Networked intoxication vehicle immobilization
First Claim
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1. A vehicle immobilization system, comprising:
- a detection element operable to detect a level of an intoxicant in a user'"'"'s breath;
a control module operable to receive a signal from the detection element indicating the level of intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath, and to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath exceeding a threshold; and
a wireless relay comprising;
a wireless relay housing configured such that the wireless relay can be plugged directly in place of a standard automotive relay of a vehicle;
a communication module facilitating wireless bidirectional communication between the wireless relay and the control module; and
a controller contained within the wireless relay housing and drawing power from the vehicle and operable to control the state of the wireless relay based on wireless signals received from the control module.
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Abstract
A vehicle immobilization system includes a detection element operable to detect a level of an intoxicant in a user'"'"'s breath. A control module is operable to receive a signal from the detection element indicating the level of intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath, and to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath exceeding a threshold. A wireless relay is operable to replace a standard relay in the vehicle, and to wirelessly communicate with the control module such that the control module is operable to control the wireless relay to selectively restrict operation of the vehicle.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A vehicle immobilization system, comprising:
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a detection element operable to detect a level of an intoxicant in a user'"'"'s breath; a control module operable to receive a signal from the detection element indicating the level of intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath, and to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath exceeding a threshold; and a wireless relay comprising; a wireless relay housing configured such that the wireless relay can be plugged directly in place of a standard automotive relay of a vehicle; a communication module facilitating wireless bidirectional communication between the wireless relay and the control module; and a controller contained within the wireless relay housing and drawing power from the vehicle and operable to control the state of the wireless relay based on wireless signals received from the control module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A wireless vehicle relay, comprising:
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a wireless relay housing configured such that the wireless relay can be plugged directly in place of a standard automotive relay of a vehicle; a communication module facilitating wireless bidirectional communication between the wireless relay and an external intoxication interlock device operable to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of an intoxicant in a user'"'"'s breath exceeding a threshold; and a controller contained within the wireless relay housing and drawing power from the vehicle and operable to control the state of the wireless relay based on wireless signals received from the external intoxication interlock device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A method of selectively immobilizing a vehicle based on an intoxication state of a user, comprising:
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detecting a level of an intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath using a detection element; determining whether the detected level of intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath exceeds a threshold using a control module; and selectively restricting operation of the vehicle based on whether the detected level of intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath exceeds the threshold by wirelessly controlling from the control module a wireless relay, such that the control module is operable to control the wireless relay to selectively restrict operation of the vehicle; wherein the wireless relay comprising; a wireless relay housing configured such that the wireless relay can be plugged directly in place of a standard automotive relay of a vehicle; a communication module facilitating wireless bidirectional communication between the wireless relay and an external intoxication interlock device operable to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of an intoxicant in a user'"'"'s breath exceeding a threshold; and a controller contained within the wireless relay housing and drawing power from the vehicle and operable to control the state of the wireless relay based on wireless signals received from the external intoxication interlock device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of selectively immobilizing a vehicle based on an intoxication state of a user, comprising:
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detecting a level of an intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath using a detection element; determining whether the detected level of intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath exceeds a threshold using a control module; selectively restricting operation of the vehicle based on whether the detected level of intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath exceeds the threshold by wirelessly controlling from the control module a wireless relay operable to replace a standard relay in the vehicle, such that the control module is operable to control the wireless relay to selectively restrict operation of the vehicle; coupling the control module to the vehicle through a data link connector of the vehicle, the coupling through the data link connector operable to provide communication between the control module and the vehicle; at least one of honking a horn, flashing hazard lights, and turning down volume of a radio via the coupling through the data link connector if a user reverification is missed; and rewriting firmware via the coupling through the data link connector to selectively restrict operation of the vehicle based on the level of intoxicant in the user'"'"'s breath exceeding a threshold by selectively controlling operation of one or more vehicle systems or components via the data link connector of the vehicle.
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Specification