Abstract: A vehicle safety system testing method provides an indication of how the safety system responds during a crash event while the system is exposed to electromagnetic energy. The system is exposed to electromagnetic energy to obtain EMI data indicating the system performance under those conditions. Separate crash data indicating the system response to a crash event is obtained using computer simulation or known test equipment. The EMI data is superimposed onto the crash data to provide an indication of how the system performs when exposed to both conditions. In one example, the EMI data is superimposed onto the crash data and the resulting data is provided to the system controller so that the controller response can be determined. In one example, the ability of the system to accurately issue deploy commands to an airbag squib is tested at selected EMI frequencies.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for detecting an object or a person is received. The receiving power is permanently detected. The laser light pulse is switched off when a threshold value that matches sufficient receiving power is obtained.

Abstract: A method of determining compatibility between a hardware device and a software application includes the step of initializing a boot loader application. Initialization of the boot loader application includes verifying the presence and validity of a software application. Once the software application has been validated by the boot loader application, control is transferred to the software application. The software application determines compatibility by checking a hardware identifier stored in a substantially permanent memory location. If the hardware identifier matches the software application, the software application operates normally. If the hardware identifier does not match the software application, control of the hardware device is transferred back to the boot loader application for reprogramming with a compatible program.

Abstract: A power control assembly limits the amount of leakage current absorbed by a device (30) supported on a vehicle when the device is in a sleep mode. The described example includes a switch (40) between a vehicle power source (54) and a power supply (50, 52) for the peripheral device. A locking portion (44) controls operation of the switch (40) so that selected portions of the device (30) are isolated from the vehicle power source (34) when the device (30) is in a sleep mode. A wake up signal received by a communication bus transceiver (32) activates the switch locking portion (44), which in turn allows the isolating switch (40) to be electrically closed and kept in the closed condition until the controller (54) of the device determines that the device should enter the sleep mode.

Abstract: Objects of persons in a vehicle are detected with a sensor. The data of the sensor signal or evaluated sensor data are transmitted to a remote control unit for an occupant protection system. The sensor data are in addition stored in a device comprising the sensor if the control unit indicates that an impact has been recognized.

Abstract: A control module for a vehicle device control system contains a diagnostic circuit with one or more ASICs having a plurality of loops. The loops may contain either a squib, forming a squib loop, or a replacement resistor, forming a replacement resistor loop. A multiplexer connected to one loop of the ASIC diagnoses all of the replacement resistor loops. By using a multiplexer to detect replacement resistors, the invention eliminates the need to include an additional ASIC just to diagnose the replacement resistor loops.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system testing method provides an indication of how the safety system responds during a crash event while the system is exposed to electromagnetic energy. The system is exposed to electromagnetic energy to obtain EMI data indicating the system performance under those conditions. Separate crash data indicating the system response to a crash event is obtained using computer simulation or known test equipment. The EMI data is superimposed onto the crash data to provide an indication of how the system performs when exposed to both conditions. In one example, the EMI data is superimposed onto the crash data and the resulting data is provided to the system controller so that the controller response can be determined. In one example, the ability of the system to accurately issue deploy commands to an airbag squib is tested at selected EMI frequencies.

Abstract: A communication system, which is particularly useful for communications onboard a vehicle, allows a single, low cost controller (30) to communicate with more than one device (32, 34) using a single, synchronous communication interface (50). An adjuster module (72) selectively adjusts a speed of a synchronous clock (54) associated with the communication interface (50). The adjuster module (72) lowers the speed of the clock to allow the controller to communicate through another communication port (68, 74) that is separate form the synchronous communication interface (50). The adjuster module (72) and the additional communication port (68, 74) facilitate communication with more than one device even though the controller has only a single transmit port (56) and a single receive port (58) that are part of the synchronous communication interface (50).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for detecting an object or a person is received. The receiving power is permanently detected. The laser light pulse is switched off when a threshold value that matches sufficient receiving power is obtained.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between a single electronic controller and multiple sensor devices in a vehicle supplemental restraint system includes a unique communication protocol. A series of pulses, each having a chosen duration, are communicated between the sensor device and the controller. The combined sequence and duration of each pulse provides a unique piece of information to the controller regarding the condition sensed by each sensor device, respectively. By controlling the sequence and duration of pulses, each sensor device is able to provide unique information to the controller, which responsively controls the supplemental restraint device as needed.

Abstract: A power control assembly limits the amount of leakage current absorbed by a device (30) supported on a vehicle when the device is in a sleep mode. The described example includes a switch (40) between a vehicle power source (54) and a power supply (50, 52) for the peripheral device. A locking portion (44) controls operation of the switch (40) so that selected portions of the device (30) are isolated from the vehicle power source (34) when the device (30) is in a sleep mode. A wake up signal received by a communication bus transceiver (32) activates the switch locking portion (44), which in turn allows the isolating switch (40) to be electrically closed and kept in the closed condition until the controller (54) of the device determines that the device should enter the sleep mode.

Abstract: In order to sense an object or a person in the interior of a vehicle, a laser emits a laser pulse. The laser pulse which is reflected at an object or a person is registered and evaluated. The energy content of a following laser pulse is determined based on a characteristic variable of the reflected laser pulse such as its power or its energy content.

Abstract: In order to sense an object or a person in the interior of a vehicle, laser pulses are output by a laser. Sensing devices are provided for sensing a characteristic variable that is decisive for the transmission energy of the laser. The transmission energy is reduced or the emission of a laser pulse is prevented as a function of the sensed characteristic variable.

Abstract: Objects of persons in a vehicle are detected with a sensor. The data of the sensor signal or evaluated sensor data are transmitted to a remote control unit for an occupant protection system. The sensor data are in addition stored in a device comprising the sensor if the control unit indicates that an impact has been recognized.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between a single electronic controller and multiple sensor devices in a vehicle supplemental restraint system includes a unique communication protocol. A series of pulses, each having a chosen duration, are communicated between the sensor device and the controller. The combined sequence and duration of each pulse provides a unique piece of information to the controller regarding the condition sensed by each sensor device, respectively. By controlling the sequence and duration of pulses, each sensor device is able to provide unique information to the controller, which responsively controls the supplemental restraint device as needed.

Abstract: A sensor which is installed in a vehicle, for sensing an object or a person, is operated for adjustment purposes in a test mode. The installation position of the sensor or of the device in the vehicle is changed with an adjustment device as a function of the evaluation of the test data which are determined. Alternatively, or in addition, a message can be issued as a function of the result of the evaluation. The invention ensures that the device is installed at a precise location in the vehicle and the position of vehicle occupants is thus determined precisely.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting an object or a person in the interior of a vehicle consumes a first average power in a normal operating mode. The power supply for supplying the sensor is monitored. The sensor is operated with a second average power which is reduced in comparison with the first average power if the power supply is considered as no longer being sufficient for the normal operating mode.

Abstract: A control module for a vehicle device control system contains a diagnostic circuit with one or more ASICs having a plurality of loops. The loops may contain either a squib, forming a squib loop, or a replacement resistor, forming a replacement resistor loop. A multiplexer connected to one loop of the ASIC diagnoses all of the replacement resistor loops. By using a multiplexer to detect replacement resistors, the invention eliminates the need to include an additional ASIC just to diagnose the replacement resistor loops.