Anti-circumvention apparatus and methods for use in sobriety testing systems

• US 9,442,103 B1
• Filed: 07/01/2013
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 1A Smart Start, LLC
• Original Assignee: 1A Smart Start, LLC
• Inventors: Goad, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): McCall, Eric S
• Assistant Examiner(s): KERAMET-AMIRCOLAI, MOHAMMED E
• Application Number:
  US13/932,804
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 73/233
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 28/06 responsive to incapacity of driver
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2040/0854 due to driver cheating, e.g. to circumvent driver tests
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/4972 Determining alcohol content for vehicle safety devices B60K28/06
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 Fuel cells

Abstract

A method for preventing circumvention of a intoxication test includes defining a detection time envelope with a first sensor activated in response to the presence of a human test subject proximate the first sensor and sensing with a second sensor for a change from an ambient condition caused by the presence of the human test subject proximate the second sensor. The intoxication test is validated when a change from the ambient condition is detected by the second sensor during the time envelope defined by the first sensor.

Claims

1. A system for testing for intoxication of a human comprising:

a first subsystem for testing for a substance in the breath of a human;

a second subsystem for validating the results of an intoxication test performed with the first subsystem, comprising;

at least one first sensor activated in response to a change in capacitance caused by the presence of an inherent capacitance of the human for generating a first signal defining a time envelope; and

at least one second sensor for generating a second signal in response to a change from an ambient condition caused by the presence of the human, the at least one second sensor comprising an infrared temperature sensor for reflecting an infrared beam off the back of the throat of the human; and

a third subsystem for validating the results of the intoxication test in response to the first and second signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first subsystem comprises a fuel cell for detecting alcohol.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one second sensor further comprises a humidity sensor.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one second sensor further comprises a breath temperature sensor.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the system for testing for intoxication forms a part of a vehicle interlock system.

6. A method for preventing circumvention of a intoxication test comprising:

performing an intoxication test;

defining a detection time envelope with a capacitive sensor measuring a change in capacitance caused by an inherent capacitance of a human test subject proximate the capacitive sensor;

sensing with at least one second sensor for a change from an ambient condition caused by the presence of the human test subject proximate the second sensor, the second sensor comprising an infrared temperature sensor for reflecting an infrared beam off the back of the throat of the human test subject; and

validating the intoxication test when a change from the ambient condition is detected by the second sensor during the time envelope defined by the capacitive sensor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one second sensor further comprises a breath temperature sensor.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one second sensor further comprises a humidity sensor.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

sensing with a third sensor for a change from another ambient condition caused by the presence of the human test subject proximate the third sensor; and

validating the intoxication test when a change from the ambient condition is detected by the second sensor and a change from the another ambient condition is detected by the third sensor during the time envelope defined by the capacitive sensor.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein defining a detection time envelope comprises defining a detection time envelope with a plurality of sensors, including the capacitive sensor, activated in response to the presence of a human test subject.

11. A system for testing for intoxication of a human comprising:

a first subsystem for testing for a substance in the breath of a human; and

a second subsystem for validating the results of an intoxication test performed with the first subsystem, comprising;

at least one first sensor for detecting the presence of the human and defining a detection time envelope; and

at least one second sensor for validating the results of the intoxication test during the detection time envelope, comprising an infrared temperature sensor for reflecting an infrared beam off the back of the throat of the human.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one first sensor comprises a capacitive facial proximity sensor activated in response to a change in capacitance caused by the presence of an inherent capacitance of the human.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one first sensor comprises a differential air pressure sensor activated in response to air pressure generated by the breath of the human.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one first sensor comprises:

a capacitive facial proximity sensor activated in response to a change in capacitance caused by the presence of an inherent capacitance of the human; and

a differential air pressure sensor activated in response to air pressure generated by the breath of the human.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one second sensor comprises a breath temperature sensor.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one second sensor comprises a humidity sensor.