System and method for detecting and mitigating hazardous gas and air quality degradation in vicinity of vehicle

Abstract

A system for a vehicle includes data processing hardware, memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that, when executed on the data processing hardware, cause the data processing hardware to perform operations that include detecting airborne contaminants within a cabin, determining if the airborne contaminants exceed a contaminant threshold, and reducing a level of airborne contaminants within the cabin by controlling at least one vehicle system when the airborne contaminants exceed the contaminant threshold.

Description

[0001] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this section and in aspects of the description that may not qualify as prior art at the time of filing, is neither explicitly nor implicitly admitted to be prior art against the present disclosure. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method for detecting and mitigating hazardous gases and air quality degradation in the vicinity of a vehicle. Background Art

[0003] Long-term exposure to hazardous gases, pollutants and / or poor air quality can have negative effects on human health. Such hazardous gases include carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, which originate from common household appliances used for heating and cooking in the case of carbon monoxide and from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas in the case of carbon dioxide. Carbon monoxide can cause immediate poisoning, depending on the length and type of exposure, while carbon dioxide can cause difficulty concentrating, headaches, dizziness and drowsiness, and can eventually lead to poisoning if exposure to carbon dioxide is prolonged.

[0004] Pollutants are present in almost all environments and can be man-made or naturally occurring. For example, man-made pollutants can include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as those found in household paints and / or released during the off-gassing of plastics. Naturally occurring pollutants occur in nature and can include mold and radon, which is a radioactive gas with no color, odor or taste. The foregoing pollutants can cause toxicity, headaches, breathing difficulties and / or certain types of cancer.

[0005] Like pollutants, poor air quality can be found in almost all environments, and poor air quality can be the result of human activities, naturally occurring events, or a combination of the two. For example, poor air quality can include high or low air pressure, high or low humidity, and / or increased particulate matter within a given volume of air. Air pressure and humidity are naturally occurring and are the result of weather changes. Similarly, particulate matter can be the result of naturally occurring events (such as wildfires or dust storms). Particulate matter can also be the result of human activities and can be the result of smoke from emissions or soot from fires.

[0006] Regardless of the specific threat to human health (i.e., hazardous gases, pollutants, or air quality), monitoring such threats can lead to early detection, which in turn can mitigate the damage caused by the threat. In almost all cases, early detection can allow a person to eliminate the threat, can remove a person from a potentially dangerous situation, and / or can provide early help to a person experiencing the effects of the threat. Summary of the invention

[0007] A system for a vehicle is provided, comprising data processing hardware, memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions which, when executed on the data processing hardware, cause the data processing hardware to perform operations including detecting airborne pollutants in a vehicle cabin, determining whether the airborne pollutants exceed a pollutant threshold, and reducing the level of airborne pollutants in the vehicle cabin by controlling at least one vehicle system when the airborne pollutants exceed the pollutant threshold.

[0008] The system may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, controlling at least one vehicle system may include instructing an engine control module to shut down an engine of the vehicle. Additionally, controlling at least one vehicle system may include instructing at least one window motor to move a window from a closed state to an open state. Additionally or alternatively, controlling at least one vehicle system may include instructing a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to turn on a fan and / or instructing a body closure mechanism to open a body closure panel of the vehicle.

[0009] In one arrangement, the level of airborne contaminants within the cabin is communicated to a user interface device (UID). Additionally or alternatively, the system may be incorporated into a vehicle.

[0010] In another configuration, a system for a vehicle is provided, the system including data processing hardware, memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that, when executed on the data processing hardware, cause the data processing hardware to perform operations including detecting airborne pollutants outside a vehicle cabin, determining whether the airborne pollutants exceed a pollutant threshold, and limiting entry of airborne pollutants into the vehicle cabin by controlling at least one vehicle system when the airborne pollutants exceed the pollutant threshold.

[0011] The system may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, controlling at least one vehicle system may include instructing an engine control module to shut down an engine of the vehicle. Additionally, controlling at least one vehicle system may include instructing at least one window motor to move a window from an open state to a closed state. Additionally or alternatively, controlling at least one vehicle system may include instructing a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to shut down and / or instructing a body closure mechanism to close a body closure panel of the vehicle or to maintain a body closure panel of the vehicle in a closed state.

