DE102018124201A1 - Method and system for automatically adjusting a seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of seat adjustment. The invention is particularly directed to a method and a system for automatically adjusting a seat, such as a vehicle seat for a vehicle. A detection process comprises detection of a current position of a person occupying the seat by means of an optical sensor device and generation of video data which represent the detected position in three spatial dimensions, and a measurement process comprises determining one or more distance indicators on the basis of the video data , each distance indicator identifying a spatial distance between the optical sensor device and a corresponding predetermined body part of the person. An extraction process has a selective extraction of positioning data from a database on the basis of at least one of the determined distance indicators, the positioning data characterizing a predefined seat position, and an adjustment process comprises controlling the at least one actuator on the basis of the extracted positioning data so that the seat is automatically transferred to the predefined seating position characterized by the positioning data.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of seat adjustment. The invention is particularly directed to a method and a system for automatically adjusting a seat, such as a vehicle seat for a vehicle.

background

Due to the different physique of people, seats, e.g. Office chairs or vehicle seats, often equipped with means for adjusting seat elements relative to one another in order to enable comfortable seating positions. In the case of vehicle seats, these can also be an optimal driving position of the driver can be adjusted, from which pedals and steering wheel can be reached and / or the view of the road section in front of the vehicle is essentially unobstructed. Usually, the seat can be adjusted in a forward and backward direction, in height and in inclination of the backrest.

Against this background, it is known to provide electrical seating systems equipped with switches and actuators connected thereto in order to enable different adjustments of the vehicle seat. In premium vehicles, these systems also offer storage functions for storing the driver's preferred seating positions.

It is also known to use gesture recognition for seat adjustment instead of switches.

Eg revealed US 7,136,734 B2 controlling the adjustment of the seat by means of a passenger compartment camera system, with which images of at least part of an individual sitting on the vehicle seat are recorded. A control unit is used to identify at least one type of movement of the individual sitting on the vehicle seat from a series of images. The identified movement type is compared with movement types already stored in the control unit. If the stored movement type is identified, a seat adjustment assigned to this type is carried out.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved seat adjustment. In particular, it is an object of the invention to simplify the seat adjustment. It is in particular an object of the invention to provide a position of the seat in which the seated person has a posture that is optimized with regard to health and / or operational safety.

A solution to this problem is given by the independent claims, in particular by a method for automatically adjusting a seat according to claim 1, a system for automatically adjusting a seat according to claim 13 and a vehicle according to claim 15.

Various preferred embodiments of the method, system and vehicle according to the present invention are indicated by the teaching of the dependent claims.

A first aspect of the invention is directed to a method for the automatic adjustment of a seat, in particular a vehicle seat of a vehicle, the seat being adjustable by means of at least one actuator and the method comprising: (i) a detection process which comprises a detection of a current position of a the person occupying the seat has an optical sensor device and a generation of video data which represents the detected position in three spatial dimensions; (ii) a measurement process which comprises determining one or more distance indicators based on the video data, each distance indicator characterizing a spatial distance between the optical sensor device and a corresponding predetermined part of the person's body; (iii) an extraction process, which comprises selectively extracting positioning data from a database on the basis of at least one of the determined distance indicators, the positioning data characterizing a predefined sitting position; and (iv) an adjustment process which comprises controlling the at least one actuator based on the extracted positioning data, so that the seat is automatically transferred to the predefined seating position characterized by the positioning data.

The automatic adjustment of the seat is preferably triggered automatically as soon as the person occupies the seat, e.g. after getting into the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the automatic adjustment of the seat can be triggered manually by the person at any time, e.g. by pressing a corresponding key or by issuing a corresponding voice or gesture command. Accordingly, the functionality of an existing conventional seat adjustment system, which gives the person the option of storing preferred seating positions in a memory and storing these positions e.g. by pressing corresponding keys, can advantageously be expanded by the first aspect of the invention.

The expression “position in three spatial dimensions” in the sense of the present invention refers to any information regarding the position of the person occupying the seat that goes beyond pure two-dimensional (image) information. In particular, the expression “three spatial dimensions” also contains what is sometimes referred to as “2.5 dimensions”, in which case the detected position can be given, for example, by a two-dimensional image which has depth information, for example in the form of a digital depth map , in which pixel values such as color values in a two-dimensional image represent depth information with respect to a third spatial dimension.

E.g. the current position of the person occupying the seat can be detected using a time-of-flight camera (TOF camera) or a stereo camera, since both modalities provide depth information from which the at least one distance indicator can be derived. In particular, the depth information can be expressed by processing the video data generated by this type of optical sensor device using the at least one distance indicator.

