Infectious disease detection system

• US 8,936,944 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2011
• Issued: 01/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Peltz, Leora, Park, Shawn Hyunsoo
• Primary Examiner(s): MERKLING, SALLY ANNE
• Application Number:
  US13/302,245
• Publication Number:
  US 20130130227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 436/174
• US Class Current: 436/174
• CPC Class Codes: C12M 41/48 Automatic or computerized control automatic analysis G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 3/00 Condition responsive control processes apparatus therefor C12M1/36; controlling or regulating in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0255 with mechanical, e.g. inertial, classification, and investigation of sorted collections with centrifuges G01N15/042
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 50/80 for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics, e.g. flu
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/114998 with treatment or replacement of aspirator element [e.g., cleaning, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/255 including use of a solid sorbent, semipermeable membrane, or liquid extraction

Abstract

A method and apparatus for managing a zone. Information is obtained about an environment in the zone with a sensor system. A determination is made by an analyzer system as to whether a contagious condition is present in the zone using the information from the sensor system. An action is performed by a management system in response to the contagious condition being present.

Claims

1. A method for managing a zone, the method comprising:

obtaining information about an environment within the zone with a sensor system, the zone comprising an area in which people are located for a time, the sensor system disposed in a ceiling, wall, or floor of the zone, and in which a physical sample is taken from the zone;

analyzing the information including obtaining bio-information and particle information from at least an air sample taken from within the zone;

determining, by an analyzer system, whether a contagious condition is present in the zone using the information from the sensor system;

assessing a threat level based on results obtained from the analyzer system; and

performing, by a management system, an action in response to the contagious condition being present.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the zone comprises a passenger boarding bridge and the sensor system is positioned in part in a ceiling of the passenger boarding bridge to draw an air sample from the passenger boarding bridge, and wherein performing, by the management system, the action in response to the contagious condition being present comprises:

changing a parameter in an environment.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the parameter is for the zone and is selected from one of a direction of airflow, a type of light, a temperature, passenger movement, and a humidity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein performing, by the management system, the action in response to the contagious condition being present comprises:

identifying a source originating the contagious condition; and

performing an additional examination of the source.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein performing, by the management system, the action in response to the contagious condition being present comprises:

causing airflow that is configured to move particles away from a person in the zone.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein performing, by the management system, the action in response to the contagious condition being present further comprises:

collecting the particles from the airflow; and

determining whether a contagion is present in the particles.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein performing, by the management system, the action in response to the contagious condition being present comprises:

causing an airflow that is configured to move in a direction selected from one of towards a ceiling in the zone and towards a floor in the zone.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein performing, by the management system, the action in response to the contagious condition being present comprises:

presenting an instruction to change a pattern of movement by people in the zone on a display system.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein performing, by the management system, the action in response to the contagious condition being present comprises:

turning on an ultraviolet light in the zone.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensor system comprises sensors in which the sensors are selected from one of an audio sensor, a video camera, an infrared sensor, and an air analysis system.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the contagious condition is an infectious disease.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the zone is selected from one of a restroom, a gate waiting area, a security screen area, a baggage area, an eating area, a check-in area, and a passenger area.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the zone comprises, a passenger lounge and the sensor system is positioned at least in part in a ceiling, wall, or floor of the passenger lounge.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the zone comprises a gate waiting area and the sensor system is positioned at least in part in a ceiling, wall, or floor of the gate waiting area.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the zone comprises a corridor or a walkway and the sensor system is positioned at least in part in a ceiling, wall, or floor of the corridor or walkway.