Techniques for controlling a protection apparatus are provided. An example method includes detecting an offset collision or diagonal collision, and activating a suitable protection apparatus for protecting the side or head of a passenger at a timing in accordance with the degree of collision. An example controller may include a level calculation part for calculating a level of a front face collision, a ΔV.sub.offset calculation part for making an offset adjustment of a speed (ΔV), and a determination part for determining an offset collision or diagonal collision based on the level of the front face collision and the ΔV.sub.offset.

From a set of point data, a set of scattered rays is constructed. From the set of scattered rays, a set of ray slopes is computed. The set of ray slopes is mapped to a corresponding set of trigonometric functions. Using an optimization method, a parameter of the set of trigonometric functions is selected. Using an inverse of the set trigonometric functions, a vehicle mass corresponding to the set of point data is computed. Based on the vehicle mass, a threshold braking distance of a collision avoidance system of the vehicle is adjusted, the threshold braking distance comprising a distance from an object predicted to collide with the vehicle. By braking the vehicle at least the threshold braking distance from the object, a predicted collision between the vehicle and the object is avoided.

From a set of point data, a set of scattered rays is constructed. From the set of scattered rays, a set of ray slopes is computed. The set of ray slopes is mapped to a corresponding set of trigonometric functions. Using an optimization method, a parameter of the set of trigonometric functions is selected. Using an inverse of the set trigonometric functions, a vehicle mass corresponding to the set of point data is computed. Based on the vehicle mass, a threshold braking distance of a collision avoidance system of the vehicle is adjusted, the threshold braking distance comprising a distance from an object predicted to collide with the vehicle. By braking the vehicle at least the threshold braking distance from the object, a predicted collision between the vehicle and the object is avoided.

A method and a control unit for triggering a passenger protection arrangement for a vehicle are described. A crash type is determined as a function of a first signal of a centrally disposed first acceleration sensor system and of a second signal of a second acceleration sensor system disposed in the side region of the vehicle. The triggering of the passenger protection arrangement takes place as a function of the crash type.

A method for detecting scratches and bumps applied to a vehicle uses an acceleration sensor. Signals of the sensor are analyzed and evaluated based on duration and frequency.

From a set of point data, a set of scattered rays is constructed. From the set of scattered rays, a set of ray slopes is computed. The set of ray slopes is mapped to a corresponding set of trigonometric functions. Using an optimization method, a parameter of the set of trigonometric functions is selected. Using an inverse of the set trigonometric functions, a vehicle mass corresponding to the set of point data is computed. Based on the vehicle mass, a threshold braking distance of a collision avoidance system of the vehicle is adjusted, the threshold braking distance comprising a distance from an object predicted to collide with the vehicle. By braking the vehicle at least the threshold braking distance from the object, a predicted collision between the vehicle and the object is avoided.

A method for detecting scratches and bumps applied to a vehicle uses an acceleration sensor. Signals of the sensor are analyzed and evaluated based on amplitude and frequency. Relationships between the amplitudes and frequencies provide a basis to classify a vehicle contact event as a bump or a scratch.

A method, a device and a computer program for activating a secondary function of an occupant protection system, a vertical acceleration and a lateral acceleration being detected and evaluated and an instantaneous position of the vehicle being determined based on the vertical acceleration and the first lateral acceleration. In the process, a lifting-off of the vehicle and/or an impact of the vehicle on its wheels is detected. A secondary function is activated if an impact of the vehicle on its roof and/or if an impact of the vehicle on one side or an impact of the vehicle on its wheels is detected.

An airbag firing control system may include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) including a low gravity (G) sensor configured to detect a longitudinal acceleration (ax), a filter configured to convert a first signal detection range of the low G sensor into a second signal detection range and to filter converted output of the low G sensor to generate a first output signal, and an adjuster configured to perform zero-point adjustment on the first output signal transmitted through the filter, and a microcomputer configured to use the first output signal for firing safing when the first output signal satisfies a safing condition as a performing result of the adjuster.

A method for controlling an actuatable restraining device includes sensing a plurality of crash event indications in response to a crash event. The method also includes classifying the crash event in response to comparing the sensed crash event indications against one another to identify an oblique moving deformable barrier crash event. The method further includes controlling deployment timing of the actuatable restraining device in response to the classification of the crash event.