Custom controlled seating surface technologies
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A variable body support system comprising:
- a. a body support surface,b. an actuator operatively associated with the body support surface to change a state of the support surface,c. a computer interface,d. a computer operatively associated with the actuator and the computer interface and programmed to;
provide a graphical user interface for controlling said actuator, where said graphical user interface depicts a dynamic picture of the body support surface,enable a user to change the appearance of said dynamic picture of said body support surface by grabbing and graphically deforming an element of said dynamic picture of said body support surface into a new shape, to select a change in state of said body support surface; and
control said actuator to change a state of the body support surface as selected by the user.
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Abstract
A system of controlling various actuators associated with human support surfaces is disclosed. Such a system is made up of a support surface, a controller, and an actuator. The system may optionally include batteries, a means of charging the batteries, and a graphical user interface as well as a communication link between the graphical user interface and the support surfaces. The actuators are capable of altering contour and/or firmness, of a support surface, they may be vibrational or heating/cooling in nature, and they may also alter the overall relative position of a support surface to another support surface, and/or to the ground plane.
108 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A variable body support system comprising:
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a. a body support surface, b. an actuator operatively associated with the body support surface to change a state of the support surface, c. a computer interface, d. a computer operatively associated with the actuator and the computer interface and programmed to; provide a graphical user interface for controlling said actuator, where said graphical user interface depicts a dynamic picture of the body support surface, enable a user to change the appearance of said dynamic picture of said body support surface by grabbing and graphically deforming an element of said dynamic picture of said body support surface into a new shape, to select a change in state of said body support surface; and control said actuator to change a state of the body support surface as selected by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A variable body support system for a motor vehicle, comprising:
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a. a first body support surface; b. a second body support surface, where said first and second body support surfaces are adapted to be installed as automotive seating disposed within said motor vehicle; c. an actuator associated with at least one of said first and second body support surfaces; d. a touch screen interface; e. a computer program which provides a graphical user interface on said touch screen for controlling said actuator, where said graphical user interface depicts a graphical representation of said support surface; f. a mode of operation where control of said actuator is accomplished by using an input to graphically input intent directly on said touch screen interface; and g. a limited mode to limit the range of motion of said actuator associated with at least one of said first and second body support surfaces when said motor vehicle is moving. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. A variable body support system comprising:
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a. a body support surface, b. an actuator operatively associated with the body support surface to change a state of the support surface, and c. a graphical user interface for controlling said actuator, where said graphical user interface; depicts a dynamic picture of the body support surface, accepts an input changing the appearance of said dynamic picture of the body support surface by grabbing and graphically deforming an element of said dynamic picture of said body support surface into a new shape to indicate selection of a change in state of the body support surface; and controls said actuator to change a state of the body support surface according to the selection. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A variable body support system comprising:
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a. a body support surface; b. an actuator operatively associated with the body support surface to change a state of the support surface; c. a screen computer interface adapted to provide haptic feedback; d. a computer operatively associated with the actuator and the screen computer interface and programmed to; provide a graphical user interface on said screen for controlling said actuator, where said graphical user interface depicts a dynamic graphical representation of the body support surface and one or more individual areas of control; enable a user to select one of the individual areas of control by touching the dynamic graphical representation of the selected area of control on the screen; enable the user to manipulate the individual area of control on the screen by grabbing and graphically deforming an element of said dynamic picture of said body support surface into a new shape to select a change in state of the body support surface; and control said actuator to change a state of the body support surface as selected by the user.
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22. A variable body support system comprising:
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a. a body support surface, b. an actuator operatively associated with the body support surface to change a state of the support surface, c. a computer interface adapted to receive gesture input from a user and including a screen; d. a computer operatively associated with the actuator and the computer interface and programmed to; provide a graphical user interface on said screen for controlling said actuator, where said graphical user interface depicts a dynamic graphical representation of the body support surface and one or more individual areas of control, enable a user to select one of the individual areas of control; enable the user to manipulate the individual area of control on the screen by grabbing and graphically deforming an element of said dynamic picture of said body support surface into a new shape to select a change in state of the body support surface by hand or other gestures spaced from the screen; and control said actuator to change a state of the body support surface as selected by the user.
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Specification