US4651128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of monitoring the inclination of a motor vehicle
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-01-16
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Granted: 1987-03-17
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Expires: 2005-01-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for monitoring the inclination of a motor vehicle, measures the inclination during successive time periods with an inclination-sensitive sensor to produce measured signals; converts the measured signals to digital form; averages the digital signals during an initial predetermined time period to form an original reference signal; stores the original reference signal; compares subsequent digital signals to the reference signal to form a deviation signal which is used for triggering an alarm when a plurality of the digital signals deviate from the reference signal by more than a predetermined tolerance value; the reference signal being continuously updated by averaging subsequent digitized measured signals at plurality of times during subsequent time periods to form updated reference signals; storing each updated reference signal in place of a previously stored reference signal; providing an oscillation window to prevent triggering of the alarm during natural oscillation of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Kolb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/10; B60R25/1004; B60R25/1006; B60R25/1007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of monitoring the inclination of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: measuring said inclination during successive time periods with an inclination-sensitive sensor to produce measured signals; converting said measured signals to digital form to produce digitized measured signals: averaging said digitized measured signals during a predetermined time period to form an original reference signal; storing said original reference signal; comparing subsequent digitized measured signals to said reference signal to form a deviation signal; triggering an alarm when at least one subsequent digitized measured signal deviates from said reference signal by more than a predetermined tolerance valve; characterized by the steps of: averaging said subsequent digitized measured signals a plurality of times during subsequent time periods to form updated reference signals; and storing each updated reference signal in place of a previously stored reference signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of monitoring the inclination of a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: measuring said inclination during successive time periods with an inclination-sensitive sensor to produce measured signals; converting said measured signals to digital form to produce digitized measured signals: averaging said digitized measured signals during a predetermined time period to form an original reference signal; storing said original reference signal; comparing subsequent digitized measured signals to said reference signal to form a deviation signal; triggering an alarm when at least one subsequent digitized measured signal deviates from said reference signal by more than a predetermined tolerance valve; characterized by the steps of: averaging said subsequent digitized measured signals a plurality of times during subsequent time periods to form updated reference signals; and storing each updated reference signal in place of a previously stored reference signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: comparing each measured signal to the previous measured signal; detecting the direction of deviation of each measured signal to said previously stored measured signal; counting the number of detected deviations having positive values; counting the number of detected deviations having negative values; comparing the totalled number of positive value deviations with the total number of negative value deviations to form a difference; and storing a new reference value only when said difference exceeds a minimum value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1; further comprising the step of reforming said reference value after each triggering of said alarm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1; further comprising the step of pulse width modulating said measured digitized signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 1; further comprising the step of monitoring said digitized measured signals for oscillation characteristics; determining whether said digitized measured signals fall outside of a predetermined oscillation window; and inhibiting triggering of said alarm when said digitized measured signals fall outside of said oscillation window and exhibit said oscillation characteristics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for monitoring the inclination of a motor vehicle, comprising: means for measuring said inclination during successive time periods with an inclination-sensitive sensor to produce measured signals; means for converting said measured signals to digital form to produce digitized measured signals: means for averaging said digitized measured signals during a predetermined time period to form an original reference signal; means for storing said original reference signal; means for comparing subsequent digitized measured signals to said reference signal to form a deviation signal; means for triggering an alarm when at least one subsequent digitized measured signal deviates from said reference signal by more than a predetermined tolerance valve; characterized by: means for averaging said subsequent digitized measured signals a plurality of times during subsequent time periods to form updated reference signals; and means for storing each updated reference signal in place of a previously stored reference signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for monitoring the inclination of a motor vehicle, comprising: means for measuring said inclination during successive time periods with an inclination-sensitive sensor to produce measured signals; means for converting said measured signals to digital form to produce digitized measured signals: means for averaging said digitized measured signals during a predetermined time period to form an original reference signal; means for storing said original reference signal; means for comparing subsequent digitized measured signals to said reference signal to form a deviation signal; means for triggering an alarm when at least one subsequent digitized measured signal deviates from said reference signal by more than a predetermined tolerance valve; characterized by: means for averaging said subsequent digitized measured signals a plurality of times during subsequent time periods to form updated reference signals; and means for storing each updated reference signal in place of a previously stored reference signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
Apparatus according to claim 6; further comprising: means for comparing each measured signal to the previous measured signal; means for detecting the direction of deviation of each measured signal to said previously stored measured signal; means for counting the number of detected deviations having positive values; means for counting the number of detected deviations having negative values; means for comparing the totalled number of positive value deviations with the total number of negative value deviations to form a difference; and means for storing a new reference value only when said difference exceeds a minimum value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 6; further comprising means for reforming said reference value after each triggering of said alarm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 6; further comprising pulse width modulating means for modulating said measured digitized signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 6; further comprising means for monitoring said digitized measured signals for oscillation characteristics; means for determining whether said digitized measured signals fall outside of a predetermined oscillation window; and means for inhibiting triggering of said alarm when said digitized measured signals fall outside of said oscillation window and exhibit said oscillation characteristics.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-03-16 | 1990-09-15 | 1991-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-16 | 1994-09-15 | 1995-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-16 | 1998-09-15 | 1999-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |