and a mode datastore  108 . 
         [0026]    The mode datastore  108  stores the various modes of operation and the association of the modes of operation. In various embodiments, one or more of the modes of operation are predefined (e.g., factory set) modes of operation; and one or more of the modes of operation are user-configured. As can be appreciated, the mode datastore  108  can be any non-volatile memory type that stores the information across key cycles. 
         [0027]    The UI control module  100  generates user interface data  110  that may be used by the display device  60  to display a user interface that may include a configuration menu for configuring various mode information. For example, the configuration menu can comprise selectable items and/or text input items for configuring the various modes and the doors  20  or cargo entry structure  30  to be associated with the modes (e.g., a list of the available modes, such as the “Security Mode” and the “Convenience Mode” that are associated with a predefined set of doors  20  or cargo entry structure  30  to be unlocked during operation of that mode). In another example the configuration menu can comprise selectable items and/or text input items for configuring associations between the modes (e.g., associating the “Security Mode” as an alternative to the “Convenience Mode”, etc.). In still another example, the configuration menu can further comprise selectable items and/or text input items for configuring a desired default mode of operation. 
         [0028]    The UI control module  100  can receive as input user input data  112  based on a user&#39;s interaction with the user interface. The user input data  112  can comprise a desired default mode  114  for the operation of the lock system  12 , and/or can comprise mode data  116  that defines a particular mode to indicate which doors  20  or cargo entry structure  30  to be unlocked during the particular mode, and/or an association of the particular mode to another mode. The UI control module  100  stores the user input data  112  as a default mode  114  and mode data  116  in the mode datastore  108 . 
         [0029]    The mode selector module  102  can receive as input mode switch data  118  for example, from the mode selector switch  44  (e.g., indicating whether or not the mode selector switch  44  has been activated), and an unlock request  120  from the RKE system  46  (e.g., either the fob  48  is within range in a “passive” RKE system or the user input device  52  was selected in an “active” RKE system). The mode selector module  102  can also receive an unlatch request  121 . The unlatch request  121  is received from the latch actuator  31  and/or the cargo latch actuator  39 . The unlatch request  121  comprises a request to open the door  20  or cargo entry structure  30 , which is received from a respective one of the latch actuator  31  and/or the cargo latch actuator  39 . It should be noted that the unlock request  120  can be received from other modules associated with the vehicle  10 , and/or can be received from the sensors  33 ,  41  associated with one or more of the doors  20  and cargo entry structure  30 . It should be noted that the unlatch request  121  can be received from other modules associated with the vehicle  10 . 
         [0030]    When the unlock request  120  and unlatch request  121  is received, the mode selector module  102  retrieves from the mode datastore  108 , the default mode  114 , and the mode data  116 . Based on the default mode  114  and the mode switch data  118  (e.g., whether or not the mode switch has been activated), the mode selector module  102  sets a current mode  122  for use by door lock control module  104  and/or the cargo lock control module  106 . In one example, if the mode switch data  118  indicates that an input has not been received to the mode selector switch  44 , the mode selector module  102  sets the current mode  122  to indicate the default mode  114 . In another example, if the mode switch data  118  indicates that an input has been received to the mode selector switch  44 , the mode selector module  102  sets the current mode  122  to indicate the mode that is associated with the selected default mode  114  as the alternative mode, depending upon the association from the mode data  116 . In this regard, input received from the mode selector switch  44  can be used to temporarily operate the lock system  12  ( FIG. 1 ) in a mode other than the default mode. 
         [0031]    The door lock control module  104  receives as input the current mode  122 , fob data  123  and unlatch request  121 . Based on the current mode  122 , fob data  123  and unlatch request  121 , the door lock control module  104  generates one or more lock control signals  124 , one or more latch control signals  125  and/or one or more lock notification signals  126  to the door lock systems  14 . For example, the door lock control module  104  retrieves the mode data  116  associated with the current mode  122  from the mode datastore  108  and generates the lock control signals  124  to the lock actuators  26  based on the selected doors of the mode data  116  if the fob data  123  indicates that the fob  48  is within range in a “passive” RKE system or the user input device  52  was selected in an “active” RKE system and the unlatch request  121  is received. The lock control signals  124  can be generated to the lock actuators  26  to actuate and unlock the respective lock such that the door  20  is no longer locked to the body  22  of the vehicle  10 . The door lock control module  104  also generates the latch control signals  125  to the latch actuators  31  based on the unlatch request(s)  121  received. The latch control signals  125  are generated to the latch actuators  31  to actuate and unlatch the respective latch  29  such that the door  20  is no longer secured to the body  22  of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0032]    In another example, the door lock control module  104  determines which doors are locked or unlocked based on the mode data  116  and/or the lock control signals  124  and can generate the lock notification signals  126  to activate the notification system  28  to indicate that one or more of the doors  20  is locked or unlocked to the body  22  of the vehicle  10 . For example, the lock notification signals  126  can comprise data to illuminate one or more visual indicators in a color to denote that one or more of the doors  20  is locked, such as red, and can comprise data to illuminate one or more visual indicators associated with a respective one of the doors  20  in a different color to denote that one or more of the doors  20  is unlocked, such as green. It should be noted that this example is merely exemplary, as the notification system  28  could be turned off upon unlocking of a respective door  20 . 
         [0033]    It should be noted that while the above example involved receipt of an unlatch request from an exterior of the vehicle  10 , the door lock control module  104  can also generate lock control signals  124  based on the signals from the sensor  33 . In this example, upon receipt of the signals from the sensor  33 , which indicate that the door  20  has moved from a closed position relative to the body  22  to an opened/ajar position, the door lock control module  104  generates lock control signals  124  to unlock the lock  24  associated with the respective door  20  from which the signals from the sensor  33  are received. 
         [0034]    The cargo lock control module  106  receives as input the current mode  122 , the fob data  123  and the unlatch request  121 . Based on the current mode  122 , the fob data  123  and the unlatch request  121 , the cargo lock control module  106  similarly generates one or more lock control signals  128 , latch control signals  129  and/or one more lock notification signals  130  to the cargo lock system  16 . For example, the cargo lock control module  106  retrieves the mode data  116  associated with the current mode  122  from the mode datastore  108  and generates the lock control signals  128  to the lock actuator  34  based on the selected cargo entry structure  30  of the mode data  116  if the fob data  123  indicates that the fob  48  is within range in a “passive” RKE system or the user input device  52  was selected in an “active” RKE system and the unlatch request  121  is received. The control signals  128  are generated to the lock actuator  34  to actuate and unlock the lock such that the cargo entry structure  30  is no longer locked to the body  22  of the vehicle  10 . The cargo lock control module  106  also generates the latch control signals  129  to the latch actuator  39  based on the unlatch request(s)  121  received. The latch control signals  129  are generated to the latch actuator  39  to actuate and unlatch the cargo latch  37  such that the cargo entry structure  30  is no longer secured to the body  22  of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0035]    In another example, the cargo lock control module  106  determines if the cargo entry structure  30  is locked or unlocked based on the mode data  116  and/or the control signals  128  and can generate the lock notification signals  130  to activate the notification system  36  to indicate that the cargo access structure is locked or unlocked to the body  22  of the vehicle  10 . For example, the lock notification signals  130  can comprise data to illuminate one or more visual indicators in a color to denote that cargo access structure is locked, such as red, and can comprise data to illuminate one or more visual indicators associated in a different color to denote that the cargo access structure is unlocked, such as green. It should be noted that this example is merely exemplary, as the notification system  36  could be turned off upon unlocking of the cargo entry structure  30 . 
         [0036]    It should be noted that in the “Security Mode,” a single door  20  or cargo entry structure  30  is unlocked upon receipt of an unlock request  120  and unlatch request  121 , but the lock control signals  124 ,  128  can be generated when the door  20  or cargo entry structure  30  is unlatched, at a period of time t after the door  20  or cargo entry structure  30  is opened based on signals from the sensors  33 ,  41  or when the door  20  or cargo entry structure  30  is moved from an open position to a closed position relative to the body  22 , based on signals from the sensors  33 ,  41 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , and with continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a flowchart illustrates a control method that can be performed by the control module  18  accordance with the present disclosure. As can be appreciated in light of the disclosure, the order of operation within the method is not limited to the sequential execution as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , but may be performed in one or more varying orders as applicable and in accordance with the present disclosure. As can further be appreciated, one or more steps of the method may be added or removed without altering the spirit of the method. 
         [0038]    The method may begin at  200 . The unlatch request  121  is received from the latch actuator  31  and/or cargo latch actuator  39  at  210 . At  212 , the method determines if an unlock request  120  is received from the RKE system  46  at  210 . If the unlock request  120  is received, the method goes to  220 . Otherwise, at  214 , the lock notification signals  126 ,  130  are generated to the notification systems  28 ,  36 . Then, the method ends at  250 . 
         [0039]    The mode switch data  118  from the mode selector switch  44  is evaluated at  220 . If the mode switch data  118  indicates that the mode selector switch  44  has not been activated at  220 , the current mode  122  is set to the default mode  114  at  230 . The lock notification signals  126 ,  130  are generated to the notification systems  28 ,  36  at  235 . The lock control signals  124 ,  128  are selectively generated to one or more lock actuators  26 ,  34  based on the mode data  116  at  240 . The latch control signals  125 ,  129  are selectively generated to one or more latch actuators  31 ,  39  based on the unlatch request  121  at  242 . Thereafter, the method may end at  250 . 
         [0040]    If, however, the mode switch data  118  indicates that the mode selector switch  44  has been activated at  220 , the current mode is set to the mode associated with the default mode  114  based on the mode data  116  at  260 . The lock notification signals  126 ,  130  are generated to the notification systems  28 ,  36  at  265 . The lock control signals  124 ,  128  are selectively generated to one or more lock actuators  26 ,  34  based on the mode data  116  at  270 . The latch control signals  125 ,  129  are selectively generated to one or more latch actuators  31 ,  39  based on the unlatch request  121  at  272 . Thereafter, the method may end at  250 . 
         [0041]    While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.