US007976060B2
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`(12) United States Patent
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`Breed
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`(10) Patent N0.:
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`(45) Date of Patent:
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`US 7,976,060 B2
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`Jul. 12, 2011
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`(56)
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`References Cited
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUM:
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`4,555,831 A *
`12/1985 Otzen eta.
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`(Continued)
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`FOR 4 IGN PAT 4 NT DOCL M:
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`0990565 Al
`4/2000
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`(Continued)
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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`Defendant’ s Preliminary lnvalidity Contentions dated Dec. 10, 2008
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`presented in Automotive Technologies, Inc. v. Delphi Corporation
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`Civil Action No. 08—CV—1 1048, United States District Court, Eastern
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`District of Michigan, Southern Division.
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`(Continued )
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`Primary Examiner — Toan C To
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`Assistant Examiner — Karen A Beck
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`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Brian Roffe
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`ABSTRACT
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`(57)
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`Seat assembly attachable to a substrate ofa vehicle includes
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`a seat having a bottom portion and a back portion coupled at
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`an angle to a rear portion of the bottom portion, a support
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`structure arranged at least partially under the seat and to
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`support the seat on the substrate at a plurality of locations
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`including two rearward locations on opposite lateral sides of
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`the seat and at least one forward location, and a weight mea-
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`suring system arranged in connection with the support struc-
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`ture for determining an approximate weight of an occupying
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`item of the seat. The weight measuring system includes at
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`least one strain or force measuring sensor mounted to mea-
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`sure at least a portion of the load applied to the seat. The
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`approximate weight of the occupying item may be used to
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`control deployment ofone or more occupant restraint systems
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`for the occupying item.
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`10 Claims, 25 Drawing Sheets
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`SEAT LOAD OR DISPLACEMENT
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`MEASURING SYSTENI FOR OCCUPANT
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`RESTRAINT SYSTEM CONTROL
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`Inventor: David S. Breed, Miami Beach, FL (US)
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`Assignee: Automotive Technologies
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`International, Inc., Denville, NJ H}S)
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`Notice:
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`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
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`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
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`U.S.C. 154(b) by 317 days.
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`Appl. N0.: 11/877,118
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`Filed:
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`Oct. 23, 2007
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`Prior Publication Data
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`US 2008/0036185 A1
`Feb. 14, 2008
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`Related U.S. Application Data
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`Continuation-in-part of application No. 10/413,426,
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`filed onApr. 14, 2003, now Pat. No. 7,415,126, which
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`a
`contiriuation-in-part
`of
`application No.
`is
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`09/849,559, filed on May 4, 2001, now Pat. No.
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`6,689,962, which is
`continuation-in-part of
`a
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`application No. 09/193,209, filed 011 Nov. 17, 1998,
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`Pat.
`No.
`6,242,701,
`which
`is
`a
`now
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`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/128,490,
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`filed onAug. 4, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,078,854. whichis
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`a continuation—in—part of application No. 08/474,783,
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`filed on Jtm. 7, 1995, now Pat. No. 5,822,707, and a
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`continuation-in-part of application No. 08/970,822,
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`filed on Nov. 14, 1997, now Pat. No. 6,081,757, said
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`application No. 10/413,426 is a continuation-in-part of
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`(Continued)
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`Int. Cl.
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`(2006.01)
`B60K 28/02
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`U.S. Cl.
`.................... .. 280/735; 180/273; 297/217.2
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`Field of Classification Search ................ .. 280/734,
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`280/735; 180/273; 297/217.2, 217.3, 468,
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`297/474, 476, 477, 486; 177/144
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`See application file for complete search history.
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`Page 1 of 83
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`Hyundai Exhibit 1001
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`US 7,976,060 B2
`Page 2
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`(63)
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`Related U.S. Application Data
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`application No. 10/227,781, filed on Aug. 26, 2002,
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`now Pat. No. 6,792,342, and a continuation-in-part of
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`application No. 10/061,016, filed on Jan. 30, 2002,
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`Pat.
`No.
