Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-21
2001-08-14
Nguyen, Tan (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
C701S046000, C280S728100, C280S734000, C342S072000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06275756
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for control, communication, status acquisition, archival, and linking of a smart ignitor control system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are several scenarios in which it is desirable to selectively ignite separate units of reactive materials either simultaneously or sequentially depending upon selected variables. Motor vehicles are equipped with airbags and seat belts to protect vehicle occupants in the event of a crash. There is a desire to provide so called smart, or intelligent, safety systems that will take into accounts the size and position of vehicle occupants as well as the type and severity of a crash in determining which safety devices will be deployed and the manner of deployment. There is a need in the field of pyrotechnically activated vehicle occupant restraints, such as airbags and seat belt pretensioners for a method to control and perform diagnostics on a system of pyrotechnic ignitors called “smart ignitors” or “smart squibs”. Smart ignitors are pyrotechnic ignitors that can be electrically connected in parallel each with a unique address that allows each smart ignitor to be individually controlled, communicated with or have its status interrogated. The use of smart ignitors allows a more cost effective and reliable implementation of vehicle safety devices including but not limited to variably deployable frontal airbags, side airbags, inflatable side curtains, and seat belt pretensioner safety systems than could be done otherwise. Smart ignitors may be used in the activation of gas generating devices, opening containers of stored gas, and hybrid type inflators. It would also be advantageous to have similar capabilities for selectively igniting various units of reactive materials, such as explosives, in mining or demolition operations.
The smart ignitor control system disclosed herein can validate the functionality, control the timing and sequence of the deployment of the smart ignitors of a vehicle safety system in the event of a crash, or when explosives are used in mining or demolition operations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the smart ignitor control system comprising: (a) a communications output electronic circuitry that generates output serial clock, data, and handshaking signals for communication with a master ASIC that is adapted to communicate with a smart ignitor and (b) a communications input electronic circuitry that inputs data and handshaking signals from a master ASIC.
The communications output electronic circuitry may comprise: (i) data interface circuitry connecting an electronic information processor to a memory device; (ii) data interface circuitry for connecting a master ASIC to a memory device; and (iii) control circuitry controlling the functions of the interface circuitry and memory device.
The communications input electronic circuitry may comprise: (i) data interface circuitry connecting the electronic information processor to a memory device, (ii) data interface circuitry for connecting a master ASIC to the memory and (iii) control circuitry controlling the functions of the interface circuitry and memory device.
Optionally, an additional circuit is included that digitizes ignitor bus analog voltages and waveforms, stored the data in a memory device then uploaded to the electronic information processor. The electronic information processor software then performs functions such as but not limited to decoding, analyzing, displaying, archiving, and linking the data in the second memory device to other components such as but not limited to a electronic information processor screen, hardware indicators, one or more database engines, internet gateways, neural network an d expert systems.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,988 teaches a control circuit for controlling power supplied to an ignitor element but the control circuit is hardware in a permanent configuration rather than being software that can be easily adapted to particular applications as in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,843,964 teaches a smart explosive ignitor and a device for sending an activation signal to the ignitor.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,554,890 5,659,474 6,068,287 and PCT publication WO 97/28992 teach systems for controlling the activation of ignitors and/or diagnosing systems for controlling the activation of ignitors, but do not disclose the use of smart ignitors in such systems.
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Boyd Clinton
Gagnon Scott D.
Griggs James W.
Sutherland Michael
Breed Automotive Technology Inc.
Drayer Lonnie
Nguyen Tan
Steinnon Patrick
Tran Dalena
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