In-sensor crash detection with motion sensors

A method of operating a crash detection system, the method comprising:

• receiving, by a processor, first sensor data output by a first sensor that includes a first accelerometer;
• determining, by the processor, whether at least one acceleration value included in the first sensor data indicates a first class or a second class;
• outputting, by the processor, an enable signal to a second sensor in response to determining that the first sensor data indicates the second class;
• receiving, by the processor, second sensor data output by the second sensor that includes a second accelerometer after the enable signal is output to the second sensor;
• determining, by the processor, whether the second sensor data indicates a detected acceleration value that is greater than or equal to a threshold acceleration value;
• determining, by the processor, whether the at least one acceleration value included in the first sensor data indicates the first class within a predetermined amount of time after the second sensor data is determined to indicate the detected acceleration value that is greater than or equal to the threshold acceleration value;
• and
• outputting, by the processor, a signal indicating a crash has occurred in response to determining that the first sensor data indicates the first class within the predetermined amount of time after the second sensor data is determined to indicate the detected acceleration value that is greater than or equal to the threshold acceleration value.

A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

• determine whether at least one acceleration value included in first sensor data output by a first sensor that includes a first accelerometer indicates a first class or a second class,
• output an enable signal to a second sensor that includes a second accelerometer in response to determining that the first sensor data indicates the second class,
• determine whether second sensor data output by the second sensor after the enable signal is output to the second sensor indicates a detected acceleration value that is greater than or equal to a threshold acceleration value,
• determine whether the at least one acceleration value included in the first sensor data indicates the first class within a predetermined amount of time after the second sensor data is determined to indicate the detected acceleration value that is greater than or equal to the threshold acceleration value, and
• output a signal indicating a crash has occurred in response to determining that the first sensor data indicates the first class within the predetermined amount of time after the second sensor data is determined to indicate the detected acceleration value that is greater than or equal to the threshold acceleration value.