Method for driver education that mimics intoxication

• US 5,362,238 A
• Filed: 10/12/1993
• Issued: 11/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sidney H. Slavin
• Original Assignee: Sidney H. Slavin
• Inventors: Slavin, Sidney H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Application Number:
  US08/135,052
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 434/65, 434/62, 434/66, 434/258, 351/158, 351/47
• US Class Current: 434/65
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/167 Control of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/05 the view from a vehicle being simulated G09B9/052, G09B9/058 take precedence

Abstract

A new realistic, inexpensive, adaptable, and portable driver education method that mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants through utilization of a simplified optics device in the form of specialized eyeglasses having binocular, manually-spinnable fresnel prism lenses is provided. The spinnable optics device simulates most of the toxic effects on the central nervous system which are induced by excess alcohol and/or drugs of abuse, resulting in distorted vision and spatial disorientation in the wearer. The driver education method involves the participants wearing the specialized eyeglasses while performing various ambulatory end non-ambulatory tasks.

Claims

1. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics intoxication in the participants, comprising the steps of:

(a) having a driver education participant perform a task while visually monitoring said participant during performance of said task;

(b) positioning on the head of said participant an optics device adjusted to distort vision to simulate intoxication;

(c) having said participant, wearing said optics device, repeat said task while visually monitoring said participant'"'"'s repeat performance of said task; and

(d) comparing said performances of said participant.

2. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 1, wherein said optics device comprises:

(a) ophthalmic frames having a bridge;

(b) binocular, fresnel prism lenses, said lenses glued onto manually-spinnable plastic rims, said rims secured with retainer pins to said ophthalmic frees;

(c) an adjustable strap, said strap attached to said ophthalmic frames; and

(d) a level, said level glued onto the bridge of said ophthalmic frames.

3. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 2, wherein said monitoring further comprises the step of filming said participant.

4. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 2, wherein said task comprises the step of walking on a straight line having stuffed toys placed along either side of said line, wherein said positioning of said optics device comprises the step of fastening a strap of said optics device, and wherein said adjusting of said optics device comprises the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the left or right position.

5. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 2, wherein said task comprises the step of walking along a path on a level, non-sloping surface, wherein said positioning of said optics device comprises the step of fastening a strap of said optics device, and wherein said adjusting of said optics device comprises the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the up or down position.

6. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 2, wherein said task is ambulatory in nature, wherein said positioning of said optics device comprises the step of fastening a strap of said optics device, and wherein said adjusting of said optics device comprises the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the desired position.

7. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 6, wherein said ambulatory task comprises the step of walking on a straight parking lot line.

8. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 6, wherein said ambulatory task comprises the step of walking a preset maze.

9. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 6, wherein said ambulatory task comprises the step of walking a traffic cone slalom course.

10. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 2, wherein said task is non-ambulatory in nature, wherein said positioning of said optics device comprises the step of fastening a strap of said optics device, and wherein said adjusting of said optics device comprises the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the desired position.

11. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 10, wherein said non-ambulatory task comprises the step of steering a dual brake control driver education vehicle, said vehicle'"'"'s starting and stopping being controlled by a driver education instructor not wearing said optics device, and said vehicle moving at a maximum speed of five to 15 miles per hour.

12. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 10, wherein said non-ambulatory task comprises the step of steering a cart.

13. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 10, wherein said non-ambulatory task comprises the step of throwing and catching a ball with another party.

14. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 10, wherein said non-ambulatory task comprises the step of touching target objects.

15. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics intoxication in the participants, comprising the steps of:

(a) having a driver education participant perform a task while visually monitoring said participant during performance of said task;

(b) positioning on the head of a driver education participant an optics device, said optics device comprising specialized eyeglasses having binocular, manually-spinnable fresnel prism lenses, said positioning of said optics device comprising the step of fastening a strap of said optics device and adjusting said optics device, said adjusting comprising the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the desired position;

(c) having said participant, wearing said optics device, repeat said task while visually monitoring said participant'"'"'s repeat performance of said task; and

(d) comparing said performances of said participant.

16. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 15, wherein said monitoring further comprises the step of filming said participant.

17. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 15, wherein said task further comprises an ambulatory task.

18. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 15, wherein said task further comprises a non-ambulatory task.

19. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics intoxication in the participants, comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning on the head of a driver education participant an optics device, said optics device comprising specialized eyeglasses having binocular, manually-spinnable fresnel prism lenses, said positioning of said optics device comprising the step of fastening a strap of said optics device and adjusting said optics device, if not pre-adjusted, said adjusting comprising the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the desired position;

(b) having said participant, wearing said optics device, perform a task while being visually monitored by a second party; and

(c) reviewing said participant'"'"'s impressions received during performance of said task.

20. A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 19, wherein said monitoring further comprises the step of filming said participant.