Method and device to improve occupant comfort in a support device after a physical activity

Abstract

A method and device to prescribe a comfort program for a user or occupant in a support device such as a vehicle seat after the user engages in a physical activity, the comfort program is based on one or more signals or data corresponding to: an intensity of the physical activity performed by the user; one or more body regions of the user affected by the physical activity; and an estimated time that the user will be in the support device; the method includes activating with a controller one or more support device comfort effectors based on the one or more signals or data corresponding to: the intensity of the physical activity performed by the user; the one or more body regions of the user affected by the physical activity performed by the user; and the estimated time that the user will be in the support device.

Description

Docket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)METHOD AND DEVICE TO IMPROVE OCCUPANT COMFORT IN A SUPPORT DEVICE AFTER A PHYSICAL ACTIVITYCROSS-REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to US 63 / 742,909 filed on January 08, 2025, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.FIELD

[0002] These teachings relate generally to improving occupant comfort, and more particularly to a method and device for improving occupant comfort in a support device such as a vehicle seat after the occupant completes a physical activity.BACKGROUND

[0003] Some vehicle seats include one or more comfort effectors for improving occupant comfort. For example, some vehicle seats include one or more thermal effectors for providing heating and / or cooling functions to an occupant of the vehicle seat. Some vehicle seats include one or more pneumatic effectors for providing massage functions to an occupant of the vehicle seat. While many occupants enjoy such comfort effectors, it may be desirable to improve the current state of the art.

[0004] For example, after an occupant enters a vehicle, the occupant typically self-selects or manually activates one or more available comfort effectors. However, to optimally improve comfort and / or aid in muscle recovery after a physical activity such as a workout, some occupants may not be aware of what comfort effectors to activate, at what intensity level, at what duration, and / or in what order. It may therefore be desirable to improve the current state of the art by having a method and / or device that is configured to prescribe one or more comfort programs to an occupant of a vehicle seat to improve comfort and / or aid in muscle recovery in the vehicle seat after a physical activity.SUMMARY

[0005] These teachings relate to a method and device for improving occupant comfort in a support device, such as a vehicle seat. These teachings relate to a method and device configuredDocket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)to prescribe one or more comfort programs to a user or an occupant of a support device or vehicle to improve comfort and / or aid in muscle recovery while in the support device or vehicle seat after the occupant performs or completes a physical activity, such as a workout. The physical activity may be an individual or group workout, weight lifting, a short or long distance run, a team sport, yoga, platies, spinning, the like, or any combination thereof. The physical activity may be associated with a manual or labor job.

[0006] In an embodiment, the comfort device comprises a plurality of vehicle seat comfort effectors; and a controller that is configured to control the plurality of vehicle seat comfort effectors; wherein the controller is configured to prescribe the comfort program for the occupant in the vehicle seat after the occupant engages in the physical activity based on one or more signals or data corresponding to: an intensity of the physical activity performed by the occupant; one or more body regions of the occupant affected by the physical activity performed by the occupant; and an estimated time that the occupant will be in the vehicle seat; and wherein the controller is configured to activate the one or more of the plurality of vehicle seat comfort effectors based on the prescribed comfort program.

[0007] In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method of controlling a comfort program for a user after the user engages in a physical activity, the method comprising: receiving, via a communication interface, activity metadata from a wearable device or fitness application, the activity metadata including an intensity of the physical activity performed by the user and one or more body regions of the user associated with the physical activity; determining, with a controller 26, an estimated occupancy duration of the user in the support device based on at least one of a calendar entry, a navigation system output, or a user-input countdown timer; computing, with the controller, a time-varying comfort program as a function of the activity intensity, the one or more body regions, and the estimated occupancy duration, wherein the comfort program defines a sequence of control phases including at least a ramp-up phase, a targeted-treatment phase, and a taper phase; and actuating, with the controller, one or more comfort effectors of the support device including at least one of a heating device, cooling device, pneumatic device, according to the sequence of control phases, such that physical characteristics of the support device are dynamically modified over the estimated occupancy duration to improve recovery of the one or more body regions affected by the physical activity.Docket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)

