Abstract:
A system includes a vehicle, a vehicle network disposed within the vehicle, and an earpiece having an earpiece housing, a physiological monitoring sensor, an intelligent control system operatively connected to the physiological monitoring sensor and disposed within the ear piece housing, and a wireless transceiver disposed within the earpiece housing and operatively connected to the intelligent control system. The vehicle is configured to receive health data from the ear piece. A method includes sensing physiological data at one or more physiological sensors of an ear piece of an occupant of a vehicle, wirelessly communicating a representation of the physiological data from the ear piece to a vehicle network of the vehicle, and performing an action by the vehicle in response the physiological data to enhance safety of the vehicle.

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/260,444, filed on Nov. 27, 2015, and entitled Vehicle with interactions with wearable device to provide health or physical monitoring, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to wearable devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to interactions between a vehicle and one or more wearable devices to provide health or physical monitoring of a driver or passenger of the vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Vehicles may come with various types of electronics packages. These packages may be standard or optional and include electronics associated with improving safety. However, there are various problems and deficiencies with such offerings. What is needed are vehicles with improved electronics options which create, improve, or enhance safety or overall experience of vehicles. In particular, what is needed are vehicles which integrate with wearable devices. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art. 
         [0005]    It is another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to communicate between vehicle systems and wearable devices. 
         [0006]    It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to use wearable devices within vehicles and to provide enhanced vehicle functionality. 
         [0007]    It is another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to enhance the safety of a vehicle using wearable devices. 
         [0008]    One or more of these and or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Different embodiments may have different objects, features, or advantages. Therefore, the present invention is not to be limited to or by any objects, features, or advantages stated herein. 
         [0009]    According to one aspect a system includes a vehicle, a vehicle network disposed within the vehicle, and an earpiece comprising an earpiece housing, a physiological monitoring sensor, a processor operatively connected to the physiological monitoring sensor and disposed within the ear piece housing, and a wireless transceiver disposed within the earpiece housing and operatively connected to the processor. The vehicle is configured to receive health data from the ear piece. The physiological monitoring sensor may include one or more of an inertial sensor, a glucose sensor, an alcohol sensor, a temperature sensor, and/or a pulse oximeter. The vehicle may determine the presence of a health condition based on the health data and performs an action to improve safety of the vehicle. The action may include actions such as disabling the vehicle, playing an audio message, placing a phone call, mapping a destination using a navigation system of the vehicle, adjusting an audio setting to increase volume, opening a window of the vehicle, and/or adjusting a temperature setting of the vehicle. The earpiece may determine presence of a health condition based on the health data and communicate an alert to the vehicle and the vehicle may perform an action to improve safety of the vehicle in response to the health condition. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect a method may include sensing physiological data at one or more physiological sensors of an ear piece of an occupant of a vehicle, wirelessly communicating a representation of the physiological data from the ear piece to a vehicle network of the vehicle, and performing an action by the vehicle in response the physiological data to enhance safety of the vehicle. The physiological data may include pulse oximeter data, inertial sensor data, temperature data, glucose sensor data, and/or data from other types of sensors. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates one example of use of a eatable device in conjunction with a vehicle. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a wearable device in the form of a set of ear pieces. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a system which includes ear pieces in communication with a vehicle. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a wearable device in communication with various vehicle systems through a vehicle network. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Some of the most important factors in selecting a vehicle such as car may be the technology available to enhance the experience. This may be of particular importance in certain vehicle segments such as for luxury vehicles. Another important factor in selecting a vehicle may be the available safety features. According to various aspects, the present invention allows for wearable devices such as earpieces to enhance the overall safety of the vehicle. Therefore, it is expected that the technology described herein will make any vehicle so equipped more desirable to customers, more satisfying to customers, and potentially more profitable for the vehicle manufacturer. Similarly at least some of the various aspects may be added to existing vehicles as after-market accessories to improve the safety or experience of existing vehicles, 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates one example of use of a wearable device in conjunction with a vehicle. A shown in  FIG. 1  there is a vehicle  2 . Although the vehicle shown is a full-size sedan, it is contemplated that the vehicle may be of any number of types of cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans, mini-vans, automotive vehicles, commercial vehicles, agricultural vehicles, construction vehicles, specialty vehicles, recreational vehicles, buses, motorcycles, aircraft, boats, ships, yachts, spacecraft, or other types of vehicles. The vehicle may be gas-powered, diesel powered, electric, solar-powered, or human-powered. The vehicle may be actively operated by a driver or may be partially or completely autonomous or self-driving. The vehicle  2  may have a vehicle control system  40 . The vehicle control system is a system which may include any number of mechanical and electromechanical subsystems. As shown in  FIG. 1 , such systems may include a navigation system  42 , an entertainment system  44 , a vehicle security system  45 , an audio system  46 , a safety system  47 , a communications system  48  preferably with a wireless transceiver, a driver assistance system  49 , a passenger comfort system  50 , and an engine/transmission, chassis electronics system(s)  51 . Of course, other examples of vehicle control sub-systems are contemplated. In addition, it is to be understood that there may be overlap between some of these different vehicle systems and the presence or absence of these vehicle systems as well as other vehicle systems may depend upon the type of vehicle, the type of fuel or propulsion system, the size of the vehicle, and other factors and variables. In the automotive context, examples of the driver assistance system  49  may include one or more subsystems such as a lane assist system, a speed assist system, a blind spot detection system, a park assist system, and an adaptive cruise control system. In the automotive context, examples of the passenger comfort system  50  may include one or more subsystems such as automatic climate control, electronic seat adjustment, automatic wipers, automatic headlamps, and automatic cooling. In the automotive context, examples of the safety system  47  may include active safety systems such as air bags, hill descent control, and an emergency brake assist system. Aspects of the navigation system  42 , the entertainment system  44 , the audio system  46 , and the communications system  48  may be combined into an infotainment system. 
         [0018]    One or more wearable devices such as a set of earpieces  10  including a left earpiece  12 A and a right earpiece  1213  may in operative communication with the vehicle control system  40  such as through the communication system  48 . For example, the communication system  48  may, provide a Bluetooth or BLE link to wearable devices or may otherwise provide for communications with the wearable devices preferably through wireless communications. The vehicle  2  may communicate with the wearable device(s) directly, or alternatively, or in addition, the vehicle  2  may communicate with the wearable device(s) through an intermediary device such as a mobile device  4  which may be a mobile phone, a tablet, or other type of mobile device. 
         [0019]    As will be explained in further details with respect to various examples, the wearable device(s)  10  interact with the vehicle control system  40  in any number of different ways. For example, the wearable device(s)  10  may provide sensor data, identity information, stored information, streamed information, or other types of information to the vehicle. Based on this information, the vehicle may take any number of actions which may include one or more actions taken by the vehicle control system (or subsystems thereof). In addition, the vehicle  2  may communicate sensor data, identity infer nation, stored information, streamed information or other types of information to the wearable device(s)  10 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates one example of a wearable device in the form of a set of ear pieces  10  in greater detail.  FIG. 1  illustrates a set of earpiece wearables  10  which includes a left earpiece  12 A and a right earpiece  12 B. Each of the earpieces wearables  12 A,  12 B has an earpiece wearable housing  14 A,  14 B which may be in the form of a protective shell or casing and may be an in-the-ear earpiece housing. A left infrared through ultraviolet spectrometer I 6 A and right infrared through ultraviolet spectrometer  16 B is also shown. Each earpiece  12 A,  12 B may include one or more microphones  70 A,  70 B. Note that the air microphones  70 A,  70 B are outward facing such that the air microphones  70 A,  70 B may capture ambient environmental sound. It is to be understood that any number of microphones may be present including air is conduction microphones, bone conduction microphones, or other audio sensors. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating a device. The device may include one or more LEDs  20  electrically connected to an intelligent control system  30 . The intelligent control system  30  may include one or more processors, microcontrollers, application specific integrated circuits, or other types of integrated circuits. The intelligent control system  30  may also be electrically connected to one or more sensors  32 . Where the device is an earpiece, the sensor(s) may include an inertial sensor  74 , another inertial sensor  76 . Each inertial sensor  74 ,  76  may include an accelerometer, a gyro sensor or gyrometer, a magnetometer or other type of inertial sensor. The sensor(s)  32  may also include one or more contact sensors  72 , one or more bone conduction microphones  71 , one or more air conduction microphones  70 , one or more chemical sensors  79 , a pulse oximeter  76 , a temperature sensor  80 , or other physiological or biological sensor(s). Further examples of physiological or biological sensors include an alcohol sensor  83 , glucose sensor  85 , or bilirubin sensor  87 . Other examples of physiological or biological sensors may also be included in the device. These may include a blood pressure sensor  82 , an electroencephalogram (EEG)  84 , an Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) sensor, a lactic acid sensor  88 , a hemoglobin sensor  90 , a hematocrit sensor  92  or other biological or chemical sensor. 