The expression “spatial distance between the optical sensor device and a corresponding predetermined body part” in the sense of the present invention refers to any distance measure which characterizes the position and / or orientation of the body part in three-dimensional space. In general, a body part can be any body. Correspondingly, a distance can relate, for example, to the distance between the optical sensor device and a specific surface point, the estimated center of gravity or a specific point on the contour or silhouette of the body part.

By combining image information, which is determined by the optical sensor device, and the depth information, the distance between at least one predetermined body part of the person occupying the seat and the optical sensor device can be precisely determined. For example, image processing algorithms can be used to identify predetermined body parts of the person occupying the seat and the corresponding pixels in the image, and the corresponding distances can be read from a depth map correlating with the image.

This makes it possible to use the at least one distance indicator, in particular several distance indicators, to determine the posture of the person occupying the seat, e.g. to determine whether the person is sitting on the seat or sitting straight and upright. In particular, the arrangement of body parts can be derived from the distances, e.g. Correlations between the distances between adjacent body parts allow not only the derivation of the position, but also the orientation of these body parts. This information can be compared with given positions and / or orientations, e.g. to estimate whether the person occupying the seat is sitting with a healthy posture or in another preferred position from which e.g. the vehicle can be operated safely and reliably. Such predetermined positions and / or orientations can, for example, be stored in a database, e.g. in the form of a lookup table.

Accordingly, the seat can be automatically adjusted based on the at least one distance indicator, in particular the corresponding posture of the person occupying the seat, in order to promote a preferred posture, e.g. a healthier posture and / or a posture advantageous for driving the vehicle, whereby the present problem is solved. Other potential benefits include avoiding, or at least reducing, the risk of manually selecting the wrong seating position from multiple stored seating positions, possibly risking injury, and eliminating, or at least reducing, the need for the seat occupant to manually and thus the seat often imprecise. In particular, the person occupying the seat is often not aware of the optimal medical and / or operative sitting position. Therefore, the posture of seated people is generally very likely to be improved by the automatic adjustment of the seat.

In addition, it is possible to derive further characteristics of the person from the at least one distance indicator, in particular from the corresponding posture of the person occupying the seat, e.g. medical anomalies, and these in the extraction process, in which the positioning data are selectively extracted from the database. Alternatively, it is also possible to use such further features, e.g. to determine the person's age or medical history in a different way, such as by receiving the same via an interface or reading it from a memory, and to adjust the seat accordingly, e.g. Provide appropriate lumbar support, activate massage functions to avoid RSI syndrome (Repetitive Driving Injury) and / or the like.

The invention is also advantageous in terms of the simplicity of seat adjustments. For example, today's vehicles in the premium segment are usually equipped with many controls, which is due to the intuitive and quick adjustment is detrimental to the user. The automatic adjustment of the seat based on the positioning data can reliably save the user from having to deal with these control elements. For example, automatic adjustment in rental vehicles, in which the relevant operating instructions are often not studied, may be the only option for appropriate seat adjustment.

Preferably, the at least one distance indicator is determined for at least one part of the body, which during a predetermined period of time, e.g. is kept still for at least 1 second, preferably at least 2 seconds, in particular at least 5 seconds. A feedback system may be provided, e.g. a display which preferably has a graphical user interface which displays a symbol, a graph or an animation which characterizes the quality and / or the success in determining the at least one distance indicator for the at least one predetermined body part or the selected one indicates the specified position, ie the classification of the person in relation to predefined seating positions.

Preferred embodiments of the method and their developments are described below, each of which, as far as this is not expressly excluded or is technically not possible, can be combined with one another as desired and with the aspects of the invention described below.

In some embodiments, (i) the measurement process includes determining at least one biometric and / or anthropometric characteristic of the person occupying the seat based on at least one of the determined distance indicators, and (ii) the extraction process includes extracting the positioning data using Search the database for a predefined sitting position that corresponds to the at least one determined biometric and / or anthropometric feature. E.g. biometric and / or anthropometric features of the person occupying the seat, which characterize, for example, the identity or body structure, are taken into account when selecting the predefined sitting position from the database. This enables the seat to be transferred to a predefined position in a particularly differentiated manner, e.g. in predefined positions that are assigned to different people or different body types.

The term "anthropometric feature" in the sense of the present invention refers to a measure for the human body, e.g. spatial descriptors of body size and / or shape. Accordingly, a certain anthropometric feature can be used to determine an ergonomic sitting position that is suitable for a person having this particular feature.

For example, the predefined vehicle seat position can correspond to a medically sensible seat position or a sensible seat position with regard to safety / vehicle operation or a combination thereof. By determining at least one anthropometric feature of the person occupying the seat, e.g. the length of their torso and / or their extremities, the positioning data can be selected from the database in order to transfer the person into a position suitable / suitable for his body type. Pregnancy, obesity, body size, body proportions and / or the like can preferably be taken into account by providing various respective predefined sitting positions.

