Method and device for adjusting the driver's seat of a vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for adjusting the driver's seat of a vehicle, which comprises a step (31) of storing adjustment parameters of the driver's seat in a memory. The storage of the adjustment parameters of the driver's seat of the vehicle is conditional (311) on the presence of a mobile device in a zone lying inside a passenger compartment of the vehicle, this first zone being covered by a first short-range wireless communication network, and on the detection of the pressing (312) of a button by a vehicle user, said button being located on a panel of the driver's seat.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Method and device for adjusting a driver's seat of a vehicle

[0003] The present invention claims priority from French application 2214025 filed on 21.12.2022, the content of which (text, drawings and claims) is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] Technical field

[0005] The present invention relates to methods and devices for adjusting a vehicle driver's seat.

[0006] Technological background

[0007] It is known to equip vehicles with means to implement an automatic driver's seat adjustment feature, often referred to as a "smart seat" feature.

[0008] The principle of this functionality is to record adjustment parameters of the driver's seat of a vehicle in a memory of a remote control of the vehicle (for example in a memory of a key for locking / unlocking the vehicle's doors) so that the driver's seat repositions itself according to these adjustment parameters as soon as the vehicle's doors are unlocked from this remote control.

[0009] To this end, the automatic driver's seat adjustment functionality is implemented in two phases: a first phase of storing driver's seat adjustment parameters (which define a position of the driver's seat) in a memory of the vehicle's on-board device; and a second phase of using the remote control and the vehicle's on-board device to position the seat based on adjustment parameters stored in the memory of the vehicle's on-board device. The first storage phase is carried out following an action by the vehicle user wishing to store a particular position of the driver's seat. For this, it is known to use simultaneous presses on a button on the remote control, for example the vehicle's door unlocking button and a button on a driver's seat control panel.Following these simultaneous presses, driver's seat adjustment parameters are obtained by the vehicle's on-board device from components related to the positioning of the driver's seat, such as, for example, one or more computers associated with position sensors. These driver's seat adjustment parameters thus obtained, as well as a remote control identifier associated with these adjustment parameters, are then stored in the memory of the vehicle's on-board device.

[0010] In the third phase, when a driver unlocks the vehicle doors with the remote control, the stored adjustment parameters associated with the remote control ID are obtained by the vehicle's on-board device and the seat is positioned according to these adjustment parameters.

[0011] Several driver's seat positions can thus be memorized by the remote control, each being then associated with a particular identifier which identifies the remote control and a particular set of adjustment parameters. Thus, a first driver can save the position of his seat by pressing a button on the remote control and another driver can save the position of his seat by pressing another button on the remote control.

[0012] The use of one remote control button per user to save driver's seat adjustment parameters is not satisfactory because involuntary simultaneous presses of a remote control button and the button on the driver's seat control panel can occur, resulting in untimely storage of adjustment parameters in the remote control memory.

[0013] In addition, if several users wish to save seat adjustment parameters, different buttons on the remote control must be used, one per user (per set of adjustment parameters). This complicates the actions of users to initiate the memorization of seat adjustment parameters because each user must remember which button on the remote control allows them to save seat adjustment parameters.

[0014] Furthermore, it may be useful not to make the implementation of the automatic driver's seat adjustment functionality conditional on pressing a button on the remote control but on another type of interaction so that a user can explicitly indicate their wish to save a driver's seat position.

[0015] Another solution is to record seat adjustment parameters when the vehicle's engine is switched off, but the systematic recording of driver's seat adjustment parameters is not desired by users who prefer to remain in control of their choice of whether or not to record these parameters.

[0016] There is a need to improve the implementation of an automatic driver seat adjustment feature to facilitate interactions between this feature and users and to ensure that driver seat adjustment settings are only stored if a user wishes.

[0017] Summary of the present invention

[0018] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to facilitate the adjustment of the vehicle driver's seat.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to improve the functionality of automatic driver's seat adjustment.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to memorize driver's seat adjustment parameters only after an effective action by a user.

[0022] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for adjusting a driver's seat of a vehicle which comprises a step of storing adjustment parameters of the driver's seat in a memory of a first on-board device of the vehicle. The method is implemented by the first device and is characterized in that said storing step comprises the following sub-steps:

[0023] - detecting the presence of a second mobile device in a first zone extending inside a passenger compartment of the vehicle, said first zone being covered by a first short-distance wireless communication network and;

[0024] - detection of a press, by a vehicle user, on a button located on a plate of the driver's seat;

[0025] - if the presence of the second device is detected in the first zone and a press on said key is detected, obtaining driver's seat adjustment parameters from vehicle components in relation to the positioning of the driver's seat; and storing the adjustment parameters obtained and an identifier of the second device in association with the adjustment parameters obtained in a memory of the first device.

[0026] The present invention requires that the second device be placed by a user in the first zone. This action by the user is performed when this user wishes to store the driver's seat adjustment parameters on this second device. This action is easily understood by users. In addition, it does not require that a button on the second device be used to store a user's driver's seat adjustment parameters.

[0027] The present invention prevents any untimely storage of the driver's seat adjustment parameters in a memory of the first device when the second device is not in the first zone.

[0028] According to one variant, the method further comprises the following steps:

[0029] - detecting a presence of the second device in a second zone extending at least partially outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said second zone being covered by a second wireless communication network;

[0030] - if the presence of the second device is detected in the second zone, obtaining driver's seat adjustment parameters stored in the memory of the first device in association with the identifier of the second detected device; and transmitting control signals to vehicle components to position the driver's seat according to the adjustment parameters obtained.

[0031] This variant is advantageous because it allows the driver's seat to be positioned as soon as the second device is close to the vehicle, regardless of the vehicle access rights associated with the second device. Thus, a second device that does not have the right to unlock the vehicle's doors can still be identified by the vehicle's first on-board device for positioning the driver's seat.

[0032] According to a variant, the method further comprises a step of authenticating the second device detected in the first or second zone by the first device and in which if the second device detected is favorably authenticated by the first device, then the second device is considered to be present in the first or second zone.

[0033] Alternatively, the short-range wireless communication network is a near-field communication network.

[0034] According to one variant, the second wireless communication network is different from the first wireless communication network.

[0035] Alternatively, the second zone is partially inside the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0036] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for adjusting a driver's seat of a vehicle, said device comprising a memory associated with at least one processor configured for implementing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0037] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle, for example of the automobile type, comprising a device according to the second aspect of the present invention.

[0038] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

[0039] Such a computer program may use any programming language, and may be in the form of source code, object code, or intermediate code between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

[0040] According to a fifth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0041] On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage medium, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording medium or a hard disk.

[0042] Furthermore, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

[0043] Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question.

[0044] Brief description of the figures

[0045] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 3, in which: [Fig. 1] schematically illustrates a front part of a passenger compartment of a vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a device configured to adjust a driver's seat of a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] [Fig. 3] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for adjusting a driver's seat of a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Description of examples of implementation

[0049] A method and device for adjusting a driver's seat of a vehicle will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 3. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

[0050] According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the storage of adjustment parameters of the driver's seat of a vehicle is conditioned by the presence of a mobile device in a first zone covered by a first short-distance wireless communication network and extending inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and by a user of the vehicle pressing a button housed on a plate of the driver's seat.

[0051] Figure 1 illustrates a front portion of the passenger compartment of a vehicle 10 including in particular a steering wheel, a dashboard and the driver and front passenger seats.

[0052] The vehicle 10 corresponds, for example, to a vehicle with a thermal engine, with an electric motor(s) or even a hybrid vehicle with a thermal engine and one or more electric motors. The vehicle 10 thus corresponds, for example, to a land vehicle, for example a car, a truck, a bus.

[0053] The vehicle 10 advantageously carries a device 11 configured to adjust a driver's seat of the vehicle 10. The device 11 is designed to communicate with a mobile device 12 via a first short-distance wireless communication network and a second wireless communication network.

[0054] For the device 12 to communicate with the device 11 via the first short-distance wireless communication network, the mobile device 12 must be in a first area 13 extending inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The first area 13 is covered by the first short-distance wireless communication network.

[0055] Zone 13 can, for example, be located between the two front seats of vehicle 10, in the lower part.

[0056] The device 12 may be any type of mobile device such as a cell phone, a tablet, a contactless key, etc.

[0057] Alternatively, the first short-range wireless communication network is a Near Field Communication (NFC) network. A near-field communication network is a short-range, high-frequency wireless communication technology that allows data to be exchanged between devices 11 and 12 up to a distance of about 10 cm. This technology is an extension of the ISO / IEC standard

[0058] 14443 standardizing proximity cards using radio frequency identification (RFID) which combine a smart card and a reader within the same device.

[0059] For the device 12 to communicate with the device 11 via the second wireless communication network, the mobile device 12 must be in a second area 14 extending outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle 10. The second area 14 is covered by the second wireless communication network.

[0060] According to one variant, the second zone 14 is partially inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0061] According to a variant, the second wireless communication network is different from the first wireless communication network. The device 11 may comprise one or more computers associated with one or more antennas, for example one or more antennas for exchanging (transmitting / receiving) data with the device 12. The antenna(s) are for example controlled by a telematic control unit, called TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit”), itself connected to the on-board computer(s) of the vehicle 10. The antenna(s), the TCU unit, the computer(s) form for example a multiplexed architecture for the realization of different services useful for the proper functioning of the vehicle.

[0062] The device 11 also comprises one or more computers associated with one or more components of the vehicle in relation to the positioning of the driver's seat to assist the driver of the vehicle in adjusting the position of the driver's seat. For this purpose, the device 11 may comprise one or more driver's seat positioning sensors which communicate with said or said computers of the device 11.

[0063] The computer(s), the TCU unit and at least one vehicle component communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (according to the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0064] The device 11 is configured to detect the presence of the device 12 in the first zone 13 or in the second zone 14. For this purpose, the device 11 can transmit a beacon signal via the first or second wireless communication network and the device 12 can respond to this signal as soon as it is located in the first zone 13 or in the second zone 14 to signal its presence.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the device 11 is further configured to authenticate the device 12. According to a variant, to be favorably authenticated by the device 11, an identifier of the device 12 must correspond to an identifier previously known by the device 11.

[0066] For example, the device 11 can obtain an identifier from the device 12 by a known method of association between two devices.

[0067] A process for adjusting a driver's seat of a vehicle 10 is advantageously implemented by the device 11 on board the vehicle 10 and the mobile device 12.

[0068] In a first operation, driver's seat adjustment parameters are stored in a memory of the device 11.

[0069] For this purpose, in a first sub-operation, the device 11 detects a presence of the device 12 in the first zone 13. In a second sub-operation, the device 11 detects a press, by a user of the vehicle, on a button 15 housed on a plate of the driver's seat. If the presence of the device 12 is detected in the first zone 13 and a press on the button 15 is detected, in a third sub-operation, the device 11 obtains adjustment parameters of the driver's seat from components of the vehicle in relation to the positioning of the driver's seat. In a fourth sub-operation, the device 11 stores in a memory the adjustment parameters obtained and stores an identifier of the device 12 in association with the adjustment parameters obtained.

[0070] Alternatively, the first operation is followed by a second, third and fourth operation.

[0071] In the second operation, the device 11 detects a presence of the device 12 in the second zone 14.

[0072] If the presence of the device 12 is detected in the second zone 14, in the third operation, the device 11 obtains driver's seat adjustment parameters stored in the memory of the device 11 in association with the identifier of the detected device 12. In the fourth operation, the device 11 transmits control signals to vehicle components to position the driver's seat according to the obtained adjustment parameters.

[0073] According to a variant, in a fifth operation, the device 11 authenticates the device 12 detected in the first or second zone by the device 11. If the detected device 12 is favorably authenticated by the device 11, then the device 12 is considered to be present in the first or second zone.

[0074] [Fig. 2] schematically illustrates a device 11 configured to adjust a driver's seat of the vehicle 10, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] The device 11 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to figure 1 and / or the steps of the method described with regard to figure 3. Examples of such a device 11 include, but are not limited to, on-board electronic equipment such as an on-board computer of a vehicle, an electronic calculator such as an ECU (“Electronic Control Unit”), a tablet or a computer. The elements of the device 11, individually or in combination, can be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and / or into discrete components. The device 11 can be produced in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or even a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

[0076] The device 11 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 110 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and / or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 11. The processor 110 may include integrated memory, an input / output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 11 further comprises at least one memory 111 corresponding for example to a volatile and / or non-volatile memory and / or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk. The memory 111 is provided for storing adjustment parameters of the driver's seat of the vehicle 10 and the identifier of the device 12 in association with stored driver's seat adjustment parameters.

[0077] The computer code of the embedded software(s) comprising the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in the memory 111.

[0078] According to various particular and non-limiting embodiments, the device 11 is coupled in communication with other similar devices or systems and / or with communication devices, for example a computer, at least one component of the vehicle 10 in relation to the positioning of the driver's seat, the device 12, a TCU, for example via a communication bus or through dedicated input / output ports.

[0079] According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 11 comprises a block 112 of interface elements for communicating with external devices, for example a computer or the device 12. The interface elements of the block 112 comprise one or more of the following interfaces:

[0080] - RF radio frequency interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced;

[0081] - USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French);

[0082] - HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French);

[0083] - LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”, or in French “Local interconnected network”);

[0084] - Near Field Communication (NFC) interface. Data representative of driver seat adjustment parameters and / or an identifier of the device 12 can be exchanged between the device 11 and the device 12 via the interface of the block 112 using the first near field communication network or the second wireless communication network.

[0085] For example, the second wireless communication network uses the RF radio frequency interface of block 112.

[0086] According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 11 comprises a communication interface 113 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as the TCU, other on-board computers or at least one component of the vehicle 10 in relation to the positioning of the driver's seat) via a communication channel 114. The communication interface 113 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and / or data via the communication channel 114. The communication interface 113 corresponds for example to a wired network of the CAN (Controller Area Network) type, CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (standardized by the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (standardized by the ISO / IEC 802-3 standard).

[0087] [Fig. 3] illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a method for adjusting a driver's seat of a vehicle, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a device 11 of FIG. 2 and by the device 12.

[0088] In a first step 31, driver's seat adjustment parameters are stored in a memory of the device 11.

[0089] For this purpose, in a first sub-step 311, the device 11 detects a presence of the device 12 in the first zone 13. In a second sub-step 312, the device 11 detects a press, by a user of the vehicle, on a button 15 housed on a plate of the driver's seat. If the presence of the device 12 is detected in the first zone 13 and a press on the button 15 is detected, in a third sub-step 313, the device 11 obtains adjustment parameters of the driver's seat from components of the vehicle in relation to the positioning of the driver's seat. In a fourth sub-step 314, the device 11 stores in a memory the adjustment parameters obtained and stores an identifier of the device 12 in association with the adjustment parameters obtained.

[0090] Alternatively, the first operation is followed by steps 32-34.

[0091] In step 32, the device 11 detects a presence of the device 12 in the second zone 14.

[0092] If the presence of the device 12 is detected in the second zone 14, in the third step, the device 11 obtains driver's seat adjustment parameters stored in the memory of the device 11 in association with the identifier of the detected device 12. In the fourth step 14, the device 11 transmits control signals to vehicle components to position the driver's seat according to the adjustment parameters obtained.

[0093] According to a variant, in a fifth step 35, included in sub-step 311 and step 32, the device 11 authenticates the device 12 detected in the first or second zone by the device 11. If the detected device 12 is favorably authenticated by the device 11, then the device 12 is considered to be present in the first or second zone.

[0094] Alternatively, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to Figure 1 apply to the steps of the method of Figure 3.

[0095] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for adjusting a driver's seat of a vehicle which would include secondary steps or sub-steps without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method. The present invention also relates to a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle or more generally a land motor vehicle, comprising the device 11 of FIG. 2.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Method for adjusting a driver's seat of a vehicle which comprises a step (31) of storing adjustment parameters of the driver's seat in a memory of a first on-board device of the vehicle, said method being implemented by the first device and being characterized in that said storing step (31) comprises the following sub-steps: - detection (311) of a presence of a second mobile device in a first zone extending inside a passenger compartment of the vehicle, said first zone being covered by a first short-distance wireless communication network; - detection (312) of a press, by a user of the vehicle, on a button located on a plate of the driver's seat; - if the presence of the second device is detected in the first zone and a press on said key is detected, obtaining (313) driver's seat adjustment parameters from vehicle components in relation to the positioning of the driver's seat; and storing (314) the adjustment parameters obtained and an identifier of the second device in association with the adjustment parameters obtained in a memory of the first device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the following steps: - detection (32) of a presence of the second device in a second zone extending at least partially outside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, said second zone being covered by a second wireless communication network and; - if the presence of the second device is detected in the second zone, obtaining (33) driver's seat adjustment parameters stored in the memory of the first device in association with the identifier of the second detected device; and transmitting (34) control signals to vehicle components to position the driver's seat according to the adjustment parameters obtained.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, which further comprises a step of authenticating (35) the second device detected in the first or second zone by the first device and in which if the second detected device is favorably authenticated by the first device (35), then the second device is considered to be present (31) in the first or second zone.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the short-distance wireless communication network is a near-field communication network.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second wireless communication network is different from the first wireless communication network.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second zone is partially inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

7. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor.

8. Computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program according to claim 7 is recorded.

9. Device (11) for adjusting a driver's seat of a vehicle, said device (11) comprising a memory (111) associated with at least one processor (110) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. Vehicle (10) comprising the device (11) according to claim 9.

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