System for preventing operation by impaired operator and method for the same

• US 20090164069A1
• Filed: 06/10/2008
• Published: 06/25/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
• Inventors: Yanagisawa, Hideo
• Application Number:
  US12/157,491
• Publication Number:
  US 20090164069A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/45
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/24 Drug level, e.g. alcohol

Abstract

A system for preventing operation of an object by an impaired operator is provided. The object has a drive source and is operated by an operator. The system includes an operator replacement recognition device, an operation prevention device, and a controller. The operator replacement recognition device recognizes operator replacement. The operation prevention device prevents operation by the impaired operator. The controller is communicable with the operator replacement recognition device and the operation prevention device. The controller instructs to perform the operation prevention device when the operator replacement is recognized by the operator replacement recognition device during operating the drive source.

Claims

1. A system for preventing operation of an object by an impaired operator, the object has a drive source and is operated by an operator, comprising:

an operator replacement recognition device for recognizing operator replacement;

an operation prevention device for preventing operation by the impaired operator; and

a controller communicable with the operator replacement recognition device and the operation prevention device, wherein the controller instructs to perform the operation prevention device when the operator replacement is recognized by the operator replacement recognition device during operating the drive source.

2. The system for preventing operation according to claim 1, wherein the operator replacement recognition device includes an image capturing device for obtaining an image data of the operator by photographing.

3. The system for preventing operation according to claim 1, wherein the operator replacement recognition device includes a contact detection device for detecting physical contact with the operator.

4. The system for preventing operation according to claim 3, wherein the object is a vehicle and the contact detection device is a seat sensor.

5. The system for preventing operation according to claim 1, wherein the operator replacement recognition device includes a contact detection device for detecting physical contact with the operator and an operator recognition device for confirming the identity of the operator in conjunction to the contact detection device.

6. The system for preventing operation according to claim 1, wherein the operation prevention device includes an alcohol detection device for detecting alcohol of the operator'"'"'s breath after the operator replacement.

7. The system for preventing operation according to claim 1, wherein the operation prevention device includes a notification device for notifying that the operator is impaired.

8. The system for preventing operation of the object according to claim 7, wherein the notification device includes a display device for displaying a warning on a screen.

9. A system for preventing drunk driving by an impaired driver, wherein a vehicle having a drive source is operated by a driver, comprising:

a driver replacement detection device for detecting driver replacement during operating the drive source;

an alcohol detection device for detecting alcohol of the driver when driver replacement is detected;

a controller communicable with the driver replacement detection device and the alcohol detection device, wherein the controller recognizes that the driver is impaired and generates an instruction signal when the driver replacement is detected by the driver replacement detection device and alcohol is detected by the alcohol detection device; and

a notification device for notifying that the driver is impaired when the instruction signal of the controller is received.

10. A method for preventing operation of an object by an impaired operator, the object has a drive source and is operated by an operator, comprising the steps of:

detecting operator replacement during operating the drive source;

confirming impaired operating ability of the operator;

recognizing the operator impaired, based on the information of the impaired operating ability confirmation; and

performing motion for preventing the operation by the impaired operator.

11. The method for preventing operation according to claim 10, wherein the step of performing motion for preventing the operation includes a step of notifying that the operator is impaired.

12. The method for preventing operation according to claim 10, wherein the step of confirming impaired operating ability of the operator includes a step of detecting alcohol of the operator.