Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting impairment of a vehicle operator are provided. The method includes detecting a first impairment level at a first time; detecting a second impairment level at a second time after the first time; based on the detected first impairment level and the detected second impairment level, determining a third impairment level at a third time after the second time; and inhibiting vehicle operation in response to determining that the third impairment level is greater than an impairment threshold. The apparatus and method may be used in a vehicle or other apparatus to prevent vehicle operator from operating the vehicle while impaired or prior to becoming impaired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting impairment of a vehicle operator are provided. The method includes detecting a first impairment level at a first time; detecting a second impairment level at a second time after the first time; based on the detected first impairment level and the detected second impairment level, determining a third impairment level at a third time after the second time; and inhibiting vehicle operation in response to determining that the third impairment level is greater than an impairment threshold. The apparatus and method may be used in a vehicle or other apparatus to prevent vehicle operator from operating the vehicle while impaired or prior to becoming impaired.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system for a vehicle is described with at least one crash sensor configured to recognize a crash of the vehicle. A passenger recognition system recognizes the number and/or location of passengers in the vehicle. A controller is connected to the at least one crash sensor, the passenger recognition system and a transmitter and configured to generate crash information using crash sensor readout. The controller is further configured to generate a data set including the crash information and number and/or location of passengers in the vehicle from the passenger recognition system. A transmitter is configured to send the data set.

Abstract: A method and system for processing vehicle data to respond to a vehicle crash is provided, vehicle data obtained from at least one vehicle is received. An entrapment-risk parameter indicative of an entrapment risk is estimated based on the vehicle data. Information related to an entrapment risk based on the entrapment-risk parameter is communicated to an emergency response point.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor is provided for a motor vehicle with a receiving part for a seat belt retractable on the receiving part, a deceleration sensor for detecting a deceleration in the seat belt retractor, a first extension speed sensor for detecting an extension speed of the seat belt prior to activating an energy absorption device. The energy absorption device fixes the seat belt during an accident with energy absorption, so that when a first deceleration limit detected by the deceleration sensor is exceeded the seat belt is restrained with energy absorption. The seat belt retractor encompasses a locking mechanism for securing the seat belt and a second extension speed sensor for detecting an extension speed after activating the energy absorption device. When a second extension speed limit of the seat belt has been exceeded, the locking mechanism restrains the seat belt without energy absorption.

Abstract: An airbag module is disclosed for protecting a pedestrian during a collision with a vehicle. The airbag module includes at least one connecting section for installing the airbag module in the area of a front hood and two opposing flat sides. One flat side faces the front hood with the airbag module installed. The airbag module includes an inflatable cushion and a gas generator for inflating the cushion between the flat sides. The cushion and gas generator lie one behind the other in the direction in which at least one of the flat sides extends. The flat sides may be designed symmetrically to each other in relation to a plane lying between the flat sides.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor is provided for a motor vehicle with a receiving part for a seat belt retractable on the receiving part, a deceleration sensor for detecting a deceleration in the seat belt retractor, a first extension speed sensor for detecting an extension speed of the seat belt prior to activating an energy absorption device. The energy absorption device fixes the seat belt during an accident with energy absorption, so that when a first deceleration limit detected by the deceleration sensor is exceeded the seat belt is restrained with energy absorption. The seat belt retractor encompasses a locking mechanism for securing the seat belt and a second extension speed sensor for detecting an extension speed after activating the energy absorption device. When a second extension speed limit of the seat belt has been exceeded, the locking mechanism restrains the seat belt without energy absorption.

Abstract: A device is provided for configuring a motor vehicle, which makes possible the setting of a plurality of operating parameters, with a control that is connected to a plurality of configurable vehicle systems, and with an input device that can be operated by a user, which is connected or can be connected to the control and via which inputs for configuring the vehicle systems can be carried out. It is provided that the input device comprises a monitor, which displays an input mask with a plurality of slide controllers, where each slide controller serves for setting a certain operating parameter of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A supplemental inflatable restraint system includes an air bag for use in a vehicle to restrain an occupant. The air bag is folded and may be placed in a steering wheel cover such that inflation of the air bag causes the air bag to be deployed from the cover by unfolding to define a substantially vertical contact surface for initial contact with the vehicle occupant. The air bag is folded into a modified fan/accordion configuration with terminal folds nested between intermediate folds so that the terminal folds escape before the intermediate folds. During inflation, the air bag unfolds upwardly and downwardly so that the substantially vertical contact surface is substantially parallel to a torso of the occupant.

Abstract: A supplemental inflatable restraint system includes an air bag for use in a vehicle to restrain an occupant. The air bag is folded and may be placed in a steering wheel cover such that inflation of the air bag causes the air bag to be deployed from the cover by unfolding to define a substantially vertical contact surface for initial contact with the vehicle occupant. The air bag is folded into a modified fan/accordion configuration with terminal folds nested between intermediate folds so that the terminal folds escape before the intermediate folds. During inflation, the air bag unfolds upwardly and downwardly so that the substantially vertical contact surface is substantially parallel to a torso of the occupant.