Vehicle accessory port and plug

Abstract

A vehicle may include an integrated connector system. The vehicle includes a body having an outer surface and a plurality of attachment ports arranged on the outer surface. The attachments ports include a recess that extends below the surrounding outer surface. Each attachment port is configured to receive and engage with an attachment plug of an accessory. In some embodiments, there are different types of attachment ports, configured to engage with respective types of attachment plugs. Various accessories may be engaged with the attachment ports, allowing a range of items and equipment to be secured to the vehicle.

1 .- 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A system, comprising:
 an attachment port comprising an electrical feature;   an accessory comprising an attachment plug configured to engage the attachment port, wherein the attachment plug is configured to interact with the electrical feature; and   control circuitry electrically coupled to the electrical feature and configured to detect if the attachment plug is engaged with the attachment port.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the electrical feature comprises a sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect when the attachment plug is engaged with the attachment port. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the sensor comprises a switch configured to provide a binary indication of whether the attachment plug is engaged with the attachment port. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the electrical feature comprises a power latch. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to secure and release the power latch. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured generate a status for the attachment port based on detecting when the attachment plug is engaged. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the electrical feature comprises a first electrical terminal, wherein the attachment plug comprises a second electrical terminal. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the first electrical terminal comprises an electrical connector configured to provide power to the accessory when the attachment plug is engaged with the at least one attachment port. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the electrical connector provides a voltage potential across at least two electrical terminals. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein:
 the accessory comprises a light; and   the electrical connector is configured to provide power to the light when the attachment plug is engaged with the attachment port.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the attachment plug comprises a latching mechanism. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the attachment plug comprises:
 a body comprising a pair of rigid extensions forming a notch therebetween shaped to receive a pin such that when the attachment plug is inserted into the attachment port, the pin passes into the notch between the pair of rigid extensions and the respective ends of the pair of rigid extensions come to rest below the surface in the recess.   
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the attachment port comprises an outer perimeter arranged substantially in a plane of a surrounding surface and comprising two parallel sides and curved ends that connect the two parallel sides. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the attachment port comprises a recess, formed by the two parallel sides and curved ends, that extends below the surrounding surface. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39 , wherein the surrounding surface comprises a mounting surface to which the attachment port is fixedly attached. 
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the system is configured to interface with a surface of a vehicle such that the attachment port is fixedly attached to the surface of the vehicle. 
     
     
         43 . A vehicle comprising:
 a surface;   a plurality of attachment ports, wherein each of the plurality of attachment ports comprises an electrical feature;   an accessory comprising an attachment plug configured to engage at least one of the plurality of attachment ports, wherein the attachment plug is configured to interact with the electrical feature; and   control circuitry electrically coupled to the electrical feature and configured to detect if the attachment plug is engaged with at least one of the plurality of attachment ports.   
     
     
         44 . The vehicle of  claim 43 , wherein the surface comprises:
 a roof surface having a left side and a right side, wherein:
 at least two attachment ports of the plurality of attachment ports are arranged on a left side of the roof surface; and 
 at least two attachment ports of the plurality of attachment ports are arranged on a right side of the roof surface; 
   a top surface of a left-side rail, wherein at least two attachment ports of the plurality of attachment ports are arranged on the top surface of the left-side rail; and   a top surface of a right-side rail, wherein at least two attachment ports of the plurality of attachment ports are arranged on the top surface of the right-side rail.   
     
     
         45 . A method for mounting equipment to a vehicle, the method comprising:
 fixedly attaching an attachment port to a surface of a vehicle, wherein the attachment port extends below a plane defined by the surface and wherein the attachment port comprises a pin and an electrical feature configured to be controlled by control circuitry;   inserting an attachment plug of an accessory into the attachment port such that a portion of the attachment plug encompasses the pin of the attachment port and wherein a surface of the attachment plug interacts with the electrical feature of the attachment port;   inserting the accessory into the attachment port such that a pin of the attachment port engages with the attachment plug; and   detecting if the attachment plug is engaged with the attachment port.