Car alcohol monitoring system

• US 20060202842A1
• Filed: 02/13/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Stephanie Sofer
• Original Assignee: Stephanie Sofer
• Inventors: Sofer, Stephanie
• Granted Patent: US 7,671,752 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/066 actuating a signalling device B60K28/063 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/24 Drug level, e.g. alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/45 External transmission of data to or from the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/50 of positioning data, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System] data

Abstract

An alcohol monitoring system for monitoring a driver of a car includes a vapor analyzer system for detecting the amount of alcohol in a driver operating the car. A speed controller is provided for setting the maximum speed of the car to a predetermined level in the event that the amount of alcohol detected in the driver is above a predetermined threshold. A cell phone is configured to automatically call a remote call center, in the event that the amount of the alcohol detected in the driver is above the predetermined threshold. Furthermore, a location system is configured to provide the location of the car to said remote call center. A mapping database in said remote call center is configured to provide nearest resting locations to said car so as to guide the driver to drive the car to any one of said locations.

Claims

1. An alcohol monitoring system employed in a car comprising:

a vapor analyzer system for detecting amount of alcohol in a driver operating the vehicle; and

a speed controller for setting a maximum speed of the car to a predetermined level in the event that the amount of alcohol detected in the driver is above a predetermined threshold.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a cell phone configured to automatically call a remote location, in the event that the amount of the alcohol detected in the driver is above the predetermined threshold; and

a speaker and microphone unit installed in the car so as to allow hands free communication between the driver and a person located at said remote location.

3. The system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a global positioning satellite system that provides the geographical location of the car.

4. The system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

a steering wheel having a plurality of pores for conducting vapor generated from driver'"'"'s perspiring pores, wherein said vapor analyzer produces an electrical signal in proportion to an amount of alcohol present in said vapor.

5. The system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said steering wheel includes heating elements for warming up the steering wheel to prompt said driver'"'"'s hand to perspire faster.

6. The system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said steering wheel includes a pore cleaning system configured to remove dirt and debris from said pores.

7. The system in accordance with claim 6, wherein said pore cleaning system further comprises an air blowing system to blow said dirt and debris.

8. The system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a camera system configured to provide an image of the driver to said remote location.

9. An alcohol monitoring system for monitoring a driver of a car comprising:

a vapor analyzer system for detecting amount of alcohol in a driver operating the vehicle; and

a speed controller for setting a maximum speed of the car to a predetermined level in the event that the amount of alcohol detected in the driver is above a predetermined threshold;

a cell phone configured to automatically call a remote call center, in the event that the amount of the alcohol detected in the driver is above the predetermined threshold;

a location system configured to provide the location of the car to said remote call center; and

a mapping database configured to provide nearest resting locations to said car so as to guide the driver to drive the car to any one of said locations.

10. The system in accordance with claim 9 further comprising a steering wheel having a plurality of pores for conducting vapor generated from driver'"'"'s perspiring pores, wherein said vapor analyzer produces an electrical signal in proportion to an amount of alcohol present in said vapor.

11. The system in accordance with claim 9 further comprising a camera system configured to provide an image of the driver to said remote location.

12. The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said remote call center further comprises a subscriber database enabling identification of said driver based on said image.

13. A car alcohol monitoring system comprising:

a remote call center configured to receive a phone call from a car, indicating that the car is being driving by a driver with blood alcohol content above a predetermined threshold level;

an operator assistance within said remote call center configured to communicate with said driver;

a mapping database configured to provide nearest address to said car, wherein said car can be driven for further assistance to said driver; and

a subscriber database for storing information corresponding to all subscribers to said monitoring system.

14. The system in accordance with claim 13, further comprising an operator instruction database configured to provide a sequence of instructions to said operator assistance to follow, when said call center receives said phone call indicating said driver'"'"'s blood alcohol content is above said predetermined threshold level.

15. The system in accordance with claim 13, wherein one of said instructions in said sequence is to call an emergency personnel.

16. The system in accordance with claim 13, wherein one of said instructions in said sequence is to determine identity of said driver.

17. The system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said phone call from said call includes information identifying the subscriber corresponding to the phone call made.

18. The system in accordance with claim 13, wherein one of said instructions is to determine whether a designated driver can be located from a list of designated drivers registered to assist an intoxicated driver who needs assistance within a predetermined radius to said designated drivers'"'"' location.