AUTOMATIC CLOSURE SYSTEM IMPACT DETECTION
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- providing an accelerometer responsive to motion of a closure forming part of an automatic closure system;
providing an output of the accelerometer to first and second comparator circuits, the first comparator circuit having a first reference voltage such that the output of the first comparator circuit is indicative of a direction of motion of the closure and the second comparator circuit having an adjustable second reference voltage such that the output of the second comparator circuit is scaled relative to this adjustable second reference voltage to adjust the sensitivity of the output of the second comparator;
providing a microcontroller coupled to the outputs of the first and second comparator circuits, the microcontroller for determining based upon the outputs of the first and second comparator circuits with time both a motion sequence of the closure and whether the closure has impacted an object; and
providing an interface circuit for communicating the output from the microcontroller to a remote controller circuit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided, including providing an accelerometer responsive to motion of a closure forming part of an automatic closure system, providing an output of the accelerometer to first and second comparator circuits, the first comparator circuit having a first reference voltage such that the output of the first comparator circuit is indicative of a direction of closure motion and the second comparator circuit having an adjustable second reference voltage such that the output of the second comparator circuit is scaled relative to this adjustable second reference voltage to adjust the sensitivity of the output of the second comparator, providing a microcontroller coupled to the first and second comparator circuits, the microcontroller determining both a motion sequence of the closure and whether the closure has impacted an object, and providing an interface circuit for communicating the output from the microcontroller to a remote controller circuit.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing an accelerometer responsive to motion of a closure forming part of an automatic closure system; providing an output of the accelerometer to first and second comparator circuits, the first comparator circuit having a first reference voltage such that the output of the first comparator circuit is indicative of a direction of motion of the closure and the second comparator circuit having an adjustable second reference voltage such that the output of the second comparator circuit is scaled relative to this adjustable second reference voltage to adjust the sensitivity of the output of the second comparator; providing a microcontroller coupled to the outputs of the first and second comparator circuits, the microcontroller for determining based upon the outputs of the first and second comparator circuits with time both a motion sequence of the closure and whether the closure has impacted an object; and providing an interface circuit for communicating the output from the microcontroller to a remote controller circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A device comprising:
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an accelerometer responsive to motion of a closure forming part of an automatic closure system; an output of the accelerometer to first and second comparator circuits, the first comparator circuit having a first reference voltage such that the output of the first comparator circuit is indicative of a direction of motion of the closure and the second comparator circuit having an adjustable second reference voltage such that the output of the second comparator circuit is scaled relative to this adjustable second reference voltage to adjust the sensitivity of the output of the second comparator; a microcontroller coupled to the outputs of the first and second comparator circuits, the microcontroller for determining based upon the outputs of the first and second comparator circuits with time both a motion sequence of the closure and whether the closure has impacted an object; and an interface circuit for communicating the output from the microcontroller to a remote controller circuit. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A system comprising:
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an impact detector circuit comprising; an accelerometer responsive to motion of a closure forming part of an automatic closure system; an output of the accelerometer to first and second comparator circuits, the first comparator circuit having a first reference voltage such that the output of the first comparator circuit is indicative of a direction of motion of the closure and the second comparator circuit having an adjustable second reference voltage such that the output of the second comparator circuit is scaled relative to this adjustable second reference voltage to adjust the sensitivity of the output of the second comparator; a first microcontroller coupled to the outputs of the first and second comparator circuits, the first microcontroller for determining based upon the outputs of the first and second comparator circuits with time both a motion sequence of the closure and whether the closure has impacted an object; and an interface circuit for communicating the output from the microcontroller to a remote controller circuit; and the remote controller circuit comprising; a filtering circuit for receiving and processing the output from the interface circuit within the impact detector; a second microcontroller for receiving the output from the filtering circuit and determining whether to at least one of trigger an alarm and communicate a control signal to a motor. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification