BAR CODE LABEL
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`
`I
`
`A U-S- PATENT AP§’LICAT'I0N
`
`sEfi|AL Numafifi
`
`08/566,029
`
`FILING DATE
`
`12/01/95
`
`GROUP ART UNIT
`
`3106
`
`ROBERT J. CASHLER, KOKOMO,
`
`IN.
`
`APPLICANT
`
`**coN1~nw1NG DA'rAtittir****t*'k***I\'**tkt
`VERIFIED
`
`nronmcu/1>c'r APPLICA'1'IONS******** ** **
`VERIFIED
`
`FOREIGN FILING LICENSE oamrran 02/21/96
`
`FILING FEE
`RECEIVED
`
`ATTORNEY DOCKET NO.
`
`$794.00
`
`H-195546
`
`ADDRESS
`
`MARK A NAVARRE
`DELCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
`P O BOX 9005
`ERC BUILDING MAIL STOP D 32
`KOKOMO IN 46904
`
`METHOD OF INHIBITING OR ALLOWING AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
`
`that annexed hereto is a true co y from the rqcords of the United States
`This is to certif
`Patent and Tra emark Office of the application w Ich Is identified above.
`B authority oi the
`MMISSIONER OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
`
`-
`
`Date
`
`Certifying Officer
`
`IPR2016-01382 - Ex. 1005
`|PR2016—01382 — Ex. 1005
`Toyota Motor Corp., Petitioner
`Toyota Motor Corp., Petitioner
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`I-0
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`FORWARD
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`INHIBQ
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`INFANT SEAT TYPE
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`DEPLO
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`5
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`In
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`
`
`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.
`
`10
`
`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
`
`15
`
`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.
`
`20
`
`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
`
`25
`
`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.
`
`30
`
`It has been proposed in United States Patent
`
`5,474,327 which will issue December 12, 1995, entitled
`VEHICLE OSCUPANT RESTRAINT WITH SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR and
`
`assigned to the assignee of this invention,
`
`to incorporate
`
`pressure sensors in the passenger seat and monitor the
`
`35
`
`response of the sensors by a microprocessor to evaluate the
`
`weight distribution and determine the type of occupant and
`
`(cid:25)
`
`

`
`0
`
`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.
`
`&ma
`
`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.
`
`15
`
`A SIR system, as is well known, has an acceleration
`
`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
`
`20
`
`infant seat is positioned in a way to not benefit from
`
`deployment, and then signaling the microprocessor whether to
`
`allow or inhibit deploying the airbag.
`
`A dozen sensors,
`
`judicially located in the seat,
`
`can garner sufficient pressure and distribution information
`
`25
`
`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 .
`
`35
`
`

`
`3
`
`I
`
`.I
`
`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.
`
`10
`
`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
`
`15
`
`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.
`
`20
`
`Brief Description Qf 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
`
`25
`
`30
`
`3;
`
`

`
`C
`
`4
`
`C
`
`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
`
`10
`
`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.
`
`I
`
`.
`
`.
`
`E
`
`1
`
`I
`
`.
`
`15
`
`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
`
`20
`
`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
`
`25
`
`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
`
`30
`
`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
`
`35
`
`and reads each sensor 28 voltage during the pulse period.
`
`The microprocessor 22 analyzes the sensor inputs and issues a
`
`(cid:28)
`
`

`
`O
`
`5
`
`O
`
`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
`
`microprocessor 16 if faults continue to occur over a long
`
`period.
`
`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
`
`10
`
`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
`
`15
`
`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
`
`20
`
`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
`
`25
`
`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.
`
`30
`
`of flowcharts wherein the functional description of each
`
`The method of operation is illustrated by a series
`
`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
`
`35
`
`<36> and the data is adjusted by bias correction and low pass
`
`filtering <38>. One sensor at a time is turned on, sampled
`
`10
`
`

`
`O
`
`6
`
`0
`
`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>.
`
`10
`
`measures 40. Total force is calculated by summing the sensor
`
`Figure 4 shows the algorithm for computing decision
`
`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 0~2S5.
`
`The
`
`typical range is on the order of 0—50, however.
`
`An empty
`
`15
`
`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
`
`25
`
`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.
`
`30
`
`rating of each sensor <S2>.
`
`The load rating is a measure of
`
`The next step in Figure 4 is to determine the load
`
`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
`
`35
`
`is below a base value d, which may be four,
`
`the rating is
`
`zero and if it is above the base value it is the difference
`
`11
`
`

