`
`PATENT
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`Application of: Mario Boisvert and Randall Perrin
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`Serial No.: 10/765,487
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`Filing Date: January 27, 2004
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`Title: COLLISION MONITORING SYSTEM
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`Examiner: Marion T. Fletcher
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`Art Unit: 2837
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`Docket No.: 14-733C2D1
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`Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell & Tummino, LLP
`Suite 1700
`1300 East Ninth Street
`Cleveland, OH 44114
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`MAIL STOP AMENDMENT
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
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`Amendment
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`In response to the office action having a mailing date of October 16, 2006, please
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`amend this application as follows:
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`December 13th, 2006
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`1
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`
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`Claim Status
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`1.
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`(Currently Amended) Apparatus for controlling motion of a motor driven element
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`in a vehicle over a range of motion and for altering said motion when undesirable
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`resistance to said motion is encountered, said apparatus comprising:
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`a) a sensor for measuring a parameter of a motor coupled to the motor driven
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`element that varies in response to a resistance to motion during all or part of a range of
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`motion of the motor driven element;
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`b) a memory for storing a number of measurement values from the sensor
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`based on immediate past measurements of said parameter over at least a portion of
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`saiG a present traversal of said motor driven element through said range of motion;
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`c) a controller coupled to the memory for determining to de-activate the motor
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`based on a most recent sensor measurement of the parameter and the immediate past
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`measurement values stored in the memory as the motor driven element moves over its
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`range of motion; and
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`d) a controller interface coupled to the motor for altering motion of said motor
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`driven element in response to a determination made by the controller.
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`2. (Original) A method for controlling motion of a motor driven element in a vehicle
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`over a range of motion and for altering said motion when undesirable resistance to said
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`motion is encountered, said method comprising:
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`a) measuring a parameter of a motor coupled to the motor driven element that
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`varies in response to a resistance to motion during all or part of a range of motion of the
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`motor driven element by taking a multiplicity of measurements as the motor moves the
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`motor driven element over its range of motion;
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`b) storing a number of measurement values based on measurements of said
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`parameter over at least a portion of said range of motion;
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`c) determining that the parameter is outside a parameter range based on
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`previous stored measurement values as the motor driven element moves over its range
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`of motion; and
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`December 13th, 2006
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`2
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`d) altering motion of said motor
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`driven element in response to a
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`determination that the parameter is outside the parameter range.
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`3. (Original) The method of claim 2 wherein the motor driven element is a window or
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`panel and additionally comprising reverse actuating the window or panel prior to moving
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`said window or panel in a direction to close the window or panel.
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`4. (Original) The method of claim 3 additionally comprising maintaining a position of
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`the window or panel based on the sensed parameter and the reverse actuation is
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`initiated if a leading edge of the window or panel is near a closed position.
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`5. (Original) The method of claim 4 movement is first initiated toward a closed
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`position when a leading edge of the window or panel is near the closed position and
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`wherein the reverse actuation is performed upon a sensing of an obstacle that is based
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`on determining the parameter is outside the parameter range.
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`6. (Currently Amended) Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor coupled to a
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`motor vehicle window or panel for moving said window or panel along a travel path and
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`de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by the window or panel, said
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`apparatus comprising:
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`a) a sensor for sensing movement of the window or panel and providing a
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`sensor output signal related to a speed of movement of the window or panel;
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`b) a switch for controllably actuating the motor by providing an energization
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`signal; and
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`c) a controller having an interface coupled to the sensor and the switch for con(cid:173)
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`trollably energizing the motor; said controller sensing a collision with an obstruction
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`when power is applied to the controller by:
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`i) monitoring movement of the window or panel by monitoring a signal from the
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`sensor related to the movement of the window or panel;
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`December 13th, 2006
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`3
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`ii) adjusting an obstacle detection
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`threshold in real time based on immediate
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`past measurements of the signal sensed by the sensor to adapt to varying conditions
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`encountered during operation of the window or panel;
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`U iii) identifying a collision of the window or panel with an obstacle due to a
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`change in the signal from the sensor that is related to a change in movement of the
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`window or panel by comparing a value based on a most recent signal from the sensor
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`with the obstacle detection threshold; and
`ill iv) outputting a control signal to said switch to deactivate said motor in
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`response to a sensing of a collision between an obstacle and said window or panel.
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`7. (Original) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the controller comprises a
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`programmable controller including a processing unit for executing a control program and
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`including a memory for storing multiple window or panel speed values corresponding to
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`a signal received from the sensor.
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`8. (Original) The apparatus of claim 6 additionally comprising one or more limit
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`switches for use by the controller to determine window or panel position for use in
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`identifying a collision.
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`Please cancel claim 9 without prejudice or disclaimer.
`9. (Cancelled)
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`10. (Original) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the controller maintains a position of
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`a leading edge of the window or panel and further wherein the controller reverse
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`energizes the motor to move the window or panel away from a closure position prior to
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`activating the motor to close the window or panel.
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`11. (Original) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the controller reverse energizes the
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`motor in response to a sensing of an obstacle and the reverse energizing and attempt to
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`move the window or panel to a closed position is performed to confirm sensing of the
`4
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`December 13th, 2006
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`obstacle.
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`12. (Currently Amended) Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor for moving an
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`object along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by
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`the object comprising:
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`a) a movement sensor for monitoring movement of the object as the motor
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`moves said object along a travel path ;
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`b) a switch for controlling energization of the motor with an energization signal;
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`and
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`c) a controller including an interface coupled to the switch means for controllably
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`energizing the motor and said interface additionally coupling the controller to the
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`movement sensor for monitoring signals from said movement sensor; said controller
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`comprising a stored program that:
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`i) determines motor speed of movement from an output signal from the
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`movement sensor ;
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`ii) calculates an obstacle detect threshold based on motor speed of movement
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`detected during at least one a present run of said motor driven element prior period of
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`motor operation;
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`iii) compares a value based on currently sensed motor speed of movement with
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`the obstacle detect threshold; and
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`iv) outputs a signal from the interface to said switch for stopping the motor if the
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`comparison based on currently sensed motor movement indicates the object has
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`contacted an obstacle.
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`13 (Original) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controller includes a buffer
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`memory for storing successive values of motor movement for use in determining the
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`obstacle detect threshold .
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`14. (Original) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controller includes a clock and
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`December 13th, 2006
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`5
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`an input from the movement sensor is in a
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`form of a sequence of pulses and further
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`wherein the controller counts clock signals occurrences between receipt of pulses to
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`provide an indication of motor speed.
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`15. (Original) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controller includes an interface
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`for monitoring user actuation of control inputs for controlling movement of the window or
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`panel and wherein the controller maintains a motor energization sequence a specified
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`minimum time period in response to a short period user actuation of said control inputs
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`to maintain position accuracy in monitoring window or panel movement.
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`16. (Original) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the controller includes an interface
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`for monitoring user actuation of control inputs for controlling movement of the object and
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`wherein in response to a specified input the controller conducts a calibration motor
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`energization sequence to determine parameters of object.
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`17. (Original) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the motor is coupled to a motor
`vehicle window or panel and wherein the controller includes an interface for monitoring
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`user actuation of control inputs for controlling movement of the window or panel and
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`wherein the controller maintains a position indication which is updated in response
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`movement of the window or panel and further wherein the controller reverse actuations
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`the motor near an end point in an object path of travel to avoid false obstacle detection
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`in the region of closure of the window or panel.
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`18. (Original) The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the sensor is a current sensor and
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`wherein the controller includes means for adjusting the obstacle threshold based on
`dynamic motor current as sensed from the current sensor to take into account varying
`loads experienced by the motor.
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`19. (Currently Amended) Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor for moving a
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`December 13th, 2006
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`6
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`window or panel along a travel path and
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`de-activating the motor if an obstacle is
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`encountered by the window or panel comprising:
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`a) a sensor for sensing movement of a window or panel along a travel path;
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`b) a switch for controlling energization of the motor with an energization signal;
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`and
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`c) a controller coupled to the switch for controllably energizing the motor and
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`having an interface coupling the controller to the sensor and to the switch; said
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`controller comprising decision making logic for:
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`i) monitoring a signal from the sensor;
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`ii) calculating aA a real time obstacle detect threshold based on the signal
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`that is detected during at least one prior period of motor operation during movement
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`along a present or current path of travel of said window or panel , or a predetermined
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`threshold;
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`iii) comparing a value based on a currently sensed motor parameter with
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`the obstacle detect threshold; and
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`iv) stopping movement of the window or panel by controlling an output to
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`said switch that controls motor energization if the comparison based on a currently
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`sensed motor parameter indicates the window or panel has contacted an obstacle.
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`20. (Currently Amended) Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor for moving a
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`window or panel along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is
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`encountered by the window or panel comprising:
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`a) a sensor for generating speed signals representative of the window or panel
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`speed as the motor moves the window or panel along a travel path;
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`b) an obstacle detection controller for monitoring at least a part of the travel
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`path of the window or panel for sensing and generating an obstacle detect signal
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`indicating the presence in said travel path of an obstacle to movement of the window or
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`panel;
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`c) a switch coupled to said controller for controlling energization of the motor
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`December 13th, 2006
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`7
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`with an energization signal; and
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`d) said controller including means for processing motor speed signals and
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`obstacle detection signals and controlling operation of the motor in response to said
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`speed or obstacle detection signals; said controller including:
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`i) a storage for storing a number of speed signals that vary with motor speed;
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`ii) a processor for calculating an obstacle detect threshold based on one or more
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`speed signals stored in said storage obtained in real time based on immediate past
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`measures of the speed signal sensed by the sensor to adapt to varying conditions
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`encountered during movement along a present path of travel of said window or panel;
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`iii) a logic unit for making a comparison between a value representing window or
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`panel speed based on g currently sensed motor speed signal with the calculated
`obstacle detect threshold, a predetermined threshold, and generating a control output lf
`an obstacle is detected based on said comparison; and
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`iv) an interface coupled to said switch for changing the state of the switch to stop
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`the motor.
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`21. (Original) The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the sensor for generating a speed
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`signal comprises a Hall-effect sensor.
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`22. (Original) The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the sensor for generating a speed
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`signal comprises a magnetic pick-up.
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`23.
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`(Original) The apparatus of claim 20 additionally comprising an obstacle detector
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`having an output coupled to the controller that senses a disruption in a region through
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`which the window or panel moves.
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`24. (Original) The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the obstacle detector comprises a
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`microwave generator and a reflected wave transducer.
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`December 13th, 2006
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`8
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`25. (Original) The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the obstacle detector comprises
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`an infrared light source and detector.
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`26. (Previously Presented) The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the obstacle detector
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`comprises a field effect device.
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`27. (Previously Presented) The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the field effect device
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`comprises a magnetic field inductive sensor.
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`28. (Currently Amended) Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor coupled to a
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`motor vehicle window or panel for moving said window or panel along a travel path and
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`de-activating the motor when a predetermined position is encountered by the window or
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`panel, said apparatus comprising:
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`a)
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`a sensor for sensing movement of the window or panel and providing a
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`sensor output signal related to a position of the window or panel;
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`b)
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`a switch for controllably actuating the motor by providing an energization
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`signal; and
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`c)
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`a controller having an interface coupled to the sensor and the switch for
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`controllably energizing the motor; said controller determines determining the position of
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`the window or panel when power is applied to the controller by:
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`i) monitoring the position of the window or panel by monitoring the
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`sensor output signal from the sensor related to the position of the window or panel;
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`ii)
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`identifying the position of the window or panel based on the sensor
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`output signal from the sensor; and
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`iii) outputting a control signal to said switch to deactivate said motor in
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`response to a sensing of the predetermined position of said window or panel.
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`29.
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`(Previously Presented) The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the controller
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`December 13th, 2006
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`9
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`comprises a programmable controller
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`including a processing unit for executing a
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`control program and including a memory for storing multiple window or panel position
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`values corresponding to a signal received from the sensor.
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`30.
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`(Previously Presented) The apparatus of claim 28 additionally comprising one
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`or more position limits programmed for use by the controller to determine window or
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`panel position for use in identifying whether the window or panel is closed or open.
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`31.
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`(Previously Presented) The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the controller
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`maintains a position of a leading edge of the window or panel and further wherein the
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`controller reverse energizes the motor to move the window or panel away from a
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`closure position prior to activating the motor to close the window or panel.
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`32.
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`(Currently Amended) The apparatus of claim 28 'Nherein the motor is coupled to
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`a motor vehicle or panel and wherein the controller includes an interface for monitoring
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`user actuation of control inputs for controlling movement of the motor vehicle window or
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`panel and wherein the controller maintain a position indication which is updated in
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`response to movement of the window or panel and further wherein the controller
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`reverse actuates the motor near an end point in the travel path of the window or panel
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`to avoid false obstacle detection in a region of closure of the window or panel.
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`33.
