CN111186447A

CN111186447A - Method and system for directionally adjusting physical objects and/or parts of objects by using telephone

Info

Publication number: CN111186447A
Application number: CN201911106803.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 阿尔俊·V·叶图库瑞; 大卫·A·海恩; 塞缪尔·汉仑
Original assignee: Lear Corp
Current assignee: Lear Corp
Priority date: 2018-11-13
Filing date: 2019-11-13
Publication date: 2020-05-22
Also published as: DE102019217456A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for directionally adjusting physical objects and/or portions of objects with a telephone. Methods and systems involve a controller receiving an orientation signal from a phone indicating an orientation of the phone and adjusting an object according to the orientation of the phone. The controller may select one of the portions of the object according to an initial orientation of the phone, and adjust the selected portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes. The selected portion may be selected in response to the phone being in proximity to the selected portion. The controller may receive a control signal from the telephone indicative of a user input to the telephone and adjust the object in accordance with the user input. The object may be a vehicle seat having a first portion in the form of a seat bottom and a second portion in the form of a seat back.

Description

Method and system for directionally adjusting physical objects and/or parts of objects by using telephone

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a control system having a user interface and a controller operable to be used together for conditioning a physical object.

Background

Vehicles include adjustable physical objects such as seats, sunroofs, windows, and the like. The vehicle further comprises a control system for enabling a user, such as a driver or a passenger, to adjust the object. The control system includes a user interface and a controller. Typically, the user interface is in the form of buttons, knobs, a touch screen, a gesture control (control) through an onboard camera, and the like. The user interface receives input from the user indicating the manner in which the user wants to adjust the object. The controller generates a control signal based on the user input and transmits the control signal to the subject. The controller thus adjusts the object according to user input received through the user interface.

User interfaces with buttons, knobs, or touch screens involve the user focusing his attention on the user interface and touching the user interface. A user interface with gesture control means involves a user performing a gesture.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a system has a telephone and a controller. The phone is configured to transmit an orientation signal indicative of an orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes. The controller is configured to receive an orientation signal from the phone and adjust the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes.

In an embodiment, a method includes wirelessly receiving, by a controller from a telephone, an orientation signal indicative of an orientation of the telephone when the orientation of the telephone changes. The method also includes adjusting, by the controller, the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes.

In an embodiment, a system has an object, a phone, and a controller. The object has a tag. The phone is configured to detect the tag when the phone is in proximity to the tag and to transmit an identification signal when the tag is detected. The controller is configured to prepare the adjustment object upon receiving the identification signal from the telephone.

The phone may also be configured to transmit an orientation signal indicating the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes. The controller may also be configured to receive an orientation signal from the phone, and adjust the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone upon a change in the orientation of the phone after receiving the identification signal from the phone.

The tag may be a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag or an optical tag.

The object may have a first portion including a first tag and a second portion including a second tag. The phone may also be configured to detect the first tag when the phone is in proximity to the first tag and to transmit the first identification signal when the first tag is detected. The phone may also be configured to detect the second tag when the phone is in proximity to the second tag and to transmit a second identification signal when the second tag is detected. The controller may be further configured to prepare the first portion for adjustment upon receiving a first identification signal from the telephone and to prepare the second portion for adjustment upon receiving a second identification signal from the telephone.

The phone may also be configured to transmit an orientation signal indicating the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes. The controller may be further configured to receive an orientation signal from the telephone, and to adjust the first portion corresponding to the orientation of the telephone when the orientation of the telephone changes after the first identification signal has been received from the telephone, and to adjust the second portion corresponding to the orientation of the telephone when the orientation of the telephone changes after the second identification signal has been received from the telephone.

The telephone may also be configured to transmit a control signal indicative of a user input entered into the telephone. The controller may be further configured to receive a control signal from the telephone, adjust the first portion in accordance with a user input after receiving the first identification signal from the telephone, and adjust the second portion in accordance with the user input after receiving the second identification signal from the telephone.

The object may be a vehicle seat. The first portion may be a vehicle seat bottom and the second portion may be a vehicle seat back.

A system includes a handheld electronic device (such as a telephone) and a controller. The phone is configured to transmit an orientation signal indicative of an orientation of the phone. The controller is configured to receive the orientation signal from the telephone and adjust the object according to the orientation of the telephone.

The controller may also be configured to adjust the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes.

The controller may be further configured to select a portion of the object according to an initial orientation of the phone, and adjust the selected portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes. The controller may be further configured to select different portions of the object according to different initial orientations of the phone, and adjust the different portions of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone as the orientation of the phone changes.

The controller may be further configured to select a first portion of the object when the initial orientation of the phone is in a first orientation, and adjust the first portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes relative to the first orientation. The controller may be further configured to select a second portion of the object when the initial orientation of the phone is in a second orientation, and adjust the second portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes relative to the second orientation.

