Method and apparatus for contolling access to a vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for controlling access to a vehicle, including using the detection of a personnel transport apparatus to actuate vehicle doors to unlock and determining a suitable means of access to the vehicle based on a determined type of patient transport apparatus. The determined suitable means may include a ramp, a lift or manual access depending on the type of patient transport apparatus.

1 . A method for controlling access to a vehicle, the method comprising:
 capturing an image of an area in the vicinity of the vehicle;   analysing the captured image;   detecting if the captured image contains both at least one person and a personnel transport apparatus;   determining if the at least one person in the captured image is authorised to access the vehicle;   determining a type of personnel transport apparatus and controlling a parameter of the vehicle in response to the determined type; and   selectively controlling a locking mechanism of the vehicle in response to the captured image containing at least one authorised person and the personnel transport apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining if the personnel transport apparatus is one of a stretcher, a wheelchair and a dolly. 
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining if the personnel transport apparatus is one of a stretcher, a wheelchair and a dolly, determining a type of the stretcher, a type of the wheelchair and a type of the dolly. 
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining which means of access to the vehicle is substantially suitable for accessing the vehicle based on the type of the personnel transport apparatus in the captured image. 
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 1 ; further comprising extending a ramp from the vehicle to facilitate access of the personnel transport apparatus to the vehicle in response to the type of personnel transport apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 1 ; further comprising lowering a lift to facilitate access of the personnel transport apparatus to the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method of  claim 1 ; further comprising detecting if a person on the personnel transport apparatus is correctly harnessed according to a predefined protocol. 
     
     
         8 . A method of  claim 1 ; further comprising detecting if a person on the personnel transport apparatus is correctly positioned on said personnel transport apparatus according to a predefined protocol. 
     
     
         15 .- 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A method for controlling access to a vehicle, the method comprising:
 capturing an image of an area in the vicinity of the vehicle;   analysing the captured image;   detecting if the captured image contains a personnel transport apparatus;   determining a type of personnel transport apparatus and controlling a parameter of the vehicle in response to the determined type.   
     
     
         10 . A method of  claim 9 , further comprising determining which means of access to the vehicle is substantially suitable for accessing the vehicle based on the type of the personnel transport apparatus in the captured image. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for controlling access to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
 an image capture device for capturing an image of an area in the vicinity of the vehicle;   an image analysing means for analysing the captured image;   a detecting means for detecting if the captured images contain both at least one person and a personnel transport apparatus, wherein the detecting means is further configured for determining the type of the personnel transport apparatus;   a processing means for determining if the at least one person in the captured image is authorised to access the vehicle; and   a control means for selectively controlling a locking mechanism of the vehicle in response to the captured image containing at least one authorised person and the personnel transport apparatus.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of any one of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting means is configured for detecting if the personnel transport apparatus is one of a stretcher, a wheelchair and a dolly. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the detecting means is configured for detecting if the personnel transport apparatus is one of a stretcher, a wheelchair and a dolly, and wherein the detecting means is configured for detecting a type of the stretcher, a type of the wheelchair and a type of the dolly. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the control means is further configured for controlling operations of a mechanical apparatus associated with the vehicle, where the mechanical apparatus is a retractable ramp or a lift. 
     
     
         29 .- 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the image analysing means is configured to determine if at least one of said at least one authorised personnel and a person on the personnel transport apparatus are correctly harnessed according to a predefined protocol. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the image analysing means is configured to determine if a person on the personnel transport apparatus is correctly positioned according to a predefined protocol. 
     
     
         40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus claim of  11 , further comprising a communication means for communicating with a remote server or a remote database. 
     
     
         42 .- 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a recording means for synchronously recording personnel status, vehicle environment and vehicle parameter data. 
     
     
         45 .- 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the processing means is further configured to generate a report to be transmitted wirelessly to at least one of a remote server and a remote database, wherein the report to be transmitted to at least one of a remote server and a remote database contains at least one of synchronously recorded data, harnessing protocol adherence, positioning protocol adherence and fluid spillage. 
     
     
         49 .- 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a notification means configured for providing at least one of an audio and a visual notification. 
     
     
         52 .- 53 . (canceled)