JP7568966B2 - Seat System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a seat system.

Conventionally, there is known a device that estimates the seating posture of a seated person by mounting a pressure sensor or the like on the seat of the seated person (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-064131

There are various advantages to being able to share information about the seat occupant obtained by a sensor installed in the seat with other users. For example, if a game is configured using the sensor installed in the seat as an input device, other users can learn the progress and results of the game, increasing the commercial value of the game. Furthermore, if the seat is out of sight or in a remote location, other users can understand the status of the seat occupant without visual inspection, which can be used for childcare, elderly care, monitoring, etc.

In view of the above background, the present invention aims to provide a seat system that allows other users to obtain information about a user seated in a seat.

In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a seat system (1) that includes a seat body (5), at least one sensor (40) provided on the seat body, a control device (46) that processes signals from the sensor, and a first user interface (69) that communicates with the control device and notifies information based on signals from the control device.

According to this aspect, other users can obtain information about the user seated in the seat using the first user interface. If the seat is out of sight or in a remote location, other users can understand the status of the user seated in the seat without visual inspection, which can be used for childcare, elderly care, monitoring, etc.

In the above aspect, the sensor may acquire information from an occupant seated in the seat body. Biometric information may include, for example, body temperature, pulse, sweat, odor, etc., and the sensor may include a temperature sensor, a pulse sensor, a humidity sensor, an odor sensor, etc.

According to this aspect, other users can obtain biometric information of the user seated in the seat.

In the above aspect, the seat may include a camera (51) that captures an image of the occupant seated in the seat body, and the control device may display an image captured by the camera on the first user interface.

According to this aspect, other users can obtain image information of the user seated in the seat using the first user interface.

In the above embodiment, the camera may be provided on the upper part of the seat back (8) or on the headrest (9).

According to this aspect, the camera can be supported using the seat back or headrest, eliminating the need for a separate mount for supporting the camera.

In the above aspect, the control device may have an application processing unit (57) that executes an application based on a signal from the sensor, and may display an image generated by the application processing unit on the first user interface.

According to this aspect, other users can use the first user interface to check the game screen of the game being played by the user seated on the seat body. In other words, other users can enjoy the game together with the user playing the game.

In the above aspect, the control device may constitute a mobile terminal (49), and may wirelessly communicate with the sensor, and the mobile terminal may have a second user interface (47) that displays the image.

According to this aspect, a user seated in the seat body can check the image through the second user interface of the mobile device. In addition, the control device and the second user interface can be configured using a known mobile device such as a tablet PC or a smartphone.

In the above aspect, the first user interface may receive a user input, and the control device may output to the second user interface based on the input from the first user interface.

According to this embodiment, users other than the user playing the game can participate in the game using an input device.

In the above aspect, the control device may communicate with the first user interface via the Internet (59).

According to this aspect, a user who is in a remote location relative to the seat body can obtain information about the user seated in the seat body.

In the above aspect, the seat system may be a seat system for a vehicle.

According to this aspect, the sensor can be used as a seating sensor to detect whether or not a user is seated in the seat.

One aspect of the present invention is a seat system (1) having a seat body (5), at least one sensor (40) provided on the seat body, a control device (46) that processes signals from the sensor, and a first user interface (69) that communicates with the control device and notifies information based on signals from the control device.

According to this aspect, other users can obtain information about the user seated in the seat using the first user interface. If the seat is out of sight or in a remote location, other users can understand the status of the user seated in the seat without visual inspection, which can be used for childcare, elderly care, monitoring, etc.

In the above aspect, the sensor may acquire information from an occupant seated in the seat body. Biometric information may include, for example, body temperature, pulse, sweat, odor, etc., and the sensor may include a temperature sensor, a pulse sensor, a humidity sensor, an odor sensor, etc.

According to this aspect, other users can obtain biometric information of the user seated in the seat.

In the above aspect, the seat may include a camera (51) that captures an image of the occupant seated in the seat body, and the control device may display an image captured by the camera on the first user interface.

According to this aspect, other users can obtain image information of the user seated in the seat using the first user interface.

In the above embodiment, the camera may be provided on the upper part of the seat back (8) or on the headrest (9).

According to this aspect, the camera can be supported using the seat back or headrest, eliminating the need for a separate mount for supporting the camera.

In the above aspect, the control device may have an application processing unit (57) that executes an application based on a signal from the sensor, and may display an image generated by the application processing unit on the first user interface.

According to this aspect, other users can use the first user interface to check the game screen of the game being played by the user seated on the seat body. In other words, other users can enjoy the game together with the user playing the game.

In the above aspect, the control device may constitute a mobile terminal (49), and may wirelessly communicate with the sensor, and the mobile terminal may have a second user interface (47) that displays the image.

According to this aspect, a user seated in the seat body can check the image through the second user interface of the mobile device. In addition, the control device and the second user interface can be configured using a known mobile device such as a tablet PC or a smartphone.

In the above aspect, the first user interface may receive a user input, and the control device may output to the second user interface based on the input from the first user interface.

According to this embodiment, users other than the user playing the game can participate in the game using an input device.

In the above aspect, the control device may communicate with the first user interface via the Internet (59).

According to this aspect, a user who is in a remote location relative to the seat body can obtain information about the user seated in the seat body.

In the above aspect, the seat system may be a seat system for a vehicle.

According to this aspect, the sensor can be used as a seating sensor to detect whether or not a user is seated in the seat.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior equipped with a seat system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seat body; Block diagram of a seat system according to a first embodiment. A viewing screen displayed on a user interface of another mobile device, (A) showing only a game image, (B) showing a case where there is one user playing the game, or (C) showing a case where there are multiple users playing the game. Block diagram of a seat system according to a second embodiment. Block diagram of a seat system according to a third embodiment. User information screen displayed on the user interface of another mobile device

Below, an embodiment of the seat system according to the present invention applied to a vehicle such as an automobile will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
1, the seat system 1 has at least one seat body 5 arranged on a floor 3 that defines the bottom of a vehicle interior 2. In this embodiment, the seat system 1 has a plurality of seat bodies 5. In the following description, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions are defined based on a user seated on the seat body 5.

The seat body 5 constitutes the left and right front seats, the left and right mid seats provided behind the front seats, and the left and right rear seats provided behind the mid seats. Each seat body 5 has a seat cushion 7 provided on the floor 3 of the passenger compartment 2, a seat back 8 connected to the rear of the seat cushion 7, and a headrest 9 provided on the upper side of the seat back 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, each seat cushion 7 has a seat cushion frame (not shown) forming the skeleton, a pad 12 supported by the seat cushion frame, and a skin material 13 covering the outer surface of the pad 12. Similarly, each seat back 8 has a seat back frame (not shown) forming the skeleton, a pad 16 supported by the seat back frame, and a skin material 17 covering the outer surface of the pad 16. The seat back frame is rotatably attached at its lower end to the rear end of the seat cushion frame. The pads 12 and 16 are made of a flexible resin material such as urethane foam. The skin materials 13 and 17 are made of, for example, woven fabric, leather, or synthetic leather.

At least one sensor 40 is provided in the seat body 5. It is preferable that at least one sensor 40 is provided in the seat cushion 7 and at least one sensor 40 is provided in the seat back 8. The sensor 40 has a plurality of detection units 41, one first communication unit 42, one battery 43, and wiring 44 connecting the plurality of detection units 41, the first communication unit 42, and the battery 43. The first communication unit 42 may be configured by a microcomputer or the like. The battery 43 may be replaceable or rechargeable. The battery 43 may be charged by connecting a harness or by wireless charging. It is preferable that the plurality of detection units 41, the first communication unit 42, the battery 43, and the wiring 44 are arranged on a sheet material 45 having a common flexibility. The sheet material 45 may be, for example, a flexible printed circuit board. In this embodiment, one of the sensors 40 is provided between the upper surface of the pad 12 of the seat cushion 7 and the upholstery material 13, and the other is provided between the front surface of the pad 16 of the seat back 8 and the upholstery material 17.

The sensor 40 constitutes a load sensor, pressure-sensitive switch, or touch sensor that detects the load applied by or contact with a user seated on the seat body 5. The detection unit 41 of the sensor 40 may be, for example, a piezoelectric element, a membrane switch, or a capacitance sensor. The sensor 40 may also constitute a bioinformation sensor that detects the body temperature, pulse, sweating state, odor, and the like of a user seated on the seat body 5. The bioinformation sensor includes a temperature sensor, pulse sensor, humidity sensor, odor sensor, and the like. In this embodiment, the sensor 40 is a membrane switch that generates an on signal when a load equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied.

As shown in FIG. 3, the seat system 1 further includes a control device 46 that communicates with the sensor 40, a user interface 47 controlled by the control device 46, and a camera 51 that captures an image of an occupant seated in the seat body 5. The user interface 47 preferably has at least an output function for displaying images, and an input function for accepting user input. In this embodiment, the user interface 47 is a touch panel display that can display images and accept inputs by the user's touch operation. The touch panel display may be composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

1 and 3, the camera 51 may be a digital camera. The camera 51 communicates with the control device 46 by wired or wireless communication and transmits captured image data to the control device 46. A camera 51 may be provided for each seat body 5, or a common camera 51 may be provided to capture images of users seated in multiple seat bodies 5. The camera 51 may be provided on a structure such as the roof 52 or pillar 53 of the vehicle, or on the back of the seat body 5 located in front of the seat body 5 to be imaged. The camera 51 may also be provided on the upper part of the seat back 8 or the headrest 9 of the seat body 5 to be imaged, and may capture an image of the side of the face of the user seated in the seat body 5.

In this embodiment, the control device 46 and the user interface 47 are combined together to form a mobile terminal 49. In other embodiments, the control device 46 and the user interface 47 may be disposed in the vehicle as independent devices.

The control device 46 is an electronic control device including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a rewritable non-volatile memory, and the like. The control device 46 has a second communication unit 55 that wirelessly communicates with the first communication unit 42 of the sensor 40 and communicates with the sensor 40, a signal processing unit 56 that processes a signal from the sensor 40, an application processing unit 57 that executes an application based on a signal from the signal processing unit 56, an image creation unit 58, and a third communication unit 64 for wirelessly communicating with a base station to connect to the Internet 59. The server 61 may be a cloud server. The application processing unit 57 can execute various applications including games. The second control device 50 functions as a platform and holds various applications. The applications may be imported into the control device 46 via the Internet 59 or a storage medium. The applications include games and applications for operating the seat body 5 and the lighting and sound devices in the vehicle. In this embodiment, the application processing unit 57 executes a game application in which the sensor 40 is a controller. The server 61 connects the mobile terminal 49 to another mobile terminal 62, enabling online games.

The other mobile terminal 62 may be located inside the vehicle or in a remote location outside the vehicle. The other mobile terminal 62 may be a known tablet PC or smartphone, and has a user interface 69 capable of inputting and outputting with the control device 68. The control device 68 has a fourth communication unit 70 for wirelessly communicating with a base station to connect to the Internet 59. The other mobile terminal 62 communicates with the control device 46, and the user interface 69 notifies information based on a signal from the control device 46. The user interface 69 may be a touch panel display capable of inputting and outputting.

A navigation system 67 is provided on the dash panel 65 that constitutes the front of the passenger compartment 2. The navigation system 67 has a control device 71 that executes car navigation processing based on GPS information and map information, and a user interface 72 that displays a car navigation screen generated by the control device 71. The control device 71 of the navigation system 67 has a fifth communication unit 73 for communicating with the second communication unit 55 of the mobile terminal 49. The user interface 72 is preferably a touch panel display capable of input and output.

The first communication unit 42, the second communication unit 55, and the fifth communication unit 73 may communicate using a short-range wireless communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The third communication unit 64 and the fourth communication unit 70 may communicate with a base station device connected to the Internet 59 using wireless communication based on a mobile communication standard such as 4G or 5G.

The signal processing unit 56 converts the signal from the sensor 40 into a signal that can be processed by the application processing unit 57. When the application is started, the application processing unit 57 generates a game screen (image), controls the user interface 47 provided on the mobile terminal 49, and causes the user interface 47 to display the game screen. The application processing unit 57 also executes game processing based on the signal from the signal processing unit 56, and changes the game screen displayed on the user interface 47. The user interface 47 may be a touch panel display composed of a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The application processing unit 57 communicates with the server 61 via the third communication unit 64. The game application executed by the application processing unit 57 may be, for example, one in which a character in the game is moved based on the body movement of the user seated on the seat main body 5, and a game is played.

The viewing image creation unit 58 creates a viewing image 80 based on the image information from the camera 51 and the game screen. The viewing image 80 is an image displayed on the other mobile terminal 62 and the navigation system 67. The viewing image 80 includes at least one of a game image and a camera image. For example, the viewing image 80 may be only a game image 80A as shown in FIG. 4(A), or, as shown in FIG. 3(B), the game image 80A may be displayed on the left half of the image and the camera image 80B may be displayed on the right half. The camera image includes the user playing the game. As shown in FIG. 3(C), when there are multiple users playing the game in the vehicle cabin 2, the right half may be divided according to the number of users playing the game, and camera images 80B, 80B of each user may be displayed.

The control device 46 transmits the viewed image 80 to the control device 71 of the navigation system 67, and the control device 71 causes the user interface 72 to display the viewed image 80. The control device 46 also transmits the viewed image 80 to an external mobile terminal 62, and the control device 68 of the mobile terminal 62 causes the user interface of the mobile terminal 62 to display the viewed image 80.

The user interface 69 of the other mobile terminal 62 may accept input of a message by the user, and the control device 68 may transmit the input message to the mobile terminal 49. The application processing unit 57 of the mobile terminal 49 may display the received message on the game screen. In this way, users who have other mobile terminals 62 may also participate in the game as supporters.

The viewed image 80 may also be stored in at least one of the control device 46, the server 61, and the control device 68. The control device 68 may select the stored viewed image 80 in response to an operation by another user, and display it on the user interface 69. The control device 68 may display an image selection screen showing a list of past viewed images 80 on the user interface 69, and allow the other user to select the viewed image 80 to be displayed. This allows the other user to check the past viewed images 80.

The server 61 may also store the viewing images 80 transmitted from the multiple control devices 46. The control device 68 may then display on the user interface 69 a viewing image 80 selected from the viewing images 80 transmitted from the multiple control devices 46 in response to an operation by another user. The control device 68 may display on the user interface 69 an image selection screen displaying a list of the viewing images 80 transmitted from the multiple control devices 46, and allow the other user to select the viewing image 80 to be displayed. This allows the other user to check the viewing images 80 generated by the multiple control devices 46.

According to the above-described embodiment, a video game can be provided to a user in which the sensor 40 provided on the seat body 5 serves as a game controller. The sensor 40 detects the body movements of the user seated on the seat body 5, and executes the game in response to the user's body movements. In other words, the seat system 1 provides a game that the user seated on the seat body 5 can enjoy by moving his or her body.

The seat system 1 allows other users to obtain information about the user seated in the seat body 5 using the user interface 69 of the mobile terminal 62. When the seat is out of sight or the seat body 5 is in a remote location, other users can grasp the state of the user seated in the seat body 5 without visual inspection, which can be used for childcare, nursing care, monitoring, etc. For example, a user seated in the seat body 5, which is a mid-seat, can obtain information about the user seated in the seat body 5, which is a front seat, using the user interface 69 of the mobile terminal 62. Also, a user who is far away from the vehicle can obtain information about the user seated in the seat body 5 inside the vehicle.

The viewing image 80 is also displayed on the user interface 72 of the navigation system 67, so that a user seated in the seat body 5, which is the front seat, can obtain the image using the user interface 72 of the navigation system 67.

Since the viewing image 80 includes a captured image of the user seated in the seat body 5, other users can check an image of the user playing the game. In addition, since the viewing image 80 also includes a game image, the user's gameplay status can be checked. For example, grandparents who are in a remote location away from the vehicle can check the behavior of their grandchild who is enjoying a game inside the vehicle.

In the seat system 1 according to the first embodiment, when the mobile terminal 62 is located relatively close to the mobile terminal 49, for example, when the mobile terminal 62 is located inside the vehicle, the mobile terminal 62 may directly wirelessly communicate with the mobile terminal 49 by short-range communication without going through the Internet 59.

Second Embodiment
5, the seat system 90 according to the second embodiment differs from the seat system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the control device 71 of the navigation system 67 has a second communication unit 55, a signal processing unit 56, an application processing unit 57, a viewing image creation unit 58, and a third communication unit 64. In the seat system 90, the mobile terminal 49 is an additional component and may be omitted.

The seat system 90 according to the second embodiment can use the navigation system 67 installed in the vehicle to process signals from the sensor 40 and execute game processing, eliminating the need for the mobile terminal 49.

Third Embodiment
6 , the seat system 100 according to the third embodiment differs from the seat system 1 according to the first embodiment in that it has a user information processing unit 101. In the seat system 100, the sensor 40 has a pressure sensor that detects pressure (load) applied by a user seated on the seat main body 5, a pulse sensor that acquires the pulse of the user seated on the seat main body 5, and a body temperature sensor that measures the body temperature of the user seated on the seat main body 5.

The user information processing unit 101 acquires user information including whether or not a user is seated in the seat body 5, the pulse rate of the user seated in the seat body 5, and the body temperature of the user seated in the seat body 5 based on a signal from the sensor 40. The control device 46 then transmits the user information to another mobile terminal 62 and causes the user interface 69 to display a user information screen 105 including the user information. The user information screen 105 may be, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 7. The control device 46 may also transmit the user information to the navigation system 67 and cause the user interface 72 to display the user information screen 105.

The user information may also be stored in at least one of the control device 46, the server 61, and the control device 68. The control device 68 may select the stored user information in response to an operation by another user, generate a user information screen 105 based on the selected user information, and display the user information screen 105 on the user interface 69. The control device 68 may display a user information selection screen displaying a list of past user information on the user interface 69, and allow the other user to select the user information to be displayed. This allows the user to check the past user information.

The server 61 may also store user information transmitted from the multiple control devices 46. The control device 68 may then generate a user information screen 105 based on user information selected from the user information transmitted from the multiple control devices 46 in response to an operation by another user, and display the user information screen 105 on the user interface 69. The control device 68 may display a user information selection screen on the user interface 69 that displays a list of user information transmitted from the multiple control devices 46, and allow the other user to select the user information to be displayed. This allows the other user to check the user information acquired by the multiple control devices 46.

The seat system 100 allows a user with a mobile terminal 62 to determine whether or not a user is seated in the seat body 5, and if a user is seated, to obtain the user's biometric information, including the user's pulse and body temperature. In the seat system 100, by incorporating a humidity sensor and an odor sensor in the sensor 40, other users in remote locations can obtain the sweating state and odor of the user seated in the seat body 5.

The seat system 100 is suitable for monitoring elderly people from a remote location when applied to chairs in the home. The seat system 100 can determine whether an elderly person living in a remote location has used the seat body 5, and if so, can obtain information about their health condition, such as their pulse rate and body temperature.

This concludes the explanation of the specific embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in a wide range of ways. In the above embodiment, an example in which the seat system is applied to a vehicle is described, but the seat system may also be applied to seats for vehicles other than automobiles, or seats installed in buildings such as theaters and homes.

The signal processing unit 56 may determine whether a child seat or booster seat is installed on the seat body 5 based on the signal from the sensor 40, and may set the output from the signal processing unit 56 to the application processing unit 57 to 0 when a child seat or booster seat is installed. When the sensor 40 has a load sensor (pressure sensor), the signal processing unit 56 may detect whether a child seat or booster seat is installed on the seat body 5 based on the load distribution detected by the sensor 40. For example, when the load distribution detected by the sensor 40 matches a preset pattern, it may determine that a child seat or booster seat is installed on the seat cushion 7 of the seat body 5.

The child seat or booster seat mounted on the seat body 5 may also have a sensor capable of transmitting a signal to the control device 46 by wireless communication. The sensor in the child seat and booster seat may be similar to the sensor 40 applied to the seat body 5. When the signal processing unit 56 detects that the child seat or booster seat has been placed on the seat body 5, the signal from the sensor provided in the child seat or booster seat can be output to the application processing unit 57 by setting the output based on the signal from the sensor 40 of the seat body 5 to 0. This allows a user seated in the child seat or booster seat to play the game.

1, 90, 100: Seat system 5: Seat body 7: Seat cushion 8: Seat back 9: Headrest 40: Sensor 46: Control device 47: User interface 49: Mobile terminal 51: Camera 55: Second communication unit 56: Signal processing unit 57: Application processing unit 58: Viewing image creation unit 59: Internet 61: Server 62: Mobile terminal 64: Third communication unit 65: Dash panel 67: Navigation system 68: Control device 69: User interface 70: Fourth communication unit 71: Control device 72: User interface 73: Fifth communication unit 80: Viewing image 101: User information processing unit 105: User information screen

Claims (9)

A seat system for a vehicle, comprising:
A seat body provided in a vehicle and having at least one sensor;
a first control device disposed in the vehicle and processing signals from the sensor;
a first user interface that is disposed in the vehicle, communicates with the first control device, and notifies information based on a signal from the first control device;
a mobile terminal that is disposed outside the vehicle, has a second user interface, and communicates with the first control device;
The first control device has a user information processing unit that acquires user information including biological information of a first user seated on the seat body based on a signal from the sensor,
The first control device transmits the user information to the mobile terminal and causes the second user interface to display a user information screen including the user information ;
The mobile terminal has a second control device,
The first control device and the mobile terminal communicate with a server;
The user information is stored in at least one of the first control device, the server, and the second control device;
The second control device selects the user information stored in response to operation of a second user different from the first user, generates the user information screen based on the selected user information, and displays the user information screen on the second user interface. a camera for capturing an image of the first user seated in the seat body,
The seat body includes a seat cushion provided on a floor of a vehicle compartment, a seat back connected to a rear portion of the seat cushion, and a headrest provided on an upper side of the seat back,
The seat system according to claim 1 , wherein the camera is provided on an upper portion of the seat back or on the headrest. 3. The seat system according to claim 1 , wherein the first control device wirelessly communicates with the sensor. A seat system for a vehicle, comprising:
A seat body provided in a vehicle and having at least one sensor;
a first control device disposed in the vehicle and processing signals from the sensor;
a first user interface that is disposed in the vehicle, communicates with the first control device, and notifies information based on a signal from the first control device;
a mobile terminal that is disposed outside the vehicle, has a second user interface, and communicates with the first control device;
The first control device has a user information processing unit that acquires user information including biological information of a first user seated on the seat body based on a signal from the sensor,
The first control device transmits the user information to the mobile terminal and causes the second user interface to display a user information screen including the user information;
the first user interface accepts input from the first user;
The first control device is a seat system that provides output to the second user interface based on an input from the first user interface. the first control device has an application processing unit that executes an application and an image generating unit;
the application processing unit generates a game screen, causes the second user interface to display the game screen, and executes game processing based on a signal from the sensor to change the game screen displayed on the second user interface;
the viewing image creation unit creates a viewing image including at least one of the image information from the camera and the game screen based on the image information from the camera and the game screen;
The viewed image is stored in at least one of the first control device, the server, and the second control device;
The seat system according to claim 2 , wherein the second control device selects the saved viewing image in response to an operation by the second user, and displays the selected viewing image on the second user interface. the second user interface of the mobile terminal accepts input of a message, and the second control device transmits the input message to the first control device;
The seat system according to claim 5 , wherein the application processing unit of the first control device displays the received message on the game screen. 7. The seating system of claim 6 , wherein the second controller communicates with the first user interface over the Internet. Each of the seat cushion and the seat back has a frame forming a skeleton, a pad supported by the frame, and a skin material covering an outer surface of the pad,
3. The seat system according to claim 2 , wherein the frame of the seat back is rotatably attached at a lower end to a rear end of the frame of the seat cushion. 9. The seat system according to claim 1, wherein the first control device constitutes a control device of a navigation system.

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