US 8,478,491 B2 · Seat control device, method, and program

Abstract

Devices, methods, and programs control a seat drive mechanism that drives side support parts of a seat. The devices, methods, and programs detect a first curve ahead of a vehicle and a second curve located ahead of the first curve with respect to a travel direction. The devices, methods, and programs predict a between-curves time required to travel between the first curve and the second curve and determine whether the between-curves time is less than a predetermined time, the predetermined time being no less than a time necessary for the side support parts to operate. The devices, methods, and programs control the seat drive mechanism to arrange the side support parts at an action position to support a body of an occupant for the first curve. If the between-curves time is less than the predetermined time, the devices, methods, and programs maintain the side support parts at the action position while traveling the second curve.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A seat control device for controlling a seat drive mechanism that drives side support parts of a seat, the seat control device comprising:

a controller that:
detects a first curve ahead of a vehicle and a second curve located ahead of the first curve with respect to a travel direction;
predicts a between-curves time required to travel between the first curve and the second curve;
acquires an operation interval time previously set by an occupant;
determines whether the between-curves time is less than a predetermined time, the predetermined time being no less than a total of a time necessary for the side support parts to operate and the operation interval time;
controls the seat drive mechanism to arrange the side support parts at an action position to support a body of an occupant for the first curve;
and
if the between-curves time is less than the predetermined time, maintains the side support parts at the action position while traveling the second curve.

5 more elements

A seat control method for controlling a seat drive mechanism that drives side support parts of a seat, the method comprising:

detecting a first curve ahead of a vehicle and a second curve located ahead of the first curve with respect to a travel direction;
predicting a between-curves time required to travel between the first curve and the second curve;
acquiring an operation interval time previously set by an occupant;
determining whether the between-curves time is less than a predetermined time, the predetermined time being no less than a total of a time necessary for the side support parts to operate and the operation interval time;
controlling the seat drive mechanism with a controller, to arrange the side support parts at an action position to support a body of an occupant for the first curve, the controller being in operative communication with the seat drive mechanism;
and
if the between-curves time is less than the predetermined time, maintaining the side support parts at the action position while traveling the second curve.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Seat control device, method, and program

Life of this patent

Seat control device, method, and program

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13