Patent ID: 7761254

Claim:
A machine having an operator interface for requesting an action from an actuator of the machine, comprising: a movable component of the operator interface, wherein the movable component is movable among at least two positions; a magnet; a Hall effect sensor; wherein one of the magnet and the Hall effect sensor is positioned to move in response to movement of the movable component, and the other of the magnet and the Hall effect sensor has a stationary position relative to the movable component; a pulse width modulator operably coupled to the Hall effect sensor for producing a first pulse width modulated signal, wherein the first pulse width modulated signal is altered in response to movement of one of the Hall effect sensor and the magnet relative to the other; and an electronic controller in communication with the pulse width modulator and the actuator, wherein the electronic controller is configured to actuate the actuator in response to evaluation of whether the first pulse width modulated signal is within a predetermined range of an expected pulse width modulated signal, and configured to log a fault if the first pulse width modulated signal is outside the predetermined range.