With Automatic Starting And/or Stopping Patents (Class 318/264)
  • Patent number: 11904731
    Abstract: A control device for automotive vehicle seat, intended to control a displacement along the longitudinal direction, of at least one part of the automotive vehicle seat, comprises at least one first control surface, substantially flat, wherein the first control surface extends along a transverse direction of the seat and a command direction, wherein the command direction has at least one component along the longitudinal direction, and wherein the first control surface is configured for controlling the displacement of the part of the vehicle seat along the longitudinal direction as a function of a movement along the command direction of a member of an occupant of the seat in contact with a first zone of the first control surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Mathieu Boquet, Emmanuelle Brunet
  • Patent number: 11767701
    Abstract: A hinged-panel opening and closing system includes: an anchor designed to be located on a hinged panel; a gear motor designed to be located on a supporting structure; and a movement-enabling component capable of angularly displacing the hinged panel relative to a receiving structure. The movement-enabling component includes: (a) a movement-enabling shaft located on the supporting structure and, at one shaft end, coupled to the gear motor; (b) a spindle located on supporting structure and coupled to the movement-enabling shaft; and (c) a linear element attaching, at a first end, to the spindle and attaching, at a second end, to the anchor such that said linear element extends between the spindle and the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Inventor: Jon Erwin Eccleston
  • Patent number: 11761702
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a control method therefor are provided. When a user input is received, an upper drawer of the refrigerator is opened by operating an opening/closing motor of the upper drawer, and it is determined whether opening of a lower drawer is detected by an open/close detecting part of the lower drawer when the upper drawer is opened. The lower drawer is closed by operating the opening/closing motor of the lower drawer when the opening of the lower drawer is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kwang Hyun Choi, Chang Won Kim
  • Patent number: 11402150
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a control method therefor. A refrigerator may include: a cabinet; a drawer provided to move in and out of the lower storage space and opening and closing the lower storage space; a lifting unit provided inside the drawer and elevated up and down; an opening/closing motor providing power for opening and closing the drawer; a lifting motor connected to the lifting unit and providing power for elevating the lifting unit; and a controller to reopen the drawer when the closing of the drawer is detected while the lifting unit is being elevated or the elevation of the lifting unit is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kwang Hyun Choi, Chang Won Kim
  • Patent number: 11242226
    Abstract: Embodiments include techniques for operating an elevator safety control system and method. The techniques include charging one or more portions of an elevator system, the elevator system includes an elevator door and elevator frame, and monitoring a charge on the one or more portions of the elevator system. In addition, the techniques include detecting a change in the charge on the one or more portions of the elevator system, and responsive to the detection, controlling an operation of the elevator door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Fanping Sun, Joseph V. Mantese, Walter Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10704314
    Abstract: An automatic safety window apparatus comprising: an alarm and transmitter unit located remotely from the window unit, the alarm and transmitter unit configured to transmit an open window signal when a threshold level of a gas or smoke is reached and to initiate an alarm; a window unit configured to attach to the interior of a window and face the interior of a room the window is located in, the window unit comprising: a chain actuator, the chain actuator comprising a chain that can exert a pushing force; a fan housing; a control board located in the fan housing, the control board comprising a receiver and a CPU, the CPU in signal communication with the receiver, and CPU in signal communication with the chain actuator, and the receiver in wireless communication with the alarm and transmitter unit, the CPU configured to transmit a signal to the chain actuator to open the window sash when the receiver receives an open window signal from the alarm and transmitter unit; wherein the chain actuator is configured to o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventors: Wilmar Valverde, Paul R. Hebert, Kevin O'Neill
  • Patent number: 10663937
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for adjusting voltage settings, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a number of components electrically coupled to an output of a voltage regulator; determining voltage tolerance information corresponding to each of the number of components; determining a voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator; using the determined voltage tolerance information in combination with the voltage tolerance limit of the voltage regulator to determine whether an output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; calculating an amount by which to reduce an output voltage of the voltage regulator in response to determining that the output voltage of the voltage regulator can be reduced; and sending one or more instructions to the voltage regulator to reduce the output voltage of the voltage regulator by the calculated amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Douglas Evans, Brian Christopher Totten, Dipak Tailor, Jamaica Laquay Barnette
