Automatic Up/Down Window Module

["Buchholz, Steven" <Steven.Buchholz@kla-tencor.com>]

I have been kicking around a few ideas on this for a while ... last night I
sat down and focused on the project.  In the past what I was looking to do
was to reverse engineer the OEM part to see if it would be possible that by
making a simple change to the existing module one could make the auto-up
feature work as it does for opening the window.  Huw was actually looking
for the function to operate differently ... if the window switch is clicked
to the up or down position and released in a short amount of time that the
controller would then fully open or close the window.  If the switch was
held in the up or down position longer than that interval then it would
operate in a manual mode.  

Well, I have a design that would work as Huw proposed, but rather than a
simple change that could be done with a wire or two and perhaps a resistor
or a diode, getting this sort of thing to fit into a module would involve
the design of a small PC board to hold the circuitry; meaning that I will
have to invest a bit to make the new module.  This would not be a big deal,
but I thought I'd test the list to see how much interest there would be.
Please review my thoughts as to the way the new module would work given
below and feel free to express your comments, concerns, ideas ... whatever.
I'm thinking that direct e-mail would be best, but of course, you should not
hesitate to post to the list if you think it would provide value to the list
members.  I have no idea what the cost per unit would be, but if you have
any thoughts about how much something like that would be worth to you I'd
appreciate hearing it.  So far, I have only been considering something that
would be a drop-in replacement for the type 44 cars (5000/100/200/V8), so if
you are interested but have another model let me know that too.  If you are
talking about a car other than the type 44 let me know if the car already
has an auto-down capability of some sort already.  

Functionality/features:
*	supports latching power for interior lights and sunroof after car
turned off until front door opened (probably using the V8Q as a model -
supports roll up with front door key lock) [probably will provide easy means
to diable this]
*	plug-in functionality for any window that already has an automatic
mode of some sort.  Windows that are manual power windows will require
additional wiring.  For windows that have multiple switches the wiring could
be extensive if to allow all switches to have the automatic feature
*	safety circuit to minimize the risk of injury
*	Automatic functions disabled for some time after the window motor
has been activated to allow the operator to be able to make fine adjustments
of window position
*	Adjustable time setting for switch from automatic to manual
operation, nominally 0.5 seconds
*	"double width" relay module [note some cars have a single width
module for auto-down]

... final question ... is there any interest out there for a cheaper
alternative which would add auto-up to the existing relay but operating as
the current module's auto-down function does?  Note, this alternative may
not have a robust safety feature.  

Steve Buchholz
San Jose, CA (USA)