\
`
`llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`U.S. PATENT APPLICATION
`
`SERIAL NUMBER
`
`08/566,029
`
`FILING DATE
`
`CLASS
`
`GROUP ART UNIT
`
`12/01/95
`
`280
`
`3106
`
`ROBERT J. CASHLER, KOKOMO, IN.
`
`1-(cid:173)z
`5 :::;
`!t
`<(
`
`**CONTINUING DATA*********************
`VERIFIED
`
`**FOREIGN/PCT APPLICATIONS************
`VERIFIED
`
`FOREIGN FILING LICENSE GRANTED 02/21/96
`
`STATE OR
`COUNTRY
`
`SHEETS
`DRAWING
`
`FILING FEE
`RECEIVED
`
`EY DOCKET NO.
`
`IN
`
`4
`
`22
`
`2
`
`$794.00
`
`H-195546
`
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`MARK A NAVARRE
`DELCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
`P 0 BOX 9005
`ERC BUILDING MAIL STOP D 32
`KOKOMO IN 46904
`
`METHOD OF INHIBITING OR ALLOWING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
`
`This is to certify that annexed hereto is a true copy from the records of the United States
`Patent and Trademark Office of the application wh1ch is identified above.
`By authority of the
`COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
`
`Date
`
`1
`
`

`
`•
`
`-·
`
`H-195546
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`FIG - 1
`
`r·
`
`5732375 J
`
`15
`
`ACCELEROMETER 1---__....
`
`20
`
`FAULT INDICATOR ......._____,
`
`18
`
`AIR BAG
`DEPLOYMENT
`
`13__/
`
`I .
`I .
`I .
`
`16
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`32
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`FAULT
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`34
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`22
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`28
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`SIR MODULE
`
`SEAT OCCUPANT"" 14
`DETECTOR
`
`FIG - 2
`
`5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
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`FIG· 3
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`36
`
`ADJUST DATA WITH BIAS
`AND LOWPASS FILTER
`THE DATA
`
`FROM FILTERED DATA
`OOMPUTE ALL DECISION
`MEASURES
`
`38
`
`40
`
`RUN DECISION
`ALGORITHMS
`
`42
`
`INHIBIT
`
`ALLOW
`
`46
`
`48
`
`TURN ON
`INHIBIT LIGHT
`
`TURN ON
`ALLOW LIGHT
`
`COMPUTE
`• TOTAL LOAD RATING
`• FUZZY CONTR.
`
`CHECK FOR LOCALIZED AREA
`SET FLAG FOR
`• ALL FRONT
`• ALL LEFT
`• ALL RIGHT
`• ALL REAR
`
`COMPUTE FORCE AND
`FUZZY CONTR. FOR
`• FRONT PAIR
`• REAR PAIR
`• RIGHT PAIR
`• LEFT PAIR
`• CENTER FOUR
`
`TO DECISION ALGORITHM
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`54
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`H-195546 •
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`Sheet 3 of 4 •
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`OBIS66o29
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`FORCE OR LOAD
`FUZZY
`CONTRIBUTION
`
`FIG- 5
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`b
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`c
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`FORCE
`OR LOAD
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`LOAD RATING
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`FIG- 6
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`FIG- 9
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`YES
`
`INHIBIJ"
`
`FRONT PAIR LOADED
`AND TOTAL FORCE> Y
`
`4
`
`

`
`•
`
`H-195546
`-Sheet 4 of 4
`
`•
`
`42
`
`LO
`
`70
`
`INFANT SEAT TYPE
`
`62
`
`ALLOW
`
`60
`
`68
`
`LOCALIZED FORCE
`AND FLAG
`
`HI
`
`TOTAL LOAD RATING
`
`•
`
`FRONT FORCE & ALL FRONT FLAG
`
`LEFT FORCE & ALL LEFT FLAG
`
`RIGHT FORCE & ALL RIGHT FLAG
`
`REAR FORCE & ALL REAR FLAG
`
`74
`
`76
`
`78
`
`80
`
`HI
`
`HI
`
`CENTER GROUP FORCE
`
`---82
`
`TOTAL FUZZY VALUE
`
`84
`
`ALLOW
`
`INHIBIT
`
`FIG- 8
`
`5
`
`

`
`•
`
`95546
`
`08/56%P29 1
`
`•
`
`METHOD OF INHIBITING OR ALLOWING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
`
`5 Field of the Invention
`This invention relates to occupant restraints for
`vehicles and particularly to a method using seat sensors to
`determine seat occupancy for control of airbag deployment.
`
`15
`
`2 0
`
`25
`
`1 0 Background of the Invention
`The expanding use of supplemental inflatable
`restraints (SIRs) or airbags for occupant protection in
`vehicles increasingly involves equipment for the front
`outboard passenger seat. The driver side airbag has been
`deployed whenever an imminent crash is sensed. The position
`and size of the driver is fairly predictable so that such
`deployment can advantageously interact with the driver upon a
`crash. The passenger seat, however, may be occupied by a
`large or a small occupant including a baby in an infant seat.
`It can not be assumed that a passenger of any size is at an
`optimum position (leaning against or near the seat back). An
`infant seat is normally used in a rear facing position for
`small babies and in a forward facing position for larger
`babies and small children. While the forward facing position
`approximates the preferred position for airbag interaction,
`the rear facing position places the top portion of the infant
`seat close to the vehicle dash which houses the airbag.
`In
`the latter event, it is desirable to prevent deployment of
`the airbag.
`It has been proposed in United States Patent
`5,474,327 which will issue December 12, 1995, entitled
`VEHICLE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT WITH SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR and
`assigned to the assignee of this invention, to incorporate
`pressure sensors in the passenger seat and monitor the
`response of the sensors by a microprocessor to evaluate the
`weight distribution and determine ·the type of occupant and
`
`30
`
`35
`
`1
`
`6
`
`

`
`•
`
`2
`
`•
`
`the facing direction of an infant seat. The sensor
`arrangement and the algorithm successfully cover most cases
`of seat occupancy.
`It is desirable, however, to encompass
`every case of seat occupancy.
`
`5
`
`Summary of the Invention
`
`It is therefore an object of the invention to
`detect a comprehensive range of vehicle seat occupants
`including infant seats for a determination of whether an
`10 airbag deployment should be permitted. Another object in
`such a system is to determine whether an infant seat is
`facing the front or the rear. Another object is to include
`sensitivity to the possible seating positions of small
`children.
`
`1 5
`
`20
`
`A SIR system, as is well known, has an accelera.tion
`sensor to detect an impending crash, a microprocessor to
`process the sensor signal and to decide whether to deploy an
`airbag, and a deployment unit fired by the microprocessor.
`An occupant detection system can determine if an occupant or
`infant seat is positioned in a way to not benefit from
`deployment, and then signaling the ~icroprocessor whether to
`allow or inhibit deploying the airbag.
`A dozen sensors, judicially located in the seat,
`can garner sufficient pressure and distribution information
`to allow determination of the occupant type and infant seat
`position. This information, in turn, can be used as desired
`to inhibit SIR deployment. The sensors are arranged
`symmetrically about the seat centerline and includes a front
`pair, a right pair, a rear pair, a left pair and four in the
`30 center. Each sensor is a very thin resistive device, having
`lower resistance as pressure increases. A microprocessor is
`programmed to sample each sensor, determine a total weight
`parameter by summing the pressures, and determine the pattern
`of pressure distribution by evaluating local groups of
`sensors.
`
`25
`
`3 5
`
`2
`
`7
`
`

`
`•
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`3
`
`•
`
`Total force is sufficient for proper detection of
`adults in the seat, but the pattern recognition provides
`improved detection of small children and infant seats. To
`detect infant seats, all patterns of sensor loading which
`correspond to the imprints of various seats are stored in a
`table and the detected sensor pattern is compared to the
`table entries. Front and rear facing seats are discriminated
`on the basis of total force and the loading of sensors in the
`front of the seat.
`The pattern recognition for detecting children is
`made possible by applying fuzzy logic concepts to the
`pressure readings for each sensor in the array and assigning
`a load rating to each sensor. Pattern recognition is also
`enhanced by sampling several pairs of sensors, applying
`leveling technique to them, and computing a measure for the
`area of the seat covered by each pair. For all measures
`calculated within the algorithm, a contribution is made to an
`overall fuzzy rating which is used to handle marginal cases.
`
`25
`
`2 0 Brief Description of the Drawings
`The above and other advantages of the invention
`will become more apparent from the following description
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein
`like references refer to like parts and wherein:
`Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an SIR system
`incorporating a seat occupant detector;
`Figure 2 is a position diagram of seat sensors for
`the system of Figure 1, according to the invention;
`Figure 3 is a flow chart representing an overview
`of an algorithm for determining deployment permission
`according to the invention;
`Figure 4 is a flow chart representing a method of
`computing decision measures used in the algorithm of Figure
`3 i
`
`3 0
`
`3
`
`8
`
`

`
`•
`
`4
`
`•
`
`Figure 5 is a graphical representation of a
`function used in fuzzy logic for total force and load
`ratings;
`
`Figure 6 is a graphical representation of a
`function used in fuzzy logic for determining load rating;
`Figure 7 is a position diagram of seat sensors
`illustrating sensor grouping;
`Figure 8 is a flow chart for deployment decision,
`according to the invention; and
`Figure 9 is a flow chart representing the logic for
`determining the facing direction of an infant seat as
`required by the algorithm of Figure 8.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Description of the Invention
`Referring to Figure 1, a SIR system includes a SIR
`module 13 coupled to a seat occupant sensing system 14. The
`SIR module 13 includes an accelerometer 15 mounted on the
`vehicle body for sensing an impending crash, a microprocessor
`16 for receiving a signal from the accelerometer and for
`2 0 deciding whether to deploy an airbag. An airbag deployment
`unit 18 is controlled by the microprocessor 16 and fires a
`pyrotechnic or compressed gas device to inflate an airbag
`when a deploy command is received. A fault indicator 20,
`also controlled by the microprocessor 16 will show a failure
`2 5 of the seat occupant sensing system 14.
`The seat occupant sensing system 14 comprises a
`microprocessor 22 having a 5 volt supply and an enabling line
`24 periodically provided with a 5 volt enabling pulse, and a
`series of voltage dividers coupled between the enabling line
`24 and ground. Each voltage divider has a fixed resistor 26
`in series with a pressure sensor or variable resistor 28, and
`the junction point of each resistor 26 and variable resistor
`28 is connected to an A/D port 30' of the microprocessor 22.
`The microprocessor 22 controls the pulse on enabling line 24
`and reads each sensor 28 voltage during the pulse period.
`The microprocessor 22 analyzes the sensor inputs and issues a
`
`30
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`3 5
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`/
`0
`
`4
`
`9
`
`

`
`•
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`5
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`••
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`decision whether to inhibit airbag deployment and the
`decision is coupled to the microprocessor 16 by a line 32.
`The microprocessor 22 also monitors its decisions for
`consistency and issues a fault signal on line 34 to the
`5 microprocessor 16 if faults continue to occur over a long
`period.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`Each fixed resistor 26 is, for example, 10 kohms
`and the variable resistors vary between 10 kohms at high
`pressure and 100 kohms at low pressure. Then the voltage
`applied to the ports 30 will vary with pressure. Each sensor
`comprises two polyester sheets each having a film of
`resistive ink connected to a conductive electrode, the two
`resistive films contacting one another such that the
`resistance between electrodes decreases as pressure
`increases. Such pressure sensors are available as ALPS
`pressure sensors from Alps Electric Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan.
`The mounting arrangement of sensors 28 on a bottom
`bucket seat cushion is shown in Figure 2. The sensors are
`numbered 1-12 according to seat location. A left pair of
`sensors 1 and 2 are on the left side of the seat with sensor
`2 to the rear and slightly inboard of sensor 1. Sensors 11
`and 12 are the corresponding right pair of sensors. A front
`pair of sensors 6 and 7 are at the front of the seat and a
`rear pair of sensors 3 and 10 are at the rear. The four
`remaining sensors 4, 5, 8 and 9 are the center group of
`sensors. Sensors 5 and 8 are astride the seat centerline and
`are just in front of sensors 4 and 9. The center group is
`positioned just to the rear of the seat middle.
`The method of operation is illustrated by a series
`30 of flowcharts wherein the functional description of each
`block in the chart is accompanied by a number in angle
`brackets <nn> which corresponds to the reference number of
`the block. The overall operation is shown in Figure 3
`wherein the sensor values are read by the microprocessor 22
`<36> and the data is adjusted by bias correction and low pass
`filtering <38>. One sensor at a time is turned on, sampled
`
`25
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`35
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`5
`
`10
`
`