The object may be a vehicle seat or a vehicle sunroof. The object may have a plurality of adjustable portions. For example, in the case where the object is a vehicle seat, the first portion of the object is a vehicle seat bottom and the second portion of the object is a vehicle seat back.

The phone may also be configured to transmit a selection signal indicating the user's selection of the object. The controller may be further configured to adjust the object according to the orientation of the phone after receiving a selection signal indicating a selection of the object by the user. The phone may also be configured to transmit a selection signal indicating the user's selection of the second object. The controller may be further configured to adjust the second object according to the orientation of the phone after receiving a selection signal indicating a user selection of the second object.

The phone may also be configured to transmit a control signal indicative of a user input to the phone. The controller may also be configured to receive control signals from the telephone and adjust the object according to user input.

The controller may also be configured to adjust the object independently of the phone.

Another system includes a telephone and a controller. The phone is configured to transmit an orientation signal indicative of an orientation of the phone and to transmit a control signal indicative of a user input to the phone. The controller is configured to receive the orientation signal and the control signal from the telephone, select a portion of the object according to an initial orientation of the telephone, and adjust the selected portion of the object according to a user input.

The controller may also be configured to select different portions of the object according to different initial orientations of the phone and adjust the different portions of the object according to user input.

The phone may also be configured to transmit a selection signal indicating the user's selection of the object. The controller may be further configured to adjust the selected portion of the object in accordance with the user input after receiving a selection signal indicating a selection of the object by the user.

The phone may also be configured to transmit a selection signal indicating the user's selection of the second object. The controller may be further configured to adjust the second object according to the user input after receiving a selection signal indicating a selection of the second object by the user.

The controller may also be configured to adjust the selected portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone as the orientation of the phone changes.

A method includes wirelessly receiving, by a controller from a telephone, an orientation signal indicative of an orientation of the telephone. The method also includes adjusting, by the controller, the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes.

The method may also include selecting, by the controller, a first portion of the object when the initial orientation of the phone is in a first orientation, and adjusting, by the controller, the first portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes relative to the first orientation. The method may also include selecting, by the controller, a second portion of the object when the initial orientation of the phone is in a second orientation, and adjusting, by the controller, the second portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes relative to the second orientation.

The method may further include wirelessly receiving, by the controller, a selection signal from the telephone indicating a selection of the object by the user; and adjusting, by the controller, the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone is changed after receiving a selection signal indicating a selection of the object by the user.

The method may further include wirelessly receiving, by the controller, a control signal from the telephone indicative of a user input to the telephone; and adjusting, by the controller, the object according to the user input.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a control system configured to adjust a physical object corresponding to an orientation of a phone;

FIG. 2A shows a block diagram of the operation of the control system in adjusting the seat back of the seat corresponding to the orientation of the phone;

FIG. 2B shows a block diagram of the operation of the control system in adjusting the seat bottom of the seat corresponding to the orientation of the phone;

FIG. 3A shows a sketch depicting the step of a user selecting a physical object for adjustment using a phone;

FIG. 3B shows a sketch depicting the step of the user moving the phone to an initial orientation to select a portion or feature of the selected object to adjust;

FIG. 4 shows a sketch depicting control buttons of a phone for use by a user to input user control inputs to cause a controller to adjust selected portions or features of a selected object in accordance with the user control inputs;

FIG. 5A shows a sketch depicting the step of a user moving the phone to cause the controller to slide the skylight between front and rear positions (forms and afpositions);

FIG. 5B shows a sketch depicting the step of the user moving the phone to cause the controller to tilt the skylight between up and down positions;

FIG. 6A shows an outline depicting the steps of a user moving the phone relative to a first initial orientation of the phone to cause the controller to adjust the adjuster up/down feature of the seat up or down;

FIG. 6B shows an outline depicting the steps of the user orienting the mobile phone relative to a second initial orientation of the phone to cause the controller to adjust the adjuster forward/backward feature of the seat forward or backward;

FIG. 6C shows a sketch depicting the step of the user orienting the mobile phone relative to a third initial orientation of the phone to cause the controller to adjust the lumbar forward/rearward feature of the seat forward or rearward;

FIG. 6D shows a sketch depicting the step of the user orienting the mobile phone relative to a fourth initial orientation of the phone to cause the controller to adjust the lumbar up/down feature of the seat up or down;

FIG. 6E shows an outline depicting a step of a user orienting the mobile phone relative to a fifth initial orientation of the phone to cause the controller to adjust the cushion in/out feature of the seat inward or outward;

FIG. 7A shows a block diagram of a control system configured to effect selection of an adjustment to a first portion or a second portion of an object based on a phone being in proximity to the portion of the object to be selected;

FIG. 7B is a block diagram illustrating operation of the control system shown in FIG. 7A when selecting a first portion of the object for adjustment based on the phone being in proximity to the first portion; and

FIG. 7C is a block diagram illustrating operation of the control system shown in FIG. 7B when selecting a second portion of the object for adjustment based on the phone being in proximity to the second portion.

