Apparatus and method for positioning a movable component of a motor actuated device

• US 20090002184A1
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Published: 01/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Szczerba, Joseph F., Lenneman, John K., Seder, Thomas A., Mathieu, Roy J., Repa, Brian S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,255,123 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/665
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0373 Voice control in general G10L
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/089 Driver voice
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/10 Interpretation of driver requests or demands

Abstract

An apparatus and method are disclosed for positioning a movable component of a motor actuated device. The apparatus for carrying out the method includes a speech sensor for receiving speech input provided by a user of the device, and a force sensor for measuring a force input provided by the device user. The apparatus further includes a controller coupled to the speech sensor, the force sensor, and the motor actuated vehicle accessory, where the controller is operable to position the movable component in accordance with the received speech input and the measured force input. Exemplary embodiments are presented where the principles of the disclosure are applied to adjust the positioning of movable components of an adjustable pedal assembly and a vehicle power seat.

Claims

1. An apparatus for positioning a movable component of a device, where the device has a motor actuator for adjusting the position of the movable component, the apparatus comprising:

a speech sensor for receiving a speech input provided by a user of the device;

a force sensor for measuring a force input applied by the user of the device; and

a controller coupled to the speech sensor and the force sensor, the controller being operable to drive the motor actuator to adjust positioning of the movable component in accordance with the speech input and the force input.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the speech input comprises a start speech command that initiates adjustment of the positioning of the movable component by the controller.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the speech input comprises a stop speech command that terminates adjustment of the positioning of the movable component by the controller.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movable component is moved in a first direction when the force input applied by the user of the device has a magnitude less than a defined amount of force, and in a second direction when the magnitude of the force input is greater than a defined amount of force.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein after the start speech command is received, the movable component is moved in a first direction when the force input applied by the user of the device has a magnitude less than a first predetermined amount of force, and in a second direction when the magnitude of the force input is greater than a second predetermined amount of force.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein movement of the movable component is halted when the magnitude of the force input applied by the user of the device is greater than the first predetermined amount of force and less than the second predetermined amount of force.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein adjustment of the positioning of the movable component is terminated when the magnitude of the force input applied by the user of the device is greater that the first predetermined amount of force and less than the second predetermined amount of force for a predetermined period of time.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein adjustment of the positioning of the movable component is terminated when the force input applied by the user of the device has a magnitude that is maintained within a predetermined range of force for a predetermined period of time.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein adjustment of the positioning of the movable component is terminated when the user of the device applies, and then removes the force input.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the force input provided by the user of the device is applied to the movable component to oppose movement in a first direction and to assist movement in a second direction.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said device is a vehicle adjustable pedal assembly and said movable component comprises a pedal arm.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said device is a vehicle power seat and said movable component comprises at least one of a seat cushion, a seat back, a seat armrest, a seat headrest, an adjustable lateral bolster, and an adjustable lumbar support mechanism.

13. A method for positioning a movable component of a motor actuated device, the method comprising:

receiving speech input provided by a user of the motor actuated device;

measuring a force input provided by the user of the motor actuated device; and

controlling the motor actuated device to position the movable component based upon the received speech input and the measured force input provided by the user of the motor actuated device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the speech input comprises a first speech command that initiates adjustment of the positioning of the movable component.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the speech input comprises a second speech command for terminating adjustment of the positioning of the movable component.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the movable component is moved in a first direction when the force input has a magnitude less than a first predetermined amount of force and in a second direction when the magnitude of the force input is greater than a second predetermined amount of force.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first predetermined amount of force is less than the second predetermined amount of force.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first predetermined amount of force is equal to the second predetermined amount of force.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein movement of the movable component is halted when the magnitude of the force input is greater than the first predetermined amount of force and less than the second predetermined amount of force.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein adjustment of the positioning of the movable component is terminated when the force input provided by the user of the motor actuated device has a magnitude that is maintained within a predetermined range of force for a predetermined period of time.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein adjustment of the positioning of the movable component is terminated when the user of the motor actuated device applies and then removes the force input.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein said motor actuated device is a vehicle adjustable pedal mechanism and said movable component comprises a pedal arm.

23. The method of claim 13, wherein said motor actuated device is a vehicle power seat and the movable component comprises at least one of a seat cushion, a seat back, a seat armrest, a seat headrest, an adjustable lateral bolster, and an adjustable lumbar support mechanism.

24. A method for positioning a movable component of a motor actuated device, the method comprising:

receiving an adjustment activation command to initiate adjustment of the movable component;

measuring a force input provided by the user of the motor actuated device; and

controlling the motor actuated device to move the movable component in a first direction when the force input has a magnitude less than a first predetermined amount of force, and in a second direction when the magnitude of the force input is greater than a second predetermined amount of force.

25. The method of claim 24, further including:

receiving an adjustment deactivation command to terminate adjustment of the positioning of the movable component.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the first predetermined amount of force is less than the second predetermined amount of force and movement of the movable component is halted when the magnitude of the force input is greater that the first predetermined amount of force and less than the second predetermined amount of force.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the first predetermined amount of force is less than the second predetermined amount of force.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the first predetermined amount of force is less than the second predetermined amount of force and movement of the movable component is halted when the magnitude of the force input is greater that the first predetermined amount of force and less than the second predetermined amount of force.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein adjustment of the positioning of the movable component is terminated when the force input provided by the user of the motor actuated device has a magnitude that is maintained within a predetermined range of force for a predetermined period of time.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein adjustment of the positioning of the movable component is terminated when the user of the motor actuated device applies and then removes the force input.

31. The method of claim 24, wherein said motor actuated device is a vehicle adjustable pedal mechanism and said movable component comprises a pedal arm.

32. The method of claim 24, wherein said motor actuated device is a vehicle power seat and the movable component comprises at least one of a seat cushion, a seat back, a seat armrest, a seat headrest, an adjustable lateral bolster, and an adjustable lumbar support mechanism.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein said pedal arm of said vehicle adjustable pedal mechanism is moved in the first direction if the magnitude of the force input is greater than a defined amount of force and in the second direction if the magnitude of the force input is less than the defined amount of force, where the defined amount of force is greater than the first predetermined amount of force and less than the second predetermined amount of force.