System for preventing access

• US 20040085211A1
• Filed: 10/30/2002
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley L. Gotfried
• Original Assignee: Bradley L. Gotfried
• Inventors: Gotfried, Bradley L.
• Granted Patent: US 6,819,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/576
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/104 characterised by the type of theft warning signal, e.g. visual or audible signals with special characteristics
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 Fingerprint recognition
• 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 19/0005 Key safes E05B35/086 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00722 with magnetic components, e.g. magnets, magnetic strips, metallic inserts mechanical locks operated by permanent magnets E05B47/0038
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00944 Details of construction or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/30 not involving the use of a pass

Abstract

A system for preventing access to a vehicle. The system includes a substance detector configured to detect a level of at least one substance ingested by a user and a blocking device in communication with the substance detector where the blocking device disables the operability of at least one key. The blocking device enables the operability of the key when the level of the substance is measured by the substance detector to be within a predetermined range.

Claims

1. A system for preventing access to a vehicle, comprising:

a substance detector configured to detect a level of at least one substance ingested by a user; and

a blocking device in communication with said substance detector;

wherein said blocking device disables the operability of at least one key; and

wherein said blocking device enables the operability of the key when the level of the substance is measured by said substance detector to be within a predetermined range.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said blocking device comprises a receiving portion.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said blocking device disables the key when at least a portion of the key is placed in said receiving portion.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said blocking device enables the key by exposing at least a portion of a functional region of the key.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said blocking device includes at least one track;

wherein the key is slidably engaged to said track and at least one motor for imparting motion to the key such that the key slides along said track until at least a portion of the functional region of the key is exposed.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein said blocking device comprises a cover and a compartment;

wherein said cover is slidably engaged to said compartment, said blocking device further comprising at least one motor for imparting motion to said cover such that said cover slides along said compartment until at least a portion of the functional region of the key is exposed.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said substance detector detects the level of the substance by analyzing a breath sample provided by a user.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said substance detector analyzes the breath sample by measuring for blood alcohol content.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising an alarm.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said alarm comprises at least one of a visual alarm and an audible alarm.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said alarm system activates when said substance detector determines that the level of the substance is outside said predetermined range.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a user interface.

13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a key holder for supporting a plurality of keys.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the key includes at least one of a magnetic element encoded with identifying information and a biometric identifier.

15. The system of claim 1, further comprising an ignition disabling device, wherein said ignition disabling device enables an ignition system when the level of the substance is measured by said substance detector to be within said predetermined range.

16. A key system for restricting access to a secure area or a vehicle, comprising:

at least one key;

a blocking device having a communication element;

wherein said blocking device disables the operability of said key; and

wherein said blocking device enables the operability of said key when said communication element receives a first control signal.

17. The key system of claim 16, wherein said blocking device further comprises a receiving portion;

wherein said blocking device disables said key when at least a portion of said key is placed in said receiving portion, such that a functional region of said key is inaccessible.

18. The key system of claim 17, wherein said blocking device further comprises a securing portion;

wherein said securing portion is hingably coupled to said receiving portion.

19. The key system of claim 17, wherein said blocking device further comprises a lock for detachably fastening said securing portion to said receiving portion.

20. The key system of claim 16, wherein a substance detector configured to detect a level of at least one substance ingested by a key operator transmits the first control signal to said communication element.

21. The key system of claim 20, wherein the substance detector transmits the first control signal when the substance detector determines that the substance level is within a predetermined range.

22. The key system of claim 16, further comprising an alarm;

wherein said alarm comprises at least one of a visual alarm and an audible alarm.

23. The key system of claim 22, wherein said alarm activates when said communication element receives a second control signal.

24. The key system of claim 16, further comprising a user interface.

25. The key system of claim 16, further comprising a key holder for supporting a plurality of keys.

26. The key system of claim 16, wherein said key includes at least one of a magnetic element encoded with identifying information and a biometric identifier.

27. The key system of claim 21, wherein an ignition disabling device enables an ignition system when the substance detector determines that the substance level is within said predetermined range.