Method for measuring current in a pulse count positioning system

A method of measuring current in a pulse count positioning system, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) measuring current flow at regular intervals;
• (b) summing the current flow at intervals that correspond with the regular intervals;
• (c) storing the summed current flow as a current pulse occurs;
• (d) starting a new sum of the current flow;
• and
• (e) comparing the sums for a previous two sums after a maximum timeout,
• wherein a position of an electric device is determined based on the current pulses.

A method of measuring a position of an automotive accessory, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) measuring current flow through an electric motor at regular intervals;
• (b) summing the current flow at intervals that correspond with the regular intervals;
• (c) storing the summed current flow as a current pulse occurs;
• (d) starting a new sum of the current flow;
• and
• (e) comparing the sums for a previous two sums after a maximum timeout,
• wherein the position of the automotive accessory is determined based on the current measurements.

A method of measuring a position of an electric device, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) measuring current flow through an electric motor at regular intervals;
• (b) summing the current flow at intervals that correspond with the regular intervals;
• (c) storing the summed current flow as a current pulse occurs;
• (d) starting a new sum of the current flow;
• and
• (e) comparing the sums for a previous two sums after a maximum timeout,
• wherein the position of the electric device is determined based on the current measurements.

A method of measuring current in an electric motor, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) measuring current flow through a motor at regular intervals;
• (b) summing the current flow at intervals that correspond with the regular intervals;
• (c) storing the summed current flow as a current pulse occurs;
• (d) starting a new sum of the current flow;
• and
• (e) comparing the sums for a previous two sums after a maximum timeout,
• wherein motor conditions are analyzed for the current measurements to determine a position of an electric device.

A system for measuring current, the system comprising:

• a signal processing system that receives current pulses from an electric motor;
• an A/D converter that measures the current pulses at regular intervals;
• a microcontroller that sums the current pulses at a second interval;
• a timer in communication with the microcontroller that sets time for the intervals;
• and
• a host microcontroller in communication with the microcontroller,
• wherein the microcontroller transmits information to the host microcontroller on how an actuator for positioning a device should be positioned based on the current measurements.