[0012] In one arrangement, the level of airborne contaminants within the cabin is communicated to a user interface device (UID). Additionally or alternatively, the system may be incorporated into a vehicle.

[0013] In another configuration, a system for a vehicle is provided, and the system includes data processing hardware, memory hardware that communicates with the data processing hardware, and the memory hardware stores instructions that, when executed on the data processing hardware, cause the data processing hardware to perform operations, the operations including detecting airborne pollutants near a vehicle cabin, determining whether the airborne pollutants exceed a pollutant threshold, and reducing the airborne pollutants by controlling an external device located a predetermined distance from the vehicle when the airborne pollutants exceed the pollutant threshold.

[0014] The system may include one or more of the following optional features. For example, controlling the external device may include instructing the external device to shut down. In addition, the system may instruct at least one window motor to move a window from an open state to a closed state to limit the entry of airborne contaminants into the vehicle cabin. Additionally or alternatively, the system may instruct a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to shut down to limit the entry of airborne contaminants into the vehicle cabin and / or may instruct a body closure mechanism to close or maintain a body closure panel of the vehicle in a closed state to limit the entry of airborne contaminants into the vehicle cabin. Finally, the system may be incorporated into a vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle incorporating a threat detection and mitigation system (TDMS) in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of vehicle and TDMS;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of TDMS; and

[0019] Figure 4 It is a detailed description Figure 1 Flowchart of the operation of TDMS.

[0020] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and example configurations should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0022] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific exemplary configurations and are not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles "one", "an" and "the" may also be intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises", "comprises", "including" and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof. The method steps, processes and operations described herein should not be interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be performed in the specific order discussed or shown, unless specifically identified as an execution order. Additional or alternative steps may be adopted.

[0023] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on another element or layer," "engaged to," "connected to," "attached to," or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, directly engaged with, connected to, attached to, or coupled to another element or layer, or there may be intermediate elements or layers. Conversely, when an element is referred to as being "directly on another element or layer," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," "directly attached to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intermediate elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a similar manner (e.g., "between" versus "directly between," "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0024] The terms first, second, third, etc. can be used in this article to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts. These elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms can only be used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or part from another region, layer or part. Unless the context clearly indicates, terms such as "first", "second" and other numerical terms do not imply order or sequence. Therefore, without departing from the teaching of the example configuration, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or part.

[0025] In this application, including the definitions below, the term module may be replaced by the term circuit. The term module may refer to, be part of, or include: an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by a memory; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.

[0026] The term code as used above may include software, firmware and / or microcode, and may refer to a program, a routine, a function, a class and / or an object. The term shared processor includes a single processor that executes some or all codes from multiple modules. The term group processor includes a processor that executes some or all codes from one or more modules in combination with an additional processor. The term shared memory includes a single memory that stores some or all codes from multiple modules. The term group memory includes a memory that stores some or all codes from one or more modules in combination with an additional memory. The term memory may be a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium does not include transient electrical signals and electromagnetic signals propagated through the medium, and therefore can be considered to be tangible and non-transitory memory. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory memory include tangible computer-readable media, which include non-volatile memory, magnetic memory, and optical memory.

[0027] The apparatus and methods described in this application may be implemented in part or in whole by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer program includes processor executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer readable medium. The computer program may also include and / or rely on stored data.

[0028] Software applications (i.e., software resources) may refer to computer software that enables a computing device to perform tasks. In some examples, software applications may be referred to as "applications," "applications," or "programs." Example applications include, but are not limited to, system diagnostic applications, system management applications, system maintenance applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, media streaming applications, social networking applications, and gaming applications.

[0029] Non-transitory memory can be a physical device used to temporarily or permanently store programs (e.g., instruction sequences) or data (e.g., program state information) for use by a computing device. Non-transitory memory can be volatile and / or non-volatile addressable semiconductor memory. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory (ROM) / programmable read-only memory (PROM) / erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) / electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., commonly used for firmware, such as bootloaders). Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase change memory (PCM), and disk or tape.

[0030] These computer programs (also referred to as programs, software, software applications, or code) include machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in high-level procedural and / or object-oriented programming languages ​​and / or assembly / machine languages. As used herein, the terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" refer to any computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, apparatus, and / or device (e.g., disk, optical disk, memory, programmable logic device (PLD)) for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal for providing machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0031] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein can be realized in digital electronic and / or optical circuits, integrated circuits, specially designed ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementations in one or more computer programs executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system that includes at least one programmable processor, which may be special purpose or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device, and to send data and instructions to the storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device.

[0032] The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be performed by one or more programmable processors (also referred to as data processing hardware), which execute one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and generating outputs. The processes and logic flows can also be performed by special logic circuits (e.g., FPGA (field programmable gate array) or ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit)). As an example, processors suitable for executing computer programs include both general-purpose and special-purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any type of digital computer. Typically, the processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. The basic elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer will also include one or more mass storage devices (e.g., magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks) for storing data, or be operably coupled to receive data from it or transmit data to it or both. However, a computer does not need to have such a device. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of nonvolatile memory, media, and memory devices, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[0033] To provide interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or touch screen) for displaying information to the user and optionally a keyboard and pointing device (e.g., a mouse or trackball) through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices may also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, the feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including sound, voice, or tactile input. In addition, the computer may interact with the user by sending documents to and receiving documents from a device used by the user; for example, by sending a web page to a web browser on a user's client device in response to a request received from the web browser.

[0034] Special References Figure 1 and Figure 2, a vehicle 10 is shown in conjunction with a threat detection and mitigation system (TDMS) 12. As will be described in more detail below, the TDMS 12 may be used to detect and mitigate environmental threats to human health in and around the vehicle 12. For example, the TDMS 12 may be used to detect threats to human health caused by hazardous gases, pollutants, and / or poor air quality, and may also take steps to mitigate the effects of these threats.

[0035] The TDMS 12 may be stored and executed by a body control module (BCM) 14 of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the BCM 14 may store, for example, a memory hardware 16 for execution. Figure 4 The steps shown in FIG. 1 are instructions that can be executed by the processor 18 of the BCM 24. Figure 3 As shown, the TDMS 12 may include an air quality module 20 , a window control module 22 , a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control module 24 , a body closure control module 26 , a global positioning system (GPS) module 28 , and a user interface device (UID) control module 30 .

[0036] The air quality module 20 may communicate with the window control module 22, the HVAC control module 24, the body closure control module 26, and the UID control module 30. Additionally, the air quality module 20 may receive information regarding the current location of the vehicle 10 from the GPS module 28, as will be described in greater detail below.

[0037] The air quality module 20 may also communicate with an interior remote sensor 32 and an exterior remote sensor 34. The interior remote sensor 32 may be located within a passenger cabin 36 of the vehicle 10, while the exterior remote sensor 34 may be located outside of the passenger cabin 36. As such, the interior remote sensor 32 is configured to detect environmental conditions within the passenger cabin 36, while the exterior sensor 34 is configured to detect environmental conditions in an area outside of the passenger cabin 36 that generally surrounds the vehicle 10.

[0038] The interior remote sensor 32 and the exterior remote sensor 34 may each include a series of sensors that each communicate with the air quality module 20 of the BCM 14. For example, the interior remote sensor 32 and the exterior remote sensor 34 may each include a carbon monoxide sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, an air pressure sensor, a humidity sensor, a particulate matter sensor configured to detect particulate matter in a volume of air, a radon sensor, a mold sensor, a sensor configured to detect the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and / or a camera that is configured to capture images or video of an area within the passenger cabin 36 in the case of the interior remote sensor 32, or an area outside the passenger cabin 36 in the case of the exterior remote sensor 34.

[0039] Information from the interior remote sensors 32 and the exterior remote sensors 34 may be received and used by the air quality module 20 of the TDMS 12 to monitor conditions inside and outside the passenger cabin 36 to detect threats and, further, mitigate the threats once detected.

