Air bag deployment sensing apparatus and method

• US 6,771,166 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2001
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Incorporated (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mastenbrook, Gary E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US09/993,535
• Publication Number:
  US 20030090370A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 340/425.5, 340/436, 340/438, 340/446, 340/447, 340/426.2, 340/566, 280/734, 280/735, 367/197, 367/199, 381/56, 381/86, 735/70
• US Class Current: 340/425.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01302 monitoring vehicle body vibrations or noise
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/013 including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over

Abstract

In a vehicle (102) a method of detecting air bag (106) deployment includes detecting an acoustic energy level increase (150) and developing a spectral content (502) of the increase. Further comparing the spectral content (502) to a template (134) and if spectral content (502) correlates to template (134), outputting an air bag deployment signal (138). An apparatus for detecting air bag deployment includes a means for detecting an acoustic energy level increase (150) in a vehicle (102), a spectral content (502) of the acoustic energy level increase (150) and a template (134), where the spectral content (502) is compared to template. An air bag deployment signal (138) is outputted if the spectral content (502) correlates to the template (134).

Claims

1. In a vehicle, a method of detecting air bag deployment, comprising:

detecting an acoustic energy level increase;

developing a spectral content of the acoustic energy level increase;

comparing the spectral content to a template; and

outputting an air bag deployment signal if the spectral content correlates to the template.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing the acoustic energy level increase to a threshold value.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein developing the spectral content comprises developing the spectral content if the acoustic energy rise time correlates to the threshold value.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising monitoring an acoustic energy level within the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting an acoustic energy level increase comprises detecting an acoustic energy level increase for a threshold time.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the acoustic energy level increase comprises monitoring a microphone.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the template corresponds to an air bag deployment acoustic signature.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating a communications system in response to the air bag deployment signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein activating the communications system comprises transmitting an emergency signal.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting air bag deployment independent of an air bag system.

11. In a vehicle, a method of detecting air bag deployment, comprising:

continuously monitoring and sampling an acoustic energy level within the vehicle;

detecting an acoustic energy level increase;

comparing a sampled portion of the acoustic energy level to a threshold value, wherein the sampled portion comprises the acoustic energy level increase;

if the sampled portion correlates to the threshold value, developing a spectral content of the sampled portion;

comparing the spectral content to a template; and

outputting an air bag deployment signal if the spectral content correlates to the template.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein detecting the acoustic energy level increase comprises detecting the acoustic energy level increase for a threshold time.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein continuously monitoring comprises continuously monitoring and sampling through a microphone.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the template corresponds to an air bag deployment acoustic signature.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising activating a communications system in response to the air bag deployment signal.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising detecting air bag deployment independent of an air bag system.

17. A vehicle having an apparatus for detecting air bag deployment, comprising:

a means for detecting an acoustic energy level increase in a vehicle;

a spectral content developed from of the acoustic energy level increase;

a template, wherein the spectral content is compared to the template; and

an air bag deployment signal, wherein the airbag deployment signal is outputted if the spectral content correlates to the template.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a threshold value, wherein the spectral content is developed if the acoustic energy level increase correlates to the threshold value.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for detecting the acoustic energy level increase monitors an acoustic energy level in the vehicle.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the acoustic energy level increase is detected for a threshold time.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the template corresponds to an air bag deployment acoustic signature.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the air bag deployment signal activates a communications system.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the air bag deployment signal causes the transmission of an emergency signal.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the air bag deployment is detected independent of an air bag system.

25. A computer-readable medium containing computer instructions for instructing a processor to perform in a vehicle, a method of detecting air bag deployment, the instructions comprising:

detecting an acoustic energy level increase;

developing a spectral content of the acoustic energy level increase;

comparing the spectral content to a template; and

outputting an air bag deployment signal if the spectral content correlates to the template.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising comparing the acoustic energy level increase to a threshold value.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein developing the spectral content comprises developing the spectral content if the acoustic energy rise time correlates to the threshold value.

28. The method of claim 25, further comprising monitoring an acoustic energy level within the vehicle.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein detecting an acoustic energy level increase comprises detecting an acoustic energy level increase for a threshold time.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein detecting the acoustic energy level increase comprises monitoring a microphone.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein the template corresponds to an air bag deployment acoustic signature.

32. The method of claim 25, further comprising activating a communications system in response to the air bag deployment signal.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein activating the communications system comprises transmitting an emergency signal.

34. The method of claim 25, further comprising detecting air bag deployment independent of an air bag system.