IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

• US 20160303967A1
• Filed: 03/29/2016
• Published: 10/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: ANGST, Monika, QUIX, Hans Guenter, VAN BEBBER, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,630,497 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0066 using buttons or a keyboard connected to the on-board processor
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0098 Details of control systems ensuring comfort, safety or stability not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An immobilizer system for a motor vehicle having an starter mechanism and a substance detector for detecting impairing drugs/substances in a driver'"'"'s bode, the allowing the vehicle to be started/operated only when the substance detector delivers a result which is below a limit value. An electronic controller of the immobilizer system is programmed by the driver to pre-specify which restrictions the starter mechanism is subject to if the substance detector delivers a positive test result (above a limit level). The immobilizer may be programmed to either a) prevent operation of the vehicle, or b) allow operation but present a notification to the driver. The driver may set a future time interval during which a selection of option a) cannot be changed by the driver.

Claims

1. An immobilizer system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a detector measuring a level of an impairing substance in a body of a driver;

an interlock alternatively allowing and preventing operation of the vehicle; and

a controller inhibiting operation of the vehicle based upon programming by the driver to;

     1) select whether a positive test result from the detector causes either a) an operation-inhibit condition, or b) an operation-allowed condition accompanied by a notification of the positive test; and

     2) specify a time period during which a selection of the operation-inhibit condition cannot be changed by the driver.

2. The immobilizer system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operative to deactivate the immobilizer system.

3. The immobilizer system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operative to prevent subsequent deactivation.

4. The immobilizer system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further operative to allow the driver to pre-specify a limit level of the impairing substance corresponding to the positive test.

5. The immobilizer system of claim 1 wherein the controller is further operative to send a notification to a pre-specified address via a wireless communication mode in response to the positive test result.

6. The immobilizer system of claim 5, wherein the notification comprises a request to a passenger transport service to dispatch a second vehicle to a current location of the vehicle.

7. An immobilizer system for a motor vehicle comprising:

a controller inhibiting operation of the vehicle based upon programming by a vehicle driver selecting whether detection of an impairing substance in the driver'"'"'s body causes either a) an operation-inhibit condition or b) an operation-allowed condition accompanied by an driver notification, and further based upon programming of a time period during which selection a) cannot be changed by the driver.

8. The immobilizer system of claim 7, wherein the controller is further operative to deactivate the immobilizer system.

9. The immobilizer system of claim 7 wherein the controller is further operative to prevent subsequent deactivation of the immobilizer system.

10. The immobilizer system of claim 7, wherein the controller is further operative to allow the driver to pre-specify a limit level of the impairing substance corresponding to the operation-inhibit condition.

11. The immobilizer system of claim 7 wherein the controller is further operative to send a notification to a pre-specified address via a wireless communication if the impairing substance is detected in the driver'"'"'s body.

12. The immobilizer system of claim 11, wherein the notification comprises a request to a passenger transport service to dispatch a second vehicle to a current location of the vehicle.

13. A method of operating an immobilizer system for a motor vehicle comprising:

in response to a selection by a vehicle driver, upon a positive test for an impairing substance in the driver'"'"'s body, either a) preventing vehicle operation, or b) allowing vehicle operation and generating an driver notification; and

preventing the driver from changing selection of option a) during a time period designated by the driver contemporaneously with the selection.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the driver may deactivate the immobilizer system.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the driver may program the system to prevent subsequent deactivation of the immobilizer system.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the system is programmable by the driver to pre-specify a limit level of the impairing substance which results in vehicle operation being inhibited.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising sending a notification to a pre-specified address via a wireless communication if the impairing substance is detected in the driver'"'"'s body.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the notification comprises a request to a passenger transport service to dispatch a second vehicle to a current location of the vehicle.