Some embodiments are directed to an indicator assembly for indicating an orientation between a vehicle seat back and a seat bottom. The indicator assembly can include an outer plate assembly that is configured to be supported by the seat bottom, and a movable plate that is movably supported by the outer plate assembly. A biasing device can apply a biasing force to bias the movable plate toward the seat back when the outer plate assembly is supported by the seat bottom to thereby define a projecting portion of the movable plate. The biasing device can enable the movable plate to move upon application of a force to the projecting portion that is greater than the biasing force. An indicator can indicate a relative orientation between the seat back and the seat bottom based on the amount of movement of the movable plate.

An occupant detection method includes detecting a load applied to a seat for a vehicle, determining whether or not an occupant is seated at the seat, calculating a load deviation value indicating deviation of the load, determining whether or not the deviation exists at the seat on the basis of the load deviation value, and estimating that a seating posture of the occupant is inclined in a direction in which the load is deviated in a case where it is determined that the deviation exists and that a stable state is established, the stable state corresponding to a state in which a difference between a first change amount in a first cycle and a second change amount in a second cycle is within a predetermined range.

Method for controlling a vehicle including a smartphone-engaging coupling element. Data about operational status of the vehicle is transferred from one or more vehicle-resident systems to a smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element. Commands are received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element, which commands being based in part on data previously transferred from the vehicle-resident system(s) to the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element. A vehicular system, e.g., seat positioning system, mirror positioning system, passenger compartment temperature control system, route guidance or navigation system, changes its operation in accordance with the commands received by the vehicle from the smartphone when the smartphone is engaged with the coupling element.

A seat assembly is provided with a seat bottom, and a seat back extending upright from the seat bottom. At least two side bolster actuators are spaced apart laterally and are provided in bolster regions of at least one of the seat bottom and the seat back. A plurality of sensors is operably connected to the two side bolster actuators to detect a seating position of an occupant. A controller is in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors and the two side bolster actuators. The controller is programmed to receive data from the plurality of sensors. The controller compares the data to determine if the occupant is seated evenly. The controller adjusts at least one of the two side bolster actuators to balance an uneven left-to-right occupant seating position.

A system for adjusting a position of a wheelchair occupant includes a sensor configured to generate sensor data based on the position of the occupant, an adjustment system coupled to a support point on the wheelchair and configured to be coupled to a support point on the occupant's clothing, and a processing circuit. The adjustment system is configured to extend and retract at least one adjustment element to adjust the position of the occupant, and the processing circuit is configured to determine the position of the occupant in the wheelchair based on the sensor data and adjust the adjustment element based on the determined position of the occupant.

Equipment and processes generate a seating solution by obtaining occupant data, calculating body dimensions from the occupant data, and calculating a best-fit body arrangement for an occupant. Occupant data may be obtained in various ways using available computational devices and software or by manually measuring the relevant dimensions on the occupant. A user interface for inputting occupant metrics and/or occupant measurements may be provided in a mobile terminal included in the vehicle or separate from the vehicle, thus giving users increased flexibility while maximizing simplicity and usability for the user or other personnel obtaining the data. Once an occupant's best-fit body arrangement is determined, it may be altered by changing the predetermined criteria to achieve optimum comfort, safety, and therapeutic benefit as well as used for providing improved comfort on a continuous basis and/or in response to detected or predicted vehicle, road, or atmospheric conditions.

An apparatus includes an object for sitting or lying on, a plurality of sensors arranged within the object for sitting or lying on, and a signal processing unit connected to the sensors. The signal processing unit is provided to generate, on the basis of the sensor signals, an output signal which describes a posture and/or a movement of a person using the object for sitting or lying on. The generated output signal indicates a center of gravity of the person and/or a physiological process occurring in the person.

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular for commercial vehicles, comprising a seat part and a backrest, wherein the vehicle seat has an apparatus for detecting seat occupancy, which comprises at least one first detection device and at least one second detection device, wherein the at least one first detection device is suitable and intended for detecting occupancy of the seat part, wherein the at least one second detection device is suitable and intended for detecting occupancy of the backrest.

An occupant detection method includes detecting a load applied to a seat for a vehicle, determining whether or not an occupant is seated at the seat, calculating a load deviation value indicating deviation of the load, determining whether or not the deviation exists at the seat on the basis of the load deviation value, and estimating that a seating posture of the occupant is inclined in a direction in which the load is deviated in a case where it is determined that the deviation exists and that a stable state is established, the stable state corresponding to a state in which a difference between a first change amount in a first cycle and a second change amount in a second cycle is within a predetermined range.

A display system mounted within a vehicle is provided, where the system monitors the user's position within the vehicle's seat and automatically adjusts the location of the display to compensate for variations in the size or seating position of the user, thereby helping to alleviate the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time.