OPTIMIZATION

BACKGROUND

Technical Field of Invention

[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to a utility product and particularly relate to a modular chair and a seating system enabled through the modular chair for space optimization and variable spatial system. The embodiments herein more particularly relate to a seat having variable seat height systems alongwith angular seating systems to allow a raised comfort for a passenger as well as enhance space utility.

Description of Related Art

[002] A seating system and design of a seat to optimize of an airline seat is a seat on an airliner in which passengers are accommodated for the duration of the journey. Such seats are usually arranged in rows running across the airplane's fuselage. A diagram of such seats in an aircraft is called an aircraft seat map. The aircraft seat map are often published by airlines for informational purposes, and are of use to passengers for selection of their seat at booking or check-in. The airplane seat maps usually indicate the basic seating layout, the numbering and lettering of the seats, the location of the emergency exits, lavatories, galleys, bulkheads and wings. Airlines which allow internet check-in frequently present a seat map indicating free and occupied seats to the passenger so that they select their seat from it.

[003] One of the prior arts discloses a seating system the seats are swivellable about axes and arranged with their axes in column axes. The seats each have a direction extending from the middle of the seat back through the middle of the seat cushion, intersecting the seat's swivel axis. Extending equally on either side of the seat direction is defined a seat projection forwards of the seat cushion and having the same width as the seat cushion. The swivel is set up to allow the seat to be turned through 6 from 17.5 to the longitudinal axis of the column (and the aircraft to be equipped with the seats) to 23.5. At 17.5, as in column IV, the seats partially face the seats in front in the column. This is the maximum angle at which the regulatory authorities will allow a lap belt only to be worn by a passenger for TTL. When the seats are swivelled outwards to 23.5, they face the space alongside the seat in front and can be converted to bed mode.

[004] Another prior art discloses a seating system for passenger aircraft or other vehicles are detailed. Some system have seats positioned at offsets from a longitudinal axis of a vehicle cabin in either "V" shapes or herringbone patterns. Other systems include seats that are staggered within the cabin. Further systems include pairs of seat that are both parallel and offset from the longitudinal axis, but are placed so that feet of the port and starboard passengers point away from the fuselage.

[005] However, the seating system disclosed in the prior art leads to a plurality of real time problems like causing hindrance to the passengers during a lateral movement, less leg space, less flexible seats leading to high discomfort during sleeping resulting in more jet lag experience etc. To solve the comfort issue, many airlines and other transportation systems introduce the seat with high bending with respective to ground but again they limit or reduces the number of seats in a transport vehicle or craft.

[006] In the view of foregoing, there is a need for a seating system with an optimum space utilization and enhanced comfort experience. Also there is a need for a seat assembly to provide high flexing angle, less space and space optimization. Further there is a need for a seating system with dynamic space management allowing higher lateral and longitudinal movement (with respect to the vehicle length) to the passenger and vehicle or craft crew.

[007] The above mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein, as detailed below. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[008] The primary object of the embodiments herein is to provide a seating system with optimum space utilization and comfort.

[009] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a seating assembly and system of arrangement of the said seating assembly suited for both short and long haul flights.

[0010] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a seating assembly with vertical as well as horizontal flexing abilities alongwith dynamic interseat interaction. The dynamic interseat leads to an automated adjustment of the seats present adjacent to the flexing seat.

[0011] Yet another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a seating assembly with dynamic space management allowing higher lateral and longitudinal movement (with respect to the vehicle length) to the passenger and vehicle or craft crew.

[0012] The various embodiments herein provide a seating system with dynamic space optimization mechanism and design. The system comprises a spatially staggered seating arrangement, an artificial neural network, a central control module, an actuator module and a RFID module. The spatially staggered seating arrangement comprises a plurality of rows. The each row is spatially misaligned with respect to a preceding or a succeeding row. Each row comprises a modular seat with dynamic spatial variation capability. The artificial neural network comprises a plurality of tracking elements placed near each row. Each tracking element tracks a lateral as well as a longitudinal movement of a passenger and a position of the said passenger's seat in a row assigned to the moving the passenger. The central control module is connected to the artificial neural network through a bidirectional bus. The actuator module comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator. The actuator module is attached to each module seat. The actuator module is further connected to central control module through the artificial neural network. The RFID module comprises a RFID transmitter attached to a passenger ticket and a RFID receiver embedded in a seat. The RFID receiver is connected to the artificial neural network.

[0013] According to one embodiment herein, the central control module comprises a computer readable program for a plurality of scenarios.

