GB2617105A

GB2617105A - In-vehicle blood glucose level monitoring

Info

Publication number: GB2617105A
Application number: GB2204452.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Taylor Claire; Taylor Stephen
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2022-03-29
Filing date: 2022-03-29
Publication date: 2023-10-04
Also published as: GB202204452D0

Abstract

A control system 100 for a vehicle (700, figure 7) infotainment system (200, figure 2) comprises one or more controllers 105 configured to receive a signal (315, figure 3A), (325, figure 3B) indicative of a blood glucose level of a user of a vehicle from a continuous glucose monitoring, CGM, (310, figure 3A) device of the user. A media signal is determined (125, figure 1) in dependence on the signal 315, 325 indicative of the blood glucose level, and the media signal 125 is outputted to a media output unit (210, figure 2) of the vehicle infotainment system 200. The control system may control the vehicle to start, stop or drive the vehicle. It may also provide supplemental information such as a physiological measurement of the user.

Description

IN-VEHICLE BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL MONITORING

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to in-vehicle blood glucose level monitoring. Aspects of the invention relate to a control system for a vehicle infotainment system, a vehicle infotainment system, a vehicle comprising a control system for a vehicle infotainment system or an infotainment system, and a method for controlling a vehicle infotainment system.

BACKGROUND

When the blood glucose level of a person is outside of a normal range they may experience physiological symptoms that can include weakness, blurred vision, confusion or difficulty concentrating, clumsiness, sleepiness, seizures, and losing consciousness. Persons who have diabetes (type 1 or type 2) are especially at risk from their blood glucose level being outside of the normal range due to their body's reduced ability to regulate their blood glucose level, and thus it is important that diabetic persons are able to monitor their blood glucose level. Conventionally, the monitoring of blood glucose levels has been performed via the use of a pin-prick test, which relies of taking a direct sample of blood and testing it for its glucose level. More recently however, the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices has become more widespread due to advances in technology, reduced costs, and the convenience they provide.

CGM devices are battery-powered devices that have a sensor inserted beneath a user's skin and normally operate by measuring interstitial glucose levels and then transmitting the measured glucose level to a receiving device via short-range wireless communications such as Bluetooth, for instance. The receiving device may be a dedicated receiving device or a device such as smartphone. The user may then monitor their blood glucose level via the receiving device and take appropriate action when their blood glucose level is outside of the normal range or it appears likely that it will move outside the normal range. The receiving device may also provide alerts or other notifications based on the measured glucose level so that the user is not required to manually check whether their blood glucose level has fallen outside of a desired range.

Due to the increased risk that diabetic persons' blood glucose level may fall outside of the normal range and the resulting physiological symptoms, it is important, and also a legal requirement in some territories, that a diabetic person's blood glucose level is monitored before and during driving a vehicle, such as a car for example. For example, in the UK, a blood glucose level is required to be 5 mmol/L or above for a diabetic person to begin driving. Furthermore, it is required that their blood glucose level is monitored every two hours whilst driving, and if it falls to below 4 mmol/L they are required to stop driving for at least 45 minutes and raise their blood glucose level to above 5 mmol/L before they can recommence driving. It is also possible that a user's blood glucose level moves outside of a recommended range within a measurement window, such as the two hour window in the UK. Consequently, increased frequency or real-time blood glucose level measurements may be required to detect such a situation. However, even with the use of CGM devices, performing such monitoring often involves stopping driving so that the user can interact with their receiving device to check their blood glucose level. This process is both inconvenient and time consuming. Alternatively, it may lead to the driver attempting to check their blood glucose level whilst driving, which may be illegal due to a prohibition on interacting with handheld electronic devices whilst driving.

It is an aim of the present invention is to address one or more of the disadvantages

associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a control system for a vehicle infotainment system, a vehicle infotainment system, a method for controlling a vehicle infotainment system, and computer readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions which are arranged to implement the method as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control system for a vehicle infotainment system, the control system comprising one or more controller (105), the control system configured to: receive a signal indicative of a blood glucose level of a user of a vehicle from a continuous glucose monitoring, CGM, device of the user; determine a media signal in dependence on the signal indicative of the blood glucose level; and output the media signal to a media output unit of the vehicle infotainment system.

Advantageously, this allows blood glucose information to be presented to a user whilst driving without stopping or interacting with an electronic device such as smartphone, thus enabling a user to continue driving whilst being updated on their glucose levels. This can reduce the need for a user to stop driving to check their glucose levels and can assist with complying with national legal requirements with respect to glucose monitoring whilst driving and the use of handheld electronic devices whilst driving.

In an embodiment, the signal indicative of a blood glucose level is received whilst the user is driving the vehicle.

Advantageously, this allows a user to check their blood glucose level without interrupting their driving.

In an embodiment, the signal indicative of a blood glucose level is received directly from a CGM or from a CGM via a smartphone.

In an embodiment, the signal indicative of a blood glucose level is received via a wired connection or short-range wireless communications.

In an embodiment, the short-range wireless communication is one of via Bluetooth, WiFi, UWB, and ZigBee.

In an embodiment, wherein the signal indicative of a blood glucose level is received via Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, or Baidu CarLife.

In an embodiment, the signal indicative of a blood glucose level includes one or more of: a blood glucose measurement of the user, a value of a blood glucose measurement of the user relative to a predefined threshold, a rate of change of a blood glucose measurement of the user, and a notification indicating a status of a blood glucose measurement of the user.

In an embodiment, the media signal includes one or more of: information on a current blood glucose measurement of the user, a notification that a current blood glucose measurement of the user is outside of a predefined range, a notification that a blood glucose measurement of the user is predicted to go outside of a predefined range within a predefined time period, and a notification that the rate of change of a blood glucose level of the user is outside of a predefined range.

In an embodiment, the media signal provides an audio signal, a visual signal, or an audio-visual signal to the media output unit.

In an embodiment, the media signal includes a graph providing information on blood glucose measurement over a predetermined timeframe.

In an embodiment, the media signal includes a recommended action to be taken by the user.

In an embodiment, when the signal indicative of a blood glucose level includes a blood glucose measurement of the user, the control system is configured to determine a status of the blood glucose level of the user relative to one or more predetermined thresholds and determine the media signal in dependence on the status of the blood glucose level In an embodiment, the control system is configured to receive a signal indicative of supplemental information about the user, and to determine the media signal in dependence on the signal indicative of a blood glucose level and the signal indicative of the supplemental information Advantageously, the signal indicative of supplemental information about the user provides additional context that can be used in the analysis of the blood glucose measurements, as well as information on a user's historical blood glucose behaviour, thus improving the relevance of the information presented to the user.

In an embodiment, the signal indicative of the supplemental information provides an indication of one or more of: a previous blood glucose measurement of the user, a physiological measurement of the user, a previous activity of the user, and a schedule of the user.

In an embodiment, the physiological measurement of the user includes one or more of a heart rate measurement, a stress measurement, and a respiration measurement.

In an embodiment, the signal indicative of the supplemental information indication is received from a smartwatch, a smartphone, or a health monitoring device of the user.

In an embodiment, wherein the control system (100) is configured to determine a control signal (505) for controlling the vehicle in dependence upon the signal (315, 325) indicative of a blood glucose level, and to output the control signal to the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the control signal (505) includes one or more of: navigation control information, vehicle control information, and communications control information.

10 15 20 25 In an embodiment, the communications control information includes information on an emergency contact of the user or information for contacting an emergency service.

In an embodiment, the navigation control information includes information on a navigation route that includes one or more of: a location where the user can safely stop, a location where medical attention can be obtained, and a location where sustenance can be obtained In an embodiment, the vehicle control information includes one or more of: control information for starting the vehicle, control information for stopping the vehicle, and control information for driving the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the vehicle is semi-autonomous or autonomous and the autonomy level is based on the signal indicative of a blood glucose level.

In an embodiment, the vehicle control information can be manufacturer-set or set by the user of the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the media information includes information on the vehicle control information.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a control system for a vehicle infotainment system, the control system comprising: input means for receiving a signal indicative of a blood glucose level of a user of a vehicle; output means for outputting a media signal to a media output unit of the vehicle infotainment system; and processing means arranged to determine, in dependence on the signal indicative of a blood glucose level, the media signal.

In an embodiment, the signal indicative of a blood glucose level is received from a continuous glucose monitoring, CGM, device of the user or from a portable communications device of the user.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle infotainment system, comprising: a control system according to any preceding aspect or embodiment; and a media output unit for outputting the media signal.

