Vehicle ignition interlock systems having transdermal alcohol sensor

• US 7,299,890 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2005
• Issued: 11/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monitech, LLC (LMG Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Monitech, LLC (LMG Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lewis, James R., McMillin, Brian, Mobley, Larry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson; Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coker; Robert A.
• Application Number:
  US11/113,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20060237252A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 180/272, 180/279, 180/287, 280/735, 340/576, 340/522, 307/10.1, 600/532
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/045 by limiting or cutting the electrical supply to the propulsion unit
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/24 Drug level, e.g. alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/09 Driving style or behaviour

Abstract

A vehicle ignition interlock system includes a breath analyzer, a transdermal alcohol sensor configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, and a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle. The transdermal alcohol sensor is configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, and is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator. The controller is configured to override one or more periodic breath analyzer retests if alcohol is not detected through the skin of the operator by the transdermal alcohol sensor. The controller is configured to increase the frequency of periodic breath analyzer retests of the vehicle operator in response to the transdermal alcohol sensor detecting alcohol through the skin of the operator. A proximity sensor detects proximity of the transdermal alcohol sensor relative to a vehicle operator area.

Claims

1. A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising:

a breath analyzer located within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer is configured to detect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle;

a transdermal alcohol sensor configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, wherein the transdermal alcohol sensor is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator; and

a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, wherein the controller is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and wherein the controller is configured to trigger a breath alcohol test of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer if alcohol is detected through the skin of the operator by the transdermal alcohol sensor.

2. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensor that detects proximity of the transdermal alcohol sensor relative to a vehicle operator area.

3. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 2, wherein the proximity sensor detects nearness to a magnetic field generated by a magnet located in the vehicle operator area.

4. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 1, wherein the transdermal alcohol sensor is attached to a bracelet configured to be worn by the vehicle operator.

5. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmitter operably connected to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and wherein the controller is operably connected to the transdermal alcohol sensor via the wireless transmitter.

6. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor associated with the transdermal alcohol sensor that measures skin temperature and/or skin conductivity of an individual wearing the transdermal alcohol sensor.

7. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 4, further comprising a sensor associated with the transdermal alcohol sensor that measures pressure of the bracelet on an individual wearing the transdermal alcohol sensor.

8. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 1, further comprising an operator identification device operably connected to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to verify the identity of the vehicle operator via the operator identification device.

9. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 8, wherein the operator identification device comprises a fingerprint identification device.

10. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface operably connected to the controller, wherein the controller displays operational messages via the user interface.

11. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface operably connected to the controller, wherein the controller provides audible operational messages and prompts via the user interface.

12. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 11, wherein the controller provides voice messages in one or more languages via the user interface.

13. A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising:

a breath analyzer located within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer is configured to detect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle;

an apparatus configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, wherein the apparatus comprises a transdermal alcohol sensor that is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator, and a proximity sensor that detects proximity of the transdermal alcohol sensor relative to a vehicle operator area; and

a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, wherein the controller is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and wherein the controller is configured to require periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer, and wherein the controller can override one or more required periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer if alcohol is not detected through the skin of the operator by the transdermal alcohol sensor.

14. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to trigger a breath alcohol test of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer if alcohol is detected through the skin of the operator by the transdermal alcohol sensor.

15. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to require periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer, and wherein the controller is configured to increase the frequency of the periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer in response to the transdermal alcohol sensor detecting alcohol through the skin of the operator.

16. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13, wherein the proximity sensor detects nearness to a magnetic field generated by a magnet located in the vehicle operator area.

17. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a bracelet configured to be worn by the vehicle operator.

18. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13, wherein the apparatus further comprises a wireless transmitter operably connected to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and wherein the controller is operably connected to the transdermal alcohol sensor via the wireless transmitter.

19. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13, wherein the apparatus further comprises a sensor associated with the transdermal alcohol sensor that measures skin temperature and/or skin conductivity of an individual wearing the apparatus.

20. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13, further comprising a sensor associated with the transdermal alcohol sensor that measures pressure of the apparatus on an individual wearing the apparatus.

21. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13, further comprising an operator identification device operably connected to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to verify the identity of the vehicle operator via the operator identification device.

22. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 21, wherein the operator identification device comprises a fingerprint identification device.

23. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13, further comprising a user interface operably connected to the controller, wherein the controller displays operational messages via the user interface.

24. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13, further comprising a user interface operably connected to the controller, wherein the controller provides audible operational messages and prompts via the user interface.

25. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 24, wherein the controller provides voice messages in one or more languages via the user interface.

26. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 13, further comprising a user selectable option that allows an individual to perform a breath alcohol test via the breath analyzer without enabling the vehicle ignition system.

27. A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising:

a breath analyzer located within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer is configured to detect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle;

an apparatus configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, wherein the apparatus comprises a transdermal alcohol sensor that is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator, and a proximity sensor that detects proximity of the transdermal alcohol sensor relative to a vehicle operator area;

a wireless transmitter operably connected to the transdermal alcohol sensor; and

a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein the controller is operably connected to the transdermal alcohol sensor via the wireless transmitter, wherein the controller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, wherein the controller is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to the threshold value, and wherein the controller is configured to require periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer, wherein the controller can override one or more required periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer if alcohol is not detected through the skin of the operator by the transdermal alcohol sensor, and wherein the controller is configured to increase the frequency of the periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer in response to the transdermal alcohol sensor detecting alcohol through the skin of the operator.

28. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 27, wherein the controller is configured to trigger a breath alcohol test of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer if alcohol is detected through the skin of the operator by the transdermal alcohol sensor.

29. The vehicle ignition interlock system of claim 27, wherein the proximity sensor detects nearness to a magnetic field generated by a magnet located in the vehicle operator area.

30. A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising:

a breath analyzer located within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer is configured to detect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle;

a transdermal alcohol sensor configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, wherein the transdermal alcohol sensor is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator; and

a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, wherein the controller is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to the threshold value, wherein the controller is configured to require periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer, and wherein the controller can override one or more required periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer if alcohol is not detected through the skin of the operator by the transdermal alcohol sensor.

31. A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising:

a breath analyzer located within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer is configured to detect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle;

a transdermal alcohol sensor configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, wherein the transdermal alcohol sensor is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator; and

a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, wherein the controller is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to the threshold value, wherein the controller is configured to require periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer, and wherein the controller is configured to increase the frequency of the periodic breath alcohol tests of the vehicle operator via the breath analyzer in response to the transdermal alcohol sensor detecting alcohol through the skin of the operator.

32. A vehicle ignition interlock system, comprising:

a breath analyzer located within a vehicle, wherein the breath analyzer is configured to detect breath alcohol levels of an operator of the vehicle;

a transdermal alcohol sensor configured to be worn by the vehicle operator, wherein the transdermal alcohol sensor is configured to detect alcohol through the skin of the vehicle operator;

a controller operably connected to the breath analyzer, to the transdermal alcohol sensor, and to an ignition system of the vehicle, wherein the controller is configured to compare detected breath alcohol levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, and wherein the controller is configured to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the breath analyzer is greater than or equal to the threshold value; and

a user selectable option that allows an individual to perform a breath alcohol test via the breath analyzer without enabling the vehicle ignition system.