`
`C
`
`7
`
`0
`
`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.
`
`10
`
`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 ll are in the rear group,
`
`the left eight
`
`sensors 1, 2, 3, 4, S, 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 suming 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
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`the minimum value of the two sensors, and clip the higher one
`
`30
`
`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
`
`The fuzzy contribution of each pair is
`measure of the pair.
`I
`I
`" '
`equal
`to the force measure of the pair but limited to a
`
`35
`
`maximum value such as 20 which is calibrated separately for
`
`12
`
`

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`8
`
`0
`
`each pair.
`
`The center group measure is the sum of the sensor
`
`forces and the fuzzy contribution is equal to the sum of the
`
`4 four sensors but limited to a calibrated maximum value.
`
`SENSOR
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`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
`
`25
`
`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
`
`30
`
`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
`
`35
`
`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
`
`40
`
`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
`
`13
`
`

`
`C
`
`9
`
`O
`
`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
`
`allowed.
`
`If not,
`
`the center group force is compared to a
`
`10
`
`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
`deployment is inhibited.
`The fuzzy value decision manages a
`
`marginal case where several of the previous measures came
`
`15
`
`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.
`
`14
`
`

`
`C
`
`1°
`
`C
`
`CLAIMS
`
`The embodiments of the invention in which an
`
`exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as
`
`5
`
`follows:
`
`
`an array of force sensors on the pa senger seat coupled to a
`
`A method of airbag co
`
`rol in a vehicle having
`
`1.
`
`controller for determining permiss'on for airbag deployment
`
`steps of:
`
`based on sensed force and force d'stribution comprising the
`
`measuring the force d tected by each sensor;
`
`allowing deployment if the total force is above a
`
`calculating the tota
`
`force of the sensor array;
`
`is below a second threshold;
`
`first threshold and inhibitin deployment if the total force
`
`defining seat are s each having a group of sensors;
`
`determining a 10 al pressure area when the total
`
`5,33
`
`10
`
`15
`
`»
`
`20
`
`force is concentrated in a seat area;
`
`for each group alculating the group force as the
`
`
`for a group i
`
`a local pressure area, allowing
`
`sum of sensor forces;
`
`deployment if the group force is greater than a threshold for
`
`fuzzy value for the array; and
`
`
`
`that group;
`
`25
`
`determining
`
`allowing de loyment if the fuzzy value exceeds a
`
`threshold.
`
`2.
`
`The i
`
`
`
`ention as defined in claim 1 including:
`
`determini g a pattern of sensor loading;
`
`30
`
`35
`
`whether an infant
`
`determin' g from the pattern of sensor loading
`
`then de ermining from the total force and force
`
`eat is present;
`
`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
`
`

`
`C
`
`*1
`
`O
`
`
`
`3.
`
`The invention as define
`
`in claim 1 including:
`
`determining a pattern of s
`
`sor loading;
`
`prior to the step of allow ng deployment if the
`total force is above a first thresho d, determining from the
`
`then determining from th total force and force
`
`pattern of sensor loading whether
`
`infant seat is present;
`
`rearward;
`
`distribution whether the infant se t is facing forward or
`
`allowing deployment for a forward facing seat; and
`
`inhibiting deployment or a rearward facing seat.
`The invention as d fined in claim 2 wherein the
`
`4.
`
`step of determining a pattern of sensor loading comprises
`
`detecting which sensors are bel w a first load threshold and
`which sensors are above a secon
`
`The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the
`
`whether an infant seat is pre ent comprises:
`
`5.
`
`load threshold.
`
`step of determining from the
`
`ttern of loaded sensors
`
`establishing a tab e of loaded and unloaded sensor
`
`patterns which result from t e configuration of the bottom of
`an infant seat; and
`V
`
`deciding that an infant seat is present when the
`
`pattern of sensor loading
`
`tches one of the table patterns.
`
`6.
`
`The inventi n as defined in claim 2 wherein the
`
`or rearward comprises:
`
`step of determining wheth r the infant seat is facing forward
`
`he seat is facing forward when
`
`deciding that
`
`
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`orce is greater than a first Value,
`
`the front of the seat are loaded and
`
`
`
`1)
`
`the total
`
`2) sensors i
`
`or
`
`30
`
`the total force is gre ter than a second value; and
`
`deciding th t the seat is facing rearward when both
`
`the conditions 1) and 2) are not true.
`
`7.
`
`T e invention as defined in claim 1
`
`wherein the areas ar overlapping so that some sensors are
`
`
`
`35
`
`included in more th
`
`one group,
`
`the groups including a front
`
`11
`
`16
`
`

