Driver Posture Monitoring for Personalized Vehicle Seat Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging for vehicle occupants to maintain optimal posture while driving or riding, as seat settings that are comfortable for one occupant may not be suitable for another due to varying sizes and proportions, leading to discomfort and physical strain.
Innovation Solution
A camera-based system captures images of the occupant, determines their current posture, and compares it to a recommended posture based on body measurements, providing guidance to adjust the seat and body position for improved comfort and reduced strain through a computing system that analyzes images and sensor data to output alerts for posture corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual seat adjustment is provided for occupants, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability to different body sizes and proportions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects occupant body measurements using camera imaging and autonomously determines optimal seat positions without requiring manual adjustment by the occupant. The computing system processes images to extract body dimensions and automatically controls seat adjustment mechanisms, eliminating the need for occupants to manually search for comfortable positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical seat adjustment with an automated optical measurement and control system. Instead of occupants manually operating mechanical seat adjustment mechanisms, the system uses camera imaging to detect body dimensions and automatically controls the seat positioning mechanisms through electronic control systems.
2Ease of operation
If seat settings are optimized for one occupant, then comfort is improved, but adaptability to other occupants deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system tailors seat positioning to each individual occupant by detecting their specific body measurements and determining optimal seat settings customized to their unique dimensions. The computing system calculates personalized seat positions based on each occupant's height, weight, and body proportions, ensuring optimal comfort for each individual rather than using universal settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts seat settings based on real-time detection of occupant characteristics. Instead of fixed or pre-programmed seat positions, the system continuously or periodically detects occupant body measurements and automatically adjusts seat settings to match the current occupant's needs, making the system adaptable to different occupants over time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If automated posture monitoring is implemented, then adaptability to different occupants is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single camera device to perform multiple functions: capturing images of the occupant, detecting body measurements, determining current posture, and providing input for seat adjustment control. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate sensors and measurement devices, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining personalized monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing system serves as an intermediary that processes camera images to extract body measurements and posture information, then translates this data into control signals for seat adjustment mechanisms. This intermediary processing layer integrates the optical detection and mechanical control functions, managing system complexity through centralized intelligent processing rather than direct point-to-point connections.
Data Source
AI summary
Various systems and methods are provided for determining a posture of an occupant of a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method comprises capturing images of an occupant in a vehicle via a vehicle camera, determining a current posture of the occupant and a recommended posture for the occupant based on the captured images and body measurements of the occupant, and outputting a guidance based on a difference between the current posture and the recommended posture. In this way, a comfort of the occupant may be increased by guiding the occupant toward a more ergonomic posture.