         [0022]    A spectrometer  16  is also shown. The spectrometer  16  may be an infrared (IR) through ultraviolet (UV) spectrometer although it is contemplated that any number of wavelengths in the infrared, visible, or ultraviolet spectrums may be detected. The spectrometer  16  is preferably adapted to measure environmental wavelengths for analysis and recommendations and thus preferably is located on or at the external facing side of the device, 
         [0023]    A gesture control interface  36  is also operatively connected to or integrated into the intelligent control system  30 . The gesture control interface  36  may include one or more emitters  82  and one or more detectors  84  for sensing user gestures. The emitters may be of any number of types including infrared LEDs. The device may include a transceiver  35  which may allow for induction transmissions such as through near field magnetic induction. A short range transceiver  34  using Bluetooth, BLE, UWB, Wi-Fi or other means of radio communication may also be present. The short range transceiver  34  may he used to communicate with the vehicle control system. In operation, the intelligent control system  30  may be configured to convey different information using one or more of the LED(s)  20  based on context or mode of operation of the device. The various sensors  32 , the processor  30 , and other electronic components may be located on the printed circuit board of the device. One or more speakers  73  may also be operatively connected to the intelligent control system  30 . 
         [0024]    An electromagnetic (E/M) field transceiver  37  or other type of electromagnetic field receiver is also operatively connected to the intelligent control system  30  to link the processor  30  to the electromagnetic field of the user. The use of the E/M transceiver  37  allows the device to link electromagnetically into a personal area network or body area network or other device, 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates another example of one or more wearable ear pieces in operative communication with a vehicle. In  FIG. 4 , a vehicle network  100  is shown. According to one aspect, the wearable devices  12 A,  12 B may communicate information through a vehicle network  100  associated with a vehicle  2 . Data, instructions, alerts, or other information may be communicated over the vehicle network  100  or vehicle bus to and from the wearable devices. Protocols which are used may include a Controller Area Network (CAN), Local interconnect Network (LIN), or others including proprietary network protocols or network protocol overlays, 
         [0026]    Various types of electronic control modules  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  or electronic control units may communicate over the network.  100  of the vehicle. These may include electronic modules such as an engine control unit (ECU), a transmission control unit (TCU), an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a body control module (BCM), a door control unit (DCU), an electric power steering control unit (PSCU), a human-machine interface (HM 1 ), powertrain control module (PCM), speed control unit (SCU), telematic control unit (TCU), brake control unit (BCM), battery management system, vehicle navigation system, entertainment system, infotainment system, and numerous others. Any number of electronic control modules may be operatively connected to the vehicle network  100 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment a wireless transceiver module  110  is operatively connected to a vehicle network  100  and it is the wireless transceiver module  110  which is in operative communication with one or more wearable devices such as wearable ear piece  12 A,  12 B. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , one or more wearable devices  12  (including one or more ear pieces, from one or more different vehicle occupants) may communicate with a navigation system  120  of a vehicle. Although the communication may be performed directly between one or more systems of the vehicle and one or more ear pieces  12 , in one embodiment a wireless transceiver module  110  may be operatively connected to the wearable ear piece  12  after the transceiver module  110  connects with or forms a wireless linkage with one or more of the ear pieces  12 . The wireless transceiver module  110  may use any number of different types of communications and protocols including Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), ultra-wideband, Wi-Fi, or otherwise. The vehicle network  100  may provide for communicating with any number of different modules or systems including a navigation system  120  and an entertainment system  122 . 
