RU2574495C2 - Method and system for vehicle glass automatic closure - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: motor car construction.

SUBSTANCE: vehicle controller is exploited to sense the rain start with the help of a capacitive transducer arranged at the vehicle door handle. To confirm the rain start, it is made sure that there is no trinket nearby the handle with the said capacitive transducer and the door is closed. In case the confirmation is positive, the opened glass is closed with the help of an appropriate electrical glass hoist. The invention covers also the system for the automatic closure of vehicle glasses.

EFFECT: automatic closure of vehicle glasses.

10 cl, 4 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to vehicle systems for closing windows.

State of the art

Known systems for closing vehicle windows with electric windows (including front and rear door windows, side ventilation windows, transparent sunroofs and hinged roofs) in the event of rain. In these systems, as a rule, specialized rain sensors are used, on the basis of the readings of which the windows are automatically closed when precipitation is detected. These approaches may seem logical, but they are not economical given the cost of parts or the electrical load when the ignition is off (KOL) in a parked vehicle. Installing the sensor solely for tracking rain is difficult from a commercial point of view, as droplets of rain falling through windows are a relatively unlikely situation. Thus, in the absence of additional costs, automatic window closing devices may be of some popularity, but users may not want to pay extra for such a rarely used function.

To solve the problem associated with the cost of installing additional sensors, some systems suggest the use of existing rain sensors mounted on the windshield and used to start and adjust the speed of the wipers in accordance with the humidity of the windshield. These systems can use signals from the rain sensor on the windshield when the vehicle ignition is off and can provide an automatic closing function when wet glass is detected. However, such systems can be practically impractical for vehicles that do not have smart wiper systems, and can be expensive from the KOL point of view, since rain sensors on the windshield create a significant KOL load during their operation. To maintain operation in the presence of an additional KOL load, signals from rain sensors on the windshield can be measured with a long time interval, which will reduce the efficiency of the system to an unacceptable level.

Another disadvantage of the known systems is that they do not take into account the safety of animals or people who may be in the vehicle during the automatic closing operation. For example, in the event that sunny weather sets in after rain, a dangerous temperature increase may occur in the passenger compartment caused by increased heat load from the sun.

Disclosure of invention

A method for automatically closing vehicle windows is proposed in which the start of rain is detected by the vehicle controller based on values obtained from at least one vehicle handle with a capacitive sensor. To confirm the onset of rain, check the absence of the key fob next to at least one locked handle with a capacitive sensor and the absence of subsequent door opening if the handle is unlocked. After confirming the fact of the start of rain, they initiate the closing of the window with an electric window connected to the window of the vehicle.

To implement the method, several vehicle door handles with capacitive sensors and a controller connected to several door handles and configured to determine the start of rain based on the values received from the capacitive sensors of the vehicle handles after confirming the absence of a key fob near at least one can be used handle and lack of door opening. After confirming the start of rain, the controller can initiate the closing of the open window with the appropriate power window.

To perform the described actions, the program executed by the controller processor can be stored on a computer-readable read-only memory.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is an example of a vehicle system for detecting rain and closing windows, sunroofs or ventilation windows.

FIG. 2 is an example of detecting a sudden start of rain using values from a capacitive sensor and a detection threshold.

Figure 3 is an example of detecting the onset of rain using values from several capacitive sensors.

4 is an example of a method for detecting rain and automatically closing windows.

The implementation of the invention

Figure 1 shows an example of a system 100 of a vehicle 102 for detecting rain and closing windows, sunroofs or ventilation windows. System 100 may include variations of a keyless passive access / passive start (PEPS) system for detecting rain, and may include variations of a power window system to provide window closing (as examples, include windows to close the front and rear doors, power windows for closing side ventilation windows, closing the sunroof). System 100 may take various forms and include several of the same and / or additional components and equipment. Since FIG. 1 shows an example of a system 100, the presented components of the system 100 should not be construed as limitations. Of course, additional or alternative components and / or implementation options can be used.

