Ignition interlock breathalyzer

• US 7,934,577 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2009
• Issued: 05/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Consumer Safety Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Consumer Safety Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: DeVries, Douglas E., Walter, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): CULBRETH, ERIC D
• Application Number:
  US12/504,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20100012417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 180/272
• US Class Current: 180/272
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2028/006 disconnecting the electric power supply, e.g. the vehicle battery
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4972 Determining alcohol content for vehicle safety devices B60K28/06

Abstract

The invention relates to an improvement in a breath alcohol test devices includes within the handheld unit containing a fuel cell, a miniaturized self calibrating test device thereby avoiding the need for 30, 60 and 90 day calibration testing. It also relates to various tamper or circumvention improvements that may be used alone or in combination with the self calibration improvement, including cameras to record a driver providing a breath sample and to verify the location of the driver within a vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle interlock breathalyzer device comprising:

a breath alcohol testing device adapted to collect a breath sample from a possible driver of a vehicle;

a first image recorder that records an image of the possible driver each time the possible driver provides the breath sample to the breath alcohol testing device; and

a second image recorder that records a verification image each time the breath sample is provided.

2. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 1, wherein the verification image permits a determination of whether the possible diver is in a driver'"'"'s seat of the vehicle when the breath sample is provided.

3. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 2, wherein the first image recorder is located in the breath alcohol testing device and the second image recorder is in a camera unit adapted for mounting on an interior surface of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 3, wherein the camera unit includes a base for mounting to a windshield such that the second image recorder is aimed at the driver'"'"'s scat.

5. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 1, wherein the first image recorder and the second image recorder are both located in the breath alcohol testing device.

6. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 5, wherein the breath alcohol testing device is a handheld unit.

7. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 6, wherein the first image recorder is located proximate to a breath tube and is aligned to capture an image of the possible driver blowing into the breath tube and the second image recorder is aligned to point in a generally opposite direction from the first image recorder.

8. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 6, wherein the first handheld unit is in communication with a relay box mounted in the vehicle in connection with an electrical system of the vehicle to impede operation of the vehicle if an acceptable breath sample is not provided.

9. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 8, wherein the relay box includes a memory for retaining digital files of the image of the possible driver and the verification image and for retaining a log that associates the digital files with a corresponding breath sample test result.

10. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 1, wherein the verification image includes the steering wheel.

11. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 10, wherein the steering wheel includes a marker that can be recognized in the verification image.

12. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 1, wherein the first image recorder is adapted to record infrared spectrum images.

13. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer device of claim 12, further comprising an infrared light emitting diode to illuminate the possible driver with infrared light as the possible driver provides a breath sample.

14. In a breath alcohol test device having a breath tube, a fuel cell chamber in selective communication with the breath tube, and a pump for moving breath, the improvement comprising:

a miniaturized wet bath that periodically tests headspace above a known concentration alcohol sample to test the accuracy or allow for self-calibration of the alcohol test device.

15. The improvement of claim 14, wherein the known concentration alcohol sample is soaked into a sponge.

16. The improvement of claim 14, wherein, the breath alcohol test device is in communication with a relay box in connection with an electrical system of a vehicle to impede operation of the vehicle if an acceptable breath sample is not provided.

17. The improvement of claim 14, wherein the fuel cell chamber has an outlet in communication with the pump and an inlet in communication with a control valve, and wherein the control valve can selectively connect the inlet with breath tube to test a breath sample or with the headspace to perform a calibration test.

18. A vehicle interlock breathalyzer system comprising:

a handheld part including a breath sample collection and testing unit;

a relay box part in connection with an electrical system of a vehicle to impede operation of the vehicle if an acceptable breath sample is not provided to the breath sample collection and testing unit; and

a first accelerometer associated with one of the handheld part or the relay box part to detect attempts at destruction.

19. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of claim 18, wherein the relay box part includes a computer memory that records any attempts at destruction detected by the first accelerometer.

20. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of claim 19, wherein, the first accelerometer detects vehicle motion, and further wherein detected vehicle motion without an associated successful breath sample is recorded in the computer memory as a possible violation event.

21. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of claim 18, further comprising a second accelerometer associated with the other of the handheld device part or the relay box part to detect attempts at destruction.

22. A vehicle interlock breathalyzer system comprising:

a handheld part including a breath sample collection and testing unit;

a relay box part in connection with an electrical system of a vehicle to impede operation of the vehicle if an acceptable breath sample is not provided to the breath sample collection and testing unit; and

a cell phone built into the system to automatically call detected violations to a central location.

23. The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of claim 22, wherein the cell phone is built into the relay box part.

24. In a vehicle interlock breathalyzer system that includes a handheld part with a breath sample collection and testing unit and a relay box part in connection with an electrical system of a vehicle to impede operation of the vehicle if an acceptable breath sample is not provided to the breath sample collection and testing unit, the improvement comprising:

an electrical circuit within the relay box that detects the polarity of an ignition circuit of the vehicle; and

a computer processor within the relay box that adjusts the relay box operation in accordance with the detected polarity.

25. The improvement of claim 24, wherein the relay box comprises a resistance connection to a relay pin associated with the ignition circuit of the vehicle.

26. The improvement of claim 25 wherein initial electrical stimulation of the resistance connection produces an expected response from the relay pin, and further wherein subsequent stimulation of the resistance connection that produces a response other than the expected response is recorded as a possible violation.