Seat controller, seat control method, and program

Abstract

To provide a seat controller, a seat control method, and a program, capable of adjusting a state of a vehicular seat so that a driver can take an appropriate driving posture in accordance with a travelling condition.SOLUTION: A seat controller 100 according to the present disclosure comprises a travelling condition detection unit 52, a standard posture estimation unit 53, a present posture detection unit 54, and a seat adjustment unit 55. The travelling condition detection unit 52 detects a travelling condition of a vehicle. The standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates a driving operation of a vehicular driver on the basis of the travelling condition, and estimates a standard posture which the driver should take on the basis of the travelling condition and the driving operation. The present posture detection unit 54 detects a present posture of the driver. The seat adjustment unit 55 adjust a state of a vehicular seat on the basis of a positional relationship between the present posture and the standard posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat control device, a seat control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for adjusting the state of a vehicle seat based on the dimensions of a user obtained from an image, while Patent Document 2 discloses a technology for adjusting the state of a vehicle seat based on data of the user or the state in which the user is sitting. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2015-512827 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2014-533633 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An appropriate driving posture for safe driving (also called a standard posture) may differ from a driving posture that is comfortable for the driver. Maintaining an appropriate driving posture facilitates visual confirmation and vehicle equipment operation required for safe driving, and also reduces physical strain and stress. An appropriate driving posture varies depending on the vehicle's driving conditions. However, the technologies disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have an issue in that the driver cannot adopt an appropriate driving posture depending on the driving conditions.

[0005] In consideration of such problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a seat control device, a seat control method, and a program that can adjust the state of a vehicle's seat so that the driver can adopt an appropriate driving posture depending on the driving conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The seat control device of the present disclosure includes: A driving condition detection unit that detects a driving condition of a vehicle; a standard posture estimation unit that estimates a driving behavior of a driver of the vehicle based on the driving conditions and estimates a standard posture that the driver should take based on the driving conditions and the driving behavior; a current posture detection unit for detecting a current posture of the driver; and a seat adjustment unit that adjusts a state of a seat of the vehicle based on a positional relationship between the current position and the standard position.

[0007] The seat control method of the present disclosure comprises: The computer Detect the vehicle's driving conditions, A driving action of a driver of the vehicle is predicted based on the driving conditions, and a standard posture that the driver should take is predicted based on the driving conditions and the driving action; Detecting a current posture of the driver; The state of the seat of the vehicle is adjusted based on the positional relationship between the current position and the standard position.

[0008] The program of the present disclosure is Detect the vehicle's driving conditions, A driving action of a driver of the vehicle is predicted based on the driving conditions, and a standard posture that the driver should take is predicted based on the driving conditions and the driving action; Detecting a current posture of the driver; The computer executes a process for adjusting a state of the vehicle seat based on the positional relationship between the current position and the standard position. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present disclosure makes it possible to provide a seat control device, a seat control method, and a program that can adjust the state of a vehicle seat so that a driver can adopt an appropriate driving posture depending on driving conditions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a seat control device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a seat control device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit in the seat control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating a method for adjusting the state of a seat 1 in a situation where a vehicle is traveling through an intersection with poor visibility in the seat control device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram showing a list of specific examples of a method for adjusting the state of a seat in the seat control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the seat control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of adjusting a state of a seat 1 of a vehicle in the seat control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a seat control device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a seat control device according to a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted as necessary for clarity of explanation.

[0012] (First embodiment) First, the configuration of a seat control device 100 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0013] 1 and 2, the seat control device 100 is mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile or a bus. In addition to the seat control device 100, the vehicle is equipped with a seat 1, mirrors (including at least one of a side mirror 21 and a rearview mirror 22) 2, a steering wheel 3, a touch panel 4, a car navigation system 5, an in-vehicle camera 6, a speed pulse 7, a parking gear 8, and a reverse gear 9. Here, the in-vehicle camera 6 is a camera that captures images of the inside and outside of the vehicle.

[0014] The seat control device 100 includes an information input unit 10, a sensor input unit 20, a video input unit 30, a map information input unit 40, a control unit 50, a memory unit 60, a seat moving unit 70, a mirror moving unit 80 and a handle moving unit 90.

[0015] The information input unit 10 accepts input of driver information from the touch panel 4. The driver information includes physical information of the driver, such as sitting height and weight. The information input unit 10 supplies the driver information that has been accepted as input to the control unit 50. The information input unit 10 is, for example, an input interface.

[0016] The sensor input unit 20 receives input of vehicle driving information from the speed pulse 7, the parking gear 8, and the reverse gear 9. The driving information includes, for example, current vehicle speed information and vehicle gear information such as drive, parking, and reverse. The sensor input unit 20 supplies the received vehicle driving information to the control unit 50. The sensor input unit 20 is, for example, an input interface.

[0017] The video input unit 30 receives input of video information from the vehicle-mounted camera 6. The video information includes video information of the weather outside the vehicle and people around the vehicle. The video information may also include video information of the driver inside the vehicle. The video input unit 30 supplies the received input video information to the control unit 50. The video input unit 30 is, for example, an input interface.

[0018] The map information input unit 40 accepts input of map information from the car navigation system 5. The map information includes, for example, the vehicle's traveling position and road information in the vicinity of the vehicle's traveling position. The map information may also include destination information of the vehicle. The map information input unit 40 supplies the accepted map information to the control unit 50. The map information input unit 40 is, for example, an input interface.

[0019] The control unit 50 acquires driver information and various information from the information input unit 10, the sensor input unit 20, the video input unit 30, the map information input unit 40, and the storage unit 60. The control unit 50 controls the seat moving unit 70, the mirror moving unit 80, and the handle moving unit 90 based on the driver information and various information. The control unit 50 is, for example, a processor. The processor may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor may include multiple processors.

[0020] The storage unit 60 stores information such as driver information and various information. The storage unit 60 is, for example, a memory accessed by the processor. The memory is configured by a combination of a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The memory may include a storage located away from the processor. In this case, the memory is accessed by the processor via an I / O interface (not shown).

[0021] The seat moving unit 70 adjusts the state of the seat 1 under the control of the control unit 50. Specifically, the seat moving unit 70 adjusts the front-rear position of the seat 1 (X1 in FIG. 1), the height position of the seat 1 (X2 in FIG. 1), and the angle of the backrest of the seat 1 (X3 in FIG. 1) under the control of the control unit 50. The seat moving unit 70 is, for example, an actuator.

[0022] The mirror movable part 80 adjusts the state of the mirror 2 under the control of the control unit 50. Specifically, the mirror movable part 80 adjusts the angle of the side mirror 21 (Y1 in FIG. 1) and the angle of the rearview mirror 22 (Y2 in FIG. 1) under the control of the control unit 50. The mirror movable part 80 is, for example, an actuator.

[0023] The handle moving part 90 adjusts the state of the handle 3 under the control of the control unit 50. Specifically, the handle moving part 90 adjusts the front-to-rear position (Z1 in FIG. 1) of the handle 3 under the control of the control unit 50. The handle moving part 90 may also adjust the up-down position of the handle 3 under the control of the control unit 50. The handle moving part 90 is, for example, an actuator.

[0024] Next, the configuration of the controller 50 in the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment will be specifically described with reference to FIG.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 50 in the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 50 includes an information acquisition unit 51, a driving condition detection unit 52, a standard posture estimation unit 53, a current posture detection unit 54, a seat adjustment unit 55, a mirror adjustment unit 56, and a handle adjustment unit 57.

[0026] The information acquisition unit 51 acquires driver information from the information input unit 10. The information acquisition unit 51 also acquires map information input from the map information input unit 40. The information acquisition unit 51 also acquires video information from the video input unit 30. The information acquisition unit 51 also acquires driving information from the sensor input unit 20. Hereinafter, the map information, video information, and driving information are collectively referred to as various information.

[0027] The driving condition detection unit 52 detects the driving condition of the vehicle based on the acquired various information. The standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates the driving behavior of the driver based on the driving conditions. The driving behavior indicates the standard behavior that the driver should take to avoid dangers predicted according to the driving conditions and the associated body movements of the driver. The standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates the standard posture that the driver should take based on the driving conditions and the driving behavior. The standard posture is a standard posture that allows the driver to easily, quickly and reliably perform a specified driving behavior under a specified driving condition without moving the body far away from the seat 1 of the vehicle.

[0028] The current posture detection unit 54 detects the current posture of the driver (hereinafter, the current posture). Specifically, the current posture detection unit 54 calculates the distance between the seat 1 in the current state and the body of the driver based on the video information including the driver and the current state of the seat 1 of the vehicle. The distance between the seat 1 and the body of the driver includes the distance between the headrest of the seat 1 and the head of the driver, and the distance between the backrest of the seat 1 and the back or waist of the driver. The current posture detection unit 54 may calculate the distance between the seat 1 in the current state and the body of the driver based on the measurement information of an in-vehicle sensor (not shown), such as a distance measuring sensor, installed on the seat 1 of the vehicle and the current state of the seat 1 of the vehicle. Then, the current posture detection unit 54 detects the current posture of the driver from the distance between the seat 1 in the current state and the body of the driver. The current posture detection unit 54 may estimate the distance between the seat 1 in the current state and the body of the driver based on the video information including the driver and the current state of the seat 1 of the vehicle.

[0029] The seat adjustment unit 55 controls the seat movable unit 70 to adjust the state of the seat 1 of the vehicle based on the positional relationship between the standard position and the current position. As described above, the state of the seat 1 of the vehicle is the front-rear position of the seat 1 (X1 in FIG. 1), the height position of the seat 1 (X2 in FIG. 1), and the angle of the backrest of the seat 1 (X3 in FIG. 1). Specifically, when the difference in position between the current position and the standard position is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and the state continues for a predetermined time or more, the seat adjustment unit 55 adjusts the state of the seat 1 according to the standard position. Adjusting the state of the seat 1 according to the standard position means, for example, adjusting the state of the seat 1 so that it is in close contact with the body of the driver when the standard position is taken. This is because the body is stabilized when the seat 1 is in close contact with the body of the driver. In addition, at this time, the seat adjustment unit 55 may adjust the state of the seat 1 by further considering the driver's information such as the driver's physical information.

[0030] The seat adjustment unit 55 may adjust the state of the seat 1 when a predetermined driving condition continues for a predetermined time or more on the driving route. The seat adjustment unit 55 may start the adjustment earlier and slow down the speed of the adjustment as the amount of adjustment of the state of the seat 1 increases. In addition, in the case of auto cruise control, the seat adjustment unit 55 may adjust the seat state to suit the driver's preference.

[0031] Here, a method for adjusting the state of the seat 1 in the seat control device 100 will be described using a specific example. For example, the driving condition detection unit 52 detects that the vehicle is driving through an intersection with poor visibility as the driving condition. In the case of the driving condition, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates that the driver will visually check the blind spot ahead and prepare to brake as the driving behavior. This is because the driver must quickly and surely step on the brakes in response to a sudden change in the situation, such as a pedestrian jumping out. In the case of the driving behavior, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates that the driver will be in a posture with his / her eyes raised and his / her face close to the windshield as the standard posture. Then, when the seat adjustment unit 55 determines that the difference in position between the current posture and the standard posture is not equal to or greater than a predetermined value or that the state does not continue for a predetermined time or more, the seat adjustment unit 55 does not adjust the state of the seat 1. On the other hand, when the seat adjustment unit 55 determines that the difference in position between the current posture and the standard posture is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and that the state continues for a predetermined time or more, the seat adjustment unit 55 adjusts the state of the seat 1 according to the standard posture, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a method of adjusting the state of the seat 1 in the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment when the vehicle is traveling through an intersection with poor visibility. As shown in FIG. 4, when the vehicle is traveling through an intersection with poor visibility, the seat adjustment unit 55 adjusts the state of the seat 1 so that the current state S1 of the seat 1 shown by the dashed line becomes the state S2 of the seat 1 shown by the solid line. The seat adjustment unit 55 slides the seat 1 forward and higher than a predetermined reference position, and raises the backrest of the seat 1 to about 90 degrees. By doing so, the driver can visually check the blind spot ahead and prepare for braking without leaning forward, that is, without leaving the seat with the head, back, and waist. Here, the predetermined reference position is a position for taking a general driving posture that is recommended regardless of the driving situation, and is, for example, a seat position where the driver straightens his / her back against the seat, sits deeply, puts his / her waist against the seat, and depresses the accelerator and brake pedals deeply, with the legs slightly bent, the hands placed on the top of the steering wheel, and the arms not fully extended. The predetermined reference position may be set for each vehicle or driver.

[0033] Next, a brief description will be given of a method for adjusting the state of the seat 1 in the seat control device 100 using other specific examples. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a list of specific examples of a method for adjusting the state of the seat 1 in the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the driving condition detection unit 52 detects that the vehicle is driving through an intersection with poor visibility, in a busy urban area, or in a crowded parking lot as the driving condition. In the case of such driving conditions, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates that the driver will visually check the blind spot ahead and prepare to brake as the driving behavior. In the case of such driving behavior, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates that the driver will be in a posture with his / her eyes raised and his / her face close to the windshield as the standard posture. Then, when the seat adjustment unit 55 determines that the difference in position between the current posture and the standard posture is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and that this state continues for a predetermined time or more, the seat adjustment unit 55 adjusts the state of the seat 1 by sliding the seat 1 forward and higher than the reference position and raising the backrest of the seat 1.

[0035] The driving condition detection unit 52 detects, as a driving condition, that the vehicle is changing lanes on an expressway. In the case of this driving condition, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates, as a driving action, that the driver visually checks ahead, checks the rear mirror and the speedometer, prepares to operate the steering wheel, and prepares to operate the accelerator. In the case of this driving action, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates, as a standard posture, that the driver will be in a position where his / her eyes are slightly lower, his / her arms and legs are not too stretched, and he / she is not too close to the steering wheel and the accelerator. Then, when the seat adjustment unit 55 determines that the difference in position between the current posture and the standard posture is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and that this state continues for a predetermined time or more, it adjusts the state of the seat 1 by sliding the seat 1 backward and slightly lower than the reference position and by slightly reclining the backrest of the seat 1.

[0036] The driving condition detection unit 52 also detects that the vehicle is traveling downhill with many curves as the driving condition. In this driving condition, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates that the driver is preparing to operate the steering wheel and the brakes as the driving action. In this driving action, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates that the driver is sitting deep, with arms and legs not stretched too much, and not getting too close to the steering wheel as the standard posture. If the seat adjustment unit 55 determines that the difference in position between the current posture and the standard posture is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and that this state continues for a predetermined time or more, the seat adjustment unit 55 adjusts the state of the seat 1 by sliding the seat 1 higher than the reference position and slightly raising the backrest of the seat 1.

[0037] Further, the driving condition detection unit 52 detects that the vehicle is driving in bad weather, i.e., in a poor visibility environment, as a driving condition. In the case of such driving condition, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates that the driver will visually check the road ahead as a driving behavior. In the case of such driving behavior, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates that the driver will be in a posture in which the driver's line of sight is high and the face is close to the windshield as a standard posture. Then, when the seat adjustment unit 55 determines that the difference in position between the current posture and the standard posture is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and that state will continue for a predetermined time or longer, the seat adjustment unit 55 adjusts the state of the seat 1 by sliding the seat 1 forward and higher than the reference position and raising the backrest of the seat 1.

[0038] Further, the driving condition detection unit 52 detects that the vehicle is in direct sunlight, i.e., in a dazzling environment, as a driving condition. In this driving condition, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates that the driver will visually check ahead, as a driving behavior. In this driving behavior, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates that the driver will return his / her face to the interior of the vehicle and assume a posture that can reduce glare, as a standard posture. Then, when the seat adjustment unit 55 determines that the difference in position between the current posture and the standard posture is equal to or greater than a predetermined value and that this state will continue for a predetermined time or longer, it adjusts the state of the seat 1 by sliding the seat 1 backward from the reference position and higher than the reference position, and by slightly reclining the backrest of the seat 1.

[0039] Further, the driving condition detection unit 52 detects that the vehicle is driving under auto cruise control as the driving condition. In the case of the driving condition, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates that the driver should take a posture in which the driver can stretch out and relax as the standard posture. Then, the seat adjustment unit 55 adjusts the state of the seat 1 by sliding the seat 1 backward and lower than the reference position and reclining the backrest of the seat 1 so as to meet the driver's preference.

[0040] Returning to the explanation of FIG. 3, the mirror adjustment unit 56 controls the mirror movable unit 80 to adjust the state of the vehicle's mirror 2 based on the driver information and the adjusted state of the seat 1. As described above, the state of the vehicle's mirror 2 refers to the angle of the side mirror 21 (Y1 in FIG. 1) and the angle of the rearview mirror 22 (Y2 in FIG. 1). Specifically, the mirror adjustment unit 56 adjusts the state of the vehicle's mirror 2 to suit the driver sitting in the seat 1 whose state has been adjusted. If the driver and the seat 1 are in the same state, the state of the vehicle's mirror 2 that suits the driver sitting in the seat 1 does not vary greatly, so an adjustment value of the state of the mirror 2 corresponding to the state of the driver and the seat 1 may be stored and adjustment may be performed based on the adjustment value.

[0041] The steering wheel adjustment unit 57 controls the steering wheel movable unit 90 to adjust the state of the steering wheel 3 of the vehicle based on the driver information and the adjusted state of the seat 1. As described above, the state of the steering wheel 3 of the vehicle is the front-rear position of the steering wheel 3 (Z1 in FIG. 1). Specifically, the steering wheel adjustment unit 57 adjusts the state of the steering wheel 3 of the vehicle to suit the driver sitting in the seat 1 whose state has been adjusted. If the states of the driver and the seat 1 are the same, the state of the steering wheel 3 of the vehicle that suits the driver sitting in the seat 1 does not vary greatly, so an adjustment value of the state of the steering wheel 3 corresponding to the state of the driver and the seat 1 may be stored and adjustment may be made based on the adjustment value.

[0042] Next, the operation of the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, at the start of the operation, the vehicle in which the seat control device 100 is installed is stopped. First, in step S101, the control unit 50 of the seat control device 100 accepts, in the information input unit 10, registration of driver information of the driver of the vehicle from the touch panel 4.

[0044] Next, in step S102, the control unit 50 determines whether the vehicle has started to travel. If it is determined that the vehicle has started to travel (YES in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle has not started to travel (NO in step S102), the process returns to step S102.

[0045] In step S103, the information acquisition unit 51 of the control unit 50 acquires the driver information from the information input unit . Next, in step S104, the information acquisition unit 51 acquires input of map information from the car navigation system 5 via the map information input unit . Next, in step S105 , the information acquisition unit 51 acquires video information of the outside of the vehicle from the vehicle-mounted camera 6 via the video input unit 30 . Next, in step S106, the information acquisition unit 51 acquires vehicle driving information from the speed pulse 7, the parking gear 8, and the reverse gear 9 via the sensor input unit 20.

[0046] Next, in step S107, the information acquisition unit 51 determines whether acquisition of various information (a collective term for the map information, video information, and driving information described above) has been completed. Completion of acquisition of various information indicates that a sufficient amount of various information has been accumulated to perform the processing described below. If acquisition of various information has been completed (YES in step S107), the process proceeds to step S108. On the other hand, if acquisition of various information has not been completed (NO in step S107), the process returns to step S104.

[0047] Next, in step S108, the driving condition detection unit 52, the standard posture estimation unit 53, and the current posture detection unit 54 adjust the state of the vehicle seat 1 based on the driver information and various information.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation (step S108) of adjusting the state of the vehicle seat 1 in the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, after step S107, in step S1081, the driving condition detection unit 52 detects the driving condition of the vehicle from the acquired various information. Next, in step S1082, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates a driving motion based on the driving situation.

[0049] Next, in step S1083, the standard posture estimation unit 53 estimates a standard posture that the driver of the vehicle should take on the basis of the driving situation and the driving action. Next, in step S1084, the current posture detection unit 54 detects the current posture of the driver.

[0050] Next, in step S1085, the seat adjustment unit 55 determines whether the position difference between the standard position and the current position is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If it is determined that the position difference between the standard position and the current position is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (YES in step S1085), the process proceeds to step S1086. On the other hand, if it is determined that the position difference between the standard position and the current position is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value (NO in step S1085), the process proceeds to step S109.

[0051] Next, in step S1086, seat adjustment unit 55 determines whether the state has continued for a predetermined time or more. If it is determined that the state has continued for a predetermined time or more (YES in step S1086), the process proceeds to step S1087. If it is determined that the state has not continued for a predetermined time or more (NO in step S1086), the process proceeds to step S109. Next, in step S1087, the seat adjustment unit 55 takes the driver information into consideration and adjusts the state of the seat 1 in accordance with the standard posture. Then, the process proceeds to step S109.

[0052] Returning to the description of Fig. 6, next, in step S109, the mirror adjustment unit 56 adjusts the state of the mirror 2 of the vehicle based on the driver information and the adjusted state of the seat 1. Next, in step S110, the steering wheel adjustment unit 57 adjusts the state of the steering wheel 3 of the vehicle based on the driver information and the adjusted state of the seat 1.

[0053] Next, in step S111, the control unit 50 determines whether the vehicle has stopped traveling. If it is determined that the vehicle has stopped traveling (YES in step S111), the process ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the vehicle has not stopped traveling (NO in step S111), the process returns to step S104.

[0054] As described above, the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment can adjust the state of the vehicle seat 1 so that the driver can adopt an appropriate driving posture according to the driving situation. By doing so, the seat control device 100 makes it easier for the driver to visually check and operate vehicle devices necessary for safe driving, and can also reduce the physical burden and stress on the driver.

[0055] Second embodiment Next, the configuration of the seat control device 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the seat control device 200 according to the second embodiment.

[0056] 8, the seat control device 200 is mounted on a vehicle, similar to the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment. The seat control device 200 has a basic configuration similar to that of the seat control device 100, but includes a control unit 110 instead of the control unit 50. The control unit 110 has a basic configuration similar to that of the control unit 50, but includes a seat adjustment unit 111 instead of the seat adjustment unit 55.

[0057] The seat adjustment unit 111 has the function of the seat adjustment unit 55. Furthermore, when it is estimated that the driving conditions detected by the driving condition detection unit 52 will lead to a high possibility of a danger occurring, the seat adjustment unit 111 adjusts the state of the seat 1 so as to reduce the danger to the driver. The danger to the driver is, for example, damage to a specific part of the driver's body. For example, if the seat slides too far forward, there is a risk of an airbag shock or leg fracture in the event of a collision with another vehicle, etc., so the seat adjustment unit 111 adjusts the sliding position of the seat 1 to reduce the danger.

[0058] Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the seat control device 200 according to the second embodiment allows the driver to drive safely.

[0059] (Third embodiment) Next, the configuration of a seat control device 300 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the seat control device 300 according to the third embodiment.

[0060] 9, the seat control device 300 is mounted on a vehicle, similar to the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment. The seat control device 300 has a basic configuration similar to that of the seat control device 100, but includes a control unit 120 instead of the control unit 50. The control unit 120 has a basic configuration similar to that of the control unit 50, but includes a standard posture estimation unit 121 instead of the standard posture estimation unit 53.

[0061] The standard posture estimation unit 121 has the function of the standard posture estimation unit 53. Moreover, the standard posture estimation unit 121 estimates the driving behavior of the driver based on the driving situation detected by the driving situation detection unit 52. When there are multiple estimated driving behaviors, the standard posture estimation unit 121 determines the priority of the driving behaviors based on the possibility of the driver avoiding danger. The standard posture estimation unit 121 estimates the standard posture that the driver of the vehicle should take based on the driving behavior while taking into consideration the priority. For example, the standard posture estimation unit 121 estimates the standard posture that the driver of the vehicle should take based on the driving behavior with the highest priority.

[0062] In a situation where the vehicle is traveling on a congested road, the standard posture estimation unit 121 prioritizes preparation for braking over other driving actions because the inter-vehicle distance is short. The seat adjustment unit 55 puts the seat 1 in a state where the driver can prepare for braking. Specifically, the seat adjustment unit 55 adjusts the front-rear position of the seat 1 so that the driver's knees have some room when the driver's foot is fully depressed on the pedal. In addition, the standard posture estimation unit 121 prioritizes preparation for steering wheel operation over other driving actions in a situation where the vehicle is traveling on a road with many curves. The seat adjustment unit 55 adjusts the seat 1 to a state where the driver can prepare for steering wheel operation. Specifically, the seat adjustment unit 55 adjusts the reclining of the seat 1 to a position where the driver can place both hands on the top of the steering wheel and cannot fully extend his / her arms.

[0063] Furthermore, when the vehicle is traveling through an intersection with poor visibility, seat adjustment unit 55 prioritizes visual confirmation of the blind spot ahead, so adjusts the state of seat 1 by sliding seat 1 forward and higher than the reference position and raising the backrest of seat 1. Here, as described above, when preparation for steering wheel operation or preparation for pedal operation is prioritized depending on the traveling situation, seat adjustment unit 55 adjusts the state of seat 1 so as not to move the seat too close to the front.

[0064] Therefore, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the seat control device 300 according to the third embodiment allows safer driving.

[0065] The seat control device 100, the seat control device 200 and the seat control device 300 in the above-mentioned embodiments are configured by hardware or software, or both, and may be configured by one piece of hardware or software, or may be configured by multiple pieces of hardware or software.

[0066] The control unit 50, the control unit 110 and the control unit 120 of the seat control device 100, the seat control device 200 and the seat control device 300 in the above-mentioned embodiments execute one or more programs including instructions for making a computer perform the algorithms described with the aid of the drawings. The programs include instructions (or software codes) for making a computer perform one or more functions described in the embodiments when the programs are loaded into a computer. The programs may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The programs may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or a communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, the transitory computer-readable medium or the communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic or other forms of propagated signals.

[0067] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be appropriately combined with other embodiments.

[0068] For example, the seat control device 100, the seat control device 200, and the seat control device 300 in the above-described embodiment are not limited to being realized by a single device, and may be a system realized by a plurality of devices capable of communicating with each other.

[0069] Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but to one or more other embodiments. As can be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing may be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create an embodiment not explicitly shown or described, for example. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 sheet 2. Mirror 3 Handle 4. Touch Panel 5. Car navigation 6. In-vehicle camera 7 Speed ​​Pulse 8 Parking Gear 9 Reverse Gear 10 Information input section 20 Sensor input section 21 Side mirror 22 Rearview Mirror 30 Video input section 40 Map information input section 50 Control section 51 Information Acquisition Department 52 Driving condition detection unit 53, 121 Standard posture estimation part 54 Current posture detection unit 55, 111 Seat adjustment part 56 Mirror adjustment unit 57 Handle adjustment part 60 Storage section 70 Seat movable part 80 Mirror moving part 90 Movable part of handle 100, 200, 300 Seat control device

Claims

1. A driving condition detection unit that detects a driving condition of a vehicle; a standard posture estimation unit that estimates a driving behavior of a driver of the vehicle based on the driving conditions and estimates a standard posture that the driver should take based on the driving conditions and the driving behavior; a current posture detection unit for detecting a current posture of the driver; a seat adjustment unit that adjusts a state of a seat of the vehicle based on a positional relationship between the current position and the standard position. Seat control device.

2. The seat adjustment unit is When it is estimated that the driving conditions are likely to result in a high risk of danger, the seat state is adjusted so as to reduce the danger to the driver. The seat control device according to claim 1 .

3. The standard posture estimation unit If there are a plurality of the predicted driving actions, a priority order is determined for the driving actions based on the possibility of the driver avoiding a danger; Inferring a standard posture that should be adopted by the driver of the vehicle based on the driving behavior and taking into account the priority order. The seat control device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The computer Detect the vehicle's driving conditions, A driving action of a driver of the vehicle is predicted based on the driving conditions, and a standard posture that the driver should take is predicted based on the driving conditions and the driving action; Detecting a current posture of the driver; The state of the seat of the vehicle is adjusted based on a positional relationship between the current position and the standard position. Seat control method.

5. Detect the vehicle's driving conditions, A driving action of a driver of the vehicle is predicted based on the driving conditions, and a standard posture that the driver should take is predicted based on the driving conditions and the driving action; Detecting a current posture of the driver; and causing a computer to execute a process for adjusting a state of the seat of the vehicle based on a positional relationship between the current position and the standard position. program.

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