Universal motion sickness countermeasure system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9862312-B2
Application number	US-201715478275-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 4, 2017
Priority date	Apr 6, 2016
Publication date	Jan 9, 2018
Grant date	Jan 9, 2018

Abstract

A motion sickness countermeasure system for a user within a vehicle having a light array system configured to output visual stimuli presented in a field of view of the user; and a controller outputting a control signal to the light array system to activate the light array system in such a way as to mimic the visual input one would receive if one were to look outside the vehicle.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A motion sickness countermeasure system for a user within a vehicle, the motion sickness countermeasure system comprising:
a light array system configured to output visual stimuli presented only in a peripheral field of view of the user; and
a controller outputting a control signal to the light array system configured to activate the light array system in such a way as to mimic the visual input one would receive if one were to look outside the vehicle.

2. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 1 wherein the light array system comprises:
a power source; and
a plurality of light elements each discretely coupled to the controller for receiving the control signal and selectively activating in response thereto as a sequence of light activations of each of the plurality of light elements to create a perceived motion within the peripheral field of view of the user.

3. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 2 further comprising:
a plurality of light pipes individually coupled to each of the plurality of light elements, each of said plurality of light pipes transmitting light energy from each of the plurality of light elements to a distal end of the light pipe.

4. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 3 wherein the distal end of the plurality of light pipes is arranged in an inclined surface relative to a visual perspective of the user.

5. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 1 wherein the controller outputs the control signal to the light array system to activate the light array system to mimic velocity of the vehicle.

6. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 1 wherein the light array system is mounted to the vehicle.

7. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 6 wherein the light array system is mounted to at least one of an A-pillar, B-pillar, windshield, door, floor, forward panel, side panel, and seat of the vehicle.

8. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 1 wherein the light array system is portable.

9. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 1 wherein the light array system is wearable by an occupant.

10. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 1 wherein the light array system is attached to an occupant.

11. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 1 wherein the light array system comprises a headset worn by an occupant.

12. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 1 wherein the light array system comprises glasses worn by an occupant.

13. A motion sickness countermeasure system for a user, the motion sickness countermeasure system comprising:
a vehicle;
a light array system configured to output visual stimuli presented in a peripheral field of view of the user; and
a controller outputting a control signal to the light array system configured to activate the light array system in such a way as to mimic the visual input one would receive if one were to look outside the vehicle.

14. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 13 wherein the light array system comprises:
a power source; and
a plurality of light elements each discretely coupled to the controller for receiving the control signal and selectively activating in response thereto as a sequence of light activations of each of the plurality of light elements to create a perceived motion within the peripheral field of view of the user.

15. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 14 further comprising:
a plurality of light pipes individually coupled to each of the plurality of light elements, each of said plurality of light pipes transmitting light energy from each of the plurality of light elements to a distal end of the light pipe.

16. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 15 wherein the distal end of the plurality of light pipes is arranged in an inclined surface relative to a visual perspective of the user.

17. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 13 wherein the controller outputs the control signal to the light array system to activate the light array system to mimic velocity of the vehicle.

18. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 13 wherein the light array system is mounted to at least one of an a-pillar, b-pillar, windshield, door, floor, forward panel, side panel, and seat of the vehicle.

19. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 13 wherein the vehicle is chosen from the group consisting of aircraft, ships, boats, and trains.

20. The motion sickness countermeasure system according to claim 13 wherein the light array system comprises at least one of LEDs, LCDs, and video displays.

Assignees

• Univ Michigan Regents

Inventors

• Sivak Michael
• Schoettle Brandon

Classifications

• A61M21/00

  Other devices or methods to cause a change in the state of consciousness; Devices for producing or ending sleep by mechanical, optical, or acoustical means, e.g. for hypnosis · CPC title

• A61M2209/088

  on the body · CPC title

• A61N2005/0645

  Applicators worn by the patient · CPC title

• A61N2005/0626

  Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods · CPC title

• A61N2005/0644

  Handheld applicators · CPC title