Configuration of a massage program for a massage device of a vehicle seat

Abstract

A method for configuring a massage program of a massage device of a vehicle seat by an electronic control unit, which is connected indirectly or directly to at least one control unit for the vehicle seat of the vehicle. When configuring the created massage program, at least one element of the vehicle seat, to which element pressure can be applied, is controlled by means of the electronic control unit, wherein the vehicle seat control unit outputs the massage program after the start of the massage program in accordance with the configuration performed by controlling the individual elements, to which pressure can be applied, in the vehicle seat. It is provided that, within the configuration for creating the massage program, at least one configuration step is performed by the electronic control unit and at least one configuration step is performed directly at the seat part and/or at the backrest part.

Claims

1. A method for initializing a massage program of a massage device of a vehicle seat of a vehicle via an electronic control unit that communicates indirectly or directly with at least one controller of the vehicle seat of the vehicle, the method comprising: controlling at least one pressurizable element of the vehicle seat via the electronic control unit through the at least one controller of the vehicle seat during a configuration of the massage program; controlling the at least one pressurizable element of the vehicle seat directly via an actuator during the configuration of the massage program; outputting the massage program via the controller of the vehicle seat, after the start of the massage program, the massage program controlling individual pressurizable elements in the vehicle seat in accordance with the configuration; performing, during the configuration of the massage program, at least one first configuration step via the electronic control unit and recording a corresponding first pressure controlled by the electronic control unit as a first part of the configuration; and performing at least one second configuration step via the actuator directly at a seat portion and/or at a backrest portion of the vehicle seat and recording a corresponding second pressure controlled directly via the actuator as a second part of the configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first configuration step is performed on a mobile electronic control unit and/or on a control unit that is permanently located in the vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the massage program is created in a mobile electronic control unit via an application program and is transmitted wirelessly or over wires through an access point to a transmitting and receiving unit of the vehicle, and wherein signals of the transmitting and receiving unit of the vehicle is routed through a vehicle-internal communication line to the controller of the vehicle seat of the vehicle, which outputs commands for controlling individual pressurizable elements of the at least one pressurized element in the vehicle seat after the start of the massage program.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the massage program is created in the electronic control unit that is permanently located in the vehicle via an application program and is transmitted wirelessly or over wires through a vehicle-internal communication line to the controller of the vehicle seat of the vehicle, which outputs commands for controlling individual pressurizable elements of the at least one pressurized element in the vehicle seat after the start of the massage program.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first configuration step by the electronic control unit includes an initial operating action at a user interface of the electronic control unit in which at least one time slice is defined, wherein, after the initial operating action and within the at least one time slice, at least one recording of at least one pressurizable element of the vehicle seat is started by another operating action at the user interface of the electronic control unit after a start of the at least one recording, wherein, after the at least one first configuration step and within the at least one time slice, the at least one second configuration step is performed directly at the seat portion and/or backrest portion by a further operating action being performed directly on at least one first pressurizable element of pressurizable elements of the at least one pressurizable element in which the at least one pressurizable element is pressurized, and wherein a specifiable pressure resulting from the further operating action for a time period depends on the duration of the further operating action.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein multiple recordings of the at least one pressurizable element are recorded in a time slice.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein at least one or multiple recordings is/are recorded individually or simultaneously of one or more pressurizable elements in a time slice.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein multiple time slices are recorded, wherein one or more time slices with one or more recordings apiece are executed consecutively after the massage program is started following completion of the configuration, wherein the time slices are configured in the configuration or available as a selectable adaptable sequence, or a combination thereof.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the recording within a particular time slice of the at least one time slice that has a maximum time period detected in a timekeeping component of the electronic control unit is defined and output within the massage program as a duration of the particular time slice.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein p.sub.n/t.sub.n characteristic curves that have been recorded in separate recordings of one and the same pressurized element in a time slice are superimposed after their recording, where p.sub.n identifies pressure for an n pressurized element and t.sub.n identifies the time slice for the n pressurized element being pressurized, wherein the recording within a particular time slice of at least one time slice with a maximum time period in a timekeeping component of the electronic control unit determines a maximum duration of the separate recordings, and wherein maximum measured pressures in the separate recordings are combined into a common overall p.sub.n/t.sub.n characteristic curve of a pressure pattern at each point in time in the maximum time period.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding second pressure (p) is recorded over time (t) forming a pressure curve (p/t) for the at least one pressurizable element, the pressure curve forming the second part of the configuration of the massage program.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the controlling of the at least one pressurizable element directly via the actuator is recorded by at least one pressure sensor as the second part of the configuration for the massage program.

