APPARATUS FOR ASSESSING OR MITIGATING INSURANCE RISK

• US 20150081134A1
• Filed: 08/08/2014
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcohol Countermeasure Systems (International) Inc.
• Original Assignee: Alcohol Countermeasure Systems (International) Inc.
• Inventors: Burger, William Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 9,552,681 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/00 Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. instruments for taking a cell sample, for biopsy, for vaccination diagnosis vaccination prophylaxis, vaccination therapy A61B17/20; Sex determination; Ovulation-period determination menstruation tables G06C3/00; Throat striking implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0003 including means for analysis by an unskilled person
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0009 Testing for drug or alcohol abuse
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2010/0087 Breath samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/082 Evaluation by breath analysis, e.g. determination of the chemical composition of exhaled breath A61B5/083, A61B5/091 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable

Abstract

The apparatus, which is used with a vehicle, comprises a breath alcohol sensor and a computing device. The computing device is operatively coupled in use to the sensor and the vehicle and configured to record data: which provides information indicative of the likelihood that the vehicle has been operated in circumstances wherein a breath sample has not been delivered to the sensor within a predetermined period preceding the commencement of said operation; and associated with the delivery of breath samples to the sensor that contain alcohol in excess of a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use with a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a breath alcohol sensor;

a computing device operatively coupled in use to the sensor and the vehicle and configured to record data

which provides information indicative of the likelihood that the vehicle has been operated in circumstances wherein a breath sample has not been delivered to the sensor within a predetermined period preceding the commencement of said operation; and

associated with the delivery of breath samples to the sensor that contain alcohol in excess of a predetermined threshold.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold is less than the impaired driving threshold.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the computing device is coupled to the vehicle in use via a standardized communication port of the vehicle which provides real time data about the vehicle.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the period preceding the commencement of operation is defined with reference to one or more of:

information regarding vehicle running status obtained from the port;

information regarding engine RPM obtained from the port; and

information regarding vehicle distance travelled obtained from the port.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the device records any periods in which the apparatus is coupled to a vehicle.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the device records any periods in which the apparatus is coupled to a vehicle and the vehicles to which it is coupled.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the port is an OBD-II port.