WO2024137449A1

WO2024137449A1 - System and method for prescribing comfort functions in a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2024137449A1
Application number: PCT/US2023/084522
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zachary GRIMALDI; Ken TURNER; Ayush GARG; Rahul CHANDRASHEKAR; Pallavi BADANAHATTI; Malhar PATEL
Original assignee: Gentherm Incorporated
Priority date: 2022-12-22
Filing date: 2023-12-18
Publication date: 2024-06-27

Abstract

A vehicle comfort system that includes one or more local or onboard information sources; one or more external information sources; one or more local comfort systems; and one or more controllers configured to receive data from the one or more local or onboard information sources and the one or more external information sources to determine an occupant comfort value, and based on the determined occupant comfort value, the one or more controllers are configured to prescribe and/or activate one or more of the local comfort devices to maintain and/or change the occupant comfort value.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESCRIBING COMFORT FUNCTIONS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE

PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority to US 63/434,569 filed on December 22, 2022, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

FIELD

[0002] These teachings relate to a system and method for prescribing comfort functions in a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Some motor vehicles include one or more comfort devices or systems geared towards improving occupant comfort. For example, some vehicles have seats with heating, cooling, and/or massage/lumbar functions. Other vehicles may be equipped with amenities like adjustable lighting and/or entertainment systems that may help relax or entertain an occupant during travel.

[0004] However, some limitations exist in current vehicle comfort systems. For example, activating certain comfort systems may require active occupant participation and interaction, which may undesirably distract the occupant during vehicle operation. Furthermore, some occupants may not be aware that certain comfort features exist in the vehicle and/or may be unaware that a particular comfort system may help improve their comfort level. Accordingly, it may be desirable to improve the current state of the art.

[0005] For example, it may be desirable to have a system and/or method that is configured to monitor one or more occupants in the motor vehicle and then prescribe comfort functions. For example, it may be desirable to have a system and/or method that can prescribe one or more comfort functions and/or automatically activate one or more comfort systems in response to a monitoring function of the occupant and a determination that certain comfort functions may increase the operator comfort level. For example, it may be desirable to have a system and/or method that can prescribe and/or activate one or more comfort functions without requiring occupant interaction. SUMMARY

[0006] These teachings provide a vehicle comfort system and/or method that is configured to prescribe comfort functions. These teachings provide a comfort system and/or method that can monitor one or more occupants in a motor vehicle or vehicle seat and/or prescribe one or more comfort functions and/or automatically activate one or more comfort systems. The comfort system may prescribe and/or activate one or more one or more comfort functions without requiring active occupant interaction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. l is a schematic side view illustration of a motor vehicle.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the vehicle comfort system.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates a method of the vehicle comfort system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 comprises an interior or cabin 12 that includes many of the features that are currently available in a motor vehicle today, including but not limited to one or more vehicle seats 14, a dashboard, 16, a steering wheel 18, door panels, a console, audio and/or video or entertainment system, interior lighting. An occupant O is illustrated in the vehicle seat 14. One or more vehicle comfort systems 100 may be provided in the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 may be a motor vehicle, an electric vehicle, or a hybrid vehicle (gas and electric).

[0011] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the vehicle comfort system 100.

[0012] The vehicle comfort system 100 may include one or more local or onboard information sources 102. A local or onboard information source 102 may be a device, assembly, or source of data or information that may originate from, be generated by, and/or be provided from inside of the vehicle 10.

[0013] The vehicle comfort system 100 may include one or more external information sources 104. An external information source 104 may be a device, assembly, or source of data or information that may originate from, be generated by, and/or be provided from outside of the vehicle 10. [0014] The vehicle comfort system 100 may include one or more controllers 106. The one or more controllers 106 may comprise one or more local or onboard controllers 108. A local or onboard controller 108 may be a controller or processor that is located or provided inside of the vehicle 10. The one or more controllers 106 may comprise one or more external controllers 110. An external controller 110 may be a controller or processor that is loved or provided outside of the vehicle 10. Accordingly, reference to controller 106 herein may include reference to one or more local controllers 108, one or more external controllers 110, or both internal and external controllers 108, 110.

[0015] The one or more controllers 106 may be configured to receive or obtain data or information from the one or more local or onboard information sources 102, the one or more external information sources 104, or both. The one or more controllers 106 may be configured to process data or information received from the one or more information sources 102 and/or 104. The one or more controllers 106 may be configured to control the one or more local comfort systems 112, provide information to the one or more user interfaces 114, or both. Communication of information between one or more of these devices may take place via a wired and/or wireless communication network or protocol, the vehicle CAN bus, or the like.

[0016] The vehicle comfort system 100 may include one or more local comfort systems or devices 112. The one or more local comfort systems or devices 102 may be configured to provide one or more comfort functions to one or more occupants O in the vehicle 10 and/or vehicle seat 14. The one or more local comfort systems 112 may be controlled by the occupant, the one or more controllers 106, or both. The local comfort system or devices 112 may include devices for heating the occupant, such as conductive seat heaters, radiant heated panels and convective neck warmers. The local comfort system or devices 112 may include devices for cooling the occupant, such as seat ventilation, seat cooling, and convective cooling. The local comfort system or devices 112 may include devices for movement of a portion of the occupant, such as lumbar actuators, bolster actuators, or seat recline actuators. The local comfort system or devices 112 may include devices for providing pressure or vibration to a portion of the occupant, such as inflatable bladders, massages, and vibration. The local comfort system or devices 112 may include devices for providing audio to the occupant, such as music or sounds. The local comfort system or devices 112 may include devices for providing visuals to the occupant, such as lights or images. The local comfort system or devices 112 may include devices for providing scents to the occupant, such as aromas or perfumes.

[0017] The vehicle comfort system 100 may include one or more user interfaces 114. The one or more user interfaces 114 may provide one or more occupants of the vehicle 10 with information relating to the motor vehicle 10, the one or more local comfort systems 112, information from the one or more local and/or external information sources 102, 104, and/or the ability to control and/or change settings of the vehicle 10 and/or the one or more comfort systems 112 or controllers 106. The one or more user interfaces 114 may provide one or more occupants of the vehicle the ability to control the one or more comfort systems 112, the vehicle 10, more combination thereof. In some configurations, the one or more user interfaces 114 may be controlled by or provide information to one or more processor is, data storage locations, and or persons that are located external of the vehicle 10. The one or more user interfaces 114 may be permanently installed in the vehicle 10. In some configurations, the one or more user interfaces 114 may be removably attached to the vehicle time which means that the user interface 114 can be detached or separated from the vehicle town without causing damage to the vehicle 10 and or the user interface 114. In some configurations, the one or more user interfaces 114 may be a mobile device such as a telephone, laptop, tablet, or other smart devices, such as a watch or glasses.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a method 200 of the vehicle comfort system 100. The method 200 may include one or more steps. It is understood that while the method 200 is illustrated as having a number of sequential steps, it is within the scope of this disclosure that any of the method steps can be rearranged, duplicated, and/or eliminated. It is within the scope of this disclosure that any single method step illustrated and described herein can be separated or divided into two or more method steps. It is within the scope of this disclosure that any two or more methods steps may be combined into a single method step.

[0019] The method 200 may include a step 202 of obtaining information or data about the occupant O. The data or information in this method step 202 may be obtained from the one or more local or onboard information sources 102, the one or more external information sources 104, or both. The one or more information sources 102 and/or 104 may collect data relating to the occupant O. For example, the data or information may include the occupant’s identity, age, gender, weight, body temperature, clothing being worn, hydration, dehydration, injuries, medical conditions, health conditions, blood sugar levels, heartbeat or heart rate, sweat or perspiration, drowsiness, sicknesses, uneasiness, sobriety, anxiety, hunger, mood, happiness, drowsiness, facial expressions, alertness, stress level, mental focus, level of distractedness, or any combination thereof. For example, the data or information may include current weather, future weather, current road conditions, future road conditions, construction areas, detours, roads or areas or neighborhoods to avoid, accident reports, upcoming schedule or planned activities, vehicle condition and upcoming maintenance, information from other or nearby vehicles, fleet data, nearby restaurants or stores or attractions, or any combination thereof.

[0020] The method 200 may include a step 204 of processing the information or data received from the sources 102 and/or 104 in step 202. This step 204 may be completed or executed by the one or more controllers 106, which may include one or more local or on-board controllers 108, one or more external controllers 110, or both. In or during step 204, the information or data from step 202 may be processed by one or more processors, software, algorithms, look up tables to determine an Occupant Comfort Value (OCV). The OCV may be indicative of the current comfort level or status of the occupant, including the occupant’s thermal comfort.

[0021] The method 200 may include a step 206 of prescribing one or more comfort functions in response to the determined OCV value from step 204. In this step, the comfort system 100 may prescribe one or more comfort functions. For example, the comfort system 100 may suggest to the one or more occupants to activate one or more local comfort systems 112 to maintain or improve the OCV. An example of this is that if the OCV is indicative of the occupant being uncomfortable, such as being cold, then the system 100 may prescribe or suggest the occupant turn on or raise the temperature of the vehicle or seat heating system, or another local comfort systems or device 112. This suggestion may be provided to the occupant via the user interface 114.

[0022] In some configurations, the system 100 may automatically activate, deactivate, or maintain a comfort system 112. Using the same example as above, if the OCV is indicative of the occupant being uncomfortable, such as being cold, then the system 100 may automatically activate or increase the temperature within the vehicle or heating system, or local comfort systems or devices 112.

[0023] The method 200 may include a step 208, where the system 100 prescription and/or activation of the local comfort system 112 is evaluated. This step 208 may be executed by the one or more controllers 106 (i.e., local controller 108 and/or external controller 110). For example, after the system 100 prescribes a comfort function and the occupant accepts the suggestion to proceed with the prescription, then the system 100 may acknowledge and reward itself that the prescription was proper and satisfactory to the user. Accordingly, using the above example, in future situations where an OCV value is indicative of an uncomfortable occupant, such as a cold occupant, then the system 100 can prescribe or even automatically activate the heating comfort function to a particular temperature or set point, or local comfort systems or devices 112 with a higher degree of confidence. Such machine learning of the system 100 may be advantageous in that the system 100 may prescribe and/or activate comfort functions with a higher degree of certainty.

[0024] On the other hand, in the event the occupant O does not agree with the prescribed comfort function and/or changes or modifies the automatically activated comfort function shortly after the system 100 activates the comfort function, then the system 100 may store the occupant’s action in the memory so that in future instances when the OCV is indicative of an uncomfortable occupant, such as a cold occupant O, then the system 100 may prescribe and/or active another comfort function and/or prescribe or activate the same comfort function differently (e.g., a higher or lower temperature), or different local comfort systems or devices 112. Such machine learning of the system 100 may be advantageous in that the system 100 may prescribe and/or activate comfort functions with a higher degree of certainty in the future. The data or information from step 208 may be provided to the one or more controllers 106 as a local or onboard information source 102. The data or information from step 208 may be provided back to step 204 and/or 206. [0025] In other configurations, the system 100 will continue to monitor the occupant O to determine a change in the OCV. If the OCV increases, then the system 100 can prescribe or even automatically activate the local comfort systems or devices 112, such as heating comfort function to a particular temperature or set point with a higher degree of confidence in future situations. On the other hand, if the OCV decreases, then the can prescribe or even automatically activate the local comfort systems or devices 112, such as heating comfort function to a different temperature or set point in the future to determine the occupant’s optimum OCV.

[0026] The following examples illustrate how the system and method according to these teachings may operate to determine an occupant OCV and corresponding response thereto.

[0027] Example 1 : If the occupant O is determined by the one more local or onboard information sources 102 (e.g., camera, body temperature scanner, thermometer, perspiration) to be wearing warm clothing (such as a jacket, hat, gloves, sweater, etc.) and overheating (because of perspiration, red face, increased body temperature, dehydration, etc.) then the system may infer or conclude that the occupant O is warm and issue a corresponding OCV. The system 100 may also consider certain external information sources 104 (e.g., weather forecast, geographical locations). Accordingly, the system 100 may prescribe and/or deactivate or lower certain heating comfort functions. This may improve the OCV and reduce energy by not activating or using certain comfort function with not necessary. Energy reduction may be especially attractive in electrical vehicle operations, where reduced energy consumption for unnecessary comfort functions may extend battery life and extend vehicle mileage. The system 100 may continue to monitor the occupant after the system 100 prescription is made to determine if the OCV increases (i.e., less perspiration, face color is less red, less dehydration, etc.)

[0028] Example 2: If the system determines that the occupant has pain from menstrual cramping from the one or more local or external sources 102, 104, then the system may prescribe certain heating, cooling, and/or massage functions to increase the occupant’s OCV. For example, the system may consider information or data from sources such as a calendar, blood pressure, doctor visit, etc. The OCV will continue to monitor the occupant OCV to determine if the prescribed comfort functions increases or decrease the occupant’s comfort level.

[0029] Example 3 : If the system determines that an occupant has just left the gym or a workout class by considering one or more information sources such as a previously played music, calendar entries in a database, and/or geographical location, then the system may prescribe or activate one/or more comfort functions such as heating to relax sore muscles, cooling to cool down the occupant, and/or massage functions to massage sore muscles. The OCV will continue to monitor the occupant OCV to determine if the prescribed comfort functions increases or decrease the occupant’s comfort level.