13. A configuration system for configuring a massage program of a massage device of a vehicle seat of a vehicle, the configuration system comprising: at least one electronic control unit that is connected directly or indirectly to at least one controller of the vehicle seat of the vehicle; at least one pressurizable element in the vehicle seat, the at least one pressurizable element being connected to the controller of the vehicle seat of the vehicle and being controlled through the at least one electronic control unit; at least one actuator associated with the at least one pressurizable element of the vehicle seat, the at least one actuator being connected to the at least one controller of the vehicle seat of the vehicle and the at least one actuator filling or emptying the at least one pressurizable element with a fluid medium, the at least one actuator configured for directly controlling the at least one pressurizable element of the vehicle seat during the configuration of the massage program; and at least one pressure sensor associated with the at least one pressurizable element, the at least one pressure sensor being connected to the at least one controller of the vehicle seat of the vehicle and sensing a pressure over time (p/t) in the at least one pressurizable element in order to sense pressure patterns to form a configuration of the massage program.

14. The configuration system of claim 13, wherein the at least one electronic control unit records the pressure patterns from the filling and emptying of the at least one pressurizable element by the at least one actuator and stores the pressure patterns as the configuration for the massage program, the filling and emptying being detected by the at least one pressure sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a user interface of an electronic control unit;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a vehicle seat with pressurizable element;

(4) FIG. 3A shows the vehicle seat with two elements in a backrest portion of the vehicle seat that are pressurized with a maximum pressure;

(5) FIG. 3B shows the vehicle seat with two elements in the backrest portion of the vehicle seat, wherein the pressure is less than the maximum pressure shown in the pressurized elements in FIG. 3A;

(6) FIG. 3C shows the vehicle seat with two elements in the backrest portion of the vehicle seat that are pressurized with the maximum pressure and two elements in a seat portion of the vehicle seat that are pressurized with a maximum pressure;

(7) FIG. 3D shows the vehicle seat with two pressurized elements in the backrest portion of the vehicle seat, wherein one element is pressurized with the maximum pressure and the second element is pressurized with a lower pressure;

(8) FIG. 4A shows a characteristic curve of a pressure pattern of a pressurizable element in a first recording;

(9) FIG. 4B shows a characteristic curve of a pressure pattern of the same pressurizable element from FIG. 4A in a second recording; and

(10) FIG. 4C shows a characteristic curve of a pressure pattern of the pressurizable element consolidated from the pressure patterns from FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B in the first and second recordings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) FIG. 1 shows by way of example an electronic control unit 100, 100′ with an operator interface/user interface B, in particular a touch screen, through which user entries to a massage device of the vehicle are entered.

(12) The representation in FIG. 1 is, for example, a mobile (can be used outside and inside the vehicle seat) electronic control unit 100.

(13) An electronic control unit 100′ that is permanently installed in the vehicle, which in particular likewise has a touch screen and is located, for example, on a center console of the vehicle or in a position associated with a seating space, can also be used for user input.

(14) The permanent electronic control unit 100′ is connected wirelessly, preferably in a wired manner, to a controller (not shown) of the vehicle seat 10 of a vehicle. The electronic control unit 100′ and the controller that is not shown in detail exchange data with one another in both directions.

(15) The mobile electronic control unit 100 can be a cell phone, a tablet computer, or a notebook, for example. The mobile electronic control unit 100 includes a transmitting and receiving unit. The transmitting and receiving unit 100 of the mobile electronic control unit 100 is connected wirelessly, at least at times, through a radio link to a transmitting and receiving unit of the controller of the vehicle seat 10. The mobile electronic control unit 100 can also exchange data with the controller of the vehicle seat 10 in a wired manner so that transmitting and receiving units are not required. The mobile electronic control unit 100 and the controller that is not shown in detail of the vehicle seat 10 preferably exchange data wirelessly with one another in both directions.

