Patent ID: 7112900

Claim:
In a device having an electrically powered motor and a motor control system for the electrically powered motor having an On/Off switch for switching power to the motor when in an ‘On’ position, the motor control system having a controller for controlling operation of the motor, a method for preventing startup of the motor when the device is initially electrically connected to a power source with the On/Off switch in the ‘On’ position, comprising: applying power to the controller when the device is initially electrically connected to the power source and utilizing the controller to fire an electronic switch to couple the motor to one side of the power source at a level insufficient for the motor to rotate; determining with the controller whether the On/Off switch is in the ‘On” position while the controller is firing the electronic switch to couple the motor to one side of the power source at the level insufficient for the motor to rotate; and utilizing the controller to disable normal operation of the motor when the controller determines that the On/Off switch is in the ‘On’ position while the controller is firing the electronic switch to couple the motor to one side of the power source at the level insufficient for the motor to rotate.