US Patent Issued to GM Global Technology Operations on March 11 for "Motor vehicle with selective airbag suppression based on occupant position and seatbelt usage" (Michigan Inventors)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 12 -- United States Patent no. 12,246,668, issued on March 11, was assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC (Detroit).

"Motor vehicle with selective airbag suppression based on occupant position and seatbelt usage" was invented by Scott D. Thomas (Novi, Mich.), Lisa M. Furton (Beverly Hills, Mich.), Dorel M. Sala (Troy, Mich.), George D. Allen (Rochester Hills, Mich.) and Sean T. Coughlin (Shelby Township, Mich.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A method for controlling an inflatable airbag system in a motor vehicle having a seatbelt includes detecting a position of a vehicle occupant relative to an airbag suppression zone (ASZ). Electronic input signals are receive...