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Distributed occupant protection system and method with cooperative central and distributed protection module actuation control

  • US 6,302,439 B1
  • Filed: 02/01/2000
  • Issued: 10/16/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/01/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A vehicle occupant protection system for a vehicle, said system comprising:

  • a plurality of occupant protection means, each having an actuatable portion for protecting a vehicle occupant;

    central processing means for determining whether a vehicle crash condition is occurring and for outputting a signal indicative of the crash determination;

    sensor means for sensing a condition present at the vehicle and for outputting a signal indicative of the sensed condition; and

    communication interconnection means, connected to said central processing means, said sensor means, and said plurality of protection means, for conveying the crash determination signal and the sensed condition signal to said plurality of protection means;

    wherein each of said plurality of protection means includes means for controlling actuation of said actuatable portion of said respective protection means responsive to the crash determination signal and the sensed condition signal.

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