Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-14
2001-09-04
Camby, Richard M. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Vehicle subsystem or accessory control
C280S735000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06285937
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to computer interfacing and message exchange among vehicular communication nodes. More specifically, the invention pertains to a seatbelt drive interlock system for adjusting air bag deployment power based on occupant presence and seatbelt usage. Communication is afforded between a removable stand-alone computer, a built-in vehicular display, numerous in-vehicle electrical systems such as air bag controls, seatbelt controls, engine/transmission controls, and vehicle transmission gear position selection controls. Ser. No. 08/980,641 specifically pertains to a communication system including a miniaturized palm top computer which is coupled to a programmable node positioned in an instrument panel of a vehicle. Additionally, Ser. No. 09/221,504 pertains to a communication system including a stand-alone computer coupled to an interface for a computer system of a vehicle. The invention as detailed in the above-referenced parent applications are directly interfaced with the present invention forming a cohesive operative network of linked vehicular electrical systems.
Automotive manufacturers and computer companies have discussed the feasibility of in-vehicle computers. However, these concepts have centered about a permanently installed computer in the vehicle. With the rapid evolution of computer technology, however, a permanently installed computer of a given type would quickly become obsolete as advancements in the computer arts surge onward. Therefore, there is a need for a cost effective approach to link rapidly evolving stand-alone computers to vehicular communication systems such as the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, this invention describes a seatbelt drive interlock system for adjusting air bag deployment power based on occupant presence and seatbelt usage. The system includes communication among a plug-and-play stand-alone computer and numerous vehicular electrical systems, such as supplementary restraint systems (airbags), gear selection, engine/transmission control, passenger/occupant detection systems, and vehicular status system displays. Information is operatively exchanged through a communication bus which provides communication between the stand-alone computer and the various vehicular electrical systems. The removable computer is placed in a predetermined location in the vehicle to enable communication with an interface to a built-in computer system of the vehicle. The removable computer is video linked to a driver information display mounted in the instrument panel of the vehicle.
Two different states of airbag power are exhibited. The first state, full power, is used if the occupants of the vehicle do not use their seatbelts. The second state, reduced power, is used if the vehicle occupants do use their seatbelts. A full power mode is required to protect the occupants if seatbelts are not used. If the occupants of the vehicle use their seatbelts, less airbag power is required to meet Federal Safety Guidelines. The seatbelts themselves help restrain the occupants, and the airbags, which are considered as supplementary restraint systems, provide an extra level of protection.
The system requires the occupants to fasten their seatbelts before the vehicle may enter a drive (forward) position. The vehicle is locked out of drive (forward) via a mechanical interlock device associated with a vehicle's gear selector. Other secondary vehicle electrical systems may be inhibited if seatbelts are not used. A communication bus provides communication among the drive interlock device and a vehicle's engine/transmission controller. Vehicle gear positions may be locked out via software commands from an interlock module to the engine/transmission controller. The vehicle is locked out of drive (forward) via a mechanical interlock associated with a shifter mechanism via a communication bus to a transmission controller.
Seatbelt compliance is determined by monitoring seatbelt switches in both the driver and passenger seatbelt take-up reels. For example, if no passenger is present, that seatbelt will not require a switch to be set before the vehicle enters drive. It is assumed that the driver's seatbelt compliance is always required. Once the seatbelt switches are set, the vehicle may enter the drive position. If the driver attempts to put the vehicle into drive without the seatbelts fastened, an interlock device will not allow the drive (forward) position.
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patent: 004134902 (1992-06-01), None
S. J. Buckley et al.,The Car as a Peripheral, Adapting A Portable Computer To A Vehicle Intranet,6 pages, Copyright 1997 Society of Automotivke Engineers, Inc.
Calcaterra Mark P.
Camby Richard M.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation
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