Apparatus and method for controlling an occupant restraint system

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 5531472
SERIAL NO

08431570

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

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Abstract

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Apparatus and method for controlling an occupant restraint system in a vehicle (10) comprises storing in a ROM memory (220) a block of image data representative of a viewing field within the vehicle (10). The viewing field includes an unoccupied vehicle seat (18) located in the occupant compartment (12) of the vehicle. A new block of image data is obtained which is representative of the viewing field with an occupant (202) on the seat (18). This image data is obtained with an image sensor (200), such as a CCD sensor, mounted in the vehicle (10) for viewing the field. The new block of image data is compared with the stored block of image data by a controller (30) to obtain the occupant's size and/or position in the vehicle. The controller (30) provides a control signal having a value which is a function of the comparison. A restraint regulator (120), such as a vent valve, responds to the control signal for controlling the occupant restraint system.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
TRW VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INC4505 WEST 26 MILE ROAD WASHINGTON MI 48094

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Faigle, Ernest M Dryden, MI 1 106
Mazur, Joseph F Washington, MI 43 3178
Semchena, John H Royal Oak, MI 14 657
Steffens, Jr Charles E Washington, MI 42 1826
Thompson, Richard J Imlay City, MI 58 3179

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