.
`
`
`
`U8008217612B2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USOO7579802B2
`
`(i2) United States Patent
`(in) Patent No.2
`US 8,217,612 132
`
`Boisvert et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Jul. 10, 2012
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search .........
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`None
`
`(50)
`
`U.S. 1’A'1'11N'1' DOCUMENTS
`4.128.540 4 *
`700/56
`5/1982 Matsuoka et al.
`4,
`A *
`8/1982 siiailii et al.
`.
`9
`66
`. 31
`A i
`8/1982 Gocfllel’ ct al.
`
`
`
`..
`.
`340/5 71
`A ’*
`11/1982 Matsiloka et a1
`
`
`4.3
`.
`. 318/445
`A *
`5/1983 Matsuoka et iii
`4.386398 A *
`..
`70090
`5/1983 lvlatsuokaet :11
`4514.670 A
`4/1985 Fa"cl cl all
`4.608.637 A
`8/1986 Okuyama etai
`4.641.067 A
`2/1‘JX7
`[i7awiL et al.
`4.6"3.848 A
`6/1987 H0 iwal‘a eta]
`4.686598 4
`8/1987 Helgr
`4.730.152 A
`3/1988 1‘ollst etal
`4.746.845 A
`5/1988 Mizula cl a1,
`4.
`'1 ( 1,) A
`4/1989 (lolllpeau et al.
`
`4-
`.7 09 A
`5/1989 Jams cl a1/
`4.8 5.653 A
`8/1989 Lcmnande
`4.870.333 A
`9/198!)
`Iluh et al.
`(Continued)
`
`.
`.
`.
`Prlnlar'l'Exammeri Marlo Fletcher
`(74) Altqulefv. Agent. or DrilliTthOill. Sundheim. Covcll
`& Tumillino TIP
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`.
`‘
`.
`.
`.
`Disclosed is an improved system antlmelhod tor sensing both
`hard and soft obstructions for a movable panel such as a
`sunroof. A dual detection scheme is employing tllat iilcludes
`an optical sensing s the primary means and electronic sells-
`
`means utilizes s
`tenl empirical precharacterization. fast pro
`ing ofmotor current as a secondary means. Tile secondary
`lms. motor parameter monitoring including
`cessing algori
`both current sensing and seilsorless clmtronic motor current
`conmlulation pulse sensing, and controller memory, lo adap-
`lively nit/i111) electronic obstacle delection thresholds in real
`time without the use of templates and cycle averaging tech-
`niques_
`
`10 Claims. 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`(54) COLLISIOV VIONITORI'NG SYSTEVI
`(75)
`inventors: Nlario Boisvert= Reed City= M51 (US);
`
`Randall Perri Grawn. MI (US); John
`VVasheleski. Cadillac. M7 (US)
`.
`_
`(73) Amy“: Um“ LLC Rad CW- MI (US)
`_
`_
`,
`p
`.
`p
`( =’ ) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ot this
`patellt is extended or adjusted under 35
`”SI; 154(11)11V405 days.
`‘
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claim“.
`
`(21) Appl. No; 12/360,942
`.
`(22) Filed:
`Jan. 28, 211119
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2009/0272035 A1
`NOV. 5. 2009
`Related [1.5. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 10/100,892. filed on
`Mar. 18, 2002‘ 11on Pat. No. 7543031 which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/562386.
`liledon May 1. 2000. not? l’atsNo.‘ (7.404.158, which is
`a continuation-in-part 01 application No. 08/736786.
`filed on Oct. 25‘ 1995‘ now Pat. No. 6064165, which
`is a continuation of application No. 08/275107 filed
`on 1111
`14
`1994
`now abandoned which ‘ is a
`continllatioii-in- art of 'i
`licalion N; 07/872 190
`‘
`i
`’
`5
`5
`‘
`'
`""" 7
`‘
`’
`tiled on Apr 22 P1992 “Lai’ml N0 5 3'44 876 ’
`5
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/169061. filed on Dec.
`6. 1999,
`
`Im~_Cl~
`(51)
`(2005-01)
`G03” 3/0”
`. 318/466; 318/264: 318/265; 318/266;
`(52) U.S. Cl.
` 31 80: 318/282; 318/286: 318/461: 318/468;
`