(16) In summary, data can be exchanged indirectly or directly, in a wireless and/or wired manner, between the electronic control unit 100, 100′ that is mobile or permanently located in the vehicle and the controller of the massage device of the vehicle 10.

(17) Provision is made in accordance with the invention that the relevant control unit 100, 100′ has a graphical user interface B, which displays control elements B1, B2, B3 in the functionally required quantity in one or more levels so that user input can be entered with the help of the graphical user interface B. As a result, the user inputs can advantageously be entered especially easily and quickly.

(18) For example, operation can take place by means of a graphical user interface B on the touch screen of a cell phone, as is illustrated in FIG. 1.

(19) It is a matter of course that gesture control may also be used for entering user inputs, both at the mobile electronic control unit 100 and at the permanent electronic control unit 100′.

(20) In the exemplary embodiment, a visualization element V1 depicting a vehicle seat 10, which includes a seat portion 12 and a backrest portion 14, is located on the user interface B.

(21) The user interface B includes a control element B1 for a user input with the title “Recording” A.sub.n (n=number of recordings) and a control element B2 for a user input with the title “New Time Slice” or “Next Time Slice” Z.sub.n (n=number of time slices).

(22) The control element B1 is multifunctional, for example, and at first prompts by means of a label for a recording as “first recording” A.sub.n=1 or “next recording” A.sub.n+1 and so on.

(23) When the control element B1 is pressed, the “first recording” A.sub.1 or the “next recording” A.sub.2 starts. The label changes after each start and prompts to “stop the relevant recording” A.sub.1 or A.sub.2 and so on. Then the label changes again, so that a “next recording” A.sub.n+1 and so on is called for.

(24) The vehicle seat 10 represented in FIG. 2 is intended to illustrate the real vehicle seat 10 located in a vehicle, which is shown in the at least one visualization element V1 of the user interface B in FIG. 1.

(25) The vehicle seat 10 has multiple pressurizable elements SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n, which are located under the surface of the seat cushion of the seat portion 12 or of the backrest cushion of the backrest portion 14, for example.

(26) To illustrate the invention, four cushion-like pressurizable elements SE.sub.n (n=1 to 4) are shown in the seat portion 12, and ten cushion-like pressurizable elements RE.sub.n (n=1 to 10) are shown in the backrest portion 14.

(27) For simplification, the discussion below refers to pressure cushions SE.sub.n in the seat portion 12 and pressure cushions RE.sub.n in the backrest portion 14.

(28) It is possible to distribute a multiplicity of pressure cushions SE.sub.n in the seat portion 12 and pressure cushions RE.sub.n in the backrest portion 14.

(29) The pressure cushions SE.sub.n and RE.sub.n are connected to the controller of the vehicle seat 10 by actuators and pressure sensors (not shown in detail) that are associated with them.

(30) Stored in the controller of the vehicle seat 10, for example by the factory, is at least one massage program, which controls the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n through the actuators and pressure sensors that are not shown in detail in such a manner that the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n—individually, in combination, or following one another in a time sequence—are filled with a medium as the pressure is increased over time, or the medium is removed again from individual the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n as the pressure is reduced over time.

(31) The medium is air, for example; however, other media can also be used that are capable of influencing the pressure over time and thus the pressure pattern over time in the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n. Such a massage program can be retrieved when a vehicle user is traveling with the motor vehicle.

(32) If the vehicle user wishes to configure an individual massage program tailored to his specific needs, then in the configuration method according to the invention he performs certain configuration steps directly at the vehicle seat 10 and certain configuration steps at the mobile and/or fixed electronic control unit 100, 100′, wherein the configuration of the configuration steps at the mobile electronic control unit 100 takes place by means of an application program called an app, as explained below.

(33) The application program is configured specifically for massage programs, wherein the invention makes provision that configuration steps performed directly at the vehicle seat 10 are displayed in the visualization element V1, as is likewise explained below.