[0014] According to one embodiment herein, the spatially staggered seating arrangement comprises a vertically staggered seat rows and a horizontally staggered seat rows.

[0015] According to one embodiment herein, the seat in a row has a 1-2 inch height difference with respect to a succeeding seat row or a preceding seat row or both rows in a vertically staggered seat arrangement.

[0016] According to one embodiment herein, a row is shifted either to right or left by 1-2 inches with respect to a succeeding seat row or a preceding seat row or both rows in a horizontally staggered seat arrangement.

[0017] According to one embodiment herein, the artificially neural network is an electrically wired or wireless network.

[0018] According to one embodiment herein, the tracking element comprises a plurality of imaging devices to record a movement of a passenger in a vehicle.

[0019] According to one embodiment herein, the seat comprises a plurality of control switches, a flexing mechanism, a par of rails, a base with rollers and a tray. The plurality of control switches are attached to a handle of the seat. One of the handles of the seat is hollow in nature. The flexing mechanism is connected to a back support portion of the seat. The flexing mechanism allows a flexing of the back supporting portion by 45 degrees backwards by manually pressing the control switch. The pair of rails are fixed to a vehicle's ground surface. The base with rollers is connected to the seat's base portion. The base with rollers slides trough the pair of rails in a backward and a forward direction by a displacement of 2-4 inches by manually pressing the control switches. The tray is housed in the hollow handle. The tray slided up and then swung through one end by 90 degrees. The tray has two sub-trays named as a primary tray and a secondary tray. A primary tray hollow in nature and houses the secondary tray. The secondary tray sides out from the primary tray by pressing control switch. The secondary tray is fixed into a slot provided in a handle of the seat present opposite to the hollow handle.

[0020] According to one embodiment herein, the primary actuator is connected to the flexing mechanism of the seat. The primary actuator controls an automatic flexing of the seats on the basis of a command received from the central control module during a lateral movement of the passenger.

[0021] According to one embodiment herein, the secondary actuator is connected to the base of the seat. The secondary actuator controls an automatic forward and backward movement of the seats through the rails on the basis of a command received from the central control module during a lateral movement of the passenger.

[0022] According to one embodiment herein, the said system adjusts a seat dynamically through a method provided through an interoperation of the artificial neural network, the central control module, the actuator module and the RFID module. The method comprises detecting a lateral movement of the passenger through an imaging device placed near to a seat row of the said passenger. On the basis of the detection of the imaging device, the RFID module receives a seat number of the said passenger. The imaging module detects a position of the seat of the said in a row and sends the position information to the central control module. The central control module decides a direction of the movement of the said passenger and sends a command to the actuator module. The command comprises a sliding of seat to backwards during a passage of the passenger and sliding back to an original position of the seat after a completion of the passage of the passenger. The method further comprises detecting a flexing of a seat by a seated passenger backward resulting in reduction a height of a succeeding seat and increasing a height of the preceding seat. The reduction and increase of the succeeding and preceding seats is done by a range of 2-3 inches.

[0023] According to one embodiment herein, the minimum height of the seat from the ground after reduction is 15 inches.

[0024] According to one embodiment herein, the maximum height of the seat from the ground after increase is 21 inches.

[0025] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a seat system with dynamic space optimization mechanism, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a design of a vertically staggered seating system with variable height in alternate seats to form a vertical, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates another design of a vertically staggered seating system with variable height in alternate seats to form a vertical, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a design of a horizontally staggered seating system with variable height in alternate seats to form a vertical, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrate a seat assembly in a flexed mode, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 6 illustrates a curved-in leg space provided in the rear side of the seat the seat assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0033] In the following detailed description, a reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which the specific embodiments that may be practiced is shown by way of illustration. The embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and it is to be understood that the logical, mechanical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is therefore not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0034] The various embodiments herein provide a seating system with dynamic space optimization mechanism and design. The system comprises a spatially staggered seating arrangement, an artificial neural network, a central control module, an actuator module and a RFID module. The spatially staggered seating arrangement comprises a plurality of rows. The each row is spatially misaligned with respect to a preceding or a succeeding row. Each row comprises a modular seat with dynamic spatial variation capability. The artificial neural network comprises a plurality of tracking elements placed near each row. Each tracking element tracks a lateral as well as a longitudinal movement of a passenger and a position of the said passenger's seat in a row assigned to the moving the passenger. The central control module is connected to the artificial neural network through a bidirectional bus. The actuator module comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator. The actuator module is attached to each module seat. The actuator module is further connected to central control module through the artificial neural network. The RFID module comprises a RFID transmitter attached to a passenger ticket and a RFID receiver embedded in a seat. The RFID receiver is connected to the artificial neural network.