`6,833,516,
`which
`is
`now
`a
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`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/901,879,
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`filed on Jul. 9, 2001, now Pat. No. 6,555,766, which is
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`a continuation—in—part of application No. 09/500,346,
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`filed on Feb. 8, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,442,504, which is
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`a continuation-in-part of application No. 09/ 128,490,
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`filed on Aug. 4, 1998, now Pat. No. 6,078,854,
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`application
`No.
`11/877,118,
`which
`a
`is
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`continuation—in—part of application No. 10/895,121,
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`filed on Jul. 21, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,407,029, whichis
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`a continuation of application No. 10/733,957, filed on
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`Dec.
`11, 2003, now Pat. No. 7,243,945, and a
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`continuation—in—part of application No. 10/061,016,
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`filed on Jan. 30, 2002, now Pat. No. 6,833,516. and
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`acontinuation-in-part of application No. 10/227,781,
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`filed onAug. 26, 2002, now Pat. No. 6,792,342, which
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`a
`continuation-in-part
`of
`application No.
`is
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`09/849,559, filed on May 4, 2001, now Pat. No.
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`6,689,962, application No. 11/877,118, which is a
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`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/940,881,
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`filed on Sep. 13, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,663,502, which
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`a
`continuation—in—part
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`10/931,288, filed on Aug. 31, 2004, now Pat. No.
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`7,164,117, which is
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`application No. 10/303,364, filed on Nov. 25, 2002,
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`Pat.
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`continuation—in—part of application No. 10/174,803,
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`filed on Jun. 19,2002, now Pat. No. 6,958,451, which
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`a
`continuation-in-part
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`09/500,346, filed on Feb. 8, 2000, now Pat. No.
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`6,442,504, and a continuation-in-part of application
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`No. 09/849,558, filed on May 4, 2001. now Pat. No.
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`6,653,577, which is
`a
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`application No. 09/193,209, filed on Nov. 17, 1998,
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`now Pat. No. 6,242,701,
`said application No.
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`10/174,803 is a continuation—in—part ofapplication No.
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`09/901.879,
`filed on Jul. 9, 2001, now Pat. No.
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`6,555,766, and a co11ti11uatio11-i11-part of application
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`No. 09/849,559, filed on \/lay 4, 2001, now Pat. No.
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`6,689,962,
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`continua ion—in—part o aoplication \Io.
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`continua ion-in-part o 7 aaplication \1o.
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`filed on . un. 19, 2002, now Pat. No. 6,958,451, and a
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`continua ion—in—part o aoplication \Io.
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`filed on Jan. 30, 2002, now Pat. No. 6,833,516,
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`application
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`continua ion-in-part o
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`filcd on .an. 29, 2007, now Pat. No. 7,766,383, and a
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`6,617,531EWWEUUU5$1U5U5U7U=1D>>>>>>>>3>>>>>>>>>3>D>>>>>>>3>>>>>>>>>3>fi>>>>>
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`4,811,226
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`4,823,619
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`5,071,160
`
`5,074,583
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`5,161,820
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`
`5,439,249
`
`5,454,591
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`5,481,078
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`5,482,314
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`5,556,161
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`5,573,269
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`5,583,771
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`5,585,571
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`5,626,359
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`5,653,: 62
`
`5,670,853
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`5,694,320
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`5,714,695
`
`5,732,375
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`5,7484 73
`
`5,785,347
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`5,803; 91
`
`5,810,392
`
`5,833,603
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`5,842,716
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`5,927,: 27
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`5,957,: 91
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`5,979,585
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`5,987,370
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`5,991,676
`
`6,039,344
`
`6,055,: 73
`
`6,070,115
`
`6,078,854
`
`6,081,757
`
`6,092,838
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`280/730.1
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`280/735
`.... .. 180/273
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`6,988,413 B1
`1/2006 Lichtinger et al.
`7/2006 Oestreicher et al.
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`7,082,360 B2
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`7,237,443 B2
`7/2007 Speckhart et al.
`7/2007 Breed et 31.
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`7,243,945 B2*
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`2/2008 Johnson et al.
`7,330,784 B2*
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`7/2008 Breed et 31.