         [0029]    According to another aspect, one or more wearable devices may provide for health monitoring of an individual such as a driver or passenger of the vehicle. The wearable devices may have any number of different sensors which ma be used for monitoring the health of an individual or other physical parameters of an individual. Examples of sensors may include one or more inertial sensors such as an accelerometer, a gyro sensor or gyrometer, a magnetometer or other type of inertial sensor. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the sensor(s)  32  may also include one or more contact sensors  72 , one or more bone conduction microphones  71 , one or more air conduction microphones  70 , one or more chemical sensors  79 , a pulse oximeter  78 , a temperature sensor  80 , or other physiological or biological sensor(s). Further examples of physiological or biological sensors include an alcohol sensor  83 , glucose sensor  85 , or bilirubin sensor  87 . Other examples of physiological or biological sensors may also be included in the device. These may include a blood pressure sensor  82 , an electroencephalogram (EEG)  84 , an Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) sensor, a lactic acid sensor  88 , a hemoglobin sensor  90 , a hematocrit sensor  92  or other biological or chemical sensor. 
         [0030]    These various sensors may be used in any number of ways to provide feedback to the vehicle. For example, where the wearable device is an, earpiece, the inertial sensors may be used to track head movement of the driver. If the head movement of the driver is indicative that the user is falling asleep, such as downward movement of the chin and then snapping back of the head as the user catches themselves falling asleep, or other movements associated with a user falling asleep, then the earpiece may communicate a message to the vehicle. Upon receipt of the message, the vehicle may take any number of relevant, actions. This may include, turning on loud music, opening one or more windows, adjusting environmental controls such as making the cabin temperature cooler, locating the nearest rest stop or hotel or motel and providing navigation directions to it, turning on emergency hazard lights, disabling the vehicle, providing is one or more audio warnings, placing a phone call or any number of other actions. 
         [0031]    Another example of use of a sensor is use of a glucose sensor. If the blood sugar of an individual is low as measured with a wearable device, the wearable device may communicate a message to the vehicle. Upon receipt of the message, the vehicle may take any number of relevant actions. This may include locating the nearest rest stop, restaurant, or gas station so that the individual may obtain something to eat, provide an audio message such as reminding the user to eat something, alert passengers within the vehicle or any number of other actions. 
         [0032]    Another example of use of a sensor is use of an alcohol sensor. If the wearable device detects that the driver may be impaired based upon alcohol levels, then the wearable device may communicate an appropriate message to the vehicle which may disable its operation, provide an audio message, make a phone call, or perform any number of other actions. 
         [0033]    Yet another example of use of a sensor is a pulse oximeter. If the wearable device detects that the driver heart rate of the driver is increasing then appropriate action may be taken. The vehicle, in this example, may combine the heart rate with other information. For example, the vehicle may determine that it is currently within a construction zone and that based on the heart rate, the driver may be frustrated. The vehicle may then respond in various ways such as by playing relaxing music or offering to play relaxing music, suggesting an alternative route or destination to avoid additional construction or traffic congestion, or other alternatives based on user history or preferences. 
         [0034]    The various sensors may be used in any number of other ways including detecting health status or predicting health status which may be indicative of a health condition or event which may impair safe driving. 
         [0035]    Returning to  FIG. 5 , various types of health data may be communicated to the vehicle including, without limitation, head movement, glucose levels, heart rate, and body temperature. In addition, one or more alert conditions may be communicated to the vehicle as well. Based on the health data and/or the alert condition(s) the vehicle may then perform the appropriate action in response to the condition as previously described. 
         [0036]    Various methods, system, and apparatus have been shown and described relating to vehicles with wearable integration or communication. The present invention is not to be limited to these specific examples but contemplates any number of related methods, system, and is apparatus and these examples may vary based on the specific type of vehicle, the specific type of wearable device, the various types of health conditions and health data, the alert conditions where present, and the actions taken in response to health data and other considerations.