Robust switching methods and systems using multi-state switch contacts

摘要

Described are systems, methods and apparatus for robustly determining a desired operating state of a controlled device in response to the position of a multi-position actuator. Two or more ternary switch contacts provide input signals representing the position of the actuator. The control logic then determines the desired state for the controlled device based on the received input signals. From any number of operating states defined by the input values, the desired operating state is determined. Robustness is provided by choosing each of the operating conditions to result in transitions between any operating conditions to others resulting from changes in both the first and second ternary input values.