Abstract: A multitasking operating system (10) for controlling performance of a plurality of processes (24). A plurality of event queues (32) are provided, with each event queue corresponding to a process and having a priority. An event scheduler function (40) places events to be processed into the event queues (32). Each event queue (32) which has at least one event to be processed is an active event queue. An event fetch function (42) searches the event queues (32) for an active event queue having the highest priority, and retrieves an event for processing from that event queue. An event dispatcher function (52) dispatches the retrieved event to a state of the process (24) corresponding to the highest priority active event queue. The state is at least a portion of the corresponding process (24) and is associated with the processing of the retrieved event. The state is executed by a processor (20) to process the event. The execution is not interrupted because of any activity within the event queues.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system (10) includes an actuatable device (e.g., 20) for protecting a vehicle occupant (12). An accelerometer (e.g., 50) and a crash determination portion (66) of a controller (56) derive a first metric indicative of a vehicle crash condition. A Z-axis accelerometer (54) and a safing portion (50) of the controller (38) derive a second metric indicative of a vehicle vertical acceleration characteristic. The controller (66) actuates the device (e.g., 16) to protect the occupant (12) in response to the first metric indicating a vehicle crash condition and the second metric exceeding a predetermined threshold. Preferably, the system (10) includes a second device (e.g., 18) and another accelerometer (e.g., 58) and another crash determination portion (72) of the controller (56) to derive a third metric indicative of a vehicle crash condition. The controller (66) actuates the device (e.g.

Abstract: A distributed vehicle safety system (10) and an associated method provide for connection of a plurality of devices (14). Each of the devices (14) performs a function associated with protection of a vehicle occupant. A communication bus (16) conveys communication for the devices (14). The bus includes first and second conductors (18A and 18B). A first portion (subset K) of the devices (14) are daisy-chain connected, with respect to each other, along one (e.g., 18A) of the conductors of the bus (16). A second portion (subset L) of the devices (14) are connected in parallel across the first and second conductors (18A and 18B) of the bus (16). The second portion (subset L) contains at least one and preferably several devices (14).

Abstract: A system (10) conveys energy and communication between a master (16) and a plurality of slaves (18, 20), via a bus (14). A power/voltage transmitter (44) of the master (16) provides electrical energy, having a voltage, onto the bus (14) to power the slaves (18, 20). The power/voltage transmitter (44) adjusts voltage past a predetermined threshold to provide a message frame and modulating voltage during the message frame to convey messages to the slaves (18,20). Voltage receivers (58, 64), at each slave (18, 20), detect the voltage modulations to discern messages from the master (16) during the message frame. Current transmitters (56, 62), at each slave (18, 20), modulate current during the message frame to convey messages to the master (16). The current transmitters (18, 20) utilize the modulation of voltage of the electrical energy to clock modulation of current. A current receiver (48) of the master (16) detects current modulations to discern messages from the slaves (18, 20).

Abstract: A communication system (10) for use in a vehicle occupant restraint system (12). A central controller (14) is connected to a plurality of restraint devices (16) by a power and communication conductor (20). A signal function (28), via a voltage modulator (30), of the central controller (14) sequentially outputs voltage modulation messages to the restraint devices (16) on the conductor (20). The application sequence of the voltage modulation messages corresponds to a predetermined sequence of the restraint devices (16). A signal function (40), via a current draw modulator (42), in each of the restraint devices (16) outputs current modulation messages to the central controller (14) on the conductor (20). The application of the current modulation message from each respective restraint device (16) coincides with the outputting of a voltage modulation message from the central controller (14) to another specified one of the restraint devices.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant restraint system (10) has an anti-theft feature. A restraint device (e.g., 12) of the system (10) is actuatable for restraining a vehicle occupant. The restraint device (12) has an identity associated with the system (10). A central controller (40) communicates with the restraint device (12) and controls actuation of the restraint device. The central controller (40) has a theft deterrent function (52) for discerning the identity of the restraint device (12) and for determining whether the identity of the restraint device corresponds to the system (10). The theft deterrent function (52) provides a signal (60) indicative of the determination.

Abstract: An occupant restraint system (10) for a vehicle (22) has a plurality of controllable occupant restraint system devices (12). The plurality of devices (12) includes sensor devices (e.g., 12E) and/or occupant restraint devices (e.g., 12A). Each restraint system device (12) has programmable control circuitry (18) for permitting control of the respective restraint system device by a central controller (38). A control interconnection (44) connects the central controller (38) and the restraint system devices (12). Electronic switches (54) are connected in series along a line (46A) of the control interconnection (44). Each of the switches (54) is associated with one restraint system device (12). Each of the switches (54) regulates communication between the central controller (38) and any device(s) (12) (e.g., devices 2-N) downstream of the associated device (e.g., device 1).

Abstract: A multitasking operating system (12) for controlling performance of a plurality of vehicle processes (24). A plurality of event queues (32) are provided, with each event queue corresponding to a process and having a priority. An event scheduler function (40) places events to be processed into the event queues (32). Each event queue (32) which has at least one event to be processed is an active event queue. An event fetch function (42) searches the event queues (32) for an active event queue having the highest priority, and retrieves an event for processing from that event queue. An event dispatcher function (52) dispatches the retrieved event to a state of the process (24) corresponding to the highest priority active event queue. The state is at least a portion of the corresponding process (24) and is associated with the processing of the retrieved event. The state is executed by a processor (20) to process the event. The execution is not interrupted because of any activity within the event queues.