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`(Previously Presented) Apparatus for controlling activation of a motor for
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`moving a motor driven element in a vehicle over a range of motion and de-activating the
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`motor when undesirable resistance to motion of the element is encountered, the
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`apparatus comprising:
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`a) a sensor for sensing a speed of the motor and generating an output signal
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`representative of a speed of the motor, a speed of the motor changing when
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`undesirable resistance to motion of the element is encountered;
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`b) a switch for controlling activation of the motor; and
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`c) a controller coupled to the sensor and the switch, the controller receiving the
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`December 13th, 2006
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`10
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`sensor output signal from the sensor and
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`outputting a control signal to the switch to
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`de-activate the motor if the sensor output signal indicates that the element has
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`encountered undesirable resistance to motion.
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`34 .
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`(Previously Presented) The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the sensor
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`includes a Hall effect sensor.
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`35.
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`(Previously Presented) The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the apparatus
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`includes a memory for storing values corresponding to the sensor output signal over at
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`least a portion of the range of motion of the element and the controller analyzes the
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`sensor output signal values stored in the memory to determine if the control signal to
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`de-activate the motor should be output to the switch .
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`Please add new claims 36 and 37 as follows:
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`36. (New) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the immediate past measurements of said
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`parameter were taken within a forty millisecond interval prior to the most recent sensor
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`measurement.
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`37. (New) The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the immediate past measurements of said
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`signal are sensed within a forty millisecond interval prior to the most recent signal from
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`the sensor.
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`December 13th, 2006
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`11
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`REMARKS
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`Reconsideration of pending claims 1 - 8 and 10- 37 is requested.
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`Claim 1 features apparatus for controlling motion of a motor driven element in a
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`vehicle over a range of motion and for altering that motion when undesirable resistance
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`to motion is encountered . A sensor measures a parameter of a motor coupled to the
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`motor driven element that varies in response to a resistance to motion during all or part
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`of a range of motion of the motor driven element. A memory is used to store a number
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`of measurement values from the sensor based on immediate past measurements of the
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`parameter over at least a portion of a present path of travel of the motor driven element
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`through its range of motion. A controller coupled to the memory determines whether to
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`de-activate the motor based on a most recent sensor measurement of the parameter
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`and the immediate past measurement values stored in the memory as the motor driven
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`element moves over its range of motion . A controller interface coupled to the motor
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`alters motion of the motor driven element in response to a determination made by the
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`controller.
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`The controller featured in claim 1 performs its collision detection based on real
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`time data obtained during a present run of the window or panel. Unlike the invention
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`featured in claim 1, the Jones et al system disclosed in US 4,831,509 uses training data
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`stored by the control during a training run to signal a collision between a door and an
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`obstacle and therefore neither shows nor suggests the structure of claim 1.
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`At column 3, line 17, Jones et al notes, "In order to determine a door travel
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`characteristic the processing means samples the time taken for the door curtain to
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`travel a fixed distance and therefrom determines changes in the speed of the door." At
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`column 4, line 49 Jones et al states "As stated above the stored running average of
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`peak speed changes for a segment is regularly compared with the calculated peak
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`speed change for the same segment on a present run of the door. If this new value
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`exceeds the stored value, the door controller will consider an obstruction to have been
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`detected in the travel path of the door."
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`These two statements from columns 3 and 4 must be interpreted in light of the
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`December 13th, 2006
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`12
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`Jones et al definition of a 'segment' found
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`at column 3, line 20. The Jones et al
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`system works "by notationally dividing the door travel into a plurality of segments and
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`further sub-dividing each segment into a plurality of secto[r]s (sic) and producing a
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`running average of peak speed changes for each sector."
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`Returning to the Jones et al collision detection scheme defined at column 4 and
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`assume a collision is encountered sometime during a run, i.e. during a one way
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`traversal by the door in its travel path. Specifically, assume the time it takes to traverse
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`a sector (recall multiple sectors make up a segment) is dramatically greater than
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`previously encountered. Jones et al assumes such dramatic change in speed is due to
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`a collision.
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`The Jones et al control compares the dramatic speed change of that sector
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`(sector x, for example) with an average peak speed change for the segment (16
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`consecutive sectors) in which sector xis located. The controller can not calculate the
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`average peak speed change for the segment containing the sector x on a real time
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`basis as featured in claim 1. All sectors within the segment have not been encountered
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`or traversed. Stated another way, the Jones et al collision detected must be based on
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`old data. Jones et al must be using old data from a prior door run (sometimes referred
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`to as a training run) and hence neither shows nor suggests applicants invention .
