A control system for controlling propulsion equipment in a hybrid vehicle including a traction motor and an internal combustion engine, the control system comprising:</claim-text> a sensor coupled to sense a signal indicative of vehicle torque d; memory for storing a threshold torque range indicative of conditions of relatively low vehicle torque demand; a processor configured to process the signal indicative of vehicle torque demand to determine whether the vehicle torque demand is within the threshold torque range; during conditions when the signal indicative of vehicle torque demand is within the threshold torque range, an actuator configured to generate a signal configured to activate the electric traction motor to drivingly propel the vehicle while de-engaging the internal combustion engine from propelling the vehicle; and during conditions when the signal indicative of vehicle torque demand is outside the threshold torque range, the actuator configured to generate a signal configured to deactivate the electric traction motor from drivingly propelling the vehicle while re-engaging the internal combustion engine to propel the vehicle. view more

The control system of claim 8 further comprising a monitor configured to monitor at least one operational parameter indicative of environmental and/or operational conditions of the propulsion system of the vehicle, wherein the value of the selected threshold torque range is adjusted based on the value of the at least one operational parameter. view more

The control system of claim 9 wherein the operational parameter is selected from the group comprising state of charge of an energy source of the traction motor, ambient temperature, and barometric pressure.

The control system of claim 8 further including a sensor coupled to sense a state of charge of an energy source of the traction motor, said state of charge being determinative of whether the electric traction motor is activated to drivingly propel the vehicle. view more

The control system of claim 8 wherein the hybrid comprises a parallel-hybrid.

A method for controlling a propulsion system in a hybrid vehicle including a traction motor and a propulsion unit, the method comprising:</claim-text> mapping respective regions of relatively high and low efficiency in an efficiency map for the lsion unit; sensing a signal indicative of said regions of relatively high and low efficiency; during conditions when the sensed signal indicates a region of low-efficiency for the propulsion unit, generating a signal configured to activate the electric traction motor to drivingly propel the vehicle while de-engaging the propulsion unit from propelling the vehicle; and during conditions when the sensed signal indicates a region of high-efficiency for the propulsion unit, generating a signal configured to deactivate the electric traction motor from drivingly propelling the vehicle while re-engaging the propulsion unit to propel the vehicle. view more

A computer-readable medium including computer-readable code for causing a computer to control a propulsion system in a hybrid vehicle including a traction motor and a propulsion unit, the computer-readable medium comprising:</claim-text> segment code apping respective regions of relatively high and low efficiency in an efficiency map for the propulsion unit; segment code for sensing a signal indicative of said regions of relatively high and low efficiency; during conditions when the sensed signal indicates a region of low-efficiency for the propulsion unit, segment code for generating a signal configured to activate the electric traction motor to drivingly propel the vehicle while de-engaging the propulsion unit from propelling the vehicle; and during conditions when the sensed signal indicates a region of high-efficiency for the propulsion unit, segment code for generating a signal configured to deactivate the electric traction motor from drivingly propelling the vehicle while re-engaging the propulsion unit to propel the vehicle. view more

In a vehicle restraint system having a controller for deploying air bags and means for selectively allowing deployment according to the outputs of seat sensors responding to the weight of an occupant, a method of allowing deployment according to sensor response including the steps of: determining measures represented by individual sensor outputs and calculating from the sensor outputs a relative weight parameter; establishing a first threshold of the relative weight parameter; allowing deployment when the relative weight parameter is above the first threshold; establishing a lock threshold above the first threshold; setting a lock flag when the relative weight parameter is above the lock threshold and deployment has been allowed for a given time; establishing an unlock threshold at a level indicative of an empty seat; clearing the flag when the relative weight parameter is below the unlock threshold for a time; and allowing deployment while the lock flag is set. view more

The method defined in claim 7 including: enabling the incrementing step only when a decision filter reaches a maximum count; and the decision filter includes incrementing a counter toward a maximum count in each loop when an allow decision is present, and decrementing the counter when an allow decision is absent. view more

The method defined in claim 1 wherein a step of allowing deployment is a preliminary allow decision and final deployment consent is attained by long term filtering of the allow decision.

In a vehicle restraint system having a controller for deploying air bags, means for inhibiting and allowing deployment according to whether a seat is occupied by a person of at least a minimum weight comprising: seat sensors responding to the weight of an occupant to produce sensor outputs; a microprocessor coupled to the sensor outputs and programmed to inhibit and allow deployment according to sensor response and particularly programmed to determine measures represented by individual sensor outputs and calculate from the sensor outputs a relative weight parameter, establish a first threshold of the relative weight parameter, allow deployment when the relative weight parameter is above the first threshold, establish a lock threshold above the first threshold, set a lock flag when the relative weight parameter is above the lock threshold and deployment has been allowed for a given time, establish an unlock threshold at a level indicative of an empty seat, clear the flag when the relative weight parameter is below the unlock threshold for a time, and allow deployment while the lock flag is set. view more

Means for inhibiting and allowing deployment as defined in claim 17 wherein: the seat comprises a resilient pad having a top surface for bearing an occupant and a bottom surface; a support mounting the bottom surface; and the seat sensors are arrayed on the bottom surface for sensing forces imposed by the weight of the occupant. view more

Means for inhibiting and allowing deployment as defined in claim 17 wherein: the seat comprises a resilient pad having a top surface for bearing an occupant and a bottom surface; a support including a panel supporting the bottom surface; and the seat sensors are arrayed in an interface defined by the bottom surface and the panel for sensing forces imposed by the weight of the occupant. view more

Means for inhibiting and allowing deployment as defined in claim 17 wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to inhibit deployment when the relative weight parameter is below a second threshold.

A method of airbag control in a vehicle having an array of force sensors on the passenger seat coupled to a controller for determining whether to allow airbag deployment based on sensed force and force distribution comprising the steps of: measuring the force detected by each sensor; calculating the total force of the sensor array; allowing deployment if the total force is above a total threshold force; defining a plurality of seat areas, at least one sensor located in each seat area; determining the existence of a local pressure area when the calculated total force is concentrated in one of said seat areas; calculating a local force as the sum of forces sensed by each sensor located in the seat area in which the total force is concentrated; and allowing deployment if the local force is greater than a predefined seat area threshold force. view more

The method of airbag control as defined in claim 1 wherein the defined seat areas overlap so that some sensors are included in more than one seat area, the seat areas including a front area, a rear area, a right area and a left area.