`
`.
`
`12
`
`
`
`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 and the method includes:
`
`area includes a secondary group of se sors peculiar to that
`
`calculating a modified fo ce for each secondary
`
`
`
`e modified force for any
`
`allowing deployment if
`
`group; and
`
`secondary group exceeds a thresho d for that secondary group
`
`10
`
`and the secondary group is in a ocal pressure area.
`
`9.
`
`The invention as
`
`efined in claim 8 wherein
`
`each secondary group of sensor
`
`comprises a pair and the step
`
`of calculating a modified forc
`
`comprises limiting the higher
`
`sensor force to a maximum del a above the lower sensor force
`
`15
`
`and adding the higher sensor force, as limited,
`
`to the lower
`
`
`
`sensor force.
`
`10.
`
`The inventi
`
`as defined in claim 1 wherein a
`
`
`
`center seat area includes
`
`center group and the step of
`
`calculating a group force comprises summing the measured
`
`20
`
`forces of the sensors in he center group.
`
`11. The invent on as defined in claim 1 including
`
`load rating for each sensor from the
`'
`
`
`
`the steps of:
`calculating
`measured force;
`
`25
`
`summing the load ratings for all the sensors to
`
`derive a total load r ting;
`
`allowing d ployment if the total load rating is
`above a maximum valu ; and
`.
`
`
`inhibitin deployment if the total load rating is
`
`30
`
`below a minimum val e.
`
`12.
`
`The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein
`
`the step of calcu ting a load rating for each sensor
`
`comprises;
`
`
`
`establ shing a base force; and
`
`12
`
`17
`
`

`
`.
`
`13
`
`assigning a load rating a cording to the measured
`
`force minus the base force and lim'ting the load rating to a
`
`maximum value.
`
`13.
`
`The invention as
`
`efined in claim 1 including
`
`the steps of:
`
`calculating a total
`
`oad rating for the sensor
`
`array;
`
`calculating a for e for a plurality of groups of
`
`sensors in local areas of
`
`e seat;
`
`wherein the ste of determining a fuzzy value
`
`includes assigning a con ribution amount to each of the total
`
`force,
`
`the total load,
`
`nd each group as a function of the
`
`respective forces and
`
`oad rating,
`
`and summing the
`
`contribution amounts.
`
`14.
`
`The
`
`vention as defined in claim 13 wherein
`
`the step of assign' g a contribution amount to the total
`
`force comprises:
`
`setti
`
`a minimum and maximum force threshold; and
`
`subtr cting the minimum force threshold from the
`
`
`
`15.
`
`The invention as
`
`
`
`efined in claim 13 wherein:
`
`the total load rating is calculated by
`
`measured force, and
`
`calculating a load r ting for each sensor from the
`
`suming the load atings for all the sensors to
`
`
`derive a total load rating; and
`the step of ass'gning a ifiitribution amount to the
`
`total load rating compris s
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`
`
`setting maxim
`
`and minimum thresholds,
`
`subtracting
`
`e minimum threshold from the total
`
`load rating and limiti g the difference to the maximum
`
`threshold. wherein th limited difference is the contribution
`
`35
`
`amount .
`
`
`
`13
`
`18
`
`

`
`O
`
`16.
`
`*4
`
`the groups include pairs of senso
`
`and wherein:
`
`
`The invention as de£'ned in claim 13 wherein
`
`a pair force for each air is calculated by
`
`limiting the higher orce of the two sensors to set
`
`force, and
`amount greater than the lowe
`
`force and the higher force, as
`summing the lowe
`to derive a pair force; and
`
`limited,
`
`10
`
`15
`
`pair force comprises
`
`the step of a signing a contribution amount to the
`
`
`ximum pair force threshold, and
`setting t e pair force contribution amount equal to
`
`setting a
`
`the pair force lim'ted to the maximum pair force threshold.
`
`17.
`
`Th
`
`
`
`invention as d fined in claim 13 wherein
`
`the groups include a center grou of sensors and wherein:
`
`sensor forces in the group; and
`
`
`
`the center group forc
`
`is equal to the sum of the
`
`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
`
`20
`
`maximum value.
`
`18.
`
`A method of
`
`irbag control in a vehicle having
`
`an array of force sensors
`
`the passenger seat coupled to a
`
`controller for determining permission for airbag deployment
`
`25
`
`based on sensed force and force distribution comprising the
`
`steps of:
`
`measuring the
`
`
`orce getected by each sensor;
`
`calculating t e total force of the sensor array;
`
`
`
`30
`
`measured force;
`
`calculating
`
`summing the
`
`load rating for each sensor from the
`
`oad ratings for all the sensors to
`
`derive a total load r ting;
`
`allowing d
`
`loyment based on a high value of the
`
`total force or of th total load rating; and
`
`35
`
`inhibitin deployment based on a low value of the
`
`total force or of t e total load rating.
`
`
`
`14
`
`19
`
`
`
`

`
`C
`
`19.
`
`15
`
`
`The invention as
`
`efined in claim 18 further
`
`
`
`including the steps of:
`
`the measured forces; and
`
`determining a fuzzy alue for the array based on
`
`allowing deploym t if Ei:\Yuzzy value exceeds a
`
`
`The invention as defi
`d in claim 18 further
`
`
`defining seat areas eac having a group of sensors;
`determining a local pr ssure area when the total
`
`threshold.
`
`20.
`
`including the steps of:
`
`force is concentrated in a sea
`
`area;
`
`
`
`
`for each group cal
`
`lating the group force as the
`
`sum of sensor forces;
`
`for a group in
`
`local pressure area,
`
`allowing
`
`deployment if the group orce is greater than a threshold for
`
`
`
`that group.
`
`21.
`
`including the steps
`
`The i
`
`ention as defined in claim 20 further
`
`the total force,
`
`determin ng a fuzzy value for the array based on
`
`allow'ng deployment if the fuzzy value exceeds a
`
`he group forces and load ratings; and
`
`
`
`threshold.
`
`
`
`22.
`
`including the steps of:
`
`The invention as
`
`efined in claim 18 further
`
`defining seat areas each having a group of sensors;
`
`determining a loca pressure area when the total
`
`force is concentrated in a eat
`
`ea;
`
`calculating a co
`
`
`
`
`Ljxl
`
`in
`
`sensor force for a pair of
`
`sensors in each seat are
`
`and
`
`allowing depl
`
`ent when the combined sensor force
`
`for a pair of sensors
`
`a local pressure area exceeds a set
`
`value.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`

`
`...'..-‘.
`
`
`
`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
`(cid:21)(cid:20)
`
`

