Vehicle ignition interlock systems having transdermal alcohol sensor
First Claim
1. A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising:
- a breath analyzer located within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer is configured to detect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle;
a transdermal alcohol sensor configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, wherein the transdermal alcohol sensor is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator; and
a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, and wherein the controller is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to the threshold value.
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Abstract
A vehicle ignition interlock system includes a breath analyzer, a transdermal alcohol sensor configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, and a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle. The transdermal alcohol sensor is configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, and is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator. The controller is configured to override one or more periodic breath analyzer retests if alcohol is not detected through the skin of the operator by the transdermal alcohol sensor. The controller is configured to increase the frequency of periodic breath analyzer retests of the vehicle operator in response to the transdermal alcohol sensor detecting alcohol through the skin of the operator. A proximity sensor detects proximity of the transdermal alcohol sensor relative to a vehicle operator area.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising:
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a breath analyzer located within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer is configured to detect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle;
a transdermal alcohol sensor configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, wherein the transdermal alcohol sensor is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator; and
a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, and wherein the controller is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to the threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising:
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a breath analyzer located within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer is configured to detect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle;
an apparatus configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, wherein the apparatus comprises a transdermal alcohol sensor that is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator, and a proximity sensor that detects proximity of the transdermal alcohol sensor relative to a vehicle operator area; and
a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, wherein the controller is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and wherein the controller is configured to require periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer, and wherein the controller can override one or more required periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer if alcohol is not detected through the skin of the operator by the transdermal alcohol sensor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising:
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a breath analyzer located within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer is configured to detect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle;
an apparatus configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, wherein the apparatus comprises a transdermal alcohol sensor that is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator, and a proximity sensor that detects proximity of the transdermal alcohol sensor relative to a vehicle operator area;
a wireless transmitter operably connected to the transdermal alcohol sensor; and
a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein the controller is operably connected to the transdermal alcohol sensor via the wireless transmitter, wherein the controller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, wherein the controller is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and wherein the controller is configured to require periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer, wherein the controller can override one or more required periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer if alcohol is not detected through the skin of the operator by the transdermal alcohol sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to increase the frequency of the periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer in response to the transdermal alcohol sensor detecting alcohol through the skin of the operator. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
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Specification