# US 7,407,028 B2 · Navigation-based safety restraint system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,407,028 B2 - Document ID: US7407028B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/001,706 - Filed: 2004-12-02 - Published: 2005-07-14 - Granted: 2008-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2003-12-02 - Assignees: Takata Corporation - Inventors: Yoshihiko Tanaka - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7407028B2 ## CPC - B60R 21/013: including means for detecting collisions, impending collisions or roll-over - B60R 21/01516: {using force or pressure sensing means} - B60R 21/0152: {using strain gauges} - B60R 21/0134: responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle {, e.g. using radar systems} - B60R 21/18: the inflatable member formed as a belt or harness or combined with a belt or harness arrangement - B60R 2021/01034: {Controlling a plurality of restraint devices} - B60R 2021/01272: {Belt tensioners} - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A safety restraint system for use in a vehicle. The system includes a safety restraint component coupled to a navigational module. The navigational module is adapted to determine a location of the vehicle. The component is adapted to be actuated in response to the determination. The safety restraint component may be a safety belt pretensioner. The component may be adapted to be actuated when the navigational module determines the vehicle has entered or is approaching a zone meeting a predefined criteria. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A safety restraint system for a vehicle, comprising: a safety restraint component coupled to a navigational module, the navigational module being adapted to determine a location of the vehicle; wherein the component is adapted to be actuated in response to the location determination made by the module, and wherein the component is adapted to be actuated when the navigational module determines the vehicle has entered or is approaching a fixed geographic zone meeting a predefined criteria. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the safety restraint component is a safety belt pretensioner. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the safety restraint component is a motorized seat belt adapted to apply pretension to a safety belt. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the safety restraint component is an airbag system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the airbag system includes an airbag in at least one of a seat cushion and a shoulder belt. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the safety restraint component is a seat weight sensor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the safety restraint component is a steering wheel that includes a feature to alert the driver. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the steering wheel adapted to vibrate upon actuation to alert the driver. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the navigational module is a GPS-based system. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the navigational module is a cellular-based system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the predefined criteria includes an existence of a school within the zone. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the predefined criteria includes an existence of a hospital within the zone. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the navigational module is adapted to determine a location of a second vehicle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the navigational system is adapted to determine whether the second vehicle presents a hazard, and to cause actuation of the safety restraint component when the second vehicle is determined to be a hazard. ### Claim 15 A safety restraint system for a vehicle, comprising: a safety restraint component coupled to a navigational module, the navigational module being adapted to determine a location of the vehicle; wherein the component is adapted to be actuated in response to the location determination made by the module, wherein the component is adapted to be actuated when the navigational module determines the vehicle has entered or is approaching a geographic zone meeting a predefined criteria, and wherein the zone is a reduced-speed zone. ### Claim 16 A safety restraint method for use in a vehicle, comprising: determining a location of the vehicle; and actuating a safety restraint component in response to the location, wherein the actuating step is performed when the vehicle is determined to have entered or is approaching a fixed geographical zone meeting a predefined criteria. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the step of actuating includes actuating a safety belt pretensioner. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the safety restraint component is a motorized seat belt adapted to apply pretension to a safety belt. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the safety restraint component is an airbag system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the airbag system includes an airbag in at least one of a seat cushion and a shoulder belt. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the safety restraint component is a seat weight sensor. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the safety restraint component is a steering wheel adapted to vibrate upon actuation to alert the driver. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the step of determining includes using a GPS-based system. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the step of determining includes using a cellular-based system. ### Claim 25 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the predefined criteria includes an existence of a school within the zone. ### Claim 26 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the predefined criteria includes an existence of a hospital within the zone. ### Claim 27 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of determining a location of a second vehicle. ### Claim 28 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of: determining whether the second vehicle presents a hazard; and actuating the safety restraint component when the second vehicle is determined to be a hazard. ### Claim 29 A safety restraint method for use in a vehicle, comprising: determining a location of the vehicle; and actuating a safety restraint component in response to the location, wherein the actuating step is performed when the vehicle is determined to have entered or is approaching a zone meeting a predefined criteria, and wherein the zone is a reduced-speed zone.