[0030] Example 4: If the system determines that an occupant is stressed or anxious by considering one or more information sources such as a calendar entry, blood pressure, facial expression, gripping the steering wheel with a certain grip, and/or geographical location (at or near a place of employment or a family member’s house) then the system may prescribe or activate one/or more comfort functions such as activating aroma therapy or scents, changing the music or playlist, activating a light massage. The OCV will continue to monitor the occupant OCV to determine if the prescribed comfort functions increases or decrease the occupant’s comfort level. [0031] In the above examples, after the system 100 prescribes and/or activates a particular local comfort system, if the occupant’s OCV changes, then the system will identify the change and send the data to the one or more controllers. If the OCV is a positive change, then the system will reward itself and recommend the comfort function in subsequent instances. On the other hand, if the OCV was negatively affected, then the system will try another comfort function response and/or seek additional data or information form one or more external information sources for a response that worked on other occupants in the region (e.g., fleet data).

[0032] The following paragraphs apply to all examples discussed herein. It is understood that any of the sensors, monitoring devices, comfort devices, method steps, can be combined or separated into one or more separate or combined embodiments.

[0033] The vehicle comfort system may include one or more local or onboard information sources. A local or onboard information source may be a device, assembly, or source of data or information that may originate from, be generated by, and/or be provided from inside of the vehicle.

[0034] A local or onboard information source may function to observe, sense, determine, calculate, infer, measure, approximate, and/or estimate one or more conditions about the environment inside of the vehicle, one or more conditions about the environment outside of the vehicle, and/or one or more conditions about one or more occupants inside or outside of the vehicle. Information or data from one or more of the local or onboard information sources may be provided to the one or more controllers (local and/or external) and used by the system or method to prescribe one or more comfort functions, settings, and/or effectors of the vehicle.

[0035] A local or onboard information source maybe part of the vehicle or part of the vehicle seat. A local or onboard information source may be one that can be, or cannot be, removed from the vehicle or vehicle seat, without damaging the information source and/or the vehicle or vehicle seat. A local or onboard information source may be intended to remain part of the vehicle or vehicle seat. A local or onboard information source may be intended to be removable or separable from the vehicle or vehicle seat. A local or onboard information source may be provided by the vehicle OEM. A local or onboard information source may be provided as an aftermarket product that is installed in the vehicle or vehicle seat at the direction of the owner or occupant.

[0036] The one or more local or onboard information sources may communicate or share information with one or more other local or onboard information sources, one or more external information sources, one or more controllers (local and/or external), or a combination thereof. The communication may be achieved by any suitable communication system, such as one or more wired or wireless signals. For example, the information may be shared or transmitted over or using Wi-Fi, Cellular, and/or Bluetooth® technologies or systems. The information may be transmitted, received, and/or shared, over the vehicle communication system. For example, the information may be shared or communicated over the vehicle CAN bus system, or like system. The information sharing between the one or more aforementioned devices may be unidirectional or bidirectional.

[0037] A local or onboard information source may be, or may include, one or more sensors, devices, computers, processors, look-up tables, algorithms, equations, hard drives, memories, or a combination hereof.

[0038] A local or onboard information source may be, or may include one or more sensors such as: a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a noise sensor, an occupant sensor (i.e., proximity sensor), a light sensor, a barometer, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a camera (image or thermal), an air quality sensor, a breathalyzer, a blood pressure sensor, a weight sensor, fingerprint scanner, retina scanner, or a combination thereof. For example, a local or onboard information source may be, or may include one or more systems like a GPS/Navigation system, infotainment system, cellular system, video system, or a combination thereof.

[0039] A local or onboard information source may be located anywhere in the vehicle, such as the dashboard, the steering wheel, the instrument panel, the center console, the vehicle seat, the door panel, the headliner, the one or more windows, the foot wells, any of the pedals (gas, brake, clutch), the headrest, gear shifter, or a combination thereof.

[0040] A local or onboard information source may be or may include: a wearable device such as a smart watch, ring, bracelet, glasses, etc., smart phone or PDA, a laptop computer, a heart rate monitor, blood pressure monitor, pacemaker, a blood sugar monitor, an oxygen monitor, a respirator, or a combination thereof.

[0041] A local or onboard information source may be occupant responses to the system prescribing or automatically activating one or more comfort functions. For example, if the system prescribes or activates a particular comfort function in response to a determined OCV, and then the occupant OCV increases, then the corresponding data may be provided to the one or more controllers. On the other hand, if an occupant OCV decreases after prescription or activation of a particular comfort function then that data may also be sent to the one or more controllers for further processing so that next time a particular OCV is determined to be within the same range then the system knows how to respond, or how not to respond. In this regard, machine learning may be part of the local or onboard information source.

