US5497326A — Intelligent commutation pulse detection system to…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 121 words

A control system for use with a bidirectional motor connected to a motorized vehicle accessory to move said accessory a distance from a first position to a second position, said control system comprising: (a) a detector responsive to control signals emitted by said motor during rotation, said control signals indicative of an amount of rotation of said motor; (b) a memory; and (c) a controller responsive to said memory and said detector, and providing an output signal to said motor for operation thereof as a function of a relationship between said distance and said control signals, said controller further including: a routine for applying an adjustment factor to said output signal to correct for inaccuracies in detection of said control signals.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 121 words

A control system for use with a bidirectional motor connected to a motorized vehicle accessory to move said accessory a distance from a first position to a second position, said control system comprising: (a) a detector responsive to control signals emitted by said motor during rotation, said control signals indicative of an amount of rotation of said motor; (b) a memory; and (c) a controller responsive to said memory and said detector, and providing an output signal to said motor for operation thereof as a function of a relationship between said distance and said control signals, said controller further including: a routine for applying an adjustment factor to said output signal to correct for inaccuracies in detection of said control signals.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 16 words

The control system of claim 1, wherein said memory includes information indicative of said first position.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 12 words

The control system of claim 2, wherein said controller includes a microprocessor.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 96 words

The control system of claim 2, wherein said motor includes a fixed number of poles; said memory includes data indicative of said second position, and a position recall routine responsive to said data from said memory for rotating said motor through a number of motor poles to move said accessory to said second position; and wherein said routine evaluates said control signals to determine when a commutation pulse may have been missed and when an extra commutation pulse may have been detected for reducing error accumulation in a position of said accessory stored in said memory.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 15 words

The control system of claim 4, wherein said memory and said controller comprises a microprocessor.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 29 words

The control system of claim 1, wherein said detector comprises a current detecting resistor in series with said motor and an amplifier electrically connected to said current detecting resistor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 95 words

A control system for engaging a bidirectional motor to manipulate an accessory over a bidirectional travel path in a motorized vehicle, comprising: (a) a sensor for detecting a commutation waveform corresponding to current passing through said motor; (b) a comparator for deriving a digital pulse train from said commutation waveform; (c) a memory for receiving and storing data representative of said commutation waveform and said digital pulse train, said memory including a programmed feature; and (d) a controller responsive to said data and said feature, said controller providing an output signal to control said motor.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 95 words

A control system for engaging a bidirectional motor to manipulate an accessory over a bidirectional travel path in a motorized vehicle, comprising: (a) a sensor for detecting a commutation waveform corresponding to current passing through said motor; (b) a comparator for deriving a digital pulse train from said commutation waveform; (c) a memory for receiving and storing data representative of said commutation waveform and said digital pulse train, said memory including a programmed feature; and (d) a controller responsive to said data and said feature, said controller providing an output signal to control said motor.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 38 words

The control system of claim 7, wherein said feature includes an obstruction detection routine for stopping said accessory by controlling said output signal to said motor when an unexpected load on said motor is detected by said routine.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 37 words

The control system of claim 8, wherein said feature includes a motor slow down routine to slow down said motor when said accessory's position approaches an end of said travel path, thereby providing increased obstruction detection sensitivity.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 48 words

The control system of claim 7, wherein said feature includes a soft stop routine to slow down said motor when said accessory approaches an end of said travel path and to gently stop said accessory at said end of said travel path, thereby reducing wear on said motor.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 41 words

The control system of claim 7, wherein said feature includes a missing pulse routine and a double pulse routine responsive to said commutation waveform for reducing error accumulation over time by correcting a position of said accessory stored in said memory.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 25 words

The control system of claim 7, wherein said accessory is selected from the group consisting of a window, a mirror, a seat, and a sunroof.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 45 words

The control system of claim 7, wherein said comparator comprises a device for toggling a digital output when the first derivative of said commutation waveform changes from a positive to a negative value, and a noise reduction device to remove noise from said commutation waveform.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 50 words

The control system of claim 7, wherein said system includes a plurality of motors and said output signal is modified by a motor cross-talk limiting system coupled to said sensor for reducing inrush current surges generated by other motors in the control system when said other motors start and stop.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 112 words

A control system for engaging a bidirectional motor to manipulate an accessory over a bidirectional travel path in a motorized vehicle, comprising: (a) a sensor for detecting a commutation waveform corresponding to current passing through said motor; (b) a detector for generating a digital pulse train from said motor, said detector including a device for sensing pole crossings located near at least one pole of said motor; (c) a memory for receiving and storing data representative of said commutation waveform and said digital pulse train, said memory including a programmed feature; and (d) a controller responsive to said data and said feature, said controller providing an output signal to control said motor.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 112 words