[0040] The air quality module 20 can transmit information from one or more of the internal remote sensor 32 and the external remote sensor 34 to the UID control module 30. The information can be transmitted to a person located inside the passenger compartment 36 via the internal UID 38, and can be transmitted to a person located outside the passenger compartment 38 via the external UID 40. The internal UID 38 can include a display configured to display information received from the air quality module 20 to the vehicle occupants. For example, if the internal remote sensor 32 detects elevated carbon dioxide levels, the air quality module 20 can transmit the information to the vehicle occupants via the UID control module 30 and the internal UID 38. The information can also be transmitted to a person located outside the vehicle 10 by transmitting the information to an external UID 40 (e.g., a cellular phone or tablet). The information transmitted via the internal UID 38 and the external UID 40 can be visually transmitted through a screen (not shown) associated with the internal UID 38 or the external UID 40. Additionally or alternatively, information communicated via the internal UID 38 and the external UID 40 may be audibly communicated through a speaker (not shown) associated with the internal UID 38 or the external UID 40 .

[0041] Information from the air quality module 20 may also be transmitted from the BCM 14 to a communication network, such as a satellite communication network 42. The satellite communication network 42 may communicate with the UID control module 30 to provide information from the air quality module 20 to the internal UID 38 and / or the external UID 40. Additionally, the satellite communication network 42 may communicate with an external communication device 44, such as a cellular phone or tablet computer. Finally, the satellite communication network 42 may communicate with one or more pieces of equipment 46 that may be located near the vehicle 10.

[0042] Continue to refer Figure 3 , the window control module 22 is shown in communication with a window motor 48 associated with a window 50 of the vehicle 10. The window motor 48 is configured to move the window 50 in a closed state ( Figure 1) and an open state. The window control module 22 can communicate with the window motors 48 to selectively move the windows 50 between the closed state and the open state based on information received from the air quality module 20. Specifically, if the interior remote sensor 32 detects an airborne threat, such as elevated carbon dioxide levels, within the passenger compartment 36, the air quality module 20 can alert the window control module 22. The window control module 22 will then energize one or more of the window motors 48 to move one or more of the windows 50 to the open state to evacuate the threat from within the passenger compartment 36.

[0043] The HVAC control module 24 is shown in communication with the HVAC system 52 of the vehicle 10. The HVAC system 52 may include a fan (not shown) that is configured to circulate air within the passenger compartment 36. Thus, in the above example, if the interior remote sensor 32 detects an airborne threat within the passenger compartment 36, the HVAC control module 24 may instruct the HVAC system 52 to turn on a fan associated with the HVAC system 52 in an effort to force the threat away from the open windows 50. In this example, the window control module 22 and the HVAC control module 24 work in conjunction with each other to open one or more of the windows 50 and force air out of the passenger compartment 38 through the open windows in an effort to remove the threat from within the passenger compartment 36.

[0044] The body closure control module 26 is shown in communication with one or more body closure mechanisms 54 of the vehicle 10. The body closure mechanisms 54 may control one or more release mechanisms (not shown) associated with one or more body closure panels 56 of the vehicle 10. For example, the body closure mechanisms 54 may be associated with a body closure panel 56 associated with a rear opening of a sport utility vehicle (SUV) or hatchback, or may be associated with a body closure panel 56 that allows access to the passenger compartment 36 (e.g., a passenger door). The body closure mechanisms 54 may be configured to move the body closure panels 56 from a closed state to an open state in response to instructions from the body closure module 26.

[0045] In the foregoing example, if the interior remote sensor 32 detects an airborne threat within the passenger compartment 36, the body closure control module 26 may instruct one or more body closure mechanisms 54 to open one or more body panels 56. In this example, the window control module 22, the HVAC control module 24, and the body closure control module 26 work in conjunction with one another to open one or more of the windows 50, open one or more of the body closure panels 56, and force air out of the passenger compartment 38 through the open windows and body closure panels 56 in an effort to eliminate the threat within the passenger compartment 36. It should be appreciated that while the window control module 22, the HVAC control module 24, and the body closure control module 26 are described as working together in the foregoing example, these modules 22, 24, 26 may all work independently of one another, depending on the severity and / or type of threat detected.