[0042] The vehicle comfort system may include one or more external information sources. An external information source may be a device, assembly, or source of data or information that may originate from, be generated by, and/or be provided from outside of the vehicle.

[0043] An external information source may function to observe, sense, determine, calculate, infer, measure, approximate, and/or estimate one or more conditions about the environment inside of the vehicle, one or more conditions about the environment outside of the vehicle, and/or one or more conditions about one or more occupants inside or outside of the vehicle. Information or data from one or more of the external information sources may be provided to the one or more controllers (local and/or external) and used by the system or method to prescribe one or more comfort functions, settings, and/or effectors of the vehicle.

[0044] The one or more external information sources may be external to the vehicle. The one or more external vehicle sources may be located or provided in another vehicle, in the cloud, on the internet, hard drive, or a combination thereof.

[0045] The one or more external information sources may communicate or share information with one or more other local or onboard information sources, one or more controllers (local and/or external), or a combination thereof. The communication may be achieved by any suitable communication system, such as one or more wired or wireless signals. For example, the information may be shared or transmitted over or using Wi-Fi, Cellular, and/or Bluetooth® technologies or systems. The information may be transmitted, received, and/or shared, over the vehicle communication system. For example, the information may be shared or communicated over the vehicle CAN bus system, or like system. The information sharing between the one or more aforementioned devices may be unidirectional or bidirectional.

[0046] An external information source may be, or may include, one or more sensors, devices, computers, processors, look-up tables, algorithms, equations, or a combination hereof.

[0047] An external information source may be, or may include: weather data, calendar data (i.e., from a source such as MS OUTLOOK or GOOGLE), electronic email information, electronic task information, construction reports, traffic reports, news reports, police/fire notices, special event information, a wearable (i.e., a smart watch, pacemaker, glucose meter), past operator driving habits, recent taken or upcoming road trips, current location/GPS, duration of current drive and/or time remaining, health record, fleet information (i.e., information from other vehicles or systems), previously watched or upcoming television shows or movies, previously listed to music or upcoming music on a playlist, food previously consumed (i.e., data taken from a food delivery service - restaurant and/or store), upcoming food orders (restaurant and/or store orders), past or upcoming vacations, past or upcoming life events (i.e., birth or death of a family member or friend), past or future monetary spending habits, political or social issues, social media posts or trends, job changes or promotions or demotions, school projects or exams, past or upcoming extracurricular sports practices or games or competitions, or any combination thereof.

[0048] An external information source may also include data representative of exemplary system responses to certain OCV values. For example, in the event in occupants OC V value is indicative of the occupant being cold, then system responses to such OCV values may be retrieved from an external information source so the system knows how to respond to remedy or increase the OCV value.

[0049] The vehicle comfort system may include one or more controllers. The one or more controllers (local and/or external controllers) may function to receive data or information from one or more sources (local or external information sources, local or external controllers), and using the received data or information, may prescribe and/or control one or more local comfort systems of the vehicle.

[0050] The one or more controllers (local and/or external controllers) may function to receive data or information from one or more sources and may interpret the data or information to prescribe and/or control one or more local comfort systems of the vehicle. Interpret the data or information may mean inputting the data or information into one or more algorithms, equations, look up tables, software programs in order to generate an output, which may be used by the controller or vehicle comfort system to prescribe and/or control one or more local comfort systems of the vehicle.

[0051] The one or more controllers may include one or more processors, memories, hard drives, computers, processors, storage devices, look up tables, algorithms, equations, or a combination thereof. The one or more controllers may be programmable and reprogrammable. This means that that look up tables, algorithms, equations, or data stored in the memory can be updated and/or reprogrammed. The one or more controllers may perform image processing to determine the occupant OCV. The one or more controllers may be programmed or reprogrammed wirelessly or via a wired communication. For example, the one or more controllers may be programmed via a satellite communication signal and/or a handheld device.

[0052] The one or more controllers may be one or more local or onboard controllers. A local or onboard controller is a controller that may have any of the features disclosed herein and is located on or in the vehicle. The one or more local controllers may be provided or installed by the vehicle OEM, or the one or more local controllers may be installed in the vehicle at the direction of the vehicle owner or occupant. The one or more local controllers may be dedicated to the vehicle comfort system. The one or more controllers may be part of the vehicle control system and utilized or shared by the vehicle comfort system. A local or onboard controller may be a portable controller that is brought into the vehicle and then can be removed from within the vehicle. The one or more local controllers may perform a sensor fusion, by aggregating data from the one or more information sources (local and external).