In some embodiments, the person in the extraction process is identified based on the determined at least one biometric and / or anthropometric feature, and the positioning data are extracted by searching the database for a predefined sitting position that has been preset by the identified person. This enables the seat to be quickly and comfortably transferred to the specified seating position.

For example, the database may contain positioning data associated with a preferred, e.g. previously set, seating position of the identified person correspond. For this purpose, the person can, for example, save a preferred seating position, for example in a corresponding storage process, and thereby preset it, e.g. by pressing an appropriate key or giving an appropriate voice or gesture command. The preset sitting position can then be stored in the database as corresponding positioning data together with at least one biometric and / or anthropometric feature that is assigned to the person and, if the person is identified at a later time, can be selected from the database.

The at least one biometric and / or anthropometric feature can correspond to geometric dimensions of at least one part of the person's body, e.g. the distance between the eyes, the nose and the mouth, the length of the extremities, body size, proportions, the diameter or the circumference of the torso and / or the like, in particular combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, at least the detection process, the measurement process and the adjustment process are carried out repeatedly. As a result, the seat can be transferred to a seating position that is optimized with respect to the person occupying the seat and can subsequently be held permanently in an optimized seating position, even if the absolute seating position can change. For example, if a head-up display or mirror is adjusted while the vehicle is operating, the optimal position of the person's head relative to the head-up display or mirror may change. By repeatedly executing the aforementioned processes, the seating position can be reliably and immediately adjusted in view of such changes.

In particular, the detection process, the measurement process, and the adjustment process are preferably carried out repeatedly at least until a current sitting position matches the predefined sitting position. In other words, the seat can be adjusted sequentially. This enables, at least essentially, continuous readjustment of the seating position, e.g. when the operating conditions of the vehicle change.

In some embodiments, an arrangement of the at least one body part relative to an external component, in particular the vehicle, and / or another body part is determined in the extraction process on the basis of the at least one determined distance indicator, and the positioning data by searching the database for a predefined seating position with a predefined arrangement of the at least one body part relative to the external component, in particular the vehicle, and / or corresponding to the other body part. In particular, a posture of the person occupying the seat can be determined on the basis of the at least one determined distance indicator, in particular on the basis of the determined arrangement of the at least one body part relative to the external component and / or to the other body part. In addition, the positioning data can be extracted by searching the database for position data that correspond to a predefined posture. As a result, the seat can be moved into a position that is optimized with regard to health and / or operational safety in a particularly fast and reliable manner.

For example, the position of the person's head relative to a vehicle mirror, a driver's camera, which is preferably mounted on a steering wheel column and needs the driver's head directly in front of it, and / or a head-up display can be automatically determined and transferred by means of the video data of the seat can be adjusted in the adjustment process if, for example, on the basis of the determined position of the head, it is determined that the person cannot fully see the vehicle surroundings via the mirror, the driver's camera is not aimed at the person precisely enough or the person via the head-up -Display provided information distorted and / or appears out of focus. This is particularly preferred if, by adjusting the sitting position, an improvement in the person's posture, e.g. from a medical point of view.

However, if it is established that the person already has a medically acceptable posture according to the at least one determined distance indicator, in particular the at least one determined biometric and / or anthropometric feature, it may be advantageous to instead use the mirror and / or the imaging surface of the head. to adjust up displays.

Alternatively or additionally, the positions of the knees of the person relative to the head of the person can be determined and automatically adjusted on the basis of the video data by transferring the seat in the adjustment process if, for example, based on the determined positions of the knees of the person, preferably relative to the position of the head the person is found to be lying on the seat.

The arrangement of the at least one body part relative to the external component and / or to the other body part is preferably determined on the basis of a, preferably three-dimensional, physical model of the person, the model being adapted to the person by the at least one determined distance indicator. For example, the arrangement of the at least one body part relative to the external component and / or to the other body part can be determined by projecting the physical model, in particular the at least one body part, onto a two-dimensional plane, for example an image, the projection of the at least one Body part is characteristic of its arrangement. Accordingly, the seat can be adjusted in such a way that the projection becomes characteristic of the predefined arrangement.

For example, a map of the at least one body part can be created, and the seat can be adjusted in such a way that the map matches a predefined map that characterizes the predefined arrangement.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: a discovery process, in which, based on the extracted positioning data and the determined arrangement of the at least one body part relative to the external component, in particular of the vehicle, and / or to the other body part, adjustment data are determined, which have deviations between the predefined arrangement, which is characterized by the positioning data, and correspond to the determined arrangement of the at least one body part relative to the external component, in particular the vehicle, and / or to the other body part. In the adjustment process, the at least one actuator is automatically controlled taking into account the determined adjustment data. For example, the seat can thereby be transferred in a particularly reliable manner from the current sitting position in which the person occupying the seat has a current, non-optimal posture to the predetermined sitting position in which the person occupying the seat has the predefined posture.