[0035] According to one embodiment herein, the central control module comprises a computer readable program for a plurality of scenarios.

[0036] According to one embodiment herein, the spatially staggered seating arrangement comprises a vertically staggered seat rows and a horizontally staggered seat rows.

[0037] According to one embodiment herein, the seat in a row has a 1-2 inch height difference with respect to a succeeding seat row or a preceding seat row or both rows in a vertically staggered seat arrangement.

[0038] According to one embodiment herein, a row is shifted either to right or left by 1-2 inches with respect to a succeeding seat row or a preceding seat row or both rows in a horizontally staggered seat arrangement.

[0039] According to one embodiment herein, the artificially neural network is an electrically wired or wireless network. [0040] According to one embodiment herein, the tracking element comprises a plurality of imaging devices to record a movement of a passenger in a vehicle.

[0041] According to one embodiment herein, the seat comprises a plurality of control switches, a flexing mechanism, a par of rails, a base with rollers and a tray. The plurality of control switches are attached to a handle of the seat. One of the handles of the seat is hollow in nature. The flexing mechanism is connected to a back support portion of the seat. The flexing mechanism allows a flexing of the back supporting portion by 45 degrees backwards by manually pressing the control switch. The pair of rails are fixed to a vehicle's ground surface. The base with rollers is connected to the seat's base portion. The base with rollers slides trough the pair of rails in a backward and a forward direction by a displacement of 2-4 inches by manually pressing the control switches. The tray is housed in the hollow handle. The tray slided up and then swung through one end by 90 degrees. The tray has two sub-trays named as a primary tray and a secondary tray. A primary tray hollow in nature and houses the secondary tray. The secondary tray sides out from the primary tray by pressing control switch. The secondary tray is fixed into a slot provided in a handle of the seat present opposite to the hollow handle.

[0042] According to one embodiment herein, the primary actuator is connected to the flexing mechanism of the seat. The primary actuator controls an automatic flexing of the seats on the basis of a command received from the central control module during a lateral movement of the passenger.

[0043] According to one embodiment herein, the secondary actuator is connected to the base of the seat. The secondary actuator controls an automatic forward and backward movement of the seats through the rails on the basis of a command received from the central control module during a lateral movement of the passenger. [0044] According to one embodiment herein, the said system adjusts a seat dynamically through a method provided through an interoperation of the artificial neural network, the central control module, the actuator module and the RFID module. The method comprises detecting a lateral movement of the passenger through an imaging device placed near to a seat row of the said passenger. On the basis of the detection of the imaging device, the RFID module receives a seat number of the said passenger. The imaging module detects a position of the seat of the said in a row and sends the position information to the central control module. The central control module decides a direction of the movement of the said passenger and sends a command to the actuator module. The command comprises a sliding of seat to backwards during a passage of the passenger and sliding back to an original position of the seat after a completion of the passage of the passenger. The method further comprises detecting a flexing of a seat by a seated passenger backward resulting in reduction a height of a succeeding seat and increasing a height of the preceding seat. The reduction and increase of the succeeding and preceding seats is done by a range of 2-3 inches.

[0045] According to one embodiment herein, the minimum height of the seat from the ground after reduction is 15 inches.

[0046] According to one embodiment herein, the maximum height of the seat from the ground after increase is 21 inches.

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates a seat system with dynamic space optimization mechanism, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 1, the system comprises a spatially staggered seating arrangement 101, an artificial neural network 102, a central control module 103, an actuator module and a RFID module 104. The spatially staggered seating arrangement 101 comprises a plurality of rows. The each row is spatially misaligned with respect to a preceding or a succeeding row. Each row comprises a modular seat with dynamic spatial variation capability. The artificial neural network 102 comprises a plurality of tracking elements placed near each row. Each tracking element tracks a lateral as well as a longitudinal movement of a passenger and a position of the said passenger's seat in a row assigned to the moving the passenger. The central control module 103 is connected to the artificial neural network 102 through a bidirectional bus. The actuator module comprises a primary actuator and a secondary actuator. The actuator module is attached to each module seat. The actuator module is further connected to central control module 103 through the artificial neural network 102. The RFID module 104 comprises a RFID transmitter attached to a passenger ticket and a RFID receiver embedded in a seat. The RFID receiver is connected to the artificial neural network 102. The system for space optimization and the seating arrangement for the same is preferably illustrated for an airplane but it is implementable for a plurality of multi-seater transportation vehicles.

[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates a design of a vertically staggered seating system with variable height in alternate seats to form a vertical, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 2, the vertically staggered eating system has a two row variable height combination in which the seat in a row has a 1-2 inch height difference with respect to a succeeding seat row or a preceding seat row or both rows in a vertically staggered seat arrangement. The staggered or zig-zag arrangement of seats allows a passenger to sit with ease as per their heights. The seat row are alternatively placed at heights (but not limited to) of 18 inches and 16 inches. A passenger with more height is provided more leg space in 16 inches seat row and the passenger with smaller height has sufficient leg space in 18 inches seat row.

[0049] FIG. 3 illustrates another design of a vertically staggered seating system with variable height in alternate seats to form a vertical, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 3, the vertically staggered seating system has three row variable height combination which a second row has 1-2 inches height difference with respect to a first row and a third row has 1-2 inches height difference with respect to the second row. The staggered or zig-zag arrangement of seats allows a passenger to sit with ease as per their heights. The seat row are alternatively placed at heights (but not limited to) of 18 inches, 16 inches and 14 inches. A passenger with more height is provided more leg space in 16 inches seat row and the passenger with smaller height has sufficient leg space in 18 inches seat row.

[0050] FIG. 4 illustrates a design of a horizontally staggered seating system with variable height in alternate seats to form a vertical, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 4, a row is shifted either to right or left by 1-2 inches with respect to a succeeding seat row or a preceding seat row or both rows in a horizontally staggered seat arrangement.

[0051] FIG. 5 illustrate a seat assembly in a flexed mode, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 5, the seat comprises a plurality of control switches, a flexing mechanism 501, a par of rails 503, a base with rollers and a tray 502. The plurality of control switches are attached to a handle of the seat. One of the handles of the seat is hollow in nature. The flexing mechanism 501 is connected to a back support portion of the seat. The flexing mechanism 501 allows a flexing of the back supporting portion by 45 degrees backwards by manually pressing the control switch. The pair of rails 503 are fixed to a vehicle's ground surface. The base with rollers is connected to the seat's base portion. The base with rollers slides trough the pair of rails 503 in a backward and a forward direction by a displacement of 2-4 inches by manually pressing the control switches. The tray 502 is housed in the hollow handle. The tray 502 is slided up and then swung through one end by 90 degrees. The tray 502 has two sub-trays named as a primary tray 504 and a secondary tray 505. The primary tray 504 is hollow in nature and houses the secondary tray 505. The secondary tray 505 slides out from the primary tray 504 by pressing a control switch. The secondary tray 505 is fixed into a slot provided in a handle of the seat present opposite to the hollow handle.

[0052] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the seat has ability to swing horizontally during a flexed mode. The flexed mode is preferably referred to a situation in which each passenger has flexed the seat by 45°. The angular swing of the seat encompasses a range of 10-30° to allow an easy stretching of a leg support 506 provided at a bottom edge of the seat.

[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates a curved-in leg space 602 provided in the rear side 601 of the seat the seat assembly, according to one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to FIG. 6, the curved in leg space 602 allows a passenger to move the legs swiftly with ease even if the front seat passenger has flexed the seat backwards.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the said system adjusts a seat dynamically through a method provided through an interoperation of the artificial neural network, the central control module, the actuator module and the RFID module. The method comprises detecting a lateral movement of the passenger through an imaging device placed near to a seat row of the said passenger. On the basis of the detection of the imaging device, the RFID module receives a seat number of the said passenger. The imaging module detects a position of the seat of the said in a row and sends the position information to the central control module. The central control module decides a direction of the movement of the said passenger and sends a command to the actuator module. The command comprises a sliding of seat to backwards during a passage of the passenger and sliding back to an original position of the seat after a completion of the passage of the passenger. The method further comprises detecting a flexing of a seat by a seated passenger backward resulting in reduction a height of a succeeding seat and increasing a height of the preceding seat. The reduction and increase of the succeeding and preceding seats is done by a range of 2-3 inches. [0055] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the minimum height of the seat from the ground after reduction is 15 inches.

[0056] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the maximum height of the seat from the ground after increase is 21 inches.

[0057] The present seating arrangement allows a passenger to sit comfortably in a transportation vehicle. The system allows an automatic adjustment of the seats during a movement of the passenger which eradicates an unwanted passenger disturbance. The seat in the said seating arrangement has a vertical as well as a horizontal flexing which allows a user to sit or sleep in a comfortable position. Alongwith the provision of the comfort, the present seating arrangement provides allows nearly same number of seat as provided in economy class transportation vehicles which keeps a running cost of the transportation vehicle intact.

[0058] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of claims.