[0046] Specific reference Figure 4 , the operation of the TDMS 12 will be described in detail. As described above, the air quality module 20 communicates with the internal remote sensor 32 and the external remote sensor 34, and receives information about the air quality inside the passenger cabin 36 and outside the passenger cabin 38 from the sensors 32, 34. If one or more of the sensors 32, 34 detects at 58 that the air quality inside the passenger cabin 38 or outside the passenger cabin 36 (within a predetermined distance from the vehicle 10) is outside a predetermined threshold, then at 60, the TDMS 12 first determines whether a specific threshold needs to be modified. For example, if the TDMS 12 has information from an external source (such as a news outlet) that the area where the vehicle 10 is located is experiencing a wildfire, then at 62, the TDMS 12 can increase the storage thresholds for particulate matter inside the passenger cabin 36 and outside the passenger cabin 36 for a predetermined period of time.

[0047] Information from an external source can be transmitted to the TDMS 12 via the satellite communication network 42. For example, the satellite communication network 42 can receive information from an external source, such as a news outlet of a wildfire in the area where the vehicle 10 is currently located and / or is traveling toward it. The location of the vehicle 10 can be transmitted to the air quality module 20 by the GPS module 28. If the location of the wildfire is related to the location of the vehicle 10 or is located in the area where the vehicle 10 is traveling (as indicated by the GPS module 28), the air quality module 20 can increase the threshold of the detected specific threat. In this example, the air quality module 20 can increase the threshold of particulate matter within a certain volume of air to prevent continuous warning of a known threat. In addition, the air quality module 20 can ignore the increased particulate matter level and not take corrective action. That is, the air quality module 20 can not cause any one of the window control module 22, the HVAC control module 24, or the body closure control module 26 to take action in response to the increased particulate matter level detected by one or more of the sensors 32, 34.

[0048] It should be noted that even if the TDMS 12 determines that one or more thresholds need to be modified at 60 due to an external event, and further, that the thresholds may be increased or modified for a period of time at 62, the TDMS 12 may still instruct the UID control module 30 to notify the vehicle occupants and / or persons remote from the vehicle 10 of the detected increase in particulate matter. For example, the UID control module 30 may display or play an audio message on one or both of the internal UID 38 or the external UID 40 to communicate the reduction in air quality within the passenger cabin 36 and / or outside the passenger cabin 36 to the vehicle occupants or others associated with the vehicle (i.e., the vehicle owner, fleet owner, central dispatch center, etc.).

[0049] If the TDMS 12 determines at 60 that the thresholds of the various parameters monitored by the sensors 32, 34 do not need to be modified, the TDMS 12 determines at 64 whether the vehicle 10 is traveling. If the vehicle 10 is traveling at 64 and is determined to be the cause of reduced air quality, the TDMS 12 will shut down the vehicle 10 at 66. Specifically, the TDMS 12 will instruct an engine control module (ECM) 68 in communication with the BCM 14 to shut down the vehicle 10. As an example, if one of the sensors 32, 34 detects elevated carbon dioxide levels, and further determines that the vehicle 10 is the cause of the elevated carbon dioxide levels, the TDMS 12 may instruct the ECM 68 to shut down the vehicle 10 to reduce or eliminate the threat (i.e., eliminate the excessive carbon dioxide levels).

[0050] If the vehicle 10 is not operating or is not the cause of the reduced air quality at 64, then the TDMS 12 determines at 70 whether pollutants associated with the threat detected by one or more of the sensors 32, 34 need to be exhausted from the vehicle. If the TDMS 12 determines that pollutants need to be exhausted from the vehicle 10, then at 72, the air quality module 20 of the TDMS 12 may instruct the HVAC control module 24 to turn on a fan associated with the HVAC system 52, may instruct the window control module 22 to open one or more of the windows 50 via the window motors 48, and / or may instruct the body closure control module 26 to open one or more body closure panels 56 via at least one body closure mechanism 54. For example, if the interior remote sensor 32 detects elevated levels of particulate matter within the passenger compartment 36, the air quality module 20 may open a sunroof (not shown) and / or windows 50 of the vehicle 10 by instructing the window control module 22 to actuate one or more window motors 48.