  • Patent number: 10519705
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a motorized door comprising an array of n detection cells distributed along the length of the leading edge, capable of detecting the presence and distance, ?x, from said detection cell of a body positioned between said detection cell and a distal transverse edge. The detection cells are coupled to a CPU which triggers different actions during the closing of the shutter, depending on the proportion, P=n1/n of the number, n1, of detection cells identifying the presence of a body at a same time located at a distance, ?x??xs, wherein ?xs is a predefined safety distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYSTEMS AB
    Inventor: Pieter van de Wiel
  • Patent number: 10519706
    Abstract: A vehicle window glass lifting device includes a drive mechanism arranged on a vehicle door to vertically move a window glass, a control unit for controlling the drive mechanism, and a camera for capturing an image of a detection line provided on a vehicle interior side of the window glass, the detection line being along at least a part of an outer edge of the window glass in a state that the door and the window glass are closed. The control unit includes a detection means to detect a blocked state in which at least a part of the detection line is blocked by a foreign object, and a pinching prevention means that causes the drive mechanism to conduct a pinch prevention operation for preventing pinching by the window glass when the blocked state is detected by the detection means while the window glass is moved by the drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ikeda, Hideaki Takehara, Yasuhiro Saito, Sadaji Umehara, Tsuyoshi Kondo, Masakane Yoshizawa, Hideaki Kashiwagi, Mayu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10487575
    Abstract: A method for configuring a motorized drive device for a solar protection home automation unit includes a step of triggering the rolling-up of a screen from an unrolled position, in which the screen is relaxed, towards a rolled-up position. This method further includes a step of measuring a magnitude of an electrical current passing through an electric motor using a measurement device, a step of determining a first maximum value of the measured magnitude, indicative of a position of breakage of the arms of a screening device, and a step of determining a lowered end-of-travel position of the screen. The lowered end-of-travel position of the screen corresponds to a measured-magnitude value lower than the first maximum value. The lowered end-of-travel position of the screen lies before the position of breakage of the arms of the screening device, in the direction of unrolling of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventors: David Mugnier, Ghislain Goulier
  • Patent number: 10323451
    Abstract: A vehicle window glass lifting device includes a drive mechanism arranged on a vehicle door to vertically move a window glass, a control unit for controlling the drive mechanism, and a camera for capturing an image of a detection line provided along at least a part of an outer edge of the window glass in a state that the door and the window glass are closed. The control unit includes a detection means for detecting first and second blocked states in each of which the first and second detection lines are each blocked by the foreign object, and a crime prevention control means that determines that the foreign object intrudes from the vehicle exterior to a vehicle interior and conducts a crime prevention operation to a crime prevention when a condition that the second blocked state is detected by the detection means without detecting the first blocked state is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsuba Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Ikeda, Hideaki Takehara, Yasuhiro Saito, Sadaji Umehara, Tsuyoshi Kondo, Masakane Yoshizawa, Hideaki Kashiwagi, Mayu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10000961
    Abstract: A vehicle door controller is disclosed. The vehicle door controller is in communication with an actuator configured to control a door and is further in communication with a temperature sensing device. The controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensing device. Based on the temperature signal, the controller is configured to identify an actuator condition. In response to the actuator condition, the controller is configured to control the actuator to move the door to a resting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Larry Dean Elie, Robert F. Novak, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures, Jeff A. Wallace
  • Patent number: 9856689
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an electric window lift system for electrically moving a vehicle door window by means of a cable, according to which, based on the length change of the cable, the offset of the movement of the window is determined, in which the charge modification of the electric motor is monitored, the offset being used to exactly position (opening, closing) the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Pruessel, Scott Averitt, Kumar Saurabh
