US5900677A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sensing logic system and method for adaptive control of vehicle restraint devices
Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Inc
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Filing: 1997-02-21
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Granted: 1999-05-04
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Expires: 2017-02-21
Abstract
Abstract A system and method for controlling adaptive vehicle occupant restraint devices use a processor for receiving input signals from a plurality of sensors, for generating control parameters using a predetermined program, and for generating control signals from the control parameters to adaptively control the restraint devices during an accident.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Musiol
- 👤 Raymond J. Vivacqua
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R21/00; B60R21/01; B60R21/015; B60R21/01512; B60R22/00; B60R22/34; B60R22/46; B60R2022/4685
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A system for controlling vehicle occupant restraint devices comprising: a processor receiving input signals from a plurality of sensors, generating control parameters proportional to continuously variable weighting factors using a predetermined program that processes at least seat belt related input signals and air bag related input signals/according to a predetermined activation function, and generating control signals from the control parameters to control the restraint devices during a vehicular accident.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
69 words
A system for controlling vehicle occupant restraint devices comprising: a processor receiving input signals from a plurality of sensors, generating control parameters proportional to continuously variable weighting factors using a predetermined program that processes at least seat belt related input signals and air bag related input signals/according to a predetermined activation function, and generating control signals from the control parameters to control the restraint devices during a vehicular accident.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors comprises an accelerometer measuring the deceleration of a vehicle compartment and generating a corresponding acceleration signal as one of the input signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a first sensor determining a mass-related characteristic of an occupant and generating a corresponding mass-related signal as one of the input signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a switch determining a fastened condition of a seat belt and generating a corresponding seat belt-use signal as one of the input signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a proximity detector determining a proximity of an occupant thereto and generating a corresponding proximity signal as one of the input signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a temperature measurement device measuring the temperature of an inflator of one of the restraint devices, and generating a corresponding temperature signal as one of the input signals.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for controlling vehicle occupant restraint devices comprising: a plurality of sensors generating sensor signals; a control module operatively connected to the sensors and comprising: a processor receiving the sensor signals from the sensors, generating control parameters (LEV MLCPR ), (LEV MLINF ), (LEV MLVNT ) proportional to continuously variable weighting factors using a predetermined program performing a predetermined control value calculation, and generating control signals from the control parameters; and the restraint devices operating in response to the control signals during a vehicular accident.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
86 words
A system for controlling vehicle occupant restraint devices comprising: a plurality of sensors generating sensor signals; a control module operatively connected to the sensors and comprising: a processor receiving the sensor signals from the sensors, generating control parameters (LEV MLCPR ), (LEV MLINF ), (LEV MLVNT ) proportional to continuously variable weighting factors using a predetermined program performing a predetermined control value calculation, and generating control signals from the control parameters; and the restraint devices operating in response to the control signals during a vehicular accident.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
The system of claim 7 wherein: the restraint devices comprise at least one of a seat belt comprising a seat belt fastener, and an air bag comprising an inflator; and the plurality of sensors comprises an accelerometer and at least one of a force measurement device measuring a mass-related characteristic of an occupant, a seat belt fastener switch determining a fastened condition of the seat belt, a proximity detector determining a proximity of an occupant thereto, and a temperature measurement device measuring the temperature of the inflator of the air bag.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of sensors an accelerometer measuring the deceleration of a vehicle compartment and generating a corresponding acceleration signal as one of the input signals; and the processor, responsive to the acceleration signal, determines a condition of a vehicular accident, and, responsive to the condition of a vehicular accident, determines the control parameters and generates the control signals therefrom.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a force sensor determining a mass-related characteristic of an occupant and generating a corresponding mass-related signal as one of the input signals; and the processor, responsive to the mass-related signal as at least one of the input signals, generates an occupant mass factor for use by the predetermined program to generate the control parameters.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a seat belt fastener switch determining a fastened condition of a seat belt and generating a corresponding seat belt-use signal as one of the input signals; and the processor, responsive to the seat belt-use signal as at least one of the input signals, generates a seat belt-use factor used by the predetermined program to generate the control parameters.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of sensors a proximity detector determining a proximity of an occupant thereto and generating a corresponding proximity signal as one of the input signals; and the processor, responsive to the proximity signal as at least one of the input signals, generates a proximity factor used by the predetermined program to generate the control parameters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
73 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a temperature measurement device measuring the temperature of an inflator of an air bag of one of the restraint devices, and generating a corresponding temperature signal as one of the input signals; and the processor, responsive to the temperature signal as at least one of the input signals, generates a temperature factor used by the predetermined program to generate the control parameters.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for controlling vehicle occupant restraint devices comprising the steps of: generating sensor signals using a plurality of sensors; processing the sensor signals to generate control parameters proportional to continuously variable weighting factors using a predetermined program and; generating control signals from the control parameters; outputting the control signals to the restraint devices; and operating the restraint devices in response to the control signals during a vehicular accident.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for controlling vehicle occupant restraint devices comprising the steps of: generating sensor signals using a plurality of sensors; processing the sensor signals to generate control parameters proportional to continuously variable weighting factors using a predetermined program and; generating control signals from the control parameters; outputting the control signals to the restraint devices; and operating the restraint devices in response to the control signals during a vehicular accident.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of processing comprises the step of generating the control parameters (LEV MLCFR ), (LEV MLINP ) and (LEV MLVNT ) using the predetermined program performing a predetermined control value calculation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of operating the restraint devices comprises at least one of the steps of: adjusting a variable level constant force retractor of a seat belt; controlling the inflation of an air bag; and controlling the venting of an inflated air bag.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of generating the sensor signals comprises at least one of the steps of: generating an acceleration signal using an accelerometer; measuring a mass-related characteristic of an occupant; determining a fastened condition of a seat belt; determining a proximity of an occupant to a proximity sensor; and measuring the temperature of an inflator of an air bag.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of generating the sensor signals comprises the steps of: measuring the deceleration of a vehicle compartment using an accelerometer; and generating a corresponding acceleration signal as one of the input signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of: receiving the acceleration signal at the processor; determining a condition of a vehicular accident; and determining the control parameters and generating the control signals therefrom in response to the condition of a vehicular accident.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-05-03 | 2002-11-02 | 2003-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-05-03 | 2006-11-02 | 2007-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-05-03 | 2010-11-02 | 2011-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |