Sheet control device

Abstract

To provide a seat control device having improved seating and unseating properties.SOLUTION: In a sheet control device 100, an occupant information control part 20 stores the current seat position in association with information of an occupant identified as a travel position in a storage part 24 on condition that doors of a vehicle 1 are in a closed state when a registration operation of the occupant is performed after an ignition switch 9 is turned on. Also, the current seat position in association with the information of the occupant identified as a getting-off position in the storage part 24 on condition that the doors of the vehicle 1 are in an open state. Then, the occupant information control part 20 changes a sheet position so as to be the travel position of the identified occupant before the vehicle travels after the registration operation of the occupant is performed, and changes the seat position so as to be the getting-off position of the identified occupant when the vehicle stops and the occupant gets off the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat control device that changes the seat position of a vehicle seat according to an occupant.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a seat control device that moves a vehicle seat backward when an occupant gets out of the vehicle and moves the vehicle seat forward when the occupant gets into the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Further, the seat control device described in Patent Document 1 determines the intention of the occupant to get out of the vehicle based on whether or not an ignition switch for driving a driving device (engine) by an ignition power source is turned off. When the ignition switch is turned off, the vehicle seat is moved backward by a predetermined specified amount. Also, the intention of the occupant to get into the vehicle is determined based on whether or not the ignition switch is turned on. When the ignition switch is turned on, the vehicle seat is moved forward by a predetermined specified amount.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the seat control device, it has been desired to appropriately change the seat position of the vehicle seat according to the occupant and further improve the ride - on and ride - off performance.

[0006] Here, when registering the seat position of the vehicle seat as the seat position during driving and the seat position when getting off the vehicle, it is conceivable to determine whether it is during driving or when getting off the vehicle based on the on / off state of the ignition switch as in Patent Document 1, and register the seat position during driving and the seat position when getting off the vehicle using the on / off state of the ignition switch as a criterion. However, when a passenger gets off the vehicle, it is not necessarily limited to the case where the ignition switch is off, and there may be a case where it is desired to register the seat position when getting off the vehicle with the ignition switch on. For this reason, it has been desired to appropriately register the seat position when getting off the vehicle without using only the on / off state of the ignition switch as a criterion.

[0007] The present invention solves the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a seat control device that improves boarding and alighting performance by appropriately registering the seat position during driving and the seat position when getting off the vehicle, and changing the seat position of the vehicle seat according to the passenger.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a seat control device according to the present invention includes a seat having a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of an occupant and a seat back that supports the back of the occupant, a seat position change unit that can change at least one of the height of the seat cushion, the tilt angle of the seat back, the front-rear position of the seat, and the rotational position of the seat, a door opening / closing detection unit that detects the opening and closing of a vehicle door, and an occupant information control unit that identifies an occupant who has boarded the vehicle and performs control based on the information of the identified occupant. The occupant information control unit, when an ignition switch for driving a driving device of the vehicle is turned on and a registration operation of the occupant is performed, stores the current seat position in a storage unit in association with the information of the occupant identified with the current seat position as a driving position during vehicle travel, on the condition that the closed state of the vehicle door is detected by the door opening / closing detection unit, and stores the current seat position in the storage unit in association with the information of the occupant identified with the current seat position as a getting-off position when the occupant gets off, on the condition that the open state of the vehicle door is detected by the door opening / closing detection unit. After the registration operation of the occupant is performed, before the vehicle travels, the seat position change unit is controlled to change the seat position so as to be the driving position of the identified occupant, and when the vehicle stops and the occupant gets off, the seat position change unit is controlled to change the seat position so as to be the getting-off position of the identified occupant.

[0009] Preferably, the seat control device according to the present invention further includes a display unit that displays information to the occupant. The occupant information control unit preferably displays an operation guide for prompting the registration operation on the display unit when an operation on the seat position change unit is performed by the occupant and the seat position is changed.

[0010] Preferably, in the seat control device according to the present invention, when the vehicle is stopped and the occupant gets off the vehicle, and the occupant operates the seat position changing unit to change the getting-off position, when the ignition switch is turned on next time, it is desirable to display the operation guidance on the display unit.

[0011] Preferably, in the seat control device according to the present invention, the seat is a driver seat on which an occupant driving the vehicle sits, and further includes an object detection unit that detects whether there is an object to be contacted between the driver seat and a rear seat provided behind the driver seat. When the occupant information control unit controls the seat position changing unit to change the seat position, when the object detection unit detects that there is an object to be contacted, it is desirable to change the seat position while ensuring a specified distance between the driver seat and the object to be contacted.

Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a seat control device that improves boarding and alighting performance by appropriately registering the seat position during traveling and the seat position during getting off and changing the seat position of the vehicle seat according to the occupant.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below show some examples of the present invention and do not limit the content of the present invention. Also, not all of the configurations and operations described in each embodiment are essential as the configurations and operations of the present invention.

[0015] In the present embodiment, a person driving a vehicle is referred to as a "driver", and a person riding in the vehicle including the driver is referred to as a "passenger". In particular, in the present embodiment, even if the driver mainly performs operations or the like, or is mainly used by the driver, as long as a passenger other than the driver can operate or can be used by a passenger other than the driver, the term "passenger" is used in the description.

[0016] [Embodiment 1] [Schematic Configuration of Seat Control Device] A schematic configuration of a seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a vehicle 1 equipped with the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, in the interior of the vehicle 1, a driver's seat 3 and a side seat 4 for a passenger seat are provided behind the instrument panel 2. Further, a rear seat 5 is provided behind the driver's seat 3 and the side seat 4.

[0018] The driver's seat 3 has a seat cushion 3a that supports the driver's buttocks, a seat back 3b that supports the driver's back, and a headrest 3c that supports the driver's head. The same applies to the side seat 4 and the rear seat 5.

[0019] On the driver's seat 3 side of the instrument panel 2, an ignition switch 9 for driving a drive device (engine) by an ignition power source is provided. When this ignition switch 9 is turned on, power is supplied to the vehicle's drive device by the ignition power source, and the vehicle's drive device starts. When the ignition switch 9 is turned off, the vehicle's drive device stops.

[0020] Also, in the center of the instrument panel 2, a touch screen 10 composed of a display unit 10a for displaying predetermined information and an operation input unit 10b for receiving an operation of an occupant is provided.

[0021] Above the touch screen 10, there is an in-vehicle imaging camera 11 composed of a CCD camera (Charge Coupled Devices) or a CMOS camera (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) for photographing the occupants in order to identify the occupants who have boarded the vehicle. Note that the in-vehicle imaging camera 11 may be provided on a meter panel, a rearview mirror, etc. where various meters and instruments are arranged, as long as it can photograph the occupants (especially the driver) who have boarded the vehicle.

[0022] Above the B-pillar 8 between the front door 6 and the rear door 7 on the driver seat 3 side, there is an object detection unit 12 composed of a millimeter-wave radar or an ultrasonic sensor for detecting whether there is an object in contact between the driver seat 3 and the rear seat 5. Note that the object detection unit 12 may be provided on the ceiling above the rear seat 5.

[0023] [Block Diagram of Seat Control Device] Next, the functional configuration of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the seat control device 100 includes a display unit 10a, an operation input unit 10b, an in-vehicle imaging camera 11, an object detection unit 12, an occupant information control unit 20, an ignition switch input unit 21, a door open / close detection unit 22, a communication unit 23, a storage unit 24, a seat position change unit 30, a seat operation unit 31, and a driver seat 3.

[0025] The seat included in the seat control device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the driver seat 3, but may be applied to at least one of the driver seat 3, the side seat 4, and the rear seat 5.

[0026] The occupant information control unit 20 is connected to a display unit 10a, an operation input unit 10b, an in-vehicle camera 11, an object detection unit 12, an ignition switch input unit 21, a door opening / closing detection unit 22, a communication unit 23, a memory unit 24, and a seat position change unit 30. The occupant information control unit 20 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is configured to identify the occupants who have boarded the vehicle and perform control based on the information of the identified occupants.

[0027] The ignition switch input unit 21 is an input unit that inputs a signal from the ignition switch 9, and is configured to be able to identify the on / off state of the ignition switch 9.

[0028] The door opening / closing detection unit 22 is composed of an optical sensor or the like, and is a detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the doors of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, it detects whether all the doors are in an open state or all the doors are in a closed state. Note that the door opening / closing detection unit 22 may be configured to detect only the opening and closing state of the front door 6 on the driver seat 3 side.

[0029] The communication unit 23 is for performing wireless communication with an external device such as a server outside the vehicle 1.

[0030] The memory unit 24 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, and stores various types of information such as the driving position and getting-off position of the driver seat 3, which will be described later, in association with the occupants identified by the occupant information control unit 20.

[0031] The seat position changing unit 30 changes the "seat position" including at least one of the height of the seat cushion 3a, the tilt angle of the seat back 3b, the front-rear position (slide position) of the driver seat 3, and the rotation position (tilt position) of the driver seat 3 in the driver seat 3. The seat position changing unit 30 is connected to the occupant information control unit 20 and can change the seat position of the driver seat 3 based on the instruction information from the occupant information control unit 20.

[0032] In this embodiment, the seat position during the running of the vehicle 1 is referred to as the "running position", and the seat position when the vehicle 1 is stopped and the occupant gets off is also referred to as the "getting-off position".

[0033] The seat position changing unit 30 includes a seat position driving unit 32 that drives the seat position of the driver seat 3 and a seat position detecting unit 33 that detects the position of the seat position of the driver seat 3.

[0034] The seat operation unit 31 is provided on the side portion (not shown) of the driver seat 3 and is a well-known operation switch that changes the seat position of the driver seat 3 by manual operation of the occupant. The seat operation unit 31 is connected to the seat position changing unit 30. When the occupant manually operates the seat operation unit 31, the seat position changing unit 30 changes the seat position of the driver seat 3 according to the content of the manual operation.

[0035] [Control Processing of Seat Control Device 100] (Integrated Control Processing) Next, the control processing of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart showing the integrated control processing of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0036] In step 10, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the door of the vehicle 1 is unlocked. When the door of the vehicle 1 is unlocked, the process proceeds to step 20.

[0037] In step 20, the passenger information control unit 20 performs a driver identification process to identify the driver. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 30.

[0038] In this driver identification process, after the passenger information control unit 20 causes the in-vehicle camera 11 to photograph the driver, the passenger information control unit 20 identifies the driver from the face information of the driver photographed by the in-vehicle camera 11, and acquires the driver identification information (e.g., driver A) of the identified driver from the storage unit 24.

[0039] In step 30, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the ignition switch 9 is turned on. When the ignition switch 9 is turned on, the process proceeds to step 40. Specifically, the passenger information control unit 20 refers to the input state of the ignition switch input unit 21, determines that the ignition switch 9 is turned on by the fact that the ignition switch 9 changes from off to on (so-called on edge), and when the ignition switch 9 is on, proceeds to step 40 as the state before the vehicle starts running.

[0040] In step 40, the passenger information control unit 20 controls the seat position changing unit 30 to perform a running position changing process of changing the seat position of the driver's seat 3 to the running position. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 50.

[0041] In this driving position change process, the passenger information control unit 20 acquires the driving position associated with the driver identification information from the storage unit 24, and while detecting the position of the seat position of the driver seat 3 from the seat position detection unit 33 so as to reach the acquired driving position, controls the driving of the seat position driving unit 32 to change the seat position of the driver seat 3 to the driving position. Here, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether there is a contact object between the driver seat 3 and the rear seat 5 by the object detection unit 12. When there is a contact object, while ensuring a specified distance from the driver seat 3 to the contact object, the passenger information control unit 20 changes the seat position of the driver seat 3 to the driving position. In addition, when there is a contact object and the original driving position cannot be changed, it is desirable for the passenger information control unit 20 to cause the display unit 10a to display to that effect.

[0042] In step 50, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the driving position of the driver seat 3 has been changed by a manual operation of the passenger on the seat operation unit 31. If the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the driving position of the driver seat 3 has been changed, the process proceeds to step 60. On the other hand, if the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the driving position of the driver seat 3 has not been changed, the process proceeds to step 70.

[0043] In step 60, the passenger information control unit 20 temporarily registers the changed driving position of the driver seat 3 in association with the driver identification information. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 80. Note that this temporarily registered driving position can be officially registered or deleted in the tutorial display process of step 80 described later.

[0044] In step 70, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether a getting-off position is temporarily registered for the driver identification information acquired in step 20 above. The temporarily registered getting-off position is the getting-off position changed when the driver got off last time, which is temporarily registered in association with the driver identification information at that time as will be described later in step 160, and can be officially registered or deleted in the tutorial display process of step 80 to be described later. If the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the getting-off position is temporarily registered, the process proceeds to step 80. On the other hand, if the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the getting-off position is not temporarily registered, the process proceeds to step 90.

[0045] In step 80, the passenger information control unit 20 performs a tutorial display process of displaying an operation guide for prompting a registration operation for registering at least one of the driving position and the getting-off position. In this tutorial display process, official registration or deletion of the temporarily registered driving position or getting-off position is performed, or a new driving position or getting-off position is registered regardless of the temporarily registered driving position or getting-off position. This tutorial display process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 4. After this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 90.

[0046] In step 90, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether there has been a registration operation for registering the driving position in the operation input unit 10b. If the passenger information control unit 20 determines that there has been a registration operation for registering the driving position, the process proceeds to step 100. On the other hand, if the passenger information control unit 20 determines that there has been no registration operation for registering the driving position, the process proceeds to step 110.

[0047] In step 100, the passenger information control unit 20 performs a travel position start registration process for newly registering a travel position. The details of this travel position start registration process will be described later with reference to FIG. 5. After this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 moves the process to step 110.

[0048] In step 110, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether there is a registration operation for registering a getting-off position in the operation input unit 10b. If the passenger information control unit 20 determines that there is a registration operation for registering a getting-off position, the process moves to step 120. On the other hand, if the passenger information control unit 20 determines that there is no registration operation for registering a getting-off position, the process moves to step 130.

[0049] In step 120, the passenger information control unit 20 performs a getting-off position start registration process for newly registering a getting-off position. The details of this getting-off position start registration process will be described later with reference to FIG. 6. After this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 moves the process to step 130.

[0050] In step 130, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the ignition switch 9 has been turned off. When the ignition switch 9 is turned off, the process moves to step 140. Specifically, the passenger information control unit 20 refers to the input state of the ignition switch input unit 21 and determines that the ignition switch 9 has been turned off due to the ignition switch 9 changing from on to off (so-called off edge). When the ignition switch 9 is turned off, the process moves to step 140 as the state when the vehicle has stopped and the passenger is getting off.

[0051] In step 140, the passenger information control unit 20 controls the seat position changing unit 30 to perform a getting-off position changing process for changing the seat position of the driver seat 3 to the getting-off position. After this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 moves the process to step 150.

[0052] In this alighting position change process, the passenger information control unit 20 acquires the alighting position associated with the driver identification information from the storage unit 24, and while detecting the position of the seat position of the driver seat 3 from the seat position detection unit 33 so as to reach the acquired alighting position, controls the drive of the seat position drive unit 32 to change the seat position of the driver seat 3 to the alighting position. Here, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether there is a contact object between the driver seat 3 and the rear seat 5 by the object detection unit 12. When there is a contact object, while ensuring a specified distance from the driver seat 3 to the contact object, the seat position of the driver seat 3 is changed to the alighting position. Note that when there is a contact object and the original alighting position cannot be changed, it is desirable for the passenger information control unit 20 to cause the display unit 10a to display to that effect.

[0053] In step 150, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the alighting position of the driver seat 3 has been changed by a manual operation of the passenger on the seat operation unit 31. When the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the alighting position of the driver seat 3 has been changed, the process proceeds to step 160. On the other hand, when the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the alighting position of the driver seat 3 has not been changed, the process proceeds to step 170.

[0054] In step 160, the passenger information control unit 20 temporarily registers the changed alighting position of the driver seat 3 in association with the driver identification information. When this process ends, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 170.

[0055] In step 170, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the door of the vehicle 1 is locked. When the door of the vehicle 1 is locked, the integrated control process ends.

[0056] (Tutorial display process: Embodiment 1) Next, the details of the tutorial display process performed in the comprehensive control process of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart showing the tutorial display process of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1. An example of the display screen of this tutorial will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0057] In step 81, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the driving position is temporarily registered. If the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the driving position is temporarily registered, the process proceeds to step 82. On the other hand, if the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the driving position is not temporarily registered, the process proceeds to step 88.

[0058] In step 82, the passenger information control unit 20 performs a process of causing the display unit 10a to display the start screen of the tutorial corresponding to the temporarily registered driving position. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 83.

[0059] In step 83, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether to start the tutorial based on the operation of the passenger on the operation input unit 10b. If the passenger information control unit 20 determines to start the tutorial, the process proceeds to step 84. On the other hand, if the passenger information control unit 20 determines not to start the tutorial (to end the tutorial), the process proceeds to step 94.

[0060] In step 84, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether to register the temporarily registered driving position based on the operation of the passenger on the operation input unit 10b. If the passenger information control unit 20 determines to register the temporarily registered driving position, the process proceeds to step 85. On the other hand, if the passenger information control unit 20 determines not to register the temporarily registered driving position, the process proceeds to step 87.

[0061] In step 85, the passenger information control unit 20 registers the temporarily registered driving position in the storage unit 24 in association with the driver identification information. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 86.

[0062] In step 86, the passenger information control unit 20 deletes the temporarily registered driving position. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 104 shown in the driving position start registration process of FIG. 5 described later in order to confirm whether to register the alighting position next.

[0063] In step 87, the passenger information control unit 20 deletes the temporarily registered driving position. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 100.

[0064] In step 100, a driving position start registration process for newly registering a driving position is performed. This driving position start registration process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 5. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 ends the tutorial display process and returns the process to the comprehensive control process (FIG. 3).

[0065] In step 88, the passenger information control unit 20 performs a process of causing the display unit 10a to display a start screen of a tutorial corresponding to the temporarily registered alighting position. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 89.

[0066] In step 89, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether to start the tutorial based on the operation of the passenger on the operation input unit 10b. When the passenger information control unit 20 determines to start the tutorial, it proceeds to step 90. On the other hand, when the passenger information control unit 20 determines not to start the tutorial (to end the tutorial), it proceeds to step 94.

[0067] In step 90, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether to register the alighting position temporarily registered by the operation of the passenger on the operation input unit 10b. If the passenger information control unit 20 determines to register the temporarily registered alighting position, the process proceeds to step 91. On the other hand, if the passenger information control unit 20 determines not to register the temporarily registered alighting position, the process proceeds to step 93.

[0068] In step 91, the passenger information control unit 20 registers the temporarily registered alighting position in the storage unit 24 in association with the driver identification information. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 92.

[0069] In step 92, the passenger information control unit 20 deletes the temporarily registered alighting position. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 124 shown in the alighting position start registration process of FIG. 6 described later in order to confirm whether to register the driving position next.

[0070] In step 93, the passenger information control unit 20 deletes the temporarily registered alighting position. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 120.

[0071] In step 120, the passenger information control unit 20 performs an alighting position start registration process for newly registering an alighting position. This alighting position start registration process will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 6. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 ends the tutorial display process and returns the process to the comprehensive control process (FIG. 3).

[0072] In step 94, the passenger information control unit 20 deletes the temporarily registered seat position (driving position or alighting position). When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 95.

[0073] In step 95, the passenger information control unit 20 performs a process to end the tutorial display screen. When this process ends, the passenger information control unit 20 ends the tutorial display process and returns the process to the comprehensive control process (Figure 3).

[0074] (Travel Position Start Registration Process) Next, the details of the travel position start registration process performed in the comprehensive control process and the tutorial display process of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart showing the travel position start registration process of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0075] In step 101, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the door of the vehicle 1 is in a closed state by the door opening / closing detection unit 22. When the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the door is in a closed state, the process proceeds to step 102. On the other hand, when the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the door is not in a closed state, it waits until the door is closed.

[0076] In step 102, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the adjustment of the seat position of the driver's seat 3 has been completed. When the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver's seat 3 has been completed, the process proceeds to step 103. On the other hand, when the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver's seat 3 has not been completed, it waits until the adjustment of the seat position of the driver's seat 3 is completed. Specifically, when the seat position is adjusted by a manual operation of the passenger on the seat operation unit 31 and there is a notification that the adjustment of the seat position has been completed by an operation of the passenger on the operation input unit 10b, the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver's seat 3 has been completed.

[0077] In step 103, the passenger information control unit 20 registers the current seat position of the driver seat 3 as the driving position in the storage unit 24 in association with the driver identification information. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 moves on to step 104.

[0078] In step 104, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether to register the getting-off position as well based on the operation of the passenger on the operation input unit 10b. If the passenger information control unit 20 determines to register the getting-off position as well, it moves on to step 105. On the other hand, if the passenger information control unit 20 determines not to register the getting-off position, it moves on to step 108.

[0079] In step 105, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the door of the vehicle 1 is in an open state by the door opening / closing detection unit 22. If the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the door is in an open state, it moves on to step 106. On the other hand, if the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the door is not in an open state, it waits until the door is in an open state.

[0080] In step 106, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has been completed. If the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has been completed, it moves on to step 107. On the other hand, if the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has not been completed, it waits until the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 is completed. Specifically, when the seat position is adjusted by the manual operation of the passenger on the seat operation unit 31 and there is a notification that the adjustment of the seat position has been completed by the operation of the passenger on the operation input unit 10b, the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has been completed.

[0081] In step 107, the passenger information control unit 20 registers the current seat position of the driver seat 3 as the getting-off position in the storage unit 24 in association with the driver identification information. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 moves the process to step 108.

[0082] In step 108, the passenger information control unit 20 performs a registration completion notification to cause the display unit 10a to display a display screen notifying that the registration of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has been completed. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 ends the traveling position start registration process and returns the process to the comprehensive control process (Figure 3).

[0083] (Getting-off Position Start Registration Process) Next, the details of the getting-off position start registration process performed in the comprehensive control process and the tutorial display process of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart showing the getting-off position start registration process of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0084] In step 121, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the door of the vehicle 1 is in an open state by the door opening / closing detection unit 22. When the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the door is in an open state, the process moves to step 122. On the other hand, when the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the door is not in an open state, it waits until the door becomes open.

[0085] In step 122, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has been completed. When the occupant information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has been completed, the process proceeds to step 123. On the other hand, when the occupant information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has not been completed, it waits until the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 is completed. Specifically, when the seat position is adjusted by a manual operation of the occupant on the seat operation unit 31 and there is a notification that the adjustment of the seat position has been completed by an operation of the occupant on the operation input unit 10b, the occupant information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has been completed.

[0086] In step 123, the occupant information control unit 20 registers the current seat position of the driver seat 3 as the getting-off position in the storage unit 24 in association with the driver identification information. When this process is completed, the occupant information control unit 20 proceeds to step 124.

[0087] In step 124, the occupant information control unit 20 determines whether to register the driving position as well by an operation of the occupant on the operation input unit 10b. When the occupant information control unit 20 determines to register the driving position as well, the process proceeds to step 125. On the other hand, when the occupant information control unit 20 determines not to register the driving position, the process proceeds to step 128.

[0088] In step 125, the occupant information control unit 20 determines whether the door of the vehicle 1 is in the closed state by the door open / close detection unit 22. When the occupant information control unit 20 determines that the door is in the closed state, the process proceeds to step 126. On the other hand, when the occupant information control unit 20 determines that the door is not in the closed state, it waits until the door is in the closed state.

[0089] In step 126, the passenger information control unit 20 determines whether the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has been completed. When the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has been completed, the process proceeds to step 127. On the other hand, when the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has not been completed, it waits until the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 is completed. Specifically, when the seat position is adjusted by a manual operation of the passenger on the seat operation unit 31 and there is a notification that the adjustment of the seat position has been completed by an operation of the passenger on the operation input unit 10b, the passenger information control unit 20 determines that the adjustment of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has been completed.

[0090] In step 127, the passenger information control unit 20 registers the current seat position of the driver seat 3 as the driving position in the storage unit 24 in association with the driver identification information. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 proceeds to step 128.

[0091] In step 128, the passenger information control unit 20 performs a registration completion notification to cause the display unit 10a to display a display screen notifying that the registration of the seat position of the driver seat 3 has been completed. When this process is completed, the passenger information control unit 20 ends the alighting position start registration process and returns the process to the comprehensive control process (Figure 3).

[0092] [Tutorial display screen: Embodiment 1] An example of the tutorial display screen displayed on the display unit 10a of the seat control device 100 described above will be described.

[0093] (Tutorial display screen when the driving position is temporarily registered) First, referring to FIG. 7, the tutorial display screen displayed on the display unit 10a when the driving position is temporarily registered will be described. FIG. 7 is an example of the tutorial display screen displayed on the display unit when the driving position is temporarily registered in the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0094] FIG. 7(a) is an example of the start screen 210 of the tutorial first displayed on the display unit 10a when the driving position is temporarily registered.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 7(a), on the start screen 210 of the tutorial, a display such as "The driving position has been changed this time. Do you want to re-register the driving position?" is made, and at least a start operation button 211 for "Yes" to perform the start operation of the tutorial and an end operation button 212 for "No" not to perform the start operation of the tutorial are displayed. When the operation of the end operation button 212 is performed on the start screen 210 of the tutorial, the tutorial display screen will end.

[0096] FIG. 7(b) is an example of the first driving position registration operation screen 220 of the tutorial displayed on the display unit 10a after the operation of the start operation button 211 is performed on the start screen 210 of the tutorial.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 7(b), on the first driving position registration operation screen 220, the method of registering the driving position is displayed, and at least a main registration operation button 221 for registering the temporarily registered driving position and an adjustment registration operation button 222 for adjusting and registering a new seat position are displayed.

[0098] FIG. 7(c) is an example of the second driving position registration operation screen 230 of the tutorial displayed on the display unit 10a after the operation of the adjustment registration operation button 222 is performed on the first driving position registration operation screen 220.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 7(c), on the second driving position registration operation screen 230, a display such as "Close the door and adjust the seat position" is made, and an adjustment completion operation button 231 as an adjustment completion operation for confirming that the adjustment of the seat position has been completed, and at least a cancellation operation button 232 for canceling the registration of the driving position are displayed. Although the description of the process is omitted in the above flowchart, when the cancellation operation button 232 is operated, it is also configured to be possible to end the tutorial display screen.

[0100] FIG. 7(d) is an example of a driving position registration completion screen 240 of the tutorial displayed on the display unit 10a after the operation of the main registration operation button 221 on the first driving position registration operation screen 220 or after the operation of the adjustment completion operation button 231 on the second driving position registration operation screen 230.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 7(d), on the driving position registration completion screen 240, it is displayed that a new driving position has been registered, and at least an operation button 241 for a getting-off registration operation for registering the getting-off position and an operation button 242 for a getting-off non-registration operation for not registering the getting-off position are displayed.

[0102] (Tutorial display screen when the getting-off position is temporarily registered) Next, with reference to FIG. 8, a tutorial display screen displayed on the display unit 10a when the getting-off position is temporarily registered will be described. FIG. 8 is an example of a tutorial display screen displayed on the display unit 10a when the getting-off position is temporarily registered in the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0103] FIG. 8(a) is an example of a start screen 310 of the tutorial first displayed on the display unit 10a when the getting-off position is temporarily registered.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 8(a), on the tutorial start screen 310, a message such as "The alighting position has been changed from the previous time. Do you want to re-register the alighting position?" is displayed, and at least a start operation button 311 for "Yes" to perform the tutorial start operation and an end operation button 312 for "No" not to perform the tutorial start operation are displayed. When the end operation button 312 is operated on the tutorial start screen 310, the tutorial display screen will end.

[0105] FIG. 8(b) is an example of the first alighting position registration operation screen 320 of the tutorial displayed on the display unit 10a after the start operation button 311 is operated on the tutorial start screen 310.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 8(b), on the first alighting position registration operation screen 320, a method for registering the alighting position is displayed, and at least a main registration operation button 321 for registering the temporarily registered alighting position and an adjustment registration operation button 322 for newly adjusting and registering the seat position are displayed.

[0107] FIG. 8(c) is an example of the second alighting position registration operation screen 330 of the tutorial displayed on the display unit 10a after the adjustment registration operation button 322 is operated on the first alighting position registration operation screen 320.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 8(c), on the second alighting position registration operation screen 330, a message such as "Open the door and adjust the seat position" is displayed, and at least an adjustment end operation button 331 as an adjustment end operation for confirming that the adjustment of the seat position has ended and a cancellation operation button 332 for canceling the registration of the alighting position are displayed. Although the description of the process is omitted in the above flowchart, when the cancellation operation button 332 is operated, the tutorial display screen can also be configured to end.

[0109] FIG. 8(d) is an example of a tutorial alighting position registration completion screen 340 displayed on the display unit 10a after the operation of the main registration operation button 321 is performed on the first alighting position registration operation screen 320 or after the operation of the adjustment end operation button 331 is performed on the second alighting position registration operation screen 330.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 8(d), on the alighting position registration completion screen 340, it is displayed that a new alighting position has been registered, and at least an operation button 341 for the alighting registration operation to also register the alighting position and an operation button 342 for the unregistered alighting operation not to register the alighting position are displayed.

[0111] As described above, according to the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, by identifying the occupant and appropriately registering the driving position and the alighting position, and changing the seat position of the vehicle seat according to the occupant, the boarding and alighting performance can be improved.

[0112] Further, according to the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, although the opening and closing conditions of the doors of the vehicle 1 are different, the registration of the driving position and the alighting position is performed by the same registration operation as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, so that the registration can be easily performed.

[0113] Further, according to the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, when the driving position or the alighting position is changed, since a tutorial display screen is displayed as an operation guide for prompting the registration operation, it is possible to prevent omission of recognition of the seat position registration function and forgetting to register a new seat position.

[0114] In particular, according to the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, when the getting-off position is changed when the ignition switch 9 is turned off, the tutorial display screen is not displayed at that time, and the tutorial display screen is displayed when the ignition switch 9 is turned on next time. Therefore, even if the occupant has something to do and cannot register a new getting-off position according to the tutorial display screen when getting off, a new getting-off position can be registered when getting on the vehicle next time.

[0115] Further, according to the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, when the registration of the driving position is completed, the registration confirmation of the getting-off position is performed, and when the registration of the getting-off position is completed, the registration confirmation of the driving position is performed. Therefore, both the driving position and the getting-off position can be appropriately registered without forgetting either.

[0116] [Embodiment 2] The seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. The seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 2 has different tutorial display processing and display screens compared to the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, and other processing and configurations are the same as those in Embodiment 1.

[0117] Specifically, in the tutorial display processing and display screen of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, as shown in FIGS. 7(b) and 8(b), when a previously registered seat position (driving position or getting-off position) is changed, it is configured to be possible to select whether to register the temporarily registered seat position or to adjust and register a new seat position. However, in the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 2, only the temporarily registered seat position can be registered.

[0118] Hereinafter, when describing the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 2, the same processes and configurations as those of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals and the same step numbers, and detailed descriptions of the configurations and processes are omitted.

[0119] [Tutorial Display Process: Embodiment 2] Details of the tutorial display process of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. FIG. 9 is an example of a flowchart showing the tutorial display process of the seat control device according to Embodiment 2. An example of the display screen of this tutorial will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 10.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 9, when the occupant information control unit 20 determines not to register the driving position temporarily registered in step 84, it does not perform the driving position start registration process (step 100 in FIG. 4), transfers the process to steps 94 and 95, deletes the temporarily registered driving position, and then ends the start screen 420 of the tutorial.

[0121] Similarly, when the occupant information control unit 20 determines not to register the getting-off position temporarily registered in step 90, it does not perform the getting-off position start registration process (step 120 in FIG. 4), transfers the process to steps 94 and 95, deletes the temporarily registered getting-off position, and then ends the start screen 420 of the tutorial.

[0122] Also, in the tutorial display process of Embodiment 2, since it is not determined whether to start the tutorial as in Embodiment 1 (since the processes in steps 83 and 89 in FIG. 4 are not performed), the occupant information control unit 20 transfers the process to step 84 when the process in step 82 ends, and transfers the process to step 90 when the process in step 88 ends.

[0123] [Tutorial Display Screen: Embodiment 2] An example of the tutorial display screen displayed on the display unit 10a of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 2 will be described. FIG. 10 is an example of the tutorial display screen displayed on the display unit 10a in the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 2.

[0124] Figure 10(a) is an example of the start screen 410 of the tutorial that is first displayed on the display unit 10a when the driving position is temporarily registered.

[0125] As shown in Figure 10(a), on the start screen 410 of the tutorial, a display such as "The driving position has been changed this time. Do you want to newly register the changed driving position?" is made, and at least a registration operation button 411 for registering the temporarily registered driving position and a non-registration button 412 for not registering the temporarily registered driving position are displayed.

[0126] On the start screen 410 of the tutorial, when the crew operates the registration operation button 411, the crew information control unit 20 registers the temporarily registered driving position in the storage unit 24 in association with the driver identification information. On the other hand, when the crew operates the non-registration button 412, the crew information control unit 20 ends the start screen 410 of the tutorial.

[0127] Figure 10(b) is an example of the start screen 420 of the tutorial that is first displayed on the display unit 10a when the getting-off position is temporarily registered.

[0128] As shown in Figure 10(b), on the start screen 420 of the tutorial, a display such as "The getting-off position has been changed last time. Do you want to newly register the changed getting-off position?" is made, and at least a registration operation button 421 for registering the temporarily registered getting-off position and a non-registration button 422 for not registering the temporarily registered getting-off position are displayed.

[0129] On the start screen 420 of the tutorial, when the crew operates the registration operation button 421, the crew information control unit 20 registers the temporarily registered getting-off position in the storage unit 24 in association with the driver identification information. On the other hand, when the crew operates the non-operation button 422, the crew information control unit 20 ends the start screen 420 of the tutorial.

[0130] As described above, according to the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 2, in addition to the operations and effects of the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, when the already registered seat position (travel position or getting-off position) is changed, the changed seat position can be easily registered with a small number of steps.

[0131] [Other Modification Examples]

[0132] In the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, as shown in Steps 30 and 40 of FIG. 3, when the ignition switch 9 is turned on, it is determined that the vehicle is in a state before traveling, and the seat position of the driver seat 3 is changed to the travel position of the driver who identified the seat position. However, when the door of the vehicle 1 is unlocked, it may be configured to change to the travel position of the driver who identified the seat position of the driver seat 3, determining that the vehicle is in a state before traveling. In this case, in FIG. 3, the order of Steps 30 and 40 may be interchanged, and after performing the process of Step 20, the process of Step 40 may be performed, and then the process of Step 30 may be performed.

[0133] In the seat control device 100 according to Embodiment 1, as shown in Steps 130 and 140 of FIG. 3, when the ignition switch 9 is turned off, it is determined that the vehicle is stopped and the passenger is getting off, and the seat position of the driver seat 3 is changed to the getting-off position of the driver who identified the seat position. However, when the door of vehicle 1 is in an open state when the vehicle stops, it may be configured to determine that it is the state when the vehicle stops and the occupant gets off, and change to the driver's getting-off position where the seat position of the driver's seat 3 is identified. In such a configuration, in FIG. 3, the processing content of step 130 may be replaced with the following processing content: "When receiving parking information indicating that the shift lever is in the parking position, determine whether the door of vehicle 1 is in an open state by the door opening / closing detection unit 22. If it is determined that the door of vehicle 1 is in an open state, transfer the processing to step 140."

[0134] In the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment, as shown in step 150, step 160, step 70, and step 80 of FIG. 3, when the vehicle stops and the occupant gets off, if the registered getting-off position has been changed by the occupant, when the ignition switch 9 is turned on next time, the display unit 10a is configured to display an operation guide. However, it may be configured to display an operation guide on the display unit 10a without waiting for the ignition switch 9 to be turned on next time immediately after the registered getting-off position has been changed by the occupant. In such a configuration, in FIG. 3, after performing the processing of step 160, the tutorial display processing of step 80 may be performed.

[0135] In the seat control device 100 according to the first embodiment, the display unit 10a for displaying predetermined information is provided at the center of the instrument panel 2. However, the display unit 10a may be provided as a part of the meter panel and instrument panel display on the front side of the driver's seat 3 and the steering wheel.

[0136] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that in the above-described embodiments, including the modified examples, the techniques of each embodiment can be applied to each other.

[0137] The above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0138] The terms used in this specification and the claims should be construed as non - limiting terms. For example, the term "comprising" should be construed as "not limited to those described as comprising". The term "including" should be construed as "not limited to those described as including". The term "having" should be construed as "not limited to those described as having".

Description of Reference Numerals

[0139] 1: Vehicle, 3: Driver's seat, 3a: Seat cushion, 3b: Seat back, 3c: Headrest, 9: Ignition switch, 10a: Display unit, 10b: Operation input unit, 11: Interior camera, 12: Object detection unit, 20: Occupant information control unit, 21: Ignition switch input unit, 22: Door open / close detection unit, 24: Memory unit, 30: Seat position change unit, 31: Seat operation unit, 100: Seat control device

Claims

1. A seat having a seat cushion that supports the buttocks of an occupant and a seat back that supports the back of the occupant, a seat position changing unit capable of changing a seat position including at least any one of the height of the seat cushion, the inclination angle of the seat back, the front-rear position of the seat, and the rotational position of the seat, a door opening / closing detection unit that detects the opening and closing of a vehicle door, an occupant information control unit that identifies an occupant who has boarded the vehicle and performs control based on the information of the identified occupant, and the occupant information control unit after an ignition switch for driving a driving device of the vehicle is turned on, when a registration operation of an occupant is performed, on the condition that the door closing state of the vehicle door is detected by the door opening / closing detection unit, stores the current seat position in a storage unit in association with the information of the occupant identified as the driving position during vehicle travel, on the condition that the door opening state of the vehicle door is detected by the door opening / closing detection unit, stores the current seat position in the storage unit in association with the information of the occupant identified as the alighting position when the occupant alights, and after the registration operation of the occupant is performed, before the vehicle travels, controls the seat position changing unit so as to change the seat position to the driving position of the identified occupant, when the vehicle stops and the occupant alights, controls the seat position changing unit so as to change the seat position to the alighting position of the identified occupant, A seat control device characterized by the above.

2. further comprising a display unit that displays information to the occupant, the occupant information control unit when an operation on the seat position changing unit is performed by the occupant and the seat position is changed, displays an operation guide for prompting the registration operation on the display unit The seat control device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. the occupant information control unit when the vehicle stops and the occupant alights, if an operation on the seat position changing unit is performed by the occupant and the alighting position is changed, when the ignition switch is turned on next time, displays the operation guide on the display unit The seat control device according to claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The seat is a driver's seat on which an occupant who drives the vehicle sits, The seat control device further includes an object detection unit that detects whether there is an object to be contacted between the driver seat and a rear seat provided behind the driver seat. The occupant information control unit When controlling the seat position changing unit to change the seat position, if the object detection unit detects that there is an object to be contacted, while ensuring a specified distance from the driver seat to the object to be contacted, change the seat position. The seat control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that.

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