  • Patent number: 9637163
    Abstract: A steering system of a vehicle includes a steering wheel, a steerable wheel mechanically decoupled from the steering wheel, a steering actuator for setting a rotational position of the steering wheel, a wheel steering drive for steering of the steerable wheel, and a controller for controlling the wheel steering drive and the steering wheel actuator. When the ignition is switched off, the steering wheel is moved with the steering wheel actuator automatically into a neutral position that is independent of a wheel angle of the steerable wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Stefan Mayer
  • Patent number: 9206637
    Abstract: A system can automatically open at least one window of a vehicle when the vehicle is being submerged in water. The system can include a water collector and a water sensor, and when the water sensor detects water in the water collector, at least one window of the vehicle opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
    Inventor: Michael Percher
  • Patent number: 9052741
    Abstract: A mobile phone 100 having a capacitive touchpad unit 102 includes a touch sensor circuit 121 that outputs measurement values each indicating a capacitance of the touchpad unit 102, a computing unit 111a that computes a sensor output value based on each measurement output from the touch sensor circuit 121, a calibration coefficient updating unit 111a3 that updates the sensor output value by updating a calibration coefficient so as to be equal to a predetermined reference value, a judging unit 118 that detects a contact based on the sensor output values, and a judgment threshold switching unit 133 that causes the judging unit 118 to use a provisional contact-judging unit for a time period starting when the update occurs during the time that the user's face is in contact with the touchpad unit 102 and ending when it is judged that the touch to the touchpad unit 102 is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Izumi, Kazuto Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8890452
    Abstract: A control device for an electrically driven door is provided that can enhance the sensitivity of detection of a door pinch state and that can prevent a passenger from being pressed when the door pinch state occurs. The control device includes a driving force instruction value producing unit that outputs a driving force instruction value of the electrically driven door, a state observing unit that estimates a mechanical resistant force to a door driving system, a reference model that determines a dynamic characteristic of the electrically driven door to the mechanical resistant force estimated by the state observing unit, a gain compensator that computes a control compensation value that makes an output of the reference model coincide with an actual speed of the electrically driven door; and an adder that adds the control compensation value computed by the gain compensator to the driving force instruction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8890457
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling motors are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes memory, a motor controller, and a motor. The memory is configured to store sequence information and the motor controller is configured to: receive instructions from a processing device of the system, receive the stored sequence information based on the received instructions, generate at least one drive signal based on the received sequence information, and transmit the at least one drive signal. The motor is configured to be operated based on the transmitted drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric F. Aas, Justin Forrester, Jeffrey D. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 8884558
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some multisensory implementations, a patient-lifting-device is controlled by voice recognition, keyboard text input, synaptic control and/or tongue tactile input commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Altorr Corporation
    Inventor: Bradford A. Clough
  • Patent number: 8833848
    Abstract: A bicycle seat height adjustment method is provided for changing a height of a bicycle seat. The method includes operating an operating device to output a seat raising command which is received by a motorized seat height adjustment mechanism to adjust the seat height. The method further includes releasing the operating device after the operating of the operating device. The method further includes raising the bicycle seat using the electric motor to a higher seat position that is higher than a previous seat position existing immediately prior to the seat raising command, the raising of the bicycle seat occurring only after the releasing of the operating device such that the bicycle seat remains stationary until the operating device is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Toyoto Shirai
  • Patent number: 8791658
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a microcontroller and a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube. The DC gear motor includes a housing fixed to the shade tube and an output shaft coupled to a support shaft fixed to a mounting bracket. The method includes receiving a command from a remote control, and moving the shade to a position associated with the command by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube and the DC gear motor housing while the DC gear motor output shaft and support shaft remain fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Patent number: 8779713
    Abstract: A door closer with dynamically adjustable latch region parameters is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention include a door closer with a control unit to intelligently control a valve to vary the operating characteristics of the door closer as needed. The control unit can repeatedly determine whether a door has reached jamb upon closing. A setting or settings for the latch region of the door can be adjusted when the door does not reach jamb. These adjustments are such that the likelihood of the door reaching jamb upon closing is increased. Jamb successes can also be monitored, so that once there have been enough successful closes, settings can be adjusted to decrease the force on the door so that the latch region parameters are constantly adjusted for changing conditions to achieve closing success with the minimum closing force necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Yale Security Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Burris, Robert L. Tadlock, Jr., John White, Jason Scott Gurley, Steven Michael Faes, Joseph McGinty, Wade Patterson
  • Patent number: 8666601
    Abstract: Automatically rotating a steering wheel to provide improved locatability of an ignition if the steering wheel reduces ignition locatability and the vehicle is parked. Indications that the vehicle is parked may include when an automatic transmission is in park, a park brake is set, an autopark event concludes, or during a remote start event. Rotating the steering wheel to provide improved ignition locatability while turning the vehicle wheels less than 10 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Todd Ansbacher, Jeremy Rawlings, Jerry Bonnici
  • Patent number: 8659246
    Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Richard Scott Hand, Darrin W. Brunk
  • Patent number: 8635809
    Abstract: The invention specifies an anti-trapping device, comprising a motor for driving a pivotable actuating element of a motor vehicle, a sensor for contactlessly identifying an obstacle in the way of the actuating element with an electrode, which has a plurality of segments for producing an external electrical field with respect to a mating electrode and a control unit. The electrode extends in a radial direction with respect to the pivotable actuating element and is split in the radial direction into the plurality of segments, which can each be evaluated separately for the purpose of generating an interference signal. The control unit is designed to drive the motor as a function of an interference signal from one of the segments. Such an anti-trapping device has particularly high flexibility when driving the pivotable actuating element if an obstacle in the way of the pivotable actuating element has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Holger Wuerstlein, Thomas Weingaertner, Wolf-Christian Mueller
  • Patent number: 8612056
    Abstract: Method of configuring a home automation installation comprising a plurality of mobile screens driven by actuators identified by an identifier, the method comprising the following steps: a) a step of constructing a first list of identifiers of actuators of the installation, b) a step of locating all the locations of the screens that make up the part of the installation to be configured, c) a step of associating a list of possible actuator identifiers with each screen location, d) a step of transmitting a movement control command to each actuator of a group of actuators, e) a step of designating locations that correspond to a group of screens that have reacted to the control command, f) a step of updating the lists of possible actuator identifiers for each location, the steps d) to f) being reiterated as long as at least one list of possible actuator identifiers for a screen location comprises more than one actuator identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Mattias Klasson, Samuel Spanberger, Tommy Carlsson, Christian Magnusson
  • Patent number: 8569980
    Abstract: A trash can include a sensor for detecting the presence of an object near a portion of the trash can. The detection of the object can be used to signal the trash can to open its lid. The trash can include an electronic drive unit for opening and closing the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: simplehuman, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Yang, Tzu-Hao Wei, Myk Wayne Lum, Yoon J. Kim
  • Patent number: 8497644
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same are provided. With the refrigerator and the method for controlling the refrigerator, a receiving box may be automatically drawn in and out together with a door when a user operates an input device that inputs door drawing in and out instructions, thereby increasing use convenience of children and older people.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Hwan Eom, Myung Keun Yoo, Hyoun Jeong Shin, Ok Sun Yu, Young Jin Kim, Seung Do Han
  • Patent number: 8476849
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some multisensory implementations, a patient-lifting-device is controlled by voice recognition, keyboard text input, synaptic control and/or a tongue tactile input commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Altorr Corp.