A control system for engaging a bidirectional motor to manipulate an accessory over a bidirectional travel path in a motorized vehicle, comprising: (a) a sensor for detecting a commutation waveform corresponding to current passing through said motor; (b) a detector for generating a digital pulse train from said motor, said detector including a device for sensing pole crossings located near at least one pole of said motor; (c) a memory for receiving and storing data representative of said commutation waveform and said digital pulse train, said memory including a programmed feature; and (d) a controller responsive to said data and said feature, said controller providing an output signal to control said motor.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 20 words

The control system of claim 15, wherein said detector includes one of an optical sensor and a hall effect sensor.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 152 words

A control system for controlling a motorized vehicle accessory including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting said accessory, and a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, the control system comprising: (a) a sensor for detecting current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor; (b) a generator for generating a signal indicative of a position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in said position of said accessory; and (c) a controller including a first routine for monitoring said signal for conditions indicative of an obstruction in a path of said accessory based upon a rate of change of said current fluctuations relative to said position and a second routing to send an output signal to said motor to stop said accessory thereby providing an automatic safety feature.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 152 words

A control system for controlling a motorized vehicle accessory including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting said accessory, and a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, the control system comprising: (a) a sensor for detecting current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor; (b) a generator for generating a signal indicative of a position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in said position of said accessory; and (c) a controller including a first routine for monitoring said signal for conditions indicative of an obstruction in a path of said accessory based upon a rate of change of said current fluctuations relative to said position and a second routing to send an output signal to said motor to stop said accessory thereby providing an automatic safety feature.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 47 words

The control system of claim 17, wherein said controller includes a routine that monitors said signal for conditions that indicate said accessory is close to an end of a traversal path and then sends an output signal to slow down said motor to gently stop said accessory.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 146 words

A method of controlling an accessory of a motorized vehicle including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting a position of said accessory, a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, and a microcomputer based electronic controller, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor; (b) generating a signal indicative of the position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from said d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in the position of said accessory; (c) measuring said signal to determine a number of commutation pulses that have been missed and a number of double pulses; and (d) compensating for said number of missing commutation pulses and said number of double pulses to store a corrected data position representing said accessory position into said memory.

Claim 24

Independent Claim 146 words

A method of controlling an accessory of a motorized vehicle including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting a position of said accessory, a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, and a microcomputer based electronic controller, comprising the steps of: (a) sensing current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor; (b) generating a signal indicative of the position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from said d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in the position of said accessory; (c) measuring said signal to determine a number of commutation pulses that have been missed and a number of double pulses; and (d) compensating for said number of missing commutation pulses and said number of double pulses to store a corrected data position representing said accessory position into said memory.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 102 words

A method of controlling an accessory of a motorized vehicle including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting a position of said accessory, a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, and a microcomputer based electronic controller, comprising the steps of: (a) synchronously sampling current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor to generate a signal indicative of current fluctuations during an adjustment in the position of said accessory; and (b) monitoring said signal for conditions that indicate an obstruction is in a traversal path of said accessory to stop said accessory.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 102 words

A method of controlling an accessory of a motorized vehicle including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting a position of said accessory, a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, and a microcomputer based electronic controller, comprising the steps of: (a) synchronously sampling current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor to generate a signal indicative of current fluctuations during an adjustment in the position of said accessory; and (b) monitoring said signal for conditions that indicate an obstruction is in a traversal path of said accessory to stop said accessory.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 151 words

A system for controlling an accessory of a motorized vehicle including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting a position of said accessory, a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, and a microcomputer based electronic controller, comprising: (a) means for sensing current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor; (b) means for generating a signal indicative of the position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from said d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in the position of said accessory; (c) means for measuring said signal to determine a number of commutation pulses that have been missed and a number of double pulses; and (d) means for compensating for said number of missing commutation pulses and said number of double pulses to store a corrected data position representing said accessory position into said memory.

Claim 28

Independent Claim 151 words

A system for controlling an accessory of a motorized vehicle including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting a position of said accessory, a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, and a microcomputer based electronic controller, comprising: (a) means for sensing current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor; (b) means for generating a signal indicative of the position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from said d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in the position of said accessory; (c) means for measuring said signal to determine a number of commutation pulses that have been missed and a number of double pulses; and (d) means for compensating for said number of missing commutation pulses and said number of double pulses to store a corrected data position representing said accessory position into said memory.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 108 words

A system for controlling an accessory of a motorized vehicle including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting a position of said accessory, a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, and a microcomputer based electronic controller, comprising: (a) means for generating a signal from current fluctuations in a supply line from said d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in the position of said accessory; and (b) means for monitoring said signal for conditions that indicate an obstruction is in a travel path of said accessory to stop said accessory based on comparable portions of said fluctuations.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 108 words

A system for controlling an accessory of a motorized vehicle including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting a position of said accessory, a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, and a microcomputer based electronic controller, comprising: (a) means for generating a signal from current fluctuations in a supply line from said d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in the position of said accessory; and (b) means for monitoring said signal for conditions that indicate an obstruction is in a travel path of said accessory to stop said accessory based on comparable portions of said fluctuations.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 147 words

A control system for use with a bidirectional motor connected to a motorized vehicle accessory to move said accessory a distance from a first position to a second position, said control system comprising: (a) means for detecting control signals emitted by said motor during rotation, said control signals indicative of an amount of rotation of said motor; (b) a memory including a representative control signal waveform; and (c) a controller responsive to said memory and said detecting means, and providing an output signal to said motor for operation thereof as a function of a relationship between said distance and said control signals, said controller including: (i) means for comparing said control signals detected by said detecting means to a running average of said control signals, and (ii) means for adjusting said output signal to said motor as a function of said comparison made by said comparing means.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 147 words

A control system for use with a bidirectional motor connected to a motorized vehicle accessory to move said accessory a distance from a first position to a second position, said control system comprising: (a) means for detecting control signals emitted by said motor during rotation, said control signals indicative of an amount of rotation of said motor; (b) a memory including a representative control signal waveform; and (c) a controller responsive to said memory and said detecting means, and providing an output signal to said motor for operation thereof as a function of a relationship between said distance and said control signals, said controller including: (i) means for comparing said control signals detected by said detecting means to a running average of said control signals, and (ii) means for adjusting said output signal to said motor as a function of said comparison made by said comparing means.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 104 words

A control system for use with a bidirectional motor that generates control signals indicative of an amount of rotation of said motor, said bidirectional motor connected to a motorized vehicle accessory to move said accessory a distance from a first position to a second position, said control system comprising: (a) a detector responsive to said control signals; (b) a means for synchronously sampling said control signals with the generation thereof; and (c) a controller responsive to said synchronous sampling means for providing an output signal to said motor for operation thereof as a function of a relationship between said distance and said control signals.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 104 words

A control system for use with a bidirectional motor that generates control signals indicative of an amount of rotation of said motor, said bidirectional motor connected to a motorized vehicle accessory to move said accessory a distance from a first position to a second position, said control system comprising: (a) a detector responsive to said control signals; (b) a means for synchronously sampling said control signals with the generation thereof; and (c) a controller responsive to said synchronous sampling means for providing an output signal to said motor for operation thereof as a function of a relationship between said distance and said control signals.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 14 words

The control system of claim 24 wherein said control signals comprise commutation pulse signals.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 28 words

The control system of claim 24 wherein said control signals are output from a sensor located relative to said motor to provide an output indicative of movement thereof.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 13 words

The control system of claim 26 wherein said sensor is an optical sensor.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 14 words

The control system of claim 26 wherein said sensor is a Hall effect sensor.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 147 words

A control system for controlling a motorized vehicle accessory including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting said accessory, and a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, the control system comprising: (a) a sensor for detecting current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor; (b) a generator for generating a signal indicative of a position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from said d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in said position of said accessory; and (c) a controller for monitoring said signal for conditions indicative of an obstruction in a path of said accessory based upon a rate of change of said current fluctuations relative to said position and sending a signal to said motor to alter operation thereof upon said indication thereby providing an automatic safety feature.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 147 words

A control system for controlling a motorized vehicle accessory including at least one motor operable from a d.c. power source for adjusting said accessory, and a memory for storing a plurality of positions of said accessory, the control system comprising: (a) a sensor for detecting current supplied from said d.c. power source to said motor; (b) a generator for generating a signal indicative of a position of said accessory from current fluctuations in a supply line from said d.c. power source to said motor during an adjustment in said position of said accessory; and (c) a controller for monitoring said signal for conditions indicative of an obstruction in a path of said accessory based upon a rate of change of said current fluctuations relative to said position and sending a signal to said motor to alter operation thereof upon said indication thereby providing an automatic safety feature.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-03-05	1999-09-04	2000-03-05	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-03-05	2003-09-04	2004-03-05	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-03-05	2007-09-04	2008-03-05	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Intelligent commutation pulse detection system to control electric D.C. motors used with automobile accessories

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