Through the determination process, in particular if it is carried out repeatedly, the arrangement of the at least one body part relative to the external component and / or to the other body part, e.g. the posture of the person occupying the seat is monitored and the control of the at least one actuator, if necessary, is adapted to the current arrangement of the at least one part of the body. If, for example, it is determined on the basis of the determined arrangement of the at least one body part that the positioning data selectively extracted from the database does not match an optimal position of the at least one body part, e.g. If the arrangement of the legs or feet with regard to the operability of pedals or the arrangement of the hands with regard to the operability of the steering wheel of the vehicle correspond, other, more suitable positioning data can be extracted from the database. This can at least reduce the risk of incorrect positioning of the seat.

In some embodiments, the at least one actuator is only automatically controlled in the adjustment process if the deviations between the determined arrangement of the at least one body part relative to the external component, in particular the vehicle, and / or to the other body part and the predefined arrangement of the at least one body part relative to reach or exceed a predefined deviation threshold value for the external component, in particular the vehicle, and / or for the other body part. For example, a distance between the current position of at least one body part and a predefined position, which corresponds to the positioning data, can be determined as a deviation between the determined and the predefined arrangement. If the at least one body part is essentially placed in the predefined position / in the predefined arrangement, no further readjustment of the seat is necessary.

In addition, by providing the predefined deviation threshold value, an at least essentially continuous readjustment of the seat, which could irritate or even distract the person occupying the seat, can be suppressed.

In some embodiments, the automatic control of the at least one actuator is suspended in the adjustment process if one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) a seating condition, in particular an operating state of the vehicle, changes; (ii) a user input that identifies manual control of the at least one actuator is determined; (iii) a user input identifying a desired suspension of the automatic control is determined; and / or (iv) the at least one distance indicator cannot be determined, at least not reliably. Indicators for a change in the seating condition or for user input can be obtained, for example, by receiving a corresponding signal via a bus, e.g. a CAN bus of the vehicle. Suppression of automatic adjustment of the seat, in particular in situations in which an adjustment of the seat is inappropriate or even dangerous, can thereby be reliably achieved. Such situations can correspond to emergency situations or given traffic scenarios, in which case corresponding information, e.g. in the form of a signal via the vehicle's CAN bus, from a distance cruise control (Adaptive Cruise Control) or other driver assistance systems (Advanced Drivning Assistance Systems) such as a lane assistant.

For example, if the vehicle is operated in an automatic or semi-automatic operating state and the person occupying the seat receives a "hands-on" request, i.e. If you are notified that you have to take (full) control of the vehicle again, a simultaneous readjustment of the seat could dangerously distract the person and should therefore be suspended during such or similar events.

Likewise, the automatic readjustment of the seat would likely interfere with a desired manual positioning of the seat if the person occupying the seat manually adjusted the seat position. The automatic control of the at least one actuator can therefore be suspended, at least temporarily.

The automatic adjustment of the seat can preferably be deactivated when the person occupying the seat has found a particularly preferred, for example comfortable, sitting position. A desired suspension of the automatic control of the at least one actuator can, for example, be characterized in that the person has triggered the storage of the current sitting position as a predefined sitting position with corresponding positioning data in the database, for example by pressing a corresponding key or by giving a corresponding voice. or gesture command.

It is also possible that the at least one distance indicator cannot be reliably determined, e.g. if the person occupying the seat moves too much during the detection process that at least one predetermined part of the body is covered, e.g. through a bag, a scarf or a long coat, or if the person is sitting improperly, e.g. crossed legs. In these cases, the automatic adjustment of the seat can advantageously be suspended.

In some embodiments, the automatic control of the at least one actuator continues in the adjustment process if a user signal that identifies a desire for automatic seat adjustment is determined, e.g. when a corresponding key is pressed by the person or a corresponding gesture or voice command is given by the person.

In some embodiments, the positioning data is extracted from the database in the extraction process based on a seating condition, in particular an operating state of the vehicle. For example, the predefined position, which is characterized by the positioning data, can correspond to a relaxed, lying position during autonomous operation of the vehicle. Accordingly, the predefined position, which is characterized by the positioning data, can also correspond to an upright / straight position during manual operation. As a result, the predefined position can be selected in a particularly differentiated manner.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: (i) a reset process in which the at least one actuator is controlled to move the seat to a predefined entry position when one or more of the following conditions are met: (i) a vehicle door is transferred from a locked state to an unlocked state or vice versa; (ii) a vehicle door is opened or closed; (iii) a vehicle engine is started or stopped; (iv) a seat belt is put on or taken off; and / or (v) a user input that identifies a reset is determined. As a result, the person can occupy and / or leave the seat in a particularly comfortable manner.

The predefined entry position preferably corresponds to a position in which the seat is as far back as possible, i.e. in the direction of a second or further row, and / or is rotated in the direction of the vehicle door, so that the person can easily get into or out of the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises adjusting a position and / or alignment of an external component, in particular the vehicle, on the basis of the at least one determined distance indicator and / or the predefined seating position. This can further improve operational safety, e.g. by positioning an external component such as a mirror, a head-up display and / or a steering wheel according to the predefined seating position, so that the person occupying the seat can reliably interact with the external component, e.g. has an unobstructed view of the vehicle surroundings through the mirror, can read undistorted information from the head-up display or can comfortably control the vehicle using the steering wheel. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to adjust further external components, in particular of the vehicle, with regard to the predefined seating position, e.g. Driver monitoring systems, lighting, human-machine interfaces, air conditioning and / or heating.

E.g. can be derived or at least estimated from the determined at least one distance indicator and / or the predefined sitting position extracted from the database, and the steering wheel, mirror, head-up display and / or the like can be positioned accordingly to point to the Physique of the person to be coordinated.

In some embodiments, an orientation of a further optical sensor device is determined in the measurement process, and the positioning data are selectively extracted from the database in the extraction process, taking into account the determined orientation of the further optical sensor device. For example, the orientation, for example the orientation, of a driver camera, in particular relative to the predetermined body part of the person, can be determined in the measurement process. The orientation relative to the predetermined body part is preferably determined on the basis of the at least one determined distance indicator. A particularly suitable positioning of the predetermined body part with respect to other vehicle systems, such as driver monitoring systems, can be achieved, whereby the reliability of such other vehicle systems is improved accordingly.

For example, the position of the person's head can be determined precisely on the basis of the at least one determined distance indicator. On the basis of the deviation from an optimal head position in relation to the detection by a driver camera, positioning data can be extracted from the database which characterize a sitting position in which the head of the person is completely in the field of view of the driver camera and is therefore correct can be recorded.

A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a system for the automatic adjustment of a seat, in particular a vehicle seat of a vehicle, the seat being adjustable by means of at least one actuator and the system being set up to set the seat based on a method according to the first aspect of Automatically adjust invention.

In some embodiments, the system includes: (i) at least one actuator configured to change the position of the seat; (ii) an optical sensor device set up to carry out the detection process; (iii) a database containing positioning data that characterize predefined seating positions; and (iv) a processing device set up for executing the measuring process, the extraction process and the adjustment process.

Finally, a third aspect of the present invention is directed to a vehicle having a system according to the second aspect of the invention.

Figure list

• 1 schematisch eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems zeigt;
• 2 schematisch einen Verstellprozess zeigt;
• 3 schematisch das Ableiten einer Körperhaltung aus Videodaten zeigt; und
• 4 schematisch eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zeigt.

Further advantages, features and applications of the present invention are given in the following detailed description and the associated figures, wherein:

• 1 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention;
• 2nd schematically shows an adjustment process;
• 3rd schematically shows the derivation of a posture from video data; and
• 4th schematically shows a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

1 shows a preferred embodiment of a system 100 for automatic adjustment of a seat 2nd , in particular a vehicle seat of a vehicle 3rd , the seat 2nd by means of at least one actuator 4th is adjustable. The system 100 has an optical sensor device 5 that is set up a current position of the seat 2nd supporting person 6 , for example a driver of the vehicle 3rd , capture and generate corresponding video data, a database 7 , in which positioning data are stored, which characterize predefined seating positions, and a processing device 8th on.

The processing facility 8th is preferably set up to carry out a measurement process, one or more distance indicators, each of which is a spatial distance between the optical sensor device 5 and the person 6 , in particular at least one predetermined body part 6a , 6b , indicates, based on that of the optical sensor device 5 generated video data is determined. For example, the optical sensor device 5 have a time-of-flight camera that is not just a two-dimensional image or image stream of the person 6 provides, but also depth information, such as the contours of the optical sensor device 5 facing body parts 6a , 6b the person, especially the distances between these body parts 6a , 6b and the optical sensor device 5 .

In addition, the processing facility 8th preferably set up, based on the at least one determined distance indicator positioning data from the database 7 selectively extract. By automatically controlling the at least one actuator 4th based on the extracted positioning data, the processing device 8th the seat 2nd transfer to the predefined seating position.

The predefined seating position can be used, for example, with a view to controlling the vehicle 3rd suitable, for example healthy and / or comfortable, posture of the person 6 optimized seating position correspond. Because such optimized seating positions for different people 6 with different body sizes, different proportions and / or the like, for example, is the processing device 8th preferably set up biometric and / or anthropometric characteristics of the person 6 derived from the video data and / or the at least one determined distance indicator. On the basis of the derived biometric and / or anthropometric features, the processing device can 8th a corresponding predefined position or the corresponding positioning data from the database 7 to be chosen.

