SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISABLING A VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A system for disabling the operation of a vehicle when a driver of a vehicle is seated in a vehicle seat comprising:
- an alcohol detection sensor configured to be contacted by the driver and to generate a detection signal based on contact between the driver and the detection sensor;
a sensing electrode located proximate to the occupant;
a sensing circuit configured to provide a sensing signal to the sensing electrode thereby causing a current in the electrode;
wherein the sensing circuit is configured to provide a signal representative of the current in the electrode;
a controller configured to detect a change in the representative signal resulting from both the presence of the driver and contact between the driver and the detection sensor; and
wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the blood alcohol content of the driver exceeds a threshold based on the detection signal and is configured to disable the vehicle when either the change in the representative signal is not a result of the driver contacting the detection sensor or the blood alcohol content of the driver exceeds a threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for disabling the operation of a vehicle when a driver of a vehicle is seated in a vehicle seat. The system includes an alcohol detection sensor configured to be contacted by the driver and to generate a detection signal based on contact between the driver and the detection sensor. The system also includes a sensing electrode located proximate to the occupant and a sensing circuit configured to provide a sensing signal to the sensing electrode. A controller is provided to detect a change in the detection signal resulting from contact between the driver and the detection sensor. The controller is configured to disable the vehicle when either the blood alcohol concentration of the driver of the vehicle exceeds a threshold or the controller does not detect a change in the detection signal resulting from contact of the driver with the detection sensor.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for disabling the operation of a vehicle when a driver of a vehicle is seated in a vehicle seat comprising:
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an alcohol detection sensor configured to be contacted by the driver and to generate a detection signal based on contact between the driver and the detection sensor; a sensing electrode located proximate to the occupant; a sensing circuit configured to provide a sensing signal to the sensing electrode thereby causing a current in the electrode; wherein the sensing circuit is configured to provide a signal representative of the current in the electrode; a controller configured to detect a change in the representative signal resulting from both the presence of the driver and contact between the driver and the detection sensor; and wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the blood alcohol content of the driver exceeds a threshold based on the detection signal and is configured to disable the vehicle when either the change in the representative signal is not a result of the driver contacting the detection sensor or the blood alcohol content of the driver exceeds a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for disabling the operation of a vehicle when a driver of a vehicle is seated in a vehicle seat comprising:
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an alcohol detection sensor configured to be contacted by the driver and to generate a detection signal based on contact between the driver and the detection sensor; a sensing electrode located proximate to the occupant; a sensing circuit configured to provide a sensing signal to the sensing electrode; a controller configured to detect a change in the detection signal resulting from contact between the driver and the detection sensor; and
wherein the controller is configured to disable the vehicle when either the blood alcohol concentration of the driver of the vehicle exceeds a threshold or the controller does not detect the change in the detection signal resulting from contact of the driver with the detection sensor. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of disabling a vehicle based on the blood alcohol concentration of the driver of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a sensing electrode located in a driver'"'"'s seat and an alcohol detection sensor located proximate to the driver, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a sensing signal to the sensing electrode; receiving a detection signal from the detection sensor; analyzing the received detection signal to determine the presence of characteristics of the sensing signal; determining the blood alcohol content of the driver based on the detection signal provided by the detection sensor; disabling the vehicle when either characteristics of the sensing signal are not detected or the blood alcohol content of the driver exceeds a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of disabling a vehicle based on the blood alcohol concentration of the driver of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a sensing electrode located in a driver'"'"'s seat and an alcohol detection sensor located proximate to the driver, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a sensing signal to the sensing electrode to thereby generate a current in the electrode; receiving a detection signal from the detection sensor; analyzing the current in the electrode to determine whether the occupant is contacting the detection sensor; determining the blood alcohol content of the driver based on the detection signal provided by the detection sensor; disabling the vehicle when it is determined that either the driver is not contacting the detection sensor or the blood alcohol content of the driver exceeds a threshold.
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19. A method of disabling a vehicle based on the blood alcohol concentration of the driver of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes a camera positioned to capture an image of the driver and an alcohol detection sensor located proximate to the driver, the method comprising the steps of:
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capturing an image of the driver of the vehicle; analyzing the captured image to determine if a portion of the driver'"'"'s body is in contact with the detection sensor; receiving a detection signal generated by the detection sensor; analyzing the received detection signal to determine the blood alcohol content of the driver; disabling the vehicle when it is determined that either a portion of the driver'"'"'s body is not contact with the detection sensor while a detection signal is being generated or the blood alcohol content of the driver exceeds a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification