FR3123269A1 - Targeted activation of a device for improving the seating comfort of a vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a device for improving the seating comfort of a vehicle seat, making it possible to activate such a device only for certain types of passengers. To this end, physiological data of the passenger are obtained (301), then processed to deduce (304) a type of passenger therefrom. If the type of passenger corresponds (305) to a type for which an improvement in seating comfort is required, the device is activated (307). FIG. 3

Description

Targeted activation of a device for improving the seating comfort of a vehicle seat

The present invention belongs to the field of improving seating comfort in a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle. It relates in particular to improving seating comfort on a motor vehicle seat.

It is particularly advantageous in the case of passengers or drivers who are elderly, frail and/or suffering from discomfort related to the seated position, in particular due to pressure sore problems. In addition, the invention is particularly advantageous in the context of long journeys.

“Vehicle” means any type of vehicle such as a motor vehicle, moped, motorcycle, warehouse storage robot, etc.

There are specially adapted seats to reduce the discomfort associated with sitting. However, there is no means of controlling such a seat making it possible to adapt the comfort of the seated position according to the needs of the passenger or driver of the vehicle.

The present invention improves the situation.

To this end, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method for controlling a device for improving seating comfort of a vehicle seat, the method comprising the following steps:

- obtaining physiological data from a passenger;

- determination of a type of passenger on the basis of physiological data;

- comparison of the type of passenger determined with a predetermined set of at least one type of passenger for which an improvement in seating comfort is required;

- if the type of passenger determined requires improved seating comfort, activation of the vehicle seat seating comfort improvement device.

Thus, the seat comfort improvement device can be activated when the type of passenger requires it, and only in this case. The use of the device for improving the seating comfort of the seat is thus optimized. No restriction is attached to the type of passenger for whom the seating comfort needs to be improved. They may be the elderly, frail, suffering from discomfort when sitting and/or likely to suffer from pressure sores.

According to one embodiment, physiological data may be received from a user device.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to store the physiological data in advance, which avoids a measurement of the physiological data when the passenger sits on the seat of the vehicle. The reactivity of the process is thus improved.

Additionally, physiological data may be received from a connected portable user device.

Thus, physiological data can be acquired continuously on the passenger, for example when he or she is walking, sleeping, running, etc. Thus, the type of passenger can be determined on a large number of physiological data, which improves the reliability of the determination of the type of passenger.

According to one embodiment, the method may further include receiving an identifier from the passenger, the physiological data may be stored in association with the passenger identifier, and the physiological data may be obtained from the passenger identifier .

Thus, a database, for example hosted on a remote server, can store passenger identifiers in association with physiological data. Alternatively, the passenger identifier is stored in association with the passenger type and/or with the passenger's physiological data.

According to one embodiment, the method may further include obtaining a travel time, and the seating comfort enhancement device of the vehicle seat may be activated if the determined passenger type requires an improvement in seat comfort and/or if the journey time obtained is greater than or equal to a threshold value.

Thus, the difficulty of the journey can be taken into account in the activation of the device for improving seating comfort. This embodiment makes it possible to avoid activation for a very short journey, and on the contrary, allows activation for long and possibly painful journeys. No restriction is attached to the threshold value which can correspond to a few kilometers for example. The decision to activate the seat comfort improvement device can also be taken by combining the criteria of distance and type of passenger. For example, the device is only activated for the types of passenger that require it and when the distance to be traveled is greater than the threshold value.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a control module of a device for improving seating comfort of a vehicle seat comprising:

- a first interface capable of obtaining physiological data from a passenger;

- a processor configured for:

determining or obtaining a type of passenger based on the physiological data of the passenger;

comparing the determined passenger type with a predetermined set of at least one passenger type for which an improvement in seating comfort is required;

activate, if the type of passenger determined requires an improvement in seating comfort, the device for improving the seating comfort of the vehicle seat by transmitting an activation command via a second interface.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising a device for improving seating comfort of a vehicle seat and a control module according to the third aspect of the invention.

According to one embodiment, the control module can be integrated into a central control module of the vehicle.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to control the improvement device locally, which ensures great responsiveness in the activation of the device for improving seating comfort.

As a variant, the control module can be integrated into a remote server, and the remote server can be able to communicate with a central control module of the vehicle via a wide area network.

Such an embodiment makes it possible to take advantage of the significant computing capacities of a server. Such computing capabilities therefore do not have to be embedded in the vehicle.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examination of the detailed description below, and of the appended drawings in which:

illustrates a system according to one embodiment of the invention;

illustrates a device for improving the seating comfort of a vehicle seat according to one embodiment of the invention;

illustrates a device for improving the seating comfort of a seat for a vehicle of a system according to another embodiment of the invention;

is a diagram illustrating the steps of a method according to one embodiment of the invention;

illustrates a seat control module according to one embodiment of the invention.

The presents a system for controlling a seat 102 of a vehicle 104 according to one embodiment of the invention.

No restriction is attached to the vehicle 104, which can be an autonomous vehicle, regardless of the degree of autonomy considered, or a vehicle with manual piloting.

The seat 102 according to the invention comprises a device for improving the comfort of a passenger 110. The device for improving the comfort of the passenger will be better understood on reading the description of FIGS. 2a and 2b.

No restriction is moreover attached to the seat 102, which may be the driver's seat or a passenger seat. According to one embodiment, the vehicle 104 comprises several seats 102 according to the invention. The vehicle 104 may further comprise one or more seats not comprising a comfort improvement device according to the invention.

The vehicle 104 further comprises a central control module 103 of the vehicle. No restriction is attached to the central control module 103 which can be a service box, possibly telematics, such as for example a BSFR, for Radio Frequency Service Box, or a BTA, for Autonomous Telematics Box. The central control module 103 may have a general function of analyzing data from vehicle sensors or data from devices with which the central control module 103 communicates. To this end, the central control module 103 can include various communication interfaces, such as a long-range communication interface to communicate with a remote server 105, of the "cloud" type for example. No restriction is attached to the long-range communication interface which can be a cellular, 3G, 4G or 5G interface, or a satellite interface. The central control module 103 can also comprise medium or short range communication interfaces, of the Wifi or Bluetooth type for example, and/or a wired interface, via a USB port in particular.

The system according to the invention further comprises a user device 101 capable of acquiring and/or storing physiological data of the passenger 110. The user device 101 can be independent of the vehicle 104, and can in particular be of the connected portable type. By way of example, the user device 101 can be a connected object, such as a passenger's connected watch. Alternatively, user device 101 may be a passenger's Smartphone. The user device 101 comprises wired or wireless communication means for communicating with the central control module 103 of the vehicle 104 and/or with the remote server 105.

The remote server 105 may include a user physiological data storage memory. A user's physiological data may be stored in association with a user ID. No restriction is attached to physiological data, which may include a user's heart rate, blood pressure, tremor detection data, body temperature or any other data relating to the physiological state of the passenger 110.

In addition, the remote server 105 may include a seat control module capable of analyzing the physiological data of a user and deducing a type of passenger therefrom. The analysis means can be made in the form of software (or computer (or even “software”)) modules, or else a combination of electronic circuits (or “hardware”) and software modules. The type of user can in particular identify the age and/or the physiological state of the user. For example, the type can be chosen from a set of predetermined passenger types, which may include:

- young person/person in good physiological shape, or more generally any person likely not to suffer from discomfort related to the seated position, in particular pressure sores; and

- elderly/frail person or more generally any person suffering from discomfort or pain when seated, in particular likely to suffer from pressure sores.

In addition, the seat control module may be able to remotely control the seat 102, and in particular the activation of the device for improving seating comfort, by sending an activation command via the module central control 103. As a variant, the control function of the seat 102, and of analysis of the physiological data can be decoupled in two distinct modules. In the following, the expressions “seat control module” and “seat comfort improvement device control module” are used interchangeably.

Alternatively, the seat control module is integrated into the central control module 103.

It will thus be understood that the calculation capacities necessary for the implementation of the method according to the invention can be distributed between the remote server 105 and the central control module 103, or can be integrated into the remote server 105 only or into the module central control 103 only.

The illustrates a device 201 for improving the seating comfort of a seat 102 according to one embodiment of the invention.

The device 201 comprises a plurality of supports 200 with continuous air so that the seat 102 inflates or deflates according to the movements of the passenger 110, avoiding overpressures and thus improving the comfort of the passenger 110.

The represents, by way of example, six supports, referenced respectively 200.1, 200.2, 200.3, 200.4, 200.5 and 200.6. On the upper part of the , the passenger 110 is not yet seated on the seat and therefore the supports 200.1 to 200.6 have the same shape. On the lower part of the , the passenger sits down and exerts greater pressure on the central supports 200.2, 200.3, 200.4 and 200.5 than on the extreme supports 200.1 and 200.5. The central supports 200.2, 200.3, 200.4 and 200.5 then deflate so as to maintain constant pressure on the passenger 110, thus improving seating comfort.

No restriction is attached to the number of supports 200 of the device 201.

The illustrates a device 202 for improving passenger seating comfort, of a seat 102 according to another embodiment of the invention.

Device 202 includes a plurality of alternating air supports 210, supports 210 alternately inflating and deflating.

The represents six supports, referenced respectively 210.1, 210.2, 210.3, 210.4, 210.5 and 210.6. Supports 210 are grouped into two groups. A first group includes supports 210.1, 210.3 and 210.5 while the second group includes supports 210.2, 210.4 and 210.6. The first and second groups are alternately inflated, which means that the supports in the first group are inflated when the supports in the second group are deflated, as shown on the upper part of the . Symmetrically, the supports of the first group are deflated when the supports of the first group are inflated, as illustrated on the lower part of the .

Such an embodiment makes it possible to distribute spatially and temporally the pressure exerted on the passenger 110, thus improving the comfort of sitting on the seat 102.

There is no restriction on the number of groups. Similarly, no restriction is attached to the number of supports 210 of device 202.

In order to pulsate air in the supports 200 or 210, the device 202 for improving passenger comfort can comprise a dedicated motor.

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate two particular embodiments. However, the invention is equally applicable to any device for improving passenger comfort.

According to the invention, the seat control module is capable of activating or deactivating the device 201 or 202 for improving passenger seating comfort 110.

The is a diagram illustrating the steps of a method according to one embodiment of the invention.

In the following, it is considered, for illustrative purposes only, that the seat control module is integrated into the remote server 105.

At a step 301, physiological data from the user device 101 are obtained by the seat control module. The physiological data may be data acquired in real time or may have been previously stored on the user device 101. The physiological data may be transmitted by the user device 101 to the seat control module via the central control module 103 of the vehicle 104 or directly to the remote server 105 via a wired or satellite interface of the user device 101.

At a step 302, the seat control module detects that a passenger is seated on the seat 102. Step 302 can in particular be implemented on the basis of vehicle sensor data 104, transmitted by the control module central 103 to the seat control module integrated in the remote server 105.

At a step 303, the seat control module identifies the passenger 110 whose presence on the seat 102 was detected at step 302. No restriction is attached to such identification. For example, the central control module 103 identifies the user device 101 by Bluetooth, Wifi or wired link, and transmits the identifier to the remote server 105. Alternatively, the user device 101 obtains an identifier from the vehicle 104 and transmits the identifier of the vehicle in association with a user identifier to the remote server 105, in particular to the seat control module that it integrates.

At a step 304, the seat control module determines, on the basis of the physiological data associated with the passenger 110 identified at step 303, a profile, for example from among a set of predetermined passenger profiles.

At a step 305, the seat control module determines whether the type of passenger corresponds to a type for which the seating comfort must be improved. The types for which the seating comfort should be improved can be predefined. For example, it may be the “elderly”, “frail” and/or “susceptible to pressure sore” types, or more generally “suffering from discomfort in the sitting position”. No restrictions are attached to the list of types for which the seating comfort should be improved.

If the seat control module determines that the type of passenger does not correspond to a type for which the seating comfort must be improved, the method ends at a step 306, which means that the device for improving seat comfort 102 is not activated.

If the seat control module determines that the type of passenger corresponds to a type for which the seating comfort must be improved, the seat control module activates the seat comfort improvement device 102 at a step 307.

Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to activate the device for improving seating comfort when necessary, and only when necessary. There is therefore no need to manually activate such a device, or to activate it automatically automatically.

In addition, a criterion other than the type of passenger can be taken into account in step 305 to decide whether or not to activate the seat comfort improvement device 102. For example, the seat control module can take travel time into account. The journey time may be communicated by the central control module 103 which accesses GPS navigation data from the vehicle 104, or manual input from the driver of the vehicle 104.

Thus, the steps of the method are implemented by the seat control module, which can be integrated into the remote server 105 according to one embodiment of the invention. As indicated above, the headquarters analysis and control functionalities can be separated, in which case the process is implemented by two separate entities. Steps 301 to 304 can be implemented by the analysis entity while steps 305 to 307 can be implemented by the seat control entity.

The shows the structure of a vehicle seat control module 400 according to one embodiment of the invention.

The seat control module 400 can comprise a processor 401 configured to communicate unidirectionally or bidirectionally, via one or more buses or via a direct wired connection, with a memory 402 such as a “Random Access Memory” type memory, RAM, or a “Read Only Memory” type memory, ROM, or any other type of memory (Flash, EEPROM, etc.). Alternatively, memory 402 includes several memories of the aforementioned types.

The memory 402 is capable of storing, permanently or temporarily, at least some of the data used and/or resulting from the implementation of the method illustrated with reference to the . In particular, the memory 402 is able to store the types of passenger for which the seating comfort must be improved. The memory can further store, temporarily or permanently, the physiological data of the passenger 110 in association with an identifier of the passenger 110. The memory 402 can also store in association the type of passenger with the identifier of the passenger 110.

The processor 401 is capable of executing instructions, stored in the memory 402, for the implementation of the steps of the method according to the invention, described with reference to the . Alternatively, the processor 402 can be replaced by a microcontroller designed and configured to carry out the steps of the method according to the invention, described with reference to the .

The seat control module 400 may further comprise a first interface 403 and a second interface 404.

When the seat control module 400 is integrated into the remote server 105, the first interface 403 can be capable of communicating with the central control module 103, via a wide area network of the Internet type for example, and the second interface 404 can be able to communicate with the user device 101, also via a wide area network. The first and second interfaces 403 and 404 can then be the same and unique interface.

Alternatively, when the seat control module 400 is integrated into the central control module 103, the first interface 403 may be able to communicate with the remote server 105, and the second interface may be able to communicate with the seat 102, in particular with the device for improving seating comfort. The seat control module may further comprise a third interface able to communicate with the user device 101, in particular to directly receive the passenger's identifier and/or the passenger's physiological data.

In general, the first interface or the third interface is capable of receiving physiological data and/or a passenger identifier, and the second interface is capable of transmitting a command to activate the device for improving seating comfort to the seat 102.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of examples; it extends to other variants.

Claims (10)

Method for controlling a device (201; 202) for improving seating comfort of a seat (102) of a vehicle (104), the method comprising the following steps
- obtaining (301) physiological data of a passenger (110);
- determination (304) of a passenger type based on the physiological data;
- comparison (305) of the type of passenger determined with a set of at least one type of passenger for which an improvement in seating comfort is required;
- if the type of passenger determined requires an improvement in seating comfort, activation (307) of the device for improving the seating comfort of the vehicle seat. A method according to claim 1, wherein the physiological data is received from a user device (101). A method according to claim 2, wherein the physiological data is received from a connected portable user device (101). A method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising receiving an identifier from the passenger (110), and wherein the physiological data is stored in association with the passenger identifier and wherein the physiological data is obtained (302 ) from the passenger identifier. A method according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising obtaining a travel time, and wherein the device (201; 202) for improving the seating comfort of the vehicle seat is activated if the type of determined passenger requires an improvement in seating comfort and/or if the travel time obtained is greater than or equal to a threshold value. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to claim 5, when these instructions are executed by a processor (401). Module (400) for controlling a device (201; 202) for improving seating comfort of a seat (102) of a vehicle (104) comprising:
- a first interface (403) capable of obtaining physiological data from a passenger (110);
- a processor (401) configured for:
determining or obtaining a type of passenger based on the physiological data of the passenger;
comparing the passenger type determined with a set of at least one passenger type for which an improvement in seating comfort is required;
activating, if the type of passenger determined requires an improvement in seating comfort, the device for improving the seating comfort of the vehicle seat by transmitting an activation command via a second interface (402). System comprising a device (201; 202) for improving seating comfort of a seat (102) of a vehicle (104) and a control module (400) according to claim 7. System according to claim 8, in which the control module is integrated in a central control module (103) of the vehicle (104). System according to claim 8, in which the control module (400) is integrated into a remote server (105), and in which the remote server is capable of communicating with a central control module (103) of the vehicle via a wide area network .