Patent ID: 7726722

Claim:
A system for opening and closing a door attached to a vehicle, the system comprising: at least one vehicle position sensor configured to sense an orientation of the vehicle relative to horizontal and vertical reference frames; at least one door position sensor for sensing a position of the door relative to the vehicle; at least one actuator coupled to the door and configured to effectuate at least one of the opening and closing the door relative to the vehicle; a power source coupled to the actuator; at least one force pad attached to the door and configured to sense a force applied to the door; and circuitry electronically coupled to the least one vehicle position sensor, the at least one door position sensor, the at least one force pad, and the power source; wherein the circuitry prompts operation of the power source at a level based upon information from the vehicle position sensor, the door position sensor and the at least one force pad to proportionally assist in moving the door.