Autonomous Seat Disinfection System for Vehicles

Abstract

To provide an autonomous seat sanitizing system for a vehicle.SOLUTION: An autonomous seat sanitizing system for a vehicle comprises: a vehicle seat sanitizing system control module configured to detect a person approaching the vehicle. Responsive to detection of the person approaching to the vehicle, a distance of the person from the vehicle is determined. The distance of the person from the vehicle is compared with a predetermined threshold distance. If the distance of the person from the vehicle is less than the predetermined threshold distance, the control module determines if at least one seat in a vehicle occupant compartment is unoccupied. If the at least one seat is unoccupied, the module controls operation of the vehicle to direct a sanitizing ultraviolet (UV) light onto the at least one unoccupied seat until a vehicle door is opened from an exterior of the vehicle, or until the distance of the person from the vehicle becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold distance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The subject matter described herein relates to a disinfection system, and more particularly, to a system for autonomously disinfecting a vehicle seat before and / or after use. [Background technology]

[0002] It is becoming increasingly important for both medical and psychological reasons that people feel that the surfaces they touch can be disinfected to cleanse them of bacteria and viruses. Many users may sit on various seats in a passenger vehicle. Such seats are rarely disinfected after use and it may be burdensome for vehicle owners to manually spray or wipe down the seats before and / or after use. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In one aspect of the embodiments described herein, an autonomous seat disinfection system for a vehicle is provided. The system includes one or more processors and a memory communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. The memory stores a vehicle seat disinfection system control module configured to detect a person approaching the vehicle. In response to the detection of the person approaching the vehicle, a distance of the person from the vehicle is determined and continuously updated. The distance of the person from the vehicle is compared to a predetermined threshold distance. If the distance of the person from the vehicle is less than the predetermined threshold distance, the vehicle seat disinfection system control module determines whether at least one seat in the vehicle passenger compartment is vacant. If the at least one seat in the vehicle passenger compartment is vacant, the module controls the operation of the vehicle to direct disinfecting ultraviolet (UV) light to the at least one vacant seat until a door of the vehicle is opened from outside the vehicle or the distance of the person from the vehicle is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold distance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0004] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various system, method and other embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be understood that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one embodiment of boundaries. In some embodiments, an element may be designed as multiple elements, or multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some embodiments, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component, and vice versa. Additionally, elements may not be drawn to scale.

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of a vehicle incorporating a vehicle seat disinfection system according to embodiments described herein. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a possible configuration of a vehicle seat incorporating an embodiment of a vehicle seat disinfection system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the rear seat of the vehicle of FIG. 2 illustrating the operation of one possible configuration of UV light for disinfecting the rear seat. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the rear seat of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flow chart illustrating one possible mode of operation of an embodiment of a vehicle seat disinfection system. [Figure 6] 13 is a flow chart illustrating another possible mode of operation of an embodiment of a vehicle seat disinfection system. [Figure 7] 13 is a flow chart illustrating yet another possible mode of operation of an embodiment of a vehicle seat disinfection system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] The embodiments described herein relate to an autonomous seat disinfection system for a vehicle. The system may provide several modes of operation designed to disinfect one or more unoccupied vehicle seats with UV light either before a user occupies the seat or after the user vacates the seat. In one exemplary mode of operation, the system may be configured to detect a person approaching the vehicle. In response to detecting a person approaching the vehicle, the distance of the person from the vehicle is determined and continually updated. The distance of the person from the vehicle is compared to a predetermined threshold distance. If the distance of the person from the vehicle is less than the predetermined threshold distance, the vehicle seat disinfection system control module determines whether at least one seat in the vehicle passenger compartment is vacant. If at least one seat in the vehicle passenger compartment is vacant, the module controls the operation of the vehicle to direct disinfecting ultraviolet (UV) light to the at least one vacant seat until a vehicle door is opened from outside the vehicle or the distance of the person from the vehicle is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold distance. Other modes of operation are described.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of a vehicle 100 incorporating an autonomous vehicle seat disinfection system according to an embodiment described herein. As used herein, a "vehicle" is any form of motorized transportation. In one or more implementations, the vehicle 100 is a conventional passenger vehicle. Various operations of the vehicle may be controlled by a processor 110 and / or memory 112 that includes one or more specialized modules as described herein. Although the configuration is described herein with respect to a passenger vehicle, it will be understood that the embodiments are not limited to passenger vehicles. In some implementations, the vehicle 100 may be any form of motorized transportation that benefits from the features discussed herein.

[0008] Vehicle 100 also includes various other elements. It will be understood that in various embodiments, vehicle 100 may not have all of the elements shown in FIG. 1 . Vehicle 100 can have any combination of the various elements shown in FIG. 1 . Additionally, vehicle 100 can have elements in addition to those shown in FIG. 1 . In some configurations, vehicle 100 may be implemented without one or more of the elements shown in FIG. 1 . Although various elements are shown in FIG. 1 as being located within vehicle 100, it will be understood that one or more of such elements can be located external to vehicle 100.

[0009] Some of the possible elements of vehicle 100 are shown in and described with reference to FIG. 1. Additionally, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among different figures, where necessary, to indicate corresponding or similar elements. Moreover, the discussion has outlined many specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the embodiments described herein may be implemented using various combinations of such elements.

[0010] The vehicle 100 may include one or more processors 110. In one or more configurations, the processor 110 may be a main processor of the vehicle 100. For example, the processor 110 may be an electronic control unit (ECU) for the vehicle. The vehicle 100 may include one or more data stores 115 for storing one or more types of data. The data stores 115 may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory. Examples of suitable data stores 115 include RAM (random access memory), flash memory, ROM (read only memory), PROM (programmable read only memory), EPROM (erasable programmable read only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory), registers, magnetic disks, optical disks, hard drives, or any other suitable storage medium, or any combination thereof. The data stores 115 may be components of the processor 110, or the data stores 115 may be operatively connected to and used by the processor 110. As used throughout this description, the term "operably connected" can include direct or indirect connections, including connections without direct physical contact.

[0011] The data store 115 may include sensor data 119. In this context, "sensor data" means information about sensors equipped with the vehicle 100, including any information about such sensors, including performance. As described below, the vehicle 100 may include a sensor system 120. The sensor data 119 may relate to one or more sensors of the sensor system 120. As an example, in one or more configurations, the sensor data 119 may include information about one or more vehicle door handle sensors 126 of the sensor system 120.

[0012] As described above, the vehicle 100 may include a sensor system 120. The sensor system 120 may include one or more sensors. A "sensor" refers to any device, component, and / or system that can detect and / or sense something. The sensor or sensors may be configured to detect and / or sense in real-time. As used herein, the term "real-time" refers to a level of processing responsiveness that a user or system perceives as immediate enough for a particular process or decision to be performed or that allows a processor to keep up with some external process. In configurations where the sensor system 120 includes multiple sensors, the sensors may operate independently of one another. Alternatively, two or more of the sensors may operate in combination with one another. In such cases, the two or more sensors may form a sensor network. The sensor system 120 and / or the sensor or sensors may be operatively connected to the processor 110, the data store 115, and / or other elements (including any of the elements shown in FIG. 1) of the vehicle 100.

[0013] The sensor system 120 may include any suitable type of sensor. However, it will be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the particular sensors described. Various examples of sensors for the sensor system 120 are described herein. The example sensors may be part of one or more environmental sensors 122 and / or one or more vehicle sensors 121. However, it will be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the particular sensors described. The sensor system 120 may include any sensor suitable and / or required to enable performance of any of the data acquisition and / or vehicle control operations discussed herein.

[0014] Sensors of sensor system 120 may be communicatively coupled to various systems and components of vehicle 100. Sensor system 120 may include sensors configured to detect a current state or status of vehicle systems and components and generate signals or other indications regarding the status of the vehicle systems and components.

[0015] The sensor system 120 may include one or more vehicle sensors 121. The vehicle sensors 121 may detect, determine, and / or sense information regarding the vehicle 100 itself and / or any occupants within the vehicle.

[0016] Vehicle sensors 121 may include occupant sensors 125 configured to detect conditions and / or events inside the vehicle or passenger compartment. Occupant sensors 125 may be configured to detect the presence, location, and / or number of people or animals (i.e., pets) in the vehicle passenger compartment. Occupant sensors 125 may include seat sensors configured to detect the presence of people, animals, and / or other objects in a particular seat in the passenger compartment. Occupant sensors 125 may be configured to detect occupant movement in the passenger compartment and to detect occupant entry and exit from the passenger compartment. Any type of occupant sensor may be used, or multiple types may be used simultaneously for redundancy. Examples of types of occupant sensors include seat weight sensors, radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, sonar sensors, etc.

[0017] The vehicle sensors 121 may include door lock sensors 152 operatively coupled to each vehicle door and configured to detect whether the door is locked or unlocked, so that an "open" or "closed" status of the door may be determined (i.e., a vehicle door is considered open if the door is unlocked and closed if the door is locked).

[0018] The sensor system 120 may include one or more environmental sensors 122 configured to obtain data of at least a portion of an external environment (e.g., nearby objects) of the vehicle 100. The environmental sensors 122 may detect data or information regarding the external environment in which the vehicle is located or one or more portions thereof. In one or more configurations, the environmental sensors 122 may include one or more radar sensors, one or more LIDAR sensors, one or more cameras, and / or other types of sensors.

