Apparatus, system, and method for detecting the presence of an intoxicated driver and controlling the operation of a vehicle

• US 9,758,039 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2016
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Driving Management Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Driving Management Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Hannon, Marwan
• Primary Examiner(s): REGO, DOMINIC E
• Application Number:
  US15/062,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20160185217A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 455576, 45542612, 45542624, 4555721, 180271, 180272, 180287, 73 232, 73 233, 600300
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0836 due to alcohol
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 40/08 related to drivers or passengers
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/00 Automatic controllers G05B13/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 2203/22 for communication related to vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04K 3/415 based on motion status or velocity, e.g. for disabling use of mobile phones in a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks

Abstract

A system is disclosed to control operation of a vehicle based on a blood alcohol content of a driver. A detector includes a sensor configured to measure an alcohol content of air in a predetermined three-dimensional zone within a vehicle. The three-dimensional zone is proximal to a driver seat side of the vehicle. The sensor is configured to measure the alcohol content of the air independent of interaction of a driver with the detector. The sensor is configured to produce an electrical signal representative of a blood alcohol content of the driver. A controller is electrically coupled to the detector. The controller is configured to determine a tamper event. Optionally, the controller is configured to detect a presence of the driver within the vehicle. A method for preventing operation of a vehicle by an intoxicated person also is disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for controlling operation of a vehicle based on a blood alcohol content of a driver, the system comprising:

a detector comprising a sensor configured to measure an alcohol content of air in a predetermined three-dimensional zone within a vehicle, wherein the three-dimensional zone is proximal to a driver seat side of the vehicle, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the alcohol content of the air independent of interaction of a driver with the detector, and wherein the sensor is configured to produce an electrical signal representative of a blood alcohol content of the driver; and

a controller electrically coupled to the detector, wherein the controller is configured to determine a tampering with the system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to control an operation of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a vehicle ignition system coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to render the vehicle ignition system inoperative.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the detector is located within a dashboard of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine a tampering with the sensor.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is located within a microphone of a hands-free set within the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine a tampering comprising deactivation of the detector.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to record data associated with the tampering with the system.

9. A method for preventing operation of a vehicle by an intoxicated person, the method comprising:

measuring, by a sensor portion of a detector, an alcohol content of air in a predetermined three-dimensional zone within a vehicle independently of interaction of a driver with the detector, wherein the three-dimensional zone is proximal to a driver seat side of the vehicle;

producing, by the sensor, an electrical signal representative of a blood alcohol content of the driver; and

determining, by a controller electrically coupled to the detector, a tampering with a system comprising the sensor and the controller.

10. The method of claim 9, comprising controlling, by the controller, an operation of the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 9, comprising rendering inoperative, by the controller, a vehicle ignition system coupled to the controller.

12. The method of claim 9, comprising determining, by the controller, a tampering with the sensor.

13. The method of claim 9, comprising determining, by the controller, a tampering with the system comprising a deactivation of the detector.

14. The method of claim 9, comprising recording, by the controller, data associated with the tampering with the system.

15. A system for controlling operation of a vehicle based on a blood alcohol content of a driver, the system comprising:

a detector comprising a sensor configured to measure an alcohol content of air in a predetermined three-dimensional zone within a vehicle, wherein the three-dimensional zone is proximal to a driver seat side of the vehicle, wherein the sensor is configured to measure the alcohol content of the air independent of interaction of a driver with the detector, and wherein the sensor is configured to produce an electrical signal representative of a blood alcohol content of the driver; and

a controller electrically coupled to the detector, wherein the controller is configured to detect a presence of the driver within the vehicle, and wherein the controller is configured to determine a tampering with the system.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a pressure switch coupled to the controller, wherein the pressure switch is located in a driver seat.

17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a vehicle ignition system coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to detect activation of the ignition system.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to control an operation of the vehicle.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to render the vehicle ignition system inoperative.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the controller is configured to record data associated with the tampering with the system;

and wherein the controller is configured to determine a tampering with the sensor or a deactivation of the detector.