Patent ID: 7816878

Claim:
A method for providing access to a vehicle, the vehicle including a door movable between an open position and a closed position, a door motor for moving the door, a ramp movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a ramp control system for moving the ramp, the method comprising: sending a first door operation signal to move the door; delivering electrical power to the door motor to initiate movement of the door in response to the first door operation signal; detecting initiation of the delivery of electrical power to the door motor; determining whether the ramp is in the stowed position or the deployed position and: i) if the ramp is in the deployed position: sending a second door operation signal to reverse movement of the door and thereby maintain the door in an open position; operating the ramp control system to stow the ramp; and sending a third door operation signal to close the door; ii) if the ramp is in the stowed position: waiting for the door to move to the open position; and operating the ramp control system to deploy the ramp.