Method and system for adaptively adjusting a vehicle seat to a user

Abstract

Method for adaptively adjusting a vehicle seat (10) to a user (12) comprising the following steps: a) capturing at least one image of a user (12) by means of at least one vehicle camera (14, 16) (step S1); b) evaluating the at least one image to determine body characteristics of the user (12) (step S2); c) adjusting the vehicle seat (10) at least depending on the determined physical characteristics of the user (12) (step S3), wherein the setting of the vehicle seat (10) is varied according to a predeterminable temporal pattern between at least two different settings, where the variation occurs by a given amount around a mean value, characterized by that the mean value represents an optimal seat setting determined for the respective user, where the time interval between two variations varies between 5 and 10 minutes.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for adaptively adjusting a vehicle seat to a user. It also relates to a corresponding system for adaptively adjusting a vehicle seat to a user, as well as to a motor vehicle comprising such a system.

[0002] Before starting a journey, a driver must ensure that each passenger has their seat properly adjusted. The steering wheel, head restraints, seat belt, and mirrors must also be properly adjusted.

[0003] In vehicles with electrically adjustable seats, the basic settings can be adjusted using buttons. The seat can be adjusted forward or backward, up or down. Furthermore, the seat cushion, backrest, and lumbar support can be adjusted. Depending on the vehicle's equipment, the seats may offer additional adjustment options.

[0004] A memory function allows the driver to save and recall seat profiles using memory buttons in the door panel. Depending on the vehicle's equipment, settings such as the driver's seat and exterior mirror positions can be saved.

[0005] If the driver or other vehicle occupants have not adjusted their seats correctly, this can compromise safety, for example, by reducing all-round visibility or requiring insufficient force to apply the brake pedal in the event of an emergency stop. Incorrect seat adjustment also compromises safety in the event of a collision, for example, if an airbag is deployed or seat belts are incorrectly adjusted.

[0006] However, this does not guarantee that each vehicle occupant will adjust their seat correctly according to the owner's manual. Particularly when a vehicle has multiple drivers, time constraints or driver negligence can result in the seat not being adjusted correctly and with the necessary care. The same problem also arises when changing vehicles, for example, with rental cars or mobility services.

[0007] Furthermore, a seat adjustment that initially appears comfortable to a user may not be optimal from an ergonomic point of view and can lead to muscle tension or back pain on longer journeys.

[0008] Even when using a seat memory function, it is necessary for the driver to first make the basic settings correctly.

[0009] DE 10 2019 110 986 A1 relates to a method for user-specific adjustment of vehicle parameters. At least one sensor system of the vehicle detects that a person is located in a specified area around the vehicle and intends to use the vehicle. The person is recorded using a camera system, and person-specific characteristics are determined based on at least two images. The vehicle parameters are then adjusted based on the person-specific characteristics. For example, a person's blood circulation status is recorded based on thermographic images. Based on this, vehicle parameters, for example, are specifically adjusted to this status. Examples include automatically activating a heating device, a seating device, a cooling device, or a massage device, in particular before the person enters the vehicle or the vehicle starts moving.DE 10 2019 110 986 A1 was used to formulate the generic terms of the independent claims.

[0010] DE 103 05 013 A1 relates to a device for adjusting at least one vehicle seat, which is configured for automatic adjustment of the vehicle seat. The device can change a contour of the at least one vehicle seat depending on a signal from an imaging sensor that detects a vehicle occupant on the vehicle seat.

[0011] DE 10 2011 084 087 A1 discloses an adjustment device for ergonomically adjusting a vehicle seat with multiple adjustable seat components. The adjustment device comprises a control unit with a memory in which vehicle occupant data can be stored, enabling automatic adjustment of all adjustable seat and / or vehicle components. A reading unit, for example in the form of a known standard interface, is provided, via which the necessary vehicle occupant data can be read from a mobile data storage device into the memory of the control unit. The data storage device receives the necessary vehicle occupant data in the form of a defined two-dimensional image from a digital image capture system.The control unit or data storage device is provided with an algorithm stored in memory that determines the proportions of specified body parts to one another from the two-dimensional image in such a way that a specific, at least relative, automatic adjustment of the seat and / or vehicle components can be derived therefrom. The defined two-dimensional image is to be recorded in such a way that specific body parts are recognizable. A manually operated input unit in the form of a touchscreen is provided on which defined positions of body parts can be successively adjusted via at least one marker bar that can be moved with the finger, superimposed on the image displayed on the touchscreen.

[0012] DE 10 2017 105 625 A1 discloses a system and method for scanning a person for interior preference configuration. A vehicle includes a target lamp on an exterior mirror of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a scanning module. Additionally, the vehicle includes an active scanning system configured to instruct the target lamp to project a position indicator at a known distance from the vehicle, determine an articulation structure based on an image of a person standing at the position indicator received from the scanning module, and adjust interior preference settings based on the detected articulation structure.

[0013] DE 10 2018 208 837 A1 relates to a computer program product for electrically adjusting a vehicle seat, comprising an instruction means for creating an instruction for a person to assume a predefined posture in which the person is standing and at least one hand of the person is visibly located on the person's hip, a determination unit for determining an H-point of the person based on the predefined posture assumed by the person, a computing means for calculating seat adjustment information based on the determined H-point, and a signal output means for outputting an adjustment signal for electrically adjusting the vehicle seat based on the calculated seat adjustment information.

[0014] DE 20 2013 002 800 U1 teaches an adjustment system for an automobile seat based on measurements of a user, wherein the measurements are taken using a touchscreen of a device equipped with an imaging camera, and wherein the lengths of measuring templates superimposed on an image of the user are adjusted to correspond to the image.

[0015] From EP 2 674 914 B1 a method for determining an eye position of a person is known, wherein the person is outside a vehicle.

[0016] US 10,144,374 B2 teaches the configuration of a vehicle such that it automatically makes settings for one or more components of the vehicle based on a measured anthropometric characteristic of a person approaching the vehicle. The vehicle may include a sensor configured to capture data, such as visual data, of a portion of the vehicle's external environment. The external environment may include a person approaching the vehicle. The vehicle may include a component that is adjustable to multiple settings. The captured data may be evaluated to measure an anthropometric characteristic of the person approaching the vehicle. Based on the measured anthropometric characteristic, a target setting of the vehicle component can be determined. The current setting of the component can be adjusted to the determined target setting.

[0017] Finally, DE 10 2018 211 835 A1 discloses a method for determining an adjustment position of a component that is adjustable in a position, the method comprising the following steps: determining a vehicle model of the vehicle based on vehicle identification data, determining a user parameter that identifies a user of the vehicle based on user identification data, providing an artificial neural network that is trained with a component reference adjustment position of a reference user in the determined vehicle model, with a component reference adjustment position of the reference user in a reference vehicle model and with a component reference adjustment position of the user in the reference vehicle model, and determining the adjustment position of the component in the vehicle by inputting the vehicle model and the user parameter into the artificial neural network.

[0018] The object of the present invention is to further improve such adaptive adjustments of vehicle seats.

[0019] This problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims.

[0020] The procedure according to the invention automatically ensures optimal adjustment of the seating position, thereby increasing comfort, ergonomics and safety for a vehicle user.

[0021] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that a driving situation is further determined, in particular by means of a sensor device or a navigation device of the vehicle, wherein in step c) the adjustment of the vehicle seat continues to take place depending on the determined driving situation. Different driving situations can be, for example, a city trip, a motorway trip, or a trip on a mountain pass. During a city trip, in which the driver frequently performs activities such as braking, accelerating, turning, and the like, the driver will prefer a more upright sitting position than during a motorway trip, which is usually characterized by a monotonous route.On mountain passes, different seating positions can prove advantageous: For example, a steeper seating position may be preferred uphill than downhill, allowing for a better view of the road edges ahead. Since the force of gravity pulls the rider backward when climbing, a seating position further forward is preferred than when descending.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, a manually selected driving profile or driving mode can be determined, whereby in step c), the vehicle seat adjustment continues to be carried out depending on the selected driving profile or driving mode. Here, for example, a distinction can be made between driving profiles and / or driving modes such as "sporty," "comfortable," "beginner," and "race."

[0023] More preferably, in step d), the determined physical characteristics of the user are classified according to a predefinable classification, wherein in step c) the vehicle seat is adjusted depending on the classification. In this case, ratios of the determined physical characteristics, for example the ratio of torso length to leg length, can also be used for the classification in order to determine suitable parameters for adjusting the driver's seat. In this context, depending on the classification, parameters for adjusting the vehicle seat in step c) can be read out and used from a database, which is stored in particular on a central server device. It has proven particularly advantageous to utilize findings from a fleet by using the mean values ​​for the corresponding classification as optimal adjustment parameters for the vehicle seat.Alternatively, the database parameters can be determined and provided based on predefined health aspects. In this context, for example, a corresponding classification can be used to evaluate user surveys to determine which vehicle seat adjustment parameters minimize the incidence of back pain. The corresponding vehicle seat adjustment parameters can then be used to adjust the vehicle seat in step c).