[0019] The environmental sensors 122 may include a door handle sensor 126 operatively coupled to each vehicle door handle and configured to detect the proximity or distance of a person to the door handle. The door handle sensor 126 may also be used to determine if a person is opening a door from outside the vehicle. In one or more configurations, the door handle sensor 126 may also be used to determine if a person is approaching or moving away from a vehicle by detecting if the person's distance from the vehicle is either decreasing or increasing. Alternatively, other sensors may be used to perform this function. In one or more configurations, the door handle sensor 126 may also be used to determine the distance of one or more people from the vehicle. Specifically, data from the door handle sensor 126 may be compared to determine the shortest distance from a person near the vehicle to any door handle. This shortest distance may then be considered the person's distance from the vehicle. The door handle sensor 126 may also be used to determine which side of the vehicle one or more people are approaching the vehicle. Alternatively, other sensors may be used to perform this distance determination function. The door handle sensor 126 may be any suitable type of sensor, such as a radar sensor, a sonar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like.

[0020] The vehicle wireless communication interface 169 may be configured to enable and / or facilitate communication between components and systems of the vehicle 100 and entities outside the vehicle (such as cloud facilities, mobile communication devices including mobile phones, other vehicles, remote servers, pedestrians, etc.). The wireless communication interface 169 may be configured to facilitate, establish, maintain, and terminate wireless V2V and V2X communications with any entities outside the vehicle, such as other connectable configured vehicles and connected vehicles, pedestrians, servers and entities located in the cloud, edge servers, and other information sources and entities. Information such as sensor data and other types of information may be transmitted and received via the communication interface 169. If desired, the wireless communication interface 169 may incorporate or communicate with any network interface necessary to communicate with entities outside the vehicle and / or networks. The wireless communication interface may be configured to enable wireless communication between the user portable device and the vehicle seat disinfection system control module 124, as described herein, so that operational commands can be remotely transmitted to the vehicle seat disinfection system.

[0021] The vehicle 100 may include an input system 130. An "input system" includes any device, component, system, element, configuration, or group thereof that allows information / data to be input to a machine. For example, the input system 130 may include a keypad, a touch screen or other interactive display, a voice recognition system, and / or any other device or system that facilitates communication between a user and the vehicle. The input system 130 may receive input from a vehicle occupant (e.g., a driver or passenger) or a user located remotely from the vehicle 100, for example, using a handheld device. The vehicle 100 may also include an output system 135. An "output system" includes any device, component, configuration, or group thereof that allows information / data to be presented to a vehicle occupant (e.g., a driver, passenger, etc.) or a remote user. The input and output systems may allow a user to interact with the vehicle seat disinfection system, as described herein.

[0022] The vehicle 100 may include one or more vehicle systems, collectively referred to as 140. Various examples of the one or more vehicle systems 140 are described herein. However, the vehicle 100 may include more, fewer, or different vehicle systems. Although specific vehicle systems are separately defined, it should be understood that each or any of the systems or portions thereof may be otherwise combined or separated via hardware and / or software within the vehicle 100. The vehicle systems 140 may include some or all of the various systems typically incorporated in a conventional passenger vehicle, such as a propulsion system, braking system, steering system, throttle system, suspension system, transmission system, and / or navigation system. Each such system may include one or more devices, components, and / or combinations thereof, now known or later developed.

[0023] The vehicle 100 may include one or more actuators 150. The actuators 150 may be any element or combination of elements operable to modify, adjust, and / or change the vehicle system 140 or one or more of its components in response to received signals or other inputs from the processor 110, any of the modules stored in the memory 112, and / or any other vehicle components or systems. Any suitable actuator may be used. For example, the one or more actuators 150 may include motors, pneumatic actuators, hydraulic pistons, relays, solenoids, and / or piezoelectric actuators, to name a few possibilities.

[0024] Vehicle 100 may include a conventional configuration of vehicle seats as shown in Figures 2-4. However, other configurations are possible. In the illustrated configuration, vehicle 100 includes a driver seat 210 having a driver seat bottom 210s and a driver seat back 210b. Passenger seat 212 includes a passenger seat bottom 212s and a passenger seat back 212b. Rear left passenger seat 214 includes a rear left passenger seat bottom 214s and a rear left passenger seat back 214b. Rear center passenger seat 216 includes a rear center passenger seat bottom 216s and a rear center passenger seat back 216b. Rear right passenger seat 218 includes a rear right passenger seat bottom 218s and a rear right passenger seat back 218b. In the various operational modes described herein, the various seat bottoms and seat backs may be exposed to a disinfecting ultraviolet (UV) light to disinfect the seats before and after use.

