BLOOD GLUCOSE IGNITION INTERLOCK

• US 20110178382A1
• Filed: 01/19/2010
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Claire H. Topp
• Original Assignee: Claire H. Topp
• Inventors: Topp, Claire H.
• Application Number:
  US12/689,907
• Publication Number:
  US 20110178382A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/365
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/00 Fittings or systems for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles locks for vehicles E05B77/00-E05B85/00

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ignition interlock that requires a blood glucose level measurement prior to permitting ignition of a vehicle. The interlock prevents operation of equipment in which it is installed if a blood glucose level measurement is not taken or if the resultant measurement is outside of a desired range. In another embodiment, a method for ignition interlock is provided. The method includes activating an identification system and activating an ignition interlock system based on information from the identification system. The method further comprises testing a blood glucose level of the user to generate a determined blood glucose level and comparing the determined blood glucose level to preset blood glucose levels, wherein the preset blood glucose levels include an acceptable minimum blood glucose level. Ignition is enabled or prevented based on the comparison. More particularly, ignition is enabled if the determined blood glucose level is above the acceptable minimum blood glucose level and ignition is prevented if the determined blood glucose level is below the acceptable minimum glucose level.

Claims

1. An ignition interlock system for a vehicle comprising:

a glucometer for measuring blood glucose levels to develop a determined blood glucose level;

a microprocessor operably coupled to the glucometer, the microprocessor being configured for comparing the determined blood glucose level measured by the glucometer to preset blood glucose levels and for transmitting a signal based on the comparison;

an ignition circuit wherein, in an open condition, ignition of the vehicle is prevented and, in a closed condition, ignition of the vehicle is enabled;

a relay configured for processing the signal from the microprocessor to the ignition circuit and wherein the signal controls opening or closing of the ignition circuit; and

an annunciator panel including lights for indicating status of the ignition interlock system.

2. The ignition interlock system of claim 1, further comprising an identification system.

3. The ignition interlock system of claim 2, wherein the identification system comprises a fingerprint identification system.

4. The ignition interlock system of claim 1, wherein the identification system and the glucometer are housed in a detection unit.

5. The ignition interlock system of claim 3, wherein the detection unit includes a port for accommodating a glucose test strip.

6. The ignition interlock system of claim 1, further comprising an emergency call system for performing an emergency call if the determined blood glucose level is below a preset critical low level.

7. A method for ignition interlock comprising:

activating an identification system;

activating an ignition interlock system based on information from the identification system;

testing a blood glucose level of the user to generate a determined blood glucose level;

comparing the determined blood glucose level to preset blood glucose levels, wherein the preset blood glucose levels include an acceptable minimum blood glucose level;

enabling or preventing ignition based on the comparison, wherein ignition is enabled if the determined blood glucose level is above the acceptable minimum blood glucose level and ignition is prevented if the determined blood glucose level is below the acceptable minimum glucose level.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the preset blood glucose levels include a critical low blood glucose level.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising activating an emergency call if the determined blood glucose level is at or below the critical low blood glucose level.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the preset blood glucose levels include an acceptable low blood glucose range.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising requiring a further blood glucose test after a predetermined time period when the determined blood glucose level is within the acceptable low blood glucose range.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising requiring a further blood glucose test after a predetermined time period of continuous driving.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising initializing the ignition interlock system prior to use of the ignition interlock system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein initializing the ignition interlock system comprises inputting the acceptable low blood glucose level.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein inputting an acceptable low blood glucose level is done remotely.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein initializing the ignition interlock system further comprises inputting an acceptable low blood glucose range and a critical low blood glucose level.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein initializing the ignition interlock system comprises inputting identification information identifying a diabetic user.

18. An ignition interlock system for a vehicle comprising:

a microprocessor operably coupled to a glucometer, the microprocessor being configured for comparing a determined blood glucose level measured by the glucometer to preset blood glucose levels and for transmitting a signal based on the comparison;

an ignition circuit wherein, in an open condition, ignition of the vehicle is prevented and, in a closed condition, ignition of the vehicle is enabled; and

a relay configured for processing the signal from the microprocessor to the ignition circuit based.