A decentralized seat control system for seats, each seat having several linearly or angularly movable seat elements. The control system includes a serial data bus; a power supply; smart devices with drives connected to the serial data bus and the power supply, each smart device having a basic function and selectably functioning as an active system master; non-smart devices lacking a control function; a smart control device for controlling the non-smart devices; and a program control unit, wherein the active system master provides control commands to the other smart devices.

A seat adjuster, comprising an adjustable vehicle seat, that may be adjusted by an external force between an initial position and a target position in an interior of a vehicle, the adjustment of the vehicle seat from the initial position into the target position requiring at least pivoting of the vehicle seat about a pivot axis extending from a floor to a ceiling of the vehicle, and an electronic control device for controlling an adjustment drive to adjust the vehicle seat from the initial position into the target position. A characteristic-map memory coupled to the electronic control device is provided, in which characteristic-map memory characteristic-map data for adjustment movements to be carried out by the vehicle seat are stored. The electronic control device controls the adjustment drive by means of the characteristic-map data to adjust the vehicle seat from a current initial position into a certain target position.

A system and method for adjusting seats of different vehicles, wherein the vehicles comprise means for retrieving an identifier of a seat user, wherein the system comprises means for storing data of seat adjustments made by an identified user in a first vehicle which are associated with the user identifier, comprises means for transmitting the seat adjustment data of the first vehicle and user identifier data to a second vehicle of a different type than the first vehicle, and comprises means for converting seat adjustment data of the first vehicle into seat adjustment data of the second vehicle so as to offer the user similar comfort in vehicles of different types.

Systems and methods of a vehicle for sharing vehicle controls are provided. One example system is for sharing vehicle system control of the vehicle with a passenger. The system uses an on-board computer and communications circuitry of the vehicle. The communications circuitry is configured to use a wireless network for accessing the internet and the on-board computer is configured to enable the communications circuitry to provide a wireless connection to a portable device of the passenger of the vehicle. The on-board computer has access to one or more vehicle systems of the vehicle, and via the wireless connection, the on-board computer provides the portable device access to at least one graphical user interface, the graphical user interface includes input options that enable control of settings or functions of one or more of said vehicle systems. The on-board computer is configured to process information associated with a wireless signal of the portable device. The processing of the information is used to identify a location of the portable device inside the vehicle. The location of the portable device is utilized to identify a passenger seat of the vehicle and enable said control of settings or functions that pertain to an environment proximate to the passenger seat that was identified.

A user interface system for a vehicle interior includes a contact surface, a sensor grid and a controller. The sensor grid is configured for variable electrical resistance in response to applied pressure and the controller is configured to detect the electrical resistance of the sensor grid by monitoring a voltage. The controller detects the location of an input from a vehicle occupant, the intensity of the input, and the duration of the input.

A vehicle seat control system comprises a plurality of seats, a plurality of wireless receivers arranged about the seats, a controller for each of the seats, and a data network between the wireless receivers and controllers. Each of the seats has a seat customization function controlled by its controller. The wireless receivers receive a wireless signal from a portable electronic device. At least one of the controllers measures signal strengths and times of flight for the wireless signal using the wireless receivers, analyzes the signal strengths and times of flight to detect a location of the electronic device, and determines if the location is in any of the seating zones. When the location is in one of the seating zones, the seat customization function for the seating zone with the location is controlled according to the electronic device.

A vehicle includes a controller programmed to identify a seating position in the vehicle corresponding to each of a plurality of nomadic devices in communication with the vehicle. The controller is configured to receive at least one seating profile from each of the nomadic devices and adjust seating parameters for each of the seating positions according to the seating profile received from the corresponding nomadic device.

A method of controlling a vehicle seat according to an example of the present disclosure includes analyzing, by a controller, input information transmitted through each switch mounted in a vehicle and classifying the input information according to an input pattern; detecting, by the controller, in which angle range among the plurality of angle ranges belongs the current angle of the seat by analyzing rotation angle information transmitted through the angle detecting sensor of the corresponding seat; controlling, by the controller, an operation of the corresponding seat by using the information of the detected angle range and the input information; and determining, by the controller, whether the operation to the corresponding seat is correct or not.

Embodiments of the invention provide a valve-control assembly for a vehicle seat that includes a pneumatic control valve configured to control at least one seat adjustment function. A control switch is configured to operate the pneumatic control valve, and a cover structure is arranged to one or more of at least partly cover the pneumatic control valve or at least partly surround the control switch. The control switch includes a first tab, and the cover structure includes a second tab. The first tab is configured to engage the second tab, when the control switch is actuated by a predetermined amount, to secure the control switch against movement and thereby secure the pneumatic control valve in an open configuration.

An electronically-activated support positioning system for a passenger seat can include a sensor capable of detecting a tactile input from a passenger and sending a signal, optionally through a controller, to a lock actuator coupled to a lockable hydraulic spring to either lock or unlock the lockable hydraulic spring. The lockable hydraulic spring can control movement of a support of the passenger seat, such as reclining of a seatback. In an example, when tactile input is detected, the lock actuator can unlock the lockable hydraulic spring, allowing an attached seatback to be adjusted. When tactile input is no longer detected, the lock actuator can lock the lockable hydraulic spring, securing the seatback from adjustment. The sensor can be sufficiently small to fit within the confines of an armrest. The sensor can be a microswitch positioned to detect deflection of a tab formed in the wall of the armrest.