Abstract: A method for inflating or deflating an air mattress chamber, includes: receiving a user input; inflating or deflating the air mattress chamber; obtaining pressure measurements corresponding to the air mattress chamber; determining first and second constants corresponding to inflation and deflation of the air mattress chamber; comparing a dynamically-obtained static pressure value to a threshold value; and presenting the dynamically-obtained static pressure value to a user on a display of a user remote. Methods for calculating and updating the first and second constants. A method for performing an offset measurement and latency qualification. A method for controlling an inflate operation of air mattress chamber based on a predetermined motor speed corresponding to a mode of operation. A method of controlling the deflation an air mattress chamber utilizing first and second stage exhaust ports to control an exhaust.

Abstract: An airbed system, connectable to an air mattress chamber of an air mattress, includes: a pressure sensor, configured to obtain pressure measurements corresponding to the air mattress chamber; and a control unit, configured to operate a pump and valves of the airbed system to inflate and deflate the air mattress chamber, and to determine first and second constants corresponding to inflation of the air mattress chamber and third and fourth constants corresponding to deflation of the air mattress chamber.

Abstract: An airbed system, connectable to an air mattress chamber of an air mattress, includes: a pressure sensor, configured to obtain pressure measurements corresponding to the air mattress chamber; and a control unit, configured to operate a pump and valves of the airbed system to inflate and deflate the air mattress chamber, and to determine first and second constants corresponding to inflation of the air mattress chamber and third and fourth constants corresponding to deflation of the air mattress chamber.

Abstract: An airbed system, connectable to an air mattress chamber of an air mattress, includes: a pressure sensor, configured to obtain pressure measurements corresponding to the air mattress chamber; and a control unit, configured to operate a pump and valves of the airbed system to inflate and deflate the air mattress chamber, and to determine first and second constants corresponding to inflation of the air mattress chamber and third and fourth constants corresponding to deflation of the air mattress chamber.

Abstract: An airbed system, connectable to an air mattress chamber of an air mattress, includes: a pressure sensor, configured to obtain pressure measurements corresponding to the air mattress chamber; and a control unit, configured to operate a pump and valves of the airbed system to inflate and deflate the air mattress chamber, and to determine first and second constants corresponding to inflation of the air mattress chamber and third and fourth constants corresponding to deflation of the air mattress chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for dispensing sheet material from a roll which include a low-material sensing system. The low-material sensing system provides an indication when the sheet material approaches depletion or is depleted so that the depleted sheet material roll can be replaced with a full roll. The low-material sensing system determines that the sheet material is depleted or near depletion by comparing the rotational speed of a sheet material roll from which the sheet material is unwound with the speed of the motor which produces movement of the sheet material roll when power is supplied to the motor. The sheet material roll speed increases as material is unwound while the motor speed remains relatively constant. A low-material indication is provided when the comparison reaches a threshold representative of the low-material state.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for a rolled material has a sensor that detects the presence of a user in front of the dispenser. When that occurs, a motor is driven by energy stored in a battery or a capacitor and a short length of the material is dispensed from the roll. The user then grasps that short length and pulls more of the material off the roll, thereby causing the roll to rotate. Rotation of the roll drives the motor as a generator producing electrical energy that recharges the battery or capacitor.

Abstract: Automatic dispensers, proximity detectors and user-detection methods. A proximity detector can be used to trigger operation of the dispenser to dispense products such as towel, tissue, wipes, sheet-form materials, soap, shaving cream, fragrances and personal care products.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for dispensing sheet material from a roll which include a low-material sensing system. The low-material sensing system provides an indication when the sheet material approaches depletion or is depleted so that the depleted sheet material roll can be replaced with a full roll. The low-material sensing system determines that the sheet material is depleted or near depletion by comparing the rotational speed of a sheet material roll from which the sheet material is unwound with the speed of the motor which produces movement of the sheet material roll when power is supplied to the motor. The sheet material roll speed increases as material is unwound while the motor speed remains relatively constant. A low-material indication is provided when the comparison reaches a threshold representative of the low-material state.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for a rolled material has a sensor that detects the presence of a user in front of the dispenser. When that occurs, a motor is driven by energy stored in a battery or a capacitor and a short length of the material is dispensed from the roll. The user then grasps that short length and pulls more of the material off the roll, thereby causing the roll to rotate. Rotation of the roll drives the motor as a generator producing electrical energy that recharges the battery or capacitor.

