US6404158B1 — Collision monitoring system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 175 words

Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor for moving an object along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the object comprising: a) a movement sensor for monitoring movement of the object as the motor moves said object along a travel path; b) a switch means for controlling energization of the motor with an energization signal; and c) a controller coupled to the switch means for controllably energizing the motor and having an interface coupling the controller to the movement sensor; said controller comprising: i) means for determining motor speed from an output signal from the movement sensor; ii) means for calculating an obstacle detect threshold based on motor speed of movement detected during at least one prior period of motor operation; iii) a comparator for comparing a value based on currently sensed motor movement with the obstacle detect threshold; and iv) output means coupled to said switch means for stopping the motor if the comparison based on currently sensed motor movement indicates the object has contacted an obstacle.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 175 words

Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor for moving an object along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the object comprising: a) a movement sensor for monitoring movement of the object as the motor moves said object along a travel path; b) a switch means for controlling energization of the motor with an energization signal; and c) a controller coupled to the switch means for controllably energizing the motor and having an interface coupling the controller to the movement sensor; said controller comprising: i) means for determining motor speed from an output signal from the movement sensor; ii) means for calculating an obstacle detect threshold based on motor speed of movement detected during at least one prior period of motor operation; iii) a comparator for comparing a value based on currently sensed motor movement with the obstacle detect threshold; and iv) output means coupled to said switch means for stopping the motor if the comparison based on currently sensed motor movement indicates the object has contacted an obstacle.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 49 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller includes a dock and the current signal from the current sensor is in a form of a sequence of pulses and further wherein the controller counts clock signals occurrences between receipt of current pulses to provide an indication of motor speed.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the controller extrapolates between pulses in the event pulses are not generated during certain periods of motor operation.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 58 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller includes an interface for monitoring user actuation of control inputs for controlling movement of the object and wherein the controller maintains a motor energization sequence a specified minimum time period in response to a short period user actuation of said control inputs to maintain position accuracy in monitoring object movement.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 45 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller includes an interface for monitoring user actuation of control inputs for controlling movement of the object and wherein in response to a specified input the controller conducts a calibration motor energization sequence to determine parameters of object.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 79 words

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the controller includes an interface for monitoring user actuation of control inputs for controlling movement of the object and wherein and wherein the controller maintains a position indication which is updated in response movement of the window or panel and further wherein the controller stops motor actuation prior to reaching specified end points in an object path of travel to avoid mechanical windup of the motor and a transmission coupled to the object.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 177 words

Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor for moving a window or panel along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window or panel comprising: a) a current sensor for sensing the motor current as the motor moves the window or panel along a travel path; b) a switch means for controlling energization of the motor with an energization signal; and c) a controller coupled to the switch means for controllably energizing the motor and having an interface coupling the controller to both the current sensor; said controller comprising: i) means for monitoring motor current from the current sensor; ii) means for calculating an obstacle detect threshold based on motor current detected during at least one prior period of motor operation; iii) a comparator for comparing a value based on currently sensed motor current with the obstacle detect threshold; and iv) output means coupled to said switch means for stopping the motor if the comparison based on currently sensed motor current indicates the window or panel has contacted an obstacle.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 177 words

Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor for moving a window or panel along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window or panel comprising: a) a current sensor for sensing the motor current as the motor moves the window or panel along a travel path; b) a switch means for controlling energization of the motor with an energization signal; and c) a controller coupled to the switch means for controllably energizing the motor and having an interface coupling the controller to both the current sensor; said controller comprising: i) means for monitoring motor current from the current sensor; ii) means for calculating an obstacle detect threshold based on motor current detected during at least one prior period of motor operation; iii) a comparator for comparing a value based on currently sensed motor current with the obstacle detect threshold; and iv) output means coupled to said switch means for stopping the motor if the comparison based on currently sensed motor current indicates the window or panel has contacted an obstacle.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the controller includes a buffer memory for storing successive values of motor current for use in determining the obstacle detect threshold.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 33 words

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the buffer memory is used to store a value derived from motor current corresponding to motor speed as the window or panel moves along its travel path.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 42 words

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the current sensor provides an analog current signal and the controller comprises means for converting the analog signal to a digital current value and stores successive values of the digital current value within the buffer memory.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the controller adapts a resolution of the digital current signal based upon a real time sensed current value.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the current sensor comprises a filter circuit for filtering out DC components from a motor current signal to produce a signal related to motor speed.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the controller includes means for adjusting the obstacle threshold based on dynamic motor current as sensed from the current sensor to take into account varying loads experienced by the motor.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the changes in load are periodic and the threshold is synchronized with the periodic load changes.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 27 words

The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the experienced changes in load are transient and wherein the controller adjusts the threshold based on said transient change in load.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-06-10	2005-12-10	2006-06-11	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-06-10	2009-12-10	2010-06-11	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-06-10	2013-12-10	2014-06-11	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Collision monitoring system

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