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Method and apparatus for determining steering position of automotive steering mechanism

  • US 5,422,810 A
  • Filed: 05/05/1994
  • Issued: 06/06/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for determining a steering position of an automotive steering mechanism and controlling an automotive device, comprising:

  • steering sensor means for generating a steering motion signal related to rotational motion of the steering mechanism;

    rate processor means for generating a steering rate signal utilizing said steering motion signal;

    position processor means for generating and updating a dynamic center position signal from said steering motion signal and statistically determining a confidence in said dynamic center position signal, said position processor means being operative to set a first flag positive to indicate existence of said confidence in said dynamic center position signal and negative to indicate a lack of said confidence in said dynamic center position signal, said position processor means being further operative to determine an instantaneous steering position signal relative to said steering motion signal and said dynamic center position signal; and

    control means for controlling an automotive device using said steering rate signal when said first flag is negative and controlling said automotive device using both said steering rate signal and said instantaneous steering position signal when said first flag is positive.

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