Patent ID: 6640175
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: B60R

Abstract:
A method of controlling the enabling and disabling of actuation of a protection device for an occupant of a vehicle seat having a weight sensor, said method comprising the steps of:sensing the weight on the vehicle seat and providing an output signal indicative of the sensed weight, the output signal having an initial value; determining when the value of the output signal of the weight sensor rises from the initial value; actuating a timer in response to the output signal rising from the initial value; waiting a predetermined period of time, determined by the timer, after the value of the output signal rises from the initial value; determining the weight on the vehicle seat after the predetermined period of time; and, comparing the weight on the vehicle seat after the predetermined period of time with a first threshold weight and, as a result, either (a) enabling actuation of the protection device if the weight on the vehicle seat after the predetermined period of time exceeds the first threshold weight, or (b) disabling actuation of the protection device if the weight on the vehicle seat after the predetermined period of time does not exceed the first threshold weight.