Patents Assigned to Prospects Corporation
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Patent number: 6169379Abstract: An obstruction detection apparatus is provided for use in closing a power driven vent, such as a window, that is located in an opening. When the vent includes a first closing edge that moves as the vent is closed and the opening includes a second closing edge that is contacted by the first closing edge when the vent is in a fully closed position, the apparatus includes a detector configured to detect an obstruction at points all along the second closing edge without requiring contact between the obstruction and the vent and to deliver a detection signal when an obstruction is detected. A controller is connected to the detector for receiving the detection signal and delivering a corresponding alarm signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1999Date of Patent: January 2, 2001Assignee: Prospects CorporationInventors: Jianjun Zhang, Cliff Chuang, John Z. W. Zhang, Peter J. Pan, James S. Li, Michael Yuan Lu, Ziqiang Chen, Chong Tian Wang, Yong Bo Shao
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Patent number: 5955854Abstract: An obstruction detection apparatus is provided for use in closing a power driven vent, such as a window, that is located in an opening. When the vent includes a first closing edge that moves as the vent is closed and the opening includes a second closing edge that is contacted by the first closing edge when the vent is in a fully closed position, the apparatus includes a detector configured to detect an obstruction at points all along the second closing edge without requiring contact between the obstruction and the vent and to deliver a detection signal when an obstruction is detected. A controller is connected to the detector for receiving the detection signal and delivering a corresponding alarm signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 1995Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Prospects CorporationInventors: Jianjun Zhang, Cliff Chuang, John Z. W. Zhang, Peter J. Pan, James S. Li, Michael Yuan Lu, Ziqiang Chen, Chong Tian Wang, Yong Bo Shao
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Patent number: 5539290Abstract: A motor control system for controlling operation of an electric motor associated with a motor-operated vent in a vehicle. The system monitors and stores data relating to the operating current and detects occurrences of abnormal loads applied to the vent by determining whether the monitored operating current exceeds one of several predetermined thresholds. The predetermined thresholds are dynamically modified in accordance with monitored condition variations of the operating current. The dynamically modified thresholds are initially based on either a value associated with the stall current of the vent motor or the start spike current of the vent motor. In addition, an embodiment is provided for monitoring and storing data relating to ripple current waves associated with the operating current, so that occurrences of abnormal loads may be detected by determining whether the frequency of the monitored ripple current waves is less than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 1994Date of Patent: July 23, 1996Assignee: Prospects CorporationInventors: Michael Y. Lu, Peter J. Pan, Cliff L. Chuang
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Patent number: 5402075Abstract: A capacitive moisture sensor includes insulator means; capacitance means including a sensing capacitor having a plurality of spaced capacitive sensor conductors mounted with the insulator means for exposure to the atmosphere; and first and second electrodes mounted with the insulator means remote from the spaced capacitive sensor conductors; means for applying a periodic input current across the first and second electrodes; and means for detecting a change in capacitance between the first and second electrodes indicative of moisture bridging at least two of the capacitive sensor conductors.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1992Date of Patent: March 28, 1995Assignee: Prospects CorporationInventors: Michael Y. Lu, Peter J. Pan, James S. Li, Cliff L. Chuang
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Patent number: 5399950Abstract: A motor control system for controlling operation of an electric motor associated with a motor-operated vent in a vehicle. The system monitors and stores data relating to the operating current and detects occurrences of abnormal loads applied to the vent by determining whether the monitored operating current exceeds one of several predetermined thresholds. The predetermined thresholds are dynamically modified in accordance with monitored condition variations of the operating current. The dynamically modified thresholds are initially based on either a value associated with the stall current of the vent motor or the start spike current of the vent motor. In addition, an embodiment is provided for monitoring and storing data relating to ripple current waves associated with the operating current, so that occurrences of abnormal loads may be detected by determining whether the frequency of the monitored ripple current waves is less than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1994Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: Prospects CorporationInventors: Michael Y. Lu, Peter J. Pan, Cliff L. Chuang
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Patent number: 5054686Abstract: An automatic venting system for a vehicle having a plurality of motor operated vents in which the interior of the vehicle is monitored for the temperature as well as the presence of a living being, and a separate sensor is included for sensing precipitation outside the vehicle. When the interior of the vehicle is above a preselected threshold temperature, at least one of the vehicle vents is at least partially opened to cool the vehicle. Then, if precipitation is sensed, the open vent or vents are automatically closed unless a living being is sensed within the interior of the car, in which case one or more of the vents remains at least partially open even during the precipitation to provide sufficient ventilation and safety for the being in the car.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1990Date of Patent: October 8, 1991Assignee: Prospect CorporationInventor: Cliff L. Chuang