Patent ID: 7896391

Claim:
A method of controlling airbag deployment of an airbag deployment system included within a vehicle, the method comprising: broadcasting a polling signal from an antenna included within the vehicle; receiving the polling signal with a first seat belt latch device included within a first seat; only upon receipt of the polling signal, the first seat belt latch device broadcasting a first seat belt latch signal indicating whether a first seat belt latch included on the first seat is locked or unlocked; preventing airbag deployment if the first seat belt latch signal indicates the first seat belt latch is unlocked; receiving the polling signal with a second seat belt latch device included within a second seat, only upon receipt of the polling signal, the second seat belt latch device broadcasting a second seat belt latch signal indicating whether a second seat belt latch included on the second seat is locked or unlocked, and preventing airbag deployment if the second seat belt latch signal indicates the second seat belt latch is unlocked; wherein the airbag deployment system includes at least a first airbag configured for deploying to a first area within the vehicle; and preventing deployment of the first air bag to the first area if either of the first and second seats is determined to be positioned within the first area with the associated seat belt latch unlocked.