Communications: electrical – Condition responsive indicating system – Specific condition
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-23
2001-06-19
Mullen, Thomas (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Condition responsive indicating system
Specific condition
C280S728100, C701S032000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249228
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is generally directed to an occupant protection system for a motor vehicle, and is particularly directed to an occupant protection system in which theft of air bag modules and the like is deterred. The invention is useful for occupant protection systems in which such theft is likely.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Occupant protection systems installed in modern motor vehicles include one or more actuatable protection devices for protecting an occupant. Examples of such protection devices include an air bag, a knee bolster, and a seat belt pretensioner. The protection systems also include one or more sensor devices for sensing vehicle characteristics and/or occupant characteristics. The systems are typically controlled from a central control module.
The air bag modules used in such systems provide targets for thieves because the air bag modules can be removed from the vehicle without special tools, and the air bag modules are relatively expensive components. There is a demand for replacement modules on the open market because the air bag modules are designed as a “use once” component and must be replaced if they are deployed as a result of an accident. Other system components, particularly other “use once” components such as seat belt pretensioners, are theft targets for similar reasons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect, the present invention comprises a circuit chip that contains a semi-conductor bridge circuit for initiating an actuatable device. The circuit chip also contains a memory that holds an identification of the actuatable device.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention comprises a vehicle occupant protection system. The system includes an actuatable occupant protection device, a controller, and means for permitting communication between the controller and the device to control actuation of the device. The controller includes means to discern an identity of the device. The controller also includes means for making a determination as to whether the discerned identity of the device corresponds to a predetermined identity and providing a signal indicative of the determination. The device includes an initiator for initiating actuation of the device. The device also includes a memory for holding its identity. The memory is located on a single circuit chip with the initiator.
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Research Disclosure, May 1998 #409, pp. 523 and 524.
Co-pending Patent Appln. Serial No. 09/018,429, filed Feb. 4, 1998 entitled “Vehicle Occupant Restraint Device, System, and Method Having an Anti-theft Feature”.
Al-Amin Ahmad K.
Cuevas Jess A.
Fogle, Jr. Homer W.
Shirk Bryan W.
Swann Timothy A.
Mullen Thomas
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
TRW Inc.
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