[0024] In this context, the database can be self-learning, with the settings being fed back to the database through user surveys, supplemented by at least one quality parameter. The quality parameter could, for example, relate to health aspects such as an assessment of back pain or ergonomic aspects.

[0025] It can be provided that the parameters read from the database for adjusting the vehicle seat can be modified by the user according to the classification. Particularly within the framework of the self-learning system mentioned above, the existing parameters for adjusting the vehicle seat can be further optimized by reporting the modified settings back to the database.

[0026] Preferably, the deviation of the modified setting from the setting based on the classification is recorded and stored in the vehicle. This is particularly advantageous for the user of the respective modified setting, as they only need to make the modification once. The type of modification can also be learned, particularly based on modifications in different situations, for example, "the driver prefers to sit 5° steeper in city traffic," and automatically applied in other situations when downloading adjustment parameters for the vehicle seat from the database, in order to modify the downloaded parameters specifically for the driver.

[0027] Preferably, the at least one image, in particular an image sequence, is automatically captured when approaching the vehicle and / or when sitting in the vehicle and / or when exiting the vehicle. Since the approach to the vehicle can be detected, for example, using transponder technology, this makes it possible to capture the at least one image automatically, i.e., without the user's intervention or even without their knowledge, and to use it to determine the optimal parameters for adjusting the vehicle seat for the specific user. This is particularly advantageous in the area of ​​car sharing.

[0028] In this context, it can be provided that, on the basis of an identification and / or authentication step, in particular after capturing a first image or based on a key used by the user or based on a fingerprint captured by the user, a check is carried out to determine whether parameters for adjusting the vehicle seat already exist for this user, wherein steps b) and c) are only carried out if the result of the check is negative. In this way, unnecessary data transfer can be avoided, which would inevitably occur if images were captured each time a vehicle equipped according to the invention was approached, thus initiating the evaluation and determination process. By providing for this check, the data traffic and computing capacity of the central server device can be kept particularly low.

[0029] Particularly preferably, at least two images are captured simultaneously by cameras arranged at different positions in the vehicle, with a 3D image being generated from the at least two images for evaluation in step b). By generating a 3D image, the user's body characteristics can be determined particularly precisely and reliably, resulting in optimized adjustment of the vehicle seat. For example, body characteristics that cannot be resolved in a two-dimensional representation can be taken into account in this context, in particular how deep certain parts of the respective body are. This aspect makes it particularly easy to determine how muscular a body is, particularly in certain body regions, which is difficult to do with two-dimensional images.Two-dimensional images are particularly suitable for determining the length of body extremities between different joints, which already results in very good vehicle seat adjustments. However, even better adjustments can be achieved by determining the circumference of the corresponding body parts between two joints. This is made possible by creating 3D images according to the preferred embodiment mentioned. 3D images can also be used to evaluate the user's clothing. In particular, it can be determined that, for example, thick winter clothing or the like is being worn. This can then be taken into account when determining the optimal settings.

[0030] According to the invention, the adjustment of the vehicle seat is varied according to a predeterminable temporal pattern between at least two different settings. This prevents tension or fatigue and therefore further reduces the risk of back problems. The variation occurs by a predetermined amount around an average value, whereby the average value represents the optimal seat adjustment determined for the respective user. For example, the inclination of the seat can be varied by ± 5°. Likewise, the seat height can be varied by ± 0.5 cm. The longitudinal adjustment of the seat can be varied, for example, by ± 1 cm. Even such small modifications result in a different load on the body and can prevent muscle tension. The time interval between two variations is between 5 and 10 minutes.

[0031] According to a preferred development, it can be provided that a driving style of the driver is determined, wherein the vehicle seat is further adjusted in step c) depending on the determined driving style. In the case of a sporty driving style, the backrest is positioned more upright by a predetermined number of degrees, the driver's seat is moved further forward in the longitudinal direction and, if necessary, the height of the seat surface is reduced. If present, lateral support zones can be adjusted so that they fit more closely to the driver and offer him more support when cornering. For a relaxed driving style, the backrest can be tilted backward by a few degrees compared to a neutral seating position and the driver's seat can be pushed back slightly. Of course, further adjustments to the driver's driving style are possible, depending on the adjustment options of the vehicle seat.The driver's driving style can be determined in a known way, for example by evaluating accelerator and brake pedal sensors as well as acceleration sensors.

[0032] In step c), a steering wheel position and / or at least one mirror position and / or a pedal position can be adjusted at least depending on the determined physical characteristics of the user. In this way, optimal positions can also be automatically set for the other vehicle components mentioned, further increasing road safety.

[0033] Further preferred embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

[0034] For use cases or application situations that may arise during the method and which are not explicitly described here, it may be provided that, in accordance with the method, an error message and / or a request to enter user feedback is issued and / or a default setting and / or a predetermined initial state is set.

[0035] The invention also includes a system for adaptively adjusting a vehicle seat to a user, comprising at least one vehicle camera for capturing at least one image of a user, an evaluation device designed to evaluate the at least one image in order to determine physical characteristics of the user, and a control device designed to adjust the vehicle seat at least as a function of the determined physical characteristics of the user and to vary the setting of the vehicle seat according to a predeterminable temporal pattern between at least two different settings, wherein the variation takes place by a predetermined amount around an average value, wherein the average value represents an optimal seat setting determined for the respective user, wherein the time interval between two variations is between 5 and 10 minutes.The control device can comprise a data processing device or a processor device configured to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. For this purpose, the processor device can comprise at least one microprocessor and / or at least one microcontroller and / or at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and / or at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Furthermore, the processor device can comprise program code configured to carry out the embodiment of the method according to the invention when executed by the processor device. The program code can be stored in a data memory of the processor device.

[0036] The invention also includes further developments of the system according to the invention that have features already described in connection with the further developments of the method according to the invention. For this reason, the corresponding further developments of the system according to the invention are not described again here.

[0037] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle comprising a system according to the invention.

[0038] The motor vehicle according to the invention is preferably designed as a motor vehicle, in particular as a passenger car or truck, or as a passenger bus or motorcycle.

[0039] As a further solution, the invention also encompasses a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer or computer network, cause the computer or computer network to carry out an embodiment of the method according to the invention. The storage medium can, for example, be designed at least partially as a non-volatile data memory (e.g. as a flash memory and / or as an SSD - solid state drive) and / or at least partially as a volatile data memory (e.g. as a RAM - random access memory). The computer or computer network can provide a processor circuit with at least one microprocessor. The instructions can be provided as binary code or assembler and / or as source code of a programming language (e.g. C).

[0040] The invention also encompasses combinations of the features of the described embodiments. The invention therefore also encompasses implementations that each have a combination of the features of several of the described embodiments, unless the embodiments are described as mutually exclusive.

[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below. These show: Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the system according to the invention for adaptively adjusting a vehicle seat to a user; and Fig. 2 shows a signal flow graph for an embodiment of a method according to the invention for adaptively adjusting a vehicle seat to a user.

[0042] The exemplary embodiments explained below are preferred embodiments of the invention. In the exemplary embodiments, the described components of the embodiments each represent individual features of the invention that can be considered independently of one another, each of which also develops the invention independently of one another. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to encompass combinations of the features of the embodiments other than those shown. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by further features of the invention already described.

[0043] In the figures, the same reference symbols denote elements with the same function.

[0044] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation to explain an embodiment of a system according to the invention for adaptively adjusting a vehicle seat 10 to a user 12. For this purpose, at least one image of a user is captured using at least one external camera 14 or an internal camera 16 of the vehicle 18. Using image processing means, in particular using image analysis software, a data model 22 of the user 12 is created from this image, from which physical characteristics of the user 12 can be derived. Alternatively, the user's data model 22 can also be downloaded from a central server device 20. For this purpose, physical characteristics of the user are made available to the central server device 20 through manual data entry or image upload, for example using a mobile terminal of the user 12.

[0045] In particular, height, forearm length, upper arm length, lower leg length, thigh length, chest circumference, abdominal circumference, and weight are determined as physical characteristics. Particularly preferably, a camera belt of a driver assistance system of the vehicle 18 is used to capture the image or multiple images or image sequences. This camera belt captures the area outside the vehicle 18 and can observe the vehicle user as they approach the vehicle 18. In the interior, it is preferred to use a driver observation camera and / or an interior camera to capture the at least one image.

[0046] Corresponding images can be captured by other vehicle users and / or vehicle occupants and evaluated accordingly.

[0047] The determined body characteristics are transmitted to a control device 24. This control device 24 also receives data from a sensor device or a navigation device 26 of the vehicle 18, which reflects a current driving situation. Finally, the control device 24 receives information from a memory 28 of the vehicle 18 regarding whether the user 12 has modified optimal parameters for adjusting the vehicle seat in the past, and if so, in what way. A lookup table can be stored in the control device 24, in which a parameter set 30 for optimally adjusting the vehicle seat 10 is determined based on the determined body characteristics, the determined driving situation, and the information on the modified user settings, and the corresponding adjustment functionalities of the vehicle seat 10 are controlled accordingly.

[0048] The control device 24 can be arranged in the central server device 20, but can also be located in the vehicle 18. When arranged in the central server device 20, the preferred user settings 28 and the determined driving situation 26 are uploaded to the control device 24 for consideration, and the result, which includes the parameter set 30 for adjusting the vehicle seat 10, is subsequently downloaded to a control device of the vehicle, which then controls the corresponding functionalities of the vehicle seat 10. When the control device 24 is arranged in the vehicle 18, the determined physical characteristics of the user 12 must be downloaded from the central server device 20 to the control device 24.

[0049] Accordingly, in addition to determining an optimal parameter set for adjusting the vehicle seat, the same procedure can be used to further adjust the steering wheel position and / or at least one mirror position and / or a pedal position at least depending on the determined body characteristics of the user 12.

[0050] In the event that certain body characteristics cannot be derived from the data model of the user 12, a corresponding query can be sent to the user for manual input.

[0051] Fig.2 shows a schematic representation of a signal flow graph for a method for adaptively adjusting a vehicle seat 10 to a user 12. In step S1, at least one image of the user 12 is captured using at least one vehicle camera 14, 16. In step S2, the at least one image is evaluated to determine physical characteristics of the user 12. Finally, in step S3, the vehicle seat 10 is adjusted at least depending on the determined physical characteristics of the user 12.

Claims

[1] Method for adaptively adjusting a vehicle seat (10) to a user (12) comprising the following steps: a) capturing at least one image of a user (12) by means of at least one vehicle camera (14, 16) (step S1); b) evaluating the at least one image to determine body characteristics of the user (12) (step S2); c) adjusting the vehicle seat (10) at least depending on the determined physical characteristics of the user (12) (step S3), wherein the setting of the vehicle seat (10) is varied according to a predeterminable temporal pattern between at least two different settings, where the variation occurs by a given amount around a mean value, characterized by , that the mean value represents an optimal seat setting determined for the respective user, where the time interval between two variations varies between 5 and 10 minutes. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized by , that a driving situation (26) is further determined, in particular by means of a sensor device or a navigation device of the vehicle (18), wherein in step c) the adjustment of the vehicle seat (10) continues to take place depending on the determined driving situation (26), and / or that a manually selected driving profile or a manually selected driving mode is further determined, wherein in step c) the adjustment of the vehicle seat (10) continues to take place depending on the selected driving profile or the selected driving mode. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat in step b) the determined body characteristics of the user (12) are classified according to a predeterminable classification, wherein in step c) the vehicle seat (10) is adjusted depending on the classification. [4] Method according to claim 3, characterized by that, depending on the classification, parameters for adjusting the vehicle seat (10) in step c) are read out and used from a database which is stored in particular on a central server device (20). [5] Method according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by that the parameters read from the database for adjusting the vehicle seat (10) can be modified by the user (12) according to the classification. [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized by that the deviation of the modified setting from the setting based on the classification is recorded and stored in the vehicle (18). [7] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one image, in particular an image sequence, is automatically captured when approaching the vehicle (18) and / or when sitting in the vehicle (18) and / or when leaving the vehicle (18). [8] Method according to claim 7, characterized by that on the basis of an identification and / or authentication step, in particular after capturing a first image or on the basis of a key used by the user (12) or on the basis of a fingerprint captured by the user (12), it is checked whether parameters for adjusting the vehicle seat (10) already exist for this user (12), wherein steps b) and c) are only carried out if the result of the check is negative. [9] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least two images are captured simultaneously by two cameras (14, 16) arranged at different positions of the vehicle (18), wherein a 3D image is generated from the two images for the evaluation in step b). [10] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the seat inclination is varied by ± 5° and / or the seat height is varied by ± 0.5 cm and / or the longitudinal adjustment of the seat is varied by ± 1 cm. [11] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a driving style of the driver is determined, wherein the vehicle seat (10) is further adjusted in step c) depending on the determined driving style. [12] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat in step c) a steering wheel position and / or at least one mirror position and / or a pedal position is further adjusted at least as a function of the determined body characteristics of the user. [13] System for adaptively adjusting a vehicle seat to a user, comprising: - at least one vehicle camera (14, 16) for capturing at least one image of a user (12); - an evaluation device (22) designed to evaluate the at least one image in order to determine physical characteristics of the user; and - a control device (24) which is designed to adjust the vehicle seat at least as a function of the determined physical characteristics of the user and to vary the adjustment of the vehicle seat (10) according to a predeterminable temporal pattern between at least two different settings, wherein the variation is carried out by a predetermined amount around an average value, characterized by , that the mean value represents an optimal seat setting determined for the respective user, where the time interval between two variations is between 5 and 10 minutes. [14] Motor vehicle (18) comprising a system according to claim 13.

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