Abstract: A system and method for leveling a selected surface of a structure. The system includes a handheld mobile device and a platform leveling assembly (PLA) supportable on a structure to be leveled. The PLA includes a PLA controller and a PLA receiver communicatively coupled with the PLA controller. The handheld mobile device includes a tilt sensor configured to sense an attitude of a selected surface on which the handheld mobile device is placed; and a mobile device controller communicatively coupled to the tilt sensor and the transmitter and configured to receive signals from the tilt sensor indicating the attitude of the selected surface on which the handheld mobile device is placed.

Abstract: A distributed safety lockout system for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle (RV), that includes a plurality of networked devices communicatively coupled via a communications network, and that is configured to implement a method for controlling an electromechanical operation of an electromechanical device based on a safety lockout condition determined through use of a consensus protocol in which a safety lockout status is agreed upon by the networked devices. The safety lockout status may be escalated by a safety lockout condition detection device that detects a safety lockout condition, such as movement of the RV. The safety lockout status may be de-escalated through a network contention mode of the consensus protocol in which each of the networked devices agree to de-escalate the safety lockout status.

Abstract: A trailer oscillation and stability control device including an accelerometer and an angular rate sensor. An oscillation detection discriminator detects oscillatory lateral trailer motion in response to trailer displacement data derived from inputs from the angular rate sensor and acceleration signals received from the accelerometer, and then generates corresponding oscillatory event data. A brake controller generates a braking control signal in response to oscillatory event data received from the oscillation detection discriminator.

Abstract: A system and method for leveling a selected surface of a structure. The system includes a handheld mobile device and a platform leveling assembly (PLA) supportable on a structure to be leveled. The PLA includes a PLA controller and a PLA receiver communicatively coupled with the PLA controller. The handheld mobile device includes a tilt sensor configured to sense an attitude of a selected surface on which the handheld mobile device is placed; and a mobile device controller communicatively coupled to the tilt sensor and the transmitter and configured to receive signals from the tilt sensor indicating the attitude of the selected surface on which the handheld mobile device is placed.

Abstract: A system and method for leveling a selected surface of a structure. The system includes a handheld mobile device and a platform leveling assembly (PLA) supportable on a structure to be leveled. The PLA includes a PLA controller and a PLA receiver communicatively coupled with the PLA controller. The handheld mobile device includes a tilt sensor configured to sense an attitude of a selected surface on which the handheld mobile device is placed; an output device configured to provide an indication to a user; an input device configured to receive input from the user; a transmitter configured to send wireless signals to the PLA receiver; and a mobile device controller communicatively coupled to the tilt sensor, the output device, the input device, and the transmitter and configured to cause the output device to provide an indication of the sensed attitude of the selected surface.

Abstract: A system and method for leveling a selected surface of a structure. The system includes a handheld mobile device and a platform leveling assembly (PLA) supportable on a structure to be leveled. The PLA includes a PLA controller and a PLA receiver communicatively coupled with the PLA controller. The handheld mobile device includes a tilt sensor configured to sense an attitude of a selected surface on which the handheld mobile device is placed; an output device configured to provide an indication to a user; an input device configured to receive input from the user; a transmitter configured to send wireless signals to the PLA receiver; and a mobile device controller communicatively coupled to the tilt sensor, the output device, the input device, and the transmitter and configured to cause the output device to provide an indication of the sensed attitude of the selected surface.

Abstract: A method and device for halting the extension or retraction of a retractable awning comprises a sensor coupled to a processor that commands awning extension and retraction. The sensor senses a motion parameter, such as acceleration, which is associated with extension or retraction motion of a retractable awning and generates corresponding respective extension or retraction motion parameter signals. The processor calculates an acceleration rate of change and/or a tilt angle from the motion parameter signals received from the sensor, and halts awning extension or retraction by generating and sending a stop signal when the acceleration rate of change or tilt angle meets at least one predetermined criterion.

Abstract: A distributed safety lockout system for a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle (RV), that includes a plurality of networked devices communicatively coupled via a communications network, and that is configured to implement a method for controlling an electromechanical operation of an electromechanical device based on a safety lockout condition determined through use of a consensus protocol in which a safety lockout status is agreed upon by the networked devices. The safety lockout status may be escalated by a safety lockout condition detection device that detects a safety lockout condition, such as movement of the RV. The safety lockout status may be de-escalated through a network contention mode of the consensus protocol in which each of the networked devices agree to de-escalate the safety lockout status.

Abstract: A method and device for preventing wind damage to a retractable awning comprises a processor that detects an oscillatory characteristic of movement signals received from an awning movement sensor, and generates an awning retraction signal if the oscillatory characteristic meets a predetermined retraction criterion. The sensor may comprise a gyroscopic sensor that detects angular movement of an awning portion and generates corresponding angular movement signals. The processor may detect predetermined angular movement signal events in the angular movement signals, calculate time elapsed between the events, and transmit a retraction signal when an angular movement signal characteristic relating to time elapsed between angular movement signal events meets at least one predetermined retraction criterion.

Abstract: A method and device for halting the extension or retraction of a retractable awning comprises a sensor coupled to a processor that commands awning extension and retraction. The sensor senses a motion parameter, such as acceleration, which is associated with extension or retraction motion of a retractable awning and generates corresponding respective extension or retraction motion parameter signals. The processor calculates an acceleration rate of change and/or a tilt angle from the motion parameter signals received from the sensor, and halts awning extension or retraction by generating and sending a stop signal when the acceleration rate of change or tilt angle meets at least one predetermined criterion.

Abstract: A trailer oscillation and stability control device including an accelerometer and an angular rate sensor. An oscillation detection discriminator detects oscillatory lateral trailer motion in response to trailer displacement data derived from inputs from the angular rate sensor and acceleration signals received from the accelerometer, and then generates corresponding oscillatory event data. A brake controller generates a braking control signal in response to oscillatory event data received from the oscillation detection discriminator.