Vehicle-based allergen sensitivity monitoring

Abstract

A vehicle includes a controller with a processor and memory. The controller features an allergen sensitivity detection module. A physiological sensor suite in the vehicle is configured to identify an occupant's physiological response. The vehicle also includes an air quality sensor suite with air quality sensors and at least one camera that defines a field of view encompassing the occupant. The allergen sensitivity detection module contains instructions configured to instruct the processor to detect an occupant's physiological response, identify a correlation between the occupant's physiological response and a detected allergen, and generate a response based on the identified correlation.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicles and in particular to monitoring vehicle air quality based on detected occupant reactions.

[0002] Detecting and diagnosing airborne allergen sensitivity at home can be challenging for several reasons. First, identifying specific airborne allergens requires specialized equipment and testing procedures that are not readily available to individuals. Additionally, allergy symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other conditions, leading to delayed detection. Allergies can also develop gradually over time as individuals are exposed to allergens without recognizing the connection to their symptoms. This delayed detection can mean that years pass before someone realizes they have an allergy and seeks appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

[0003] Some vehicles include air quality monitoring systems; however, existing systems typically monitor and test ambient air quality as air is supplied to the vehicle. While this monitoring provides insight into the surroundings, it does not offer tailored information for each vehicle occupant. Similarly, it does not track contaminants within the vehicle's passenger compartment, such as pet dander, pollen, dust, and the like.

[0004] While existing air quality monitoring systems provide static insights into air quality, they are unable to account for changes in the occupant's behavior. Consequently, initial alarm thresholds that can be set and / or allergen types identified by the occupant may not be accurate at a future point in time.

[0005] It is desirable to provide an allergen sensitivity monitoring system for a vehicle that takes into account allergens introduced into the vehicle via routes other than an air intake, and for a vehicle that monitors the dynamic allergen sensitivity of one or more occupants over time. Description

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle includes a controller with a processor and memory. The controller has an allergen sensitivity detection module. A physiological sensor suite in the vehicle is configured to identify a physiological response of an occupant. The vehicle also includes an air quality sensor suite with air quality sensors and at least one camera that defines a field of view including the occupant. The allergen sensitivity detection module includes instructions configured to cause the processor to detect a physiological response of the occupant, identify a correlation between the physiological response of the occupant and a detected allergen, and generate a response based on the identified correlation.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the generated response includes at least one of the following: issuing an allergen sensitivity report to the occupant, notifying a first responder, adjusting at least one vehicle airflow parameter, rerouting a vehicle navigation system, and rerouting an autonomous driving system.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the characteristics described herein, the reaction produced depends on the severity of the physiological reaction.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, identifying the correlation between the occupant's physiological response and the detected allergen includes assessing the severity of the physiological response on a physiological response scale, normalizing a detected magnitude of at least one allergen to the physiological response scale, and identifying a correlation between the physiological response and the at least one allergen in response to a physiological response assessment exceeding a threshold and the normalized magnitude of the at least one allergen exceeding the threshold.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, identifying the correlation between the occupant's physiological response and the detected allergen involves receiving at least one physiological response input from the occupant and recalculating the physiological response including the physiological response input from the occupant.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the air quality sensor suite includes a first set of sensors configured to monitor allergen levels in air supplied to the vehicle from an external environment, and a second set of sensors configured to monitor air recirculated from a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the allergen sensitivity detection module further includes instructions configured to cause the processor to update an occupant history file with the identified correlation and to compare the identified correlation with historical correlations.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the generated response includes an output that identifies a difference between the identified correlation and the historical correlation.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the physiological sensor suite includes biosensors, cameras, microphones, and lidar sensors.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the allergen sensitivity detection module includes instructions configured to cause the processor to iterate through the identification of the correlation between the occupant's physiological response and a detected allergen, and to generate a response to the identified correlation at a predetermined interval.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the allergen sensitivity detection module includes instructions configured to cause the processor to continuously detect the occupant's physiological response and monitor allergen levels.

