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:
Jun. 09, 1998
Filed:
Aug. 28, 1996
Tomoaki Fukushima, Tokyo, JP;
Yoji Isota, Tokyo, JP;
Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling an antenna and a tracking antenna system using them. A rate sensor detects the angular rate of the vehicle turning. On the basis of the detected value, an error correction circuit determines the steering angle of the antenna. If it is judged from the determined angle that the vehicle is not turning or only slightly turning, a motor driving circuit suspends driving of a motor and at the same time a linear actuator locks a major gear. If it is judged that an accumulated error of a control target which is determined on the basis of the output of the rate sensor is not negligible, the error correction circuit starts a closed-loop control on the basis of a receiving signal level. In such a manner, the power consumption in the motor can be reduced.