In the case of the PEPS system, the owner can wear an electronic transmitter, such as a PEPS key fob 104, for keyless entry into the vehicle 102. To unlock the doors, the owner can touch or approach the PEPS capacitive sensor 106 installed in the door handle of the vehicle 102. When determining the possible presence of the owner by the capacitive sensor 106, the controller 108 of the vehicle 102 may start the request-admission algorithm with the key fob 104. The algorithm may include sending the controller 1 08 to the keyfob 104 of the low-frequency message requesting inclusion and receiving a high-frequency response signal from the keyfob 104, including the identification number. Upon receipt of the correct identification number, the vehicle controller 108 may unlock the doors of the vehicle 102.

A vehicle 102 equipped with capacitive sensors 106 of the PEPS system may have several capacitive sensors 106 on each door handle. For example, door handles may have a first capacitive sensor 106 for performing an interlock and a second capacitive sensor 106 for performing an unlock. The trunk lid or the rear hinged door of a vehicle can typically only have one capacitive sensor 106 for unlocking. As another example, capacitive sensors 106 may include capacitive keyboards used in some vehicles 102 to provide access to the vehicle 102 upon receipt of the correct key number entered using the keyboard. In addition, other types of capacitive sensors 106 of the vehicle 102 can also be used in the system 100, for example, any other external capacitive sensors that can be used to provide keyless access, such as locking / unlocking, unlocking, or keypad operation.

The controller 108 may be configured to receive capacitance values from capacitive sensors 106 and determine a baseline capacitance level. For example, this can be implemented in accordance with the average value of the data received from the sensors, or in accordance with the data received from other environmental sensors installed on the vehicle 102. The base level of the tank may be shifted up or down depending on various environmental conditions, for example, changes in temperature and humidity. When the controller 108 detects a significant deviation from the base level of the tank within a relatively short period of time, the controller 108 can determine the possible presence of the owner. For example, capacitive sensors 106 can detect a change in capacitance as a person approaches. Capacitive sensors 106, for example, PEPS sensors 106 on the handle and capacitive sensors 106 on the keyboard, can also be sensitive to moisture. Thus, capacitive sensors 106 can also be considered as rain sensors sensitive to the presence of rain.

A vehicle 102 equipped with a PEPS system may include one or more capacitive sensors 106 on each door handle, creating an array of sensors 106 that can be used to detect rain. For example, a vehicle 102 including two capacitive sensors 106 on each of the four doors can be considered as a vehicle having an array of eight rain sensors, while a vehicle 102 with two capacitive sensors 106 on two front doors can be considered as a vehicle having an array of four sensors. In addition, on some vehicles 102 with capacitive trunk unlocking, the rear trunk unlocking sensor 106 may be included in an array of nine rain sensors 106 on a four-door sedan or an array of five rain sensors 106 on a four-door sedan. Other vehicles 102 may include various arrays of capacitive sensors 106, for example, capacitive sensors 106 on the keyboard to unlock the doors of the vehicle to which they are connected. However, since PEPS keyless entry systems can be standard on many vehicles 102, and since the PEPS capacitive sensors 106 mounted on the handles can be active with the ignition of the vehicle 102 turned off for keyless access, the use of capacitive sensors 106 The PEPS systems mounted on the handles, for detecting the onset of rain, provide the controller 108 with an array of capacitive sensors 106 without the additional cost of parts and increasing the load of KOL.

The controller 108 may be configured to receive readings from capacitive sensors 106 of the PEPS system mounted on the handle, which indicate relative capacitance levels. These input signals from the capacitive sensors 106 of the PEPS system mounted on the handles can be used by the controller 108 to detect the onset of rain. For example, if the readings obtained from two or more capacitive sensors 106 include almost simultaneous changes in the capacitance and, in addition, if in the case of a locked vehicle, the controller 108 determines that the key fob 104 is located near the outer request area of the door handle and, if if an unlocked vehicle does not unlock the door within a predetermined period of time after detecting a change in capacity, then the controller 108 can make a conclusion about the start of rain. As another example, if the readings of at least one capacitive sensor 106 mounted on each door indicate the detection of a change in capacity, after which the door corresponding to at least one capacitive sensor 106 does not unlock, then the controller 108 can conclude the rain.