(34) Provision is made that after the massage-specific application program/application software is invoked on the user interface B of the mobile and/or fixed electronic control unit 100, the vehicle seat 10 with the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n is displayed on the user interface B, wherein the seat portion 12 in the exemplary embodiment has the pressure cushions SE.sub.1, SE.sub.2, SE.sub.3, SE.sub.4 and the backrest portion 14 in the exemplary embodiment has the pressure cushions RE.sub.1, RE.sub.2, RE.sub.3, RE.sub.4, RE.sub.5, RE.sub.6, RE.sub.7, RE.sub.8, RE.sub.9, RE.sub.10.

(35) Further provision is made that each pressure cushion SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n is coupled to the pressure sensor that is not described in detail. The pressure sensors communicate with the electronic control unit 100, 100′ through the controller of the vehicle seat 10 via the application program, and detect every pressure change in the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, SE.sub.n, wherein pressure sensors that are very sensitive to pressure changes are used. This means that a changing pressure can be determined correspondingly rapidly and with high accuracy. The pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n have ambient pressure in an unfilled initial state.

(36) Furthermore, a timekeeper T.sub.n is associated in the application program with each pressure cushion SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n.

(37) By means of the timekeeper T.sub.n (n=1, 2, 3 . . . ), a pressure pattern p.sub.n in the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n can be detected over time t.sub.n (see FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, in particular) within a time period ΔT.sub.n associated with the time slices Z.sub.n.

(38) The defined time period ΔT.sub.n is associated with at least one time slice Z.sub.n (nth time slice), wherein equal or different time periods ΔT.sub.n can be associated with each time slice Z.sub.n, as explained below.

(39) Provision is made according to the invention that the area of a part of the body (buttocks and/or back) of a seated person to be massaged is/are not configured on the mobile and/or fixed electronic control unit 100, 100′, but instead directly at the vehicle seat 10, wherein according to the invention provision is made for all configuration steps explained below that the configuration can be edited at the mobile and/or fixed electronic control unit 100, 100′.

(40) The configuration steps are explained by way of example below in a synopsis based on FIGS. 1 and 3A through 3D:

(41) Configuration Step—“Select at Least One Time Slice Z.sub.n”:

(42) At the user interface B of the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′, the user selects the control element B2 with the title “New Time Slice” or “Next Time Slice” Z.sub.n (n=number of time slices).

(43) If no time slice Z.sub.n is defined yet, the time slice Z.sub.1 is defined as the “New Time Slice.” The first configuration step as an operating action of the user thus takes place at the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′.

(44) Configuration Step—“Create at Least One Recording A.sub.n (n=1)”:

(45) The user actuates a region in the center of the backrest area of the backrest portion 14 in the sense of a pressure actuation on at least one of the pressure cushions RE.sub.n from the example in FIG. 3A directly at the vehicle seat 10, so that pressure is applied to the pressure cushions RE.sub.5 and RE.sub.6 as indicated by the crosshatching.

(46) At the start of the operating action at the vehicle seat 10, the control element B1 at the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′ is actuated for a user input with the title “New Recording” if this is the first recording, causing a first pressure pattern p.sub.5/t.sub.5 and p.sub.6/t.sub.6 for the pressure cushions RE.sub.5 and RE.sub.6 to be recorded in a recording A.sub.1 within the first time slice Z.sub.1.

(47) In this exemplary embodiment, the crosshatching means that the pressure actuation at the two pressure cushions RE.sub.5 and RE.sub.6 has taken place such that the two pressure cushions RE.sub.5 and RE.sub.6 have been pressurized to 100% with a maximum pressure p.sub.5max, p.sub.6max within the time t.sub.0 to t.sub.5 and t.sub.0 to t.sub.6. The second configuration step with two operating actions by the user thus takes place at the vehicle seat 10 and at the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′ in combination.

(48) In the application program, the times t.sub.5 and t.sub.6 are assigned at 100% to a timekeeping component T.sub.n so that it is possible to determine what time periods ΔT.sub.n have elapsed from t.sub.0 to t.sub.5 and t.sub.0 to t.sub.6 between the start operating action at the control element B1 and the stop operating action at the control element B1.