[0008] In an embodiment, a support device system for improving user comfort after a physical activity, the system comprising: a support device configured to receive a user; one or more comfort effectors integrated into the support device, the comfort effectors including at least one of a heating device, cooling device, and a pneumatic device; a communication interface configured to receive activity metadata from a wearable device or fitness application, the activity metadata including an intensity of the physical activity performed by the user and one or more body regions of the user associated with the physical activity; a controller operatively coupled to the communication interface and the comfort effectors, the controller programmed to: determine an estimated occupancy duration of the user in the support device based on at least one of a calendar entry, a navigation system output, or a user-input countdown timer; compute a time-varying comfort program as a function of the activity intensity, the one or more body regions, and the estimated occupancy duration, the comfort program including a sequence of control phases comprising at least a ramp-up phase, a targeted-treatment phase, and a taper phase; and actuate the one or more comfort effectors according to the sequence of control phases such that physical characteristics of the support device are dynamically modified over the estimated occupancy duration to improve recovery of the one or more body regions affected by the physical activity.

[0009] The system / device / method may function in cooperation with or include any article adapted to support a person in a sitting position, a lying position, or both. Some or all of the system / device may be located in and / or on the article adapted to support a person. The article adapted to support a person may include home furniture, office furniture, medical furniture, medical transport equipment, child seating, entertainment seating, vehicle seating, or any combination thereof.

[0010] Home furniture may include, but is not limited to, sofas, sectionals, recliners, chairs, stools, ottomans, benches, beds, mattresses, or any combination thereof. Office furniture may include, but is not limited to, office chairs. Medical furniture may include, but is not limited to, hospital beds, examination tables, massage tables, massage chairs, physical therapy tables, or any combination thereof. It is envisioned that some or all of the home furniture described herein may be used in office or medical settings. For instance, chairs may be provided in an office or hospital reception area. So, the foregoing references to “office” and “medical” may apply to articles having specific application in those settings (e.g., hospital beds typically being used exclusively in medical settings) unless otherwise indicated herein. Likewise, it is envisioned that office furniture,Docket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)such as office chairs, may be used in home and medical settings. Other specialized furniture is also contemplated by the present teachings, such as salon chairs or barber chairs. One or any combination of the foregoing may be referred to generally as “furniture.”

[0011] Medical transport equipment may include, but is not limited to, gurneys, stretchers, mobility aids (e.g., wheelchairs, motorized scooters, or the like), or any combination thereof.

[0012] Child seating may include, but is not limited to, car seats, high chairs, strollers, or any combination thereof.

[0013] Entertainment seating may include, but is not limited to, stadium seats, theatre seats, or both.

[0014] Vehicle seating may relate to automotive vehicles, aircraft, railway vehicles, watercraft, heavy equipment, or any combination thereof. Automotive vehicles may include, but are not limited to, cars, buses, motorcycles, off-road vehicles, recreational vehicles, low-speed vehicles (e.g., golf carts), trucks (e.g., US Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) Class 1, Class 2a, Class 2b, Class 3, Class 4, Class 5, Class 6, Class 7, or Class 8, as set forth by the US Federal Highway Administration), or any combination thereof. The present teachings also contemplate that the article adapted to support a person may be comprised by a caravan or other similar article towed by an automotive vehicle.

[0015] Aircraft may include, but are not limited to, airplanes, rotorcraft, or both. Railway vehicles may include, but are not limited to, trains, trams, or both.

[0016] Watercraft may include, but are not limited to, boats, personal watercraft, canoes, kayaks, or any combination thereof.

[0017] Heavy equipment may include, but is not limited to, haulers, backhoe loaders, bulldozers, cranes, excavators, forklifts, skid steer loaders, tractors, combines, lifts, or any combination thereof.

[0018] The present teachings are intended to be inclusive of any type of article adapted to support a person not specifically enumerated herein, as understood by skilled artisans to classify under home furniture, office furniture, medical furniture, medical transport equipment, vehicle seating, or any combination thereof.

[0019] The present teachings envision that articles adapted to support a person may comprise an assembly of one or more parts including cushions, bolsters, armrests, headrests, leg rests, footrests, covers, pads, frames, wires, springs, or any combination thereof. Accordingly, one orDocket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)more of the foregoing parts may be removable from the assembly, such as for the purposes of repair, replacement, customization, or any combination thereof.

[0020] One or more elements of the system / device described herein may be comprised by a part of the assembly, one or more elements of the system / device described herein may extend between parts of the assembly, a plurality of elements of the system / device described herein may be comprised by different parts of the assembly, or any combination thereof.

