Key for vehicle and drunken driving preventing device

• US 8,179,271 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2009
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: D-Key, Inc.
• Original Assignee: D-Key, Inc.
• Inventors: Kamiki, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Mehmood, Jennifer
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORTELL, JOHN F
• Application Number:
  US12/382,201
• Publication Number:
  US 20090278698A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• Field of Search: 340/576
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/24 using electronic identifiers containing a code not memorised by the user
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 13/00 Devices preventing the key or the handle or both from being used covers or guards for keyholes E05B17/14
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 17/223 preventing lock actuation after detection of drug use, e.g. alcohol consumption
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/00 Keys; Accessories therefor key modifications or attachments preventing removal from the lock E05B11/005; key rings A44B15/00; key cases A45C11/32; key holders A47G29/10; making keys, see the relevant places, e.g. B21D53/42; milling grooves in keys B23C3/35
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/043 the shank being pivotably mounted on the bow, e.g. for storage
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 19/046 the shank being slidingly mounted on the bow, e.g. for storage
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0016 with linearly reciprocating motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0017 with rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/002 Geared transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0024 Cams
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0002 with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0004 said core being linearly movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0012 with rotary electromotors actuators with rotary electromotors per se H02K7/06, H02K23/68
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0603 the detent moving rectilinearly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5889 For automotive vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7486 Single key

Abstract

The object of the invention is to provide a vehicle key capable of preventing the drunken driving. The vehicle key comprises a key portion with the forward end portion thereof insertable into the key hole of the vehicle such as a train, a motor bike and an automobile, a holder portion arranged at the base end portion of the key portion, a projection member projected from the holder portion along the key portion, a spring for urging the projection member in the direction of projection, a breath component detection means for detecting the alcohol contained in the breath of the user, and a lock mechanism for locking the projection member in a projected state in accordance with the detection result of the breath component detection means.

Claims

1. A vehicle key for outputting a start permit signal to a vehicle including a train, a motorbike, and an automobile, and for either starting a prime mover of the vehicle or setting the prime mover in a ready state for starting, the key comprising:

a signal output means for outputting the start permit signal, the start permit signal being a radio wave or infrared light signal;

a breath component detection means for detecting at least one of alcohol and drug contained in a breath of a user; and

a prevention means for preventing the start permit signal outputted by the signal output means from arriving at the vehicle in accordance with a detection result of the breath component detection means, wherein

the prevention means includes;

a shield means for shielding the start permit signal that is outputted from the signal output means; and

a drive means for moving the shield means from a shield position, at which the start permit signal of the signal output means is shielded, to an evacuation position, at which the start permit signal fails to be shielded, in accordance with the detection result of the breath component detection means.

2. The vehicle key according to claim 1, wherein

the breath component detection means includes:

at least one of an alcohol sensor and a drug sensor; and

a control unit for controlling an on/off operation of one of the signal output means and the drive means, in accordance with an output signal of the at least one of the alcohol sensor and the drug sensor, thereby functioning as the prevention means.

3. The vehicle key according to claim 1, further comprising:

a sensing means for reading a physical feature of the user, wherein

the breath component detection means includes;

at least one of an alcohol sensor and a drug sensor; and

a control unit for authenticating the user based on sensing data of the sensing means, and for performing at least one of alcohol determination and drug determination to determine whether at least one of alcohol and drug is contained in the breath of the user in accordance with an output signal of the at least one of the alcohol sensor and the drug sensor, wherein

the control unit has a function of controlling an on/off operation of one of the drive means and the signal output means, either in a case where the user is not authenticated as a result of the authentication, or in a case where at least one of alcohol and drug is determined to be contained in the breath of the user as a result of the at least one of alcohol determination and drug determination.