`
`of/52.4,.'o;1‘i
`
`IEIEIEIEJ
`
`
`
`UMTED STATE! DAITTMEIIIT OF COMMERCE.
`Petent and ‘I’:-eulemerk Oflice
`Mdreee: mMM$mER u= PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
`Weshituwn. D.c. 20231
`FIRST ruuneomvanon
`
`A
`
`03/566. 029
`
`1 2/0 1 /95
`
`CASHLER
`
`R
`
`H- 1 95.546
`
`83041 I (I4 1 1
`
`MARK A NAVARRE
`DELCO ELECTRON ICS CORPORQT I ON
`ERC BUILDING MAIL STOP D 32
`P 0 Box 9005
`'
`KCIKDMC!
`IN 46904
`
`This I: e eommmlutlon Item the examiner In shame of yourepplicanon.
`OOMMISSIONER OF PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
`
`‘
`
`2304
`
`‘M75 ‘N’-Em
`
`'
`04/11/97
`
`D Thisactionisrnadetlnel. '
` sepplluflonhe:beenexamined D Responsivenocommunicationfiledon
`Aehonened etetulnry pedodforrewotjeetoihluclion is who explre__iInon1h(e),Qdeye lmmlhedaieoi lhle leIur..
`Fdlure to remand wnhln thepeclodformponee Mllcauu the mpllcaflon no become ebendoned. 35 us.c. 133
`
`Per! I THE FOLLOWING AT'I'AG'l|E|’(S) ARE PART OF THIS AOTION:
`
`1.
`3.‘
`5.
`
`Nolce oi Rderenoes Cited by Exunlner. PTO-B92.
`No1!ceolAnGltIdbyApp|ka11. no-ms.
`Intonnauonon I-lownoEflectDrawmCMnoee.PTO-I474.
`
`2. Mmfloe as Dreltsmerre Patent Drawing Rev/low. now.
`¢ DNotIeeoHn1ormalPe1emApplice!lon. PTO-I52.
`e. U
`
`Pal‘! II
`
`SUMMARY OF ACTION
`
`1.Mwm mmmmmmmmn.
`are withdrawn lrom eemlderallon.
`
`Of the above. claims
`
`
`2. El cum
`
`have been amnion.
`
`3.1:]cw mumu.
`¢mm m'M.
`(flown.
`
`
`0.DClelml
`lesublecttotestrltilonoreletainnmqulrnntettl.
`
`.
`
`1. D Thleopllcetlon heebeenuledwIIaInio1meldre»iruundev'37c.F.R.1.8s wtddwueeaptaletorexunlnaflon purposes.
`
`l.D«FotInIJdrewlnoe8erewlredhreeponuloth|eOlfleeanlon.
`
`.umra7c.ra.u4maomwlnos
`-
`O.DTheeotrectodoreuhet6n.nedrevo1noehuvebeenreeelvedon
`an Deeeepteble: Duo! acceptable (see explenetlon or Nefleoof Dnuunarfe Patent Drevdng Review, PTO-948).
`
`10.UThepmpoeed lddTbl'|I|0llUhI1hfl0ShIM(l)0fdfIWItui.flbdDlI
`examiner: Udlsaeptovedbyzheexunlnerteeemqnlanuaa).
`
`. hae(hlve)heen Dapprovedhylhe
`
`11.D‘lhepIopoeeddtewlngcomcIlon.fl|od
`
`-
`
`'
`
`,ruboen Doaprovod: nuuppmveumeexpuénauon).
`
`Izuaduiowlecgerremismedeolmodelmlorpuorlyurlieras u.s.c.ns. Thocenmedcopyhae Dbeentecotved Elnetbeenrecelved
`DbeenfIIedlnpaternapplleaIon.aerleIno.
`;lBedon____e. '
`
`13. Dslnoelhleapplleellonnpppoeretobolnoendlflen lerallewaneeexeeptlortennalmatten.Dfoeocutloneehlhemedteledoeedln
`eocudeneowllhlhepractlceunderax peneOuayIe.19350.D. I1:4530.G.213.
`
`14.DOIhev
`
`M (fir. W)
`
` § ACTION
`
`22
`(cid:21)(cid:21)
`
`

`
`'
`
`‘
`
`I
`
`v
`
`Serial No.: 08/566,029
`
`Art Unit:
`
`2304
`
`Part III DETAILED ACTION
`
`Notice to Applicant(s)
`
`2
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`This application has been examined. Claims 1-22 are pending.
`
`The drawings are approved by the draftsman and examiner.
`
`Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
`
`3.
`
`The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. § 102
`
`that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
`
`A person shall be entitled to a patent unless --
`
`(e) the invention was described in a patent granted on an application for patent
`by another filed in the United States before the invention thereof by the applicant
`for patent, or on an international application by another who has fulfilled the
`requirements of paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of section 371(0) of this title before
`the invention thereof by the applicant for patent.
`
`4.
`
`Claim 18 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. § 102(e) as being anticipated by Schousek
`
`(5,474,327).
`
`Schousek discloses the invention as claimed (see at least the abstract) including
`
`the steps of measuring the force detected by each of sensor (see figure 1 and figure 5,
`
`step 64), calculating th