Appeal No. 2003-1153
Application No. 09/349,214
methodology by which the central controller analyzes
the crash data developed by the CAS and the satellite
acceleration sensors 24-35, and the occupant position
data developed by the occupant sensors 36-41, for
purposes of determining which, if any, of the
restraints 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20 should be deployed.
In general, this is achieved according to this
invention by using the sensor data to construct
characterization tables for the vehicle, and by
applying various masks to the tables for the purpose of
classifying the crash event and restraint status, and
deciding whether one or more of the restraints 12, 14,
16, 18, 19, 20 should be deployed based on the
determined classification status. Three tables are
described: a crash classification table based on sensed
crash severity, an intrusion table based on sensed
intrusion in a crash event, and an occupant
classification table based on occupant sensor data. In
a preferred embodiment, the classifications determined
from the crash classification and intrusion tables are
combined in a logical OR function, and the result is
combined with a restraint status determined from the
occupant classification table in a logical AND function
to determine which restraints should be deployed.
Thus, Appellants' crash classification mask is a unique
binary number which is used in a logical operation to combine
with the sensor data to arrive at a restraint deployment code.
Returning to Hermann, we note that Hermann teaches "all of
the acceleration signals or signals derived from them are
evaluated in the evaluation device, for example by being compared
with a threshold value or processed algorithmically. When the
threshold is exceeded or a triggering criterion is fulfilled
during the algorithmic processing, the respective protection
device is triggered." See Hermann, column 7, lines 50-56. In
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