`7,401,807 B2*
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`8/2008 Breed et 31.
`7,413,048 B2*
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`7,422,285 B2
`9/2008 Phipps
`.............. .. 297/468
`3/2009 VVhalen et al.
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`7,497,521 B2*
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`1/2010 Breed et al. .
`7,650,212 B2 *
`701/36
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`7/2010 Breed
`7,762,582 B2
`2001/0033187 A1* 10/2001 Hamel et al.
`. 327/77
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`2002/0062694 A1 "‘
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`.. 73/593
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`2005/0097971 A1
`5/2005 Lichtinger et al.
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`2005/0097972 A1
`5/2005 Lichtinger et al.
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`2005/0241872 A1
`11/2005 Lichtingcr ct al.
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`2005/0275555 A1
`12/2005 Murad et al.
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`2007/0096445 A1
`5/2007 Breed
`2007/0096446 A1
`5/2007 Breed
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`2007/0120347 A1
`5/2007 Breed et 31.
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`2008/0012417 A1 "‘
`1/2008 Okazaki et a1.
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`2008/0047770 A1
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`2008/0073967 A1 *
`3/2008 VVhalen et al.
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`weigm
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`FIG. 10(0)
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`Ki Setsystemln
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`US 7,976,060 B2
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`US 7,976,060 B2
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`Occupant
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`1
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`SEAT LOAD OR DISPLACEMENT
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`MEASURING SYSTEM FOR OCCUPANT
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`This application is:
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`1. a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application Ser.
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`No. 10/413,426 filedApr. 14,2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,415,
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`126, which is:
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`A. a C11’ of U.S. patent application Ser. \lo. 09/849,559
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`filed May 4, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,962, which is a
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`CIP ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/ 193,209 filed Nov.
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`17, 1998; and
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`
`1) a C11’ of U.S. patent application Ser. \1o. 08/474,783
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`B. a C11’ of U.S. patent application Ser. \lo. 09/901,879
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`filed Jul. 9, 2001, now US. Pat. No. 6,555,766;
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`C. a C11’ of U.S. patent application Ser. \lo. 10/061,016
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`filed Jan. 30, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,833,516; and
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`D. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. \lo. 10/227,781 '
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`filed Aug. 26, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,342, which is a
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`CIP ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/500,346 filed Feb.
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`8, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,504; and
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`2. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 0/895,121 filed
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`Jul. 21, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,029, which is a con-
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`tinuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/733,957 filed
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`Dec. 11, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,945, which is:
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`A. a CIP o U.S. patent ap olication Ser. \Io. 09/849,559
`
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`filed May 4, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,962, the history of
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`which is set forth above;
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`B. a CIP o U.S. patent apalication Ser. \Io. 10/061,016
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`filed Jan. 30, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,833,516, the history
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`C. a CIP o U.S. patent apalication Ser. \Io. 10/227,781
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`/940,881 filed
`3. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
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`A. a CIP o U.S. patent ap wlication Ser. \lo. 10/061,016
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`filed Jan. 30, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,833,516, the history
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`B. a C11’ o U.S. patent apalication Ser. \lo. 10/174,803
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`of which is se forth above; and
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`C. a CIP o U.S. patent apalication Ser. \Io. 10/227,781 I
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`filedAug. 26, 2002, now U.S. 3at. No. 6,792,342, the history
`
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`of which is se forth above;
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`D. a CIP o U.S. patent ap wlication Ser. \lo. 10/931,288
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`25, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,784,379, whichis a CIP ofU.S.
