Substance testing devices with photo identification

• US 6,956,484 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Reconnaissance International
• Original Assignee: Reconnaissance International
• Inventors: Crespo, Pierre M.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US10/026,728
• Publication Number:
  US 20030117287A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 340/576, 180/272
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/24 Drug level, e.g. alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/196 using television cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19647 Systems specially adapted for intrusion detection in or around a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/19695 Arrangements wherein non-video detectors start video recording or forwarding but do not generate an alarm themselves
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 23/00 Alarms responsive to unspecified undesired or abnormal conditions

Abstract

A system which, in at least one embodiment, obtains a photographic image of an individual attempting to disengage an ignition interlock device or the like to assist in determining whether the individual is the same as one for whom the device is intended.

Claims

1. An apparatus for identifying one or more individuals impaired by a controlled substance, said apparatus comprising:

a detection device being adapted to ascertain the degree to which an individual is affected by a controlled substance;

a photographic unit;

said photographic unit being operable, responsive to said detection device, to facilitate photographic identification of an individual tested by said detection device who is affected by a controlled substance beyond a predetermined threshold level; and

an interlock device associated with said detection device, said interlock device being adapted to engage to prevent operation of machinery if a test conducted with said detection device indicates that the individual is affected by a controlled substance beyond a predetermined threshold level.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereby the operation of machinery is enabled solely upon said interlock device being disengaged via a test conducted with said detection device indicating that an individual is not affected by a controlled substance beyond a predetermined threshold level.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said interlock device comprises means for providing a prompt;

said photographic unit being operable upon a prompt being provided by said interlock device.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the machinery to be operated is a motor vehicle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said photographic unit comprises a photographic apparatus and means for storing photographic images.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said photographic apparatus and said means for storing photographic images are combined in a single, integral device.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said means for storing photographic images is adapted to facilitate the provision of at least one photographic image at a subsequent time in connection with ascertaining the identity of an individual tested via said detection device.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said photographic apparatus and said detection device are combined in a single, integral device.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controlled substance is alcohol.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said detection device comprises a breathalyzer device.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

said interlock device comprises means for providing a prompt;

said photographic unit being operable upon a prompt being provided by said interlock device.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the prompt is an audible tone.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the audible tone is a buzz tone.

14. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the prompt is responsive to the provision of a breath sample suitable for analysis by said breathalyzer device.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controlled substance is a narcotic drug.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said photographic unit comprises a digital camera.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said photographic unit comprises a video recorder.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said photographic unit and said detection device are combined in a single, integral device.

19. A method of identifying one or more individuals impaired by a controlled substance, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a photographic unit;

ascertaining the degree to which an individual is affected by a controlled substance;

operating the photographic unit, responsive to said ascertaining step, to facilitate photographic identification of an individual who is affected by a controlled substance beyond a predetermined threshold level; and

preventing operation of machinery if said ascertaining step yields that the individual is affected by a controlled substance beyond a predetermined threshold level.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein:

said ascertaining step comprises automatically providing a prompt;

said operating step comprises operating the photographic unit upon the prompt being provided.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the machinery to be operated is a motor vehicle.

22. The method according to claim 19, wherein said step of providing a photographic unit comprises providing a photographic apparatus and providing means for storing photographic images.

23. The method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of facilitating, with the means for storing photographic images, the provision of at least one photographic image at a subsequent time in connection with ascertaining the identity of an individual tested in said ascertaining step.

24. The method according to claim 19, wherein the controlled substance is alcohol.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein said ascertaining step comprises using a breathalyzer device to ascertain the degree to which an individual is affected by alcohol.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein:

said ascertaining step comprises automatically providing a prompt; and

said operating step comprises operating the photographic unit upon the prompt being provided.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the prompt is an audible tone.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the audible tone is a buzz tone.

29. The method according to claim 26, wherein the prompt is responsive to the provision of a breath sample suitable for analysis by the breathalyzer device.

30. The method according to claim 19, wherein the controlled substance is a narcotic drug.

31. The method according to claim 19, wherein the photographic unit comprises a digital camera.

32. The method according to claim 19, wherein the photographic unit comprises a video recorder.