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`•
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`6
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`•
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`four times and averaged. Then a bias calibrated for each
`sensor is subtracted from each sensor reading, and the data
`is filtered with a time constant on the order of 1 second.
`Then all decision measures are computed <40> and decision
`algorithms are run <42>. Ultimately a decision is made to
`allow or inhibit airbag deployment <44>. Then either an
`inhibit light is turned on <46> or an allow light is turned
`on <48>.
`
`5
`
`15
`
`Figure 4 shows the algorithm for computing decision
`10 measures 40. Total force is calculated by summing the sensor
`values and a fuzzy contribution is calculated for the total
`force <50>. Each sensor produces a voltage which is
`expressed as a digital value in the range of 0-255. The
`typical range is on the order of 0-50, however. An empty
`seat will have a total force near 0 after the bias
`adjustments. A fully loaded seat could go up to about 3000
`but 2000 is more likely. For discrimination purposes, the
`inhibit/allow threshold is less then 255 and for reporting to
`the display software, the value is clipped to 255.
`20 The total fuzzy contribution is determined according to the
`function shown in Figure 5.
`If the total force is below a
`minimum or inhibit threshold b, the fuzzy value is zero; if
`it is above a maximum or allow threshold, the fuzzy value is
`the difference between the inhibit and allow thresholds; and
`if it is between the thresholds the fuzzy value is equal to
`the force value minus the inhibit threshold. The thresholds
`are calibrated for each application; they may be for example,
`an inhibit threshold of '32 and an allow threshold of 128.
`The next step in Figure 4 is to determine the load
`rating of each sensor <52>. The load rating is a measure of
`whether the sensor is detecting some load and is used for
`pattern recognition purposes. Low loads present a borderline
`case which is rated by fuzzy logic according to a function
`similar to that of Figure 5. As shown in Figure 6, if a load
`is below a base valued, which may be four, the rating is
`zero and if it is above the base value it is the difference
`
`25
`
`30
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`35
`
`6
`
`11
`
`

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`•
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`5
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`1 0
`
`15
`
`2 0
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`25
`
`between the base and the measured load up to a limit value
`of, say, four. The total load rating is calculated <54> by
`summing the individual sensor ratings and the fuzzy
`contribution of the total load rating is again determined as
`in Figure 5 where a total load below a minimum threshold b is
`zero, a total load above the minimum is the total load minus
`the minimum threshold up to a limit at maximum threshold c.
`The minimum threshold may be four, for example, and the
`maximum threshold may be 24.
`Next a check is made for force concentration in a
`localized area <56>. Four overlapping localized areas are
`defined as shown in Figure 7. The front four sensors 1, 6, 7
`and 12 are in the front group, the rear eight sensors 2, 3,
`4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are in the rear group, the left eight
`sensors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 are in the left group, and
`the eight sensors 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are in the
`right group. The algorithm determines if the pressure is all
`concentrated in one group by summing the load ratings of the
`sensors in each group and comparing to the total load rating.
`If the rating sum of any group is equal to the total rating,
`a flag is set for that group (all right, all front etc.).
`Finally the force and fuzzy contribution is
`computed for each pair of sensors and for the center group
`<58>. The force on each pair is used to detect occupants
`such as small children which can easily sit in one small area
`of the seat. These measures are looking for the pressure to
`be evenly distributed over the two sensors of the pair. To
`accomplish this the algorithm looks at each pair, determines
`the minimum value of the two sensors, and clip the higher one
`to a calibrated "delta" from the lower.
`If the force is
`evenly distributed over the two sensors the values will be
`about equal and the sum will be unaffected by clipping. The
`sum of the two sensor forces, as adjusted, comprise the force
`mea~ure of the pair. The fuzzy contribution of each pair is
`3 5 e~~l to the force measure of the pair but limited to a
`maximum value such as 20 which is calibrated separately for
`
`30
`
`•
`
`7
`
`7
`
`12
`
`

`
`•
`
`8
`
`•
`
`each pair. The center group measure is the sum of the sensor
`forces and the fuzzy contribution is equal to the sum of the
`four sensors but limited to a calibrated maximum value.
`
`J?ox
`
`5
`
`Pat: tern
`
`1
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`SENSOR
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`25
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`35
`
`4 0
`
`The measured values, ratings, patterns and
`flags are used in deciding whether to allow or inhibit
`deployment. As shown in Figure 8, the decision algorithm 42
`first decides if rails of an infant seat are detected <60>
`and if so whether the seat is facing forwardly or rearwardly
`<62>. Deployment is allowed for a ·forward facing seat and
`inhibited for a rear facing seat. This is determined as
`shown in Figure 9 wherein if the total force is greater than
`a certain value <64> the seat is forward facing and
`deployment is allowed.
`If not, and the front pair of sensors
`is loaded and the total force is greater than another set
`value <66>, the seat is forward facing and deployment is
`allowed. Otherwise the seat is rear facing and deployment is
`inhibited. It should be noted that whenever an inhibit or
`allow decision is made, that decision is controlling and all
`other conditions lower on the chart are bypassed.
`If rails are not detected <60>, the total force is
`compared to high and low thresholds <68>.
`If it is above the
`high threshold deployment is allowed and if below the low
`threshold the deployment is inhibited. Otherwise, if the
`localized force for a sensor group is above a threshold and
`
`8
`
`13
`
`

`
`•
`
`5
`
`15
`
`10
`
`the flag corresponding to that group is set <70>, deployment
`is allowed.
`If not, the next step is to compare the total
`load rating to high and low thresholds <72>. Deployment is
`allowed if the rating is above the high threshold and
`inhibited if below the low threshold. Each of the sensor
`pairs for front, left, right, and rear are compared to
`threshold values <74-80>.
`If any of them are above its
`threshold and if the flag for that area is set, deployment is
`If not, the center group force is compared to a
`allowed.
`threshold <82> to decide upon allowance. Finally, the total
`fuzzy value is compared to a threshold <84> to allow
`deployment if it is sufficiently high, and if not the
`J
`deployment is inhibited. The fuzzy value decision manages a
`marginal case where several of the previous measures came
`close to exceeding their thresholds but didn't, the fuzzy
`measure can still allow deployment.
`It will thus be seen that airbag deployment can be
`allowed or inhibited by a pattern of resistive sensors
`embedded in a seat cushion and coupled to a microprocessor to
`20 detect the force on each sensor to determine the loading
`pattern as well as the force values from which infant seat
`presence and orientation are determined as well as the
`presence of other occupants.
`
`9
`
`•
`
`9
`
`14
`
`

`
`•
`
`CLAIMS
`
`10
`
`•
`
`The embodiments of the invention in which an
`exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as
`follows:
`
`5
`
`rol in a vehicle having
`1. A method of airbag co
`senger seat coupled to a
`an array of force sensors
`controller for-determining permiss'on for airbag deployment
`based on sensed force and force d'stribution comprising the
`steps of:
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`tected by each sensor;
`measuring
`force of the sensor array;
`calculating the tota
`is above a
`allowing deployment
`first threshold and inhibitin deployment if the total force
`is below a second threshold;
`defining seat
`determining a
`force is concentrated
`for
`sum of sensor forces;
`for a group
`deployment if the
`that group;
`determining
`allowing
`
`each having a group of sensors;
`pressure area when the total
`
`alculating the group force as the
`
`pressure area, allowing
`greater than a threshold for
`
`value for the array; and
`if the fuzzy value exceeds a
`
`threshold.
`
`2.
`
`whether an infant
`
`ention as defined in claim 1 including:
`a pattern of sensor loading;
`from the pattern of sensor loading
`
`ermining from the total force and force
`distribution whet er the infant seat is facing forward or
`rearward;
`
`allowi g deployment for a forward facing seat; and
`inhib'ting deployment for a rearward facing seat.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`

