Vehicle system reaction to medical conditions

• US 8,704,669 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2010
• Issued: 04/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Strumolo, Gary Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US12/941,483
• Publication Number:
  US 20120112915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/575, 340/576, 340/425.5, 340/438, 180/272, 701/1, 701/2, 701/33, 701/36, 607/30, 607/32, 607/60, 705/2, 705/3, 705/4
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00771 the input being a vehicle position or surrounding, e.g. GPS-based position or tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/008 the input being air quality
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/00849 for selectively commanding the induction of outside or inside air B60H1/00842 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2555/20 Ambient conditions, e.g. wind or rain
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 15/00 ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 80/00 ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring

Abstract

A computer-implemented method includes registering at least one medical condition associated with a vehicle occupant. The method also includes monitoring environmental conditions for the onset of a trigger likely to cause complications with regards to the medical condition. The method further includes warning the vehicle occupant about the onset of the trigger. The method also includes adjusting a vehicle component or system, via the VCS, in response to the onset of the trigger.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

registering, via a vehicle computing system (VCS) included in a vehicle, at least one vehicle-occupant associated medical condition;

monitoring environmental conditions, via the VCS, for a trigger onset likely to cause complications with regards to the medical condition;

warning the vehicle occupant about the trigger onset; and

adjusting a vehicle system to mitigate the effect of the environmental condition on the driver'"'"'s medical condition responsive to the trigger onset.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the registering further comprises accessing a user account associated with a vehicle occupant and retrieving a stored medical condition associated with the user account.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the accessing a user account further comprises detecting a wireless device connected to the VCS and accessing a user account associated with the detected wireless device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the registering further comprises receiving input to the VCS indicating a medical condition associated with a vehicle occupant.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the environment includes wireless medical devices in communication with the VCS.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the environment includes a physical environment outside the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the environment includes a physical environment at a point along a projected route for the vehicle.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the trigger includes a pollen count above a threshold.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the adjusting further includes switching an HVAC system to used recycled air.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the adjusting further includes automatically closing open vehicle windows.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the trigger includes a change in temperature beyond a threshold.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the adjusting further includes activating and/or altering a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) setting to maintain an interior vehicle temperature within the threshold.

13. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

register at least one medical condition associated with a vehicle occupant;

monitor environmental conditions, for the onset of a trigger likely to cause complications with regards to the medical condition;

warn the vehicle occupant about the onset of the trigger; and

adjust a vehicle component or system, to mitigate the effect of the environmental condition on the driver'"'"'s medical condition, in response to the onset of the trigger.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to access a user account associated with a vehicle occupant and to retrieve a stored medical condition associated with the user account.