To the seat 2nd to transfer into the predefined position, the at least one actuator 4th in particular be set up at least one degree of freedom, preferably at least three degrees of freedom, with respect to a movement of the seat 2nd or at least one component of the seat 2nd to provide. For example, the at least one actuator can be set up, the seat 2nd (i) parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle 3rd , ie towards the front of the vehicle 3rd or towards the rear of the vehicle 3rd , (ii) along a yaw axis of the vehicle 3rd , ie towards the top of the vehicle 3rd or towards the underside of the vehicle 3rd , and (iii) the backrest 2a of the seat 2nd to rotate. Exemplary movements are in 1 indicated by the double-headed arrows.

2nd shows a representation of an adjustment process for automatically controlling at least one actuator in order to transfer a seat (not shown) into a predefined sitting position, wherein a first distance indicator, the first distance d1 between a first body part 6a , especially the head, of a person occupying the seat 6 and an optical sensor arrangement 5 denotes, and a second distance indicator, the second distance d2 between a second body part 6b , especially one knee, the person 2nd and the optical sensor device 5 indicates is used. 2A shows the person occupying the seat 6 in a posture before the seat has been moved to the predefined seating position, and 2 B shows the person occupying the seat 6 in a posture after the seat has been moved to the predefined position.

By determining the first distance indicator and the second distance indicator, information about the physique of the person is preferred 6 collected. For example, the height of the person can be from the first and second distance indicators 6 be derived. In addition, other anthropometric features, which the person occupying the seat 6 characterize, be derived.

This information, in particular the anthropometric features, can be assigned to predefined seating positions in a database, each of the predefined positions having a positional position, for example in medical terms or in relation to the accessibility of, for example, vehicle control elements, to the person occupying the seat 6 optimized seating position corresponds. For example, the predefined seating positions can correspond to positions in which there is sufficient lumbar support for the person occupying the seat 6 exists while their head is positioned relative to a vehicle mirror that the person 6 has a complete overview of the vehicle surroundings via the vehicle mirror.

Positioning data with a predefined position, which is an optimized posture of the person occupying the seat 6 corresponds, correspond and are suitable for controlling the at least one actuator, can then be extracted from the database, and the seat can be transferred to the predefined position on the basis of the extracted positioning data.

The transfer of the seat into the predefined position and / or the resulting posture of the person occupying the seat 6 can be monitored by using the distance indicators, especially the current distances between the body parts 6a , 6b and the optical sensor device 5 , be determined repeatedly. For example, if a posture that is derived from the first and second distance indicators after the seat has been transferred to the predefined position does not match an expected posture that is assigned to the predefined sitting position, the seat can be adjusted further accordingly.

3rd shows how the posture of a person (not shown) occupying a seat (not shown) is generated from video data generated by an optical sensor device, for example a time-of-flight camera, which is set up to detect the person occupying the seat , can be derived. 3A represents the posture of the person before the seat has been transferred to a predefined sitting position, the posture due to the, in particular spatial, arrangement of a first part of the body 6a , in particular a head, of the person relative to two other second parts of the body 6b , especially knees, the person is marked. 3B represents the posture of the person after the seat has been transferred to the predefined sitting position, the posture again by the arrangement of the first part of the body 6a relative to the second parts of the body 6b is shown. The arrangement of the body parts 6a , 6b relative to one another is not only shown in two dimensions, but also in a third dimension, the corresponding depth information, for example the distance between the body parts 6a , 6b and the optical sensor device, in the hatching of the first and second body parts 6a , 6b is encoded. A thick hatch corresponds to a larger distance.

From the in 3A contained information, in particular the distances between the body parts 6a , 6b and the optical sensor device can have at least one anthropometric feature of the person, for example the height of the person. Based on the at least one anthropometric feature, corresponding positioning data can be determined with a predefined sitting position, for example by extraction from a database, and the seat can be transferred to the predefined sitting position by using the positioning data. The predefined sitting position preferably corresponds to a position that is optimized with regard to the posture of the person, for example an arrangement of the body parts 6a , 6b , in which the risk regarding the so-called RSSI syndrome (repetitive driving injury) is reduced.

3B shows this optimized posture, in which the distances between the body parts 6a , 6b relative to each other and to the optical sensor device in comparison to the in 3A posture shown are reduced.

4th shows a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention 100 for the automatic adjustment of a seat, in particular a vehicle seat of a vehicle, the seat being adjustable by at least one actuator.

In an access process P1 unlocks a person, for example the future driver, the vehicle, for example by controlling a vehicle access control system using a (wireless) vehicle key or a voice or gesture command. The access control system generates a corresponding access signal which identifies a change in the locked state of the vehicle. This access signal can be in a reset process P2 are processed, at least one actuator being controlled in such a way that the seat is transferred to a predefined entry position, for example so that the seat is moved as far as possible into the rear part of the vehicle, ie in the direction of the rear, in order to To facilitate getting the person into the vehicle.

The seat is preferably continuously in a detection process P3 from an optical sensor device 5 , for example a time-of-flight camera that generates the corresponding video data. Based on the video data, it can be determined whether the seat is occupied by the person or not. If the person occupies the seat, the optical sensor device determines 5 the current position of the person occupying the seat and generates corresponding video data which represent the detected position in three spatial dimensions, for example in a two-dimensional image, which contains depth information relating to the distance between each pixel of the image and the optical sensor device 5 having.

Based on the video data can be in a measurement process P4 at least one distance indicator, which is a respective distance between a predetermined body part of the person and the optical sensor device 5 indicates to be determined. On the basis of the at least one distance indicator, at least one biometric and / or anthropometric feature of the person can be determined, and the at least one determined biometric and / or anthropometric feature of the person can be used to identify the person. Optionally, tracking data generated by a face tracking camera when the person's face is detected can also be taken into account when determining the at least one biometric and / or anthropometric feature, thereby increasing the reliability of the measurement process P4 is further increased. It is also possible to include further sensor data from other sensors which detect the position of the person on the seat, for example pressure sensors, touch sensors and / or the like.

If the person can be identified on the basis of the at least one determined biometric and / or anthropometric feature, the at least one actuator can in one control step P5 are automatically controlled to transfer the seat to a predefined seating position, which corresponds to a stored or preset seating position. Such a preset seating position can be stored by the person in a database 7 have been saved, for example after the person has manually adjusted the seat and found a particularly comfortable or practical sitting position. The preset sitting position is preferably assigned to the identified person in the database via the at least one determined biometric and / or anthropometric feature, so that before the corresponding control of the at least one actuator, the preset position is based on the at least one determined biometric and / or anthropometric feature the database can be extracted

If the person cannot be identified successfully, a body position or posture of the person is determined, for example estimated, on the basis of the at least one distance indicator, in particular on the basis of the at least one determined biometric and / or anthropometric feature. This determination of the posture is preferably still part of the trade fair process P4 . In a subsequent extraction process P6 positioning data, which characterize a predefined sitting position, on the basis of the at least one biometric and / or anthropometric characteristic of the person from the database 7 extracted. The predefined seating position preferably corresponds to one optimal posture of a specific group of people, ie an optimal posture of a person who has the previously determined at least one biometric and / or anthropometric characteristic. For example, the predefined sitting position results in a posture of the person in which the backbone is advantageously relieved and / or the person can easily reach the steering wheel and pedals.

The determined posture of the person is then compared with the optimal posture which is assigned to the positioning data characterizing the predefined sitting position. If deviations between the determined posture of the person and the optimal posture, for example between a determined arrangement of, for example, two or more, body parts of the person relative to one another and a predetermined arrangement of the same body parts relative to one another, do not reach or exceed a predefined deviation threshold value, that the seat is already in the predefined seating position. Otherwise, in an investigative process P7 corresponding adjustment data is determined with the deviations between the determined body posture of the person and the optimal posture and the at least one actuator is controlled taking into account these adjustment data in such a way that the seat moves into the predefined sitting position which is assigned to the optimal posture in the adjustment process P5 is transferred.

The adjustment data are preferably determined on the basis of a seat actuator model, which can be provided in order to determine the necessary trajectories for transferring the person into a position which is assigned to the optimal posture. In particular, they can be used to transfer the data to the detection process P3 detected body parts of the person in a position that corresponds to the optimal posture, necessary trajectories are estimated on the basis of the seat actuator model.

If in the extraction process P6 If no positioning data can be extracted, for example because the person cannot be classified on the basis of the at least one determined distance indicator, the seat is preferably transferred to a generic pre-positioning position. From this position, the person can manually adjust the seat.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been described above, it should be noted that a large number of variations exist. It should also be noted that the exemplary embodiments described are only non-limiting examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the devices and methods described herein. Rather, the foregoing description will provide those skilled in the art with a guide to implementing at least one example embodiment, it being understood that various changes in the operation and arrangement of the elements described in an example embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims deviated subject and its legal equivalents.

Reference list

1

method

2nd

Seat

3rd

vehicle

4th

Actuator

5

optical sensor device

6

person

6a, 6b

Body Parts

7

Database

8th

Processing device

9

Conductor track

100

system

P1-P7

process

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• US 7136734 B2 [0005]

Claims (15)

Method (1) for the automatic adjustment of a seat (2), in particular a vehicle seat of a vehicle (3), the seat (2) being adjustable by means of at least one actuator (4) and the method comprising: a detection process (P3) which comprises a detection of a current position of a person (6) occupying the seat (2) by means of an optical sensor device (5) and a generation of video data which represent the detected position in three spatial dimensions; a measuring process (P4), which comprises determining one or more distance indicators on the basis of the video data, each distance indicator having a spatial distance (d1, d2) between the optical sensor device (5) and a corresponding predetermined body part (6a, 6b) of the person (6) indicates; an extraction process (P6), which comprises selectively extracting positioning data from a database (7) on the basis of at least one of the determined distance indicators, the positioning data characterizing a predefined sitting position; and an adjustment process (P5), which comprises controlling the at least one actuator (4) on the basis of the extracted positioning data, so that the seat (2) is automatically transferred to the predefined seating position characterized by the positioning data. Method (1) according to Claim 1 , wherein: the measuring process (P4) comprises determining at least one biometric and / or anthropometric characteristic of the person (6) occupying the seat (2) on the basis of at least one of the determined distance indicators; and the extraction process (P6) comprises extracting the positioning data by searching the database (7) for a predefined sitting position, which corresponds to the at least one determined biometric and / or anthropometric feature. Method (1) according to Claim 2 The person (6) is identified in the extraction process (P6) on the basis of the determined at least one biometric and / or anthropometric feature and the positioning data by searching the database (7) for a predefined sitting position which is identified by the identified person (6). was specified to be extracted. Method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the detection process (P3), the measuring process (P4) and the adjustment process (P5) are carried out repeatedly. Method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the extraction process (P6) an arrangement of the at least one body part (6a) relative to an external component, in particular the vehicle (3), and / or another body part (6b) based on the at least one determined distance indicator is determined and the positioning data by searching the database (7) for a predefined seating position, which is based on a predefined arrangement of the at least one body part (6a) relative to the external component, in particular the vehicle (3), and / or other body part (6b) corresponds, extracted. Method (1) according to Claim 5 , further comprising: a determination process (P7) in which, based on the extracted positioning data and the determined arrangement of the at least one body part (6a) relative to the external component, in particular the vehicle (3), and / or to the other body part (6b) Adjustment data are determined, which show deviations between the predefined arrangement, which is characterized by the positioning data, and the determined arrangement of the at least one body part (6a) relative to the external component, in particular the vehicle (3), and / or to the other body part (6b ) correspond; and wherein the at least one actuator (4) is automatically controlled in the adjustment process (P5) taking into account the determined adjustment data. Method (1) according to Claim 6 The at least one actuator (4) is only automatically controlled in the adjustment process (P5) if the deviations between the determined arrangement of the at least one body part (6a) relative to the external component, in particular the vehicle (3), and / or other body part (6b) and the predefined arrangement of the at least one body part (6a) relative to the external component, in particular the vehicle (3), and / or to the other body part (6b) reach or exceed a predefined deviation threshold value. Method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the automatic control of the at least one actuator (4) is suspended in the adjustment process (P5) if one or more of the following conditions are met: - a seating condition, in particular an operating state of the vehicle (3 ), changes; - A user input, which identifies a manual control of the at least one actuator (4), is determined; a user input that identifies a desired suspension of the automatic control is determined; and or - the at least one distance indicator cannot be determined, at least not reliably. Method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the positioning data in the extraction process (P6) are extracted from the database (7) on the basis of a seating condition, in particular an operating state of the vehicle (3). The method (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method further comprising: a reset process (P2) in which the at least one actuator (4) is controlled in order to move the seat (2) into a predefined entry position if one or more of the following conditions are met: - A vehicle door is transferred from a closed state to an unlocked state or vice versa; - a vehicle door is opened or closed; - a vehicle engine is started or stopped; - a seat belt is put on or taken off; and or - A user input that indicates a reset is determined. Method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: Adjusting a position and / or alignment of an external component, in particular of the vehicle (3), on the basis of the at least one determined distance indicator and / or the predefined seating position. Method (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an orientation of a further optical sensor device is determined in the measuring process (P4) and the positioning data in the extraction process (P6) are selectively extracted from the database (7) taking into account the determined orientation of the further optical sensor device . System (100) for the automatic adjustment of a seat (2), in particular a vehicle seat of a vehicle (3), the seat (2) being adjustable by means of at least one actuator (4) and the system (100) being set up to seat (2 ) to be adjusted automatically on the basis of a method (1) according to one of the preceding claims. System (100) according to Claim 13 , comprising: at least one actuator (4) arranged to change the position of the seat (2); an optical sensor device (5) set up for executing the detection process (P3); a database (7) which contains positioning data which characterize predefined sitting positions; and a processing device (8) set up for executing the measuring process (P4), the extraction process (P6) and the adjustment process (P5). Vehicle (3) which has a system (100) according to one of the Claims 13 or 14 having.

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