[0017] In another exemplary embodiment, a method for monitoring an occupant's allergen sensitivity involves detecting the occupant's physiological response using a vehicle's physiological sensor suite. The quantity of at least one allergen in the vehicle is detected using a vehicle's air quality sensor suite. A correlation between the occupant's physiological response and the detected quantity of the at least one allergen is detected using a vehicle control system. A vehicle response to the identified correlation is implemented using the control system.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vehicle response includes at least one of the following: issuing an allergen sensitivity report to the occupant, notifying a first responder, adjusting at least one vehicle airflow parameter, rerouting a vehicle navigation system, and rerouting an autonomous driving system.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the characteristics described herein, the vehicle's reaction depends on the severity of the physiological reaction.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, identifying the correlation between the occupant's physiological response and the detected allergen includes assessing the severity of the physiological response on a physiological response scale, normalizing a detected magnitude of at least one allergen to the physiological response scale, and identifying a correlation between the physiological response and the at least one allergen in response to a physiological response assessment exceeding a threshold and the normalized magnitude of the at least one allergen exceeding the threshold.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, identifying the correlation between the occupant's physiological response and the detected allergen involves receiving at least one physiological response input from the occupant and recalculating the physiological response including the physiological response input from the occupant.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the air quality sensor suite includes a first set of sensors configured to monitor allergen levels in air supplied to the vehicle from an external environment, and a second set of sensors configured to monitor air recirculated from a passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the procedure involves updating an inmate history file with the identified correlation and comparing the identified correlation with historical correlations.

[0024] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the vehicle response includes an output that identifies a difference between the identified correlation and the historical correlation.

[0025] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the procedure involves iterating to identify the correlation between the occupant's physiological response and a detected allergen, and generating a response to the identified correlation within a predetermined interval.

[0026] The foregoing features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the disclosure, will become readily apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] Other features, advantages, and details appear only as examples in the following detailed description, which refers to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 represents a vehicle that incorporates a dynamic allergen sensitivity monitoring system; and Fig. 2 illustrates a method for operating the dynamic allergen sensitivity monitoring system, which takes into account one or more specific vehicle occupants. Detailed description

[0028] The following description is merely exemplary and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. It is understood that in the drawings, identical reference numerals denote identical or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the term "module" refers to a processing circuit that may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or grouped), and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

[0029] As used herein, the term control refers to a control configuration that includes a dedicated system with a processor and memory, a distributed control configuration that includes multiple systems communicating with each other and configured to implement a control scheme together, a general system with one or more processors and memories and including subroutines, modules or programs for influencing a particular control scheme, or any similar control architecture configured to influence a desired control scheme.

[0030] As used herein, the term sensor suite refers to sensors, communication links between the sensors and one or more control elements (such as a controller), and any corresponding physical structures for mounting the sensors at a desired location. A sensor suite may include sensors distributed around a vehicle in addition to sensors positioned at a single central location. The communication links may be direct or indirect and may be wired or wireless. The identification and discussion of specific sensor structures and sensor types within the sensor suite is exemplary and not exhaustive. Thus, additional sensor types and structures beyond those expressly identified may be integrated and used as part of the sensor suite in any conventional manner.

[0031] An exemplary embodiment illustrates Fig. 1. A vehicle 10 comprising a vehicle body 12 and a passenger compartment 14. A driver and a passenger (collectively referred to as occupant(s) 20) are positioned within the passenger compartment 14. The vehicle 10 further comprises cameras 32, 34, each defining a corresponding field of view 36, 38 that includes one or more of the vehicle occupants 20. The cameras 32, 34 communicate with a vehicle control unit (controller 50). Although illustrated at positions directly in front of each vehicle occupant 20, it is understood that the cameras 32, 34 can be positioned at alternative and / or additional locations throughout the passenger compartment 14. The controller 50 includes an allergen sensitivity detection module 52 for implementing an allergen sensitivity detection method 200 (in Fig. (2 illustrated). The control unit 50 further includes a memory that stores occupant profiles characterizing data relating to uniquely identified occupants 20. The data may include allergy details generated and used by the allergen sensitivity detection module 52, as well as any other unique information about the uniquely identified occupant 20, such as climate preferences, driving habits, and the like.

[0032] A physiological sensor suite 22 monitors one or more physiological characteristics of the occupant(s) 20 and provides the monitored details to the controller 50. In some examples, the physiological sensor suite 22 includes biosensors, cameras, microphones, lidar, and the like, arranged in the passenger compartment 14 or otherwise configured to monitor occupants 20. The physiological sensors monitor the occupants 20 to detect any symptoms of an allergic reaction and / or respiratory distress and provide the output data to the controller 50. Monitored symptoms may include, but are not limited to, abnormal breathing patterns, shortness of breath, excessive coughing or throat venting, wheezing or whistling, sneezing, and increased respiratory rate.In addition to respiratory parameters, image analysis and / or a combination of image analysis and other sensor feedback can be used by the controller 50 to identify watery or itchy eyes using images from cameras 32, 34 and gesture analysis for frequency, severity, duration of rubbing, wiping, redness, etc. Additional physiological sensors can be used to analyze increased heart rate, decreased blood oxygen saturation, changes in body temperature, and changes in voice quality (tiredness / voice fatigue).

[0033] In some examples, the control unit 50 can also include facial recognition, and the occupants 20 can be uniquely identified using the images generated by the cameras 32, 34. The facial recognition technology automatically identifies which passengers are in the vehicle and adjusts the system's sensitivity in real time to correlate with the profile data of the current occupants 20.

[0034] Vehicle 10 includes a heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system 40. The HVAC system 40 has an air inlet 42 and an air outlet 44. In this example, the air inlet 42 of the HVAC system 40 draws air from both inside the passenger compartment 14 and outside the vehicle 10. The controller 50 communicates with the HVAC system 40. The HVAC system 40 includes an air quality sensor suite 46. The air quality sensor suite 46 includes sensors for monitoring allergen levels in the air supplied to the passenger compartment 14 and in the air supplied via the air inlet 42.

[0035] The air quality sensor suite 46 monitors the airflow from the inlet 42 and outlet 44 for particles or substances that may be allergenic, including common airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, and the like, as well as for traces of less common airborne allergens, including nuts, seafood, fruits / vegetables, latex, insects, medications, and the like. In addition to allergen monitoring, the air quality sensor suite 46 also monitors for air pollution, smog, industrial emissions, smoke, chemical fumes, and odors. In some examples, data generated by the air quality sensor suite 46 can be supplemented by weather data generated by vehicle sensors, including heat and cold extremes, humidity levels, and the like, as well as weather data provided to the controller 50 by an external computer system 70 via a data connection.

[0036] Environmental factors can lead to longer and more concentrated pollen seasons. As a result, allergies are more common, and people's reactions when triggered can be more severe. The vehicle 10 incorporates a non-invasive in-vehicle system (cameras 32, 34, air quality sensors 46, physiological sensors 22, and allergen sensitivity module 52) that tracks changes in the sensitivity of one or more occupants 20 to allergens over time by analyzing airborne particle and allergen concentration data collected by the air quality sensor suite 46 and correlating the collected data with the physiological reactions of the occupants 20 while they are in the vehicle 10. The physiological reactions are identified by a combination of measurements from the physiological sensor suite 22 and image analysis of video feeds provided by cameras 32 and 34.

[0037] The allergen sensitivity tracking system leverages the fact that the vehicle 10 is a closed system with routine activities (e.g., daily commutes, weekly activity trips, and the like). In addition to being a closed system, the vehicle 10, due to its regular usage patterns, has a reduced number of variables compared to a less restricted system, such as a building. This reduced number of variables, combined with the closed system status, allows the control system 50 to more easily identify potential allergen triggers and the severity of those triggers for a given regular occupant 20.By analyzing correlations in data, the vehicle can provide insights into the air quality within the passenger compartment and into potential changes in allergen sensitivity in one or more of the vehicle's regular occupants. In some examples, the procedure recommends that an occupant seek medical treatment and / or that a vehicle navigation system or autonomous driving system redirects the vehicle to a treatment facility.

[0038] When a physiological reaction to an allergen is identified using the physiological sensor suite 22, the controller 50 notifies the occupant 20 of what in the air correlates with the reaction, thus enabling the occupant 20 to identify what triggered the reaction. In some examples, the controller 50 can also generate a report that can be shared with a medical provider. If the physiological sensor suite 22 detects signs of respiratory distress based on data collected by the air quality sensor suite 46, the controller 50 can intervene automatically using pre-programmed preferences. These pre-programmed preferences may include, among other things, adjusting environmental systems in the passenger compartment 14 (air intake 42, air outlet 44, recirculation, and the like).In some examples, the controller 50 can further respond by providing guided breathing exercises, contacting an emergency contact, activating an automated vehicle system to stop the vehicle 10 in a safe location, alerting a first responder and providing them with a stored medical history, or rerouting the vehicle 10 through a less contaminated area. In some other examples, the controller 50 can also identify a physiological response and provide notifications to the occupant 20. These notifications may include recommendations to visit a medical provider, notifications of a change in the severity of the occupant's response, or similar alerts.

[0039] Additionally, in some examples, the control unit 50 can perform source data collection and correlate external conditions (e.g., vehicle settings, specific make / model / year of vehicle 10, trim option, and other variables related to the effectiveness of filters, cleaners, etc.) by communicating with the remote computer system 70 using any conventional communication method. This communication can further be used by the remote computer system to prevent sensitive drivers from entering areas where high allergen levels could cause problems.

[0040] With further reference to Fig. 1 illustrates Fig.2 a method 200 for monitoring allergens in the air and correlating the monitored allergens with physiological reactions of occupants and using the correlation to track changes in an occupant's allergen sensitivity 20.

[0041] Initially, when the vehicle 10 is started, the control unit 50 detects the occupants 20 in a driving initiation step 202 and integrates stored occupant profiles corresponding to the identified occupants 20 with the allergen sensitivity monitoring module 52 in an identification step 204. The occupants 20 can be identified via facial recognition using the cameras 32, 34, manual input by the occupants, or any conventional identification method.

[0042] While the vehicle 10 is operating, the air quality sensor suite 46 collects air quality and allergen information. The controller 50 monitors the outputs of cameras 32 and 34 and the physiological sensor suite 22 to determine the physiological responses of the occupants 20 in a data collection step 206. In addition to the monitored data, one or more occupants 20 can manually enter data in a self-reported data step 208. The manually entered data can be provided via a connected phone application, an in-vehicle interface, or any other data entry method.

[0043] While the vehicle is operating, procedure 200 is repeated in a loop, beginning with an allergen sensitivity correlation calculation step 210. The calculated allergen sensitivity correlation defines the severity of the physiological reaction against the potency of the allergens (e.g., parts per million of the allergen detected in the air). The correlations are evaluated against thresholds, which are determined by experts based on knowledge of physiological reactions to allergens. The severity of the physiological reaction is rated on a scale (e.g., 0 to 10, where 10 is the most severe), and the potency of the correlated allergen is normalized to the same scale.

[0044] For the physiological reaction, the physiological response is measured by sensors, cameras, etc., and a severity is assigned such that a severity of 0.0 indicates no physiological reaction and a severity of 10.0 is a maximum physiological reaction (e.g., anaphylactic shock).

[0045] Similarly, the allergen potency is normalized to a linear scale based on particulate matter, where 0 indicates that no allergen of this type is present and 10 indicates that an extremely high level of this allergen type is detected. The allergen score is adjusted to the allergen type by a person skilled in the art, with the normalization based on conventional knowledge of low, medium, high, and extreme allergen scores for a given allergen. The listed range of 0 to 10 for the ratings is arbitrary, and practical implementations may use any numerical scale, with the range indicating low to high severity.

[0046] Using the ratings, Procedure 200 determines whether there is a correlation between the presence of a given allergen and a physiological reaction in an allergen correlation test 212. A correlation is identified if both the physiological reaction and the potency have ratings on their respective scales above a given threshold. If a correlation is identified, Procedure 200 generates a rating report 214 and alerts the inmate(s) 20 to the correlation, as well as any other designated contacts that can be assigned by the inmate 20, in an alert step 216 for the inmate. The procedure then returns to the data collection step 206 and continues iterating.

[0047] If the correlation check 212 does not identify a correlation, the procedure 200 allows the occupant(s) 20 to provide additional symptoms that may not have been identified by the physiological sensor suite 22 in a step 213 to confirm additional symptoms. If the occupant(s) 20 confirm that additional, uncaptured physiological symptoms were present, the additional symptoms are integrated into the dataset, the physiological response score is recalculated, and a second allergen correlation check 215 is performed. If a correlation is present in the second check 215, the procedure 200 generates the score at step 214 and proceeds to step 214.