[0053] The one or more local or onboard controllers may be in communication with the one or more information sources (local and/or external) and/or the one or more external controllers and/or the one or more local comfort systems or effectors and/or the user interface via any suitable communication medium that may be wired or wireless. For example, data, information, commands, etc. may be shared or transmitted over or using Wi-Fi, Cellular, and/or Bluetooth® technologies or systems. The information may be transmitted, received, and/or shared, over the vehicle communication system. For example, the information may be shared or communicated over the vehicle CAN bus system, or like system. The information sharing between the one or more aforementioned devices may be unidirectional or bidirectional.

[0054] The one or more controllers may be one or more external controllers. An external controller is a controller that may have any of the features disclosed herein. An external controller may be located external of the vehicle. An external controller may be a controller that is not a local or onboard controller, and vice versa. An external controller may be a portable controller that is brought into the vehicle and then can be removed from within the vehicle. An external controller may be provided in the cloud and/or in a remote location. The one or more external controllers may perform a sensor fusion, by aggregating data from the one or more information sources (local and external). In some configurations, data from the one or more local controllers may be submitted to the one or more external controllers or further processing. For example, the one or more external controllers may aggregate various data including OCV values and then use that data for determining OCV values in other vehicles for occupants having similar comfort experiences. Such fleet learning may help develop responses to OCV with a higher degree of confidence and/or faster, without requiring the machine or system 100 to learn from scratch how to respond to certain OCVs.

[0055] The vehicle comfort system may include one or more local comfort systems or devices. The one or more comfort systems or devices may be one or more systems or devices that are configured to improve or maintain occupant comfort inside of the vehicle. The one or more comfort systems may be one or more systems or devices that are configured to maintain and/or change a current occupant experience in the vehicle.

[0056] For example, the one or more comfort systems may include one or more heating devices or sources, cooling devices or sources, humidifier devices or sources, dehumidifier devices or sources, scent generating devices or sources, lights, massage functions, vibration functions, air moving devices (e.g., a fans), noise cancelling devices, audio systems, video systems, motors, actuators, compressors, computers, processors, visual effects, audio effects, scent effects, or a combination thereof.

[0057] For example, the one or more comfort systems may include one or more devices or systems for: adjusting, changing, or maintaining a stiffness or firmness of a seat back or seating portion of a vehicle seat, adjusting a firmness or stiffness of a vehicle suspension; adjusting, changing, or maintaining a position or an angle of inclination of a seat back, seating portion, armrest, steering wheel, mirrors, gear shifter or other vehicle accessory; adjusting, changing, or maintaining a temperature inside of the vehicle, scent or smell inside, humidity level; adjusting, changing, or maintaining a radio station or type of music, massage program on a vehicle seat; activating or deactivating an autonomous driving mode, opening or closing one or more windows, adjusting a brightness or intensity of one or more head lights, adjusting or changing a beam direction of the one or more headlight; or any combination thereof.

[0058] The vehicle and/or the vehicle comfort system may include a user interface. The user interface may be an interface, device, or other system that a user may communicate or interact with. A user interface may be one or more touch screens, buttons, knobs, switches, push buttons, dials, or a combination thereof. The vehicle comfort system may prescribe one or more comfort functions which may be displayed on the user interface. Depending on certain settings, an occupant may be required to accept the prescribed comfort function by interacting with the user interface. In other situations, the prescribed comfort function may be automatically activated or deactivated but still displayed on the user interface to inform the occupant of the change.

[0059] The vehicle may be any vehicle. The vehicle may be a passenger car, truck, bus, or wagon. The vehicle may be passenger train, bus, airplane. The vehicle may be a gasoline, electric, battery, hybrid, diesel, natural gas vehicle. While the teachings herein are mainly directed to an automobile, these teachings may also be extended and implemented in non-vehicular applications, such as homes, office buildings, movie theaters, sporting venues, stores, and the like.

[0060] The occupant may be any occupant. The occupant may be located in the front seats (driver, passenger, or middle), back seats, or in any subsequent or intervening seats or rows therebetween. The occupant may be a known individual who frequently drives, operates, or is a passenger in the vehicle. The occupant may be an unknown individual who has never driven, operated, or been seated in the vehicle. The occupant may be an adult, child, baby, or teenager. The occupant may be a human or an animal. The vehicle comfort system may be configured to differentiate between a human, animal, and an object for example, by utilizing data from any of the information sources disclosed herein. Certain comfort systems or effectors disclosed herein may be inoperable to adults, children, teenagers, animals, etc.

