Apparatus, system, and method for detecting the presence of an intoxicated driver and controlling the operation of a vehicle
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- an air intake configured to collect an air sample from a predetermined detection zone, wherein the predetermined detection zone is defined as a. three-dimensional zone substantially in or in proximity of an area of a vehicle occupied by a driver during operation of the vehicle;
an occupant detection sensor configured to detect the presence of the driver within the predetermined detection zone, wherein the occupant detection sensor automatically operates the air intake to sample the predetermined detection zone when the driver is detected;
a detector module comprising an alcohol sensor configured to produce an electrical signal representative of a blood alcohol content of the driver, wherein the electrical signal is generated by measuring an alcohol content of the air sample; and
a control module electrically coupled to the detector module, the control module configured to control at least one operation of the vehicle in response to the electrical signal received by the control module from the alcohol sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In various embodiments, apparatus, systems, and methods for detecting an intoxicated driver of a vehicle and preventing operation of the vehicle are presented. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises an air intake configured to intake an air sample from a predetermined detection zone. The predetermined detection zone is defined as a three-dimensional zone substantially in or in proximity of an area of a vehicle occupied by a driver. An operator detection sensor detects the presence of the driver within the predetermined detection zone. The operator detection sensor automatically operates the air intake when the operator is detected. A detector module comprises a sensor configured to produce an electrical signal representative of a blood alcohol content of the driver. A control module is electrically coupled to the detector module to control at least one operation of the vehicle in response to the signal received by the control module from the sensor.
272 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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an air intake configured to collect an air sample from a predetermined detection zone, wherein the predetermined detection zone is defined as a. three-dimensional zone substantially in or in proximity of an area of a vehicle occupied by a driver during operation of the vehicle; an occupant detection sensor configured to detect the presence of the driver within the predetermined detection zone, wherein the occupant detection sensor automatically operates the air intake to sample the predetermined detection zone when the driver is detected; a detector module comprising an alcohol sensor configured to produce an electrical signal representative of a blood alcohol content of the driver, wherein the electrical signal is generated by measuring an alcohol content of the air sample; and a control module electrically coupled to the detector module, the control module configured to control at least one operation of the vehicle in response to the electrical signal received by the control module from the alcohol sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus, comprising:
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a detection module configured to detect a mobile device located within a predetermined detection zone within a vehicle, wherein the predetermined detection zone is defined as a three-dimensional zone substantially in or in proximity of an area of a vehicle occupied by a driver during operation of the vehicle; a control module in signal communication with the detection module, the control module responsive to a wireless signal from the mobile device, wherein the wireless signal is representative of a blood alcohol content of a user of the mobile device as determined by an alcohol sensor located within the mobile device, wherein the control module is configured to control one or more vehicle operations, and wherein the control module is activated by the detection module when the detection module detects the mobile device within the predetermined detection zone. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for controlling operation of a vehicle, the method comprising:
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detecting, by an operator detection sensor, a driver of a vehicle within a predetermined detection zone, wherein the predetermined detection zone is defined as a three-dimensional zonal substantially in or in proximity of an area of a vehicle occupied by the driver during operation of the vehicle; collecting, by an air intake, an air sample from the predetermined detection zone, wherein the air intake is activated by the operator detection sensor when the driver is detected within the predetermined detection zone; measuring, by an alcohol sensor, an alcohol content of the air sample, wherein the alcohol content of the air sample corresponds to a blood alcohol content of the driver; and controlling, by a control module, at least one vehicle operation when the measured alcohol content of the air sample exceeds a predetermined threshold.
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Specification