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`patent application Ser. No. 10/174,803 filed Jun. 19, 2002,
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`1. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/500,346
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`history of which is set forth above;
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`2. a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/849,558
`
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`is a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/193,209
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`filed Nov. 17, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,242,701, tl1e
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`history of whicl1 is set forth above;
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`2
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`3. a CIP of LS. patent application Ser. No. 09/849,559
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`history of which is set forth above; and
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`4. a CIP of LS. patent application Ser. No. 09/901,879
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`history of which is set forth above;
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`4. a C11’ ofU.S. aatent application Ser. \o. 11/278,979 filed
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`6. a C11’ of U.S. aatent application Ser. \o. 11/423,521 filed
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`Jun. 12, 2006, now US. Pat. No. 7,523,803;
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`7. a CIP of U.S. oatent application Ser. \Io. 11/428,436 filed
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`Jul. 3, 2006;
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`8. a C11’ of U.S. oatent application Ser. \o. 11/456,879 filed
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`Jul. 12,2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,575,248;
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`9. a C11’ ofU.S. watent application Ser. \lo. 1 l/457,904 filed
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`Jul. 17,2006;
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`10. a CIP ofU.S. oatent application Ser. \Io. 11/470,715 filed
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`1 Sep. 7, 2006;
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`11. a C11’ of U .S. aatent application Ser. V0. 11/539,826 filed
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`Oct. 9, 2006;
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`12. a CIP ofU.S. oatent application Ser. \Io. 11/558,314 filed
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`Nov. 9, 2006;
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`13. a CIP ofU.S. oatent application Ser. \1o. 11/560,569 filed
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`Nov. 16, 2006;
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`14. a CIP ofU.S. oatent application Ser. \Io. 11/561,442 filed
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`Nov. 20, 2006:
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`15. a C11’ ofU.S. oatent application Ser. \Io. 11/561,618 filed
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`Nov. 20, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,359,527; and
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`16. a CIP of U.S. oatent application Ser. \Io. 11/668,070 filed
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`Jan. 29, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,766,383.
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`This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
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`Nos. 09/226,023 iled Ja11. 6, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,
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`492, 09/500,347 filed Feb. 8, 2000, now US. Pat. No. 6,330,
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`501, 09/500,876 filed Feb. 9, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,
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`134, 10/302,106 filedNov. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,782,
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`316,11/010,819 filed Dec. 13,2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,387,
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`183, 11/065,668 filed Feb. 24, 2005, now Us Pat. No. 7,147,
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`246, 1 1/191,850 filedJul. 28, 2005, and 1 1/369,088 filedMar.
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`6, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,413,048, on the grounds that
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`they contain common subject matter.
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`All of the above-referencec applications are incorporated
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`by reference herein.
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`FIELD OF 1H’ INVFNIION
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`The present invention relates to systems and method for
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`controlling occupant restraint or protection systems based on
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`load or displacement of a seat by the occupant.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`There are numerous patents, patent applications, technical
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`papers and other references mentioned below and in applica-
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`tions incorporated by reference herein which provide back-
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`ground information of the invention, and which themselves
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`are incorporated by reference herein.
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`Background information about
`the invention claimed
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`herein is found in particular in the ’957 application. Defini-
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`tions ofterms used in the instant application are also set forth
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`in the ’957 application, among others.
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`Preferred embodiments of the invention are described
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`below and unless specifically noted, it is the applicant’s inten-
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`tion that the words and phrases in the specification and claims
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`be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of
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`ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). Iftl1e applicant intends
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`Page 29 of 83
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`US 7,976,060 B2
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`4
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`seat having a bottom portion and a back portion coupled at an
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`angle to a rear of the bottom portion, mounting the seat to a
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`substrate of the vehicle defining a passenger compartment of
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`the vehicle, arranging a support structure at least partially
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`under the seat and to support the seat on the substrate at a
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`plurality of locations including two rearward locations on
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`opposite lateral sides of the seat and at least one forward
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`location, arranging at least one force or strain gage sensor at
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`such a location as to measure at least a portion of the load
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`applied to the seat by the occupant, and controlling an occu-
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`pant restraint system based on the measured load.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`3
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`any other meaning, he will specifically state he is applying a
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`special meaning to a word or phrase.
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`Likewise, applicant’ s use ofthe word “function” here is not
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`intended to indicate that the applicant seeks to invoke the
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`special provisions of 35 U.S.C. §ll2, sixth paragraph, to
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`define his invention. To the contrary, if applicant wishes to
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`invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §ll2, sixth paragraph, to
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`define his invention, he will specifically set forth in the claims
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`the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without
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`also reciting in that phrase any structure, ma