Patent ID: 8449015

Claim:
A method of controlling operation of a dual hinged door for a vehicle, wherein said dual hinged vehicle door is comprised of a first door portion hingeably coupled to a structural member within a roof of said vehicle and configured to pivot about a primary axis formed by a first juncture of said first door portion and said structural member, and a second door portion hingeably coupled to said first door portion and configured to pivot about a secondary axis formed by a second juncture of said first door portion and said second door portion, wherein said first door portion is mechanically coupled to a primary door drive system that provides powered motion of said first door portion about said primary axis, wherein said second door portion is mechanically coupled to a secondary door drive system that provides powered motion of said second door portion about said secondary axis, and wherein a controller coupled to said primary and secondary door drive systems provides independent motion control of said first and second door portions via said primary and secondary door drive systems, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring for a door activation signal, wherein upon receipt of said door activation signal said method further comprises the step of; determining whether said dual hinged door is currently in an open position, a closed position, or in motion, wherein: if said dual hinged door is in said open position when said door activation signal is received said method further comprises the step of initiating an automatic repositioning of said first and second door portions in accordance with a preset door closing sequence of motions using said primary and secondary door drive systems; if said dual hinged door is in said closed position when said door activation signal is received said method further comprises the step of initiating an automatic repositioning of said first and second door portions in accordance with a preset door opening sequence of motions using said primary and secondary door drive systems; and if said dual hinged door is in motion when said door activation signal is received said method further comprises the step of automatically terminating motion of said first and second door portions.