US 12,269,315 B2
Systems and methods for measuring and managing odor brought into rental vehicles
Sibu Varughese, Sterling Heights, MI (US); Martín Nespolo, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI (US); Thomas Krzyzak, Livonia, MI (US); Gareth Webb, New Hudson, MI (US); Wilson Yim, Troy, MI (US); and Matthew Johnson, Royal Oak, MI (US)
Assigned to DENSO International America, Inc., Southfield, MI (US)
Filed by DENSO International America, Inc., Southfield, MI (US)
Filed on Jul. 7, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/369,189.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/067,940, filed on Aug. 20, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0055441 A1, Feb. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. B60H 1/00 (2006.01); G06Q 20/10 (2012.01); G06Q 30/0251 (2023.01)
CPC B60H 1/008 (2013.01) [B60H 1/00828 (2013.01); B60H 1/00985 (2013.01); G06Q 20/102 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0251 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicle system, comprising:
a volatile organic compounds (VOC) sensor configured to measure an amount of a VOC within a passenger cabin of a vehicle;
a particulate matter sensor configured to measure an amount of particulate matter within the passenger cabin of the vehicle;
a triggering module configured to, during a use of the vehicle, selectively trigger the VOC and particulate matter sensors to measure the amount of the VOC and the amount of particulate matter;
an odor database including a mapping of amounts of VOCs and amounts of particulate matter to odors;
an odor determination module configured to, using the odor database, determine an odor introduced into the passenger cabin of the vehicle by one or more items within the passenger cabin during the use of the vehicle based on the measured amounts of VOCs and particulate matter;
a window actuator module configured to open a window of the vehicle in response to the odor determination module detecting the introduction of the odor into the passenger cabin; and
a charge module configured to charge a payment account associated with the user of the vehicle based on the odor introduced into the passenger cabin of the vehicle by one or more items within the passenger cabin during the use of the vehicle being in a first predetermined set of odors,
wherein the one or more items within the passenger cabin include odors associated with sexual intercourse.