Patent ID: 7088096

Claim:
A sensor for sensing movement of a movable object, comprising: a) at least one magnet attachable to the movable object, the magnet generating a variable polarity field, the magnet having a first end having a north pole, a second end having a south pole and a central portion; b) a linear magnetic flux sensor positioned near the central portion of the magnet, the linear magnetic flux sensor generating a linear electrical signal that is indicative of a specific position of the movable object; c) a first switch type magnetic flux sensor positioned near the first end of the magnet, the first switch type magnetic flux sensor generating a first digital electrical signal that is indicative of when the movable object has reached a first pre-determined location; and d) a second switch type magnetic flux sensor positioned near the second end of the magnet, the second switch type magnetic flux sensor generating a second digital electrical signal that is indicative of when the movable object has reached a second pre-determined location.