Remote control of automobile component arrangements

A system for controlling the position of a seat in an automobile, comprising:

• a seat positioning control system for controlling adjustment of the seat to a memorized seat position;
• and
• a remote control device for transmitting a seat-position signal indicating a memorized seat position;
• wherein the seat positioning control system is adapted for responding to said seat-position signal by causing the seat to be adjusted to the indicated memorized seat position;
• and
• wherein the remote control device is adapted for also transmitting an unlock-request signal for causing a keyless-entry system to unlock one or more doors of the automobile;
• the system further comprising:
• adjusting means coupled to the seat positioning control system and the seat for adjusting the seat in a backward or forward direction in response to the seat positioning control system;
• wherein the adjusting means are inhibited from applying more than a threshold amount of force while moving the seat in a backward or forward direction in order to reduce or prevent damage to someone or something disposed behind or in front of the seat.

A system for controlling the position of the driver's seat in an automobile, comprising:

• a seat positioning control system for controlling adjustment of the driver's seat to a memorized seat position;
• and
• a remote control device for transmitting a seat-position signal indicating a memorized seat position;
• wherein the seat positioning control system is adapted for responding to said seat-position signal by causing the drivers s seat to be adjusted to the indicated memorized seat position;
• and
• wherein the remote control device is adapted for also transmitting an unlock-request signal for causing a keyless-entry system to unlock one or more doors of the automobile;
• the system further comprising:
• safety means coupled to the driver's seat and the seat positioning control system for preventing the seat positioning control system from responding to any signal received from a remote control device or from a source that is remote from said automobile by causing the driver's seat to be adjusted while the driver's seat is occupied.

A method of controlling the position of a seat in an automobile that includes a seat positioning control system for controlling adjustment of the seat to a memorized seat position, wherein adjusting means are coupled to the seat positioning control system and the seat for adjusting the seat in a backward or forward direction in response to the seat positioning control system;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• (a) with a remote control device that is adapted for transmitting an unlock-request signal for causing a keyless-entry system to unlock one or more doors of the automobile, transmitting a seat-position signal indicating a memorized seat position;
• (b) with the seat positioning control system, responding to said seat-position signal by causing the seat to be adjusted to the indicated memorized seat position;
• and
• (c) inhibiting the adjusting means from applying more than a threshold amount of force while moving the seat in a backward or forward direction in order to reduce or prevent damage to someone or something disposed behind or in front of the seat.

A method of controlling the position of the driver's seat in an automobile that includes a seat positioning control system for controlling adjustment of the driver's seat to a memorized seat position, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) with a remote control device that is adapted for transmitting an unlock-request signal for causing a keyless-entry system to unlock one or more doors of the automobile, transmitting a seat-position signal indicating a memorized seat position;
• (b) with the seat positioning control system, responding to said seat-position signal by causing the driver's seat to be adjusted to the indicated memorized seat position;
• and
• (c) preventing the seat positioning control system from responding to any signal received from a remote control device or from a source that is remote from said automobile by causing the driver's seat to be adjusted while the driver's seat is occupied.

A computer readable medium for use with a computer in a seat positioning control system that is adapted for controlling adjustment of the seat to a memorized seat position, wherein adjusting means are coupled to the seat positioning control system and the seat for adjusting the seat in a backward or forward direction in response to the seat positioning control system;

• wherein the computer readable medium contains program instructions for:
• (a) causing the seat positioning control system to respond to a seat-position signal that is received with an unlock-request signal from a location remote from the automobile by causing the seat to be adjusted to a memorized seat position indicated by the respective received seat-position signal;
• and
• (b) inhibiting the adjusting means from applying more than a threshold amount of force while moving the seat in a backward or forward direction in order to reduce or prevent damage to someone or something disposed behind or in front of the seat.