[0061] The vehicle comfort system may be configured to determine an occupant comfort value (OCV). An OCV may represent the current comfort state of one or more of the occupants in the vehicle. An OCV may be a real time value or may be a value snapshot at a certain point in time. The OCV may be continuously calculated, determined, estimated, or inferred. The OCV may be calculated, determined, estimated, or inferred on a pre-set schedule, such as every minute, every five minutes or more, every 10 minutes or more, every 20 minutes or more, every 30 minutes or more, every 45 minutes or more, every 60 minutes or more, etc.

[0062] The OCV may be based on data or information received from the one or more local or onboard information sources, the one or more external information sources, the one or more controllers (local and/or external) or a combination thereof.

[0063] After the OCV is determined or updated, the vehicle comfort system or the one or more controllers may then compare the determined occupant comfort value to a threshold occupant comfort value and/or to a previously determined OCV. Depending on where the determined OCV is in relation to the threshold comfort value, the vehicle comfort system or controller may prescribe, maintain, activate, deactivate, increase, decrease, or change one or more comfort functions. In some configurations, the determined OCV value may be compared to a previously determined OCV value to determine if the prescribed or implemented comfort function had a positive, negative, or neutral effect on the occupant. This may be part of the machine learning system of the vehicle comfort system.

[0064] For example, if an OCV is determined, a comfort system is activated or deactivated or maintained and then the OCV increases, then the vehicle comfort system learns that the particular comfort prescription had a positive effect on the occupant so that in future instances, the same or similar comfort function can be prescribed.

[0065] On the other hand, if an OCV is determined, a comfort system is activated or deactivated or maintained and then the OCV decreases or stays the same, then the vehicle comfort system learns that the particular comfort prescription had a negative or neutral effect on the occupant so that in future instances, a different comfort function can be prescribed.

[0066] In order to increase an OCV value, the vehicle comfort system or controller may activate or deactivate or maintain any of the local comfort systems disclosed herein.

[0067] For example, the system may automatically activate or deactivate one or more comfort effectors. For example, the system may prescribe to activate or deactivate one or more effectors but require the occupant to confirm the proposal before a factor is activated or deactivated. For example, the system may automatically activate or deactivate the one or more factors for a certain amount of time and then require the occupant to confirm the activation of said one or more effectors. By requiring the occupant to confirm the activation or deactivation of the watermark factors, the system may be configured to learn whether the comfort function that was prescribed is acceptable to the occupant. The system may be rewarded if the occupant confirms the activation or deactivation of the one or more effectors as prescribed by the system. By rewarding the system, the system may undertake a machine learning function and in subsequent comfort function prescriptions, may prescribe the kind for function with better accuracy by considering specific occupant desires. For example, if the system prescribes a low fan activation in order to raise the occupant comfort value based on a certain occupant comfort value determination, and the occupant confirms the prescription, then the system may be rewarded such that the next time the occupant comfort value is determined to be within a certain range the fan may be automatically turned on and the system knows that this is the correct comfort function that is desired by the occupant. On the other hand, should the system prescribe a specific effector to the activated, such as activation of a massage function, but the occupant quickly deactivates or turns off the massage function, then the system will learn and train itself that the occupant does not desire to have a massage function turned on when the occupant comfort value is at a certain threshold determination. It is to be envisioned that such machine learning may take time to fully develop proper system response to particular occupant comfort value determinations, however, over time the accuracy of the prescriptions will improve. It is envisioned that the occupant may undertake a series of training sessions with the seminar in order to initially train the system to prescribe certain comfort functions or activate slash deactivate certain effectors in response to a specific occupant comfort value determination. For example, upon initial initialization of the system, or want a new occupant is detected in the vehicle, the system may propose a series of questions and answer responses for the occupant to respond with, which may help the system determine the type of comfort functions desired by the occupant.

[0068] In some configurations data obtained by the system may be shared across one or more vehicles. For example, if the occupant is known to travel or occupy more than one vehicle, then that occupant profile may be shared amongst the two vehicles. This may be particularly useful in situations where a household has more than one vehicle in which the occupant is known to use. [0069] The occupant may have a unique code or pin number so that the OCV can be inputted into any vehicle capable of reading the OCV and controlling one or more comfort functions. For example, an occupant may have a personal PIN number or finger print that can be input into any OCV-enabled vehicle so their comfort functions can be prescribed no matter what vehicle they are in. In some configurations, the system 100 may automatically detect the occupant (facial recognition, thumb print, Bluetooth on phone or wearable device), and automatically look up their OCV in a stored memory and download the same into the vehicle or controller.