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`The advantages achieved through practice of the invention are significant.
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`Assume weeks go by between operation of a vehicle sunroof for example. The
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`temperature could have changed dramatically. The roof might have been closed with
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`the vehicle parked during its last run sequence and therefore the drag encountered due
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`to wind resistance was different. On the present run, the sunroof is closed as the car is
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`traveling down the highway at a reasonable rate and the temperature is much higher.
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`How will the controller react if it is relying on old data? The Jones et al system must use
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`old data and hence may not react properly. This fact highlights the fact that a system
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`satisfactory for use as a garage door control may not work as effectively in a motor
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`vehicle control for a window or panel of a motor vehicle. Jones et al neither anticipates
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`nor renders obvious the subject matter of claim 1 and this claim is patentable.
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`December 13th, 2006
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`13
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`New claim 36 depends on allowable claim 1 and is also allowable. This claim
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`features the apparatus of claim 1 wherein the immediate past measurements used in
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`determining a threshold are taken within a forty millisecond interval prior to the most
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`recent sensor measurement. Since Jones et al relies on old data observed during an
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`old run or sequence, there is no suggestion of this feature and therefore this claim is
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`patentable.
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`Claim 2 features a method for controlling motion of a motor driven element in a
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`vehicle over a range of motion and for altering the motion when undesirable resistance
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`to the motion is encountered. The method is performed by measuring a parameter of a
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`motor coupled to the motor driven element that varies in response to a resistance to
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`motion during all or part of a range of motion of the motor driven element by taking a
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`multiplicity of measurements as the motor moves the motor driven element over its
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`range of motion. A number of measurement values are stored based on measurements
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`of the motor parameter over at least a portion of its range of motion. If the parameter is
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`determined to be outside a parameter range based on previous stored measurement
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`values as the motor driven element moves over its range of motion, the method of claim
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`2 alters motion of said motor driven element.
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`Claim 2 was rejected in the last office action as being anticipated under 35 USC
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`102(b) on the basis of Jones et al (US 4,831 ,509).
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`The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has held that language found in the
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`preamble of a claim that is also included in the body of the claim limits the claim "by
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`virtue of its inclusion." Catalina Marketing, 62 USPQ2d at 1787; see also British
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`Telecommunications v. Prodigy Communs., 217 F.Supp.2d 399,413 (S.D.N.Y. 2002)
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`(finding that a preamble term limited the claim because it was also found in the body of
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`the claim). In the Telecommunications decision it was held that the preamble provided
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`structure to the claim body, a "central computer" being the terms at issue. The
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`Telecommunications decision differs somewhat from Catalina Marketing where the
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`claim language was concentrated on use, reciting "a plurality of free standing terminals
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`located at predesignated sites such as consumer stores". Catalina Marketing, 62
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`December 13th, 2006
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`14
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`USPQ2d at 1783 (emphasis added on
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`terms at issue). The Federal Circuit even
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`articulated such by identifying the claim language as defining an intended use, stating,
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`"the location of the terminals in stores merely gives an intended use for the claimed
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`terminals." /d., at 1786-87. But, the Court held the same language in claim 25 limited
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`the claim because it was found the language in both the preamble and body of the
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`claim.
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`In the present instance claim 2 calls for, in part a motor driven element in a
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`vehicle. Whether this term is interpreted as a use or a structure, weight must be given
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`to its recitation since it is used again in the claim body, i.e. the recitation of the motor
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`driven element is found throughout the claim. Since Jones et al neither shows nor
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`suggests a motor driven element in a vehicle, this claim is not properly rejected either
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`as being anticipated or rendered obvious by Jones et al. Stated another way a prima
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`facie basis of rejection is not found in Jones et al.
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`Claim 2 also recites measuring a parameter of a motor coupled to the motor
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`driven element. Turning to Jones et al, at column 3, line 7 , Jones et al states that "the
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`door curtain position relative to the door opening is obtained from an encoder coupled to
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`the door drum. (emphasis added) Pulses are provided to the encoder from
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`optoelectronic sensors appropriately placed or positioned in relation to a set of spinning
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`blades coupled to the drive means for the roller door."
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`In Jones et al the speed and position of the door increase when lowered due to
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`the added affect of gravity and the speed and position decrease as the door is raised.
