Vehicle seat, seat system, vehicle seat control method, and vehicle seat control program

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle seat capable of inducing heart rate monitoring in the driver at a time when stress reduction effects can be achieved, a seat system including the vehicle seat, a control method for the vehicle seat, and a control program for the vehicle seat. [Solution] A vehicle seat 20 mounted on a vehicle 2 comprises a seat body 28 constituting a driver's seat 13, a vibration generating device 29 that provides vibration to the driver seated on the seat body, and control devices 5 and 27 that can perform induction processing to control the vibration generating device in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, and the control devices prohibit the execution of induction processing when the elapsed time since the driver sat on the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time τ.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, a seat system including the vehicle seat, a method for controlling the vehicle seat, and a control program for the vehicle seat.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle equipped with an in-vehicle refresh system that can promote the effective use of time in the vehicle interior. The in-vehicle refresh system includes a camera that acquires the physical information of the seated person, a massage / exercise seat, a display device, and a control device.

[0003] Based on the information acquired by the camera, the control device acquires the situation of the seated person. Then, in order to improve the situation of the seated person, the control device presents a program suitable for the situation of the seated person to the display device and executes the program input by the seated person into the display device.

[0004] For example, when the seated person has just exercised, the control device presents a massage program that massages the body of the seated person in order to reduce the fatigue of the seated person. For example, when the control device determines that the seated person lacks exercise, the control device presents an exercise program that performs training in order to improve the situation of the seated person.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a biological information display device for improving the situation of an observer. The biological information display device is a device that performs so-called heartbeat fluctuation biofeedback that increases the activity of the parasympathetic nerve of the autonomic nervous system and aims to relieve stress, and displays a pulse wave indicating a pressure change in the blood vessel of the observer on a display screen.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

[0007] As illustrated in Patent Document 2, biofeedback is attracting attention as a technology that aims to alleviate stress in subjects by acquiring biological information from those being observed and providing feedback to the subjects, thereby promoting increased activity of the parasympathetic nervous system in the autonomic nervous system.

[0008] The inventors of this invention have conceived of a method to alleviate driver stress by generating vibrations using a vibration generator to induce the driver's heart rate to a standard heart rate (hereinafter referred to as "heart rate induction"). This stress reduction by heart rate induction is expected to contribute to improved vehicle safety, as it can guide the driver into a state suitable for driving.

[0009] However, in cases such as when a driver gets into a vehicle immediately after exercise, an increase or decrease in heart rate may occur that is not caused by stress. In such cases, if heart rate monitoring is performed on the driver, there is a risk that the vibrations generated by the vibration generator may reduce the driver's concentration.

[0010] In view of the above background, the present invention aims to provide a vehicle seat that can induce heart rate in the driver at a timing that provides stress relief, a seat system including the vehicle seat, a method for controlling the vehicle seat, and a control program for the vehicle seat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (20) mounted on a vehicle (2), comprising: a seat body (28) constituting a driver's seat (13); a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated on the seat body; and a predetermined heart rate of the driver. Heart rate rangeThe vehicle has a control device (5, 27) capable of performing an induction process to control the vibration generator in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the vehicle is outside, and the control device prohibits the execution of the induction process when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time (τ).

[0012] According to this embodiment, the induction process is prohibited until the prohibited time has elapsed from the time the driver sits in the seat. Therefore, for example, if the driver gets into the vehicle immediately after exercise, or if the heart rate is affected by factors other than stress, the induction process is prohibited. Heart rate range This prevents the induction process from being executed immediately when the vehicle is outside. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that can guide the driver's heart rate at a time when stress reduction effects can be obtained.

[0013] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body in association with the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information, and sets the standard heart rate by acquiring the identification information of the driver.

[0014] According to this embodiment, a standard heart rate suitable for each driver can be set.

[0015] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device includes identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body, and the person corresponding to the identification information. Heart rate range The standard heart rate is stored in association with the above, and the driver's specific information is obtained, Heart rate range And set the standard heart rate.

[0016] According to this embodiment, each driver is suitable Heart rate range And you can set a standard heart rate.

[0017] In the above aspect, preferably, the control device stores in association with each other specific information for identifying a person sitting on the seat body and the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the specific information, acquires the specific information of the driver, and based on the acquired specific information of the driver, acquires the corresponding standard heart rate, and based on the acquired standard heart rate, the Heart rate range is set.

[0018] According to this aspect, it is possible to set Heart rate range and the standard heart rate suitable for each driver.

[0019] In the above aspect, preferably, the control device stores in association with each other specific information for identifying a person sitting on the seat body and the prohibited time, and sets the prohibited time by acquiring the specific information of the driver.

[0020] According to this aspect, it is possible to set a prohibited time suitable for each driver.

[0021] In the above aspect, preferably, when the heart rate of the driver is greater than a predetermined heart rate upper limit value or less than a heart rate lower limit value, the control device determines that the heart rate of the driver is Heart rate range outside.

[0022] According to this aspect, it is possible to perform heart rate induction when the heart rate of the driver is too high or too low. <http: / / www.example.com /

[0023] In the above aspect, preferably, in the induction process, the control device sets the vibration frequency of the vibration generated by the vibration generator based on the heart rate of the driver.

[0024] According to this aspect, it is possible to perform heart rate induction according to the heart rate of the driver. <http: / / www.example.com /

[0025] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device sets the frequency of the vibration generated by the vibration generator to be between the driver's heart rate and the standard heart rate during the induction process.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the driver's heart rate can be appropriately guided to reach a standard heart rate.

[0027] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a seat system comprising: a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2); a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body; a heart rate sensor (25) that acquires biological information relating to the driver's heartbeat; and a control device (5, 27) that controls the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the driver's heart rate based on the biological information acquired by the heart rate sensor, and the driver's heart rate is predetermined Heart rate range When outside, the system is configured to perform an induction process to control the vibration generator in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate, and the execution of the induction process is prohibited when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time (τ).

[0028] According to this embodiment, the induction process is prohibited until the prohibited time has elapsed from the time the driver sits in the seat. Therefore, for example, if the driver gets into the vehicle immediately after exercise, or if the heart rate is affected by factors other than stress, the induction process is prohibited. Heart rate range This prevents the induction process from being executed immediately when the driver is outside the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to provide a seat system that can guide the driver's heart rate at a time when stress reduction effects can be achieved.

[0029] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a control method for a vehicle seat (20) comprising: a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2); a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body; and control devices (5, 27) that control the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the driver's heart rate, and when the driver's heart rate is predetermined Heart rate range The system is configured to perform an induction process to control the vibration generator in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the driver is outside, and to prohibit the execution of the induction process when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time (τ).

[0030] According to this embodiment, the induction process is prohibited until the prohibited time has elapsed from the time the driver sits in the seat. Therefore, for example, if the driver gets into the vehicle immediately after exercise, or if the heart rate is affected by factors other than stress, the induction process is prohibited. Heart rate range This prevents the induction process from being executed immediately when the vehicle is outside. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat control method that allows heart rate induction to be performed on the driver at a time when stress reduction effects can be obtained.

[0031] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a control program for a vehicle seat (20) comprising a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2), a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body, and control devices (5, 27) that control the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the driver's heart rate, and when the driver's heart rate is predetermined Heart rate range The system is configured to perform an induction process to control the vibration generator in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the driver is outside, and to prohibit the execution of the induction process when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time (τ).

[0032] According to this embodiment, the induction process is prohibited until the prohibited time has elapsed from the time the driver sits in the seat. Therefore, for example, if the driver gets into the vehicle immediately after exercise, or if the heart rate is affected by factors other than stress, the induction process is prohibited. Heart rate range This prevents the induction process from being executed immediately when the vehicle is outside. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat control program that can guide the driver's heart rate at a time when stress reduction effects can be obtained.

[0033] Furthermore, if the vibration generator is activated while the driver is continuously operating the vehicle for a sufficient period of time without experiencing stress, the vibrations generated by the device may reduce the driver's concentration. Therefore, it is necessary to perform heart rate induction at a time when the stress-reducing effect can be achieved.

[0034] Therefore, the challenge is to provide a vehicle seat that can guide the driver's heart rate at a time when stress reduction effects can be obtained, a seat system including the vehicle seat, a control method for the vehicle seat, and a control program for the vehicle seat.

[0035] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle seat (20) mounted on a vehicle (2), comprising: a seat body (28) constituting a driver's seat (13); a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated on the seat body; and a control device (5, 27) that acquires the power status of the vehicle and the heart rate of the driver, and when the power of the vehicle is on and the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, it is capable of executing an induction process to control the vibration generating device in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate, wherein the control device stores the time when the power of the vehicle was turned on as a reference time, and executes the induction process when the elapsed time from the reference time is less than a predetermined execution time (δ).

[0036] According to this embodiment, the induction process is executed when the elapsed time from the reference time when the vehicle's power is turned on is less than the execution time. Therefore, since the induction process is executed between the time the driver gets into the vehicle and when they begin to operate the vehicle stably, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that can provide heart rate guidance to the driver at a timing that provides a stress-reducing effect.

[0037] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device updates the reference time to the current time when the power to the vehicle is switched from off to on.

[0038] According to this embodiment, the reference time can be set by a simple method.

[0039] In the above embodiment, preferably, when the power supply of the vehicle is switched from off to on, the control device acquires the time interval from off to on, updates the reference time to the current time if the time interval is greater than a predetermined threshold, and maintains the reference time without updating it if the time interval is less than or equal to the threshold.

[0040] According to this embodiment, if a vehicle is switched on again within a short period of time less than the threshold after being turned off, the reference time is maintained without being updated. Therefore, when there is a period of time shorter than the threshold during which the vehicle was turned off, that period can be ignored when setting the reference time.

[0041] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body in association with the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information, and sets the standard heart rate by acquiring the identification information of the driver.

[0042] According to this embodiment, a standard heart rate suitable for each driver can be set.

[0043] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body, and the upper heart rate limit and standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information, in association with each other, and sets the upper heart rate limit and standard heart rate by acquiring the identification information of the driver.

[0044] According to this embodiment, it is possible to set an appropriate upper heart rate limit and standard heart rate for each driver.

[0045] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body and the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information in association with each other, acquires the identification information of the driver, acquires the corresponding standard heart rate based on the acquired identification information of the driver, and sets the heart rate upper limit based on the acquired standard heart rate.

[0046] According to this embodiment, it is possible to set an appropriate upper heart rate limit and standard heart rate for each driver.

[0047] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body in association with the execution time, and sets the execution time by acquiring the identification information of the driver.

[0048] According to this embodiment, an execution time suitable for each driver can be set.

[0049] In the above embodiment, preferably, the driver's heart rate is determined to be outside the range when it is greater than a predetermined upper heart rate value or less than a predetermined lower heart rate value.

[0050] According to this embodiment, heart rate guidance can be performed if the driver's heart rate is too high or too low.

[0051] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device sets the frequency of the vibration to be generated by the vibration generator based on the driver's heart rate during the induction process.

[0052] According to this embodiment, heart rate guidance can be performed according to the driver's heart rate.

[0053] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device sets the frequency of the vibration generated by the vibration generator to be between the driver's heart rate and the standard heart rate during the induction process.

[0054] According to this embodiment, the driver's heart rate can be appropriately guided to reach a standard heart rate.

[0055] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a seat system (1) comprising: a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2); a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body; a heart rate sensor (25) that acquires biological information relating to the driver's heartbeat; and a control device (5, 27) that controls the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the power status of the vehicle, acquires the driver's heart rate based on the biological information acquired by the heart rate sensor, and is configured to execute an induction process to control the vibration generating device in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the power of the vehicle is on and the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, and stores the time when the power of the vehicle was turned on as a reference time, and executes the induction process when the elapsed time from the reference time is less than a predetermined execution time (δ).

[0056] According to this embodiment, the guidance process is executed when the elapsed time from the reference time when the vehicle's power is turned on is less than the execution time. Therefore, since the guidance process is executed between the time the driver gets into the vehicle and the time when they begin to operate the vehicle stably, a seat system can be provided that provides heart rate guidance to the driver at a timing that yields a stress-relieving effect.

[0057] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a control method for a vehicle seat (20) comprising a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2), a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body, and control devices (5, 27) that control the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the power status of the vehicle and the heart rate of the driver, and is configured to execute an induction process to control the vibration generating device in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the power of the vehicle is on and the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, and stores the time when the power of the vehicle was turned on as a reference time, and executes the induction process when the elapsed time from the reference time is less than a predetermined execution time (δ).

[0058] According to this embodiment, the induction process is executed when the elapsed time from the reference time when the vehicle's power is turned on is less than the execution time. Therefore, since the induction process is executed between the time the driver gets into the vehicle and when they begin to operate the vehicle stably, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat control method that enables heart rate induction to the driver at a timing that provides a stress-relieving effect.

[0059] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention provides a control program for a vehicle seat (20) comprising a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2), a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body, and control devices (5, 27) that control the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the power status of the vehicle and the heart rate of the driver, and is configured to execute an induction process to control the vibration generating device in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the power of the vehicle is on and the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, and the control device stores the time when the power of the vehicle was turned on as a reference time, and executes the induction process when the elapsed time from the reference time is less than a predetermined execution time (δ).

[0060] According to this embodiment, the guidance process is executed when the elapsed time from the reference time when the vehicle's power is turned on is less than the execution time. Therefore, since the guidance process is executed between the time the driver gets into the vehicle and the time when they begin to operate the vehicle stably, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat control program that can provide heart rate guidance to the driver at a timing that provides a stress-relieving effect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0061] One aspect of the present invention is a vehicle seat (20) mounted on a vehicle (2), comprising a seat body (28) constituting a driver's seat (13), a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated on the seat body, and the driver's heart rate is predetermined Heart rate range The vehicle has a control device (5, 27) capable of performing an induction process to control the vibration generator in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the vehicle is outside, and the control device prohibits the execution of the induction process when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time (τ).

[0062] According to this embodiment, the induction process is prohibited until the prohibited time has elapsed from the time the driver sits in the seat. Therefore, for example, if the driver gets into the vehicle immediately after exercise, or if the heart rate is affected by factors other than stress, the induction process is prohibited. Heart rate range This prevents the induction process from being executed immediately when the vehicle is outside. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that can guide the driver's heart rate at a time when stress reduction effects can be obtained.

[0063] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body in association with the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information, and sets the standard heart rate by acquiring the identification information of the driver.

[0064] According to this embodiment, a standard heart rate suitable for each driver can be set.

[0065] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device includes identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body, and the person corresponding to the identification information. Heart rate range The standard heart rate is stored in association with the above, and the driver's specific information is obtained, Heart rate range And set the standard heart rate.

[0066] According to this embodiment, each driver is suitable Heart rate range And you can set a standard heart rate.

[0067] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores in association the identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body and the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information, acquires the identification information of the driver, acquires the corresponding standard heart rate based on the acquired identification information of the driver, and acquires the standard heart rate based on the acquired standard heart rate Heart rate range Set it.

[0068] According to this embodiment, each driver is suitable Heart rate range And you can set a standard heart rate.

[0069] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body in association with the prohibited time, and sets the prohibited time by acquiring the identification information of the driver.

[0070] According to this embodiment, a prohibition period suitable for each driver can be set.

[0071] In the above embodiment, preferably, when the driver's heart rate is greater than a predetermined upper heart rate value or less than a predetermined lower heart rate value, the control device controls the driver's heart rate Heart rate range It is determined to be outside.

[0072] According to this embodiment, heart rate guidance can be performed if the driver's heart rate is too high or too low.

[0073] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device sets the frequency of the vibration to be generated by the vibration generator based on the driver's heart rate during the induction process.

[0074] According to this embodiment, heart rate guidance can be performed according to the driver's heart rate.

[0075] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device sets the frequency of the vibration generated by the vibration generator to be between the driver's heart rate and the standard heart rate during the induction process.

[0076] According to this embodiment, the driver's heart rate can be appropriately guided to reach a standard heart rate.

[0077] One aspect of the present invention is a seat system comprising: a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2); a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body; a heart rate sensor (25) that acquires biological information relating to the driver's heartbeat; and a control device (5, 27) that controls the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the driver's heart rate based on the biological information acquired by the heart rate sensor, and the driver's heart rate is predetermined Heart rate range When outside, the system is configured to perform an induction process to control the vibration generator in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate, and the execution of the induction process is prohibited when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time (τ).

[0078] According to this embodiment, the induction process is prohibited until the prohibited time has elapsed from the time the driver sits in the seat. Therefore, for example, if the driver gets into the vehicle immediately after exercise, or if the heart rate is affected by factors other than stress, the induction process is prohibited. Heart rate rangeThis prevents the induction process from being executed immediately when the driver is outside the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to provide a seat system that can guide the driver's heart rate at a time when stress reduction effects can be achieved.

[0079] One aspect of the present invention is a control method for a vehicle seat (20) comprising a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2), a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body, and control devices (5, 27) that control the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the driver's heart rate, and when the driver's heart rate is predetermined Heart rate range The system is configured to perform an induction process to control the vibration generator in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the driver is outside, and to prohibit the execution of the induction process when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time (τ).

[0080] According to this embodiment, the induction process is prohibited until the prohibited time has elapsed from the time the driver sits in the seat. Therefore, for example, if the driver gets into the vehicle immediately after exercise, or if the heart rate is affected by factors other than stress, the induction process is prohibited. Heart rate range This prevents the induction process from being executed immediately when the vehicle is outside. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat control method that allows heart rate induction to be performed on the driver at a time when stress reduction effects can be obtained.

[0081] One aspect of the present invention is a control program for a vehicle seat (20) comprising a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2), a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body, and control devices (5, 27) that control the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the driver's heart rate, and when the driver's heart rate is predetermined Heart rate range The system is configured to perform an induction process to control the vibration generator in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the driver is outside, and to prohibit the execution of the induction process when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time (τ).

[0082] According to this embodiment, the induction process is prohibited until the prohibited time has elapsed from the time the driver sits in the seat. Therefore, for example, if the driver gets into the vehicle immediately after exercise, or if the heart rate is affected by factors other than stress, the induction process is prohibited. Heart rate range This prevents the induction process from being executed immediately when the vehicle is outside. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat control program that can guide the driver's heart rate at a time when stress reduction effects can be obtained.

[0083] One embodiment is a vehicle seat (20) mounted on a vehicle (2), comprising: a seat body (28) constituting a driver's seat (13); a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated on the seat body; and a control device (5, 27) that acquires the power status of the vehicle and the heart rate of the driver, and when the power of the vehicle is on and the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, it is capable of executing an induction process to control the vibration generating device in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate, wherein the control device stores the time when the power of the vehicle was turned on as a reference time, and executes the induction process when the elapsed time from the reference time is less than a predetermined execution time (δ).

[0084] According to this embodiment, the induction process is executed when the elapsed time from the reference time when the vehicle's power is turned on is less than the execution time. Therefore, since the induction process is executed between the time the driver gets into the vehicle and when they begin to operate the vehicle stably, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat that can provide heart rate guidance to the driver at a timing that provides a stress-reducing effect.

[0085] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device updates the reference time to the current time when the power to the vehicle is switched from off to on.

[0086] According to this embodiment, the reference time can be set by a simple method.

[0087] In the above embodiment, preferably, when the power supply of the vehicle is switched from off to on, the control device acquires the time interval from off to on, updates the reference time to the current time if the time interval is greater than a predetermined threshold, and maintains the reference time without updating it if the time interval is less than or equal to the threshold.

[0088] According to this embodiment, if a vehicle is switched on again within a short period of time less than the threshold after being turned off, the reference time is maintained without being updated. Therefore, when there is a period of time shorter than the threshold during which the vehicle was turned off, that period can be ignored when setting the reference time.

[0089] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body in association with the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information, and sets the standard heart rate by acquiring the identification information of the driver.

[0090] According to this embodiment, a standard heart rate suitable for each driver can be set.

[0091] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body, and the upper heart rate limit and standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information, in association with each other, and sets the upper heart rate limit and standard heart rate by acquiring the identification information of the driver.

[0092] According to this embodiment, it is possible to set an appropriate upper heart rate limit and standard heart rate for each driver.

[0093] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body and the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information in association with each other, acquires the identification information of the driver, acquires the corresponding standard heart rate based on the acquired identification information of the driver, and sets the heart rate upper limit based on the acquired standard heart rate.

[0094] According to this embodiment, it is possible to set an appropriate upper heart rate limit and standard heart rate for each driver.

[0095] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body in association with the execution time, and sets the execution time by acquiring the identification information of the driver.

[0096] According to this embodiment, an execution time suitable for each driver can be set.

[0097] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device determines that the driver's heart rate is outside the range when the driver's heart rate is greater than a predetermined upper heart rate value or less than a predetermined lower heart rate value.

[0098] According to this embodiment, heart rate guidance can be performed if the driver's heart rate is too high or too low.

[0099] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device sets the frequency of the vibration to be generated by the vibration generator based on the driver's heart rate during the induction process.

[0100] According to this embodiment, heart rate guidance can be performed according to the driver's heart rate.

[0101] In the above embodiment, preferably, the control device sets the frequency of the vibration generated by the vibration generator to be between the driver's heart rate and the standard heart rate during the induction process.

[0102] According to this embodiment, the driver's heart rate can be appropriately guided to reach a standard heart rate.

[0103] One embodiment is a seat system (1) comprising a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2), a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body, a heart rate sensor (25) that acquires biological information relating to the driver's heartbeat, and a control device (5, 27) that controls the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the power status of the vehicle, acquires the driver's heart rate based on the biological information acquired by the heart rate sensor, and is configured to execute an induction process to control the vibration generating device in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the power of the vehicle is on and the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, and stores the time when the power of the vehicle was turned on as a reference time, and executes the induction process when the elapsed time from the reference time is less than a predetermined execution time (δ).

[0104] According to this embodiment, the guidance process is executed when the elapsed time from the reference time when the vehicle's power is turned on is less than the execution time. Therefore, since the guidance process is executed between the time the driver gets into the vehicle and the time when they begin to operate the vehicle stably, a seat system can be provided that provides heart rate guidance to the driver at a timing that yields a stress-relieving effect.

[0105] One embodiment is a control method for a vehicle seat (20) comprising a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2), a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body, and control devices (5, 27) that control the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the power status of the vehicle and the heart rate of the driver, and is configured to execute an induction process to control the vibration generating device in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the power of the vehicle is on and the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, and stores the time when the power of the vehicle was turned on as a reference time, and executes the induction process when the elapsed time from the reference time is less than a predetermined execution time (δ).

[0106] According to this embodiment, the induction process is executed when the elapsed time from the reference time when the vehicle's power is turned on is less than the execution time. Therefore, since the induction process is executed between the time the driver gets into the vehicle and when they begin to operate the vehicle stably, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat control method that enables heart rate induction to the driver at a timing that provides a stress-relieving effect.

[0107] One embodiment is a control program for a vehicle seat (20) comprising a seat body (28) constituting the driver's seat (13) of a vehicle (2), a vibration generating device (29) that provides vibration to a driver seated in the seat body, and control devices (5, 27) that control the vibration generating device, wherein the control device acquires the power status of the vehicle and the heart rate of the driver, and is configured to execute an induction process to control the vibration generating device in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the power of the vehicle is on and the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, and the control device stores the time when the power of the vehicle was turned on as a reference time, and executes the induction process when the elapsed time from the reference time is less than a predetermined execution time (δ).

[0108] According to this embodiment, the guidance process is executed when the elapsed time from the reference time when the vehicle's power is turned on is less than the execution time. Therefore, since the guidance process is executed between the time the driver gets into the vehicle and the time when they begin to operate the vehicle stably, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat control program that can provide heart rate guidance to the driver at a timing that provides a stress-relieving effect. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0109] [Figure 1] (A) A side view showing the interior of a vehicle equipped with a seat according to the embodiment, and (B) an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion enclosed by the dashed line and (C) the portion enclosed by the double dashed line. [Figure 2] Block diagram of a vehicle system according to an embodiment [Figure 3] Flowchart of the sheet control process according to the first embodiment [Figure 4] An example of a driver database according to the first embodiment [Figure 5] The graph shows the change in heart rate (upper row) when a driver gets into a vehicle immediately after exercise, performs driving operations, gets out of the vehicle, and then gets back in, and the time period during which guidance processing is performed in the vehicle seat according to the first embodiment (lower row). [Figure 6] An explanatory diagram illustrating the effective seating elapsed time and effective seating time according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] Flowchart of the update process according to the second embodiment [Figure 8] (A) A graph showing the change in heart rate when a driver gets into the vehicle immediately after exercise, performs driving operations, and briefly leaves the seat until the heart rate falls below the upper limit of the heart rate, and (B) the time period during which heart rate guidance is performed in the seat system (vehicle seat) according to the first embodiment and (C) the second embodiment, respectively. [Figure 9] Flowchart of the sheet control process according to the third embodiment [Figure 10] An example of a driver database according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11]The graph shows the change in heart rate (upper row) when a driver gets into a vehicle immediately after exercise, performs driving operations, gets out of the vehicle, and then gets back in, and the time period during which guidance processing is performed in the vehicle seat according to the third embodiment (lower row). [Figure 12] An explanatory diagram illustrating the effective startup elapsed time and effective startup time according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 13] Flowchart of the update process according to the fourth embodiment [Figure 14] (A) A graph showing the change in heart rate when a driver gets into a vehicle immediately after exercise, performs driving operations, and the vehicle is stopped for a short time until the heart rate falls below the upper limit, and (B) the time period during which heart rate guidance is performed in the seat system (vehicle seat) according to the third embodiment and (C) the fourth embodiment, respectively. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0110] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle seat, seat system, vehicle seat control method, and vehicle seat control program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0111] As shown in Figure 1, the seat system 1 is mounted on a vehicle 2, such as an automobile. The seat system 1 constitutes part of the vehicle system 3 mounted on the vehicle 2.

[0112] The following explanation will use the example of a case where the seat system 1 is installed in an electric vehicle powered by a battery mounted on the vehicle body 4, but the seat system 1 may also be installed in a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. Also, for the sake of explanation, the front-rear, left-right, and up-down directions will be defined with respect to the vehicle 2.

[0113] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle body 4 that constitutes the vehicle 2 is equipped with a vehicle control device 5 that acquires the state of the vehicle 2 and controls the vehicle 2. The vehicle control device 5 may be installed at any location on the vehicle body 4.

[0114] As shown in Figure 2, the vehicle control device 5 is composed of an electronic control unit (ECU) which includes a processor 6 such as a CPU, memory 7 such as non-volatile memory (ROM) and volatile memory (RAM), storage 8, and a communication interface 9 (communication I / F).

[0115] The vehicle control device 5 acquires the on / off state of the power switch 10 (also called the power switch) of the vehicle 2 and controls the vehicle 2. The on / off state may include READY mode, in which the engine and motor can be driven; accessory mode, in which some electrical components (such as the audio system) can be used; ignition on mode, in which all electrical components can be used; and sleep mode, which is a standby state after the driver has exited the vehicle and locked the doors. Here, READY mode, accessory mode, and ignition on mode are included in the state where the power switch 10 is on, and sleep mode is included in the state where the power switch 10 is off. When the power switch 10 is off, the vehicle control device 5 communicates with the smart key 11 located within the communication range via the communication interface 9 and controls the locking of the doors according to the operation of the smart key 11. When the power switch 10 is on, the vehicle control device 5 controls the drive source (engine, motor, etc.) for driving the vehicle 2, and controls the display 12A of the instrument panel 12, etc.

[0116] Vehicle 2 is equipped with a driver camera 15 for capturing images of the driver (the person seated in the driver's seat 13). The driver camera 15 is located inside the passenger compartment 16 and captures images of the driver's seat 13 from the front. The driver camera 15 is connected to the vehicle control device 5 and outputs the captured images to the vehicle control device 5. Even when the power switch 10 of vehicle 2 is turned off, the driver camera 15 takes images to monitor the interior of the vehicle, and the captured images are output to the vehicle control device 5.

[0117] The vehicle control device 5 uses the images captured by the driver camera 15 to determine whether or not there is a person sitting in the driver's seat 13 using a known method. The vehicle control device 5 also uses the images captured by the driver camera 15 to determine the time when the person sat in the driver's seat 13 (time of sitting start), and to determine the elapsed time from that reference time (hereinafter, sitting elapsed time). In addition, the vehicle control device 5 uses the images captured by the driver camera 15 to obtain information for identifying the person sitting in the driver's seat 13 (driver) (hereinafter, identification information) using a known method. Identification information may include, for example, facial features.

[0118] The vehicle control device 5 transmits to an external device, in response to a request from that external device, information such as whether or not there is a person sitting in the driver's seat 13, the elapsed time of sitting, and information to identify the person sitting in the driver's seat 13 (facial features). In addition, the vehicle control device 5 may also transmit to an external device, in response to a request from that external device, images captured by the driver camera 15.

[0119] As shown in Figures 1(A) and 2, the seat system 1 comprises a wearable terminal 18 worn by the driver and a vehicle seat 20 that constitutes the driver's seat 13.

[0120] Figure 1(A) shows an example in which the wearable device 18 is composed of a smartwatch (wristwatch-type device) worn on the driver's arm. However, the wearable device 18 shown in Figure 1(A) is merely an example, and may be composed of any device worn on the driver (for example, a smart ring worn on the driver's finger, or a seat belt).

[0121] As shown in Figure 2, the wearable terminal 18 includes a processor 21 such as a CPU, memory 22 such as non-volatile memory (ROM) and volatile memory (RAM), storage 23 for storing various types of information, a communication interface 24 (communication I / F), and a heart rate sensor 25. The wearable terminal 18 may also be equipped with a touch panel 26.

[0122] The heart rate sensor 25 is a biosensor that acquires biological information related to the driver's heartbeat, and may be an optical heart rate sensor comprising a light-emitting element that irradiates light toward the driver's skin and a photodiode that detects the intensity of reflected light. The waveform detected by the heart rate sensor 25 indicates the intensity of reflected light detected by the photodiode and reflects the changes in blood flow due to the heartbeat. In addition, the heart rate sensor 25 may be a sensor that uses the Doppler effect with radio waves, or a sensor that uses a piezoelectric element.

[0123] The processor 21 of the wearable device 18 obtains the heart rate by performing a time-series analysis of the waveform acquired by the heart rate sensor 25. The processor 21 may also obtain the heart rate by, for example, acquiring the time interval from one peak to the next in the waveform output from the heart rate sensor 25. The processor 21 of the wearable device 18 transmits the heart rate acquired in real time to an external device via the communication interface 24.

[0124] When a driver is in an unusual state due to tension, excitement, or other reasons, the driver's heart rate changes from their normal heart rate (hereinafter referred to as the standard heart rate). In order to determine the driver's state based on the heart rate, the storage 23 (or memory 22) of the wearable terminal 18 stores (remembers) the lower limit (hereinafter referred to as the lower heart rate limit) and upper limit (hereinafter referred to as the upper heart rate limit) of the heart rate suitable for driving.

[0125] The lower heart rate threshold may be set as the heart rate threshold at which the driver's level of alertness is too low, potentially causing delays in driving operations or impaired judgment and cognitive abilities. The upper heart rate threshold may be set as the heart rate threshold at which the driver is too excited, potentially causing delays in driving operations or impaired judgment and cognitive abilities.

[0126] If the wearable device 18 is constantly worn by the driver, the processor 21 may acquire a standard heart rate based on the heart rate acquired by the heart rate sensor 25 and store it in the storage 23. Based on the standard heart rate, the processor 21 may estimate the lower heart rate limit and the upper heart rate limit and record them in the storage 23. Alternatively, the lower heart rate limit and the upper heart rate limit may be set by the processor 21 based on input such as the driver's age, blood pressure, and physique via the touch panel 26 and recorded in the storage 23. In this case, since the lower heart rate limit and the upper heart rate limit are set based on the driver's age, blood pressure, and physique, the lower heart rate limit and the upper heart rate limit can be appropriately set for each driver.

[0127] In addition, the lower and upper heart rate limits may be set based on standard values ​​for a healthy person and stored in storage 23 at the time of factory shipment or during the installation of various applications. Furthermore, the processor 21 may communicate with various servers, etc., via the communication interface 24 to obtain the lower and upper heart rate limits and record them in storage 23.

[0128] In this embodiment, the wearable terminal 18 calculates the average value of the wearer's heart rate based on the waveform acquired by the heart rate sensor 25, and sets the calculated average value as the standard heart rate. Subsequently, the wearable terminal 18 sets a value obtained by multiplying the standard heart rate by a constant of 1 or more (for example, 1.1) as the upper limit of the heart rate. Furthermore, the wearable terminal 18 sets a value obtained by multiplying the standard heart rate by a constant of less than 1 (for example, 0.9) as the lower limit of the heart rate.

[0129] In this way, by setting the upper and lower heart rate limits based on the standard heart rate, it becomes possible to set appropriate upper and standard heart rates for each wearer of the wearable device 18.

[0130] As shown in Figure 1(A), the vehicle seat 20 comprises a seat body 28, a vibration generating device 29, and a seat control device 27.

[0131] The seat body 28 includes a seat cushion 31 provided on the floor 30 that defines the bottom of the passenger compartment 16, a seat back 32 extending upward from the rear of the seat cushion 31, and a headrest 33 attached to the upper part of the seat back 32.

[0132] The seat cushion 31 supports the driver's buttocks. The seat back 32 is positioned behind the driver and functions as a backrest. The headrest 33 is positioned behind the driver's head. The seat back 32 is rotatably connected to the seat cushion 31 via a reclining device (not shown) and is supported so as to be tiltable relative to the seat cushion 31.

[0133] The seat cushion 31 includes a frame (not shown) that forms the skeleton, a pad 37 supported by the frame, and a surface material 38 that covers the upper surface of the pad 37. The pad 37 is made of a cushioning material such as urethane. The surface material 38 is made of a sheet-like material such as cloth or leather.

[0134] The seat back 32 includes a frame (not shown) that forms the skeleton, a pad 40 supported by the frame, and a surface material 41 that covers the outer surface of the pad 40. The pad 40 is made of a cushioning material such as urethane. The surface material 41 is made of a sheet-like material such as cloth or leather.

[0135] The frame constituting the seat back 32 is rotatably connected at its lower end to the rear of the frame constituting the seat cushion 31, with respect to an axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0136] The seat body 28 may be supported on the floor 30 via a rotating device so as to be rotatable about an axis extending vertically from the floor 30. Alternatively, the seat body 28 may be supported on the floor 30 so as to be movable back and forth via a sliding device (not shown).

[0137] The vibration generating device 29 (also called a vibration device or vibration apparatus) includes one or more vibrators 45 that generate vibrations. In this embodiment, the vibration generating device 29 includes a plurality of vibrators 45 provided on the seat back 32 (hereinafter referred to as back-side vibrators 45A) and a plurality of vibrators 45 provided on the seat cushion 31 (hereinafter referred to as cushion-side vibrators 45B).

[0138] As shown in Figure 1(B), the rear-side transducer 45A is preferably positioned inside a recess 47 formed on the front surface of the pad 40 that constitutes the seat back 32. The rear-side transducer 45A is preferably covered from the front by a surface material 41 that covers the front surface of the pad 40 of the seat back 32. The vibrations output by the rear-side transducer 45A are transmitted to the driver via the pad 40 of the seat back 32 and the surface material 41.

[0139] As shown in Figure 1(C), the cushion-side transducer 45B is preferably positioned inside a recess 47 formed on the upper surface of the pad 37 that constitutes the seat cushion 31. The cushion-side transducer 45B is preferably covered from above by a surface material 38 that covers the upper surface of the pad 37 of the seat cushion 31. The vibrations output by the back-side transducer 45A are transmitted to the driver via the pad 37 of the seat cushion 31 and the surface material 38.

[0140] At least one of the vibrators 45 is configured to independently change the amplitude and frequency of the output vibration in response to the input. Hereinafter, a vibrator 45 whose amplitude and frequency can be independently changed will be referred to as an independently variable vibrator. The independently variable vibrator includes an AC motor, and the amplitude and frequency of the output vibration may be independently changed depending on the amplitude and frequency of the input AC voltage. The AC motor included in the independently variable vibrator may be a known motor such as a linear vibration motor or a piezoelectric vibration motor. In this embodiment, all vibrators 45 included in the vibration generator 29 are composed of independently variable vibrators.

[0141] As shown in Figure 2, the seat control device 27 is composed of an electronic control unit (ECU) including a processor 50, memory 51, storage 52, communication interface 53 (communication I / F), and digital-to-analog converter 54 (DA converter). In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1(A), the seat control device 27 is coupled to the bottom surface (lower surface) of the seat cushion 31.

[0142] The processor 50 consists of a CPU and the like, and performs various processes related to the vehicle seat 20. The memory 51 consists of non-volatile memory (ROM) and volatile memory (RAM) and the like, and stores and holds various information required for the processes performed by the processor 50.

[0143] The storage 52 stores identification information for identifying the person sitting in the seat body 28, and heart rate information corresponding to each person sitting in the seat, in the driver database. The identification information is information for identifying the driver from the image captured by the driver camera 15, and may consist of, for example, facial features. The heart rate information is information for determining whether the driver is in a stressed state based on their heart rate, and for processing based on the determination result, and is acquired when the driver first sits in the seat body 28 and stored in the storage 52.

[0144] The communication interface 53 mediates communication between the processor 50 and various devices other than the seat control device 27. The communication between the processor 50 and the various devices may be based on either wireless or wired methods.

[0145] Specifically, the communication interface 53 mediates wireless communication between the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 and the wearable terminal 18. As a result, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 communicates wirelessly with the wearable terminal 18 and obtains information related to the driver's (the person wearing the wearable terminal 18's) heartbeat and the driver's heart rate in real time from the wearable terminal 18.

[0146] The communication interface 53 also mediates communication between the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 and the vehicle control device 5. This allows the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 to communicate with the vehicle control device 5 via the communication interface 53. Communication between the seat control device 27 and the vehicle control device 5 may be based on either wired or wireless methods. The processor 50 of the seat control device 27 communicates with the vehicle control device 5 and can obtain the determination result of whether or not there is a person sitting in the seat body 28, and the elapsed time of sitting, which has been acquired by the vehicle control device 5. In addition, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 can obtain identification information (in this embodiment, facial features) for identifying the person sitting in the seat body 28, and images captured by the driver camera 15 from the vehicle control device 5.

[0147] The digital-to-analog converter 54 converts the digital signal output from the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 into an analog voltage and outputs the analog voltage to an output terminal (not shown). The seat control device 27 is provided with a digital-to-analog converter 54 corresponding to each vibrator 45, and the output terminal of the digital-to-analog converter 54 is connected to the corresponding vibrator 45 via a harness 60.

[0148] As shown in Figures 1(B) and 1(C), the pad 37 of the seat cushion 31 and the pad 40 of the seat back 32 are each provided with a harness passage 62 for passing a harness 60 that connects the digital-to-analog converter 54 and the transducer 45. In the pad 37 of the seat cushion 31, the harness passage 62 reaches a recess 47 from its lower surface, and in the pad 40 of the seat back 32, the harness passage 62 reaches a recess 47 from its rear surface.

[0149] Each of the vibrators 45 is connected to the seat control device 27 (specifically, the output terminal of the corresponding digital-to-analog converter 54) by a harness 60 that passes through a harness passage 62. The processor 50 of the seat control device 27 outputs a digital signal to the digital-to-analog converter 54, thereby controlling the analog voltage output from the digital-to-analog converter 54 and controlling the amplitude and frequency of vibrations output from each of the vibrators 45. In other words, the seat control device 27 can independently control the amplitude and frequency of vibrations output from the vibrators 45.

[0150] The processor 50 of the seat control device 27 executes a control program stored in the memory 51 and storage 52 to acquire information related to the driver's heart rate from the wearable terminal 18, and, if necessary, executes control processing (hereinafter referred to as seat control processing) for the vehicle seat 20 to control the vibration generator 29 in order to perform heart rate guidance, thereby implementing the control method for the vehicle seat 20.

[0151] Heart rate guidance refers to monitoring the driver's heart rate and providing feedback to the driver in order to alleviate stress (so-called heart rate-based biofeedback), and the feedback to the driver is provided by vibrations generated by the vibration generator 29.

[0152] Next, two embodiments of the seat control processing performed by the seat control device 27 will be described.

[0153] <<First Embodiment>> Figure 3 shows a flowchart of the seat control process performed by the seat control device 27 of the seat system 1 according to the first embodiment. The seat control device 27 (processor 50) performs the seat control process at predetermined intervals (hereinafter referred to as repetition time).

[0154] In the first step ST1 of the seat control process, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 obtains a determination result from the vehicle control device 5 regarding the presence or absence of a seated person based on the image captured by the current driver camera 15, via communication through the communication interface 53.

[0155] The processor 50 of the seat control device 27 terminates the seat control process if the vehicle control device 5 determines that there is no seated person. If it determines that there is a seated person, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 executes step ST2.

[0156] In step ST2, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 acquires identification information (facial features) from the vehicle control device 5 to identify the person sitting in the seat body 28. Next, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 determines whether the person corresponding to the acquired facial features is recorded in the driver database.

[0157] Figure 4 shows an example of a driver database according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the driver database according to the first embodiment stores facial features as specific information, and stores the driver's standard heart rate, lower heart rate limit, upper heart rate limit, and prohibited time τ corresponding to the facial features as heart rate information. The prohibited time τ refers to the time during which heart rate induction is prohibited.

[0158] The processor 50 of the seat control device 27 executes step ST3 if a person corresponding to the facial features acquired from the captured image is recorded in the driver database, and step ST4 if the person is not recorded.

[0159] In step ST3, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 uses the driver database to acquire heart rate information (standard heart rate, upper heart rate limit, lower heart rate limit, and forbidden time τ) corresponding to specific information (face features) acquired from the vehicle control device 5. Once the acquisition of heart rate information is complete, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 executes step ST5.

[0160] In step ST4, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 acquires the standard heart rate, lower heart rate limit, and upper heart rate limit from the driver's wearable terminal 18, associates them with facial features acquired from the captured image, and records them in the driver database.

[0161] At this time, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 records the standard heart rate, the upper heart rate limit, and the lower heart rate limit, along with the prohibited time τ, in the driver database.

[0162] The processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may determine the prohibition time τ by a constant that does not depend on the standard heart rate (for example, 5 minutes), or the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may obtain the prohibition time τ based on one of the standard heart rate, the upper heart rate limit, or the lower heart rate limit. The processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may set the prohibition time τ to be longer the higher the standard heart rate.

[0163] In this case, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may acquire only the standard heart rate from the wearable terminal 18 and set the upper and lower heart rate limits based on the standard heart rate. Specifically, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may set the upper heart rate limit by adding a predetermined value to the standard heart rate and set the lower heart rate limit by subtracting a predetermined value from the standard heart rate. This eliminates the need to record the upper and lower heart rate limits in the driver database, thereby reducing the amount of data in the driver database and making it possible to set appropriate upper and lower heart rate limits for each driver using a simple method.

[0164] The processor 50 of the seat control device 27 executes step ST5 once it has finished recording to the driver database.

[0165] In step ST5, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 obtains from the vehicle control device 5 the elapsed time since the occupant sat on the seat body 28, i.e., the seating elapsed time. The seat control device 27 then determines whether the seating elapsed time is longer than the prohibited time τ (i.e., whether the prohibited time τ has elapsed since the occupant sat on the seat body 28). If the seating elapsed time is longer than the prohibited time τ, step ST5 is executed. If the seating elapsed time is less than or equal to the prohibited time τ, or if the seating elapsed time could not be obtained, the seat control process is terminated.

[0166] In step ST6, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 obtains the driver's heart rate from the wearable terminal 18 and determines whether it is below the upper limit of the heart rate of the person corresponding to the facial features obtained from the captured image. If the obtained heart rate is below the corresponding upper limit of the heart rate, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 executes step ST6. If the obtained heart rate is greater than the corresponding upper limit of the heart rate, it executes step ST7.

[0167] In step ST7, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 determines whether the heart rate acquired in step ST5 is equal to or greater than the lower limit of the person's heart rate corresponding to the facial features acquired from the captured image. If the acquired heart rate is equal to or greater than the corresponding upper limit of the heart rate, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 completes the seat control process. If the acquired heart rate is less than the corresponding upper limit of the heart rate, step ST8 is executed.

[0168] In step ST8, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 performs induction processing over a repeating time to perform heart rate induction. Specifically, in the induction processing, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 obtains the driver's heart rate from the wearable terminal 18 and sets the frequency of vibrations generated by the vibration generator 29 based on the driver's heart rate in order to bring the obtained driver's heart rate closer to the standard heart rate.

[0169] The processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may, in the induction process, set the frequency of vibrations generated by the vibration generator 29 to be between the driver's heart rate and the standard heart rate. For example, if the driver's heart rate is higher than the standard heart rate (shorter period), the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may set the period of vibrations generated by the vibration generator 29 to be higher than the standard heart rate but slightly lower than the driver's heart rate. By setting the frequency of vibrations generated by the vibration generator 29 to be between the driver's heart rate and the standard heart rate in this way, the driver's heart rate can be appropriately guided to asymptotically approach the standard heart rate.

[0170] Furthermore, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may set the amplitude of the vibrations generated by the vibration generator 29 to a constant value during induction processing, or it may set it to depend on the elapsed time of sitting. In addition, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may set the amplitude of the vibrations generated by the vibration generator 29 to depend on the position of the vibrator 45. For example, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may set the amplitude of the vibrations generated by vibrators 45 closer to the driver's head to be larger, and the amplitude of vibrations generated by vibrators 45 closer to the driver's heart to be smaller.

[0171] When the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 has performed induction processing over the repetition time, it temporarily ends the seat control processing and immediately starts the seat control processing again from the first step (ST1).

[0172] Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle seat 20 (seat system 1) configured in this way will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

[0173] The upper part of Figure 5 shows a graph illustrating the time-dependent change in the driver's heart rate when the driver gets into vehicle 2 at time t=t1 immediately after exercise, drives vehicle 2 for a while, gets out of vehicle 2 at time t=t2 to do some shopping, etc., and then gets back into vehicle 2 at time t=t3 and drives vehicle 2 again.

[0174] In the example shown in the upper part of Figure 5, the driver's heart rate exceeds the upper limit at time t1, but decreases over time and falls below the upper limit at time t4. However, the time from time t1 to t4 is longer than the prohibited time τ.

[0175] Furthermore, when the driver boards the vehicle at time t3, their heart rate is higher than at time t2 and exceeds the upper limit of the heart rate. After time t3, the heart rate decreases and falls below the upper limit at time t5. However, the heart rate at time t3 is lower than at time t1, and the time from time t3 to t5 is shorter than the prohibited time τ. Note that in the example shown in the upper part of Figure 5, the heart rate is always above the lower limit of the heart rate.

[0176] The lower part of Figure 5 shows the time period during which heart rate guidance is performed (heart rate guidance is turned ON) when the heart rate changes, as shown in the upper part.

[0177] Before time t1, the driver is not seated in the seat body 28 (No in ST1), so no guidance process is performed.

[0178] During the time period from t1 to t1+τ, it is determined that the driver is seated in the seat body 28 (Yes in ST1), and after the upper limit of the heart rate etc. is obtained (ST2 to ST4), it is determined that the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body 28, i.e., the seating time, is less than or equal to the prohibited time τ (No in ST5). Therefore, no guidance processing is performed during the time period from t1 to t1+τ.

[0179] During the time period from t1+τ to t4, it is determined that the driver is seated in the seat 28 (Yes in ST1), the heart rate limit and other values ​​are obtained (ST2 to ST4), it is determined that the seating time is longer than the prohibited time τ (Yes in ST5), and the heart rate is determined to be higher than the heart rate limit (No in ST6). Therefore, guidance processing is performed during the time period from t1+τ to t4.

[0180] During the time period from t4 to t2, it is determined that the driver is seated in the seat 28 (Yes in ST1), and after the upper heart rate limit etc. are obtained (ST2 to ST4), it is determined that the seating time is longer than the prohibited time τ (Yes in ST5), and the heart rate is below the upper heart rate limit (Yes in ST6) and above the lower heart rate limit (Yes in ST7). Therefore, no guidance process is performed.

[0181] Between times t2 and t3, the driver has disembarked and is not seated in the seat 28 (No in ST1), therefore no guidance process is performed.

[0182] During the time period from t3 to t3+τ, it is determined that the driver is seated in the seat 28 (Yes in ST1), and after the upper limit of the heart rate etc. is obtained (ST2 to ST4), it is determined that the seating time is less than or equal to the prohibited time τ (No in ST5). Therefore, no guidance processing is performed during the time period from t3 to t3+τ.

[0183] During the time period from time t3+τ onward, it is determined that the driver is seated in the seat 28 (Yes in ST1), and after the upper heart rate limit etc. are obtained (ST2~ST4), it is determined that the seating time is longer than the prohibited time τ (Yes in ST5), and the heart rate is below the upper heart rate limit (Yes in ST6) and above the lower heart rate limit (Yes in ST7). Therefore, no guidance processing is performed during the time period from time t3+τ onward.

[0184] As shown in the lower part of Figure 5 (in particular, refer to the time intervals t1~t1+τ and t3~t3+τ), the induction process is prohibited when the seated time is less than the prohibited time τ. Therefore, for example, if the driver gets into the vehicle immediately after exercise, or if the heart rate falls within a predetermined range due to factors other than stress ( (Also known as heart rate range)This prevents the induction process from being immediately executed when the heart rate is outside the normal range (higher than the upper heart rate limit or lower than the lower heart rate limit). Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat 20, a seat system 1, a control method for the vehicle seat 20, and a control program that can provide heart rate induction to the driver at a timing that provides stress relief.

[0185] During the guidance process, vibrations are generated from the vibration generator 29 so that the driver's heart rate asymptotically approaches the standard heart rate. The seat control device 27 stores identification information for identifying the person sitting in the seat body 28 and the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information in a driver database, and sets the standard heart rate based on the identification information (facial features) of the seated person (driver) acquired by the vehicle control device 5. Therefore, a standard heart rate suitable for each driver can be set.

[0186] The seat control device 27 stores the upper and lower heart rate limits and the prohibited time τ for a person corresponding to specific information in the driver database, and sets the upper and lower heart rate limits and the prohibited time τ based on the specific information (facial features) of the seated person (driver) acquired by the vehicle control device 5. Therefore, the upper and lower heart rate limits and the prohibited time τ can be set to suit each driver.

[0187] In the example shown in Figure 5, the heart rate exceeds the upper limit of the heart rate. However, as shown in Figure 3, the induction process is also performed when the driver is seated on the seat body 28 (Yes in ST1), the seating time is longer than or equal to the prohibited time τ (Yes in ST5), and the driver's heart rate is below the lower limit of the heart rate (Yes in ST6, No in ST7). In other words, heart rate induction is performed when it is determined that the seating time is longer than or equal to the prohibited time τ and the driver's heart rate is outside the predetermined range (either higher than the upper limit of the heart rate or lower than the lower limit of the heart rate). Therefore, if the driver's heart rate is too high or too low, heart rate induction can be performed to asymptotically bring the driver's heart rate closer to the standard heart rate.

[0188] Furthermore, the seat control device 27 may be configured to set a new prohibition time τ when it is determined that a seat is occupied during the seat control processing that is executed after it has been determined that no one is occupied. Specifically, when the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 determines that a seat is occupied in step ST1 of the seat control processing that is executed after it has been determined that no one is occupied, it obtains the heart rate (i.e., the heart rate at the moment of sitting) and the standard heart rate from the wearable terminal 18. Subsequently, the processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may set the prohibition time τ in step ST3 or ST4 based on the heart rate at the moment of sitting and the standard heart rate.

[0189] The processor 50 of the seat control device 27 may be set such that the forbidden time τ increases as the difference between the heart rate at the moment of sitting and the standard heart rate increases. This ensures that the forbidden time τ increases as the driver's heart rate deviates from the standard heart rate, allowing the forbidden time τ to be set appropriately even when the driver gets into the vehicle after strenuous exercise.

[0190] <<Second Embodiment>> In the seat system 1 according to the first embodiment, the seat control device 27 was configured to compare the elapsed seating time and the prohibited time τ in step ST5 of the seat control processing. However, in the seat system 1 according to the second embodiment, the seat control device 27 is configured to compare the effective elapsed seating time and the prohibited time τ in step ST5 of the seat control processing, except that it is the same as the first embodiment. Therefore, the other configurations will not be described.

[0191] The effective seating time referred to here means the seating time calculated by excluding the time period during which the driver was not confirmed to be seated (hereinafter referred to as the "absence time"), taking into account the effects of malfunctions in imaging by the driver camera 15, errors in person detection, short periods of leaving the seat, etc., when that time period is below a predetermined threshold. As shown in Figure 6, the seating time is calculated by setting the most recent seating time (the time the person sat down) after excluding the absence time period below the threshold as the effective seating time (also called the reference time), and calculating the time difference from that effective seating time to the current time. The effective seating time is calculated by the vehicle control device 5 and transmitted to the seat control device 27.

[0192] As shown in Figure 6, the vehicle control device 5 updates the effective seating time when the driver camera 15 newly confirms that a driver is seated. Figure 7 shows a flowchart of the update process. The vehicle control device 5 is assumed to store the time when the previous seating was no longer confirmed (i.e., the time when the previous driver left the seat) as the previous departure time. Furthermore, the vehicle control device 5 is assumed to have the shipment time set as the initial value for the effective seating time and the previous departure time when the vehicle is shipped, and that the driver takes the seat after a sufficient amount of time has elapsed since the vehicle was shipped.

[0193] First, in the first step ST11 of the update process, the vehicle control device 5 determines whether the time difference between the time immediately before leaving the seat and the time when the seat was newly confirmed to be occupied (i.e., the current time when ST11 is executed) is less than or equal to a threshold. If it is less than or equal to the threshold, the vehicle control device 5 maintains the effective seated time without updating it and finishes the update process. If the time difference between the time immediately before leaving the seat and the time when the seat was newly confirmed to be occupied is greater than the threshold, the vehicle control device 5 updates the effective seated time to the time when the seat was newly confirmed and finishes the update process.

[0194] The seat control device 27 may set the effective seating time and obtain the effective seating elapsed time based on the determination result of the vehicle control device 5 regarding whether or not a seat is occupied, or the seat control device 27 may set the effective seating time and obtain the effective seating elapsed time by obtaining the image capture result from the driver camera 15. In this case, the update process is preferably performed by the seat control device 27.

[0195] The operation and effects of the vehicle seat 20 (seat system 1) when configured in this way will be explained. Figure 8(A) shows the change in the driver's heart rate between t1 and t4 in the example shown in Figure 5. Here, it is assumed that the driver was mistakenly determined to be away from the seat between t5 and t6 between t1 and t4 due to a malfunction in the driver camera 15. The time interval between t5 and t6 is assumed to be below a threshold.

[0196] Figure 8(B) shows the timing at which heart rate induction is turned on and off in the seat system 1 in the first embodiment. In the seat system 1 according to the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 8(B), the vehicle control device 5 assumes that a new seating has occurred at time t6 and sets a forbidden time τ from time t6.

[0197] Figure 8(C) shows the timing of when heart rate guidance is turned on and off in the seat system 1 in the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 8(C), in the seat system 1 according to the second embodiment, even if there is a period of time when seating cannot be confirmed for a short time due to a malfunction in the driver camera 15, the prohibited time τ is set based on the elapsed time from time t1. Therefore, it is possible to set a more appropriate time period for implementing heart rate guidance based on the time when the driver actually started to sit down (effective seating time).

[0198] <<Third Embodiment>> Figure 9 shows a flowchart of the seat control process performed by the seat control device 27 of the seat system 1 according to the third embodiment. Figure 10 shows an example of a driver database stored in the storage 52 of the seat control device 27 of the seat system 1 according to the third embodiment.

[0199] As shown in Figure 9, the vehicle seat 20 according to the third embodiment differs in step ST5 of the seat control device 27. Also, as shown in Figure 10, the content of the heart rate information differs in the third embodiment compared to the first embodiment.

[0200] Furthermore, the vehicle control device 5 according to the third embodiment can transmit the power status of the vehicle 2 (also referred to as the on / off state of the vehicle 2, the startup state, or the on / off state of the power switch 10) to an external device (here, the seat control device 27) in response to a request from the external device. In addition, when the vehicle 2 is started, the vehicle control device 5 according to the third embodiment stores the time when the vehicle 2 (power switch 10) was turned on as the startup time (reference time). When the power switch 10 is on, the vehicle control device 5 according to the third embodiment can transmit the elapsed time from the startup time to the external device as the startup elapsed time. The startup elapsed time corresponds to the elapsed time from the most recent time when the vehicle 2 was turned on. If the vehicle 2 is powered by an internal combustion engine, the vehicle control device 5 should transmit the elapsed time from when the ignition switch of the vehicle 2 was turned on to the external device.

[0201] As shown in Figure 9, the seat control device 27 according to the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, obtains a determination result from the vehicle control device 5 regarding whether or not the seat body 28 is occupied in the first step ST1 of the seat control process. If it is determined that the seat is not occupied (No in ST1), the seat control process is terminated. If it is determined that the seat is occupied (Yes in ST1), the seat control device 27 obtains the occupant's identification information (facial features) from the vehicle control device 5 and determines whether it is recorded in the driver database. If it is recorded (Yes in ST2), the seat control device 27 obtains heart rate information that matches the occupant's identification information.

[0202] The heart rate information according to the third embodiment includes, in addition to the standard heart rate, upper heart rate limit, and lower heart rate limit, similar to those in the first embodiment, an execution time δ. The execution time δ represents the time window during which the induction process can be executed, starting from the activation time (reference time).

[0203] If the data is not recorded (No in ST2), the seat control device 27 acquires the standard heart rate, upper heart rate limit, and lower heart rate limit from the wearable terminal 18, similar to the first embodiment. The seat control device 27 then sets the execution time δ based on at least one of the standard heart rate, upper heart rate limit, and lower heart rate limit. The seat control device 27 may set the execution time δ to increase as the standard heart rate increases, for example. Once the acquisition of the standard heart rate, upper heart rate limit, lower heart rate limit, and execution time δ is complete, the seat control device 27 records them in the driver database in association with specific information (facial features) acquired from the vehicle control device 5.

[0204] Once the acquisition of the standard heart rate, upper heart rate limit, lower heart rate limit, and execution time δ is complete (ST3, 4), the seat control device 27 obtains the startup status and startup elapsed time of the vehicle 2 from the vehicle control device 5 and determines whether the vehicle 2 is running and whether the startup elapsed time is less than the execution time δ (ST5).

[0205] If vehicle 2 is not started, or if the time elapsed since starting is equal to or greater than the execution time δ (No in ST5), the seat control device 27 terminates the seat control process.

[0206] If vehicle 2 is running and the execution time is less than δ (Yes in ST5), the seat control device 27 obtains the driver's heart rate from the wearable terminal 18 and determines whether the obtained heart rate is less than or equal to the upper heart rate limit (ST6). If the heart rate is greater than the upper heart rate limit (No in ST6), the seat control device 27 performs guidance processing (ST8). If the heart rate is less than or equal to the upper heart rate limit (Yes in ST6), the seat control device 27 determines whether the heart rate is greater than or equal to the lower heart rate limit (ST7). If the heart rate is greater than or equal to the lower heart rate limit (Yes in ST7), the seat control processing is completed. If the heart rate is less than the lower heart rate limit (No in ST7), guidance processing is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment (ST8).

[0207] Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle seat 20 (seat system 1) configured in this way will be explained. The upper part of Figure 11 shows an example of heart rate conversion when a driver who has just exercised gets in the vehicle at time t=t1 and gets out at time t=t2. The lower part of Figure 11 shows the time period during which the induction process is executed (turned on) by graph. In the upper and lower parts of Figure 11, it is assumed that the power switch 10 is turned on at time t0. Also, at the vehicle startup time t=t0, the driver's heart rate is assumed to be higher than the upper heart rate limit, and after the execution time δ has elapsed, it is assumed to fall below the upper heart rate limit.

[0208] As shown in the lower part of Figure 11, if the heart rate is higher than the upper heart rate limit during the execution time δ after the power switch 10 is turned on, the induction process is executed. This ensures that the induction process is executed after the driver gets into the vehicle 2 with an excessively high heart rate, until the heart rate stabilizes and becomes suitable for driving. Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle seat 20, a seat system 1, a control method for the vehicle seat 20, and a control program that can provide heart rate guidance to the driver at a timing that provides stress reduction benefits.

[0209] Furthermore, even if the heart rate is lower than the lower limit of the heart rate during the execution time δ after the power switch 10 is turned on, the induction process is performed in the same manner. This ensures that the induction process is performed after the driver gets into the vehicle with a very low heart rate, until the heart rate stabilizes and becomes suitable for driving. Therefore, even when the heart rate is very low, a vehicle seat 20 can be provided that provides heart rate guidance to the driver at a timing that provides a stress-relieving effect.

[0210] The seat control device 27 stores the upper and lower heart rate limits and execution time δ for a person corresponding to specific information in the driver database, and sets the standard heart rate, upper and lower heart rate limits and execution time δ based on the specific information (facial features) of the seated person (driver) acquired by the vehicle control device 5. Therefore, similar to the first embodiment, the standard heart rate, upper and lower heart rate limits and execution time δ can be set to suit each driver.

[0211] In addition, similar to the first embodiment, the seat control device 27 may refer to the driver database based on the driver's identification information to obtain the corresponding standard heart rate, and set the upper and lower heart rate limits based on that standard heart rate.

[0212] <<Fourth Embodiment>> In the seat system 1 according to the third embodiment, the seat control device 27 was configured to compare the startup elapsed time and the execution time δ in step ST5 of the seat control processing. However, in the seat system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the seat control device 27 is configured to compare the effective startup elapsed time and the execution time δ in step ST5 of the seat control processing, except that it is the same as the third embodiment. Other configurations will not be described.

[0213] The effective startup time referred to here means the startup time calculated excluding the time when the power to the vehicle 2 is turned off (hereinafter referred to as the off-time period), taking into account short stops, etc., if the duration of the off-time is below a predetermined threshold. As shown in Figure 12, the effective startup time is calculated using the most recent startup time (reference time), excluding the off-time period below the threshold, as the effective startup time, and corresponds to the elapsed time from that effective startup time to the current time. The effective startup time is calculated by the vehicle control device 5 and transmitted to the seat control device 27.

[0214] As shown in Figure 12, when vehicle 2 is switched from off to on (also referred to as when vehicle 2 is started or when the power switch 10 is turned on), the vehicle control device 5 performs an update process to update the effective start time. Figure 13 shows a flowchart of the update process. The vehicle control device 5 is assumed to store the time when vehicle 2 was most recently switched from on to off (i.e., the time when vehicle 2 was stopped, also referred to as the time when the power switch 10 was turned off) as the previous off time. Furthermore, the vehicle control device 5 is assumed to set the shipment time as the initial value for the effective start time and the previous off time when vehicle 2 is shipped, and to start vehicle 2 after a sufficient amount of time has elapsed since vehicle 2 was shipped.

[0215] First, in the first step ST21 of the update process, the vehicle control device 5 obtains the time difference between the immediately preceding off time and the time when vehicle 2 was newly started (i.e., the current time when ST21 is executed). If the obtained time difference is less than or equal to the threshold, the vehicle control device 5 maintains the effective start time without updating it and finishes the update process. If the time difference between the immediately preceding off time and the time when vehicle 2 was newly started is greater than the threshold, the vehicle control device 5 updates the effective start time to the time when vehicle 2 was newly started (i.e., the current time when ST21 is executed) and finishes the update process.

[0216] The vehicle control device 5 may be configured to transmit the power status of the vehicle 2 to the seat control device 27, and the seat control device 27 may set the effective startup time and obtain the effective startup elapsed time based on the power status obtained from the vehicle control device 5, or the seat control device 27 may obtain the power status of the vehicle 2, set the effective startup time and obtain the effective startup elapsed time. In this case, the update process may be performed by the seat control device 27.

[0217] The operation and effects of the vehicle seat 20 (seat system 1) when configured in this way will be explained. Figure 14(A), similar to the upper part of Figure 11, shows an example of heart rate changes when the driver's heart rate falls below the upper heart rate limit after the vehicle 2 has started and execution time δ has elapsed. Here, it is assumed that after the vehicle 2 has started but before execution time δ has elapsed, the driver stops the vehicle 2 at times t10 to t11, for example, to stop at a convenience store. Also, it is assumed that the time interval (t11-t10) of the time when the driver stopped the vehicle 2 (off-time) is smaller than the threshold.

[0218] Figure 14(B) shows the timing of when heart rate guidance is turned on and off in the seat system 1 according to the third embodiment. As shown in Figure 14(B), heart rate guidance is performed from time t=t11 until execution time δ has elapsed. In the seat system 1 according to the third embodiment, although the setting of the effective start time is simple and easy, heart rate guidance is also performed after execution time δ has elapsed from the time t=t0 when the vehicle 2 is effectively started.

[0219] Figure 14(C) shows the timing of when heart rate induction is turned on and off in the seat system 1 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in Figure 14(C), since the time interval from time t10 to t11 is smaller than the threshold, the effective activation time is set to time t0 at time t=t11. Therefore, in the seat system 1 according to the fourth embodiment, even if the seated person briefly stops the vehicle 2, the time period during which heart rate induction is performed can be limited from the time when the vehicle 2 is effectively started (effective activation time) to the execution time δ. Thus, even if the vehicle 2 is briefly stopped, the time period for performing heart rate induction can be set more appropriately based on the time when the driver is expected to have effectively started driving operations.

[0220] This concludes the description of specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be broadly modified and implemented. In the above embodiments, the seat control device 27 and the vehicle control device 5 were configured as separate units, but they may be configured as a single control device. Also, the seat control device 27 may be configured as a plurality of devices (computers).

[0221] In the above embodiment, the digital signal generated by the processor 50 of the sheet control device 27 was converted into an analog signal by the digital-to-analog converter 54 and output directly to the vibrator 45. However, various amplifiers, modulators, etc., may be provided between the digital-to-analog converter 54 and the vibrator 45. The processor 50 may also be configured to control the amplifiers, modulators, etc.

[0222] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the heart rate sensor 25 is provided on the wearable terminal 18. However, the heart rate sensor 25 may be provided in any location where it can acquire biometric information related to the driver's heart rate, for example, it may be provided on the seat body 28 or the steering wheel.

[0223] Furthermore, although an example has been described in which the vibrator 45 included in the vibration generating device 29 is provided on the seat cushion 31 and seat back 32, the vibrator 45 only needs to be provided on at least one of the seat cushion 31, seat back 32, and headrest 33.

[0224] The vibration generating device 29 may include an air cell (air bag) that extends and retracts the seating surface, and a controller (also called a supply / discharge device) that supplies and discharges air into the air cell. The controller may introduce and discharge air into the air cell at a predetermined vibration frequency, causing the seating surface to extend and retract, and providing feedback to the driver.

[0225] In addition, the vibration generator 29 may be configured to induce the driver's heart rate by causing the seat body 28 to swing in directions such as left, right, forward, or backward. Furthermore, the vibration generator 29 may be installed in a location other than the seat body 28, as long as it is capable of inducing the driver's heart rate; for example, it may be mounted on a wearable terminal 18.

[0226] In the above embodiment, the driver camera 15 was configured to acquire identifying information for identifying the driver. However, the means for identifying the driver is not limited to the driver camera 15, and may be configured, for example, by an input device such as a touch panel that accepts input such as the driver's name.

[0227] In the first embodiment described above, the system was configured such that the induction process is not executed (i.e., the execution of the induction process is prohibited) when the elapsed time since the driver sat down is less than the prohibited time and the driver's heart rate is greater than the upper heart rate limit or less than the lower heart rate limit, but the system is not limited to this embodiment. The seat system 1 (vehicle seat 20) includes a seat body 28 that constitutes the driver's seat 13, a vibration generator 29 that provides vibration to the driver seated on the seat body 28, and a seat control device 27 that can execute an induction process to control the vibration generator 29 in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the driver's heart rate is greater than or equal to the upper heart rate limit, and the system may be configured such that the induction process is not executed (the induction process is prohibited) when the elapsed time since the vehicle 2 was turned on is less than the prohibited time.

[0228] In the third embodiment described above, the induction process was configured to be executed when the driver's heart rate is greater than the upper heart rate limit or less than the lower heart rate limit during the execution time δ after the power of the vehicle 2 is turned on. However, the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the seat system 1 (vehicle seat 20) includes a seat body 28 that constitutes the driver's seat 13, a vibration generator 29 that provides vibration to the driver seated on the seat body 28, and a seat control device 27 that can execute an induction process to control the vibration generator 29 in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to the standard heart rate when the driver's heart rate is greater than or equal to the upper heart rate limit or less than or equal to the lower heart rate limit. The seat control device 27 may be configured to execute the induction process when the elapsed time since the driver sat on the seat body 28 is less than the execution time δ.

[0229] In the above embodiment, an example of the seat system 1 being applied to a four-wheeled automobile was described, but the seat system 1 is applicable to various vehicles, including buses, trucks, trains, ships, etc., that are operated by a driver and include a passenger seat 20. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0230] 1: Seat System 2: Vehicles (an example of a vehicle) 5: Vehicle control device (an example of a control device) 13: Driver's seat 20: Vehicle seats 25: Heart rate sensor 27: Seat control device (an example of a control device) 28: Seat body 29: Vibration Generator τ: Prohibited time δ: execution time

Claims

1. A vehicle seat installed in a vehicle, The seat body that makes up the driver's seat, A vibration generating device that applies vibration to the driver seated on the aforementioned seat body, The control device is capable of performing induction processing to control the vibration generating device in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate when the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range. A vehicle seat in which the control device prohibits the execution of the induction process when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time.

2. The control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body in association with the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information, and sets the standard heart rate by acquiring the identification information of the driver, as described in claim 1.

3. The control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body, the upper limit of the heart rate and the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information, and sets the upper limit of the heart rate and the standard heart rate by acquiring the identification information of the driver, as described in claim 1.

4. The control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body and the standard heart rate of the person corresponding to the identification information, acquires the identification information of the driver, acquires the corresponding standard heart rate based on the acquired identification information of the driver, and sets the upper heart rate limit based on the acquired standard heart rate, as described in claim 1.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the control device stores identification information for identifying a person seated in the seat body in association with the prohibited time, and sets the prohibited time by acquiring the identification information of the driver.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the control device determines that the driver's heart rate is outside the range when the driver's heart rate is greater than a predetermined upper heart rate value or less than a predetermined lower heart rate value.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein the control device sets the frequency of vibrations to be generated by the vibration generating device based on the driver's heart rate during the induction process.

8. The vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control device sets the frequency of the vibration generated by the vibration generating device between the driver's heart rate and the standard heart rate in the induction process.

9. The seat body that makes up the driver's seat of the vehicle, A vibration generating device that applies vibration to the driver seated on the aforementioned seat body, A heart rate sensor that acquires biological information related to the driver's heartbeat, A seat system comprising a control device for controlling the vibration generating device, The control device is Based on the biometric information acquired by the heart rate sensor, the system is configured to acquire the driver's heart rate and, when the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, to perform an induction process to control the vibration generator in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate. A seat system that prohibits the execution of the guidance process when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time.

10. A control method for a vehicle seat comprising: a seat body constituting the driver's seat of a vehicle; a vibration generating device that applies vibration to the driver seated in the seat body; and a control device that controls the vibration generating device, The control device is The system is configured to acquire the driver's heart rate and, when the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, to perform an induction process to control the vibration generator in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate. A control method for a vehicle seat that prohibits the execution of the guidance process when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time.

11. A control program for a vehicle seat comprising: a seat body constituting the driver's seat of a vehicle; a vibration generating device that applies vibration to the driver seated in the seat body; and a control device that controls the vibration generating device, The control device is The system is configured to acquire the driver's heart rate and, when the driver's heart rate is outside a predetermined range, to perform an induction process to control the vibration generator in order to bring the driver's heart rate closer to a predetermined standard heart rate. A control program for a vehicle seat that prohibits the execution of the induction process when the elapsed time since the driver sat in the seat body is less than a predetermined prohibition time.

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