[0070] In some configurations, data obtained by the system may be shared across one or more vehicles that are not used by the same occupant. For example, occupant comfort values and acceptable system responses thereto may be shared across multiple systems so that if a system in another vehicle determines another occupants comfort value to the at or near a comfort value from another occupant then the system may propose a activation or DNA activation of NF factor based on the system from the other vehicle, this may be useful in situations where a system is new and has not yet had the opportunity to learn from the occupant. [0071] It is understood that the following method steps can be performed in virtually any order. Moreover, one or more of the following method steps can be combined with other steps; can be omitted or eliminated; can be repeated; and/or can separated into individual or additional steps.

[0072] The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use.

[0073] Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the teachings. The scope of the teachings should, therefore, be determined not with reference to this description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The omission in the following claims of any aspect of subject matter that is disclosed herein is not a disclaimer of such subject matter, nor should it be regarded that the inventors did not consider such subject matter to be part of the disclosed inventive subject matter. [0074] Plural elements or steps can be provided by a single integrated element or step. Alternatively, a single element or step might be divided into separate plural elements or steps.

[0075] The disclosure of "a" or "one" to describe an element or step is not intended to foreclose additional elements or steps. For example, disclosure of “a controller” does not limit the teachings to a single controller. Instead, for example, disclosure of “a controller” may include “one or more controllers.”

[0076] While the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings.

[0077] Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. [0078] The invention illustratively disclosed herein may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0079] Any of the elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to a single embodiment. Instead, any of the elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections disclosed herein may be substituted, combined, and/or modified with any of the elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections disclosed herein to form one or more embodiments that may not be specifically illustrated or described herein.

[0080] The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, testing specifications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes. Other combinations are also possible as will be gleaned from the following claims, which are also hereby incorporated by reference into this written description.

Claims

1) A vehicle comfort system comprising: one or more local or onboard information sources; one or more external information sources; one or more focal comfort devices; and one or more controllers configured to receive data from the one or more local or onboard information sources and the one or more external information sources to determine an occupant comfort value, and based on the determined occupant comfort value, the one or more controllers are configured to prescribe and/or activate the one or more focal comfort devices to maintain and/or change the occupant comfort value.

2) The vehicle comfort system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more local or onboard information sources include: a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an occupant sensor, a camera, the current or determined occupant comfort value, or a combination thereof.

3) The vehicle comfort system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more external information sources include: weather data, road conditions, geographical location, or a combination thereof.

4) The vehicle comfort system according to claim 1 or any one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more controllers include one or more local or onboard controllers that perform sensor fusion of the data from the one or more local information sources and the one or more external information sources.

5) The vehicle comfort system according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the one or more controllers are configured to monitor the occupant after the one or more local comfort devices are prescribed and/or activated.

6) The vehicle comfort system according to claim 1 or any of the previous claims, wherein the one or more controllers include one or more external controllers that are configured to update the system and/or perform sensor fusion of the data from the one or more local information sources and the one or more external information sources.

7) The vehicle comfort system according to claim 1 or any of the previous claims, wherein the local comfort devices are devices for heating the occupant and include at least one of a conductive seat heater, radiant heated panel or convective neck warmer.

8) The vehicle comfort system according to claim 1 or any of the previous claims, wherein the local comfort devices are devices for cooling the occupant and include at least one of seat ventilation, seat cooling, and convective cooling.

9) The vehicle comfort system according to claim 1 or any of the previous claims, wherein the local comfort devices are devices for movement of a portion of the occupant and include at least one of a lumbar actuators, a bolster actuators, or a seat recline actuators.

10) The vehicle comfort system according to claim 1, wherein the system suggests the one or more local comfort devices to the occupant via a user interface and if the occupant accepts the system will proceed to prescribe the accepted local comfort devices.

11) The vehicle comfort system according to claim 10, wherein the system uses machine learning of accepted local comfort functions to prescribe local comfort devices with a higher degree of certainty.

12) A method of operating the vehicle comfort system according to claim 1, the method comprising: obtaining data form the one or more local information sources; obtaining data form the one or more external information sources; communicating the data from the one or more local information sources and/or the one or more external information sources to the one or more controllers; determining the occupant comfort value based on the data from the one or more local information sources and/or the one or more external information sources; and prescribing and/or activating the one or more local comfort devices to maintain and/or change the occupant comfort value.

13) The method according to claim 12, wherein the method comprises monitoring the occupant and then determining a subsequent occupant comfort value after the prescribing and/or activating step.

14) The method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises determining if the subsequent occupant comfort value has improved when compared to the original occupant comfort value, and then providing the information to the one or more controllers as a local information source.

15) The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the method comprises determining a further occupant comfort value and comparing the further occupant comfort value to the subsequent occupant comfort value, the method further comprises determining if the further occupant comfort value has improved when compared to the original occupant comfort value and the subsequent occupant comfort value.