In some cases, the controller 108 may perform a two-step procedure to detect the onset of rain. For example, based on information about the change in capacitance received from the capacitive sensor 106 of the PEPS system mounted on the handle, and in the absence of the keyring 104 of the PEPS system near the sensor 106, or in the absence of unlocking the door, the system 100 can activate the vehicle 102 and start searching for minor signs of rain before deciding on the start of rain. As some examples of secondary features, the controller 108 may: turn on the smart wiper rain sensor 112 to determine if the windshield is wet, activate the connection to the local source of meteorological information using the built-in telematics modem to determine if there is a rain forecast, use on-board humidity sensors on the vehicle 102 in order to determine whether the humidity levels indicate the state of the rain, compare the readings lock and unlock bone sensors 106 on said door handle to confirm the onset of rain using sensor values 202, compare readings from capacitive sensors 106 located elsewhere in the vehicle 102 to confirm the onset of rain using sensor values 202, or use onboard heat sensors from the sun installed in the vehicle 102 to detect heat loads from the sun on the vehicle 102. As a more specific example, heat sensors narrow from the sun may be used to ignore the values of the capacitance sensor 106, indicating the need for closing the windows, if the detected value of the heat load from the sun that are too high for the actual start of rain. However, the use of heat sensors from the sun to confirm the onset of rain may be limited to use during certain periods of time, for example, during the day, as determined in accordance with the on-board information about the date and time of the vehicle 102, which may be supplemented by location information available to the vehicle (e.g., in accordance with a navigation system or global positioning system receiver).

When determining a sufficient probability of rain, the controller 108 may perform various actions. For example, the controller 108 may command electric windows 110 for closing various windows (e.g., electric windows of front and rear doors, electric windows of side ventilation windows, electric windows of sunroofs) of the vehicle 102, thereby preventing rain from entering vehicle 102. In some cases, the controller 108 may determine that the doors of the vehicle are locked and that a closed window of the vehicle with The means were previously opened to a greater extent than a predetermined threshold value (for example, to provide access to the vehicle interior). In this case, the controller 108 can unlock at least one of the doors of the vehicle (for example, a door with a closed window) to provide access to the vehicle 102. As another example, the controller 108 can warn the owner of the vehicle 102 about rain and ask him for confirmation for closing windows. For example, a confirmation request may be sent to the owner using the contact information associated with the vehicle computer system, for example, the contact information associated with the vehicle account in the SYNC® system installed on a vehicle manufactured by Ford Motor Company, Dearborn, MI .

In some examples, the controller 108 may also detect a cessation of rain. For example, similar to detecting the onset of rain, the controller 108 may detect a reverse change or return to the initial level of the tank. Upon detection of a cessation of rain, the controller 108 may send commands to reopen the windows of the vehicle 102. For vehicles 102 that support the generation of window position data, the controller 108 may reopen the windows by storing window position data before closing and returning the window to the window position. closing upon detection of a cessation of rain. For vehicles 102 that do not support the display of window position data, the controller 108 may, for example, save the period of time required to close the window, and if it stops raining, issue a command to reopen for the stored period of time.

Figure 2 presents an example of detecting a sudden start of rain using the values 202 of the capacitive sensor 106 and the detection threshold value 204. The sensor value 202 may include values periodically coming from the capacitive sensor 106 of the PEPS system. The controller 108 may obtain an initial sensor value 202 and may determine whether the value 202 received from the sensor is greater than the detection threshold value 204. In some examples, the sensor 106 can process and analyze capacitance changes and send only spasmodic reports to the controller 108. In some examples, the detection threshold value 204 may be a predetermined tolerance greater than the current sensor value 202, or a predetermined tolerance greater than the average value of the latest sensor values 202. In some examples, the controller 108 may set a threshold level in the sensor memory or the memory of the controller 108, at least in part, based on the specific data of the vehicle 102 programmed in the vehicle 102 (e.g., during assembly) to compensate for various types of bodies and handles in which the universal capacitive sensor 106 of the handle can be installed. In some cases, the detection threshold value 204 may be a threshold value used to determine by the capacitive sensor 106 the possible presence of the owner. If the controller 108 determines that the received sensor value 202 exceeds the detection threshold 204, then the controller 108 can determine that the sensor value 202 indicates the start of rain.

