The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 25, 1986
Filed:
Oct. 25, 1984
William M Floyd, Livonia, MI (US);
David L Juzswik, Dearborn Heights, MI (US);
United Technologies Automotive, Inc., Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A control circuit is provided for selectively determining multiple modes of operation for one or more electrical loads in an automotive accessory system. For a particular load, the circuit includes a switch and a microcomputer signal processing unit. The switch is typically of the momentary-action, dry type which provides a signal only so long as an actuating force is applied. The microcomputer repetitively, at brief intervals determines the presence or absence of such a signal indicative of switch actuation and further is responsive to either brief 'momentary' actuation of the switch to effect a primary mode of load control or to a longer 'dwell' actuation to effect a secondary mode of load control. The secondary mode of load control includes a characteristic which is determined as a function of the 'dwell' duration. Such characteristics of load control in the second mode include the duration of actuation of directional lane-change lamps, the interval between sweeps of a windshield wiper operating intermittently and/or the intensity or brightness of illumination lamps.