Sobriety testing apparatus having OBD-II connection capability

• US 6,853,956 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2003
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 1A Smart Start, LLC
• Original Assignee: Smart Start Corporation
• Inventors: Ballard, James Ralph Jr., Allison, Thomas James
• Primary Examiner(s): ASSOUAD, PATRICK J
• Application Number:
  US10/364,101
• Publication Number:
  US 20040158430A1
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 73/233, 180/272, 180/287, 340/425.5, 340/426.1, 340/426.11, 701/1, 702/183
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0836 due to alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/24 Drug level, e.g. alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A sobriety interlock system having an alcohol detection device electrically connected to a computing device is provided. An electronic circuit is electrically connected between the computing device and an OBD-II port on a machine for receiving data related to operation of the machine. A breath sample is provided by an operator of the machine and the alcohol detection device determines the alcohol concentration of the breath sample. The computing device determines a blood alcohol concentration for the operator based on the breath alcohol concentration, and the computing device prevents or allows operation of the machine based on the level of the blood alcohol concentration. A memory device stores machine operation data received through the OBD-II port.

Claims

1. A sobriety interlock for a machine comprising:

an alcohol detection device;

a computing device electrically connected to the alcohol detection device, the computing device capable of determining a blood alcohol concentration of an operator based on a signal received from the alcohol detection device, and capable of controlling the operation of the machine based on the blood alcohol concentration; and

an electronic circuit capable of connecting the computing device to an on-board diagnostic port on the machine, wherein the diagnostic port is capable of providing the computing device secure power and data and an independent interface to external diagnostic equipment.

2. A sobriety interlock according to claim 1, wherein the on-board diagnostic port is an OBD-II port.

3. A sobriety interlock according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol detection device measures a breath sample provided by the operator to determine the breath alcohol concentration.

4. A sobriety interlock according to claim 3, wherein the alcohol detection device further comprises a fuel cell electrically connected to the computing device.

5. A sobriety interlock according to claim 3, wherein the alcohol detection device further comprises a Taguchi cell electrically connected to the computing device.

6. A sobriety interlock according to claim 3, wherein the alcohol scopy technique to detect the breath alcohol concentration detection device uses an infrared spectroscopy technique to detect the breath alcohol concentration.

7. A sobriety interlock according to claim 3, wherein the alcohol detection device uses a gas chromatography technique to detect the breath alcohol concentration.

8. A sobriety interlock according to claim 3, wherein the alcohol detection device uses a chemical oxidation and photometry technique to detect the breath alcohol concentration.

9. A sobriety interlock according to claim 1, wherein:

the electronic circuit is capable of transmitting machine operating data to the computing device from the machine; and

the computing device includes a memory device capable of storing the machine operating data.

10. A sobriety interlock for a machine comprising:

an alcohol detection device capable of detecting alcohol in a sample human breath provided by an operator and capable of generating a signal proportional to a breath alcohol concentration of the breath sample;

a computing device electrically connected to the alcohol detection device, the computing device capable of calculating a blood alcohol concentration of the operator based on the breath alcohol concentration;

a first electronic circuit electrically connected to the computing device, the electronic circuit capable of controlling operation of the machine based on the blood alcohol concentration determined by the computing device; and

a second electronic circuit capable of connecting the computing device to an on-board diagnostic port on the machine, the on-board diagnostic port providing tamper—

resistant power and data to the computing device and independently providing an interface for interfacing with external diagnostic equipment.

11. A sobriety interlock according to claim 10, wherein the on-board diagnostic port is an OBD-II port.

12. A sobriety interlock according to claim 10, wherein the alcohol detection device further comprises a fuel cell electrically connected to the computing device.

13. A sobriety interlock according to claim 10, wherein the alcohol detection device further comprises a Taguchi cell electrically connected to the computing device.

14. A sobriety interlock according to claim 10, wherein the alcohol detection device uses an infrared spectroscopy technique to detect the breath alcohol concentration.

15. A sobriety interlock according to claim 10, wherein the alcohol detection device uses a gas chromatography technique to detect the breath alcohol concentration.

16. A sobriety interlock according to claim 10, wherein the alcohol detection device uses a chemical oxidation and photometry technique to detect the breath alcohol concentration.

17. A sobriety interlock according to claim 10, wherein the alcohol detection device further comprises:

a gas induction tube for channeling a flow of the breath sample, the gas induction tube defining a gas flow channel;

a pressure sensor connected to the gas induction tube, the pressure sensor capable of generating an electrical pressure signal in response to the pressure in the gas flow channel;

a fuel cell fluidly connected to the gas induction tube, the fuel cell capable of producing an alcohol volume signal proportional to the breath alcohol concentration of the breath sample;

a valve disposed between the gas induction tube and the fuel cell, the valve being initially set in an operating condition that is capable of preventing flow between the gas flow channel and the fuel cell;

wherein the computing device is electrically connected to the pressure sensor and to the fuel cell, the computing device being capable of generating an electrical valve open signal; and

a valve controller connected to the valve and to the computing device, the valve controller capable of opening the valve in response to the electrical valve open signal.

18. A method of gathering data related to the sobriety of an operator of a machine, the method comprising the steps of:

sampling the breath of the operator with an alcohol detection electrically connected to a computing device;

determining the alcohol concentration of the breath with an on-board computing device;

receiving machine operation data through an on-board diagnostic port on the machine, the diagnostic port providing an independent interface to diagnostic equipment;

providing secure power to the on-board computing device from the diagnostic port; and

storing the machine operation data.

19. A method of gathering data according to claim 18, wherein the on-board diagnostic port is an OBD-II port.

20. A method of gathering data according to claim 18, wherein the steps of receiving and storing machine operation data further comprise:

receiving and storing data indicating whether the machine is on;

receiving and storing data indicating mileage for the machine; and

receiving and storing data indicating the speed of the machine.

21. A method of gathering data according to claim 18, wherein the machine operation data and the breath alcohol concentration are repeatedly collected at discrete time intervals.

22. A method of gathering data according to claim 18, wherein the machine operation data is continuously collected in real time.