If the controller 108 determines that the received sensor value 202 has changed and does not exceed the threshold value 204, then the controller 108 can selectively adjust the threshold value 204 in accordance with the new measurement. Therefore, the controller 108 can selectively adjust the threshold value 204 to account for changes in humidity and temperature, thereby changing the threshold value 204 in accordance with the change in the offset value for the capacitance.

In addition, if the controller 108 determines that the received sensor value 202 has again become less than the threshold value 204, then the controller 108 can determine the rain stop.

Figure 3 presents an example of detecting the onset of rain using the values 202 from several capacitive sensors 106. As shown in Figure 3, the sensor value 202-A may be a periodically measured value from the first capacitive sensor 106-A of the PEPS system, and the value 202 The -B sensor may be a periodically measured value from a second capacitive sensor 106 -B of the PEPS system. The controller 108 can take the sensor values 202-A and 202-B and can determine the rain condition based on the detection of a simultaneous or, conversely, sequential change in the sensor values 202-A and 202-B in case the door does not unlock. As shown in FIG. 3, based on the detection of a relatively large change in capacitance from the sensor value 202-A, as well as the sensor value 202-B, the controller 108 determines the start of rain. In addition, based on the subsequent detection that the sensor values 202-A and 202-B have returned to the initial capacity level, the controller 108 may also detect a rain stop.

It should be noted that differences are likely between the measured capacitance values and the values obtained by using these data to detect the onset of rain. For example, although capacitance measurement involves detecting the onset of rain using two capacitive sensors 106 of the PEPS system, it should be noted that more capacitive sensors 106 can also be used. In addition, it should also be noted that the detection thresholds 202 described with reference to FIG. 2 can also be used for several sensors 106 described with reference to FIG. 3.

4 is an example of a method 400 for detecting rain and automatically closing windows. Method 400 may be implemented using various devices, for example, a controller 108 of a vehicle 102 coupled to one or more capacitive sensors 106.

At step 402, the controller 108 determines whether the prerequisites for starting the rain start detection procedure are met. For example, the rain detection function can be activated if all the doors of the vehicle are locked and the drive mechanism of the vehicle is not engaged (for example, the vehicle is in parking mode or in neutral). If the prerequisites are met, then the method proceeds to step 404. Otherwise, the method 400 ends.

At 404, the controller 108 determines a capacity change characteristic of the onset of rain. As some examples of embodiments of the invention, the controller 108 can detect the onset of rain using a value 202 from the capacitive sensor 106 and a detection threshold 204, as described above with reference to FIG. 2, or it can detect the onset of rain using the value 202 from several capacitive sensors 106 as described above with reference to FIG. 3.

At decision block 406, device 108 determines whether vehicle 102 has been parked and whether doors have been locked by electronic devices. In some situations, such as during a family outing or parking on the driveway to the house, users may leave their vehicles 102 unlocked. If the vehicle 102 is unlocked or if the door is ajar, then many PEPS systems may not search for the 104 PEPS keyfob. If the vehicle 102 is not blocked by electronic devices, then the method proceeds to step 412. Otherwise, the method proceeds to step 408.

At step 408, the controller 108 makes a request to find the keyring 104 next to the handles of the vehicle 102. For example, the controller 108 may send a low-frequency message to the keyring 104 with a request to turn on and wait for a high-frequency response signal from the keyring 104, including the identification number. With a key fob 104, a change in capacity may be the result of an owner trying to get into the vehicle 102, rather than starting to rain.