`318/469
`
`3
`
`
`
`miner SENSE
`DP’IIONAL
`TEMPERA'IURE
`\ SENSOR
`4,—
`
`
`
`
`CDMMUNICMDN
`BUS
`
`
`
`2h
`
`DRNE CURRENY
`cowuNlumN
`SIGNAL
`DRIVE
`cums"
`SIGNAL
`nu»
`
`a:
`
`—— wroRDRNE
`
`1w
`
`
`
`REVERSE J
`
`_. 888:“ A
`
`
`US 7,579,802 32
`(10) Patent No.2
`(12) United States Patent
`
`Boisvert et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 25, 2009
`
`(54) COLLISIO) ,VlONITORLNG SYSTENI
`(75)
`Inventors: Mario Baisvert. Reed City. MI (US);
`Randall Perrin- Gram): M (US): Jnlm
`Waihclcfiki, 01‘1in M1 (US)
`(73) Assignee: Nartrun Corporation, Reed City, Ml
`(US)
`
`( ’9‘ ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term oftllis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`use, 154(13)va 550 lluyb.
`'
`(21) Appl.No.: 10/765.487
`
`F'ICd‘
`
`(22)
`(55)
`
`Ja‘“ 27’ 2""4
`Prim‘ Publicati‘l" Data
`us 2004.01.53”; M
`Sc 2. 2004
`5 ‘
`PI
`5 ‘
`5
`Related U~S- APPHWEU’" D3”
`(60) Division 61 application No. 10/100,892, filed on Mai,
`18., 2002. which is a continuation-in-part of applica-
`tion No. 09/562,986. tiled on May 1. 2000. now Pat,
`No. 6.404.158. which is a continuation-impart of
`application No. 08/736,786. [lied on Oct. 25. 1996.
`now Pat, No, (1.064.165. which is a continuation of
`applicationNo.08/275107.filedonJul.14.1994.110“;
`abandoned, which is a cantinuatinn-in-pan ot'appliea-
`lion No. 07/872,190, Filed on Apr. 22, 1992. now Put.
`Nuv 5.334.876.
`Int.(‘l.
`(51)
`((051) 3/00
`(52) U_S_ (1|.
`
`(2006.01)
`318/466; 318/457; 318/468;
`318/469; 318/476
`_ 318/264 266
`(58) Field of Classification Search .
`
` i 626. 434, 139,
`318/280 286, 460 470
`318114744177. 815. 833. 903: 701/36. 49
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`EP
`
`References Cited
`U'S‘ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4.383.206 A *
`5/1983 hiatsuokaet iii
`4.514.670 A
`4/1985 llasscl cl al.
`4.608.637 A ”
`8/1986 Okayama cl ill
`4.641.067 4
`2,1937 “man e. at.
`C t'
`l
`( on illufi)
`FOREIGN 1’A'1'11'N1 DOCUMhN'iS
`0581509 A1
`21994
`
`........... 318/445
`............. 701/49
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBI lCATlONS
`Federal Register. vol 56. No. 73/Tuesday. Apia 16. 1991. Rules and
`Regulations. Departmentofll'ansixvi‘tation.\ationa1 Highway lrafic
`Sailztyi’Xrlminieration. 49 CFR Pint 571.111). 15290-15299,
`Primary E.ralliincr Marlon T Fletcher
`(741 Ammo) Agent 0' Hrmi'i'flmlli‘ Sundheim Coven &
`lumniino 1-1-1)
`v .
`v .
`<
`ABblRA( 1
`("7)
`Disclosed is all improved system alldmetllod ttlrsensilig both
`hard and soil obstructions for a movable panel such as a
`sunroof. A dual detection scheme is employing that includes
`an Optical sensing as The primary means and electronic 88118-
`ing of motor currellt as a secondary means. The secondary
`"tern empirical precharacle
`means utilizes
`tion,1aslpro-
`
`
`cessiug algorithms. motor parameter monitoring including
`both current sensing and sensorless electronic motor current
`commutation pulse sensing. and controllerniemory. to adapr
`tively modify electronic obstacle detection thresholds in real
`time without tlle use of templates and cycle averaging tech-
`niques,
`
`22 Claims. 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`POWER
`SUPPLY
`ceMMDN
`
`
`VOLTAGE SENSE
`
`
`DRNE CURRENT
`CDMMUMCA‘HDN
`
`
`SIGNAL
`
`OFTlDNAL
`DRIVE
`RAIN
`CURRENY
`SENSOR
`SIGNAL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`coMMuNIemaN
`Ens
`
`