[0025] The UV light sources 127 may be mounted on the vehicle side doors below the respective window height. The light sources may be configured to point downward and / or rearward at one or more angles toward the vehicle seats. In one or more configurations, each light source may include a light that is directable to illuminate the bottom of the associated seat as well as the back of the associated seat. Alternatively, each light source may include a light that is directable to illuminate the bottom of the seat and a separate light that is directable to illuminate the back of the seat. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a light source mounted on the right rear door 220 may include a light source 127b that is directable to illuminate the bottom 218s of the right rear seat and a separate light source 127a that is directable to illuminate the back of the seat 218b.

[0026] 2-4, the UV light source 127 may be mounted to a vehicle door and may be configured to illuminate a portion of the vehicle seat when activated. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle 100 may have a light source 127a mounted to the right rear door 220 and configured to illuminate the right rear seat back 218b. The light source 127b may be mounted to the right rear door 220 and configured to illuminate the right rear seat bottom 218s. The light source 127c may be mounted to the left rear door 206 and configured to illuminate the left rear seat back 214b. The light source 127d may be mounted to the left rear door 206 and configured to illuminate the left rear seat bottom 214s. The light source 127e may be mounted to the left front door 204 and configured to illuminate the driver's seat back 210b. Light source 127f may be mounted on the left front door 204 and may be configured to illuminate the driver seat bottom 210s. Light source 127g may be mounted on the right front door 222 and may be configured to illuminate the passenger seat back 212b. Light source 127h may be mounted on the right front door 222 and may be configured to illuminate the passenger seat bottom 212s.

[0027] In certain configurations, the ultraviolet light source may be configured to selectively direct disinfecting ultraviolet light to either a first seat bottom adjacent to the vehicle door or a second seat bottom adjacent to the first seat bottom. For example, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the light source 127b mounted on the rear right door 220 may be configured to selectively direct disinfecting ultraviolet light to either a rear right seat bottom 218s adjacent to the rear right vehicle door 220 or a rear center seat bottom 216s adjacent to the rear right seat bottom 218s. Similarly, the left door light source 127d may be configured to selectively direct disinfecting ultraviolet light to either a rear left seat bottom 214s adjacent to the rear left vehicle door 206 or a rear center seat bottom 216s adjacent to the rear left seat bottom 214s. Such a configuration allows the door mounted UV light to reach and disinfect respective portions of the rear center seat bottom 216s.

[0028] In certain configurations, light source 127b may be configured to direct disinfecting ultraviolet light at both the rear right seat bottom 218s and the rear center seat bottom 216s simultaneously. Left light source 127d may be similarly configured to reach the rear left seat bottom and the rear center seat bottom simultaneously.

[0029] In certain configurations, the ultraviolet light source may be configured to selectively direct disinfecting ultraviolet light to either a first seat back adjacent to the vehicle door or a second seat back adjacent to the first seat back. For example, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the light source 127a may be configured to selectively direct disinfecting ultraviolet light to either a rear right seat back 218b adjacent to the rear right vehicle door 220 or a rear center seat back 216b adjacent to the rear right seat back 218b. Similarly, the left door light source 127c may be configured to selectively direct disinfecting ultraviolet light to either a rear left seat back 214b adjacent to the rear left vehicle door 206 or a rear center seat back 216b adjacent to the rear left seat back 214b. Such a configuration allows the door mounted UV light to reach and disinfect the respective portions of the rear center seat back 216b.

[0030] In certain configurations, light source 127a may be configured to direct disinfecting ultraviolet light toward both the rear right seat back 218b and the rear center seat back 216b simultaneously. Left light source 127c may be similarly configured to reach the rear left seat back and the rear center seat back simultaneously.

[0031] In one or more configurations, the UV light source may be configured to emit far-UVC light. As used herein, the term "far-UVC light" refers to UV light having a wavelength of about 220 nm. Such light penetrates biological material only to a very shallow depth, so it does not penetrate the surface dead cell layer of human skin and does not penetrate the outer surface of the human eye.

[0032] Vehicle 100 may include one or more modules, at least some of which are described herein. The modules may be implemented as computer readable program code that, when executed by processor 110, performs one or more of the various processes described herein. One or more of the modules may be components of processor 110, or one or more of the modules may be executed on and / or distributed in other processing systems to which processor 110 is operatively connected. A module may include instructions (e.g., program logic) executable by one or more processors 110. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of data stores 115 or other portions of vehicle 100 may include such instructions.

[0033] Generally, as used herein, a module includes a routine, program, object, component, data structure, etc. that performs a particular task or implements a particular data type. In another aspect, a memory generally stores the aforementioned modules. The memory associated with a module may be a buffer or cache embedded in the processor, RAM, ROM, flash memory, or another suitable electronic storage medium. In yet another aspect, a module contemplated by the present disclosure is implemented as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a hardware component of a system on a chip (SoC), a programmable logic array (PLA), or another suitable hardware component embedded with a defined configuration set (e.g., instructions) to perform the disclosed functions.

[0034] In one or more configurations, one or more of the modules described herein may include artificial or computational intelligence elements, such as neural networks, fuzzy logic, or other machine learning algorithms. Additionally, in one or more configurations, one or more of the modules may be distributed across multiple modules described herein. In one or more configurations, two or more of the modules described herein may be combined into a single module. The modules described herein may be partially or fully autonomous and may be operably connected to communicate with each other and with other elements of the vehicle, including the various vehicle systems 140 and / or individual components thereof.

[0035] With reference to FIG. 1, the embodiments of the vehicle seat disinfection system described herein may include a vehicle seat disinfection system control module 124 configured to control the autonomous operation of the vehicle seat disinfection system. In the embodiments described herein, a memory 112 may be communicatively coupled to the processor 110 and may store the vehicle seat disinfection system control module 124. The memory may also store other modules 123 for controlling other aspects of the vehicle operation. The memory 112 may be a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or other suitable memory for storing the modules 123, 124. The modules 123, 124 are, for example, computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor 110, cause the processor 110 to perform various functions disclosed herein.

[0036] Next, the operation of the embodiment of the autonomous seat disinfection system will be described with reference to Figs.

[0037] 5, the seat disinfection system control module 124 may be configured to detect a person approaching the vehicle. As soon as the approaching person comes within a predetermined distance of the vehicle, the disinfecting UV light may be directed to at least one vacant vehicle seat in the passenger compartment. This control scheme allows the UV light to be directed to the vacant seat for as long as possible.

[0038] In one or more configurations, the seat disinfection system control module 124 may include computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor 110, cause the processor to detect (at block 502) a person approaching the vehicle. FIG. 2 shows an example of a person P1 approaching the vehicle 100. It may be determined that a person is approaching the vehicle 100 when it is detected that the distance between the person and the vehicle 100 is constantly decreasing. While the system is functioning, the system may constantly monitor the vehicle exterior environment of the person approaching the vehicle. The determination by the module 124 described herein may be performed by interpreting and / or receiving information from one or more of the vehicle sensors 121 and / or the environmental sensors 122.

[0039] In certain configurations, the seat disinfection system control module 124 may be configured to detect a person P1 approaching the vehicle 100 using a positioning signal transmitted by a user device carried by the person, as well as to determine the person's distance from the vehicle using the positioning signal. To perform such functions, the seat disinfection system control module 124 may, for example, operate in communication with the vehicle communication interface 169. In response to detecting a person P1 approaching the vehicle 100, the disinfection system control module 124 may determine (at block 504) the distance of the approaching person P1 from the vehicle.

[0040] The disinfection system control module may then compare (at block 506) the distance of the person P1 from the vehicle 100 to a predetermined threshold distance. If the distance of the person P1 from the vehicle 100 is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold distance, the disinfection system control module 124 may determine (at block 508) whether the person P1 is still approaching the vehicle 100. For example, the person may be stationary or may be away from the vehicle. If the person P1 is not still approaching the vehicle 100, the module 124 may end the control routine (i.e., UV exposure of the vehicle seat may not be necessary because the person who may have entered the vehicle is no longer approaching the vehicle). If the person begins to move toward the vehicle again, or if another person begins to move toward the vehicle, control may return to block 502 if the system is still functioning. However, if the person is still approaching the vehicle, control may return to block 504 to determine the distance of the approaching person from the vehicle. The cycle described herein may be repeated until the person's distance from the vehicle is less than the predetermined threshold distance.

[0041] Referring back to block 506, if the person P1 is less than a predetermined threshold distance from the vehicle, the module 124 may determine (at block 510) whether at least one seat in the vehicle passenger compartment is vacant. If at least one front seat in the vehicle passenger compartment is not vacant, the module 124 may terminate the control routine so that UV light is not directed to the occupied seat. However, if it is determined that at least one seat in the vehicle passenger compartment is vacant, the disinfection system control module 124 may control the operation of the vehicle 100 to direct disinfecting ultraviolet (UV) light to the at least one vacant seat. The UV light may continue to be directed to the at least one vacant seat until the vehicle door is opened from outside the vehicle (block 514) or until the person is at least a predetermined threshold distance from the vehicle (block 516). If either of these conditions apply, the application of the UV light may cease (block 518).

[0042] In another mode of operation, the disinfection system control module may include computer readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine a side of the vehicle along which the person P1 is approaching the vehicle 100. This may be performed using the door handle sensor 126. The seat disinfection system control module 124 may then determine whether at least one vehicle seat along the side of the vehicle along which the person is approaching the vehicle is vacant. For example, if the person is approaching the vehicle along the right side, the module 124 may determine whether at least one of the front right passenger seat 212 or the rear right passenger seat 218 is vacant. The module may then direct the disinfecting ultraviolet light to the at least one vacant vehicle seat along the side of the vehicle along which the person is approaching the vehicle if the at least one vehicle seat along the side of the vehicle along which the person is approaching the vehicle is vacant.