At decision block 410, the controller 108 determines whether the keyring 104 is next to the handles of the vehicle 102. For example, the controller 108 can determine if the PEPS keyring 104 is within the low frequency area of the request from the door handles, indicating a normal passive access event PEPS systems. In the absence of a response signal from the key fob 104, if the response from the key fob 104 is incorrect, or if it has been determined that the key fob 104 is in the vehicle interior, the controller 108 may conclude that the key fob 104 is not adjacent to the vehicle handle 102. If the key fob 104 is not next to the handle, then the method proceeds to step 414. Otherwise, the method 400 ends. In some cases, upon detection of the key fob 104, the method 400 may switch or return to the unlock method via the PEPS system.

At decision block 412, the controller 108 determines whether the door of the vehicle 102 is open after the capacitive sensors 106 detect a change in capacity. This can be done to distinguish between situations (a) when the change in capacity is the result of the user being near the handle of an unlocked door, and (b) when the change is due to rain. For example, a user can approach an unlocked vehicle without having a keyfob 104 and can open the door of the vehicle 102. In this example, the detected change in capacity can be caused either by rain, or by the user’s hand next to the capacitive sensor 106 on the handle, or in both situations (for example, a user ran up to his vehicle 102 due to rain). In addition, it is also possible that two or more approached passengers can hold the door handles almost simultaneously to open the doors of the vehicle 102. To distinguish between situations when it starts to rain and when other situations arise, including access to the vehicle 102 , the controller 108 may be configured to detect a door opening within a predetermined period of time (e.g., 2-3 seconds) that matches or occurs immediately after detection stably a significant change in capacitance at the capacitive sensor 106 mounted on the vehicle door, which determines the change in capacitance, characteristic of the early rain.

At step 414, the controller 108 performs a second step of estimating the start of rain. For example, the controller 108 may: turn on the smart wiper rain sensor 112 to determine if the windshield is wet, activate the connection to the local source of meteorological information using the built-in telematics modem to determine if there is a rain forecast, use on-board humidity sensors on the vehicle 102 in order to determine if humidity levels indicate the start of rain, compare readings from capacitive sensors 106 lock and unlock on the indicated door handle in order to confirm the onset of rain using the values 202 from the sensors, compare the readings from the capacitive sensors 106 located elsewhere in the vehicle 102 to confirm the onset of rain using the values 202 from the sensors, or use on-board heat load sensors from the sun installed in the vehicle 102 to determine the heat load from the sun for the vehicle 102.

At decision block 416, the controller 108 determines whether the presence of the onset of rain is confirmed in the second evaluation step. For example, if the rain sensor 112 indicates moisture, or if the humidity sensor confirms the presence of moisture, then the controller 108 can confirm the start of rain, after which the method can go to step 418. Otherwise, the method 400 ends.

At step 418, the controller 108 starts closing the windows. For example, the controller 108 may start closing with at least one window electric window 110 (for example, closing a door window, a ventilation window or a sunroof). For vehicles 102 that support the display of window position data, the controller 108 may be configured to save window position data until they are closed, and it may only close windows that are marked as open. For vehicles 102 that do not support the display of window position data, the controller 108 may, for example, maintain a period of time required to close the window until the window electric window 110 indicates a closed state. These time periods required to close the window can also be saved.

At decision block 420, the controller 108 determines whether it is necessary to clarify the locked state of any doors of the vehicle 102. For example, based on the stored position data of the windows, the controller 108 can determine whether the doors of the vehicle 102 are locked and also automatically closed windows are previously opened to a greater extent than the threshold value (for example, in the form of a predetermined distance or percentage). In this situation, the user may intentionally leave the window open to gain access to the passenger compartment of the vehicle 102. Since the open windows were closed at step 418, the user will be denied access to the passenger compartment. Therefore, if it was determined that the closed window was opened to a greater extent than the specified threshold value (for example, as a distance or percentage), then the controller 108 can unlock one or more doors of the vehicle 102 (for example, a door with an automatically closed a window that was previously opened to a greater extent than the specified distance or percentage, all doors, etc.) in order to provide the user with access to the vehicle 102. As a friend In this example, the controller 108 can determine whether the keyfob 104 of the PEPS system is inside the locked compartment of the vehicle 102, the windows of which are automatically closed, while the windows were previously opened to a greater extent than the predetermined threshold value, and can unlock one or more doors of the vehicle 102 subject to these conditions. The controller 108 may also store data about which doors 102 were automatically unlocked.

At 422, the controller 108 determines a rain stop. For example, as described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the controller 108 may determine a change in capacity characteristic of the cessation of rain. In some cases, the controller 108 may then perform a second evaluation step to confirm the cessation of rain, for example, using a rain sensor 112, which stops supplying values corresponding to moisture, or a heat load sensor from the sun, which indicates a heat load from the sun corresponding to the sun the weather.

At 424, the controller 108 starts opening windows. For example, the controller 108 may start opening with at least one window electric window 110 (for example, opening a door window, a ventilation window or a sunroof). For vehicles 102 that support the display of window position data, the controller 108 may be designed to reopen windows to positions that were saved before the windows were closed. For vehicles 102 that do not support the display of window position data, the controller 108 may be designed, for example, to activate the window electric windows 110 for the stored periods of time that were required to close the windows. In some examples, based on the stored door unlock data, the controller 108 may also re-lock the doors, which could be automatically unlocked at step 420. After step 424, the method 400 ends.

Other embodiments of method 400 are possible. For example, controller 108 may utilize a capacity change characteristic of the onset of rain without additionally performing a second evaluation step in step 414 and decision block 416. As another example embodiment of the invention, before closing the windows, the controller 108 may send a message to the owner of the vehicle 102 to confirm the need to close the windows and may start closing the windows after receiving confirmation from the owner. As yet another example embodiment of the invention, the controller 108 may not reopen the windows in step 424, or may request permission from the owner of the vehicle 102 before reopening the windows.

Therefore, the system 100 of the vehicle 102 for detecting rain can be implemented in such a way as to automatically close the windows when detecting rain using existing capacitive sensors 106, which may not imply additional costs for parts and additional load KOL. In addition, additional devices or embodiments may be used in the rain detection system 100.

As an example, similar to detecting rain using an established change in capacity, the rain detection system 100 can also detect accumulation of snow on a standing vehicle. When snow accumulation is detected, the rain detection system 10 may be designed to instruct the telematics unit of the vehicle 102 to send a telematic warning to inform the vehicle owner that additional time may be required to clear the vehicle or driveway from the snow. Another possible option is that when snow is detected, the rain detection system 100 may send a request to the vehicle owner whether to remotely start the vehicle 102.

As another example, data from the rain detection system 100 may be sent to a data acquisition system for grouping and further processing. For example, vehicle 102 may provide rain data indicating when it rained (regardless of whether the windows were closed) as well as location data for vehicle 102. Based on the data received, the data collection system may compile a weather map showing precipitation in the area where vehicles may be located 102. Such a data collection system can be especially useful in rural areas where there is a lack of appropriate radar services and collecting meteorological data, but in which the craft may be 102 installed therein rain detection system 100.

In general, computer systems and / or devices may use an operating system, including but not limited to versions and / or varieties of Microsoft Windows® OS; Unix (e.g. Solaris® OS from Oracle Corporation, California); AIX UNIX from International Business Machines, Armonk, New York; Linux Mac OS X and iOS from Apple Inc., Cupertino, California; BlackBerry OS from Research In Motion of Waterloo, Canada; as well as Android from the Open Handset Alliance.

In general, computer devices (controller 108) may include computer readable instructions that may be executed by one or more processors. Machine-readable instructions can be compiled or translated from computer programs created using various programming languages and / or technologies, including, but not limited to, Java ™, C, C ++, Visual Basic, Java Script, Perl, etc. . or combinations thereof. In the General case, the processor or microprocessor receives instructions, for example, from a storage device or computer-readable media, and executes these instructions, thereby implementing one or more processes, for example, described above. Such instructions and other data may be stored and transmitted using various computer-readable media.