Detailed Description

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a control system 10 configured to adjust one or more

physical objects

12 and 14 corresponding to an orientation of a phone 16 is shown. For example, the control system 10 is part of a vehicle, the object 12 is a seat of the vehicle, and the object 14 is a sunroof of the vehicle. The seat 12 and the skylight 14 are adjustable (e.g., movable, tiltable, modifiable, deployable, etc.). For example, the seat 12 is adjustable because its seat back can tilt forward and backward. The louvers 14 are adjustable by being movable between an open position and a closed position.

The control system 10 includes a telephone 16 and a controller 18. The telephone 16 serves as a user interface for the control system 10. The controller 18 is configured to adjust the seat 12 and the sunroof 14 independently of the phone 16 and in conjunction with the phone. The telephone 16 and the controller 18 are operable together to enable a user, such as a driver or passenger, to adjust a selected one of the seat 12 and the sunroof 14. The controller 18 adjusts a selected one of the seat 12 and the sunroof 14 according to the user's input.

The user input is in the form of user manipulation of the telephone 16. The form of user input includes the user's orientation or movement of the phone 16 in space. The orientation of the phone 16 changes as the user moves the phone. Thus, the user input changes as the orientation of the phone 16 changes. For example, in a user interface with a knob, as the user rotates the knob, the user input changes. Also, in a user interface involving the phone 16, the user input changes as the user orients or moves the phone.

The orientation and movement of the phone 16 is interpreted by an accelerometer and/or gyroscope resident in the phone. The phone 16 generates a corresponding orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the phone. The telephone 16 sends a directional signal to the controller 18 via the wireless communication link 20. The wireless communication line 20 may be, for example, using Near Field Communication (NFC) or Bluetooth^TMShort-range wireless of communication protocolA communication line.

The controller 18 receives directional signals from the telephone 16 via a wireless communication link 20. The controller 18 determines the orientation of the phone 16 based on the orientation signal. The controller 18 generates a control signal for a selected one of the seat 12 and the sunroof 14 based on the orientation of the phone 16. The controller 18 sends a control signal to a selected one of the seat 12 and the skylight 14 to adjust the selected one of the seat and the skylight depending on the orientation of the phone 16. Thus, the controller 18 causes the selected one of the seat 12 and the sunroof 14 to be adjusted in accordance with the user input. As noted, the user input is the orientation of the phone 16 when the orientation of the phone is changed by the user physically moving the phone.

In an embodiment, the phone 16 and controller 18 are operable to enable a user to select one of the seat 12 and the sunroof 14 for adjustment based on an initial orientation of the phone. In this embodiment, the first initial orientation of the phone 16 corresponds to the user selecting the seat 12 and the second initial orientation of the phone corresponds to the user selecting the skylight 14. Thus, after the phone 16 and controller 18 are set to the ready state, the user moves the phone to the initial orientation. The phone 16 then sends an orientation signal to the controller 18 indicating the initial orientation of the phone.

The controller 18 determines from the orientation signal whether the telephone 16 is in a first initial orientation or a second initial orientation. The controller 18 selects the seat 12 when the phone 16 is in the first initial orientation and selects the sunroof 14 when the phone is in the second initial orientation. The controller 18 then adjusts the selected one of the seat 12 and the skylight 14 corresponding to the orientation of the phone 16 as the orientation of the phone changes as the user moves the phone relative to the initial orientation.

In an embodiment, the phone 16 and controller 18 are operable to enable a user to select one of the seat 12 and the sunroof 14 for adjustment based on a user selection input to the phone by the user. In this embodiment, the user manipulates control buttons or control screens of the phone 16 to input user selections of the seat 12 or the sunroof 14. Alternatively, the user speaks a voice command into the phone 16 to input a user selection of the seat 12 or the sunroof 14. The phone 16 then sends a selection signal to the controller 18 indicating the user's selection. When the user selects seat 12, controller 18 adjusts the seat in correspondence with the orientation of phone 16 as the orientation of the phone changes as the user moves the phone. When the user selects skylight 14, controller 18 adjusts the skylight in correspondence with the orientation of phone 16 as the orientation of the phone changes as the user moves the phone.