`

`“REAL WORLD” AUTOMOBILES: REDUCTION OF FALSE POSITIVES AND FALSE NEGATIVES FOR
`SOFT AND HARD OBSTACLE DETECTION
`
`’802 Patent, Col. 1
`
`2
`
`

`

`25.
`
`For example, see ”[a]lgorithm processing for hard and soft obstruction
`
`detection is divided into two separate equations, weighting the various terms
`
`depending upon magnitude of importance and processing time requirements."
`
`The ‘802 Patent at 22:44-42. An example embodiment of hard obstruction
`
`detection “essentially compares immediate average current with immediately
`
`prior average current and immediatelv prior average pulse period..." The '892
`
`Patent at 22:63-65. An example embodiment of soft obstruction detection is
`
`Page 11 of 45
`
`Declaration of Dr. Mark Ehsa ni in Support of Patent Owner HESponse in
`IPRZD 14—0041? for LLS. Pateut 1529.802
`
`described as: “Soft obstruction detection is not nearly as time sensitive, as is hard
`
`obstruction detection, thus additional terms can be computed in the time allowed
`
`before the slow increase in entrapment force exceeds maximum allowable
`
`values." The '852 Patent at 23:10-13.
`
`25.
`
`Therefore. it is my understanding and belief that
`
`Unfortunately. even after the inventions
`
`3
`
`

`

`20.
`
`Adding motor control circuitry, which may be able to detect an
`
`obstruction before the motor reaches its stall current. would allow for more
`
`powerfu[ motors and therefore faster window closing cycles. More importantly,
`
`the motor control circuitry would ideally be able to limit the amount of force
`
`applied to an obstruction. thereby limiting or eliminating the risk of injury. -
`
`
`
` his is a nuisance and a significant concern to original equipment
`
`manufacturers concerned with perceived quality.
`
`
`
`Page 9 of 46
`
`Declaration of Dr. Mark Ehsani in Support of Patent Owner Response in
`…
`IFR2014—0041? for US. Patent }',5?9,802
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`23.
`
`The 1992 prioritv application is the practical development of a system
`
`that, in real world scenarios, exhibits a very low false positive rate and an even
`
`lower false negative rate. For example only, real world scenarios may include
`
`conditions experienced by many moving object systems, such as mechanical wear
`
`and friction changes in response to heat. The conditions may also include
`
`situations more specific to mptor vehicles, such as ice buildup, fluctuating power
`
`supply voltage from the alternator andfor batterv, or static pressure changes due
`
`to, for example, ventilation changes. Static pressure changes may change the
`
`amount of force the window applies against the seal, and therefore change the
`
`Page 10 of 46
`
`Declaration of Dr. Mark Ehsanl in Support of Patent Owner Response in
`IPR2014-0041? for US. Patent 7,5 H.802
`
`amount of friction experienced by the window. Further, the conditions may
`
`include conditions unique to a vehicle in motion, such as wind bu ffet'rng.
`
`Each obstacle detection algorithm may be set with
`
`less aggressive parameters than if the obstacle detection algorithm were the only
`…
`one in use,— By using multiple obstacle detection
`algorithms, the various obstacle types can each be detected more accurately
`
`according to the parameters that characterize them respectively,-
`
`5
`
`

`

`2L.
`
`in.I
`
`3
`
`.3l.-
`
`mu.2...3..»
`
`6
`
`

`

`Claim 1 of the ‘612 Patent
`
`CLAIM LANGUAGE
`
`CONSTRUCTION
`
`Response, p. 10
`
`Response, p. 13
`
`7
`
`

`

`EXPLANATION
`
`EXPLANATION
`
`The controller "identifying” and “sensing” features of Claim 1 must each be
`
`giyen weight. The sensing is a different ciaim limitation from the identifying claim
`
`limitation. If sensing and identifying simply corresponded to the same algorithm,
`
`Claim 1 would haye been written accordingly. For example, the final limitation of
`
`Claim 1 might then haye been written as "deactiyate said motor in response to
`
`the identified collision."
`
`Response, p. 11
`
`— "In the absence of any eyidence to the contrary, we
`
`Response, p. 11
`
`must presume that the use of these different terms in the claims connotes
`
`different meanings." CAE ScreenpfotEs, inc. y. Heinrich Fied'ier GmbH & Co, 224
`
`F.3d 1303, 131? (Fed. li'lir. EDGE} {internal citations omitted}.
`
`According to antecedent basis rules, this indefinite article indicates that the
`
`"sensing“ is being newly introduced — not that the "sensing" refers hack to a prior
`
`feature, such as identifying. In addition, the "collision" following “sensing" is also
`
`8
`
`

`

`EXPLANATION
`(CONTINUED)
`
`Response, p. 12
`
`9
`
`

`

`3 Zones of Kinzl
`
`3 Zones of Kinzl
`
`
`
`43.
`
`Zone 1 corresponds to the window being at least approximately half
`
`open. Kinzl at 6:41—42. Zone 2 corresponds to the window being less than
`
`‘612 Patent Owner Expert Decl., p. 20
`approximateiy half open but not ”almost fully closed.” Kinzl at 5:42—4:21.-
`
`10
`
`
`
`’612 Patent Owner Expert Dec|., p. 20
`
`

`

`Why 3 Zones?
`
`• So a different algorithm could be used in each zone:
`
`‘802 Petitioner’s Reply Decl., p. 158
`
`11
`
`

`

`First algorithm of Kinzl
`
`• Zones 1 and 3: blocking counter
`
`‘612 Patent Owner Decl., p. 20-21
`
`12
`
`

`

`Second algorithm of Kinzl
`• Zone 2: Speed Threshold
`
`‘612 Patent Owner Decl., p. 21
`
`13
`
`

`

`Actions of Kinzl
`
`• Zones 1 and 3: stop motor
`• Zone 2: open window
`
`‘802 Petitioner’s Reply Decl., p. 158
`
`14
`
`

`

`Purpose of Kinzl’s Zones
`• Zone 2 is a safety zone, protecting people
`
`• Zones 1 and 3: blocking counter protects motor (an
`overtemperature fuse can be eliminated)
`
`Kinzl 3:21
`
`Kinzl 4:7-8
`
`Kinzl 6:5-6, Claim 1
`
`Kinzl 3:15-18
`
`15
`
`

`

`CLAIM 5 OF THE ‘612 PATENT: WITHIN 40 MS NOT TAUGHT
`BY REFERENCES AND NOT ROUTINE DESIGN CHOICE
`
`16
`
`

`

`Q.
`
`How about Zuckerman,—
`
`—, literally?
`
`10
`
`11
`
`12
`
`13
`
`UUSIEmeH2004
`Page 149
`
`17
`
`

`

`Claim 6 of the ‘612 Patent
`
`CLAIM LANGUAGE
`
`CONSTRUCTION
`
`Response, p. 32-33
`
`18
`
`

