System and method for positioning a vehicle operator

• US 7,830,245 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2005
• Issued: 11/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Blackbird Tech LLC
• Original Assignee: Performance Driving Position LLP
• Inventors: Sakjas, Harry, Barker, Stephen D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R
• Application Number:
  US11/080,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20060206251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,066 Days
• Field of Search: 340/439, 340/5.52, 340/5.72, 701/1, 180/271
• US Class Current: 340/439
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0273 taking into account user data, e.g. knee height or physical state
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/20 using a deterministic algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/30 using a neural network
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/20 Wireless data transmission
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2230/30 Signal processing of sensor data

Abstract

Systems and methods for placing a vehicle operator into an performance driving position for a particular vehicle by adjusting equipment on the vehicle based on various combinations of biometric parameters of the vehicle operator. In one embodiment, the performance driving position for a particular vehicle is first determined and is stored in a processing device or associated memory. The vehicle operator may enter required biometric parameters into an input device operably connected to the processing device, which in turn calculates the vehicle operator'"'"'s present location and any movement of the seating elements, controls, and set forth necessary to place the vehicle operator in an performance driving position. The processing device then sends one or more output signals to one or more motors associated with one or more seating elements or controls to adjust such equipment and place the operator in the performance driving position.

Claims

1. An automatic positioning system for a vehicle operator comprising:

an operator'"'"'s seat;

an input device adapted to produce at least one input signal based on at least one biometric parameter;

at least one processing element connected with said input device and adapted to process said at least one input signal based on a performance driving position to produce at least one output signal;

wherein

said performance driving position is based on at least one of a view of a vehicle travel surface and a vehicle instrument; and

wherein said at least one output signal includes at least one control signal adapted to move said operator'"'"'s seat to place an operator'"'"'s eyes within a predefined eye ellipse and the operator'"'"'s hips into a single predefined hip point determined by the at least one biometric parameter and a physical characteristic of the vehicle, the predefined eye ellipse and the predefined hip point at least partially defining the performance driving position; and

the predefined eye ellipse is determined with reference to at least one characteristic of the vehicle.

2. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein said at least one biometric parameter is selected from the group consisting of a height, an inseam length, and a sleeve length.

3. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein:

said operator'"'"'s seat is adapted to move forward, rearward, upward, and downward; and

said at least one biometric parameter includes an inseam length and a height.

4. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein:

said operator'"'"'s seat includes a seat portion and a back portion;

said back portion is adapted to tilt forward and rearward about said seat portion; and

said at least one biometric parameter includes an inseam length, a height, and a sleeve length.

5. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one mirror; and

wherein said at least one control signal is adapted to adjust said at least one mirror.

6. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, further comprising:

a steering device; and

wherein said at least one control signal is adapted to adjust said steering device.

7. The automatic positioning system of claim 6, wherein said steering device comprises:

a steering wheel; and

a steering column connected with said steering wheel.

8. The automatic positioning system of claim 7, wherein:

said steering column is adapted to extend and retract;

said steering wheel is adapted to tilt up and down about said steering column; and

said at least one biometric parameter includes an inseam length, a height, and a sleeve length.

9. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one foot pedal;

wherein said at least one control signal is adapted to move said at least one foot pedal; and

wherein said at least one biometric parameter includes an inseam length.

10. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein said performance driving position is based on an optimal view of a vehicle travel surface.

11. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein said performance driving position is based on an optimum view of at least one vehicle instrument.

12. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein said performance driving position is based on placing at least one vehicle instrument within reach of the vehicle operator.

13. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein said performance driving position is based on an optimum view of a vehicle travel surface, an optimum view of at least one vehicle instrument, and placing at least one instrument within reach of the vehicle operator.

14. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein said processor calculates a torso length based on a height and an inseam length.

15. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein said at least one processing element further comprises a memory adapted to store a plurality of output signals for a plurality of operators.

16. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein said at least one processing element comprises a computer.

17. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein said input device is a mobile phone.

18. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein said input device is a vehicle radio keypad.

19. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, wherein said input device is a remote control.

20. The automatic positioning system of claim 1, further comprising:

a means for mapping said at least one biometric parameter; and

a storage device for storing said at least one biometric parameter.

21. The automatic positioning system of claim 20, wherein said means for mapping said at least one biometric parameter is a scanning and digitizing device.

22. The automatic positioning system of claim 20, wherein said storage device is portable.

23. The automatic positioning system of claim 22, wherein said storage device is located on a vehicle ignition key.

24. An automobile containing the automatic positioning system of claim 1.

25. A positioning system for an automobile operator comprising:

a vehicle element;

a processor adapted to produce at least one output signal based on a performance driving position in combination with one of an operator'"'"'s inseam length, a height, an a sleeve length, wherein said performance driving position is based on at least one of an optimum view of a vehicle travel surface and an optimum view of at least one vehicle instrument; and

at least one motor operative to receive said at least one output signal and, in response, adjusting said vehicle element to place a hip of the operator, when interacting with the vehicle element, in a single predefined hip point determined by the at least one biometric parameter and a physical characteristic of the vehicle, the predefined hip point at least partially defining the performance driving position and defined without regard to a driver'"'"'s comfort or alertness.

26. The positioning system of claim 25, wherein said vehicle element is a driver'"'"'s seat.

27. The positioning system of claim 25, wherein said vehicle element is a steering wheel.

28. The positioning system of claim 25, wherein said vehicle element is a foot pedal.

29. The positioning system of claim 25, wherein said vehicle element is a mirror.

30. The positioning system of claim 25, further comprising:

a means for mapping at least one biometric parameter; and

a storage device for storing said at least one biometric parameter.

31. The positioning system of claim 30, wherein said means for mapping said at least one biometric parameter is a scanning and digitizing device.

32. The positioning system of claim 30, wherein said storage device is portable.

33. The positioning system of claim 32, wherein said storage device is located on a vehicle ignition key.

34. The positioning system of claim 30, wherein said storage device is selectively operably coupled with said processor.

39. The system of claim 25, wherein the performance driving position defines one of:

a least restricted view of one of a vehicle travel surface;

a least restricted view through a window of the vehicle;

a least restricted view of at least one instrument of the vehicle; and

an optimal position for reaching at least one instrument of the vehicle.

35. A method of automatically positioning an operator in a vehicle, the method comprising:

creating an input signal from at least one biometric parameter;

processing said input signal based on an optimum operating position to produce at least one output signal; and

moving a seat based on said output signal to place an eye of an operator seated in the seat into a predefined eye ellipse and a hip of the operator into a predefined hip point so as to allow the operator to operate the vehicle, the predefined hip point based at least partially on the predefined eye ellipse, the eye ellipse and hip point defining the optimum operating position and determined without reference to an operator preference;

wherein

the performance driving position defines one of;

a least restricted view of one of a vehicle travel surface;

a least restricted view through a window of the vehicle;

a least restricted view of at least one instrument of the vehicle; and

an optimal position for reaching at least one instrument of the vehicle.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein said step of moving includes moving at least one mirror.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein said step of moving includes moving a steering device.

38. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps of:

measuring said at least one biometric parameter; and

storing said at least one biometric parameter.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the biometric parameter is obtained by scanning an operator'"'"'s body to determine the biometric parameter.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the operation of scanning the operator'"'"'s body comprises obtaining a three-dimensional digital image of the operator'"'"'s body.

42. The method of claim 35, wherein the performance driving position is defined without reference to comfort or alertness of an operator.