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Electronic control system for a variable support mechanism

  • US 6,422,087 B1
  • Filed: 07/14/1999
  • Issued: 07/23/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a variable support mechanism in a vehicle having a controlled device, the variable support mechanism including a support mechanism including a plurality of bladders having respective valves connected to a manifold and an electronic control system for selectively inflating and deflating the bladders, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) measuring a magnitude of a pressure in each of the bladders;

    (b) associating first and second users with respective measured pressures from each of the bladders;

    (c) comparing the measured pressures from each of the bladders with respective target values;

    (d) adjusting the pressures in each of the bladders such that the measured values achieve the target values;

    (e) identifying the first or second user of the variable support mechanism based upon the measured pressures in each of the bladders; and

    (f) controlling the operation of the controlled device in response to the identity of the user of the variable support mechanism.

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