    Inventor: Bradford A. Clough
  • Patent number: 8461786
    Abstract: In a method and a device for determining the position of a closing part of a vehicle, that can be moved by a direct-current motor, a motor current signal is derived from the direct-current motor and converted into a digital signal by an analog-digital converter. The signal is filtered and forwarded to a position counter for counting the current ripple. The scanning frequency of the analog-digital converter is modified according to the rotational speed of the direct-current motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Roman Morawek
  • Patent number: 8393378
    Abstract: According to the method of the invention, the movement of movable screen ends for a group of motor-driven screens to a common position is controlled in a grouped manner. The method includes a step (E150) consisting of moving the end of a screen when said end becomes the farthest from the common position after moving the end of at least one other screen to said common position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Pierre Geriniere, Stephane Lapierre
  • Patent number: 8334666
    Abstract: A system for detecting a backspin condition of a motor in an electrical submersible pump is described herein. The system comprises a variable speed drive for powering the motor via a power cable; and a controller, the controller having a memory, a computer processor, and a computer program product stored on the memory and executable by the processor. The computer program product comprises the instructions of: monitoring an input current or impedance on the power cable to determine changes in motor current impedance, comparing changes in the motor current impedance to a historical threshold value for backspin events to determine whether the motor is backspinning; impeding operable power to the motor when it is determined the motor is backspinning; supplying a low AC voltage to the motor after it is determined the motor is backspinning; and determining whether or not the motor has stopped backspinning by monitoring the low AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sheldon Plitt, John M. Leuthen
  • Patent number: 8310179
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some multisensory implementations, a patient-lifting-device is controlled by voice recognition using a background noise filter, keyboard text input, synaptic control and/or a tongue tactile input commands. In some implementations, the command is rejected or accepted in reference to an analysis of the command, the analysis including an analysis of the authority of operator, competency and/or the state of mind of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Altorr Corp.
    Inventor: Bradford A. Clough
  • Patent number: 8299734
    Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: HomeRun Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Willis Jay Mullet, Darrin W. Brunk, Christopher Lee Wysoczynski, Harry Edward Asbury, Richard Scott Hand, Yan Rodriguez, Benjamin Anthony Bruckner
  • Patent number: 8232754
    Abstract: A control device for an electrically driven door is provided that can enhance the sensitivity of detection of a door pinch state and that can prevent a passenger from being pressed when the door pinch state occurs. The control device includes a driving force instruction value producing unit that outputs a driving force instruction value of the electrically driven door, a state observing unit that estimates a mechanical resistant force to a door driving system, a reference model that determines a dynamic characteristic of the electrically driven door to the mechanical resistant force estimated by the state observing unit, a gain compensator that computes a control compensation value that makes an output of the reference model coincide with an actual speed of the electrically driven door; and an adder that adds the control compensation value computed by the gain compensator to the driving force instruction value outputted by the driving force instruction value producing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8217612
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system and method for sensing both hard and soft obstructions for a movable panel such as a sunroof. A dual detection scheme is employing that includes an optical sensing as the primary means and electronic sensing of motor current as a secondary means. The secondary means utilizes system empirical precharacterization, fast processing algorithms, motor parameter monitoring including both current sensing and sensorless electronic motor current commutation pulse sensing, and controller memory, to adaptively modify electronic obstacle detection thresholds in real time without the use of templates and cycle averaging techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Uusi, LLC
    Inventors: Mario Boisvert, Randall Perrin, John Washeleski
  • Patent number: 8198849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for protection against jamming in a motor-driven locking system and a device for the execution of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Lamm
  • Patent number: 8179061
