Method and system for detecting seat position
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of controlling airbag deployment of an airbag deployment system included within a vehicle, the method comprising:
- broadcasting a polling signal from an antenna included within the vehicle;
receiving the polling signal with a first seat belt latch device included within a first seat;
only upon receipt of the polling signal, the first seat belt latch device broadcasting a first seat belt latch signal indicating whether a first seat belt latch included on the first seat is locked or unlocked;
preventing airbag deployment if the first seat belt latch signal indicates the first seat belt latch is unlocked;
receiving the polling signal with a second seat belt latch device included within a second seat, only upon receipt of the polling signal, the second seat belt latch device broadcasting a second seat belt latch signal indicating whether a second seat belt latch included on the second seat is locked or unlocked, and preventing airbag deployment if the second seat belt latch signal indicates the second seat belt latch is unlocked;
wherein the airbag deployment system includes at least a first airbag configured for deploying to a first area within the vehicle; and
preventing deployment of the first air bag to the first area if either of the first and second seats is determined to be positioned within the first area with the associated seat belt latch unlocked.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Seating positioning determining based on wireless signals. The seat positioning may include assessing seating location within a vehicle or other environment. The seat positioning may be used with various vehicle system to control their operation based on the seat positioning. The seat positioning inquiry may also include additional information, such as but not limited to seat identification information and seat safety system information.
-
Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method of controlling airbag deployment of an airbag deployment system included within a vehicle, the method comprising:
-
broadcasting a polling signal from an antenna included within the vehicle; receiving the polling signal with a first seat belt latch device included within a first seat; only upon receipt of the polling signal, the first seat belt latch device broadcasting a first seat belt latch signal indicating whether a first seat belt latch included on the first seat is locked or unlocked; preventing airbag deployment if the first seat belt latch signal indicates the first seat belt latch is unlocked; receiving the polling signal with a second seat belt latch device included within a second seat, only upon receipt of the polling signal, the second seat belt latch device broadcasting a second seat belt latch signal indicating whether a second seat belt latch included on the second seat is locked or unlocked, and preventing airbag deployment if the second seat belt latch signal indicates the second seat belt latch is unlocked; wherein the airbag deployment system includes at least a first airbag configured for deploying to a first area within the vehicle; and preventing deployment of the first air bag to the first area if either of the first and second seats is determined to be positioned within the first area with the associated seat belt latch unlocked. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method for detecting seat position within a vehicle having at least first and second seat positions, the seat positions corresponding with different areas within the vehicle, the method comprising:
-
broadcasting a first signal from a first device attached to a first seat; receiving the first signal with an antenna included within the vehicle; and determining whether the first seat is in the first or second position based on the first signal indicating signal strength of the first device relative to the antenna. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A system for detecting seat position within a vehicle having at least first and second seat positions, the seat positions corresponding with different areas within the vehicle, the system comprising:
-
a device attached to a seat for broadcasting a signal; a processor configured for determining whether the seat is in the first or second position based on the signal indicating signal strength of the device; and an antenna for receiving the signal, the antenna being located closer to the first position than the second position, the signal having a lower signal strength when associated with the second position than the first position, the processor determining the seat to be in the first or second position based on whether the signal indicates the lower signal strength associated with the seat broadcasting from the second position. - View Dependent Claims (17)
-
Specification