One or more of the

objects

12 and 14 may have multiple adjustable portions. For example, the seat 12 includes an adjustable seat back 22 and an adjustable seat bottom 24. The seat back 22 is adjustable, for example, in that it can tilt forward and backward relative to the seat bottom 24. The seat bottom 24 is adjustable, for example, because it can move forward and rearward with the seat 12 relative to the vehicle body.

In an embodiment, the phone 16 and controller 18 are operable to enable a user to select one of the portions of the object selected for adjustment based on an initial orientation of the phone. For example, assuming that the selected object is the seat 12, the phone 16 and controller 18 are operable to enable the user to select one of the seat back 22 and seat bottom 24 for adjustment based on the initial orientation of the phone. In this embodiment, the first initial orientation of the phone 16 corresponds to the user selecting the seat back 22, and the second initial orientation of the phone corresponds to the user selecting the seat bottom 24. Thus, after the phone 16 and controller 18 are set to the ready state, the user moves the phone to the initial orientation. The phone 16 then sends an orientation signal to the controller 18 indicating the initial orientation of the phone.

The controller 18 determines from the orientation signal whether the telephone 16 is in a first initial orientation or a second initial orientation. The controller 18 selects the seat back 22 when the phone 16 is in the first initial orientation and adjusts the seat back corresponding to the orientation of the phone as the orientation of the phone changes when the user moves the phone relative to the first initial orientation. The controller 18 selects the seat bottom 24 when the phone 16 is in the second initial orientation and adjusts the seat bottom 24 corresponding to the orientation of the phone 16 as the orientation of the phone changes when the user moves the phone relative to the second initial orientation.

In an embodiment, the user input includes control inputs entered into the phone 16 by the user. For example, the user manipulates control buttons or control screens of the telephone 16 to input user control inputs. For example, the user presses the volume up button of the phone 16 to enter a first user control input and presses the volume down button of the phone to enter a second user control input. Optionally, the user speaks a voice command into the phone 16 to enter a user control input (e.g., "up" or "down", "more" or "less", "forward" or "backward", "higher" or "lower", etc.). The telephone 16 then sends control signals to the controller 18 indicative of the user control inputs. The controller 18 adjusts the selected one of the seat 12 and the sunroof 14 according to the user control input.

Referring now to fig. 2A and 2B, and with continued reference to fig. 1, there are shown operational block diagrams of control system 10 when adjusting seat back 22 (fig. 2A) of seat 12 and when adjusting seat bottom 24 (fig. 2B) of the seat, respectively, corresponding to the orientation of telephone 16. As shown in FIG. 2A, operation of the control system 10 in adjusting the seat back 22 includes the user positioning the telephone 16 in a first initial orientation. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, a first initial orientation of the phone 16 includes the phone being positioned in a portrait orientation. A first initial orientation (i.e., a portrait orientation) of the phone 16 is predefined to be adjusted corresponding to the user selecting the seatback 22. The telephone 16 sends an orientation signal to the controller 18 via the wireless communication link 20 indicating that the telephone is in the first initial orientation. The controller 18 determines that the seat back 22 is to be adjusted based on the phone 16 being in the first initial orientation.

The user orients the mobile phone 16 relative to the first initial orientation to generate a user input for adjusting the seat back 22. For example, as shown in fig. 2A, the user rotates the phone 16 in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by arrow 26 relative to the first initial orientation. As the orientation of the phone changes, the phone 16 sends an orientation signal to the controller 18 via the wireless communication line 20. The controller 22 in turn adjusts the seat back 22 corresponding to the orientation of the phone 16 as the orientation of the phone changes as the user moves the phone. For example, as shown in fig. 2A, when the telephone 16 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the seat back 22 is adjusted to tilt forward, as indicated by arrow 28.

Similarly, as shown in fig. 2B, operation of control system 10 in adjusting seat bottom 24 includes the user positioning telephone 16 in a second initial orientation. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the second initial orientation of the phone 16 includes the phone being positioned in a landscape orientation. A second initial orientation (i.e., landscape orientation) of the phone 16 is predefined to be adjusted corresponding to the user selecting the seat bottom 24. The telephone 16 sends an orientation signal to the controller 18 via the wireless communication link 20 indicating that the telephone is in the second initial orientation. The controller 18 determines that the seat bottom 24 is to be adjusted based on the phone 16 being in the second initial orientation.

The user orients the mobile phone 16 relative to the second initial orientation to generate a user input for adjusting the seat bottom 24. For example, as shown in fig. 2B, the user moves the phone 16 in a right-to-left lateral direction indicated by arrow 30 relative to the second initial orientation. As the orientation of the phone changes, the phone 16 sends an orientation signal to the controller 18 via the wireless communication line 20. As the orientation of the phone changes as the user moves the phone, the controller 18 in turn adjusts the seat bottom 24 corresponding to the orientation of the phone 16. For example, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the phone 16 is moved in a right-to-left lateral direction, the seat bottom 24 (with the seat 12) is adjusted to move forward, as indicated by arrow 32.

Referring now to fig. 3A and 3B, with continued reference to fig. 1, a sketch depicting the step of a user selecting a physical object to be adjusted using the phone 16 and a sketch depicting the step of a user moving the phone to an initial orientation to select a portion or feature of the selected object to be adjusted are shown, respectively. As shown in fig. 3A, the user speaks a selection command to the phone 16 to select a physical object to adjust. For example, the user speaks "select driver seat" (or "select passenger seat"; "select sunroof"; etc.) into the phone 16. The phone 16 is pre-programmed to understand the voice selection command. In response to a selection command from the user for seat 12, telephone 16 generates and sends a selection signal to controller 18 indicating the user's selection of the seat to adjust. As shown in fig. 3B, the user moves the phone 16 to an initial orientation to select a portion (e.g., the seat bottom 24) or feature (e.g., a lumbar feature) of the selected object (i.e., the seat 12 in this case) to be adjusted. For example, the initial orientation of the phone 16 corresponds to the user selecting the seat bottom 24 to adjust. The steps of fig. 3A and 3B combine to synchronize the phone 16 and the controller 18 so that subsequent movement of the phone by the user and/or user control inputs (e.g., as depicted in fig. 4, described below) entered into the phone by the user will be explained in this example for adjusting the seat bottom 24.

In this example, to confirm to the user that the phone 16 and controller 18 are synchronized to adjust the seat bottom 24, the controller 18 may generate an audio or tactile confirmation for the user. Alternatively, such audio or tactile confirmation may be generated by the telephone 16 in response to the telephone receiving a corresponding synchronization signal from the controller via the wireless communication line 20.

Referring now to fig. 4, a sketch depicting

control buttons

32a and 32b of the phone 16 for use by the user to input user control inputs is shown. The user may use the

control buttons

32a and 32b of the phone 16 to cause the controller to adjust a selected portion (e.g., the seat bottom 24) or a selected feature (e.g., a lumbar feature) of a selected object (e.g., the seat 12) according to the user control input. In this manner, the user may achieve a desired adjustment to the selected portion or selected feature. For example, the user presses the volume up control button 32a to adjust the selected portion or selected feature in one manner (e.g., tilt up), and presses the volume down control button 32b to adjust the selected portion or selected feature in the opposite manner (e.g., tilt down).

Referring now to FIG. 5A, a sketch depicting the step of the user moving the phone 16 to cause the controller 18 to slide the skylight 14 between the forward and rearward positions is shown. In this case, it is assumed that the user has previously selected the sunroof 14 for adjustment. The user may move the phone 16 in a first direction along the line 34 to cause the controller 18 to slide the skylight 14 toward the front position. Accordingly, the user may move the phone 16 in a second, opposite direction along the line 34 to cause the controller 18 to slide the skylight 14 toward the rear position.

Referring now to FIG. 5B, a sketch depicting the step of the user moving the phone 16 to cause the controller 18 to tilt the skylight 14 between the up and down positions is shown. Again, assume that the user has previously selected skylight 14 for adjustment. The user may tilt the phone 16 in a first direction along arc 36 to cause the controller 18 to tilt the skylight 14 upward. Accordingly, the user may tilt the phone 16 in a second, opposite direction along arc 36 to tilt the controller 18 downward toward the skylight 14.

Referring now to fig. 6A, a sketch depicting the steps of a user moving the phone 16 relative to a first initial orientation of the phone to cause the controller 18 to adjust the adjuster up/down feature of the seat 12 is shown. Assume that the user has previously selected the seat 12 for adjustment. The first initial orientation is predefined to adjust corresponding to a user selecting an adjuster up/down feature of the seat 12. Thus, the user initially moves the phone 16 to the first initial orientation is to indicate to the controller 18: the user selects the adjuster up/down feature of the seat 12 to adjust. The user may then tilt the phone 16 up or down along the curve 38 to cause the controller 18 to adjust the adjuster feature of the seat 12 up or down.

Fig. 6B, 6C, 6D, and 6E follow the same form as fig. 6A. In each case, it is assumed that the user has previously selected the seat 12 for adjustment.

Fig. 6B shows an outline depicting the steps of the user orienting the mobile phone 16 relative to a second initial orientation of the phone to cause the controller 18 to adjust the adjuster forward/rearward feature of the seat 12. The second initial orientation is predefined to adjust corresponding to a user selecting the adjuster up/down feature of the seat 12. Thus, the user initially moves the phone 16 to the second initial orientation is to indicate to the controller 18: the user selects the forward/rearward feature of the adjuster of the seat 12 to adjust. The user may then move the phone 16 along line 40 to cause the controller 18 to adjust the adjuster feature of the seat 12 forward or backward.

Fig. 6C shows an outline depicting the steps of the user orienting the mobile phone 16 relative to a third initial orientation of the phone to cause the controller 18 to adjust the lumbar forward/rearward feature of the seat 12. The third initial orientation is predefined to adjust corresponding to a user selection of a lumbar forward/backward feature of the seat 12. Thus, the user initially moves the phone 16 to the third initial orientation is to indicate to the controller 18: the user selects the lumbar forward/rearward feature of the seat 12 to adjust. The user may then rotate the phone 16 along curve 42 to cause the controller 18 to adjust the lumbar forward/backward feature of the seat 12 forward or backward.

Fig. 6D shows an outline depicting the steps of the user orienting the mobile phone 16 relative to a fourth initial orientation of the phone to cause the controller 18 to adjust the lumbar up/down feature of the seat 12. The fourth initial orientation is predefined to adjust corresponding to a user selecting a lumbar up/down feature of the seat 12. Thus, the user initially moves the phone 16 to the fourth initial orientation is to indicate to the controller 18: the user selects the lumbar up/down feature of the seat 12 to adjust. The user may then move the phone 16 up or down along line 44 to cause the controller 18 to adjust the lumbar up/down feature of the seat 12 up or down.

Fig. 6E shows an outline depicting the step of the user orienting the mobile phone 16 relative to a fifth initial orientation of the phone to cause the controller 18 to adjust the cushion in/out feature of the seat 12. The fifth initial orientation is predefined to be adjusted corresponding to a user selecting the cushion inward/outward characteristic of the seat 12. Thus, the user initially moves the phone 16 to the fifth initial orientation is to indicate to the controller 18: the user selects the cushion inward/outward feature of the seat 12 to adjust. The user may then move the phone 16 forward or backward along the line 46 to cause the controller 18 to adjust the cushion in/out feature of the seat 12 inward or outward.

As described, the method and system adjust the adjustable physical object, portions of the object, and/or features with the orientation of the phone. In an embodiment, the particular initial orientation of the phone indicates the selected object (or portion or feature); and movement of the phone indicates a corresponding adjustment to the selected object. In other embodiments, the particular initial orientation of the phone also indicates the selected object; and the input control of the phone indicates a corresponding adjustment to the selected object. In other embodiments, the proximity sensor may be used in a phone or on an object (e.g., a seat) to communicate with the phone, thereby enabling the object to be selected. In these embodiments, the movement of the phone indicates a corresponding adjustment to the object and/or the input control of the phone indicates a corresponding adjustment to the object.

As further described, the adjustable physical object may be a physical object of a vehicle, such as a vehicle seat and a vehicle sunroof. However, the adjustable physical object may be a physical object other than a vehicle, such as a home recliner chair and a home window. In general, the tunable physical object may be any physical object (e.g., a TV swivel, a fan, a thermostat, etc.) that may be synchronized with a handheld smart device, such as a telephone as described herein.

Referring now to fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C, a control system 100 will now be described that is configured to enable selection of an adjustable portion of an object without selection of other adjustable portions of the object to adjust based on the phone 16 being in proximity to the portion of the object to be selected. Initially, for reference, in other embodiments described herein, adjustable portions of the object are selected for adjustment based on the initial orientation of the phone 16, while other adjustable portions of the object are not selected for adjustment. For example, in these other embodiments, a first portion of the object is selected for adjustment when the user moves the phone 16 to a first initial orientation, and a second portion of the object is selected for adjustment when the user moves the phone to a second initial orientation. In contrast, in the control system 100, a first portion of the object is selected for adjustment when the user moves the phone 16 near the first portion, and a second portion of the object is selected for adjustment when the user moves the phone near the second portion.

Fig. 7A shows a block diagram of the control system 100. As shown, the control system 100 is for use with an object 12 having two or more adjustable portions. For example, as shown in fig. 7A, 7B, and 7C, the object 12 may be a vehicle seat having a first adjustable portion 22 in the form of a seat back and a second adjustable portion 24 in the form of a seat bottom.

According to the control system 100, the first portion 22 of the object 12 includes a first tag 102 and the second portion 24 of the object includes a second tag 104. First label 102 includes a first identifier indicative of first portion 22. Second label 104 includes a second identifier indicating second portion 24. For example, the first tag 102 and the second tag 104 may be Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags or optical bar code tags.

Further, according to the control system 100, the phone 16 may detect the first tag 102 of the first portion 22 of the object 12 when the phone is in proximity to the first tag (i.e., when the phone is in proximity to the first portion). As part of the process of detecting the first tag, the phone 16 reads the first identification of the first tag 102. Upon detection of the first tag 102, the telephone 16 transmits a first identification signal. The first identification signal may indicate the fact that the telephone 16 detected the first tag 102 or may indicate a first identification of the first tag. Likewise, the phone 16 may detect the second tag 104 of the second portion 24 of the object when the phone is in proximity to the second tag (i.e., when the phone is in proximity to the second portion). As part of the process of detecting the second tag, the phone 16 reads the second identification of the second tag 104. Upon detection of the second tag 104, the telephone 16 transmits a second identification signal. The second identification signal may indicate the fact that the telephone 16 detected the second tag 104 or may indicate a second identification of the second tag.

Further, according to the control system 100, upon receiving the first identification signal from the phone 16, the controller 18 is ready to adjust the first portion 22 of the subject 12 independently of the second portion 24 and other portions of the subject. Likewise, upon receiving the second identification signal from the telephone 16, the controller 18 is ready to adjust the second portion 24 of the subject 12 independently of the first portion 22 and other portions of the subject.

Fig. 7B shows a block diagram of the operation of the control system 100 when selecting the first portion 22 of the object 12 for adjustment based on the phone 16 being in proximity to the first portion of the object. This operation involves the user moving the phone 16 to be proximate to the first tag 102 of the first portion 22 of the object 12 (i.e., the user moves the phone to be proximate to the first portion of the object), as shown in fig. 7B. When the phone 16 is in proximity to the first tag 102, the phone detects the first tag and reads the first identification therefrom. Upon detection of the first tag 102, the telephone 16 sends a first identification signal to the controller 18 via the wireless communication line 20. Upon receiving the first identification signal from the telephone 16, the controller 18 prepares the first portion 22 of the object 12 for adjustment. In this manner, the first portion 22 of the subject 12 is selected for adjustment based on the phone 16 being in proximity to the first portion of the subject.

After the first portion 22 of the subject 12 has been selected for adjustment, the controller 18 may adjust the first portion of the subject according to the adjustment operations described herein. For example, the controller 18 may receive an orientation signal from the phone 16 indicating the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes and adjust the first portion 22 corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes. Alternatively, controller 18 may receive a control signal indicative of a user input to telephone 16 and adjust first portion 22 in accordance with the user input.

Fig. 7C shows a block diagram of the operation of the control system 100 when selecting the second portion 24 of the object 12 for adjustment based on the phone 16 being in proximity to the second portion of the object. This operation involves the user moving the phone 16 to the proximity of the second tag 104 of the second portion 24 of the object 12 (i.e., the user moves the phone to the proximity of the second portion of the object), as shown in fig. 7C. When the phone 16 is in proximity to the second tag 104, the phone detects the second tag and reads the second identification therefrom. Upon detection of the second tag 104, the telephone 16 sends a second identification signal to the controller 18 via the wireless communication line 20. Upon receiving the second identification signal from the telephone 16, the controller 18 prepares to adjust the second portion 24 of the object 12. In this manner, the second portion 24 of the subject 12 is selected for adjustment based on the phone 16 being in proximity to the second portion of the subject.

After the second portion 24 of the subject 12 has been selected for adjustment, the controller 18 may adjust the second portion of the subject according to the adjustment operations described herein. For example, the controller 18 may receive an orientation signal from the phone 16 indicating the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes and adjust the second portion 24 corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes. Alternatively, the controller 18 may receive a control signal indicative of a user input to the telephone 16 and adjust the second portion 24 in accordance with the user input.

Of course, a control system according to embodiments of the present invention, such as control system 10 or control system 100, may be modified to enable selection of an object for adjustment based on the phone 16 being in the vicinity of the object. In this case, for example, the control system enables the adjustment based on the phone 16 selecting an object in the vicinity of the object. Selection of a given object based on the phone 16 being in the vicinity of the object may be accomplished by selecting the object over other objects.

Thus, in this modified control system, when the user moves the telephone 16 to the vicinity of an object, the object is selected for adjustment. The object includes a tag having an identification. The phone 16 may detect the tag when the phone is near the tag (i.e., when the phone is near the object). Upon detection of the tag, the telephone 16 transmits an identification signal. Upon receiving the identification signal from the telephone 16, the controller 18 prepares the adjustment subject. In this way, the object is selected for adjustment, the selection being based on the phone 16 being in the vicinity of the object. After the object has been selected for adjustment, the controller 18 may adjust the object in accordance with the adjustment operations described herein. For example, the controller 18 may receive an orientation signal from the phone 16 indicating the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes and adjust the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes. Alternatively, the controller 18 may receive a control signal indicative of a user input to the telephone 16 and adjust the object in accordance with the user input.