(49) As long as no additional recordings A.sub.n take place, the time period ΔT.sub.5/ΔT.sub.6 with the longest duration is detected as the maximum time period ΔT.sub.5max/ΔT.sub.6max for the first time slice Z.sub.1.

(50) Essentially, a configuration of the massage program is thus already completed in two configuration steps; if no further configuration takes place, the control of the actuators of the pressure cushions SE.sub.A, RE.sub.n is carried out when the massage program is started through actuation of a start/stop control element B3 implemented as a control area of the touch screen of the electronic control unit 100, 100′, so that the desired massage function takes place according to the above-described configuration, and therefore the pressure cushions RE.sub.5 and RE.sub.6 are pneumatically or hydraulically filled with a fluid medium to 100% with a predefinable pressure and emptied again during the first time slice Z.sub.1 in accordance with the stored first pressure pattern p.sub.5/t.sub.5 and p.sub.6/t.sub.6 for the pressure cushions RE.sub.5 and RE.sub.6.

(51) By again actuating the start/stop control element B3 implemented as a control area on the touch screen at any time after the start of the massage program, the program can be stopped before the termination automatically provided in the configuration.

(52) Configuration Step (Optional)—“Create Multiple Recordings A.sub.n (n>1)”:

(53) According to the invention, multiple recordings A.sub.n (n>1) can be entered in each time slice Z.sub.n and are correspondingly combined, as will be explained on the basis of FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C.

(54) The user selects the control element B1 on the user interface B of the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′ with the title “New Recording” or “Next Recording” A.sub.n. Since a recording A.sub.1 is already present in time slice Z.sub.1, a “Next Recording” A.sub.2 in the time slice Z.sub.1 is automatically offered to the user in the control area of the control element B1. The user now proceeds as already described in the configuration step “Create multiple recordings A.sub.n (n>1).”

(55) In so doing, the user can again select one of the pressure cushions RE.sub.5 or RE.sub.6 or both pressure cushions RE.sub.5 and RE.sub.6 so that two recordings A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are present for one of the pressure cushions RE.sub.5 or RE.sub.6 or both pressure cushions RE.sub.5 and RE.sub.6, as explained below.

(56) However, the user can also select other pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n, so that a complete massage configuration has taken place within the first time slice Z.sub.1.

(57) After the stop operating action at the control element B1, the time periods ΔT.sub.n of the timekeeping component T.sub.n that have elapsed between t.sub.0 and t.sub.1 are associated with each of the recordings A.sub.n by the application program, so it is now possible to determine which time period ΔT.sub.n is present as the maximum time period ΔT.sub.nmax when all recordings A.sub.n are taken into account, wherein the maximum time period ΔT.sub.nmax detected in the timekeeping component T.sub.n (see FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C) is defined as the time period for the first time slice Z.sub.1. In other words, the first time slice Z.sub.1 always has a time period that represents the maximum time period ΔT.sub.nmax of at least one of the recordings A.sub.n performed during the first time slice Z.sub.1.

(58) Configuration Step (Optional)—“Select at Least One Additional Time Slice Z.sub.n (n>1)”:

(59) To configure another, next time slice Z.sub.n (n>1), the user selects the control element B2 with the title “Next Time Slice” Z.sub.n (n=number of time slices) on the user interface B of the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′.

(60) If a time slice Z.sub.1 is already defined, the user is automatically offered a “New Time Slice,” the time slice Z.sub.2, in the control area of the control element B1.

(61) In a next time slice Z.sub.2, it is possible to proceed according to the configuration step “Create at least one recording A.sub.n (n=1)” or the configuration step “Create multiple recordings A.sub.n (n>1).”

(62) The massage configuration can thus include multiple time slices Z.sub.n, which are configured according to the above-described configuration steps “Create at least one recording A.sub.n (n=1)” or “Create multiple recordings A.sub.n (n>1),” wherein it is possible according to the invention to change the sequence of the time slices Z.sub.n and/or to leave out already-configured time slices Z.sub.n and/or to repeat already-configured time slices Z.sub.n by means of the application program within the electronic control unit 100, 100′.