[0043] 6 illustrates another mode of operation, in which the disinfection system control module 124 may estimate whether an approaching person will be entering the vehicle to occupy a front or rear seat. Once this is determined, any empty seats in the front or rear may be irradiated with UV light to disinfect the same for the person before the person enters the vehicle.

[0044] 6, the disinfection system control module 124 may include computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor 110, cause the processor to detect (at block 602) a person approaching the vehicle. The disinfection system control module 124 may then determine (at block 604) a first distance to a front door handle of the person approaching the vehicle in response to detecting the person approaching the vehicle. The module may also determine (at block 606) a second distance to a rear door handle of the person approaching the vehicle. The module may then compare (at block 608) the first distance to a second distance. The disinfection system control module may be configured to determine (at block 610) whether at least one front seat of the vehicle passenger compartment is vacant if the first distance is less than the second distance. If the at least one front seat of the vehicle passenger compartment is not vacant, the module 124 may terminate the control routine such that UV light is not applied to the occupied seat. However, if at least one front seat in the vehicle passenger compartment is vacant, the disinfection system control module may control (at block 612) operation of the vehicle to direct the disinfecting ultraviolet light to the at least one vacant front seat. In a particular configuration, the disinfection system control module 124 may be configured to control operation of the vehicle to direct the disinfecting ultraviolet light to all vacant front seats in the vehicle passenger compartment if the first distance is less than the second distance.

[0045] Referring back to block 614, the disinfection system control module may also be configured to determine (at block 616) whether at least one rear seat in the vehicle passenger compartment is vacant if the second distance is less than the first distance. If at least one rear seat in the vehicle passenger compartment is not vacant, the module 124 may terminate the control routine so that UV light is not applied to the occupied seats. However, if at least one rear seat in the vehicle passenger compartment is vacant, the module may control (at block 618) the operation of the vehicle to direct the disinfecting ultraviolet light to the at least one vacant rear seat. In a particular configuration, the disinfection system control module 124 may be configured to control the operation of the vehicle to direct the disinfecting ultraviolet light to all vacant rear seats in the vehicle passenger compartment if the second distance is less than the first distance. Referring back to block 608, the module 124 may continue to check the distance of the person from the door handle in blocks 608 and 614 until one of the conditions is true. In certain configurations, UV light may be directed at either an occupied front seat or an occupied rear seat for a predetermined period of time until either the associated front or rear door of the vehicle is opened from outside the vehicle.

[0046] 7 illustrates yet another mode of operation in which a recently vacated seat may be detected and the vehicle may be controlled to direct UV light at the recently vacated seat.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 7, the disinfection system control module may include computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor 110, cause the processor to identify (at block 702) a first seat of a vehicle passenger compartment that is occupied. The disinfection system control module 124 may then determine (at block 704) when the occupant of the occupied seat leaves the first seat, thereby leaving the first seat vacant. After the passenger leaves the first seat, the module may determine (at block 706) when all of the vehicle passengers are seated. After all of the vehicle passengers are seated, the module 124 may determine (at block 708) when the front of the vehicle passenger compartment door is closed. After all of the vehicle passenger compartment doors are closed, the module may determine (at block 710) whether the first (recently vacated) seat is still vacant. The module may be configured to control (at block 712) operation of the vehicle to direct ultraviolet light to the first seat if the first seat is still vacant. The steps described herein operate to disinfect the seat that has just been vacated.

[0048] Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are intended as examples only. For this reason, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims, as well as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to variously employ the aspects of the present specification in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Furthermore, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather to provide an understandable description of possible implementations. Although various embodiments are shown in Figures 1-7, the embodiments are not limited to the structures or applications shown.

[0049] The above systems, components and / or processes can be realized in hardware or a combination of hardware and software, either centralized in one processing system or in a distributed manner with different elements distributed across several interconnected processing systems. Any kind of processing system or other device configured to perform the methods described herein is suitable. A typical combination of hardware and software can be a processing system with computer usable program code that, when loaded and executed, controls the processing system to perform the methods described herein. The systems, components and / or processes can also be embedded in a computer readable storage, such as a computer program product or other data program storage device, that is readable by a machine and tangibly embodies a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the methods and processes described herein. Such elements can also be embedded in an application product that comprises any functionality enabling the implementation of the methods described herein and that, when loaded into a processing system, can perform such methods.

[0050] Generally, as used herein, a module includes a routine, program, object, component, data structure, etc. that performs a particular task or implements a particular data type. In another aspect, a memory generally stores such a module. The memory associated with a module may be a buffer or cache embedded in the processor, RAM, ROM, flash memory, or another suitable electronic storage medium. In yet another aspect, a module contemplated by the present disclosure is implemented as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a hardware component of a system on a chip (SoC), a programmable logic array (PLA), or another suitable hardware component embedded with a defined configuration set (e.g., instructions) to perform the disclosed functions.

[0051] The program code embodied on the computer readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including, but not limited to, wireless, wired, optical fiber, cable, RF, or the like, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The computer program code for carrying out the operations of the aspects of the present configuration may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may be executed entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. If executed entirely on a remote computer or server, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0052] The terms "a" and "an," as used herein, are defined as one or more. The term "multiple," as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term "another," as used herein, is defined as at least one more or more. The terms "including" and / or "having," as used herein, are defined as including (i.e., open language). The phrase "at least one of ... and ...," as used herein, refers to and encompasses all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As an example, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" includes A only, B only, C only, or any combination thereof (e.g., AB, AC, BC, or ABC).

[0053] Aspects of the present specification may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and reference should therefore be made to the following claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the present specification. The invention disclosed in this specification includes the following aspects. [Aspect 1] 1. An autonomous seat disinfection system for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle seat disinfection system control module including one or more processors; and a memory communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing a vehicle seat disinfection system control module including computer readable instructions; The computer readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: Detect people approaching the vehicle, in response to detecting the person approaching the vehicle, determining a distance of the person from the vehicle; comparing the distance of the person from the vehicle to a predetermined threshold distance; determining whether at least one seat within a passenger compartment of the vehicle is vacant if the distance of the person from the vehicle is less than the predetermined threshold distance; if at least one seat within a passenger compartment of the vehicle is vacant, controlling operation of the vehicle to direct disinfecting ultraviolet (UV) light to the at least one vacant vehicle seat within the passenger compartment of the vehicle until a vehicle door is opened from outside the vehicle or the person is at a distance from the vehicle that is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold distance; Seat disinfection system. [Aspect 2] The sterilization system control module includes computer readable instructions: The computer readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: detecting said person approaching said vehicle using positioning signals transmitted by a user device carried by said person; using the positioning signals to determine the distance of the person from the vehicle. 2. A seat disinfection system according to claim 1. [Aspect 3] The sterilization system control module includes computer readable instructions: The computer readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: determining a side of the vehicle along which the person is approaching the vehicle; determining whether at least one vehicle seat along the side of the vehicle from which the person is approaching the vehicle is vacant; if at least one vehicle seat along the side of the vehicle to which the person is approaching is vacant, directing the germicidal ultraviolet light toward the at least one vacant vehicle seat. 2. A seat disinfection system according to claim 1. Aspect 4 The sterilization system control module includes computer readable instructions: The computer readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: Detect people approaching the vehicle, in response to detecting a person approaching the vehicle, determining a first distance to a front passenger door handle of the person approaching the vehicle; determining a second distance to a rear door handle of the person approaching the vehicle; Comparing the first distance to the second distance; if the first distance is less than the second distance, determining whether at least one front seat in a passenger compartment of the vehicle is vacant; if at least one front seat in a passenger compartment of the vehicle is unoccupied, controlling operation of the vehicle to direct germicidal ultraviolet light toward the at least one unoccupied front seat; if the second distance is less than the first distance, determining whether at least one rear seat in a passenger compartment of the vehicle is vacant; if at least one rear seat in a passenger compartment of the vehicle is vacant, controlling operation of the vehicle to direct germicidal ultraviolet light toward the at least one vacant rear seat; 2. A seat disinfection system according to claim 1. Aspect 5 The sterilization system control module includes computer readable instructions: The computer readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: if the first distance is less than the second distance, controlling operation of the vehicle to direct germicidal ultraviolet light to all vacant front seats in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; if the second distance is less than the first distance, controlling operation of the vehicle to direct germicidal ultraviolet light to all vacant rear seats within a passenger compartment of the vehicle; A seat disinfection system according to embodiment 4. Aspect 6 The sterilization system control module includes computer readable instructions: The computer readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: identifying a first occupied seat within a passenger compartment of the vehicle; determining when an occupant of the occupied seat leaves the first seat, thereby leaving the first seat vacant; Determine when all vehicle occupants are seated; determining when all of the vehicle passenger compartment doors are closed; determining whether the first seat is still vacant; if the first seat is still vacant, controlling operation of the vehicle to direct ultraviolet light toward the first seat; 2. A seat disinfection system according to claim 1. Aspect 7 2. The seat disinfection system of claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet light is far ultraviolet UVC light. Aspect 8 2. The seat disinfection system of claim 1, comprising an ultraviolet light source mounted to a side door of a vehicle and configured to selectively direct disinfecting ultraviolet light to either a first seat bottom adjacent to the side door or a second seat bottom adjacent to the first seat bottom. Aspect 9 A seat disinfection system as described in aspect 8, wherein the ultraviolet light source is configured to direct disinfecting ultraviolet light to both the first seat bottom and the second seat bottom simultaneously. Aspect 10 2. The seat disinfection system of claim 1, comprising an ultraviolet light source mounted to a side door of a vehicle and configured to selectively direct disinfecting ultraviolet light toward either a first seat back adjacent to the side door or a second seat back adjacent to the first seat back. Aspect 11 A seat disinfection system as described in aspect 10, wherein the ultraviolet light source is configured to direct disinfecting ultraviolet light to both the first seat back and the second seat back simultaneously.

Claims

1. 1. An autonomous seat disinfection system for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle seat disinfection system control module including one or more processors; and a memory communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing a vehicle seat disinfection system control module including computer readable instructions; The computer readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: Determine whether a person is approaching the vehicle, determining a first distance to a front passenger door handle of the person and a second distance to a rear passenger door handle of the person; performing a comparison between the first distance and the second distance; determining whether at least one front seat of the vehicle is vacant if the first distance is less than the second distance based on the comparison; if at least one front seat is determined to be vacant, controlling operation of the vehicle to direct germicidal ultraviolet light toward the at least one vacant front seat; determining whether at least one rear seat of the vehicle is vacant if the second distance is less than the first distance based on the comparison; if the at least one rear seat is determined to be vacant, controlling operation of the vehicle to direct germicidal ultraviolet light toward the at least one vacant rear seat; Autonomous seat disinfection system.

2. The vehicle seat disinfection system control module includes computer readable instructions, The computer readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: Detecting the person approaching the vehicle; determining the distance of the person from the vehicle; 10. The autonomous seat disinfection system of claim 1.

3. The vehicle seat disinfection system control module includes computer readable instructions, The computer readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: determining a side of the vehicle along which the person is approaching the vehicle using information from a sensor system of the vehicle; using information from a sensor system of the vehicle to determine whether at least one vehicle seat along the side of the vehicle from which the person is approaching the vehicle is vacant; if at least one vehicle seat along the side of the vehicle to which the person is approaching is determined to be vacant, directing the germicidal ultraviolet light toward the at least one vacant vehicle seat.

10. The autonomous seat disinfection system of claim 1.

4. The vehicle seat disinfection system control module includes computer readable instructions, The computer readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: if the first distance is less than the second distance, controlling operation of the vehicle to direct the germicidal ultraviolet light toward all vacant front seats in a passenger compartment of the vehicle; if the second distance is less than the first distance, controlling operation of the vehicle to direct the germicidal ultraviolet light to all vacant rear seats within a passenger compartment of the vehicle; 10. The autonomous seat disinfection system of claim 1.

5. The vehicle seat disinfection system control module includes computer readable instructions, The computer readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, may cause the one or more processors to: identifying a first occupied seat within a passenger compartment of the vehicle; if the first seat is identified, determining when an occupant of the occupied first seat leaves the first seat, thereby leaving the first seat vacant; determining when all vehicle occupants are seated when it is determined that the occupant of the occupied first seat has left the first seat; determining when all of the vehicle's passenger compartment doors are closed if all of the vehicle's occupants are determined to be seated; determining whether the first seat is still vacant if it is determined that all of the vehicle passenger compartment doors are closed; if the first seat is determined to be still vacant, controlling operation of the vehicle to direct the germicidal ultraviolet light toward the first seat; 10. The autonomous seat disinfection system of claim 1.

6. 2. The autonomous seat disinfection system of claim 1, wherein said disinfecting ultraviolet light is far ultraviolet UVC light.

7. 10. The autonomous seat disinfecting system of claim 1, comprising an ultraviolet light source mounted to a side door of a vehicle and configured to selectively direct disinfecting ultraviolet light to either a first seat bottom adjacent to the side door of the vehicle or a second seat bottom adjacent to the first seat bottom.

8. 8. The autonomous seat disinfection system of claim 7, wherein the ultraviolet light source is configured to direct the disinfecting ultraviolet light to both the first seat bottom and the second seat bottom simultaneously.

9. 10. The autonomous seat disinfecting system of claim 1, comprising an ultraviolet light source mounted to a side door of a vehicle and configured to selectively direct disinfecting ultraviolet light to either a first seat back adjacent to the side door of the vehicle or a second seat back adjacent to the first seat back.

10. 10. The autonomous seat disinfecting system of claim 9, wherein the ultraviolet light source is configured to direct the disinfecting ultraviolet light to both the first seat back and the second seat back simultaneously.

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