[0021] In these regards, the system / device described herein may comprise or be comprised by one or more parts that may be transferrable between different articles adapted to support a person, or even between different types of articles adapted to support a person. By way of example, but not limitation, a cushion may be transferred from one chair to another, or even from a chair to a stool. As another non-limiting example, a seat cover may be transferred from one seat to another.

[0022] Although the present teachings include examples and illustrations directed to one type of article adapted to support a person (e.g., vehicle seating in a car), these examples and illustrations are not intended to be limiting. It is envisioned that the system / device / method may be employed with other types of articles adapted to support a person.

[0023] A comfort program prescribed to a user or an occupant of a support device or vehicle seat by the device and / or method disclosed herein may include activating one or more available comfort effectors in a support device or a vehicle or a vehicle seat. The one or more comfort effectors may be one or more thermal effectors, one or more pneumatic effectors, or both.

[0024] The one or more thermal effectors may be one or more heating devices configured to raise, increase, or maintain a temperature or surface temperature of the support device or vehicle seat. The heating device may comprise one or more resistance elements. The resistance elements may have a negative temperature coefficient, a positive temperature coefficient, a constant temperature coefficient, or any combination thereof. The resistance elements may heat when a current is applied thereto. The resistance elements may be carried on a medium. The medium may include a film, a nonwoven mat, a woven mat, or any combination thereof. The one or more thermal effectors may be one or more cooling devices configured to lower, decrease, or maintain a temperature or a surface temperature of the vehicle seat. The cooling device may comprise a blower, a thermoelectric device, a fluid distribution device, or any combination thereof. The blower may intake air (e.g., from underneath and / or behind a vehicle seat) and deliver air to one or more fluid distribution devices. The blower may be an axial fan or a radial fan. Non-limitingDocket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)examples of blowers are described in International Publication No. WO 2008 / 115831 Al and U.S. Pat. No. 9,121,414 B2, incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0025] The heating devices and / or cooling devices may provide thermal sensation to occupants via conduction and / or convection. With conduction, heat may be conducted through one or more layers of the support device or vehicle seat and ultimately to an occupant contacting the surface of the vehicle seat. With convection, heated and / or cooled air may travel through one or more layers of the vehicle seat and the air may contact the occupant.

[0026] The one or more pneumatic devices may be one or more massage or lumbar devices configured to apply pressure to one or more occupant body zones. For example, the one or more pneumatic devices may be one or more inflatable bags, pouches, or bags that are configured to be inflated with air and subsequently deflated to provide a massage, pulsating massage, rolling massage, and / or non-pulsating or non-rolling massage to one or more occupant body zones.

[0027] The comfort program prescribed to an occupant of a support device or vehicle seat according to the method and / or device disclosed herein may target specific occupant body zones to aid or expedite muscle recovery. For example, the occupant body zones that may be targeted by the comfort program, device, and / or method disclosed herein may be or may include an occupant’s upper body, lower body, full body, or more specially an occupant’s neck, shoulders, back, upper back, middle back, lower back, buttocks or glutes, legs, hamstrings, calves, or any combination thereof.

[0028] The method and / or device according to these teachings allow for an occupant of a support device or vehicle seat to begin muscle recovery after or immediately after a physical activity or workout, which may advantageously reduce or prevent later muscle cramping and / or expedite muscle recovery if the occupant begins muscle recovery at a later time such as after they arrive at home from their workout or after running errands after the workout.

[0029] A comfort program according to these teachings may be activated by the method and / or device according to these teachings for a predetermined amount of time. A comfort program may be comprised of one or more program cycles. A program cycle may be a cycle or time interval during which one or more of the available comfort effectors are activated for. A time interval that a program cycle of a comfort program may be activated for (e.g., time duration that the one or more comfort effectors are activated or are operational for) may be based on the one or more signals or data obtained or provided to the device and / or method according to these teachings. ForDocket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)example, a program cycle or time interval that the one or more comfort effectors are activated for (e g., in operation) may be 11 or more minutes in length. For example, a program cycle or time interval that the one or more comfort effectors are activated for may be 11 or less minutes in length. As a non-limiting example, a program cycle of a comfort program may be 11 minutes in total length and comprise a 5 minute interval of a heating and massage application, followed by a 6 minute interval of a cooling and massage application. A program cycle may be repeated any number of times depending on the data and / or signals received by the method and / or device according to these teachings. For example, a comfort program may comprise repeating a program cycle three (3) times. In other examples, a program cycle may be repeated less than 3 times or more than three (3) times.

[0030] A comfort program according to these teachings may be activated at a predetermined intensity level. An intensity level or interval that a comfort program may be activated for (e.g., intensity that the one or more comfort effectors are activated or operational for) may be based on the one or more signals or data obtained or provided to the device and / or method according to these teachings. For example, an intensity level of the one or more comfort effectors may be a low setting, medium setting, or high setting. For example, for a thermal heating effector a low intensity level may be low heat, medium intensity level may be medium heat, and high intensity level may be high heat. For example, for a thermal cooling effector a low intensity level may be low cooling, medium intensity level may be medium cooling, and high intensity level may be high cooling. For example, for a pneumatic effector, a low intensity level may be low massage or pressure, a medium intensity level may be medium massage or pressure, and a high intensity level may be a high massage or pressure applied to one or more occupant body zones.

[0031] For example, an intensity level of the one or more comfort effectors may be a ramp up phase, a targeted phase, and a taper phase. A ramp up phase may be an initial temperature change or an initial pneumatic activation. The targeted phase may be a where a temperature setting or pneumatic intensity is held or directed to a specific area. A taper phase may be when the temperature change or pneumatic intensity of location is reduced.

[0032] The method and / or device according to these teachings may prescribe one or more comfort programs based on one or more of any of the data and / or signals described herein. For example, the controller, device, and / or method disclosed herein may prescribe one or more comfort programs based on one or more signals or data corresponding to: an intensity of the physicalDocket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)activity performed by the occupant of the vehicle seat; one or more occupant body zones or regions of the occupant affected by the physical activity performed by the occupant; an estimated time that the occupant will be in the vehicle seat (e.g., an estimated time or distance that the occupant will be in the vehicle); a vehicle cabin temperature (inside the vehicle); temperature and / or weather conditions outside of the vehicle; current and / or past health history of the occupant; past physical activities; future or later-scheduled physical activities; fitness level (e.g., beginner, novice, expert); body weight; age; gender; any current or prior muscle injuries or strain; current weight of the occupant; medical conditions of the occupant (e.g., stiff neck, sore or injured back, etc.); time of day; day of the week; upcoming activities (which may be obtained from one or more calendar entries like OUTLOOK or GOOGLE Calendar); upcoming physical activities (e.g., driving to the gym or a sporting event, which data may be obtained from Machine Learning, a calendar entry, and / or a vehicle or mobile device GPS entry); current hydration level; drowsiness level; the like; or a combination thereof. The one or more comfort programs may be prescribed by the device and / or method disclosed herein based on one or more data or signals obtained from machine learning and / or deep learning.

[0033] The teachings disclosed in US 2024 / 0115417 published on April 11, 2024, which refer to a method for providing thermal contrast therapy to a vehicle occupant, are expressly incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. l is a side view of a vehicle and vehicle seat.

[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat and a schematic illustration of a device to improve occupant comfort in a vehicle seat after a physical activity according to these teachings.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram schematically illustrating a method to improve occupant comfort in a vehicle seat after a physical activity according to these teachings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 comprises one or more support devices 12. The support device 12 may be a vehicle seat. The support device or vehicle seat 12 includes a seating portion 14, a backrest portion 16, and a headrest 18. The support device or vehicle seat 12 is configured to support an occupant O.Docket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a support device 12. The support device 12 may be a vehicle seat comprises a seating portion 14, a backrest portion 16, and a headrest 18. The seating portion 14 and the backrest portion 16 may include a cushion. The cushion may be a single cushion for both portions 14, 16, or the cushion may be two (or more) separate pieces. A cover or trim layer may cover the cushion and other components of the support device or vehicle seat 12, such as the one or more support device or comfort effectors disclosed herein. The cover or trim layer may be a perforated leather, cloth, etc.

[0039] The support device or vehicle seat 12, the seating portion 14, the backrest portion 16, and / or head rest 18 may include a comfort system 20. The comfort system 20 may comprise one or more vehicle seat comfort effectors. A support device comfort effector or a vehicle seat comfort effector may be a device that is configured to improve user or occupant comfort and / or to aid in muscle recovery. A support device comfort effector or vehicle seat comfort effector may include a thermal device 22, a pneumatic device 24, or both.

[0040] A thermal device 22 may be a heating device configured to increase, raise, or maintain a temperature or surface temperature of the support device or vehicle seat 12. A thermal device 22 may be a cooling device configured to decrease, lower, or maintain a temperature or surface temperature of the support device or vehicle seat 12. A thermal device 22 may include one or more bag structures and an air mover or fan connected thereto, and configured to push air into the bag structure and then expel the air towards the user or occupant of the support device or vehicle seat, or draw into the bag structure and then expel the drawn-in air away from the user or occupant of the support device or vehicle seat. The thermal system may be of the type disclosed in US 6,869,140 B2 and / or US 9,315,133 B2, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

[0041] A pneumatic device 24 may be a device configured to provide a pressure or massage function to the user or occupant of the support device or vehicle seat 12. An exemplary pneumatic device may include an air source that is configured to inflate or push air into one or more bladders or bags to cause the bladders or bags to expand and apply pressure to one or more occupant body zones of the support device user or vehicle seat occupant. The one or more bladders or bags can then be deflated causing a reduction or elimination of pressure applied to the one or more user or occupant body zones. This successive inflation and deflation may be repeated to provide a massage function to the one or more occupant body zones. The pneumatic device may be of theDocket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)type disclosed in US 10,906,442 B2, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

[0042] The one or more comfort effectors may be arranged to provide comfort to one or more user or occupant body zones that may be targeted by the comfort program, device, and / or method disclosed herein, which may include a user’s or occupant’s upper body, lower body, full body, or more specifically a user or occupant’s neck, shoulders, back, upper back, middle back, lower back, buttocks or glutes, legs, hamstrings, calves, or any combination thereof.

[0043] The one or more comfort effectors may be connected to and / or controlled by one or more controllers 26. The controller 26 may be configured to prescribe one or more comfort functions. The controller 26 may be configured to activate, deactivate, and / or operate one or more of the comfort effectors according to one or more prescribed comfort programs. The one or more prescribed comfort programs may be directed to improving occupant comfort in the support device or vehicle seat 12 and / or aid in muscle recovery in the support device or vehicle seat 12 after the user or occupant O completes one or more physical activities such as a workout or sporting activity. The controller 26 may be part of the support device or vehicle 10 (such as the vehicle ECU), the support device or vehicle seat 12, and / or the comfort system 20. The controller 26 may physically located in the support device, vehicle, vehicle seat, in a remote location such as the cloud, or a combination thereof. The controller 26 may comprise one or more processors, memories, algorithms, look-up tables, RAM, a non-transitory computer readable medium stored on a storage medium and having instructions to prescribe a comfort program based on the one or more data or signals, a hard drive, software, data processor, central processing unit (CPU), graphics processor unit (GPU), cash memory, etc. that may be used to prescribe one or more comfort programs to a user or occupant O of the support device or vehicle seat 12 based on one or more data or signals. The controller 26 may be programmable and reprogrammable so that the prescribed comfort functions can be adapted or specifically tailored to the user or occupant over time (e.g., using machine learning and / or deep learning techniques). The controller 26 may be operatively coupled to the communication interface (to receive signals, meta data, etc.) and the comfort effectors (to control the comfort effectors). The controller 26 may be configured to determine an estimated occupancy duration of the user in the support device based on at least one of a calendar entry, a navigation system output, or a user-input countdown timer. The controller 26 may be configured to compute a time-varying comfort program as a function of the activity intensity, the one or moreDocket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)body regions, and the estimated occupancy duration, the comfort program including a sequence of control phases comprising at least a ramp-up phase, a targeted-treatment phase, and a taper phase. The controller 26 may be configured to actuate the one or more comfort effectors according to the sequence of control phases such that physical characteristics of the support device are dynamically modified over the estimated occupancy duration to improve recovery of the one or more body regions affected by the physical activity. Dynamically modified means that the physical characteristics of the support device changed (e.g., the pneumatic device causes the seat surface to expand and contract, the thermal devices cause the support surface to change temperature (warm or cold), etc.).

[0044] The one or more comfort programs may be prescribed by the device and / or method disclosed herein based on one or more data or signals. The data or signals may correspond to an intensity of the physical activity performed by the user or occupant O of the support device or vehicle seat 12; one or more user or occupant body zones or regions of the occupant O affected by the physical activity performed by the occupant O; and / or an estimated time that the use for occupant O will be in the support device or vehicle seat 12 (e.g., an estimated time or distance that the user or occupant O will be in the vehicle 10).

[0045] The one or more comfort programs may be prescribed by the device and / or method disclosed herein based on one or more data or signals obtained from one or more additional data sources. The one or more additional data sources may include a facility or a vehicle cabin temperature (inside the facility or vehicle in which the support device or vehicle seat is located); temperature and / or weather conditions outside of the vehicle or facility; current and / or past health history of the occupant; past physical activities; future or later-scheduled physical activities; fitness level (e.g., beginner, novice, expert); body weight; age; gender; any current or prior muscle injuries or strain; current weight of the user or occupant; medical conditions of the user or occupant (e.g., stiff neck, sore or injured back, etc.); time of day; day of the week; upcoming activities (which may be obtained from one or more calendar entries like OUTLOOK or GOOGLE Calendar); upcoming physical activities (e.g., driving to the gym or a sporting event, which data may be obtained from Machine Learning, a calendar entry, and / or a vehicle or mobile device GPS entry); current hydration level; drowsiness level; the like; or a combination thereof.

[0046] The one or more comfort programs may be prescribed by the device and / or method disclosed herein based on one or more data or signals obtained from machine learning and / or deepDocket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)learning. For example, after a comfort program is prescribed by the device and / or method according to these teachings to a user or occupant of a support device or vehicle seat, any modifications made to the comfort program by the user or occupant can be recorded or stored. The method and / or device according to these teachings may be configured to recognize and utilize such changes or modifications as data and / or signals when prescribing a future comfort program. This may advantageously enable the method and / or device according to these teachings to prescribe a specifically tailored comfort program to a user or occupant of a support device or vehicle seat. For example, if the method prescribes a comfort program that includes activating one or more pneumatic devices in the neck region, and the user or occupant reduces the intensity level and / or turns OFF the one or more neck massagers, then the method or controller may use machine learning or deep learning to reduce the intensity level or not activate the neck massagers when prescribing one or more future comfort programs.

[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates a method 100 of prescribing one or more comfort programs to or for a user or occupant in a support device or vehicle seat. The comfort program may be prescribed after the occupant performs or completes a physical activity, such as a workout. Generally, the comfort program may be based on one or more signals, data, or input. The one or more signals, data, or inputs may be based on, or related to, the user or occupant, available support device comfort effectors or vehicle seat comfort effectors, duration the user or occupant will be in the support device or vehicle seat (e.g., drive time or seat time), the physical activity performed, the muscles or body zones or regions affected by the physical activity, any of the signal or data sources disclosed herein, the like, or a combination thereof. Based on the one or more signals, data, and / or inputs, the controller 26 may be configured to prescribe one or more comfort programs by activating one or more of the available comfort effectors of the support device or vehicle or vehicle seat for a certain amount of time and / or at a certain intensity.

[0048] More specifically, the method 100 according to these teachings may include a step 102 of activating the comfort system. The activating step 102 may be performed before, during or while, or after the user or occupant enters the facility or vehicle and is seated in the support device or vehicle seat. For example, the activating step may occur when a user or occupant approaches the support device or vehicle and a key FOB or similar device is within a certain proximity to the support device or vehicle and detected by the vehicle or controller. The activating step 102 may occur after the user or occupant is seated in the support device or vehicle seat and / or starts theDocket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)vehicle. The activating step 102 may occur after the occupant makes an affirmative audible request and / or pushes one or more buttons on the support device, controller, vehicle or vehicle seat. The activating step 102 may include preparing, activating, and / or preconditioning one or more of the available effectors (e.g., causing a thermal device to warm up or cool down), energizing an air source to supply air to the one or more air bladders or pouches, etc.) The activating step may be an actuating step.

[0049] The method 100 may include a step 104 of obtaining, supplying, or providing one or more data, signals, and or inputs to the support device or vehicle, the vehicle seat, the controller 26, or a combination thereof.

[0050] The one or more inputs may be one or more signals or data, which may include: input 104A: an intensity of the physical activity recently performed by the user or occupant O of the vehicle seat 12; input 104B: one or more body regions of the user or occupant O affected by the physical activity performed by the user or occupant O; input 104C: an estimated time that the user or occupant will be in the support device or vehicle seat; and / or input 104D, which may include any of the other inputs disclosed herein (e.g., at least any of the “additional data sources” disclosed herein).

[0051] Moreover, in the event that a particular data or signal is missing from being supplied to the controller, then the controller may use a default value. For example, if the intensity value is missing, then a normal or medium intensity value may be added. For example, if an estimated time that the occupant will be in the vehicle seat for is missing, then a default amount of time may be used by the controller; for example, 11 minutes.

[0052] The one or more signals or data or meta data can be manually entered into the system or controller 26 by the user or occupant. For example, a user or occupant may input this information into the controller, vehicle, seat, support device, or app on a mobile device after the workout or physical activity and before or after the occupant enters the vehicle and is seated in the seat or before the user sits in the support device or is seated in the support device. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more signals or data or metadata can be obtained or downloaded from one or more wearable devices, one or more schedule or calendar entries, fitness applications, or a combination thereof. This communication may be performed via a communication interface such as cellular, WiFi, BLUETOOTH, and / or other communication interface.Docket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)

[0053] The method includes step 106 where a comfort program is prescribed by the device and / or method disclosed herein. In step 106, the one or more available support device effectors or vehicle seat effectors that are part of the prescribed comfort program begin operating and occupant muscle recovery and occupant fatigue reduction in the support device or vehicle seat may begin. The comfort program may operate for one or more program cycles. This means a comfort program may end after one program cycle, or after more than one program cycle (e.g., after three (3) program cycles for example). In a non-limiting example, a time interval of a program cycle may last approximately 11 minutes. A comfort program may include repeating a program cycle 3 times.

[0054] During step 106, where the comfort program is running, any modifications to the comfort program made by the occupant are communicated back to input 104D for use as an input in future comfort program prescriptions (e.g., Machine or Deep Learning).

[0055] The method 100 may include a step 108 where the prescribed comfort program ends. This may occur automatically after the prescribed comfort program ends, or when the prescribed comfort program is interrupted by the occupant of the vehicle seat (e.g., if the occupant turns OFF the comfort program, the occupant arrives at their destination, etc.). A comfort program may end after a predetermined number of program cycles. For example, a comfort program may end after three (3) comfort programs.

[0056] After step 108, the method 100 may optionally restart and return to step 102. The restart may occur automatically (part of the prescribed comfort program), or manually at the direction of the occupant of the vehicle seat.

[0057] It is understood that the following method steps can be performed in virtually any order. Moreover, one or more of the following method steps can be combined with other steps; can be omitted or eliminated; can be repeated; and / or can separated into individual or additional steps.

[0058] The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use.

[0059] Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to this description, but should instead be determinedDocket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

[0060] Plural elements or steps can be provided by a single integrated element or step. Alternatively, a single element or step might be divided into separate plural elements or steps.

[0061] The disclosure of "a" or "one" to describe an element or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements or steps. For example, disclosure of “a motor” does not limit the teachings to a single motor. Instead, for example, disclosure of “a motor” may include “one or more motors.”

[0062] While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings.

[0063] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0064] The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0065] Any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to a single embodiment. Instead, any of the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein may be substituted, combined, and / or modified with any ofDocket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)the elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections disclosed herein to form one or more embodiments that may not be specifically illustrated or described herein.

[0066] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, testing specifications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