(63) To illustrate the invention, additional time slices Z.sub.n are explained by way of example on the basis of FIGS. 3B to 3D.

(64) A Second Time Slice Z.sub.2:

(65) According to the step “Select at least one additional time slice Z.sub.n (n>1),” for example in order to additionally configure another, next time slice Z.sub.2 (n>1) that is different from the first time slice Z.sub.1, the user has selected the control element B2 with the title “Next Time Slice” Z.sub.n (n=the number of time slices) on the user interface B of the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′ for further configuration.

(66) As shown in FIG. 3B, in accordance with “Create at least one recording A.sub.n (n=1)” the user actuates a region in the center between two pressure cushions RE.sub.1, RE.sub.3 in the backrest area of the backrest portion 14 in the sense of a pressure actuation, so that the pressure cushions RE.sub.1 and RE.sub.3 are pressurized uniformly or non-uniformly by an operating action, as is symbolized by diagonal hatching in contrast to the crosshatching in FIG. 3A.

(67) At the start of the operating action on the vehicle seat 10, the control element B1 at the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′ is once again actuated in the next time slice Z.sub.2 for a user entry with the title “New Recording” if this is the first recording, causing a pressure pattern p.sub.1/t.sub.1 and a pressure pattern p.sub.3/t.sub.3 for the pressure cushions RE.sub.1 and RE.sub.3 to be recorded in a recording A.sub.1 within the second time slice Z.sub.2.

(68) In this exemplary embodiment, the diagonal hatching means that the pressure actuation at the two pressure cushions RE.sub.1 and RE.sub.3 has taken place such that, for example within the time t.sub.1 and t.sub.3, the two pressure cushions RE.sub.1 and RE.sub.3 have been pressurized to 50% with a pressure distributed 50%/50% between the pressure cushions. It is a matter of course that the step “Create multiple recordings A.sub.n (n>1),” which permits additional recordings A.sub.n in the second time slice Z.sub.2, can once again follow in the second time slice Z.sub.2.

(69) A Third Time Slice Z.sub.3:

(70) According to the step “Select at least one additional time slice Z.sub.n (n>1),” for example in order to additionally configure another, next time slice Z.sub.3 (n>1) that is different from the other time slices Z.sub.n, the user has selected the control element B2 with the title “Next Time Slice” Z.sub.n (n=the number of time slices) on the user interface B of the electronic control unit 100, 100′ for further configuration.

(71) As shown in FIG. 3C, in accordance with the step “Create at least one recording A.sub.n (n=1)” the user actuates an arbitrary pattern of pressure cushions SE.sub.2, SE.sub.4 in the seat portion 12 and RE.sub.6, RE.sub.9 in the backrest portion 14 in the sense of a pressure actuation.

(72) At the start of the operating action on the vehicle seat 10, the control element B1 at the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′ is actuated for a user entry with the title “New Recording” if this is the first recording, causing the pressure patterns p.sub.2/t.sub.2 and p.sub.4/t.sub.4 for the pressure cushions SE.sub.n in the seat portion 12 and the pressure patterns p.sub.6/t.sub.6 and p.sub.9/t.sub.9 for the pressure cushions RE.sub.n in the backrest portion 14 to be recorded in a recording A.sub.1 within the third time slice Z.sub.3.

(73) In this exemplary embodiment, the crosshatching means, analogously, that the pressure actuation at the pressure cushions SE.sub.2, SE.sub.4 in the seat portion 12 and RE.sub.6, RE.sub.9 in the backrest portion 14 has taken place such that the pressure cushions SE.sub.2, SE.sub.4, RE.sub.6, RE.sub.9 have been pressurized to 100% with a maximum pressure p.sub.2max, p.sub.4max, p.sub.6max, p.sub.9max within the times t.sub.2, t.sub.4, t.sub.6, t.sub.9. It is a matter of course that the configuration step “Create multiple recordings A.sub.n (n>1),” which permits additional recordings A.sub.n in the third time slice Z.sub.3, can once again follow in the third time slice Z.sub.3.

(74) The user's operating action of four pressure cushions SE.sub.2, SE.sub.4, RE.sub.6, RE.sub.9 simultaneously is not readily possible, which will be discussed later. In this respect, the above example illustrates a method of configuration according to the invention that includes that the pressure cushions SE.sub.2, SE.sub.4, RE.sub.6, RE.sub.9 can be actuated simultaneously or not simultaneously within a time slice Z.sub.3 within a recording A.sub.n. In other words, the pressure cushions SE.sub.2, SE.sub.4, RE.sub.6, RE.sub.9 can be pressed in parallel, with overlap, or sequentially, wherein the pressure on the pressure cushions SE.sub.2, SE.sub.4, RE.sub.6, RE.sub.9 can likewise vary in a recording A.sub.n or from recording A.sub.1 to recording A.sub.2 and so on.

(75) A fourth time slice Z.sub.4:

(76) According to the step “Select at least one additional time slice Z.sub.n (n>1),” for example in order to additionally configure another, next time slice Z.sub.4 (n>1) that is different from the other time slices Z.sub.n, the user has selected the control element B2 with the title “Next Time Slice” Z.sub.n (n=the number of time slices) on the user interface B of the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′ for further configuration.

(77) As shown in FIG. 3D, in accordance with the configuration step “Create at least one recording A.sub.n (n=1)” the user actuates two pressure cushions RE.sub.5, RE.sub.7 in the backrest portion 14 in the sense of a pressure actuation.

(78) At the start of the operating action on the vehicle seat 10, the control element B1 at the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′ is actuated for a user entry with the title “New Recording” if this is the first recording, causing the pressure patterns p.sub.5/t.sub.5 and p.sub.7/t.sub.7 for the pressure cushions RE.sub.n in the backrest portion 14 to be recorded in a recording A.sub.1 within the fourth time slice Z.sub.4.

(79) In this exemplary embodiment, the crosshatching and the diagonal hatching mean that the pressure actuation at the pressure cushions RE.sub.5, RE.sub.7 in the backrest portion 14 has taken place such that the pressure cushions RE.sub.5, RE.sub.7 have been pressurized to 100% at the pressure cushion and to 50% at the pressure cushion RE.sub.5 within the times t.sub.5, t.sub.7. It is a matter of course that the configuration step “Create multiple recordings A.sub.n (n>1),” which permits additional recordings A.sub.n within the time slice Z.sub.4, can once again follow in the fourth time slice Z.sub.4.

(80) With regard to the operating action on the vehicle seat 10:

(81) Various operating actions in the configuration steps directly at the vehicle seat 10 have been explained above, wherein it was made clear that the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n can be pressed in parallel, with overlap, or sequentially.

(82) Provision is made according to the invention that the user presses his finger or palm on the surface of the seat portion 12 and/or the surface of the backrest portion 14, with the user activating, in particular pressing, the points or areas that he wants for his massage program. In this process, the actuation takes place unconsciously either point-by-point or near exactly one pressure cushion SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n or, as explained, point-by-point or near multiple pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n at the same time.

(83) In this regard, it is not ruled out by the invention that the operating action takes place with multiple fingers and/or palms so that, for example, two or more pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n can be pressed (configured) at the same time or in succession, or areas of two or more pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n can be pressed (configured) at the same time or in succession. In other words, it is possible to press point-by-point or area-by-area near different, non-contiguous pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n with different pressure and/or different time periods ΔT.sub.n using one hand and using the other hand.

(84) The application program according to the invention is programmed such that recommendations are output to the user during a recording A.sub.n within a time slice Z.sub.n so that the actuators of the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n are not overloaded. In other words, it is ensured (it is ensured independently of the recommendations) that the operating actions within the configuration steps can also be managed by the system within the configured massage program.

(85) With regard to visualization on the electronic control unit 100, 100′:

(86) Provision is made according to the invention that the configured pressure patterns p.sub.n/t.sub.n of the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n for each recording A.sub.n in the time slices Z.sub.n can be visualized in that the pressure of the individual pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n is represented on the display of the control area B by a color pattern at the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n.

(87) In an auxiliary function, the pressure patterns p.sub.n/t.sub.n of the pressure cushions SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n for each recording A.sub.n in the time slices Z.sub.n can also be visualized as characteristic curves where appropriate, as is shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, for example, and explained below.

(88) The visualization of the characteristic curves and the determination of a pressure pattern of a pressure cushion SE.sub.n, RE.sub.n actuated multiple times in multiple recordings A.sub.n (n>1) within a time slice Z.sub.n:

(89) An example on the basis of the pressure cushion RE.sub.7 from FIG. 3D:

(90) In accordance with FIG. 3D, the user actuates a pressure cushion RE.sub.7 in the backrest portion 14 in the sense of a pressure actuation in two sequential or non-sequential recordings A.sub.n (n>1) according to the step “Create multiple recordings A.sub.n (n>1).”

(91) In a first recording A.sub.1 within the fourth time slice Z.sub.4, the pressure in pressure cushion RE.sub.7 is slowly increased over the time from t.sub.0 to t.sub.7max, as is shown in the pressure pattern characteristic curve 1 in FIG. 4A.

(92) The pressure peak, for example ×100% (p.sub.7max), occurs at a later point in time as compared to the pressure pattern 2 in FIG. 4B.

(93) In a second recording A.sub.2 within the fourth time slice Z.sub.4, the pressure in pressure cushion RE.sub.7 is rapidly increased over the time from t.sub.0 to t.sub.7<t.sub.7max, as is shown in the pressure pattern characteristic curve 2 in FIG. 4B.

(94) The pressure peak 100% (p.sub.7max) occurs at an earlier point in time as compared to the pressure pattern 2 in FIG. 4B.

(95) In this case, the pressure peaks can have different magnitudes, in contrast to the exemplary embodiment.

(96) Moreover, it is evident that the time periods ΔT.sub.7 of the recordings A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 have different lengths.

(97) In accordance with FIG. 4C, the characteristic curves from FIGS. 4A and 4B are superimposed and the highest respective pressures p.sub.7max, t.sub.7max (FIG. 4A) and p.sub.7max, t.sub.7 (FIG. 4B) at each point in time are combined into an overall characteristic curve.

(98) The overall pressure is thus obtained from the relevant “recorded” measured maximum individual pressures p.sub.nmax, t.sub.0 along the time axis t.sub.n, by means of which an overall characteristic curve, and thus a pressure profile for the pressure cushion RE.sub.Q within the time slice Z.sub.n, is created according to FIG. 4C.

(99) In this process, the length of the pressure pattern thus consolidated is assigned the maximum time period t.sub.nmax of a recording A.sub.n that has been configured or detected in the exemplary embodiment as ΔT.sub.7max in the pressure pattern 1 of the first recording A.sub.1 within the fourth time slice Z.sub.4.

(100) Optionally, provision can be made that a selection is made on the user interface B of the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′ as to whether the entire region and thus the entire surface of the seat portion 12 and/or the entire surface of the backrest portion 14 can be configured.

(101) It is possible that the user in this context is already sitting on the vehicle seat 10, so that the entire surface of the seat portion 12 is already pressed, so a configuration is present that is not recognized or not possible. For this case, the configuration of the seat portion 12 for massage purposes can be excluded via the user interface B of the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′, or it is automatically detected using the occupant-presence detection that the user is already sitting on the vehicle seat 10, so that the configuration of the seat portion 12 is automatically excluded and only configuration of the backrest portion 14 is allowed.

(102) In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle seat 10 and the relevant electronic control unit 100, 100′ are equipped to perform the method for configuring the massage program. To this end, the vehicle, in particular the vehicle seat 10, includes a controller, and the mobile and/or permanently installed electronic control unit 100, 100′ is connected with the vehicle-side controller for mutual data exchange, wherein computer-readable program algorithms in the electronic control unit 100, 100′ and the controller communicate with one another in such a manner that the method can be executed, wherein necessary characteristic maps are stored in the program algorithms if applicable.

(103) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.