18453434. SEATING DETECTION DEVICE AND SEATING MONITORING SYSTEM simplified abstract (Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha)

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SEATING DETECTION DEVICE AND SEATING MONITORING SYSTEM

Organization Name

Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha

Inventor(s)

Sho Koike of Sunto Shizuoka (JP)

SEATING DETECTION DEVICE AND SEATING MONITORING SYSTEM - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18453434 titled 'SEATING DETECTION DEVICE AND SEATING MONITORING SYSTEM

Simplified Explanation

The seating detection device described in the patent application uses an electric field sensor to detect changes in electrostatic capacitance, coupled to a chair to determine if an occupant is seated. Here are some key points to explain the innovation:

  • Sensor forms an electric field to detect changes in electrostatic capacitance
  • Coupler connects the sensor to a chair
  • Power supply provides power for the sensor
  • Switch controls power transmission to the sensor
  • Controller sets a seating threshold based on detected changes in capacitance
  • Seating threshold represents a specific amount of capacitance
  • Controller determines if an occupant is seated based on the seating threshold

Potential Applications

The technology could be used in various industries such as:

  • Smart furniture design
  • Healthcare for monitoring patient seating
  • Automotive for detecting driver presence

Problems Solved

This technology addresses issues such as:

  • Monitoring occupancy in public spaces
  • Preventing unauthorized use of equipment
  • Improving safety by detecting when a seat is occupied

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include:

  • Enhanced security measures
  • Efficient use of resources
  • Real-time monitoring capabilities

Potential Commercial Applications

A potential commercial application for this technology could be:

  • "Smart Seating Solutions for Enhanced Comfort and Security"

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be:

  • Capacitive sensing systems used in touchscreens and proximity sensors

Unanswered Questions

How does the device differentiate between different occupants based on seating threshold?

The device may use additional sensors or algorithms to distinguish between different occupants based on their unique capacitance levels.

Can the device be integrated with other smart home systems for automation purposes?

Yes, the device can potentially be integrated with other smart home systems to automate tasks such as adjusting lighting or temperature based on seating detection.


Original Abstract Submitted

A seating detection device includes a sensor, a coupler, a power supply, a switch, and a controller. The sensor forms an electric field to detect a change in an electrostatic capacitance. The coupler couples the sensor to a chair. The power supply supplies power for forming the electric field to the sensor. The switch controls transmission of power from the power supply to the sensor. After the switch is turned on, the controller sets a seating threshold based on the change in electrostatic capacitance detected by the sensor. The seating threshold represents a threshold amount of electrostatic capacitance. The controller determines whether an occupant is seated on the chair based on the seating threshold.