The object may have one or more adjustable portions. As such, the controller 18 that adjusts the subject according to the adjustment operations described herein may undertake adjusting at least one of the one or more adjustable portions of the subject.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a telephone configured to transmit an orientation signal indicative of an orientation of the telephone when the orientation of the telephone changes; and

a controller configured to receive the orientation signal from the phone and adjust an object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the phone is further configured to detect a first tag of a first portion of the object when the phone is in proximity to the first tag and to transmit a first identification signal when the first tag is detected;

the phone is further configured to detect a second tag of a second portion of the object when the phone is in proximity to the second tag and to transmit a second identification signal when the second tag is detected; and

the controller is further configured to adjust a first portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes after the first identification signal has been received from the phone, and adjust a second portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes after the second identification signal has been received from the phone.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein:

the object is a vehicle seat, the first portion is a vehicle seat bottom, and the second portion is a vehicle seat back.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the controller is further configured to select one of the portions of the object according to an initial orientation of the phone, and adjust the selected one of the portions of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the controller is further configured to select a first portion of the object when the initial orientation of the phone is in a first orientation, and adjust the first portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes relative to the first orientation; and

the controller is further configured to select a second portion of the object when the initial orientation of the phone is in a second orientation, and adjust the second portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes relative to the second orientation.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the phone is further configured to transmit a selection signal indicating a user selection of the object; and

the controller is further configured to adjust the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes after a selection signal indicating a user selection of the object has been received from the phone.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the telephone is further configured to transmit a control signal indicative of a user input entered into the telephone; and

the controller is further configured to receive the control signal from the telephone and adjust the object according to the user input.

8. A method, comprising:

wirelessly receiving, by a controller from a telephone, an orientation signal indicative of an orientation of the telephone as the orientation of the telephone changes; and

when the orientation of the phone is changed, the object is adjusted corresponding to the orientation of the phone by the controller.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

detecting a first tag of a first portion of the object by the phone when the phone is in proximity to the first tag, and transmitting a first identification signal by the phone when the first tag is detected;

detecting a second tag of a second portion of the object by the phone when the phone is in proximity to the second tag, and transmitting a second identification signal by the phone when the second tag is detected;

after having received the first identification signal from the phone, adjusting, by the controller, a first portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes; and

after having received the second identification signal from the phone, adjusting, by the controller, a second portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

selecting, by the controller, one of the portions of the object according to an initial orientation of the phone, and adjusting the selected one of the portions of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

selecting, by the controller, a first portion of the object when the initial orientation of the phone is in a first orientation, and adjusting, by the controller, the first portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes relative to the first orientation; and

selecting, by the controller, a second portion of the object when the initial orientation of the phone is in a second orientation, and adjusting, by the controller, the second portion of the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes relative to the second orientation.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

wirelessly receiving, by the controller, a selection signal from the telephone indicating a user selection of the object; and

after receiving a selection signal from the phone indicating a user's selection of the object, adjusting, by the controller, the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

wirelessly receiving, by the controller, a control signal from the telephone indicative of a user input to the telephone; and

adjusting, by the controller, the object according to the user input.

14. A system, comprising:

an object, the object having a tag;

a telephone configured to detect the tag when the telephone is in proximity to the tag and to transmit an identification signal when the tag is detected; and

a controller configured to prepare to adjust the object upon receiving the identification signal from the phone.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the phone is further configured to transmit an orientation signal indicative of an orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes; and

the controller is further configured to receive the orientation signal from the phone and, after receiving the identification signal from the phone, adjust the object corresponding to the orientation of the phone when the orientation of the phone changes.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the tag is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag or an optical bar code tag.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the object is a vehicle seat.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein:

the object having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a first label and the second portion including a second label;

the telephone is further configured to detect the first tag when the telephone is in proximity to the first tag and to transmit a first identification signal when the first tag is detected;

the telephone is further configured to detect the second tag when the telephone is in proximity to the second tag and to transmit a second identification signal when the second tag is detected; and

the controller is further configured to prepare to adjust the first portion upon receiving the first identification signal from the telephone and to prepare to adjust the second portion upon receiving the second identification signal from the telephone.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein:

the controller is further configured to receive the orientation signal from the telephone, and to adjust the first portion corresponding to the orientation of the telephone when the orientation of the telephone changes after the first identification signal has been received from the telephone, and to adjust the second portion corresponding to the orientation of the telephone when the orientation of the telephone changes after the second identification signal has been received from the telephone.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein:

the controller is further configured to receive the control signal from the telephone, adjust the first portion in accordance with the user input after receiving the first identification signal from the telephone, and adjust the second portion in accordance with the user input after receiving the second identification signal from the telephone.