Abstract: Towel dispensing methods and automatic towel dispensers permitting conservation of the overall amount of towel dispensed. The towel dispensing methods and towel dispensers limit the amount of towel dispensed in dispense cycles which occur shortly after an initial dispense cycle. The user is provided with sufficient towel to meet the user's needs while reducing overall towel usage and limiting towel waste.

Abstract: Automatic dispensers for dispensing products such as towel, tissue, wipes, sheet-form materials, soap, shaving cream, fragrances and personal care products. A dispenser includes a housing, an electrical power source, a user input device, a dispensing mechanism, and motor control apparatus. The user input device generates a signal responsive to a user request for product. Motor control apparatus de-powers the dispensing mechanism based on a determination of dispenser conditions representing discharge of the product.

Abstract: Automatic dispensers, proximity detectors and user-detection methods. A proximity detector can be used to trigger operation of the dispenser to dispense products such as towel, tissue, wipes, sheet-form materials, soap, shaving cream, fragrances and personal care products.

Abstract: Towel dispensing methods and automatic towel dispensers permitting conservation of the overall amount of towel dispensed. The towel dispensing methods and towel dispensers limit the amount of towel dispensed in dispense cycles which occur shortly after an initial dispense cycle. The user is provided with sufficient towel to meet the user's needs while reducing overall towel usage and limiting towel waste.

Abstract: Automatic dispensers for dispensing products such as towel, tissue, wipes, sheet-form materials, soap, shaving cream, fragrances and personal care products. A dispenser includes a housing, an electrical power source, a user input device, a dispensing mechanism, and motor control apparatus. The user input device generates a signal responsive to a user request for product. Motor control apparatus de-powers the dispensing mechanism based on a determination of dispenser conditions representing discharge of the product.

Abstract: A system includes a motor for producing motion when current is supplied to the motor and a motor controller coupled to the motor for receiving a motor current signal indicative of the current supplied to the motor. The motor controller has an analog-to-digital converter for converting the motor current signal to a sampled motor current signal. The motor controller is operable to detect pulses in the sampled motor current signal, count the detected pulses to generate a first pulse count, and determine a run parameter for the motor based on the first pulse count. A method for controlling a motor includes counting a first plurality of pulses in a motor current signal produced while the motor is activated to generate a first pulse count. A second plurality of pulses is counted in the motor current signal produced while the motor is deactivated to generate a second pulse count. A run parameter for the motor is determined based on the first and second pulse counts.

Abstract: Dispenser apparatus for dispensing flexible sheet material including material-recognition apparatus permitting the dispenser to recognize sheet material from an authorized source and to be enabled for operation with such material. The dispenser preferably includes standard mechanical components for dispensing sheet material from the dispenser including a housing, structure for supporting a roll of sheet material, drive and tension rollers forming a nip through which the sheet material is displaced as the drive roller rotates and drive apparatus in power-transmission relationship with the drive roller. The material-recognition apparatus includes a sensor mounted in the dispenser housing and in position to scan a code, preferably located on the core on which the sheet material is wound. The sensor generates a code signal corresponding to the code.

Abstract: A system includes a motor for producing motion when current is supplied to the motor and a motor controller coupled to the motor for receiving a motor current signal indicative of the current supplied to the motor. The motor controller has an analog-to-digital converter for converting the motor current signal to a sampled motor current signal. The motor controller is operable to detect pulses in the sampled motor current signal, count the detected pulses to generate a first pulse count, and determine a run parameter for the motor based on the first pulse count. A method for controlling a motor includes counting a first plurality of pulses in a motor current signal produced while the motor is activated to generate a first pulse count. A second plurality of pulses is counted in the motor current signal produced while the motor is deactivated to generate a second pulse count. A run parameter for the motor is determined based on the first and second pulse counts.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for measuring a magnetic field and determining whether an anomaly is present based on the magnetic field measurement and a measured ambient magnetic field. The present invention is also directed to a method and apparatus for measuring the intensity of the magnetic field by implementing operations to essentially eliminate error components that arise due to factors including offsets and gains affecting the intensity signal processing.

Abstract: A line isolation monitor (LIM) indicates the maximum hazard current of an ungrounded polyphase power distribution system. The LIM is microcontroller based and continuously monitors a fault impedance for the distribution system. The fault impedance is determined by the LIM by injecting a continuous sine wave measurement current into a ground terminal to generate a measurement voltage across the fault impedance. Using the measurement voltage and current, the LIM calculates the fault impedance and, using this impedance, calculates the hazard current based on the maximum line to ground voltage of the ungrounded system. The LIM has means for self-calibration and self-testing while on-line and during a power-up sequence to verify that components in the measurement circuitry are within specified tolerances.