`

`EXPLANATION
`
`EXPLANATION
`
`The Petition recognizes that ”stopped moving” is more limited than simply
`
`”slowing” or “encountering an obstacle." As quoted by the Board, the Petition
`
`argues:
`
`Itoh’s algorithm (see Itoh Fig. 5) detects an obstacle by
`
`determining that the window is decelerating more than an
`
`acceptable threshold. Itoh allows the CPU to take action before
`
`the rotation of the motor completely stops. However,
`
`in all
`
`Response, p. 33-34
`
`cases, Itoh’s CPU responds with a motor control signal—even in
`
`an extreme case in which the presence of a hard obstacle
`
`causes the window to suddenly and completely; stop moving.
`
`The algorithm takes into account window position. See e.g.,
`
`Response, p. 33-34
`
`decision block 107 in Fig.5.
`
`Even though Itoh’s controller 32 focuses on deceleration, it will,
`
`in fact, respond to a sensing of the stoppage of the window
`
`(extreme deceleration}. See Ex. 1001 1] 159. Alternatively,
`
`setting the threshold in Itoh at an appropriate level will result in
`
`the CPU outputting a signal only in response to a stoppage. Id.
`
`TITI 159—160.
`
`IPR2014—00416,Institution Decision, Paper 12 at 14 {emphasis added). As
`
`recognized by Petitioner, the “stopped" limitation of Claim 5 represents an abrupt
`
`19
`
`

`

`CLAIM LANGUAGE
`
`CONSTRUCTION
`
`Response, p. 35
`
`20
`
`

`

`EXPLANATION
`
`Ehsani Declaration,
`Ex. 2001 p. 34
`
`21
`
`

`

`ITOH AND KINZL DO NOT TEACH CLAIM 6
`
`ITOH AND KINZL DO NOT TEACH CLAIM 6
`
`Declaration of Dr. Mark Ehsani in Support of Patent Owner Response in
`
`|PR2014—00416 for US. Patent 8,217,612
`
`|X.A.
`
`FAILURE OF ITOH TO TEACH OR SUGGEST SENSING OF WINDOW STOPPAGE
`
`77.—. where
`
`the window stops abruptly, the motor commutation pulses disappear, instead of
`
`spreading out and then disappearing. Itoh calculates a new Tp each time a rising
`
`Page 35 of 42
`UUSI Exhibit 2001
`
`BROSE NORTH AMERICA,
`
`INC .
`
`Page 35
`
`and
`BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO. KG, HALLSTADT
`Petitioner
`VS .
`
`LTLTSI, LLC
`Patent Owner
`
`Case IPR20i4ioo4l6
`Patent 8,217,612
`Case IPR20l470044l7
`Patent 7,579,802
`
`The deposition of C. ART MacCARLEY,
`
`
`
`I_' m sorry.—
`
`1-0
`
`:1_
`
`
`
`2-2 —
`
`:3 _
`
`1-4
`
`Q.
`
`Okay.
`
`22
`
`

`

`Claim 7 of the ‘802 Patent
`
`CLAIM LANGUAGE
`
`CONSTRUCTION
`
`Response, p. 29
`
`23
`
`

`

`EXPLANATION
`
`— which respectivelv recite "a sensor fer
`
`measuring a parameter of a meter coupled to the meter driven eiement that
`
`varies in response to a resistance to motion during all or part of a range of motion
`
`of the motor driven element” (Est. 1005 at 2?:34-3?] and "a sensor for sensing
`
`movement of a window or panel along a travel path" (Ex. 10GB at Eric-~21}.
`
`described in the specification, but Claim 1? is limited to the specialized sensor
`
`embodiment, excluding the embodiment that uses a "sensorless” abilitvr to
`
`Response, p. 30
`
`24
`
`

`

`EXPLANATION
`(CONTINUED)
`
`Response, p. 31
`
`Response, p. 32-33
`
`25
`
`

`

`EXPLANATION
`(CONTINUED)
`
`Response, p. 34
`
`Response, p. 36
`
`26
`
`

`

`United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`[11; Patent Number:
`
`4,870,333
`
`Itoh et a1.
`
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`Sep. 26, 1989
`
`Furthermore, in this embodiment the number of rota-
`tions of the motor 20 is counted by the counter 36,
`whereby the position of the window 26 is detected and
`
`35mmechanism including t e motor’s own only, so
`
`Itoh at 12:32-38
`at it is
`possible to reduce the cost and remain free from various
`…
`restrictions. The value of counter is cleared to zero
`
`Itoh at 12:32-38
`
`Also in this flow chart, it is possible to detect the
`Itoh at 13:58-61
`squeezing of obstacles in an early stage and it is possible
`
`27
`
`ti irevent damage or inl'ury of the squeezed obstacle so
`
`

