Abstract: A seatbelt control apparatus includes seatbelt control means that controls a motor for retracting a seatbelt; and motor current detecting means that detects a current of the motor. The seatbelt control apparatus further includes jamming determination means, indicator detecting means, and threshold value setting means. The jamming determination means determines whether or not the seatbelt is jammed during take-up operation on the basis of whether or not the motor current detected by the motor current detecting means exceeds a threshold value for jamming determination. The indicator detecting means detects an indicator of a current versus load characteristic of the motor. The threshold value setting means sets the threshold value for jamming determination on the basis of the indicator detected by the indicator detecting means.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for improving curtain air bag deployment using an actuator attached to a headliner. The present invention can include an automobile having a roof, a headliner, an actuator, a curtain air bag, a door, a sensor, and/or a processor. The roof can also include a roof rail. The roof rail and the headliner enclose the curtain air bag. The actuator is attached to the headliner. The sensor is located within the door and detects collision data. The processor analyzes the collision data to determine when to deploy the curtain airbag. In deploying the curtain airbag, the processor activates the actuator, which reduces the overlap between the headliner and the roof rail. The curtain airbags deploys by either pushing through the reduced overlap between the headliner and the roof rail or by easily forming through a gap between the headliner and the roof rail.

Abstract: To provide with a seat belt warning apparatus capable of stopping the operation of a buzzer, for example, when a passenger has moved from a rear seat to another seat, such as a front passenger's seat, and fastens the seat belt, the seat belt warning apparatus outputs a notice when the number of seats where seat belts are fastened except a driver's seat is reduced, and stops the output of the notice when the number of seats where the seat belts are fastened except the driver's seat is equal to or more than that when the notice is output.

Abstract: Strollers are provided for preventing harm to an infant when an accidental event occurs to the strollers. In one embodiment, a stroller is provided to include a wheelbase containing a set of wheels; a detachable seat attached onto the wheelbase, wherein an infant sits on the seat; an accelerometer attached to the wheelbase, wherein the accelerometer detects any flip over of the stroller; a bag filled with helium that is being attached to the seat; a GPS associated with the seat, and an antenna configured to transmit communication signals.

Abstract: A system and method for determining when to deploy a vehicle safety system includes a processor and inertial sensor. The inertial sensor has a filtered output and an unfiltered or lightly filtered output. The unfiltered or lightly filtered output is in communication with the processor and provides inertial information relating to the vehicle. The filtered output of the inertial sensor is in communication with a vehicle stability control system. The processor is further configured to monitor the unfiltered or lightly filtered output of the inertial sensor and determine if the inertial information indicates that the vehicle has been involved in a collision. If the vehicle has been involved in a collision, the processor is configured to deploy a vehicle safety system.

Abstract: A method of controlling stability of a vehicle comprises monitoring vehicle information with an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit determines if a rear collision from a second vehicle approaching from a rear direction is likely. A first response signal is sent to at least one vehicle system from the electronic control unit prior to the rear collision. The at least one vehicle system changes state based upon the first response signal to prepare the vehicle for the rear collision.

Abstract: A load detection device includes a load sensor provided at a support portion that is positioned at a rear portion of a seat for a vehicle, the seat including a seatback at the rear portion of the seat, the load sensor detecting a load applied to the support portion that is a part of a plurality of support portions, a load detecting portion detecting a portion of a load of a seat occupancy of the seat based on an output from the load sensor and outputting a detected load value, a longitudinal inclination angle detecting portion detecting a longitudinal inclination angle of the vehicle, and a load correcting portion correcting, depending on the longitudinal inclination angle, the detected load value of the portion of the load of the seat occupancy based on a relationship between the detected load value of the seat occupancy and the longitudinal inclination angle.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus is provided with at least one detent assembly each including a micro switch, a telescopic cylinder slidably disposed in the micro switch, a bifurcation for fastening the cylinder by attaching to the micro switch, a first rope secured to the micro switch, and a second rope secured to the bifurcation wherein the micro switch is open in an inoperative position; an airbag; a cover spaced around the airbag; sensors disposed in an automobile; and an ECU for controlling the airbag and the sensors. The airbag is surrounded and fastened by the first and second ropes of the detent assemblies. The airbag expands to close the micro switch and break loose when an actual accident event is sensed by at least one of the sensors.

Abstract: A vehicular occupant protection apparatus (10) is equipped with a seatbelt (12) including a shoulder belt portion (12A) fitted to a occupant (P) from a shoulder part thereof to a lumbar part thereof, a pretensioner mechanism (24) that is actuated to remove slack in the seatbelt (12), a force limiter mechanism (26) for limiting a restraint load applied to the occupant by the seatbelt (12), an air belt device (44) that supplies an air belt (45) with gas to inflate/deploy the air belt (45) between the occupant (P) and an instrument panel, and a occupant protection ECU (55) that actuates the air belt device (44) such that the air belt (45) starts being supplied with gas upon or after start of actuation of the force limiter mechanism (26) following actuation of the pretensioner mechanism (24) in the event of a head-on collision of a vehicle.

Abstract: Externally deployed airbag system for a vehicle including one or more inflatable airbags deployable outside of the vehicle, an anticipatory sensor system for assessing the probable severity of an impact involving the vehicle based on data obtained prior to the impact and initiating inflation of the airbag(s) in the event an impact above a threshold severity is assessed, and an inflator coupled to the anticipatory sensor system and the airbag for inflating the airbag when initiated by the anticipatory sensor system. The airbag may be housed in a module mounted along a side of the vehicle, in a side door of the vehicle (both for side impact protection), at a front of the vehicle (for frontal impact protection) or at a rear of the vehicle (for rear impact protection). Also, the externally deployed airbag can be deployed to cushion a pedestrian's impact against the vehicle.

Abstract: An assistant driving system with video recognition includes a camera array capturing environment images for the environment around the vehicle, an image recognition unit identifying environment objects and their image, location, color, speed and direction from the environment images, an environment monitor and control unit receiving the information generated by the image recognition unit and creating the rebuild environment information for the vicinity of the vehicle as well as judging the space relationship between the vehicle and the environment objects to generate the warning information, a video recognition display unit showing a single image for the rebuild environment information, a vehicle warning unit performing the processes corresponding to the warning information, a vehicle driving unit generating the driving control command based on the rebuild environment information, and a vehicle controlling unit receiving the driving control command to control the throttle, brake or steering wheel of the vehic

Abstract: A collision detection system includes at least one sensor. The data from the sensor is input to a recursive filter which selectively uses the input to predict the motion of a target object relative to a host vehicle. The recursive filter continues to use the data from the sensor until the target object is within a threshold distance of the host vehicle. Within the threshold distance, the sensor does not reliably provide accurate data. Accordingly, the recursive filter omits the sensor input from motion estimates when the target object is within the threshold distance, which leads to significant improvement in target motion prediction.

Abstract: A control unit and a method for operating a safety system for a vehicle are proposed. A step-up converter configured as a switching converter is provided. The step-up converter converts an input voltage, which is derived from a vehicle battery voltage, into a higher charging voltage at its output. In addition, at least one energy reserve storage is provided which is charged via the charging voltage for operating the safety system in the case of autonomous operation. At least one step-down converter is operated inversely with respect to the step-up converter, the at least one step-down converter converting down the charging voltage or a voltage which is output by the at least one energy reserve storage.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system includes a remote sensor detecting an object and a collision detector detecting a collision with the vehicle. An active safety module receives the remote sensor output and controls operation of an active vehicle safety system utilizing a first parameter set providing a first balance between suppression of false positive detections of imminent collision and acknowledgement of true positive detections of imminent collision, the first balance optimized for control of the active safety system. A passive safety module is connected in parallel with the active safety module to receive the sensor output and receives the detector output. The passive safety module utilizes a second parameter set to control operation of a passive vehicle safety system providing a second balance having, in relation to the first balance, a relatively lower suppression of false positive detections and a relatively higher acknowledgement of true positive detections.

Abstract: A pre-crash operating device for a vehicle includes a scanning sensor unit for scanning objects around the vehicle by using laser, a sensor unit of the vehicle for sensing driving information including a velocity, an acceleration, an steering angle, yaw rate and a brake pressure, a safety device unit to be actuated prior to a collision and to protect occupant, and a control unit for computing an offset value and a relative velocity between the vehicle and the object by using the driving information from the scanning unit and the sensor unit of the vehicle, thereby selecting an object as an imminent collision object and actuating the safety device when a predicted collision time induced from the relative velocity of the imminent collision object is within a predetermined time.

Abstract: A method for activating personal protection means using at least one signal derived from an acceleration sensor. A forward displacement is determined from the signal, and the forward displacement is compared to at least one threshold value surface, which is set as a function of a velocity decrease and a deceleration. The personal protection means is activated as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: An occupant protection device includes: a controller; first and second bus lines; a first collision sensor arranged on a side of the vehicle, and transmitting a first signal to the controller via the first bus line; a second collision sensor arranged on a center of the vehicle, and transmitting a second signal to the controller via the second bus line; and a third collision sensor arranged on a front side from the first collision sensor, and transmitting a third signal to the controller via the second bus line. The controller determines the collision on the side of the vehicle based on the first and second signals. The controller determines the collision on a part of the vehicle based on the third signal, the part disposed on the front side from the first collision sensor. The controller activates an occupant protection element.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for lessening the consequences of an accident affecting a vehicle occupant in the event of a collision of the vehicle with an obstruction. Before the collision, the absolute speed of the vehicle occupant relative to the obstruction is reduced independently of the traveling speed of the vehicle by way of a reduction of the vehicle occupant's speed relative to the vehicle, without the vehicle occupant experiencing a first displacement movement against the vehicle movement direction beyond his initial destination-related traveling position.

Abstract: A vehicle driving assist system is provided that calculates a risk potential indicative of a degree of convergence between the host vehicle and the preceding obstacle. A first driving assistance control system controls at least one of an actuation reaction force exerted by a driver-operated driving operation device and a braking/driving force exerted against the host vehicle based on the risk potential calculated. A second driving assistance control system controls the braking/driving force of the host vehicle such that a headway distance is maintained between the host vehicle and the obstacle. A transition detecting section detects a transition of operating states of the first and second driving assistance control systems. The control adjusting section adjusts the control executed by the first and second driving assistance control systems when a transition of operating state is detected.

Abstract: A passenger protection system includes: a sensor outputting a detection digital data corresponding to collision; a passenger protection device; and an ECU. The sensor outputs a bit sequence providing an important bit group. A memory stores the data and the sequence doubly for storing first and second detection digital data and first and second bit sequences. The ECU determines based on the first or second data whether it is necessary to protect the passenger when the first data is equal to the second data. When the first data is different from the second data, and the first sequence is equal to the second sequence, the ECU replaces the important bit group in the first or second data with the first or second sequence, and determines based on the first or second data after replacement.

Abstract: A vehicle has a security and anti-theft system that senses movement of the vehicle in a forward or backward direction when the vehicle is in a locked state, such as by detecting wheel rotation. Upon this detection, the security system signals the motor to counteract the wheel movement by rotating one or more wheels in the opposite direction of the direction of wheel rotation detected until the wheel rotation is no longer detected. The security and anti-theft system may determine whether the vehicle is in a locked state by detecting whether a key is present and/or by one or more communications received by an external wireless device.

Abstract: A vehicle illumination system includes a light source emitting light for illuminating the vehicle surroundings or the vehicle interior or both, and a modulation unit modulating the emitting of light of the light source, where the emitted light is modulated with a frequency that is high enough so that the modulation of the light is substantially not perceivable by a person.

Abstract: A vehicle includes at least one reconfigurable system having a plurality of selectively variable parameters, and a controller that is operatively connected to the at least one reconfigurable system to control the values of the plurality of selectively variable parameters. The controller is also configured to receive data indicative of physical characteristics of a person from at least one data storage medium, and configured to determine values of the selectively variable parameters according to a predetermined algorithm based on the data indicative of physical characteristics of a person. The controller is also configured to cause the selectively variable parameters to assume the determined values.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus for a vehicle equipped with an occupant protection device includes main and safing sensors for detecting acceleration of the vehicle, a temporary memory section for storing main and safing calculation values respectively calculated from detection results of the main and safing sensors, a control section for controlling the occupant protection device based on the main and safing calculation values and for determining whether a predetermined condition associated with the acceleration is satisfied, and a recording section for recording the main calculation value upon determination of the control section that the condition is satisfied. The recording section records the main calculation value for a first period before the determination and records the main calculation value for a second period after the determination. The recording section further records the safing calculation value for the second period.

Abstract: An adaptive front-lighting system is provided for a vehicle, such as a passenger car, truck, or tractor trailer. A plurality of LED light sources on the vehicle have a projection pattern for exterior illumination to supplement a main beam from a main light source. A power supply drives the LED light sources according to a driving signal having a magnitude between a minimum driving signal and a maximum driving signal, wherein the LED light sources sequentially illuminate in response to the magnitude of the driving signal. A speed sensor characterizes an instantaneous vehicle speed. A turn sensor characterizes an instantaneous turning radius. A fuzzy controller generates the driving signal in response to the instantaneous vehicle speed and the instantaneous turning radius based on a fuzzy model. The fuzzy model is characterized by a plurality of empirically-derived fuzzy rules that define discontinuous values and by a plurality of modified consequents that produce a substantially continuous output.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling power windows of a vehicle includes a receiver mounted on the vehicle for receiving an open window request signal wirelessly from a portable device, at least one exterior condition sensor mounted on the vehicle for detecting an adverse exterior condition relative to the vehicle, and a controller mounted on the vehicle for communicating with the receiver and the at least one exterior condition sensor. The controller commands opening of the one or more power windows when the receiver receives the open window request signal provided the at least one exterior condition sensor does not detect an adverse exterior condition relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a seat occupancy includes a load detecting portion, a seatbelt detecting portion, and a seat occupancy determining portion determining that an adult is seated on the seat in a case where a seating load equal to or greater than a predetermined first load is detected and determining a child seat placed state where a child seat is placed on the seat and fastened by the seatbelt in a case where the seating load smaller than the first load is detected and the engagement of the buckle of the seatbelt is detected. The seat occupancy determining portion maintains a determination result of the child seat placed state even when the seating load becomes equal to or greater than the first load in a case where a predetermined determination result retention condition is satisfied after the child seat placed state is determined.

Abstract: A device and a method for triggering personal protection devices, characterized in that a roll rate sensor generates a roll rate while an acceleration sensor detects the transverse acceleration and the vertical acceleration. An integrator is provided to integrate the roll rate to yield an angle. The integrator starts integrating the roll rate when the roll rate exceeds a first threshold value and it stops the integration when the roll rate falls below a second threshold value. In addition, a threshold value controller is provided, adjusting the first and/or second threshold value according to the transverse and/or vertical acceleration. A processor triggers personal protection devices according to the angle and other criteria.

Abstract: This invention features a solution to use a pocket size pc, smartphone, or tablet or any other type of mobile personal computer as the main computer of a vehicle, in the highly computerized future vehicles. By connecting the smartphone/tablet/etc to the car interface, the phone/tablet/etc will become the brain of the machine, and acts as a vehicle computer system. By the use of the car manufacturer application software, or use of 3rd party application software, It can be programmed for controlling/replacing many of the vehicle subsystems and accessories.

Abstract: A safety system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and an image processor. The image sensor has an exterior rearward field of view. The imaging sensor captures image data and the image processor is operable to process captured image data to detect an object approaching the subject vehicle from rearward of the subject vehicle. The safety system is operable to determine if the detected object is likely to collide (or that a collision is probable or imminent or unavoidable or substantially unavoidable) with the subject vehicle and is operable to adjust a safety feature of the vehicle before the collision occurs. The safety system may be operable to adjust or vibrate or reposition a headrest of a seat in the subject vehicle responsive to determination that the detected object is likely to collide with the subject vehicle.

Abstract: In the case of a severe collision, the severity of the collision exceeds a first threshold value at which a pretensioner mechanism starts to activate, and then exceeds a second threshold value within a collision-discriminating time range T following the start of the activation; therefore, the force limiter mechanism unit is set at a high load. In the case of a gentle collision, the severity of the collision exceeds the first threshold value, at which the pretensioner mechanism starts to activate, but does not exceed the second threshold value within the collision-discriminating time range T following the start of the activation; therefore the force limiter mechanism unit is set at a low load. Therefore, without a determination delay, the switching of the force limiter mechanism can be appropriately selected.

Abstract: An object is to be able to accurately discriminate an object of a collision. A device has a collision detection to which are connected a pressure sensor that detects pressure within a pressure chamber, and a vehicle speed sensor that detects vehicle speed, and the collision detection determines effective mass of a collided object on the basis of an integrated value obtained by integrating, at a predetermined sectional integration width, detection results of the pressure sensor, and a converted vehicle speed signal obtained by subtracting a predetermined value ? from a vehicle speed signal of the vehicle speed sensor by using a predetermined vehicle speed converting map or the like. Then, when the determined effective mass exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the collided object is discriminated as a pedestrian.

Abstract: A method of actuating an external active safety system for a vehicle is used for cushioning the impact on the vehicle generated in an accident to effectively reduce injury and death as well as vehicle damage rates after an accident. The present invention mainly installs multiple sets of shock absorption devices (for example, airbags) outside the vehicle, for example, on front and rear bumpers, respectively, and the sets of shock absorption devices is able to function in advance in a segmental manner, so that the shock absorption devices installed outside the vehicle function before and during a collision in a segmental manner, so as to cushion an impact on the vehicle body when impacting or being impacted, and the shock absorption devices have an automatic release function, which, when activated, automatically releases an inflated condition of airbags in a very short time.

Abstract: A method of actuating an external active safety system for a vehicle is used for cushioning the impact on the vehicle generated in an accident to effectively reduce injury and death as well as vehicle damage rates after an accident. The present invention mainly installs multiple sets of shock absorption devices (for example, airbags) outside the vehicle, for example, on front and rear bumpers, respectively, and the sets of shock absorption devices is able to function in advance in a segmental manner, so that the shock absorption devices installed outside the vehicle function before and during a collision in a segmental manner, so as to cushion an impact on the vehicle body when impacting or being impacted, and the shock absorption devices have an automatic release function, which, when activated, automatically releases an inflated condition of airbags in a very short time.

Abstract: A motor vehicle including at least one driving safety system which provides a safety feature during travel, and a control device, wherein the control device is configured to determine a first information commensurate with the proper functioning of the at least one driving safety system and to actuate at least a driver side device for adjusting the seat position and/or at least a driver side belt tensioner when the at least one driving safety system malfunctions.

Abstract: A method and device for controlled damping of a vehicle stores a set of controller parameters R1 to Rn for controlling the damping of the unloaded vehicle as a function of the dynamic driving situation thereof 1 to n, detect a loading condition b of the vehicle, adapt the set of controller parameters R1 to Rn as a function of the detected loading condition b to a set of controlled parameters R1b to Rnb, and dams the vehicle as a function of the set of controller parameters R1b to Rnb as a function of the dynamic driving situation thereon 1 to n.

Abstract: An object detection system, controller, and method using sub-sampling for detecting a presence of an object at the location. An electrode arranged near the location radiates an electric field that corresponds to an electrode signal that arises in response to an excitation signal. When the excitation signal is coupled to the electrode and the electric field is radiated, the electrode exhibits an electrode impedance indicative of the presence of an object. The presence of an object is detected by analyzing the electrode signal using sub-sampling. Traditionally, such electrode signals have frequencies, high enough to warrant the use of expensive high-frequency signal processing devices. Sub-sampling is a way of sampling and processing the electrode signal such that the signal processing to detect the object can be performed by a lower cost general purpose microprocessor.

Abstract: A safety system comprising an implant, a control device, and a machine. The machine has a control unit which is designed to allow operation of the machine only when a unique identifier has been received, and to set an operating mode of the machine as a function of the received suitability index. The implant is designed to detect physiological data of an implant wearer, and to either generate a suitability index based on detected physiological data and transmit the suitability index to the control device, or to transmit the physiological data itself to the control device.

Abstract: A following distance control device includes a vehicle speed detecting device that detects the vehicle speed VSPD of an own vehicle and outputs a vehicle speed equal to or less than a predetermined speed as zero, a following distance detecting device that detects a following distance between a preceding vehicle and the own vehicle, a first requested acceleration computing device that computes a requested acceleration GBASE from the vehicle speed and the following distance, and a stop determining device that determines the stop of the own vehicle, on the basis of a requested acceleration Greq_pre_0 kph at a time point when the output value of the vehicle speed detecting device becomes zero.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for vehicle passenger classification. The system may include a plurality of weight sensors installed under a seat frame to support a load of a vehicle seat, a single dummy sensor installed under the seat frame to support the load of the vehicle seat along with the plurality of weight sensors, and a passenger classification logic unit for classifying a passenger value obtained by summing sensor values of the plurality of weight sensors as either class 1 or class 2 by comparing the passenger value with a first reference and a second reference.

Abstract: An electronic system to induce the occupants of a vehicle to fasten seat belts is described. The electronic system is configured to determine an alert condition indicating that a seat belt of at least one occupant of the vehicle is not fastened or is not properly fastened. The electronic system is also configured to allow the car radio to operate even when said alert condition is present, and to control the volume of the car radio for as long as said alert condition persists, preventing it from exceeding a low volume level.

Abstract: A method and system for managing passenger and vehicle safety is disclosed. The method includes registering a passenger based on an identification parameter received from the passenger when the passenger boards a vehicle. The method further includes monitoring a set of vehicle status parameters associated with the vehicle in real time. The method also includes generating a notification when a predefined notification condition occurs. The predefined notification condition is associated with at least one of the vehicle status parameters and the identification parameter. The method further includes deregistering the passenger based on the identification parameter when the passenger exits the vehicle.

Abstract: A collision warning device for motor vehicles includes: a locating system for locating objects in the area in front of the vehicle; a control device for evaluating the data of the locating system and for outputting a warning signal in the event of an imminent risk of a collision; and a detection module for detecting the course of guardrails with the aid of the data of the locating system. In the control device an additional warning function is implemented, which calculates, with the aid of the dynamic state of the vehicle and with the aid of the detected guardrail course, a parameter for the transverse dynamics of the vehicle, which is required to avert a collision with the guardrail, and which outputs a warning signal when this parameter is larger than a predefined value.

Abstract: A vehicle windshield display system for detecting obstruction of a vehicle operator's field of view by a windshield display. The system provides closed-loop feedback to perform a visual check of what is actually being displayed on a windshield display in order to avoid obstructing an operator's field of view. The system includes a windshield display configured to be installed into a vehicle and configured to display a graphic in a field of view of an operator of the vehicle, a camera configured to determine an image of the graphic displayed by the windshield display, and a controller configured to determine if the image indicates that field of view is obstructed. The camera is used to monitor the windshield display and provide feedback to the controller so that appropriate adjustments to the graphic being displayed can be made.

Abstract: A seatbelt device of a vehicle, the seatbelt device comprising: a belt reel around which a webbing, used to tie down a passenger seated in the vehicle, is wrapped up; a motor transmitting a driving force to the belt reel; an electric current detection unit detecting an electric current flowing through the motor; a vehicle-condition detection unit detecting a condition of the vehicle; a rotation detection unit detecting a rotational position of the belt reel; and a control unit that sets a target electric current corresponding to a predetermined vehicle condition detected by the vehicle-condition detection unit and controls the motor so that the electric current detected by the electric current detection unit equals the target electric current.

Abstract: An operator identifying apparatus, operator identifying method, and a vehicle-mounted apparatus.

Abstract: An impact detection arrangement for a motor vehicle has at least one pressure body in a side door region of the motor vehicle. The at least one pressure body is connected to a pressure sensor via a connecting line. Additionally, the at least one pressure body is provided in an impact region that is relevant to a fixed pole side crash test, and is adapted to this region.

Abstract: An impact detection system has two chambers disposed adjacent to one another. The two chambers have opposing tapered shapes, so that an impact anywhere along them will create a different pressure wave or pulse in each chamber. A pressure sensor module incorporating two pressure sensors is disposed at one end of the dual-channel unit, and comparison of the signals from the sensors can be used to discriminate both the location and severity of a pedestrian impact.

Abstract: Early actuation of an active device of a vehicle (e.g., a seat belt tensioner) is provided by applying rate of change of brake pressure to monitored brake pressure, so as to produce a modified brake pressure characteristic which is advanced in time. The active device is actuated at a brake pressure threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle safety system comprising: at least one occupant safety device (6) for protecting an occupant of the vehicle (1) in the event of a side impact; and a control unit (7) operable to receive information from one or more vehicle sensors (2, 3, 4, 5) and to provide a trigger signal to activate the occupant safety device (6). Under normal driving conditions, a default deployment algorithm is used by the control unit (7) to determine whether the trigger signal should be generated; and if it is determined that loss of control of the vehicle (1) is occurring, or is expected to occur, and the longitudinal speed of the vehicle (1) exceeds a first threshold, the control unit (7) employs a first further deployment algorithm to determine whether the trigger signal should be generated. The first further deployment algorithm being adapted to cause the trigger signal to be generated a shorter time after the initiation of a side impact than is the case for the default deployment algorithm.