[0051] If the TDMS 12 does not determine at 70 that pollutants need to be removed from the passenger compartment 36, then at 74 the TDMS 12 determines whether the air quality within a predetermined distance around the vehicle 10 has degraded. For example, if the vehicle 10 is parked at a home or residence, the TDMS 12 may determine at 74 whether the air quality at the home or residence has degraded. Finally, whether the vehicle 10 is at home or in a residence, when the external remote sensor 34 detects a degraded air quality in an area where a person of the vehicle 10 is located, the TDMS 12 may take action to mitigate the degraded air quality. The TDMS 12 may determine the presence of a person around the vehicle 10 by using a camera of at least one of the sensors 32, 34.

[0052] If TDMS 12 determines at 74 that there is a contaminant in the area surrounding vehicle 10 (i.e., in an occupied area or residence), then at 75 TDMS 12 may sound the horn (not shown) of vehicle 10, may place a call to the police or fire department via communication network 42, may alert the owner of vehicle 10 and / or people living in the area via external UID 40, communication network 42, and / or external communication device 44, or may alert bystanders via external UID 40, communication network 42, and / or external communication device 44. Additionally, if vehicle 10 is located in a garage, TDMS 12 may provide a warning signal to garage door controller 76 ( Figure 2 ) sends an open signal to open a garage door (not shown) in an attempt to evacuate the threat from the area around the vehicle 10. In this case, the TDMS 12 may know the location of the vehicle 10 based on information from the GPS module 28. If the air quality module 20 determines that an air quality threshold is exceeded in a predetermined area around the vehicle 10 based on information from the external remote sensor 34, the TDMS 12 may instruct the garage door controller 76 to open the garage door to exhaust the air within the garage, thereby mitigating the threat.

[0053] In addition to the foregoing, if one or both of the sensors 32, 34 detect a threat (i.e., reduced air quality) in conjunction with the vehicle 10 within a predetermined distance of the external device 46, the TDMS 12 can communicate with other external devices 46, such as a smart lawn mower, to shut down the external device 46. For example, if the external device 46 is running and one of the sensors 32, 34 detects a reduction in air quality (i.e., an increase in carbon dioxide) such that a threshold is exceeded, the air quality module 20 can instruct the external device 46 to shut itself down to reduce the carbon dioxide level near the vehicle 10. Likewise, the TDMS 12 will know whether the vehicle 10 is within a predetermined distance relative to the external device 46 based on information received from the GPS module 28.

[0054] If it is determined that the level of pollutants outside the vehicle 10 exceeds a threshold, the air quality module 20 may take additional actions to inhibit pollutants from entering the passenger compartment 36. For example, the air quality module 20 may instruct the window control module 22 to close all windows 50, may instruct the HVAC control module 24 to shut down the HVAC system 52 or to only circulate air within the passenger compartment 36 (i.e., not draw outside air into the passenger compartment 36), and / or may instruct the body closure control module 26 to maintain all body closure panels 56 in a closed state.

[0055] In addition to the foregoing, the TDMS 12 may use the communication network 42 to communicate with other vehicles (not shown) in the area near the vehicle 10 to make the other vehicles aware of the reduced air quality. For example, if the other vehicles are within a predetermined distance of the vehicle 10, the vehicle 10 may communicate with the other vehicles to let the other vehicles know that the pollutant threshold is exceeded, the nature of the pollutant, and / or the actions taken by the TDMS 12 to mitigate the reduced air quality. For example, if one or more of the sensors 32, 34 detect an increase in carbon dioxide at 64 such that a threshold value of carbon dioxide in and / or around the vehicle 10 is exceeded, and further, the vehicle 10 is not the source of the increased carbon dioxide level, the TDMS 12 may communicate with other nearby vehicles to warn the vehicle of the increased carbon dioxide level. In this way, the other vehicles may take action to mitigate the reduced air quality.

[0056] If the TDMS 12 determines at 74 that the pollutant is not in an occupied area or residence, the TDMS 12 determines at 78 whether there are any other potential ways to mitigate the degradation of air quality. If not, the TDMS 12 does not take any action at 80. If there are other actions that the TDMS 12 can take to mitigate the degradation of air quality at 78, the TDMS 12 moves to 82, and depending on the pollutant threshold exceeded, the nature of the pollutant, the location of the pollutant, and / or the location of the vehicle 10, the TDMS 12 can improve the air quality in and around the vehicle 10 by taking further steps at 82.

[0057] For example, the TDMS 12 may determine that the vehicle 10 is located in a service garage (not shown) based on information from the GPS module 28 and / or a camera associated with one or both of the sensors 32, 34. If one or both of the sensors 32, 34 detect an elevated level of carbon dioxide, the information is sent to the air quality module 20. The air quality module 20 may determine that the increased level of carbon dioxide exceeds a threshold value for an acceptable level of carbon dioxide, and may recommend taking action to reduce the level of carbon dioxide around the vehicle 10. For example, the air quality module 20 may communicate to the internal UID 38, the external UID 40, the communication network 42, and / or the external communication device 44 that a threshold value for carbon dioxide has been exceeded, and further, based on the location of the vehicle 10 (i.e., in a service garage), may recommend attaching an exhaust hose to the tail pipe (not shown) of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the air quality module 20 may additionally or alternatively recommend running an exhaust fan (not shown) in the service garage to exhaust air within the service garage, thereby removing threats / contaminants from the garage. Finally, the air quality module 20 may recommend service for the vehicle 10 if the emissions data for the vehicle 10 recorded by the module 20 is below acceptable standards.

[0058] As described, the TDMS 12 can be used to identify and mitigate threats based on air quality levels in and around the vehicle 10 being below acceptable standards. For example, the TDMS 12 can communicate with the vehicle occupants and / or owner when a threshold level of a pollutant such as carbon dioxide is exceeded. In addition, the TDMS 12 can take action to improve air quality by controlling vehicle systems (i.e., shutting down the vehicle 10, opening windows 50, opening body closure panels 56, and / or turning on a fan of the HVAC system 52) or by controlling external systems such as external devices 46. Finally, the TDMS 12 can recommend actions to remove or reduce pollutants by alerting the vehicle occupants or others in close proximity to the vehicle to take action (i.e., alerting the occupant or technician to attach an exhaust hose to the tailpipe of the vehicle 10 and / or turning on an exhaust fan associated with the area where the vehicle 10 is located).

[0059] Many embodiments have been described. However, it should be understood that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0060] The foregoing description is provided for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. The individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but are interchangeable where applicable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. It can also be varied in many ways. Such variations should not be considered as departing from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A system for a vehicle, comprising: Data processing hardware; memory hardware in communication with the data processing hardware, the memory hardware storing instructions that, when executed on the data processing hardware, cause the data processing hardware to perform operations comprising: Detection of airborne pollutants in vehicle cabins; determining whether the airborne contaminant exceeds a contaminant threshold; and When the airborne pollutant exceeds the pollutant threshold, the level of the airborne pollutant within the vehicle cabin is reduced by controlling at least one vehicle system.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: Controlling at least one vehicle system includes instructing an engine control module to shut down an engine of the vehicle.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein: Controlling at least one vehicle system includes instructing at least one window motor to move a window from a closed state to an open state.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein: Controlling at least one vehicle system includes instructing a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to turn on a fan.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein: Controlling at least one vehicle system includes instructing a body closure mechanism to open a body closure panel of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising communicating the level of airborne contaminants within the vehicle cabin to a user interface device (UID).

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: When the airborne pollutant exceeds the pollutant threshold, the airborne pollutant is reduced by controlling an external device located at a predetermined distance from the vehicle.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein: Controlling the external device includes instructing the external device to shut down.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising instructing a body closure mechanism to close or maintain a body closure panel of the vehicle in a closed state to restrict the airborne contaminant from entering the vehicle cabin.

10. A vehicle comprising the system according to claim 1.

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