Computer-readable media (this also includes media readable by the processor) includes any non-volatile media (e.g., tangible media) that provides data (e.g., instructions) that can be processed by a computer (e.g., a processor of a computing device). Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to, read-only and read-only memory devices. Permanent storage devices can be, for example, optical or magnetic disks, as well as other types of non-volatile media. Random access memory can be, for example, dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which are usually part of the main storage device. Such instructions may be transmitted using one or more data transmission means, for example, coaxial cables, copper cables and fiber optic cables, including wires, which are part of a system bus connected to a computer processor. The standard forms of machine-readable media are floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other type of magnetic media, CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical media, perforated tape, paper tape, any other physical media with holes, RAM, PROM, EPROM, FLASH-EEPROM, other chips or memory cards, as well as any other media that the computer can work with.

Databases, archives, or other described data warehouses can include various mechanisms for storing, accessing and reading various data, for example, hierarchical databases, file sets in the file system, application databases in the appropriate format, relational database management systems (RDBMS ) etc. Each such data warehouse is usually embedded in a computing device with an operating system, for example, one of the above, and access to them is carried out through the network in any of the known ways. Access to the file system can be performed from the operating system, while such a system can support various file formats. RDBMS typically uses Structured Query Language (SQL) along with a language for creating, storing, editing, and executing stored procedures, such as PL / SQL.

In some embodiments of the invention, system elements may be computer-readable instructions (e.g., software) on one or more computer devices (e.g., servers, personal computers, etc.) and may be stored on appropriate computer-readable media (e.g., memory disks) devices, etc.). A computer program may consist of such instructions stored on a computer-readable medium for performing the described functions.

As for the processes, systems, methods, heuristic rules, etc. set forth in this description of the invention, it should be understood that, although the steps of the processes are described as occurring in accordance with a certain ordered sequence, they can be performed in a different order , some steps may be performed simultaneously, and other steps may be added or omitted. In other words, the process descriptions in this document are provided to illustrate specific embodiments of the invention and cannot be construed as limiting.

Claims (10)

1. A method of automatically closing vehicle windows, in which, using the vehicle controller, the start of rain is detected based on the capacitive sensor located on at least one handle of the vehicle, to confirm the onset of rain, check the absence of a key fob next to at least one handle with capacitive sensors and the lack of opening the door, and in the case of confirmation, initiate the closing of the open window using the appropriate electric window. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the open vehicle window is a front door window, a rear door window, a side ventilation window, a sunroof or a hinged roof. 3. The method according to claim 1, in which to detect the onset of rain identify the change in capacity according to the agreed sensor readings obtained from several door handles of the vehicle in which capacitive sensors are installed. 4. The method according to claim 1, in which the change in capacitance characteristic of the onset of rain is set upon detection of sensor readings indicating that the capacitance value is outside the set limits. 5. The method according to claim 4, in which the capacitive detection threshold value is a threshold value used to determine the possible presence of the owner by the capacitive sensor in order to initiate door unlocking. 6. A system for automatically closing windows of a vehicle, which comprises several capacitive sensors mounted outside the vehicle, a controller connected to several capacitive sensors and configured to detect the onset of rain based on data received from at least one capacitive sensor to confirm it starts to rain, check the absence of the key fob next to at least one capacitive sensor and the absence of opening the door, and after confirming the start of rain Close the open window with the appropriate power window. 7. The system according to claim 6, in which the controller is also configured to detect the onset of rain by identifying sensors of several door handles of the vehicle in which capacitive sensors are installed, which consistently indicate a change in capacity, and / or identifying the onset of rain based on the excess measured changing the capacity of the detection threshold. 8. The system according to claim 7, in which the controller is also configured to use as a detection threshold a threshold value for determining by the capacitive sensor the possible presence of the owner to unlock the doors. 9. The system according to claim 6, in which the controller is also configured to detect a vehicle window open to a greater extent than a predetermined threshold value, and locked doors of the vehicle, as well as change the lock state of at least one of the doors of the vehicle means for providing access to the vehicle. 10. The system according to claim 6, in which the controller is also configured to perform an additional step of assessing the start of rain to confirm the start of rain and initiate closing of the window if the second assessment step confirms the start of rain.

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