Method and apparatus for determining the center position of a vehicular steering system

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1 wherein the counted window time is set equal to zero whenever said steering system is operated outside of said window of operation.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 1 wherein the counted window time is set equal to zero whenever said window time is equal to said sampling time.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 1 wherein said steering system position characteristic value comprises the instantaneous steering system position.

Claim 6

A method according to claim 1 wherein said steering system position characteristic value comprises a time-averaged function of the steering system position.

Claim 7

A method according to claim 1 wherein said steering system position characteristic value comprises the center of said window of operation.

Claim 8

A method according to claim 1 wherein said window of operation comprises an angular region of operation of a rotatable steering shaft, with said angular region having a predetermined size.

Claim 9

A method according to claim 7 wherein said window of operation is relocated between said rotatable steering shaft is operated outside of said window, so that the relocated window extends on either side of the instantaneous position of said steering shaft.

Claim 10

A method according to claim 1 wherein said window of operation comprises an angular region of operation of a rotatable steering shaft, with said angular region being of variable size.

Claim 11

A method according to claim 9 wherein the size of said window of operation bears a predetermined relationship to said sampling time.

Claim 12

A method according to claim 10 wherein the size of said window of operation is generally decreased as said sampling time is increased.

Claim 13

A method according to claim 1 wherein each of said steps is repeated sequentially until said sampling time reaches a predetermined value.

Claim 14

A method according to claim 1 wherein the difference between the instantaneous steering system position and the assumed center position is measured whenever said window time is equal to said sampling time.

Claim 15

A method according to claim 1 wherein the sampling time is increased when the measured difference between the instantaneous steering system position and the adjusted center position is less than a predetermined value.

Claim 16

A method according to claim 1 wherein the sampling time is decreased when the measured difference between the instantaneous steering system position and the adjusted center position is greater than a predetermined value.

Claim 17

A means for determining the center position of a vehicular steering system, comprising: sensor means for: (i) measuring the difference between the instantaneous position of the steering system and a previously determined center position, and (ii) for defining a window of operation extending about said center position; a window timer operatively connected with said sensor means for determining the amount of time said steering system is operated within said window; a sampling time register, operatively connected with said sensor and said window timer, for holding an appropriate sampling interval between successive events in which said sensor measures said difference between the instantaneous position of the steering system and said previously determined center position; and processor means operatively connected with said sensor means and with said window and sampling timers for: (i) directing said sensor means to measure said difference between the instantaneous position of the steering system and said previously determined center position when said appropriate sampling interval has been reached; and (ii) adjusting said previously determined center position based upon said measured difference and (iii) adjusting said sampling interval held by said sampling time register according to the magnitude of said measured difference.

Claim 18

A means for determining the center position of a vehicular steering system, comprising: sensor means for: (i) measuring the difference between the instantaneous position of the steering system and a previously determined center position, and (ii) for defining a window of operation extending about said center position; a window timer operatively connected with said sensor means for determining the amount of time said steering system is operated within said window; a sampling time register, operatively connected with said sensor and said window timer, for holding an appropriate sampling interval between successive events in which said sensor measures said difference between the instantaneous position of the steering system and said previously determined center position; and processor means operatively connected with said sensor means and with said window and sampling timers for: (i) directing said sensor means to measure said difference between the instantaneous position of the steering system and said previously determined center position when said appropriate sampling interval has been reached; and (ii) adjusting said previously determined center position based upon said measured difference and (iii) adjusting said sampling interval held by said sampling time register according to the magnitude of said measured difference.

Claim 19

A means rotating to claim 16 wherein said sensor comprises a rotary device operatively connected with a rotatable steering shaft.

Claim 20

A means according to claim 16 wherein said sensor means relocates said window of operation whenever said steering system is operated outside of said window, such that the instantaneous center of said window is coincident with the instantaneous operating position of said steering system.