`

`CLAIM LANGUAGE
`
`CONSTRUCTION
`
`Response, p. 37
`
`28
`
`

`

`EXPLANATION
`
`Response, p. 37
`
`Response, p. 38
`
`Response, p. 38-39
`
`29
`
`

`

`Questionable logic leap
`
`30
`
`

`

`Claim 14 of the ‘802 Patent
`
`CLAIM LANGUAGE
`
`…
`
`Response, p. 48
`
`31
`
`

`

`CONSTRUCTION
`
`Response, p. 54
`
`32
`
`

`

`CONSTRUCTION
`(CONTINUED)
`
`Response, p. 55
`
`33
`
`

`

`EXPLANATION
`
`EXPLANATI N
`o
`
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`“DeCIsIon making logic” of Claim ? Is not and was not a known structure to
`
`those of skill in the art prior to the priority date of the ”802 Patent. Ex. 2001 at 96.
`
`Further, there was no literal mention of decision making logic in the specification.
`
`Ex. 2001 at 96. The ”decision making logic" is therefore in the same situation as
`
`the program recognition device fou nci to invoke §112{6] in Bosch: ”However, as
`
`SnapuOn notes, the ’313 patent’s specification does not contain a single reference
`
`to the structure of the ”program recognition device” itself; all of the proffered
`
`citations from the specification merely explain its function." Bosch, id. at 11.
`
`The term “decision making logic” is simply a placeholder, or nonce word,
`
`combined with the language generally accompanying a means claim: the
`
`preposition ”for” and present participle language indicating the function.
`
`Therefore, the decision making logic overcomes the presumption against §112(6)
`Response, p. 49-50
`
`34
`
`treatment, as occurred in Bosch: "The claim terms, construed in light of the
`
`specification, fail to provide sufficiently definite structure to one of skill in the
`
`

`

`
`
`MICWVfiMfiwRRBSS”Rfimnm 1W "c
`
`COMPUTER
`DICTIONARY
`- . _IIIIIII
`
`
`e ningt e ogtco a program is
`often the first step in developing the program’s
`
`source code. See also formal logic.
`logical An adjective describing an operation or
`other computing activity that is based on true and
`false alternatives as opposed to alrlthrnetic calcui
`lation of numeric values. For example, a logical
`expression is one that, when evaluated, has a single
`outcome, either true or false (as in "IFA is true and
`B is true, then 1C is true”). See also Boolean algebra.
`logical decision Any decision that can have one
`of two outconlaes (tine/false, yes/no, and so on).
`
`BNA/Brose Exhibit 1054
`IPR2014-00417
`
`Page 3
`
`35
`
`

`

`REFERENCES DO NOT TEACH CLAIM 14
`
`REFERENCES DO NOT TEACH CLAIM 14
`
`X3.
`
`FAILURE OF ITOH TO TEACH OR SUGGEST THE STRUCTURE CORRESPONDING TO THE DECISION
`MAKING LOGIC
`
`pulse period values in determining an obstacle detect threshold;
`
`XL.
`
`FAILURE OF KINZL TO TEACH OR SUGGESTTHE STRUCTURE CORRESPONDING TO THE DECISION
`MAKING LOGIC
`
`— Instead, Kinzl uses only
`
`pulse period values in determining an obstacle detect threshold.
`
`Page :14 of 46
`UUSI Exhibit 2001
`
`Page 44
`
`Declaration of Dr. Mark thani in Support of Patent Owner Response in
`IPR2014-{10413' for US. Patent ?,5?9,302
`
`XI].
`
`FAILURE OI"- ZUCKERMAN TO TEACH CIR SUGGEST THE STRUCTURE CORRESPONDING TO THE
`DECISION MAKING LOGIC
`
`36
`
`Zuckerman uses only current magnitude values in determining an obstacle detect
`
`