Method and apparatus for sanitary control in a vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for sanitary control in a vehicle, including capturing an image of an area in the vehicle or in the vicinity of the vehicle, analysing the captured image, and determining if one or more predefined sanitary protocols are satisfied in the vehicle or in the vicinity of the vehicle.

1 . A method for sanitary control in a vehicle, the method comprising:
 capturing an image of an area in the vehicle or in the vicinity of the vehicle;   analysing the captured image; and   determining if one or more predefined sanitary protocols are satisfied in the vehicle or in the vicinity of the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein determining if one or more predefined sanitary protocols are satisfied comprises detecting fluid spillage, the fluid comprising a bodily fluid including but not limited to blood or vomit. 
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein determining if one or more predefined sanitary protocols are satisfied comprises detecting the presence of personnel equipment, the personnel equipment comprises including at least one of: a glove, eye-protection apparel, a sanitary garment, and a respirator. 
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein determining if one or more predefined sanitary protocols are satisfied comprises detecting the presence of one or more hazardous objects, the one or more hazardous objects including at least one of a syringe, a knife, and a fragment of a resilient material, wherein the resilient material includes at least one of of a glass, a metal, and a wood. 
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a notification to a user of the vehicle if one or more predefined sanitary protocols are violated in the vehicle or in the vicinity of the vehicle. 
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 maintaining a log in memory each time the one or more predefined sanitary protocols are breached; and   transmitting at least part of the contents of the memory to a remote database, wherein the transmitting includes transmitting at least part of the contents of the memory to a remote database when the one or more predefined sanitary protocols are breached.   
     
     
         7 . A method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting if the captured images contain at least one person; and   determining if the at least one person in the captured image is authorised to access the vehicle; wherein the log in memory is associated with a user profile of one or more authorised person.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for controlling access to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
 an image capture device for capturing an image of an area in the vicinity of the vehicle;   an image analysing means for analysing the captured image;   a detecting means for detecting if the captured images contain both at least one person and a patient transport apparatus, wherein the detecting means is further configured for detecting fluid spillage;   a processing means for determining if the at least one person in the captured image is authorised to access the vehicle; and   a control means for selectively controlling a locking mechanism of the vehicle in response to the captured image containing at least one authorised person and the patient transport apparatus.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of claim  9 , wherein the processing means is configured to implement a machine learning algorithm. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of claim  9 , wherein the fluid is a bodily fluid including but not limited to blood or vomit. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of claim  9 , wherein the detecting means is further configured for detecting the presence of one or more objects including but not limited to: a sharp object, gloves, a gown, a respirator, a mask and eyewear. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of claim  9 , wherein the detecting means is configured for detecting if the patient transport apparatus is a stretcher, a wheelchair or a dolly, and the detecting means is further configured for detecting at least one of (i) a type of the stretcher, (ii) a type of the wheelchair, (and (iii) a type of the dolly. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of claim  9 , wherein the control means is further configured for controlling operations of a mechanical apparatus associated with the vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of claim  9 , further comprising a communication means for communicating with a remote server or a remote database. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of claim  9 , further comprising a recording means for synchronously recording patient status, vehicle environment and vehicle parameter data. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of claim  9 , further comprising memory for storing one or more of synchronously recorded data, harnessing protocol adherence, positioning protocol adherence and fluid spillage. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of claim  9 , wherein the processing means is further configured to generate a report to be transmitted wirelessly to a remote server or a remote database. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of claim  9 , wherein the processing means is further configured to generate a report to be transmitted wirelessly to a remote server or a remote database, wherein the report to be transmitted to a remote server or a remote database contains one or more of synchronously recorded data, harnessing protocol adherence, positioning protocol adherence and fluid spillage. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus claim  9 , further comprising a notification means configured for providing a notification to a user of the vehicle.