IP Library Granted Patent US 8,217,770
Granted Patent B2
US 8,217,770 · App. 12/314,502 · Granted Jul 10, 2012

Seat belt system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,217,770
App. No.
12/314,502
Granted
Jul 10, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A seat belt monitoring system is provided. The seat belt monitoring system includes a seat belt system. The seat belt system has a first portion including a seat belt webbing and a tongue. The seat belt system also includes a buckle. A radio frequency device is associated with the first portion. The seat belt monitoring system further includes a radio frequency receiver that detects either a signal from the radio frequency device or a particular spatial relationship between the radio frequency device and a second radio frequency device placed near the buckle of the seat belt system.

Claims (28)

1. A seat belt monitoring system for a vehicle, comprising:

a seat belt system including a first portion, and a buckle, wherein the first portion is comprised of a seat belt webbing and a tongue, and a first radio frequency device is associated with the first portion;

a second radio frequency device placed near the buckle;

a radio frequency receiver configured to detect a particular spatial relationship between the first and second radio frequency devices.

2. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the first radio frequency device is attached to the webbing.

3. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the second radio frequency device is attached to the buckle.

4. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency receiver detects a particular spatial relationship between the first and second radio frequency devices by detecting a cancellation of at least one signal from the first and second radio frequency devices.

5. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency receiver detects a particular spatial relationship between the first and second radio frequency devices by detecting an alteration of at least one signal from the first and second radio frequency devices.

6. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency receiver detects a particular spatial relationship between the first and second radio frequency devices by a combined unique signal.

7. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the radio frequency receiver detects a particular spatial relationship between the first and second radio frequency devices within a zone of focus.

8. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 1 , further including a restraint control module configured to process the output of the radio frequency receiver to determine whether the buckle of the seat belt system is buckled.

9. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 8 , wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to wirelessly communicate with the restraint control module.

10. A seat belt monitoring system for a vehicle, comprising:

a seat belt system including a first portion, and a buckle, wherein the first portion is comprised of a seat belt webbing and a tongue, and a radio frequency device is associated with the first portion;

a radio frequency receiver configured to detect a signal of the radio frequency device; and

a radio frequency wave altering device configured to actively alter a signal of the radio frequency device only within a zone of active signal alteration.

11. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 10 , wherein the radio frequency wave altering device interrupts the signal of the radio frequency device.

12. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 10 , wherein the radio frequency wave altering device masks the signal of the radio frequency device.

13. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 10 , wherein the radio frequency wave altering device alters a characteristic of the signal of the radio frequency device.

14. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 10 , further including a restraint control module configured to process the output of the radio frequency receiver to determine whether the buckle of the seat belt system is buckled.

15. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 14 , wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to wirelessly communicate with the restraint control module.

16. A seat belt monitoring system for a vehicle, comprising:

a seat belt system including a first portion, and a buckle, wherein the first portion is comprised of a seat belt webbing and a tongue, and a radio frequency device is associated with the first portion; and

a radio frequency receiver configured to detect a signal of the radio frequency device and placed between an occupant and the radio frequency device.

17. The seat belt monitoring system for a vehicle of claim 16 , further comprising:

a second radio frequency device, wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to detect a signal of the radio frequency device and to detect a particular spatial relationship between the radio frequency device and the second radio frequency device.

18. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 16 , further including a restraint control module configured to process the output of the radio frequency receiver to determine whether the buckle of the seat belt system is buckled.

19. The seat belt monitoring system of claim 18 , wherein the radio frequency receiver is configured to wirelessly communicate with the restraint control module.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2026
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 075554/0717 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2021
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS SECURITY AGENT FOR THE SECURED PARTIES
To: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 057775/0726 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 12, 2021
From: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS SECURITY AGENT FOR THE SECURED PARTIES
Reel/Frame 057828/0411 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 16, 2018
From: TK HOLDINGS INC.
To: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
Reel/Frame 046173/0180 →
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Apr 17, 2018
From: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS ACQUISITION LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
Reel/Frame 045959/0305 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 5, 2009
From: MESSNER, THOMAS WAYNE; MARRIOTT, BRANDON SCOTT; STROIK, GARY; SMITH, PAUL MICHAEL; CARLTON, RUSS
To: TK HOLDINGS INC.
Reel/Frame 022359/0413 →