In an embodiment, the media output unit includes at least one of a speaker and a screen.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising a control system according to any preceding aspect or embodiment, or an infotainment system according to the previous aspect According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling a vehicle infotainment system, comprising: receiving a signal indicative of a blood glucose level of a user of a vehicle from a continuous glucose monitoring, CGM, device of the user; determining, in dependence on the signal indicative of a blood glucose level, a media signal; and outputting the media signal to a media output unit of the vehicle infotainment system.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, are arranged to perform a method according to the previous aspect. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause performance of any one or more of the methods described herein.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a control system for a vehicle infotainment system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle infotainment system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figures 3A to 3C show communication topologies of in-vehicle glucose monitoring systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention; Figures 4A and 4B show communication topologies of in-vehicle glucose monitoring systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention; Figures 5A and 5B show communication topologies of in-vehicle glucose monitoring systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention; Figure 6 shows a flow chart providing a method of a control system for a vehicle infotainment system in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and Figure 7 shows a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A control system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figure 1. The control system is for an infotainment system of a vehicle 700 as shown in Figure 7. The vehicle 700 in the present embodiment is an automobile, such as a wheeled vehicle, but it will be understood that the control system may be used in other types of vehicle, such as a Lorry, a Truck, or another Goods Vehicle. Furthermore, the control system may be used in vehicles configured to carry commercial passengers, such as a Taxi, a Minibus or a Coach. Figure 1 shows a representation of the control system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

The control system 100 of Figure 1 is shown to comprise a controller 105 comprising processing means 110, output means 120, input means 130 and memory means 140. The processing means 110, output means 120, input means 130 and memory means 140 are communicatively coupled with one another. Although Figure 1 shows the control system 100 comprising a single controller 105, it should be understood that the control system 100 may comprise a plurality of controllers each comprising processing means, output means, input means and memory means. The control system 100 is configured to provide in-vehicle blood glucose level monitoring of a user (e.g. driver) of the vehicle in conjunction with a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device, where a CGM device may be considered to be any device that can provide a continuous glucose measurement of a user. Although the term continuous is used, this includes the periodic monitoring/provision of glucose measurement information, such as every 30 seconds or every five minutes for example.

The processing means 110 comprises processing means which may be one or more electronic processing devices or processors that operably execute computer-readable instructions, which may be stored in the memory means. The control system 100 further comprises an input means 130 which may be an electrical input to receive one or more electrical signals 135. The input means 130 is configured to receive a signal indicative of a blood glucose level of a user of a vehicle from a CGM device of the user, where the signal may be received directly from a CGM device or via an intermediate device, such as a smartphone for example. The control system 100 comprises an output means 120 which may be an electrical output 120 to output one or more electrical signals 125 under control of the processing means 110. In particular, the output means 120 is configured to output one or more media signals 125 under control of the processing means 110. The one or more media signals output by the output means 120 may be output to a media output unit of the infotainment system, and may include media signals providing one or more of information on a blood glucose level of the user, analysis of a blood glucose level of the user, and notifications associated with the blood glucose level of the user. The one or more media signals and the media that they represent are determined by the processing means 110 in dependence upon at least the signal indicative of the blood glucose level of the user of the vehicle. Consequently, the processing means may in some embodiments analyse blood glucose level data that has been received through the signal indicative of the blood glucose level of the user. The types of media determined by and the analysis that may be performed by the infotainment system controller are described in detail below. Although CGMs are predominantly considered here, the approaches of the present application are equally applicable to any device that provides an output that includes glucose monitoring information on a user.

The memory means 140 may be one or more memory devices. The memory means 140 is electrically coupled to the processing means 110. The memory means 140 is configured to store computer-readable instructions, and the processing means 110 are configured to access the memory means 140 and execute the instructions stored thereon.

Figure 2 illustrates an infotainment system 200 suitable for use in a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The infotainment system 200 comprises a control system 100 as illustrated in Figure 1 and a media output unit 210, where the media output unit is configured to output the one or more media signals output by the control system 100.

The media output unit may include one or more of a visual output unit 215, such as a screen for example, and an audio output unit 220, such as a speaker for example. The visual output unit and the audio output unit may be used individually or in conjunction with one another in order to output audio/visual media data.

Although the infotainment system and the controller thereof have been described with respect to receiving, processing, and output data associated with blood glucose level data of a user, they are not limited to this. For example, the infotainment system may output control data for the vehicle or subsystems of it, such as entertainment systems, climate control systems, navigation system etc., where this control data may or may not be based on blood glucose level data of a user. The infotainment system may also act as a central user interface between the user and the vehicle via the use of one or more of a graphical user interface, voice control, and dedicated input buttons. The infotainment system may also be referred to as a head unit. Systems or subsystems of the vehicle may also be included in or combined with the infotainment system, for example, the navigation system may be part of the infotainment system.

Figure 3A to 3C illustrate communication topologies of various embodiments of an in-vehicle blood glucose level monitoring system in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3A illustrates an embodiment where the infotainment system 200 and thus the control system 100 thereof receives blood glucose level measurement data 315 directly from the CGM 310 without the blood glucose level measurement data being processed or forwarded by an intermediate device. Consequently, in this embodiment the signal indicative of a blood glucose level received by the control system of the infotainment system is blood glucose level measurement data of the user. The control system of the infotainment system determines the media signal in dependence upon the signal indicative of a blood glucose level and thus the blood glucose level measurement data of the user represented thereby. The transmission mechanism between the CGM 310 and the infotainment system 200 is a short-range wireless connection, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, UWB, and ZigBee, however, the short-range wireless connection is not limited to these. The CGM 310 may measure and transmit the blood glucose level measurement data at predetermined intervals, such as every five minutes for example. An initial pairing or connection configured between the CGM and the infotainment systems may be required in order to establish the short-range wireless connection.

In accordance with the embodiment of Figure 3A, since unprocessed (i.e. raw) blood glucose level measurement data is transmitted to the infotainment system 200, the infotainment system may either merely present the unprocessed blood glucose level measurement data via the output media signal and/or process/analyse the blood glucose level measurement data in order to provide additional information or insight via the output media signal. With respect to presenting the unprocessed blood glucose level measurement data, the infotainment system may present the blood glucose level measurement data via the media output unit when each instance of data is received from the CGM. Alternatively, the most recent measurement data received from the CGM may be continuously presented to the user via the media output unit or output in response to a user input to the infotainment system requesting its output.

With respect to the processing or analysis of the received blood glucose level measurement data, the analysis may for example include one or more of determining the value of the current blood glucose level of the user relative to a predetermined threshold, for instance whether it is below or above 4 or 5 mmol/L; determining whether the value of the blood glucose level is outside of a predetermined range e.g. 5 mmol/L -10 mmol/L; determining a rate of change or trend of the blood glucose level over a predetermined time period; determining a predicted blood glucose level; or determining the predicted value of the blood glucose level relative to a predetermined threshold or range. The media signal may then be determined based on the unprocessed blood glucose level measurement data and/or the result of the analysis of the blood glucose level measurement data such that the result of the analysis may be presented alongside the unprocessed blood glucose level measurement data. The result of the analysis may be presented in any appropriate manner, for example it may be presented in the form of a graph that is continuously displayed to the user or displayed in response to a user request, a colour coded indication that corresponds to a current blood glucose level or a predicted blood glucose level, an audio indication that provides an indication of result of the analysis, or a warning that may be required to be acknowledged by the user. The result of the analysis may also be presented in the form of a recommended action for the user, such as eating or drinking to raise their blood glucose level or stopping the vehicle. However, both the analysis and forms of presentation are not limited to those described above and may take any suitable form. For example, the form of the analysis and/or presentation may be dependent on the laws of the jurisdictions in which the vehicle is to operate, since different jurisdictions may have different laws on acceptable glucose levels and user interactions whilst driving.

The output media may also take the form of a notification that is presented to a user when one or more conditions are met. For example, the user may be presented with the blood glucose level measurement data or analysis once per predetermined time interval, which may be determined based on user preference, the CGM output frequency, and/or legal requirements of the territory the vehicle is operating in. Alternatively, a notification may be presented to a user when their blood glucose level fulfils one or more specific conditions. For example, a notification may be presented when the user's blood glucose level has fallen or is predicted to fall outside of a predetermined range within a set period of time. Any media that is currently being reproduced by the infotainment system may be paused when a notification is to be presented to the user. If no media is currently being reproduced, the notification may be presented without the pausing of any media reproduction. The notification may be maintained until it is acknowledged or dismissed by the user. However, the conditions for presenting a notification and the content of the notification may also be configured by the user via the infotainment system.

The form and content of the media output may also be determined based on privacy settings of the user, since a user may not wish for medical information such as blood glucose levels to be displayed or otherwise presented to passengers of the vehicle. For example, one or more of blood glucose level measurement data, analysis, and notifications may only be presented to the user, for instance, by displaying them in an area which is normally only viewed by the driver of the vehicle, such as the binnacle.

By virtue of receiving information on a blood glucose level of a driver of a vehicle from a CGM at the infotainment system of the vehicle, blood glucose level information/analysis may be presented to the driver without them stopping the vehicle and/or with reduced distraction compared to checking a portable device such as smartphone whilst driving. This may be particularly advantageous for diabetic persons for whom it is recommended or required for them to monitor their blood glucose levels whilst driving.

Figure 3B illustrates an embodiment where the CGM 310 transmits unprocessed blood glucose level measurement data 315 to an intermediate device 320, and then the intermediate device 320 transmits and the infotainment system receives the signal indicative of the blood glucose level of the user to the infotainment system 200. The signal 315 is transmitted via a short-range wireless connection and the signal 325 may be transmitted either via a wired or a short-range wireless connection. Similarly to the arrangement of Figure 3A, an initial paring or connection configuration between the intermediate device and the infotainment systems may be required to establish the short-range wireless connection.

The intermediate device 320 is envisaged to be a mobile device such as a smartphone but any device capable of receiving the unprocessed blood glucose level measurement data 315 and transmitting the signal indicative of the of a blood glucose level of the user to the infotainment system 200 may be used. The intermediate device may merely forward or relay the unprocessed blood glucose level measurement data to the infotainment system such that the signal indicative of the of a blood glucose level 325 is the unprocessed blood glucose level measurement data. In this implementation, the infotainment system 200 may then operate as described with reference to Figure 3A. As well as forwarding or relaying the blood glucose measurement data, the intermediate device may store the received measurement data.

Alternatively, the intermediate device may perform some analysis on the unprocessed blood glucose level measurement data using a pre-installed application compatible with the CGM and transmit to the infotainment system the result of such analysis as the signal indicative of the of a blood glucose level 325. The analysis may include any of the analyses described above with reference to Figure 3A. The result of the analysis transmitted to and received by the infotainment system may include at least one of numerical data, visual data, and audio data, and the infotainment system may be configured to process the data received from the intermediate device in order to determine the output media or directly output the data received from the intermediate device if the received data is visual and/or audio media data that is suitable for output via the media output unit.

Analysis of blood glucose level measurement data may also be performed by both the intermediate device and the infotainment system. For example, in addition to analysis received from the intermediate device, the infotainment system may perform further analysis based on the blood glucose level measurement data received from the intermediate device.

The functionality of the intermediate device described with respect to Figure 3B may be provided via one or more applications running on the intermediate device that are compatible with the CGM and the infotainment system of the vehicle.

Although Figures 3A and 33 have been described primarily with respect to the driver of a vehicle, the blood glucose level of passengers of the vehicle with a CGM may be monitored either as an alternative to the driver or in addition to. For example, the infotainment system may receive and present information on blood glucose levels received from multiple CGMs. Alternatively, if a child passenger has a CGM, blood glucose level data from their CGM may be transmitted to the infotainment system and presented so that the driver may monitor the child's blood glucose level without stopping the vehicle.

Figure 30 illustrates an embodiment where the CGM 310 transmits unprocessed blood glucose level measurement data 315 to an intermediate device 320 via a short-range wireless connection, and the intermediate device processes the unprocessed blood glucose level data 315. The intermediate device then determines a media output signal 335 for the intermediate device, such as an application screen for example. The media output signal 335 is then forwarded to a screen mirroring application 330 running on the intermediate device which transmits display data 345 to the infotainment system 200 via a wired or short-range wireless connection, such that the signal indicative of the of a blood glucose level of the user received by the infotainment system is screen display information. The infotainment system then determines the media signal in independence on the signal indicative of the of a blood glucose level of the user (i.e. the screen display information). Suitable screen mirroring applications include Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Baidu CarLife; however, the screen mirroring applications are not limited to these. The processing and analysis performed by the intermediate device and the information conveyed by the media signal may take the form of any of that described with reference to Figures 3A and 3B.

In the embodiments described with reference to Figures 3A to 3C, the media may be output by the infotainment system continuously, in response to a user input, or in response to the occurrence of a specific event. As described above, the media itself may include one or more of information on a current blood glucose level measurement of the user, a notification that a current blood glucose measurement of the user is outside of a predefined range, a notification that a blood glucose measurement of the user is predicted to go outside of a predefined range within a predefined time period, a notification that the rate of change of a blood glucose level of the user is outside of a predefined range, a recommended action for the user to take.

Figure 4A illustrates an embodiment similar to that described with reference to Figure 3A but where the infotainment system 200 and thus the control system 100 thereof also receives a signal indicative of supplemental information 405 and where the analysis and/or determination of the media signal performed by the infotainment system is determined in dependence upon both the signal indicative of a blood glucose level 315 and the signal indicative of the supplemental information 405. The supplemental information may include any information that may be of assistance with interpreting a user's blood glucose level measurement data, such as other physiological measurements of the user, a previous activity of the user, and a schedule of the user of supplemental information 405.

In Figure 4A the signal 405 is illustrated as being received from another electronic device 400, where this device may be a portable device such as a smartphone, a smartwatch, or other health monitoring device that is configured to provide information that may be useful when performing analysis of the blood glucose level measurement data. The supplemental information may allow the infotainment system to provide improved analysis of the blood glucose measurement data since it may provide additional contextual information. For example, if the supplemental information includes information on a previous activity of the user i.e. whether they have been sedentary or active, the infotainment system may provide an improved estimation of a future blood glucose level. Likewise, if the supplemental information includes physiological measurements such as heartrate information or indications of a stress level for example, the infotainment system may provide an improved estimation of a future blood glucose level. With respect to the use of schedule information, this may provide an indication of meals times and the type of past and future activities, both of which can have an effect on blood glucose levels and thus be used to enhance analysis of blood glucose levels. The supplemental information may also include historical blood glucose behaviour of the user, which may also allow an improved estimation of future blood glucose levels. The supplemental information may also include information received from the vehicle itself, such as information indicating that certain user or driving behaviours have occurred, which may be indicators of any effect that a user's blood glucose level is having.

For example, if a dropping blood glucose level is determined in combination with driving behaviour that indicates a drop in concentration, the information/notification presented to the user via the media signal and the media output unit may be adapted appropriately, such as by increasing the prominence of the output media. Although Figure 4A shows the supplemental information being received from a single device 400, it may be received from a plurality of devices and the media output signal determined based on the blood glucose level measurement data and the supplemental information received from each device.

Figure 4B illustrates an embodiment similar to that described with reference to Figure 3B but where the infotainment system also receives a signal indicative of supplemental information 405 as described with reference to Figure 4A. As described with respect to Figure 4A, although Figure 4B shows the supplemental information being received from a single device 400, it may be received from a plurality of devices and the media output signal determined based on the measurement data and the supplemental information received from each device. In some examples, the supplemental information may be received from the intermediate device 320.

Figure 5A illustrates an embodiment similar to that described with respect to Figures 3A and 4A but where the infotainment system 200 and therefore the control system 100 thereof also determines and outputs a signal 505 for controlling functionality of the vehicle in dependence upon the signal indicative of the blood glucose level and optionally the signal indicative of supplemental information. The signal for controlling the vehicle may be output to an appropriate control system 500 of the vehicle and may include at least one of navigation control information, vehicle control information, and communications control information. In addition to outputting the control information, a media signal providing information on the control information may be determined and output to the media output unit in order inform the user of the control information.

The navigation control information is determined and/or output based on the blood glucose level measurement data received from the CGM meeting certain conditions and/or the analysis performed by the infotainment system on the received blood glucose data. The navigation control information may include one or more of a location where the user can safely stop, a location where medical attention can be obtained, and a location where sustenance can be obtained. Alternatively, the navigation control information may include a command for the navigation system to identify relevant locations that fulfil certain conditions. For example, if the user's blood glucose level is predicted to drop below a predefined level within a predetermined period of time e.g. within 30 minutes based on a current rate of change, the infotainment system may identify nearby locations or request that the navigation system identify nearby locations where sustenance can be obtained so that the user may consume food/drink in order to try and prevent their blood glucose level dropping too low. Alternatively, if the user's blood glucose level is dropping rapidly or has dropped to too low a level, locations nearby where the user may safely stop the vehicle and address their blood glucose levels may be identified. As another alternative, if the user's blood glucose level is dropping rapidly or has dropped to too low a level, locations nearby where the user may obtain medical attention, such as hospital or doctors surgery may be identified. This control information may be output automatically in response to a condition being satisfied or in response to a user request. The control information may result in a new navigation route being presented to the user via the infotainment system or other navigation interface, or additional information on locations surrounding the current route/location of vehicle being presented to the user, for example, shop and services locations. In vehicles that include at least some autonomous driving functionality, the navigation control information may be used to autonomously drive the vehicle to a particular location where vehicle can safely stop and/or services appropriate for the user's condition can be obtained.

The communications control information may include one or more of information on an emergency contact of the user, information for contacting an emergency service, information for obtaining any other suitable form of assistance, and information to send as part of a communication. If a predetermined condition associated with the blood glucose level is met, the communications control information may be output to a communications system of the vehicle and communication in accordance with the communication control information performed. For example, if the user's blood glucose level moves outside of a predetermined range, a call or automated message may be sent to a pm-identified contact that the user may have set and/or to an emergency service. Communications control information may be output following the presentation of a number of warnings to the user. For example, if a blood glucose measurement is outside of a predetermined range or a current trend fulfils a predetermined condition (e.g. blood glucose level is expected to fall outside of a predetermined range in the future), warnings may first be presented to the user, and if no interactions by the user, acknowledgement from the user, or appropriate driving actions are detected (e.g. stopping the vehicle), following a predetermined number of warnings, communications control information may be output.

The vehicle control information may include any form of advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) information, for example, one or more of control information for starting the vehicle, control information for stopping the vehicle, and control information for driving the vehicle. As noted above, some territories have legal requirements governing the blood glucose levels that a user (i.e. driver) must maintain before and during driving, and therefore user control or automated control of the vehicle may be based on the blood glucose level of the user. For example, if the blood glucose level of the user is outside of a predetermined range, the user may be prevented from starting the vehicle or the vehicle may only be started if an acceptable blood glucose measurement is received. In another example, the vehicle control information may include control information for safely stopping the vehicle if the blood glucose level of the user is outside of a predetermined range, where the stopping of the vehicle may follow a predetermined routine, a routine determined based on the current driving conditions, or a combination of these. In yet another example, if the blood glucose level of the user falls outside of a predetermined range, if available, the levels of automated driving may be increased in order to account for a possible decrease in the user's ability to drive, which may include one of more of braking, steering, and accelerating. Although specific examples of control information have been provided, any form may be output by the infotainment control system, for example, the vehicle control information may include control information for turning on hazard lights or for controlling other auxiliary functions of a vehicle. In a further example, if a blood glucose measurement is outside of a predetermined range or a current trend fulfils a predetermined condition (e.g. glucose level is expected to fall outside of a predetermined range in the future) warnings may first be presented to the user, and if no interactions by the user, acknowledgement from the user, or appropriate driving actions are detected (e.g. stopping the vehicle), following a predetermined number of warnings (e.g. three), vehicle control information may be output.

Combinations of any of the described control information may also be output depending on blood glucose measurements, warnings or user interactions. For example, communications control information for contacting an emergency service may be output in combination with vehicle control information for stopping the vehicle if a predetermined number of warnings are not acknowledged.

Figure 5B illustrates an embodiment similar to Figure 5A but where the signal indicative of the blood glucose level is received by the infotainment system 200 via the intermediate device 320. Control information described with reference to Figure 5A may be determined on one or more of on the signal received from the intermediate device, analysis performed by the infotainment system, and the signal indicative of supplemental information.

Figure 6 provides a flow diagram 600 illustrating a method performed by an infotainment control system according to the present invention, where those steps shown with dashed lines are optional and therefore are not included in some embodiments.

At step 602, the infotainment control system receives a signal indicative of a blood glucose level measurement of a user. As described with reference to Figures 3A, 3B, and 30 the signal indicative of a blood glucose level measurement of a user may be received directly from a CGM and include unprocessed CGM data, be received from an intermediate device and include unprocessed CGM data and/or processed CGM data e.g. notification information, or be received from an intermediate device and include media information for screen mirroring.

At step 604, the infotainment control system may perform an optional analysis of the blood glucose level data included in the signal indicative of a blood glucose measurement of a user and any supplemental data that has been received by the infotainment system. The analysis may include any of that described with reference to any of Figures 3A to 3C and 4A to 4B.

At step 606, the infotainment control system determines a media signal for outputting via a media output unit of the infotainment system, where the media signal is determined as described with reference to any of Figures 3A to 3C and 4A to 4B.

At step 608, the determined media signal is output to the media output unit of the infotainment system as described with reference to Figures 3A-3C and 4A to 4B.

At step 610, as described with reference to Figures 4A and 4B, in some embodiments the infotainment system may also determine control information, which includes one or more of vehicle control information, navigation control information, and communications control information.

At step 612, if control information has been determined at step 612, the control information is output to the appropriate system of the vehicle. In combination with this, media information informing the user of the control information may also be determined and output to the media output unit.

Figure 7 illustrates a vehicle 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 700 comprises an infotainment control system 100 as illustrated in Figure 1 or an infotainment system 200 as illustrated in Figure 2. The vehicle may also include one or more systems of subsystems responsible for the functioning of the vehicle and to which control commands may be transmitted by the infotainment system as described with reference to Figures 5A and 5B.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the present application. It should be understood that any of the features described above with respect to Figures 1 to 7 may be taken in combination with features of any other Figure. In addition, features or method steps may be omitted.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A control system for a vehicle infotainment system, the control system comprising one or more controller, the control system configured to: receive a signal indicative of a blood glucose level of a user of a vehicle from a continuous glucose monitoring, CGM, device of the user; determine a media signal in dependence on the signal indicative of the blood glucose level; and output the media signal to a media output unit of the vehicle infotainment system.
2. A control system according to claim 1, wherein the signal indicative of a blood glucose level is received whilst the user is driving the vehicle.
3. A control system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the signal indicative of a blood glucose level includes one or more of: a blood glucose measurement of the user, a value of a blood glucose measurement of the user relative to a predefined threshold, a rate of change of a blood glucose measurement of the user, and a notification indicating a status of a blood glucose measurement of the user.
4. A control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the media signal includes one or more of: information on a current blood glucose measurement of the user, a notification that a current blood glucose measurement of the user is outside of a predefined range, a notification that a blood glucose measurement of the user is predicted to go outside of a predefined range within a predefined time period, and a notification that the rate of change of a blood glucose level of the user is outside of a predefined range.
5. A control system according to claim 4, wherein, when the signal indicative of a blood glucose level includes a blood glucose measurement of the user, the control system is configured to determine a status of the blood glucose level of the user relative to one or more predetermined thresholds and determine the media signal in dependence on the status of the blood glucose level.
6. A control system of any preceding claim, wherein the control system is configured to receive a signal indicative of supplemental information about the user, and to determine the media signal in dependence on the signal indicative of a blood glucose level and the signal indicative of the supplemental information.
7. A control system of claim 6, wherein the signal indicative of the supplemental information provides an indication of one or more of: a previous blood glucose measurement of the user, a physiological measurement of the user, a previous activity of the user, and a schedule of the user.
8. A control system of any preceding claim, wherein the control system is configured to determine a control signal for controlling the vehicle in dependence upon the signal indicative of a blood glucose level, and to output the control signal to the vehicle.
9. A control system of claim 8, wherein the control signal includes one or more of: navigation control information, vehicle control information, and communications control information.
10. A control system of claim 9, wherein the navigation control information includes information on a navigation route that includes one or more of: a location where the user can safely stop, a location where medical attention can be obtained, and a location where sustenance can be obtained.
11. A control system of claim 9, wherein the vehicle control information includes one or more of: control information for starting the vehicle, control information for stopping the vehicle, and control information for driving the vehicle.
12. A vehicle infotainment system, comprising: a control system according to any preceding claim; and a media output unit for outputting the media signal.
13. A vehicle comprising a control system according to any of claims 1 to 11 or an infotainment system according to claim 12.
14. A method for controlling a vehicle infotainment system, comprising: receiving a signal indicative of a blood glucose level of a user of a vehicle from a continuous glucose monitoring, CGM, device of the user; determining, in dependence on the signal indicative of a blood glucose level, a media signal; and outputting the media signal to a media output unit of the vehicle infotainment system.
15. Computer readable instructions which, when executed by a computer, are arranged to perform a method according to claim 14.