`
`•
`
`11
`
`•
`
`in claim 1 including:
`3. The invention as define
`sor loading;
`determining a pattern of s
`prior to the step of allow'ng deployment if the
`d, determining from the
`total force is above a
`pattern of sensor loading whether a
`infant seat is present;
`then determining from th
`total force and force
`distribution whether the infant se t is facing forward or
`rearward;
`
`5
`
`1 0
`
`15
`
`allowing deployment for a forward facing seat; and
`inhibiting deployment
`a rearward facing seat.
`4. The invention as d fined in claim 2 wherein the
`step of determining a pattern of sensor loading comprises
`detecting which sensors are bel w a first load threshold and
`which sensors are above
`load threshold.
`5.
`defined in claim 2 wherein the
`step of determining from the ~ ttern of loaded sensors
`whether an infant seat
`comprises:
`unloaded sensor
`establishing
`patterns which result from t e configuration of the bottom of
`an infant seat; and
`seat is present when the
`deciding that
`one of the table patterns.
`pattern of sensor
`6. The inventi n as defined in claim 2 wherein the
`step of determining wheth r the infant seat is facing forward
`2 5 or rearward comprises:
`deciding that he seat is facing forward when
`1) the total orce is greater than a first value,
`
`2 0
`
`or
`
`the front of the seat are loaded and
`2) sensors i
`the total force is gre ter than a second value; and
`deciding th t
`the seat is facing rearward when both
`the conditions 1)
`true.
`7.
`e invention as defined in claim 1
`wherein the areas
`overlapping so that some sensors are
`included in
`one group, the groups including a front
`
`3 0
`
`3 5
`
`11
`
`16
`
`

`
`•
`
`5
`
`1 0
`
`15
`
`20
`
`area group, a rear area group, a right area group and a left
`area group.
`8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each
`area includes a secondary group
`area and the method includes:
`calculating a modified
`group; and
`allowing deployment if he modified force for any
`secondary group exceeds
`d for that secondary group
`and the secondary group
`ocal pressure area.
`9. The invention as efined in claim 8 wherein
`comprises a pair and the step
`each secondary group of sensor
`comprises limiting the higher
`of calculating a modified
`sensor force to a maximum
`above the lower sensor force
`and adding the higher sensor force, as limited, to the lower
`sensor force.
`10. The inventi
`center seat area includes
`calculating a group force
`forces of the
`11.
`the steps of:
`
`12
`
`•
`
`as defined in claim 1 wherein a
`center group and the step of
`summing the measured
`group.
`on as defined in claim 1 including
`
`25
`
`measured force;
`surnming
`derive a total load r
`
`rating for each sensor from the
`
`for all the sensors to
`
`if the total load rating is
`
`above a maximum valu ; and
`inhibitin deployment if the total load rating is
`
`3 0
`
`below a
`
`12.
`as defined in claim 11 wherein
`the step of calcu ating a load rating for each sensor
`comprises;
`
`shing a base force; and
`
`12
`
`17
`
`

`
`•
`
`13
`
`•
`
`assigning a load rating a cording to the measured
`force minus the base
`the load rating to a
`maximum value.
`13. The invention as
`the steps of:
`calculating
`
`in claim 1 including
`
`oad rating for the sensor
`
`array;
`
`sensors in local areas of
`
`for a plurality of groups of
`
`determining a fuzzy value
`includes assigning a con ribution amount to each of the total
`force, the total load,
`each group as a function of the
`rating, and summing the
`respective
`contribution amounts.
`14.
`
`as defined in claim 13 wherein
`g a contribution amount to the total
`
`the step
`force comprises:
`minimum and maximum force threshold; and
`set tin
`cting the minimum force threshold from the
`limiting the difference to the maximum force
`total
`threshold, wh rein the limited difference is the contribution
`amount.
`
`15. The invention as efined in claim 13 wherein:
`the
`calculating a load r ting for each sensor from the
`measured force, and
`summing the load
`derive a total load rating;
`
`for all the sensors to
`
`total
`
`a contribution amount to the
`(A
`minimum thresholds,
`setting maxim
`e minimum threshold from the total
`subtracting
`load rating and limiti g the difference to the maximum
`threshold,
`limiteQ difference is the contribution
`amount.
`
`13
`
`5
`
`1 0
`
`1 5
`
`2 0
`
`25
`
`30
`
`3 5
`
`18
`
`

`
`•
`
`14
`
`•
`
`16. The invention as def'ned in claim 13 wherein
`the groups include pairs of senso
`and wherein:
`a pair force for each air is calculated by
`limiting the
`two sensors to set
`amount greater than the lowe
`
`5
`
`force, and
`the higher force, as
`
`amount to the
`
`1 0
`
`1 5
`
`limited, to derive a pair force; and
`the step of
`pair force comprises
`pair force threshold, and
`setting
`e pair force contribution amount equal to
`setting
`the pair force lim'ted to the m~ximum pair force threshold.
`17. Th
`invention as d fined in claim 13 wherein
`the groups include a center grou of sensors and wherein:
`the center group fore
`is equal to the sum of the
`sensor forces in the group; and
`the step of assignin a contribution amount to the
`center group force comprises s tting the center contribution
`amount equal to the center gr up force limited to a center
`2 0 maximum value.
`
`2 5
`
`irbag control in a vehicle having
`18. A method of
`the passenger seat coupled to a
`an array of force sensors
`controller for determining permission for airbag deployment
`based on sensed
`force distribution· comprising the
`~
`orce detected by each sensor;
`e total force of the sensor array;
`load rating for each sensor from the
`
`steps of:
`
`measuring
`calculating
`calculating
`3 0 measured force;
`summing
`derive a total load r
`
`oad ratings for all the sensors to
`
`total force or of th
`
`loyment based on a high value of the
`total load rating; and
`deployment based on a low value of the
`total force or of t e total load rating.
`
`35
`
`14
`
`19
`
`

`
`5
`
`1 0
`
`1 5
`
`20
`
`25
`
`3 0
`
`4lt
`
`15
`
`19. The invention
`including the steps of:
`determining a
`the measured forces; and
`allowing
`
`threshold.
`
`•
`
`in claim 18 further
`
`array based on
`
`if ~zzy value exceeds a
`
`20. The invention as defi
`including the steps of:
`defining seat areas
`determining a local
`
`force is
`
`in claim 18 further
`
`group of sensors;
`area when the total
`
`lating the group force as the
`
`for each group
`sum of sensor forces;
`for a group
`deployment if the group
`that group.
`21.
`including the
`determin ng a fuzzy value for the array based on
`the total force, he group forces and load ratings; and
`allow·ng deployment if the fuzzy value exceeds a
`
`pressure area, allowing
`greater than a threshold for
`
`as defined in claim 20 further
`
`threshold.
`
`22. The invention.
`including the steps of:
`defining seat
`determining a
`force is concentrated
`calculating
`
`in claim 18 further
`
`group of sensors;
`pressure area when the total
`eatf1!ijfea;
`inJd~nsor force for a pair of
`
`sensors
`
`for a pair of sensors '
`value.
`
`the combined sensor force
`a local pressure area exceeds a set
`
`15
`
`20
`
`

`
`•
`
`•
`
`,, .,
`·. '
`
`I<
`
`.~ METHOD OF INHIBITING OR ALLOWING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
`·''II''
`
`. ;
`
`Abstract of the Disclosure
`
`I
`
`An array of pressure sensors on a vehicle passenger
`seat senses the presence of an occupant including an infant
`seat and determines whether the infant seat faces forward or
`rearward. A microprocessor coupled to the sensors determines
`whether to allow or inhibit deployment based on the sensor
`load forces and the pattern of loading. The pattern can
`identify an infant seat and pattern and loading determine its
`orientation. Local areas are checked to detect child
`occupants. Fuzzy logic is used to determine loading and to
`recognize patterns.
`
`\
`
`21
`
`

`
`® UNITED STATI:·.t DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
`
`.
`Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
`-~
`Washington, D.C. 2D231
`I ATTORNEY OOCKET NO. I \ ~
`
`FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
`
`I SERIAL NUMBER I
`
`FlUNG DATE
`
`OE:/56€., 029
`
`12/01/95
`
`C:ASHLER
`
`B3M1/0411
`
`MARK A NAVARRE
`DELCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
`ERC BUILDING MAIL STOP D 32
`P 0 BOX 9005
`KOKOMO
`IN 46904
`
`This Is a communication from the examiner In charge of your application.
`COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
`
`R
`
`H-1 ':i/5546
`
`EXAMINER
`
`AiriWiiifEN jl PAPER NUMBER
`
`2:31)4
`
`DATE MAILED:
`
`04/11/97
`
`0 Responsive to communication filed on
`
`0
`
`This action Is made final. ·
`
`~Is application has been examined
`A shortened statutory period for response to ihis action Is set to expire 3
`
`days from the date of this letter.
`Failure to respond within the period for response will cause the application to become abandoned. 35 U.S.C. 133
`
`month(s), 0
`
`Pert I THE FOLLOWING ATTACHMENT($) ARE PART OF THIS ACTION:
`
`t.~otice of References Cited by Examiner, PT0-892.
`
`3. .
`5.
`
`Notice of Art Cited by Applicant, PT0·1449.
`Information on How to Effect Drawing Changes. PT0-1474.
`
`.
`
`Part II SUMMARY OF ACTION
`
`1.!¢Cialms J- £8.:
`
`2. M Notice of Draftsman's Patent Drawing Review, PT0-948.
`s. o __________ ~
`
`4. 0 Notice of Informal Patent Application, PT0-152.
`
`are jlendlng In the application.
`
`Of the above, c la ims - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - are withdrawn from consideration.
`
`2. 0 Claims. _________________________ :.._ ____ have been cancelled.
`
`3. 0 Clalins ______________________________ are allowed.
`
`4.~c;:lalms~l~-----J?'-I,.__L_( 0~-....... fl~'?J.~----------are rejected.
`& - 1
`~ Claims
`~e objected to.
`6. 0 Claims. _______________________ are subject to restriction or election requirement.
`
`7. 0 This application has been flied with Informal drawings under 37 C.F.R. 1.65 which are acceptable for examination purposes.
`
`8. 0
`
`·Formal drawings are required In response to this Office action.
`
`. Under 37 C.F.R. 1.84 these drawings .
`9. 0 The corrected or substitute drawings have been received on
`are [J acceptable; [J not acceptable (see explanation or Notice of Draftsman's Patent Drawing Review, PT0-948).
`
`10. 0 The proposed additional or subsUMe sheet(s) of drawings, Iliad on - - - - - - · has (have) been
`examiner;
`[J disapproved by the examiner (see explanation).
`
`[Japprovad by the
`
`11. 0 The proposed drawing correction, Iliad
`
`has been
`
`[J approved; [J disapproved (see expliinatlon).
`
`12. 0 Acknowledgement Is made of the claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. 119. The certlflad copy has [J been received
`b been flied In parent application, serial no.
`:Iliad on - - - - - - - -
`
`[J not been received
`
`13. 0 Since this application apppears to be In condition for allowance except for formal matters, prosecution as to the merits Is closed In
`accordance with the practice under Ex perle Quayle. 1935 C. D. 11:453 O.G. 213.
`
`14.001her
`
`PTOW28 (Rev. :11113)
`
`EXAMINER'S ACTION
`
`22
`
`

`
`• I
`
`•'
`
`,,
`
`Serial No.: 08/566,029
`Art Unit: 2304
`
`•
`
`2
`
`Part III DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice