Method and System for Controlling Seat Function in Vehicle

Abstract

A method for controlling at least one of a seat function and a comfort function with an operating unit, and with an onboard control device and a vehicle seat in a vehicle includes the following steps: Establishing a connection between an operating unit or a server and the onboard control device; Identifying the user; Selecting at least one of a seat function and a comfort function; and Selecting at least one given seat function option and/or comfort function option. A related system for controlling the seat function is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for controlling one of a seat function and a comfort function with an operating unit, and with an onboard control device and a vehicle seat in a vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: Establishing a connection between the onboard control device and one of an operating unit and a server; Identifying the user; Selecting at least one of a seat function and a comfort function; and Selecting at least one given seat function option and/or comfort function option.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operating unit is a network-compatible terminal device, especially selected from a computer, smartphone, tablet or navigation device.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the establishment of a connection includes the establishment of a connection between the control device and the operating unit and the establishment of a connection between the operating unit and a server or the establishment of a connection between the control device and the server, wherein an identification key is exchanged between the operating unit and the control device and/or the server.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the seat function is selected from: a lateral seat position, a vertical seat position, a seat surface inclination, a backrest inclination, a lateral support function, a lumbar support function, a seat heating, and a massage function.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the connection between operating unit and control unit includes an internet connection and a direct wireless connection.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control device transmits the selected seat function and/or comfort function options to one or several additional control devices for controlling the respective seat function and/or comfort function.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of a seat function and/or comfort function and/or the selection of one or several given seat function options is stored in a user profile in the operating unit or in the server.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of one or several given seat function and/or comfort function options is forwarded to an accounting system.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the seat functions and/or comfort function are reset to an initial state upon leaving the vehicle.

10. A system for controlling a seat function and/or comfort function in a vehicle, the system comprising: an operating unit; and a control device and a vehicle seat in a vehicle; wherein the operating unit has one or several data interfaces; wherein the control device has at least one receiver and the control device is connected to the vehicle; and wherein the vehicle seat is equipped with one or several seat functions and/or the vehicle is equipped with one or several comfort functions, which in each case can take a given position or a given function by means of a control command of the control device.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the operating unit is a network-compatible terminal device, especially selected from a computer, smartphone, tablet or navigation device.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the establishment of a connection comprises the establishment of a connection between the control device and the operating unit and the establishment of a connection between the operating unit and a server or the establishment of a connection between the control device and the server, and wherein an identification key is exchanged between the operating unit and the control device and/or the server.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the seat function is selected from: a lateral seat position, a vertical seat position, a seat surface inclination, a backrest inclination, a lateral support function, a lumbar support function, a seat heating, and a massage function.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the operating unit includes an interface for an internet connection and at least one sender for an optical connection or radio connection and wherein the control unit includes an interface for an internet connection and at least one receiver for the optical connection or radio connection.

15. The system according to claim 10, further including at least one additional control devices, which are suitable for controlling at least one seat function and communicating with the control device.

16. The system according to claim 10, further including a data storage for storing a user profile, wherein the data storage is arranged in the operating unit or in the server or a cloud.

17. The system according to claim 10, further including an accounting system.

18. A computer program product for executing a method according to claim 1.

19. A data carrier including the computer program product according to claim 18.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The disclosure will be explained in more detail below, also with regard to additional features and advantages, and with reference to the enclosed drawings, which show in each case in a schematic diagram:

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system to control a seat function;

[0038] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of connections between the individual system components;

[0039] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a first embodiment of a method according to the disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 4 a flowchart showing a second embodiment of a method according to the disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of a method according to the disclosure; and

[0042] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment of a method according to the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a system for controlling a seat function in a vehicle 2. The system comprises an operating unit 10 and an onboard control device 6 as well as a vehicle seat 4 in the vehicle 2. In the embodiment shown, the operating unit 10 is a smartphone or tablet in which an app of a car sharing provider is installed. Such a smartphone or tablet has at least the possibility to connect to the internet. The app offers the possibility of storing a user profile. Such data can be locally stored in the operating unit 10 or in a server 12.

[0044] The onboard control device 6 has at least one receiver, preferably also one sender, and the control device 6 is connected to the vehicle 2. The vehicle seat 4 is equipped with one or several seat functions, for example an electronic seat adjustment, a seat heating or a lumbar support function and a massage system. Furthermore, the vehicle can be equipped with one or several comfort functions, such as a seat heating with optional cooling function. An additional control device 8 that controls the air supply to the provided massage bubbles for the vehicle seat 4 through valves is provided here for operating a massage system, for example. The massage system is expediently equipped with a programmable massage program sequence. In principle, it is also possible for the control device 8 to also include the functions of the control device 6.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the system. With the onboard control device 6, the operating unit 10 can be directly connected to the data transfer. Furthermore, the system includes a connection to a server 12 originating from the operating unit 10 and the onboard control device 6. The connection to the server 12 is especially a network connection or internet-based connection. However, it is possible to replace one of the three connections shown between operating unit 10, onboard control device 6, and server 12 with a connection, especially a tunnel connection, by means of one of the components, so that for example a direct communication between the onboard control device 6 and server 12 is replaced by a tunnel connection by means of the operating unit 10. In the embodiment shown, the server 12 includes a data storage 14 and an accounting system 16. Furthermore, the server 12 expediently includes a database system.

[0046] FIG. 3 shows an initial procedure of the method according to the disclosure. The method includes the steps: [0047] Selecting a vehicle 2; [0048] Establishing a connection between operating unit 10 and onboard control device 6; [0049] Identifying the user; [0050] Selecting a seat comfort function; [0051] Selecting an option of the selected seat comfort function; [0052] Optionally, reading the duration of use of the selected seat comfort function; and [0053] Optionally, transmitting the selected seat comfort function to an accounting system 16.

[0054] In this method procedure, the user can use his smartphone to select, for example, that he would like to book a massage. Furthermore, he can select a massage procedure. Optionally, it can then be verified whether the use of this function is included or an extra charge must be paid.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a method with the steps: [0056] Creating a user profile that includes selected seat comfort functions; [0057] Selecting a vehicle; [0058] Identifying the user; [0059] Transferring the data from the user profile to the onboard control device; [0060] Optionally, reading the duration of use of the selected seat comfort function; and [0061] Optionally, transmitting the seat comfort function to an accounting system.

[0062] Here, a user profile can be comfortably created, for example, in the home computer serving as operating unit. This user profile can then be transferred to the selected vehicle after the user has been identified. In this variant of the method, the user has the advantage that complicated default settings are dropped, thereby allowing a customized driving experience in spite of changed vehicles.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows a possible expansion of the method from FIG. 3 or 4 by the steps: [0064] Selecting another seat comfort function; [0065] Transmitting the selected seat comfort function option to the onboard control device; [0066] Optionally, reading the duration of use of the selected seat comfort function; and [0067] Optionally, transmitting the selected seat comfort function to an accounting system 16.

[0068] The user can thus supplement a selection made in the vehicle and also an already existing user profile, for example, by medium-level lumbar support in the lowest backrest area. The additional selection can be optionally added to the user profile.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the method according to the disclosure that includes the steps: [0070] Selecting a vehicle in view by a user; [0071] Identifying the user; [0072] Loading the seat comfort function options from a user profile; [0073] Optionally, offering additional booked functions; [0074] Optionally, adding and selecting further functions; [0075] Transferring the selected functions to an accounting system; and [0076] When leaving the vehicle, resetting the seat comfort functions to an initial state.

[0077] The user can thus comfortably get into an equipped vehicle customized for him.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0078] 2 Vehicle

[0079] 4 Vehicle seat

[0080] 6 Control device

[0081] 8 Additional control device

[0082] 10 Operating unit

[0083] 12 Server

[0084] 14 Data storage

[0085] 16 Accounting system