Digital circuit for conditioning the operation of a motor vehicle upon the tested motor ability of the operator

• US 4,240,071 A
• Filed: 03/13/1979
• Issued: 12/16/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ochiai, Takeshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Caldwell, Sr., John W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US06/020,050
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 340/576, 340/573, 340/575, 340/53, 340/64, 180/99, 180/114, 180/173, 180/272, 307/10 AT, 361/171, 361/172, 128/2 N
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles

Abstract

A digital circuit for the prohibition of operation of a motor vehicle by an intoxicated person may be fabricated by combining an ignition switch with an engine locking and unlocking means, timing means, sensing means and an indication means. The normal ignition circuit of a motor vehicle is interrupted by an engine locking and unlocking means. A timing signal is generated by the timing means in response to signals received from a clock and a sensing means which in turn is responsive to the performance of the operator in a motor ability test such as the ability to maintain a predetermined amount of steady pressure on a brake pedal. If the operator is successfully performing the test, an indication means produces a first cognizable signal which indicates a successful performance. After the operator has successfully performed the test for a predetermined duration as determined by the count stored in a register, a second cognitive signal is produced by the indication means which indicates that the operator is qualified to operate the vehicle. The normal ignition circuit is then completed by the engine locking and unlocking means in response to the timing signal. The motor vehicle may then be started in the conventional fashion.

Claims

1. An apparatus for prohibiting operation of a motor vehicle by a person with impaired motor ability comprising:

an operating force sensor giving a vehicle driver a static regulation test whereby said driver must exert a predetermined force on said sensor for a predetermined time, said sensor comprising a hydraulic switch provided in a brake pipe which comprises a movable contact which is movable in accordance with a brake pedal and connected to an electric source and stationary contacts provided at given intervals at opposite sides of said movable contact and which are grounded;

a pulse generator for generating pulses with a given period;

a first AND circuit provided between said operating force sensor and said pulse generator and having its inputs coupled to said movable contact and an output of said pulse generator;

a counting circuit which is connected to an output of said first AND circuit and which counts output pulses thereof;

a judging circuit which is connected to an output end of said counting circuit, said judging circuit judging if a counted value of the counting circuit meets a given value and sends out an output only when the counting value meets given value;

a second AND circuit provided between said judging circuit and said operating force circuit having one input connected to an output of said judging circuit and the other input coupled to said movable contact via an inverter;

a transfer circuit having a first and second outputs, said transfer circuit having an input coupled to an output of said second AND circuit, said transfer circuit normally producing only an output signal on said first output, said transfer circuit further only producing an output signal on said second output when said second AND circuit generates an output signal;

a third AND circuit having its inputs coupled to said first output of said transfer circuit, said first AND circuit and an electric generator through an inverter;

a first indicator which is connected to an output of said third AND circuit indicates the operating condition of said operating force sensor and which comprises a lamp which flashes in accordance with the output pulses of said first AND circuit whereby said vehicle driver counts the number of flashes and releases the pressure applied to the operating force sensor when said driver has counted said given value of flashes;

a fourth AND circuit having its inputs coupled to said electric generator via an inverter and said second output of said transfer circuit;

a second indicator which is connected to an output of said fourth AND circuit indicates that the driver has applied said predetermined force on said sensor for said predetermined time and has counted the given value of flashes of said first indicator; and

a relay circuit which is connected to an output of said fourth AND circuit in parallel with said second indicator, said relay circuit comprising an ignition switch, a normally open contact for controlling electric conduction with a starter motor and a coil for operating said normally open contact.