[0048] If the additional symptom information obtained during the second check 215 does not lead to an identified correlation, the procedure 200 reviews historical occupant data and determines whether that particular occupant's allergen correlation 20 has changed compared to previous assessments in a correlation change check 218. In an example, this comparison is made by identifying when the potency was at similar values ​​and determining whether the physiological response is different. If no change has occurred, the procedure 200 returns to the data collection step 206 and iterates. If the allergen correlation has changed, the procedure 200 generates a report in the report generation step 214 and proceeds from there.

[0049] Although illustrated as a continuous iteration, it is understood that Procedure 200 can include a delay between each iteration, allowing for the collection of additional data before attempting to identify new or changed correlations. For example, Procedure 200 can continuously collect data (Data Collection Step 206) but only check for correlations at the end of each drive or each set time interval (e.g., every minute).

[0050] In-vehicle allergy monitoring provides a controlled environment with real-time allergen data and tracking of physiological responses. This enables continuous exposure tracking and personalized allergy profiles, potentially leading to earlier allergy identification and improved driver well-being.

[0051] The terms "a" and "an" do not denote a limitation of the set, but instead indicate the presence of at least one of the referenced elements. The term "or" means "and / or" unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Reference throughout the description to "an aspect" means that a particular element (e.g., feature, structure, step, or property) described in connection with that aspect is contained in at least one aspect described herein and may or may not be present in other aspects. Furthermore, it is understood that the described elements in the various aspects may be combined in any suitable way.

[0052] When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is described as being "on" another element, it may be located directly on top of that element, or there may be intervening elements. Conversely, when an element is described as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0053] Unless otherwise specified herein, all test standards are the most recent standard applicable from the filing date of this application or, if priority is claimed, the filing date of the application with the earliest priority in which the test standard appears.

[0054] Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as generally understood by a person skilled in the art to whom this disclosure belongs.

[0055] While the foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is understood by the person skilled in the art that various modifications can be made and equivalents for elements thereof can be exchanged without altering its scope. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without deviating from its essential scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but includes all embodiments that fall within its scope.

Claims

[1] Vehicle, comprising: a controller with a processor and a memory, wherein the controller includes an allergen sensitivity detection module; a physiological sensor suite configured to identify a physiological response of an occupant; an air quality sensor suite that includes air quality sensors; at least one camera that defines a field of view that includes the occupant; and wherein the allergen sensitivity detection module includes instructions configured to cause the processor to detect an occupant's physiological response, identify a correlation between the occupant's physiological response and a detected allergen, and generate a response to the identified correlation. [2] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the generated response includes at least one of the issuing of an allergen sensitivity report to the occupant, the notification of a first responder, the adjustment of at least one vehicle airflow parameter, the rerouting of a vehicle navigation system, and the rerouting of an autonomous driving system. [3] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the generated reaction depends on the severity of the physiological reaction. [4] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein identifying the correlation between the physiological reaction of the occupant and the detected allergen comprises assessing the severity of the physiological reaction on a physiological reaction scale, normalizing a detected magnitude of at least one allergen to the physiological reaction scale, and identifying a correlation between the physiological reaction and the at least one allergen in response to a physiological reaction assessment exceeding a threshold and the normalized magnitude of the at least one allergen exceeding the threshold. [5] Vehicle according to claim 4, wherein identifying the correlation between the physiological response of the occupant and the detected allergen includes receiving at least one physiological response input from the occupant and recalculating the physiological response including the physiological response input from the occupant. [6] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the air quality sensor suite includes a first set of sensors configured to monitor allergen levels in air supplied to the vehicle from an external environment and a second set of sensors configured to monitor air recirculated from a passenger compartment of the vehicle. [7] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the allergen sensitivity detection module further includes instructions configured to cause the processor to update an occupant history file with the identified correlation and to compare the identified correlation with historical correlations, and wherein optionally the generated response includes an output that identifies a difference between the identified correlation and the historical correlations. [8] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the physiological sensor suite includes biosensors, cameras, microphones and lidar sensors. [9] Vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the allergen sensitivity detection module includes instructions configured to cause the processor to iterate the identification of the correlation between the occupant's physiological response and a detected allergen, and to generate a response to the identified correlation at a predetermined interval. [10] Vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the allergen sensitivity detection module includes instructions configured to cause the processor to continuously detect a physiological response of the occupant and monitor allergen levels.

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