Impairment detection and interlock system with tester identification

• US 6,748,792 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2003
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: #1 A LifeSafer, Inc. (LMG Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lifesafer Interlock, Inc. (LMG Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Knowles, Thomas E., Couch, Sherman, Freund, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LARKIN, DANIEL SEAN
• Application Number:
  US10/384,109
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 73/233, 422/84, 600/532, 600/543, 348/143, 348/148, 340/426.1, 340/426.11, 340/426.19, 340/426.2, 340/426.21, 340/427.71, 180/272, 431/90
• US Class Current: 73/23.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/063 preventing starting of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/043 Identity of occupants
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/22 Psychological state; Stress level or workload
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2540/221 Physiology, e.g. weight, heartbeat, health or special needs
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4972 Determining alcohol content for vehicle safety devices B60K28/06
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0891 Video recorder in combination with video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00563 using personal physical data of the operator, e.g. finger prints, retinal images, voicepatterns
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/06 indicating a condition of sleep, e.g. anti-dozing alarms

Abstract

A system, device, and method for determining whether an individual has consumed, is intoxicated, or is otherwise impaired by alcohol is disclosed. Further, a device capable of positively identifying the person who provides the impairment test is disclosed. The impairment detection and interlock system disclosed accomplishes this with the use of a video camera that selectively saves images, and an attitude evaluator and, in some embodiments, an exposure evaluator, which ensures that the video camera captures the identity of the tester. A device holster may also be used to facilitate video surveillance.

Claims

1. An apparatus for positively identifying the user of an alcohol impairment detection system comprising:

a hand-held sampling device having a handpiece adapted to receive a sample; and

a video camera integral with said handpiece.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hand-held sampling device is a breath testing device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an image exposure evaluator operatively connected to the video camera.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hand-held sampling device attitude evaluator integral with the hand-held sampling device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hand-held sampling device holster.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a global positioning system.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wireless communication transmitter.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wireless communication receiver.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a wireless communication transceiver.

10. An apparatus for positively identifying the user of an impairment detection system comprising:

an alcohol impairment detector with an impairment detector attitude evaluator integral therewith;

a video camera integral with the impairment detector; and

a data memory operatively connected to the video camera and adapted to store a plurality of video images.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the alcohol impairment detector is a breath testing device.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising an image exposure evaluator operatively connected to the video camera.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a hand-held sampling device holster.

14. An apparatus for positively identifying the user of an impairment detection system comprising:

a means for detecting alcohol impairment with a means for evaluating the attitude of the means for detecting alcohol impairment;

a means for requesting impairment detection operatively connected to the means for detecting alcohol impairment;

a means for recording video images integral with the means for detecting alcohol impairment;

a means for storing data and a plurality of video images operatively connected to the means for recording video images; and

a means for timing operatively connected to the means for requesting impairment detection and the means for storing data and a plurality of video images whereby selected images corresponding to an impairment detection may be saved.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for requesting impairment detection is a means for visual communication.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the means for requesting impairment detection is a means for audio communication.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a means for evaluating the exposure of an image operatively connected to the means for recording video images.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a means for candidly taking surveillance photographs of the occupant of the driver'"'"'s seat of a motor vehicle.

19. A method for positively identifying the user of an impairment detection system comprising:

prompting an individual to take an alcohol impairment test;

evaluating the attitude of an impairment detector;

recording video images during the alcohol impairment test;

storing the video images;

determining whether a proper alcohol detection sample was received;

determining which video images to save;

saving a video image corresponding to a specific time during the alcohol impairment test;

analyzing the sample; and

providing impairment test feedback to the individual.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising evaluating the exposure of the video images.

21. A system for monitoring alcohol abstinence of a tester comprising:

a vehicle;

a sampling device handpiece adapted to receive a sample located in the vehicle;

a video camera integral with the handpiece; and

a test prompter whereby the tester is prompted to provide a sample to the sampling device located in the vehicle.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the test prompter is a horn.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein the test prompter is a telephone.

24. The system of claim 21 wherein the test prompter is a pager.

25. An apparatus for positively identifying a user, having identifying facial features, of an alcohol impairment detection system comprising:

a sampling device handpiece adapted to receive a sample; and

a video camera integral with the handpiece, the camera adapted to capture the identifying facial features of the user and at least part of the handpiece.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the handpiece has a mouthpiece and the camera is adapted to capture at least part of the mouthpiece.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising a handpiece holster, the holster positioned and adapted so as to allow the camera to record a panoramic view around the user when the handpiece is positioned in the holster.

28. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the camera saves a plurality of sequential images.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the images correspond to predetermined events which occur during use of the alcohol impairment detection system.

30. A system for monitoring alcohol abstinence of a tester having identifying photographic features comprising:

a parked vehicle;

a sampling device handpiece adapted to receive a sample located in the vehicle;

a video camera integral with the handpiece, the camera adapted to capture the photographic features of the tester and at least part of the handpiece; and

a test prompter whereby the tester is prompted to provide a sample to the handpiece located in the vehicle.