Claims

Docket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)CLAIMSClaim 1. A method of prescribing a comfort program for a user in a support device after the user engages in a physical activity, wherein the comfort program is based on one or more signals or data corresponding to: an intensity of the physical activity performed by the user; one or more body regions of the user affected by the physical activity performed by the user; and an estimated time that the user will be in the support device; wherein the method comprises activating with a controller one or more support device comfort effectors based on the one or more signals or data corresponding to: the intensity of the physical activity performed by the user; the one or more body regions of the user affected by the physical activity performed by the user; and the estimated time that the user will be in the support device.Claim 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more signals or data corresponding to: the intensity of the physical activity performed by the user; the one or more body regions of the user affected by the physical activity performed by the user; and / or the estimated time that the user will be in the support device are manually entered by the user before the prescribing step.Claim 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more signals or data corresponding to: the intensity of the physical activity performed by the user; the one or more body regions of the user affected by the physical activity performed by the user; and / or the estimated time that the user will be in the support device are obtained from one or more sources comprising: a wearable device, a schedule or calendar entry, or a combination thereof.Claim 4. The method according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more support device effectors comprise: a thermal device and a pneumatic device; wherein an intensity level of the one or more support device comfort effectors is set to a low, medium, or high setting.Docket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)Claim 5. The method according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein a time variable of the comfort program where the one or more support device comfort effectors are active is set to < / = to 11 minutes, between 12 and 32 minutes, and > / = 33 minutes.Claim 6. The method according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more support device comfort effectors are activated based on the one or more body regions of the user affected by the physical activity that include: back, legs, glutes, neck, shoulders, lumbar, full body.Claim 7. The method according to claim 6 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the prescribing is based on one or more additional data or inputs corresponding to: a temperature inside of a vehicle or facility in which the support device is located, an outside temperature surrounding the vehicle or the facility, or both.Claim 8. The method according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the prescribing is based on:i. one or more inputs corresponding to one or more prior modifications to the comfort program made by the user; and / orii. one or more signals or data obtained from a wearable device of the user; and / or iii. one or more signals or data obtained from a schedule or calendar entry of the user.Claim 9. The method according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the comfort program comprises a program cycle comprising a time variable, a thermal variable, and a pneumatic variable.Claim 10. The method according to claim 9, or any one of the previous claims, wherein the program cycle is 11 minutes in length and includes 5 minutes of heating and pneumatics followed by 6 minutes of cooling and pneumatics.Docket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)Claim 11. The method according to claim 1, or any one of the previous claims, wherein the pneumatics comprises a high, medium, and low intensity set point, and comprises a pulsating massage and non-pulsating massage.Claim 12. The method according to claim 9, or any one of the previous claims, wherein the comfort program comprises repeating the program cycle 3 times.Claim 13. The method according to claim 12, or any one of the previous claims, wherein the comfort program ends after the 3 program cycles are completed.Claim 14. A computer-implemented method of controlling a comfort program for a user after the user engages in a physical activity, the method comprising:receiving, via a communication interface, activity metadata from a wearable device or fitness application, the activity metadata including an intensity of the physical activity performed by the user and one or more body regions of the user associated with the physical activity;determining, with a controller, an estimated occupancy duration of the user in the support device based on at least one of a calendar entry, a navigation system output, or a user-input countdown timer;computing, with the controller, a time-varying comfort program as a function of the activity intensity, the one or more body regions, and the estimated occupancy duration, wherein the comfort program defines a sequence of control phases including at least a ramp-up phase, a targeted-treatment phase, and a taper phase; andactuating, with the controller, one or more comfort effectors of the support device including at least one of a heating device, cooling device, pneumatic device, according to the sequence of control phases, such that physical characteristics of the support device are dynamically modified over the estimated occupancy duration to improve recovery of the one or more body regions affected by the physical activity.Claim 15. A support device system for improving user comfort after a physical activity, the system comprising:Docket No.: 1774.069WO (T-RE-0059-WO)a support device configured to receive a user;one or more comfort effectors integrated into the support device, the comfort effectors including at least one of a heating device, cooling device, and a pneumatic device;a communication interface configured to receive activity metadata from a wearable device or fitness application, the activity metadata including an intensity of the physical activity performed by the user and one or more body regions of the user associated with the physical activity;a controller operatively coupled to the communication interface and the comfort effectors, the controller programmed to:i. determine an estimated occupancy duration of the user in the support device based on at least one of a calendar entry, a navigation system output, or a user-input countdown timer;ii. compute a time-varying comfort program as a function of the activity intensity, the one or more body regions, and the estimated occupancy duration, the comfort program including a sequence of control phases comprising at least a ramp-up phase, a targeted- treatment phase, and a taper phase; andiii. actuate the one or more comfort effectors according to the sequence of control phases such that physical characteristics of the support device are dynamically modified over the estimated occupancy duration to improve recovery of the one or more body regions affected by the physical activity.

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