METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE WHEN AN OCCUPANT EXPERIENCES A POTENTIAL MEDICAL CONDITION

摘要

There is provided a method and system for operating a vehicle when a vehicle occupant experiences a potential medical condition. The system may include an external object control module (EOCM) configured to wirelessly receive diagnostic signals from an occupant-coupled device, such as a smart watch or implanted cardiac pacemaker. The method and system process the diagnostic signals, for example by determining the nature and/or severity of the potential medical condition and carrying out one or more responses in reaction thereto. The type of response carried out can depend on whether the occupant is a driver or passenger, as well as the nature and/or severity of the potential medical condition, and can range from giving medical instructions to vehicle occupants to automatically slowing the vehicle down and bringing it to a safe stop in the event that the driver is unable to do so.

主权项

1. A method of operating a vehicle when a vehicle occupant experiences a potential medical condition, comprising the steps of:
receiving a diagnostic signal from an occupant-coupled device, the diagnostic signal is a wireless signal that includes information regarding the potential medical condition of the vehicle occupant to whom the occupant-coupled device is attached; analyzing the diagnostic signal to evaluate the potential medical condition of the vehicle occupant; and carrying out a response with a vehicle system to address the potential medical condition of the vehicle occupant, wherein the response includes one or more remedial action(s) based on the potential medical condition.