    Abstract: The present invention features a battery system for saving power. In some embodiments, the battery system comprises a main control unit for processing commands. The main control unit may comprise a wireless transceiver for sending and receiving wireless commands, and a timer for waking a microcontroller from a low power state to check a status of the received signal. In some embodiments, the microcontroller configured to receive a signal from the wireless transceiver; and to generate a signal to the wireless transceiver. In some embodiments, the battery system further comprises a remote module for sending commands to the main control unit. The remote module may comprises a wireless transceiver for sending and receiving wireless commands, and a microcontroller for processing user inputs and sending the commands. In some embodiments, the microcontroller is configured to receive a signal from the wireless transceiver; and to generate a signal to the wireless transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Zhiwei Liao
  • Patent number: 8148932
    Abstract: A system and method for driving a drawer of a refrigerator are provided. This system allows a drawer to be automatically withdrawn from and/or inserted into a main body of the refrigerator. This system also allows a drawer which has been stopped during the withdrawal process to be further withdrawn from the main body so as to complete action on a withdrawal command, or to be re-inserted into the main body, so as to reduce cool air loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Keun Yoo, Yong Hwan Eom, Ok Sun Yu, Hyoun Jeong Shin
  • Patent number: 8115438
    Abstract: An aperture closure member control arrangement includes a disc which rotates as the aperture closure member moves. The disc has a ring of teeth. A sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor and permanent magnet, detect the passage of teeth as a cyclic waveform of amplitude and frequency determined by the spacing of the teeth, and the speed of rotation of the disc. An irregularity in the form of a missing tooth creates an irregularity in the output of the sensor, in the form of a pulse of greater amplitude and lower frequency. Accordingly, pulses from the irregularity can be discriminated and counted to provide a coarse indication of position, or pulses from the teeth can be counted, to provide a fine indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventor: Bruce Stanley Gunton
  • Patent number: 8049451
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a near field detection system. The apparatus comprises a glass plate, the glass plate having a first edge and comprising a first electrode, the first electrode disposed along the first edge of the glass plate, adapted to detect the presence of an object in near proximity to the glass plate, and adapted to transmit a signal in response to the presence of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Derek L. Patterson, Scott A. Niemiec, Craig A. Kollar, Edward M. Sanocki, Jr., Thomas A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 8044626
    Abstract: An actuation assembly (INST) of a screen (SCR) for closure, solar protection or privacy, comprising, on the one hand, a motorized actuator (ACT) furnished with wireless control command receiving means (RCU) and, on the other hand, a standalone power supply assembly (PWU) furnished with at least one rechargeable accumulator (BAT) and with a power supply connector (PR), designed to be connected to the motorized actuator (ACT) via an electric connection line (LIN) for the latter to be supplied with power by the energy of the accumulator (BAT), wherein the power supply assembly (PWU) comprises a man-machine interface (MMI) whose activation allows the transmission of information to the actuator, this information relating to the control of the wireless control command receiving means (RCU) of the actuator (ACT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: SIMU
    Inventors: Mélanie Adamus, Valérie Bourgeois, Emmanuel Carvalheiro, Floriant Lallemand, Régis Leuvrey, Guillaume Pailleret, Patrick Pignot, Claude Vitali
  • Patent number: 7973506
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for controlling a power car window lift. The method includes the following steps: detecting an operation state signal of the car window with a detection element; inputting the detection signal of the detection element into the controller; and the controller sending a control signal to an actuator, which controls the operation state of the car window lift. The main control element of the controller is a thyristor or an equivalent functional element. The car window lift's operation state signal includes a car window closed obstacle signal, a car window closed-in-place signal, a car window opened-in-place signal, and a car window opened obstacle signal. The invention further discloses a device for implementing the method for controlling the power car window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Inventor: Yuanhong Wen
  • Patent number: 7931068
    Abstract: A motorized shade control system includes electronic drive units (EDUs) having programmable control units directing a motor to move an associated shade in response to command signals directed to the control units from wall-mounted keypad controllers or from alternate devices or control systems connected to a contact closure interface (CCI). Each of the EDUs, keypad controllers and CCIs of the system is connected to a common communication bus. The system provides for initiation of soft addressing of the system components from any keypad controller, CCI or EDU. The system also provides for setting of EDU limit positions and assignment of EDUs to keypad controllers from the keypad controllers or CCIs. The system may also include infrared receivers for receiving infrared command signals from an infrared transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., Michael E. Lockley, Justin J. Mierta, David J. Dolan, Stephen M. Ludwig, Jr., Thomas W. Brenner