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`Jones teaches a door position encoder "for providing signals indicative of the position of
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`the door curtain relative to the door opening". column 1 line 53 of Jones et al, but there
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`is no teaching or suggestion of measuring a parameter of a motor coupled to a motor
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`driven element. By noting that the motor load "is dependent on the position of the door"
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`as a criticism of using motor load monitoring devices, Jones et al explicitly teaches
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`away from measuring a parameter of the motor and using that parameter to determine if
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`the parameter is outside a range as featured in claim 2.
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`For the foregoing reasons, claim 2 is not anticipated nor rendered obvious in the
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`December 13th, 2006
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`15
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`prior art patent to Jones et al and is
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`therefore allowable. Claims 3- 5 depend
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`on allowable claim 2 and are also allowable.
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`Claim 6 features apparatus for controlling activation of a motor coupled to a
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`motor vehicle window or panel for moving the window or panel along a travel path. The
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`panel or window movement is stopped in the event an obstacle is encountered by the
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`window or panel. The apparatus includes a sensor that senses movement of the
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`window or panel and provides a sensor output signal related to a speed of movement of
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`the window or panel. A switch controls actuation of the motor by providing an energiz(cid:173)
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`ation signal and a controller has an interface coupled to the sensor and the switch to
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`control energization of the motor.
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`The controller of claim 6 implements real time collision sensing better suited
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`(than Jones et al) to use with a controller moving a window or panel mounted in a motor
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`vehicle. The exemplary controller:
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`i) monitors movement of the window or panel by monitoring a signal from the
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`sensor related to the movement of the window or panel;
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`ii) adjusts an obstacle detection threshold in real time based on immediate past
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`measurements of the signal sensed by the sensor to adapt to varying conditions
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`encountered during operation of the window or panel;
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`iii) identifies a collision of the window or panel with an obstacle due to a change
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`in the signal from the sensor that is related to a change in movement of the window or
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`panel by comparing a value based on a most recent signal from the sensor with the
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`obstacle detection threshold; and
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`iv) outputs a control signal to the switch to deactivate the motor in response to a
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`sensing of a collision between an obstacle and the window or panel.
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`As discussed above, the Jones et al patent neither shows nor suggests the
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`italicized features of claim 6 and accordingly this claim is allowable.
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`Claims 7, 8, 10, 11 and 37 depend from allowable claim 6 and are also allowable.
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`The comments above regarding new claim 36 are also applicable to claim 37.
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`Claim 12 features apparatus for controlling activation of a motor for moving an
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`December 13th, 2006
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`16
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`object along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is encountered by
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`the object. A movement sensor monitors movement of the object as the motor moves
`the object along a travel path. A switch controls energization of the motor with an
`energization signal and a controller includes an interface coupled to the switch for con(cid:173)
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`trollably energizing the motor. The interface also couples the controller to the
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`movement sensor for monitoring signals from said movement sensor. The controller
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`has a stored program that:
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`i) determines motor speed of movement from an output signal from the
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`movement sensor;
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`ii) calculates an obstacle detect threshold based on motor speed of movement
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`detected during a present run of said motor driven element;
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`iii) compares a value based on currently sensed motor speed of movement with
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`the obstacle detect threshold; and
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`iv) outputs a signal from the interface to said switch for stopping the motor if the
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`comparison based on currently sensed motor movement indicates the object has
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`contacted an obstacle.
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`Jones et al neither shows nor suggests calculating an obstacle detect threshold
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`based on motor speed of movement detected during a present run of the motor driven
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`element and for this reason claim 12 is allowable.
`Claims 13- 18 depend on allowable claim 12 and are also allowable.
`Claim 19 features apparatus for controlling activation of a motor for moving a
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`window or panel along a travel path and de-activating the motor if an obstacle is
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`encountered by the window or panel. A sensor senses movement of a window or panel
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`along a travel path and a switch controls energization of the motor with an energization
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`signal.
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`Claim 19 also includes a controller coupled to the switch for controllably
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`energizing the motor and having an interface coupling the controller to the sensor and to
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`the switch. The controller implements decision making logic for:
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`i) monitoring a signal from the sensor;
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`December 13th, 2006
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`ii) calculating a real time
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`obstacle detect threshold based on the
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`signal that is detected during at least one prior period of motor operation during
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`movement along a present or current path of travel of said window or panel;
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`iii) comparing a value based on a currently sensed motor parameter with
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`the obstacle detect threshold; and
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`iv) stopping movement of the window or panel by controlling an output to
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`said switch th