Chemical impairment detection system and method of use to reduce circumvention

• US 8,359,901 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2009
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: #1 A LifeSafer, Inc. (LMG Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lifesafer Interlock
• Inventors: Knowles, Thomas E., Niklas, Jason, Neeld, Mitchell K., Couch, Sherman, Freund, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa
• Assistant Examiner(s): ROY, PUNAM P
• Application Number:
  US12/473,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20090293589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 73/233
• US Class Current: 73/23.3
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1176 Recognition of faces
• 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: G07C 5/0891 Video recorder in combination with video camera

Abstract

A chemical impairment detection system and method of use comprising a video surveillance system adapted to record a facial image of a tester, the video surveillance system having a camera with a lens having a field of view from which the camera views images and distinguishes whether those images have appropriate construction or contrast of light intensity. The invention further comprises a control and relay module having a proper view and position determiner adapted to determine whether the facial image of the tester is properly positioned within the field of view during a chemical impairment detection test, and a test prompter to alert the tester when to begin the chemical impairment detection test. The present invention further comprises a chemical impairment detection sampling device in operable communication with and responsive to the video surveillance system, the sampling device adapted to receive a chemical impairment detection test sample from the tester.

Claims

1. A chemical impairment detection system comprising:

a video surveillance system adapted to record a facial image of a tester, the video surveillance system having a camera with a lens having a field of view from which the camera views images, a control and relay module having a housing and a proper view and position determiner adapted to determine whether the facial image of the tester is properly positioned within the field of view during a chemical impairment detection test, and a test prompter to alert the tester when to begin the chemical impairment detection test; and

a chemical impairment detection sampling device in operable communication with and responsive to the video surveillance system, the sampling device adapted to receive a chemical impairment detection test sample from the tester.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the chemical impairment detection sampling device has a positioning reference and wherein the video surveillance system is adapted to sense the positioning reference.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the proper view and position determiner is adapted to track and analyze the positioning reference within the field of view.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the chemical impairment detection sampling device is comprised of a hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device having a mouth-piece for receiving a breath-alcohol sample.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the positioning reference is a target that is located opposite the mouth-piece for receiving the breath-alcohol sample.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the proper view and position determiner comprises non-transitory program code adapted to detect and track the target.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the proper view and position determiner detects and tracks the target during the chemical impairment detection test.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a communication module in operable communication with an external receiver and adapted to facilitate the transfer of a chemical impairment detection test result and the facial image of the tester to the external receiver.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a test window alert to alert the tester of a time window during which the chemical impairment detection test must be commenced.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a vehicle ignition interlock that is in operable communication with the hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device.

11. A method for conducting a chemical impairment detection test comprising:

surveying a chemical impairment detection test site location with a video surveillance system, the video surveillance system having a camera with a lens having a field of view from which the camera views images;

determining whether a facial image of a tester is properly positioned within the field of view during the chemical impairment detection test;

then prompting the tester to provide a chemical impairment detection sample into a chemical impairment detection sampling device; and

recording the facial image of the tester.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising sensing a positioning reference by the video surveillance system.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

tracking the position reference within the field of view; and

analyzing the position reference within the field of view.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising receiving a breath-alcohol sample from the tester via a mouth-piece of a hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising analyzing the breath-alcohol sample from the tester by the hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising transferring to an external receiver a chemical impairment detection result and the facial image of the tester.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising alerting the tester of a time window during which the chemical impairment test must be commenced.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising communicating with a vehicle ignition interlock whether the tester may start a vehicle.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

starting a chemical impairment retest timer; and

initiating a chemical impairment retest.

20. A method for reducing circumvention of a chemical impairment detection test comprising:

turning the ignition switch of a vehicle to the on position;

activating a video surveillance system;

ensuring that a camera, located in the video surveillance system is at a proper operating temperature;

detecting a position reference located within a field of view of the camera;

prompting a tester to begin blowing into a hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device;

recording a facial image of the tester during the chemical impairment detection test;

analyzing whether the position reference remains within the field of view of the camera during the chemical impairment detection test;

determining whether the tester provided a requisite breath-alcohol sample;

evaluating the breath-alcohol content of the breath-alcohol sample from the tester;

communicating to a vehicle ignition interlock whether to allow the tester to start the vehicle;

monitoring the tester during the operation of the vehicle;

recording an image of the tester during the operation of the vehicle;

alerting the tester of a time window during which a chemical impairment detection retest must be commenced; and

communicating the results of the chemical impairment detection test and the facial image of the tester to an external receiver.

21. A method for conducting a chemical impairment detection test comprising:

surveying a chemical impairment detection test site location with a video surveillance system, the video surveillance system having a camera with a lens having a field of view from which the camera views images;

determining whether a facial image of a tester is properly positioned within the field of view during the chemical impairment detection test;

prompting the tester to provide a chemical impairment detection sample into a chemical impairment detection sampling device;

recording the facial image of the tester;

sensing a positioning reference by the video surveillance system;

tracking the position reference within the field of view;

analyzing the position reference within the field of view;

receiving a breath-alcohol sample from the tester via a mouth-piece of a hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device;

analyzing the breath-alcohol sample from the tester by the hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device;

transferring to an external receiver a chemical impairment detection result and the facial image of the tester;

alerting the tester of a time window during which the chemical impairment test must be commenced; and

communicating with a vehicle ignition interlock whether the tester may start a vehicle.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:

starting a chemical impairment retest timer; and

initiating a chemical impairment retest.