  • Patent number: 7843153
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an adjustment device which is operated by electric motor in a motor vehicle includes an indirect anti-trapping system for detecting a trapping situation between an adjustment element, which is moved by the adjustment device in an adjustment movement along an adjustment path, and a vehicle element. The anti-trapping system stops or reverses the adjustment movement of the adjustment element if a defined threshold value for a mechanical running parameter—which results from the adjustment movement is exceeded. The anti-trapping system operates with an analysis unit for analyzing the adjustment movement of the adjustment element, wherein the control system is configured and embodied in such a way that by means of the analysis unit, in an analysis mode, the running parameters of the adjustment device can be checked for mechanical functional faults of the adjustment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Jochen Held, Roland Kalb, Markus Schlesiger, Rene Zellmer, Jürgen Buhlheller
  • Patent number: 7750588
    Abstract: A method of accurately maintaining, in position registers of memory modules, a net count of rotor signals received from a motor equipped with a rotor position sensor. A vehicle apparatus includes the memory modules and motor, as well as a driven component and processors that: (a) adjust the net count while the motor is driven; (b) monitor for, and terminate power upon encounter of, a mechanical stop; and (c) correct the net count for rotor signals received thereafter. Storage media and memory modules are encoded with processor instructions and processor-readable code that, when executed by processors, cause them to perform the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating Canada Limited
    Inventor: Xuyang Zhang
  • Patent number: 7746012
    Abstract: A control system for a first window lifter adjusts a first window pane of a motor vehicle having a first drive, and for a second window lifter for adjusting a second window pane of the motor vehicle having a second drive, having a control device. The control device may be electrically connected both to the first drive and to the second drive for the purpose of energization. The control device may have a first sensor for determining a first adjustment position of the first window lifter, and a second sensor for determining a second adjustment position of the second window lifter, the first sensor and the second sensor being based on different physical operational principles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft
    Inventors: Jörg Übelein, Bertram Bopp
  • Patent number: 7741801
    Abstract: The invention provides a device for automatically opening and closing a lid of a trash bin in noncontact fashion disposed in a lavatory unit of an aircraft. On the upper portion of a trash bin 100 disposed in a lavatory unit of an aircraft is attached a lid 50 that pivots via a shaft 250. The reflective infrared radiation sensor 200 attached to a lid frame 60 irradiates infrared radiation IR and detects an object. When the object is detected, a control means drives the DC motor 220 to pivot the shaft 250 via a rotating lever 240 and link arms 242 and 244 to open the lid 50 downward. The fully closed state and the fully opened state of the lid 50 can be detected by position detecting sensors 260 and 262.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Jamco Corporation
    Inventor: Masahito Fukuizumi
  • Patent number: 7646158
    Abstract: The rotating speed of an output shaft of a door opening and closing motor actuating a sliding door is monitored, and whether a fluctuation value of the rotating speed is equal to or more than a first determination threshold value is determined (step S310). A second determination threshold value having a pinching detecting sensitivity that is higher than the first determination threshold value is set. When it is determined that the shift lever of the transmission is in a P position, or a foot brake is operating, or a parking brake is operating, whether the fluctuation value of the rotating speed is equal to or more than the second determination threshold value is determined (step S360). If the fluctuation value of the rotating speed is equal to or more than each of the determination threshold values, the sliding door is actuated in an opening direction (step S320).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shintaro Suzuki, Eiji Itami
  • Patent number: 7615945
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention describes a gate closure system having a barrier or gate operator for moving a gate between a gate fully opened position and a gate fully closed position. The gate closure system preferably further includes, among other things, a master control board with input and output points to receive and transmit data associated with movement of the gate, including a panic control override mode circuit input to the master control board that negates all gate movement parameters during any portion of the gate's travel path to open or close the gate at a substantially greater rate of speed than typically used to open or close the gate during normal operation, regardless of the gate's speed, torque, direction of travel (forward or backward), or whether the gate is stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas R. Richmond, Patrick S. Kochie, Donald A. Ouach, Mario Sanchez