Modular seat control system

A seat system, comprising:

• a seat structure, wherein the seat structure comprises armrests;
• a control board disposed in a first armrest of the armrests, and wherein the control board comprises:
• a processing unit, wherein the processing unit includes one or more processors, at least one communication bus, and one or more memories;
• a mainboard, wherein the processing unit is communicatively attached to the mainboard, wherein the mainboard has a plurality of receptacles;
• and
• one or more system modules, wherein each module of the one or more system modules is disposed a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles, wherein each system module of the one or more system modules implements a functional capability of a seat, wherein each system module of the one or more system modules is configured to communicate over the communications bus with the processing unit, wherein the one or more system modules are non-destructively removeable from the mainboard, and wherein at least a first module of the one or more system modules comprises a motor configured to move at least a portion of the seat structure;
• one or more systems disposed in the seat system and related to the one or more system modules;
• a power supply configured to supply power to the processing unit and to the one or more systems of the seat system;
• and
• at least one button unit communicatively connected to the control board;
• wherein the processing unit is configured to automatically recognize each respective system module of the one or more system modules when the respective system module is installed by connecting the respective system module to a respective receptacle of the plurality of receptacles, wherein the processing unit being configured to automatically recognize each respective system module comprises the processing unit being configured to recognize each respective system module in response to at least one of the respective system module providing a unique identifier for a particular type of device, by the processing unit performing a handshake with the respective system module to identify the respective system module, or by the processing unit identifying a type of the respective system module according to a connection port to which the respective system module is connected;
• and
• wherein the processing unit is further configured to send, to the first module, signaling for control of the motor in response to an input to the at least one button unit by a user.

A seat control system, comprising:

• a control board, comprising:
• a processing unit having one or more processors, at least one communication bus, and one or more non-transitory computer readable memories storing program code for controlling a plurality of system modules installed in a seat to cause each system module of the plurality of system modules to provide a functional capability of the seat;
• and
• a mainboard, wherein the processing unit is communicatively attached to the mainboard, and wherein the mainboard is configured to enable the processing unit to communicate with each system modules of the plurality of system modules;
• the plurality of system modules, wherein each system module of the plurality of system modules is removably connected to, and in signal communication with, the mainboard, wherein each system module is configured to provide a functional capability of the seat under control of the processing unit, and wherein at least a first module of the plurality of system modules comprises a motor configured to move at least a portion of the seat;
• a voltage regulator, connected to the mainboard, wherein the program code for controlling the plurality of system modules includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to control the voltage regulator to selectively control power to at least one system module of the plurality of system modules;
• and
• at least one button unit communicatively connected to the control board;
• wherein the processing unit is configured to automatically recognize each respective system module of the plurality of system modules when the respective system module is installed by connecting the respective system module to the mainboard, and wherein the processing unit being configured to automatically recognize each respective system module comprises the processing unit being configured to recognize each respective system module in response to at least one of the respective system module providing a unique identifier for a particular type of device, by the processing unit performing a handshake with the respective system module to identify the respective system module, or by the processing unit identifying a type of the respective system module according to a connection port to which the respective system module is connected;
• and
• wherein the processing unit is further configured to send, to the first module, signaling associated with control of the motor in response to an input to the at least one button unit by a user.