Seat system

Abstract

The aim is to enhance the entertainment value of seats in order to propose new value for seats. [Solution] The seat system 1 comprises a seat 10, a seat operating device 20 that moves the entire seat 10, and a control unit 30. The seat 10 has a seat body 10A and a sensor that acquires user information, which is information about the user sitting on the seat body 10A. The control unit 30 is capable of executing an application program that operates based on the user information acquired by the sensor. While the application program is running, the control unit 30 controls the seat operating device 20 based on the user information acquired by the sensor to move the entire seat 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat system including a seat having a sensor.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle seat having a plurality of pressure sensors disposed thereon is known for detecting the seating posture of an occupant (Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since a conventional vehicle seat only evaluates and presents the seating posture of a driver, there is a problem that it cannot be used very effectively.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the entertainment property of a seat in order to propose a new value of the seat.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a seat system according to the present invention includes a seat, a seat operating device that moves the entire seat, and a control unit. The seat has a seat body and a sensor that acquires user information, which is information of a user sitting on the seat body. The control unit is capable of executing an application program that operates based on the user information acquired by the sensor. While the application program is running, the control unit controls the seat operating device based on the user information acquired by the sensor to move the entire seat.

[0007] With this configuration, when an application program that operates based on user information is running, the entire sheet is moved based on the user information. For example, when running an application program that provides a game, the entire sheet can be moved according to the game, thereby improving the entertainment value of the sheet.

[0008] Furthermore, the seat operating device may include a rail that movably supports the seat and a motor for moving the seat along the rail.

[0009] This configuration allows the seat to move along the rails while the application program is running.

[0010] Furthermore, the application program is a program that moves a character on the screen, and the control unit may change the movement speed of the character and the movement speed of the sheet according to the user information.

[0011] With this configuration, the movement speed of the characters on the screen and the movement speed of the seat are changed according to user information, which further enhances the entertainment value of the seat.

[0012] Furthermore, the sensor comprises a first sensor and a second sensor positioned on one side of the sheet's direction of movement relative to the first sensor. The control unit may determine, based on information from the first and second sensors, whether the user has tilted to one or the other side of the direction of movement. If it determines that the user has tilted to one side of the direction of movement, the control unit may move the sheet to that side of the direction of movement. If it determines that the user has tilted to the other side of the direction of movement, the control unit may move the sheet to the other side of the direction of movement.

[0013] With this configuration, the user can tilt their body on the seat, causing the seat to move in the direction of the tilt.

[0014] Furthermore, the seat operating device may include a base that rotatably supports the seat and a motor that rotates the seat.

[0015] This configuration allows the seat to rotate while the application program is running.

[0016] Furthermore, the sensor includes a left sensor located on the left side of the seat body and a right sensor located on the right side of the seat body. The control unit may determine whether the user has tilted to the left or right based on information from the left sensor and the right sensor. If it determines that the user has tilted to the left, it may rotate the seat counterclockwise. If it determines that the user has tilted to the right, it may rotate the seat clockwise.

[0017] With this configuration, the seat can be rotated by the user tilting their body from side to side while sitting on it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, the entertainment value of the seat can be improved.

[0019] Also, according to the present invention, since the seat operating device includes a rail and a motor, the seat can be moved along the rail during the execution of an application program.

[0020] Also, according to the present invention, the control unit can further improve the entertainment property of the seat by changing the moving speed of the character on the screen and the moving speed of the seat according to the user information.

[0021] Also, according to the present invention, the control unit determines the inclination of the user's body based on information from a first sensor and a second sensor arranged at different positions in the moving direction, and moves the seat according to the inclined direction, so that the seat can be moved according to the inclination of the user on the seat.

[0022] Also, according to the present invention, since the seat operating device includes a motor for rotating the seat, the seat can be rotated during the execution of an application program.

[0023] Also, according to the present invention, based on information from the left sensor and the right sensor, the inclination of the user's body is determined, and the seat is configured to rotate according to the inclined direction, so that the seat can be rotated according to the inclination of the user on the seat.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing a seat system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the seat. [Figure 3] It is a diagram of the seat system viewed from above, showing the position of the seat where a passenger can sit on each seat in FIG. (a) and the position of the seat when the seat application is executed in FIG. (b). [Figure 4] It is a flowchart showing the operation of the smartphone. [Figure 5] It is a flowchart showing the processing of the 100m race game. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the seat control unit. [Figure 7] Figure (a) shows an image for selecting the link between the sheet app and the sheet, and Figure (b) shows an image for instructions on positioning the sheet for the game. [Figure 8] Figure (a) shows the position of each sheet and the display on the screen at the start of the 100m sprint game, and Figure (b) shows the position of each sheet and the display on the screen during the execution of the 100m sprint game. [Figure 9] This figure shows a seat operating device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of a shooting game executed on a smartphone according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart showing the operation of the seat control unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] (a) is a side view showing a seat operating device according to the third embodiment, and (b) and (c) are diagrams showing the rotation of the seat. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the seat system 1 is installed in a vehicle 50 having three rows of seats. The seat system 1 comprises a seat 10, a seat operating device 20, and a control unit 30. In this specification, the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-and-down directions are based on the occupant sitting in the seat 10.

[0026] Seat 10 is the third seat in a three-row seating arrangement. There is one seat 10 on the left and one on the right side of the passenger compartment (see Figure 3). In this embodiment, the first row seat 41 and the second row seat 42 do not have sensors and are not part of the seat system 1.

[0027] The seat actuation device 20 is a device that moves the entire seat 10 in the forward and backward direction. As shown in Figure 3(a), one seat actuation device 20 is provided for both the left seat 10 and the right seat 10. In the following description, the left seat actuation device 20 will be described as representative, and the description of the right seat actuation device will be omitted.

[0028] The seat actuation device 20 comprises a rail 21 and a motor 22. The rail 21 extends in the front-to-back direction from the first to the third row of the three-row seating, with one rail provided on each side of each seat 41, 42, and 10. The rail 21 supports the three seats 41, 42, and 10 so that they can move in the front-to-back direction. In detail, as shown in Figure 1, the three seats 41, 42, and 10 are each supported by sliders 60 that are movably supported on the rail 21.

[0029] Motor 22 is a motor for moving the rearmost seat 10 on the rail 21 and is located on the rearmost slider 60. The rearmost slider 60 has wheels (not shown) to which the driving force of motor 22 is transmitted, and moves on the rail 21 as the wheels rotate.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the sheet 10 comprises a sheet body 10A and pressure sensors PS1 to PS6, which are examples of sensors.

[0031] The seat body 10A is a component having a seat surface that supports the user. The seat body 10A comprises a seat cushion 11, a seat back 12, and a headrest 13. The seat cushion 11, seat back 12, and headrest 13 each have a frame that constitutes the skeleton, a pad that covers the frame, and a surface covering that covers the pad. The upper surface of the seat cushion 11 is the seat surface. The front surfaces of the seat back 12 and the headrest 13 are also seat surfaces.

[0032] Pressure sensors PS1 to PS3 are sensors that acquire pressure measurements (hereinafter also referred to as "pressure values") from a user sitting on the seat body 10A. The pressure values ​​from the user correspond to user information, which is information about the user sitting on the seat body 10A. Pressure sensors PS1 to PS3 are installed between the upholstery and pad of the seat cushion 11, and pressure sensors PS4 to PS6 are installed between the upholstery and pad of the seat back 12. Each pair of pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 is installed symmetrically on both sides of the center of the seat 10.

[0033] Pressure sensors PS1 and PS2 are positioned on the seat cushion 11 at locations corresponding to the user's buttocks. Specifically, pressure sensor PS1 is positioned at the lowest point of the user's ischial tuberosity, where the greatest load from the user is applied, and pressure sensor PS2 is positioned slightly in front of pressure sensor PS1. Pressure sensors PS1 and PS2 acquire pressure values ​​from the user's buttocks. The pressure sensor PS3 is positioned significantly in front of the pressure sensors PS1 and PS2, specifically at a location corresponding to the user's thigh. The pressure sensor PS3 acquires pressure values ​​from the user's thigh.

[0034] The pressure sensors PS4 and PS5 are located at the bottom of the seat back 12. Specifically, pressure sensor PS4 is positioned behind the user's waist, and pressure sensor PS5 is positioned slightly above pressure sensor PS4. Pressure sensors PS4 and PS5 acquire pressure values ​​from the user's waist. The pressure sensor PS6 is located significantly above the pressure sensors PS4 and PS5, specifically at a position corresponding to the upper part of the user's back. The pressure sensor PS6 acquires pressure values ​​from the position corresponding to the upper part of the user's back.

[0035] Pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 are elements whose electrical resistance changes in response to external pressure; the higher the pressure value, the higher or lower the voltage of the detection signal. Pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 output the pressure value to the control unit 30 (specifically, the sheet control unit 31, which will be described later).

[0036] The control unit 30 includes a seat control unit 31 and a smartphone 32.

[0037] The seat control unit 31 is capable of communicating with the smartphone 32. The seat control unit 31 can acquire pressure values ​​from the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 on the left and right seats 10 and transmit the acquired pressure values ​​to the smartphone 32. In addition, the seat control unit 31 has the function of moving the entire seat 10 by controlling the motor 22 based on the information transmitted from the smartphone 32. The control of the motor 22 will be described later.

[0038] The smartphone 32 has the function of running a sheet application. A sheet application is one of the various application programs (hereinafter also referred to as "apps") that run on the smartphone 32, and it operates based on pressure values ​​obtained from pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 via the sheet control unit 31. A sheet application is, for example, a game that uses the sheet 10 as a controller. An example of such a game is a 100m dash game.

[0039] The 100m dash game is a game in which a user sitting on seat 10 moves a character displayed on the screen DS of smartphone 32 by alternately moving both legs up and down. Smartphone 32 determines the user's leg movements based on pressure values ​​from left and right pressure sensors PS3, for example, and proceeds with the game.

[0040] When the smartphone 32 starts running the seat application, it queries the seat control unit 31 to obtain pressure values ​​from the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6. Upon receiving the query from the smartphone 32, the seat control unit 31 obtains the pressure values ​​from the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 and sends the obtained pressure values ​​to the smartphone 32.

[0041] Furthermore, the smartphone 32 has a function to set the movement speed of the character and the seat 10 based on the pressure value while the seat application is running. The movement speed of the character and the seat 10 can be set to a higher speed, for example, the more times the user raises and lowers their legs per unit time.

[0042] When the smartphone 32 sets the movement speed of the seat 10, it transmits the set movement speed of the seat 10 to the seat control unit 31. Upon receiving the movement speed of the seat 10, the seat control unit 31 sets the rotation speed of the motor 22 based on the movement speed of the seat 10 and drives the motor 22 at the set rotation speed. The rotation speed of the motor 22 is set to a larger value as the movement speed of the seat 10 increases.

[0043] In this embodiment, the synchronization between the sheet application and the sheet 10 can be selected by the user. When synchronization between the sheet application and the sheet 10 is permitted, the sheet control unit 31 rotates the motor 22 at the rotation speed set as described above. When synchronization between the sheet application and the sheet 10 is not permitted, the sheet control unit 31 does not rotate the motor 22.

[0044] Next, the operation of the smartphone 32 and the seat control unit 31 will be described in detail. When the sheet application is launched, the smartphone 32 executes the process shown in Figure 4.

[0045] In the process shown in Figure 4, the smartphone 32 first displays an image on the screen DS that prompts the user to select whether to link the sheet app and sheet 10 (S1). The image that prompts the user to select whether to link the sheet app and sheet 10 is, for example, the image shown in Figure 7(a). This image includes an image of text such as "Do you want to move the sheet in conjunction with the 100m game?", a button image B1 with the word "Yes" to select the link, and a button image B2 with the word "No" to not select the link.

[0046] Returning to Figure 4, after step S1, the smartphone 32 determines whether or not there is a request to link sheet 10 to the sheet application (S2). More specifically, in step S2, if the smartphone 32 determines that button image B1 has been selected, it determines that there is a request, and if it determines that button image B2 has been selected, it determines that there is no request.

[0047] If it is determined in step S2 that there is a request (Yes), the smartphone 32 notifies the user of instructions to place sheets 41, 42, and 10 in the game positions (S3). Instructions to place sheets 41, 42, and 10 in the game positions can be given, for example, by displaying the image shown in Figure 7(b) on the screen DS. This image includes an image of text such as "Place the sheets in the 1st and 2nd rows at the front and the sheet in the 3rd row at the back," an image of a diagram showing the sheet arrangement, and a button image B3 with the word "OK" written on it to allow the user to proceed with the process after placing the sheets in the game positions.

[0048] Returning to Figure 4, after step S3, the smartphone 32 sends a linking permission signal to the sheet control unit 31 to link sheet 10 to the sheet application (S4). More specifically, after step S3, the smartphone 32 determines whether or not button image B3 is selected, and if button image B3 is selected, it executes the process in step S4.

[0049] After step S4, or if No is determined in step S2, the smartphone 32 displays the start image for the 100m sprint game on the screen DS (S5). The start image will display a start button to begin the 100m sprint game, an end button to exit the sheet application, and a player setting button to set the number of players participating in the game.

[0050] After step S5, the smartphone 32 determines whether the start button displayed on screen DS has been selected (S6). If it is determined in step S6 that the start button has been selected (Yes), the smartphone 32 determines whether flag F, which indicates whether calibration in the 100m dash game has already been performed in the past, is 0 (S7).

[0051] Here, calibration is the process of determining a standard pressure value in the 100m sprint game based on the user's weight. The smartphone 32 determines the user's leg movements by comparing the pressure values ​​acquired by pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 with the standard value. If there are two players, the smartphone 32 performs calibration for each player sitting in each seat 10.

[0052] If step S7 determines that F=0 (Yes), meaning that calibration has never been performed before, the smartphone 32 performs calibration (S8). After step S8, the smartphone 32 sets flag F to 1 (S9) and runs the 100m sprint game (S10). The processing in the 100m sprint game will be described in detail later.

[0053] If step S7 determines that F=0 (No), meaning that calibration has been performed in the past, the smartphone 32 starts the 100m sprint game (S10) without performing calibration (S8).

[0054] After step S10, or if No is determined in step S6, the smartphone 32 displays the start image and determines whether the end button displayed on the screen DS has been selected (S11). If it is determined in step S11 that the end button has not been selected (No), the smartphone 32 returns to the process of step S5. If it is determined in step S11 that the end button has been selected (Yes), the smartphone 32 terminates this process.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5, when the 100m sprint game is started, the smartphone 32 first obtains pressure values ​​from the pressure sensors PS1 to PS6 on the sheet 10 (S31). After step S31, the smartphone 32 calculates the number of leg lifts per unit time based on the pressure values ​​(S32).

[0056] After step S32, the smartphone 32 sets the movement speed of the character and the seat 10 according to the number of times the legs are raised per unit time (S33). Specifically, in step S33, the smartphone 32 sets the movement speed of the character and the seat 10 to a larger value the more times the legs are raised per unit time. Once the smartphone 32 sets the character's movement speed, it moves the character on the screen DS at the set movement speed.

[0057] Furthermore, the movement speed of seat 10 may have an upper limit set to prevent interference between the user sitting in seat 10 and the seat 42 in the second row. This upper limit can be determined through experiments or simulations. In this case, if the movement speed of seat 10 set by smartphone 32 based on the number of leg lifts per unit time is greater than the upper limit, the upper limit is set to "movement speed of seat 10".

[0058] After step S33, the smartphone 32 transmits the set movement speed of the sheet 10 to the sheet control unit 31 (S34). After step S34, the smartphone 32 determines whether the character on the screen DS has reached the goal (S35). If there are two players, the smartphone 32 performs steps S31 to S34 for each of the left and right sheets 10, and in step S35, it determines whether either of the two characters has reached the goal.

[0059] If it is determined in step S35 that the goal has not been reached (No), the smartphone 32 returns to the process of step S31. If it is determined in step S35 that the goal has been reached (Yes), the smartphone 32 sends an end signal to the sheet control unit 31 (S36). After step S36, the smartphone 32 displays the game result on the screen DS and terminates this process.

[0060] The sheet control unit 31 repeatedly executes the process shown in Figure 6. In the process shown in Figure 6, the seat control unit 31 first determines whether or not it has received an interlock permission signal from the smartphone 32 (S51). If it is determined in step S51 that an interlock permission signal has not been received (No), the seat control unit 31 terminates this process.

[0061] If it is determined in step S51 that an interlocking permission signal has been obtained (Yes), the seat control unit 31 obtains the movement speed of the seat 10 from the smartphone 32 (S52). After step S52, the seat control unit 31 sets the rotation speed of the motor 22 according to the movement speed of the seat 10 (S53).

[0062] After step S53, the seat control unit 31 rotates the motor 22 at the set rotation speed (S54). After step S54, the seat control unit 31 determines whether or not it has received an end signal from the smartphone 32 (S55).

[0063] If it is determined in step S55 that an end signal has not been obtained (No), the seat control unit 31 returns to the process in step S52. If it is determined in step S55 that an end signal has been obtained (Yes), the seat control unit 31 stops the motor 22 (S56) and terminates this process.

[0064] If there are two players, the seat control unit 31 performs steps S52-S54 and S56 for each of the left and right seats 10. In step S56, the seat control unit 31 may also reverse the rotation of the motor 22 to return the seat 10 to its initial, rearmost position, and then stop the motor 22.

[0065] Next, an example of the operation of the smartphone 32 and the seat control unit 31 will be described. When the first user U1, as shown in Figure 8(a), launches the sheet application, the smartphone 32 displays the image shown in Figure 7(a) on the screen DS. When the first user U1 selects the button image B1, the smartphone 32 displays the image shown in Figure 7(b) on the screen DS.

[0066] The first user U1 places sheets 41, 42, and 10 in the game positions shown in Figure 3(b) according to the instructions of the text and shapes displayed on screen DS. When the first user U1 selects button image B3, a start image (not shown) is displayed on screen DS.

[0067] In the start image, when the first user U1 sets the number of players to 2 and starts the 100m dash game, as shown in Figures 8(a) and (b), the smartphone 32 sets the movement speed of the first character CH1 and the movement speed of the left seat 10 according to the number of times the first user U1, who is sitting on the left seat 10, lifts his leg. The smartphone 32 also sets the movement speed of the second character CH2 and the movement speed of the right seat 10 according to the number of times the second user U2, who is sitting on the right seat 10, lifts his leg.

[0068] If the second user U2 raises their legs more times than the first user U1, the smartphone 32 moves the second character CH2 forward on the screen DS at a greater speed than the first character CH1. If the second user U2 raises their legs more times than the first user U1, the seat control unit 31 moves the right seat 10 forward at a greater speed than the left seat 10.

[0069] Subsequently, the smartphone 32 changes the movement speed of characters CH1 and CH2 in accordance with the changes in the number of times users U1 and U2 lift their legs. The seat control unit 31 also changes the movement speed of the seat 10 in accordance with the changes in the number of times each user U1 and U2 lift their legs. When either character CH1 or CH2 reaches the goal on the screen DS, the smartphone 32 displays the result of the 100m race game on the screen DS and ends the game. The seat control unit 31 also stops the movement of each seat 10.

[0070] Furthermore, if the number of players is set to one, the smartphone 32 displays only one character on the screen DS and moves only one character. Also, if the number of players is set to one, the sheet control unit 31 moves only one sheet 10 and does not move the other sheet 10.

[0071] The correspondence between characters and seat 10 may be selectable by the user, for example, when setting the number of players. For example, if the first user U1 sits on the right seat 10 and the second user U2 sits on the left seat 10, the identification number of the right seat 10 may be associated with the first character CH1, and the identification number of the left seat 10 may be associated with the second character CH2.

[0072] Based on the above, the following effects can be obtained in this embodiment. During the execution of a sheet application that operates based on pressure values, the entire sheet 10 is moved based on the pressure values. Therefore, when running a 100m dash game, the entire sheet 10 can be moved according to the game, improving the entertainment value of the sheet 10.

[0073] Since the seat operating device 20 includes a rail 21 that movably supports the seat 10 and a motor 22 for moving the seat 10 on the rail 21, the seat 10 can be moved along the rail 21 while the 100m dash game is running.

[0074] The movement speed of the character on the DS screen and the movement speed of the seat 10 are changed according to the pressure value that changes as the user lifts their legs, thereby improving the entertainment value of the seat 10.

[0075] The present invention is not limited to the first embodiment and can be used in various forms as illustrated below. In the following description, components and processes having substantially the same structure as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0076] As shown in Figure 9, the seat operating device 70 according to the second embodiment has a pair of front and rear rails 71 extending to the left and right, and a motor 72 for moving the seat 10 left and right on the rails 71. In the second embodiment, a left-side pressure sensor PS2 is exemplified as the first sensor, and a right-side pressure sensor PS2 is exemplified as the second sensor, which is positioned on one side of the direction of movement of the seat 10 relative to the first sensor.

[0077] The smartphone 32 has a function to determine whether the user is leaning to the right or left based on the pressure values ​​from the left and right pressure sensors PS2. If the smartphone 32 determines that the user is leaning to the right, the seat control unit 31 moves the seat 10 to the right. If the smartphone 32 determines that the user is leaning to the left, the seat control unit 31 moves the seat 10 to the left.

[0078] In the second embodiment, a shooting game is exemplified as a sheet application in which the user defeats enemies by moving a fighter jet, which is the object of user control, left and right while firing bullets from the fighter jet. The smartphone 32 executes the process shown in Figure 4 from the time the sheet application is launched until it is terminated. In the second embodiment, the smartphone 32 executes the shooting game instead of the 100m dash game in step S10 of the process shown in Figure 4.

[0079] As shown in Figure 10, in the shooting game, the smartphone 32 obtains pressure values ​​from the left and right pressure sensors PS2 (S31), and then determines whether the user has tilted to the left based on the pressure values ​​(S71). Specifically, in step S71, the smartphone 32 determines, for example, whether the pressure value of the left pressure sensor PS2 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value than the pressure value of the right pressure sensor PS2.

[0080] If the smartphone 32 determines in step S71 that the user has tilted to the left (Yes), it moves the object to be operated on the screen DS to the left (S72). After step S72, the smartphone 32 sends a leftward movement signal to the seat control unit 31 to move the seat 10 to the left (S73).

[0081] If step S71 determines that the user is not tilted to the left (No), the smartphone 32 determines whether the user is tilted to the right based on the pressure value (S74). Specifically, in step S74, the smartphone 32 determines, for example, whether the pressure value of the right pressure sensor PS2 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value than the pressure value of the left pressure sensor PS2.

[0082] If it is determined in step S74 that the seat has tilted to the right (Yes), the smartphone 32 moves the object being operated on the screen DS to the right (S75). After step S75, the smartphone 32 sends a right movement signal to the seat control unit 31 to move the seat 10 to the right (S76). However, if the difference in pressure values ​​between the left and right sides is less than a predetermined value, the smartphone 32 does not send either a left movement signal or a right movement signal to the seat control unit 31 (Step S74: No).

[0083] After step S73 or step S76, or if No is determined in step S74, the smartphone 32 determines whether the game has ended or not (S77). If it is determined in step S77 that the game has not ended (No), the smartphone 32 returns to the process of step S31. If it is determined in step S77 that the game has ended (Yes), the smartphone 32 performs the same processes as in the first embodiment in steps S36 and S37 and terminates this process.

[0084] Furthermore, in a shooting game, the method of firing bullets from a fighter jet can be anything. For example, bullets may be fired automatically from the fighter jet without any user input, or the user may press a pressure sensor located on the seat back 12 to fire bullets from the fighter jet.

[0085] In the second embodiment, the sheet control unit 31 repeatedly executes the process shown in Figure 11. In the process shown in Figure 11, the sheet control unit 31 first executes the same process as in the first embodiment, step S51. If the sheet control unit 31 determines No in step S51, it terminates the process; if it determines Yes, it obtains a left movement signal or a right movement signal from the smartphone 32 (S91).

[0086] After step S91, the seat control unit 31 sets the rotation direction of the motor 72 according to the left movement signal or the right movement signal (S92). Specifically, if the seat control unit 31 receives a left movement signal in step S91, it sets the rotation direction of the motor 72 to the first rotation direction, which is the direction of rotation to move the seat 10 to the left. If the seat control unit 31 receives a right movement signal in step S91, it sets the rotation direction of the motor 72 to the opposite direction from the first rotation direction, specifically the second rotation direction, which is the direction of rotation to move the seat 10 to the right. Furthermore, if the seat control unit 31 does not receive either a left movement signal or a right movement signal in step S91, it does not set the rotation direction of the motor 72 and keeps the motor 72 stopped.

[0087] After step S92, if the rotation direction of the motor 72 was set in step S92, the seat control unit 31 rotates the motor 72 in the set rotation direction (S93). However, if the rotation direction of the motor 72 was not set in step S92, the seat control unit 31 does not rotate the motor 72 in step S93.

[0088] After step S93, the seat control unit 31 determines whether or not it has received an end signal from the smartphone 32 (S94). If it determines in step S94 that it has not received an end signal (No), the seat control unit 31 returns to the process of step S91.

[0089] If it is determined in step S94 that an end signal has been obtained (Yes), the seat control unit 31 stops the motor 72 (S56) and terminates this process. In summary, according to the second embodiment, by tilting the user's body left or right on the seat 10, the user can move the object to be operated and the seat 10 in the direction in which the body is tilted.

[0090] Furthermore, the control method for moving the seat 10 in the direction of the user's body tilt can also be applied to the structure of the first embodiment. In this case, the first sensor and the second sensor are positioned at different locations in the front-to-back direction, and the control unit moves the seat 10 in the front-to-back direction according to the user's tilt in the front-to-back direction.

[0091] As shown in Figure 12, the seat operating device 80 according to the third embodiment includes a base 81 that supports the seat 10 so that it can rotate around a vertical axis, and a motor 82 that rotates the seat 10. In the third embodiment, the left pressure sensor PS2 is exemplified as the left sensor, and the right pressure sensor PS2 is exemplified as the right sensor.

[0092] The smartphone 32 has a function to determine whether the user has tilted to the right or left based on the pressure values ​​from the left and right pressure sensors PS2. If the smartphone 32 determines that the user has tilted to the left, the seat control unit 31 rotates the seat 10 counterclockwise. If the smartphone 32 determines that the user has tilted to the right, the seat control unit 31 rotates the seat 10 clockwise.

[0093] In the third embodiment, a shooting game is exemplified as a sheet application in which the user defeats enemies by rotating a rotating turret, which is the object of user operation, from left to right and firing bullets from the turret. The smartphone 32 executes the process shown in Figure 4 from the time the sheet application is launched until it is terminated. In the third embodiment, the smartphone 32 executes the shooting game instead of the 100m dash game in step S10 of the process shown in Figure 4.

[0094] In the third embodiment, the smartphone 32 performs processing substantially the same as in Figure 10. Specifically, in step S72, the smartphone 32 rotates the object to be operated counterclockwise, and in step S73, it transmits a counterclockwise rotation signal to the seat control unit 31. In addition, in step S75, the smartphone 32 rotates the object to be operated clockwise, and in step S76, it transmits a clockwise rotation signal to the seat control unit 31. The other processing in Figure 10 is the same, so its explanation is omitted.

[0095] In the third embodiment, the seat control unit 31 performs processing substantially the same as that in Figure 11. Specifically, in step S91, the seat control unit 31 acquires a left rotation signal or a right rotation signal, and in step S92, sets the rotation direction of the motor 82 according to the left rotation signal or the right rotation signal. Other processing in the process of Figure 11 is the same and therefore will not be explained.

[0096] As described above, according to the third embodiment, the user can rotate the object being operated on and the seat 10 by tilting their body from side to side on the seat 10.

[0097] In the above embodiment, the control unit was composed of a seat control unit and a smartphone, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the control unit may consist only of a vehicle-side control unit installed in the vehicle. In this case, the vehicle-side control unit may acquire information from the seat sensors and run a seat application on the screen of the car navigation system.

[0098] The control unit may be configured to stop the movement of the seat if the user stands up from the seat while the seat application is running. In this case, whether the user has stood up from the seat can be determined, for example, by checking whether the pressure values ​​of all pressure sensors have become zero.

[0099] Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to stop the sheet's movement when the user presses a sheet stop button displayed on the screen while the sheet application is running. Alternatively, the control unit may be configured to stop the sheet's movement when it receives a voice command from the user while the sheet application is running.

[0100] Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to stop the movement of the seat if an abnormal load exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the motor that moves the seat while the seat application is running. The control unit may also be configured to stop the movement of the seat if an abnormality such as a broken wire occurs in the seat system.

[0101] Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to prevent the seat from moving while the seat application is running if the charge level of the vehicle battery, which supplies power to the motor that moves the seat, is below a predetermined value.

[0102] The method of moving the sheet is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the system may be configured so that a first user and a second user play a competitive game (such as dice or rock-paper-scissors) on the smartphone screen, with the seat of the winner moving forward and the seat of the loser moving backward. Alternatively, the system may be configured so that the seat moves backward when the user presses their back against the seatback.

[0103] Motors may be provided in the first and second row seats, and these seats may be included in the seating system. In this case, when the 100m sprint game is started, the control unit may be configured to drive the motors of the first and second row seats to move the first and second row seats to their respective forward positions.

[0104] In the first embodiment, the rail 21 may be a regular sliding rail, rather than a long rail extending from the first to the third row.

[0105] The speed at which the sheet moves may be constant. For example, in a 100m dash game, the sheet may be configured to move forward at a constant speed only when the character's movement speed is above a predetermined value.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the object to be operated was moved relative to the background of the screen, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the object to be operated may be fixed in a predetermined position on the screen, and the object to be operated on the screen may be moved relative to the background by moving the background.

[0107] The mobile device is not limited to a smartphone; it could also be a tablet, for example.

[0108] The seat application can be a game such as a dance game or a car racing game, or it can be any application that uses the seat as a controller to operate the seat, not limited to games. Specifically, it can be an application that simply operates the seat. In this case, the application may not display the object to be controlled on the screen, and only the seat may move in response to the user's movements on the seat. For example, the screen may only display instructions on how to operate the seat, and the seat may move as the user moves their body on the seat while looking at the instructions.

[0109] In the above embodiment, a pressure sensor was used as an example of a sensor, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sensor may be, for example, a light sensor, a capacitance sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a radio wave sensor, a sound sensor, etc. User information is not limited to pressure values, but can be any information. For example, if a radio wave sensor is used as the sensor, information regarding the user's physical condition, such as heart rate, may be obtained by the radio wave sensor.

[0110] The sensors may also be installed on the left and right sides of the seat cushion or seat back (the parts that protrude from the seat surface), the headrest, the armrest, or on parts around the seat (instrument panel, door, floor), etc.

[0111] The elements described in the above embodiments and modifications may be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0112] 1 seat system 10 sheets 10A Sheet Body 20 Seat Actuator 30 Control Unit 31 Seat Control Unit 32 Smartphones

Claims

1. A seat having a seat body and a sensor that acquires user information, which is information of the user sitting on the seat body, A seat operating device that moves the entire seat, The system comprises a control unit capable of executing an application program that operates based on the user information acquired by the sensor, The aforementioned application program is a program for moving the sheet, The control unit, A seat system characterized in that, during the execution of the application program, the seat operating device is controlled based on the user information acquired by the sensor, and the entire seat is moved in accordance with the user's movements on the seat.

2. The seat operating device is A rail that movably supports the aforementioned seat, The seat system according to claim 1, further comprising a motor for moving the seat on the rail.

3. The application program is a program that moves a character on the screen, The seat system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit changes the movement speed of the character and the movement speed of the seat according to the user information.

4. The seat and the seat operating device are provided one for each of the first and second users, The aforementioned application program is a program in which a first user and a second user compete against each other. The seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit is configured to move the seat of the winner forward and the seat of the loser backward while the application program is running.

5. The seat body comprises a seat cushion, a seat back, and a headrest, The seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit is configured to move the seat backward when the user presses their back against the seat back.

6. The seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the control unit is configured not to move the seat when the charge level of the vehicle battery supplying power to the seat operating device is below a predetermined value during the execution of the application program.

7. The seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the control unit is configured to stop the movement of the seat when the user stands up from the seat while the application program is running.

8. The seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control unit is configured to stop the movement of the seat when it receives a stop command for the seat during the execution of the application program.

9. The seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the control unit is configured to stop the movement of the seat when an abnormal load exceeding a predetermined value is applied to the motor for moving the seat during the execution of the application program.

10. The seat body comprises a seat cushion, a seat back, and a headrest, The seat system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the seat cushion, the seat back, and the headrest each have a frame constituting a skeleton, a pad covering the frame, and a surface covering the pad.

11. The sheet system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit is configured to move the sheet without displaying the object to be operated on the screen.

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