Patent ID: 7451852
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: B60K,B60W

Abstract:
1. A sobriety interlock system having an output coupled to a starter mechanism of a motorized apparatus for detecting the presence of alcohol in a breath sample of an individual introduced into said system, the sobriety interlock system preventing the motorized apparatus from being started if said apparatus is not yet operational and if said individual does not provide a passing sample from said breath sample, or, if said motorized apparatus is already operational, the sobriety interlock system recording a level of blood-alcohol content of the individual, the sobriety interlock system comprising: a) a handset having a gas intake channel for receiving the breath sample; b) a breath sampling housing enclosed within the handset and having a gas sampling channel in axial alignment with the handset gas intake channel; c) a fuel cell positioned along the gas sampling channel of the breath sampling housing for measuring an alcohol vapor value of the breath sample; d) a pressure transducer located within the handset in fluid communication with the gas sampling channel of the breath sampling housing for measuring a pressure value of the breath sample; e) a microprocessor located within the handset in electrical communication with the fuel cell and the pressure transducer, the microprocessor containing an executable algorithm for determining a measured blood-alcohol content of the breath sample through an offset adjustment of the measured alcohol vapor value in relation to the measured breath sample pressure value; f) a solenoid valve positioned upstream from the fuel cell along the gas sampling channel of the breath sampling housing for limiting the size of the breath sample across the fuel cell by opening for a finite period of time, the solenoid valve having a normally open state; g) a photographic device for recording at least a first image on a storage medium before the breath sample is introduced into the handset gas intake channel; and h) a power source coupled to the handset and the photographic device.