Patent Publication Number: US-2011050407-A1

Title: Sobriety interlock device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to devices and methods for determining the blood alcohol concentration of a driver, and more specifically, to a device and method for measuring the alcohol concentration in a driver&#39;s saliva, thus providing a sobriety interlock for vehicle ignition. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Automobile driving by intoxicated persons is a serious problem responsible for accidents involved with injuries, deaths and property damage. 
     Various attempts have been made in the past to develop methods and devices that prevent automobiles from being operated by drunk drivers. Some typical methods and devices proposed in the past are described herein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,823,382 to Gaddy discloses a system in which a sample of the driver&#39;s breath is directed to a chamber containing chemical granules, which react with alcohol fumes exothermally. The heat generated by the reaction is detected by a temperature responsive switch, which is connected in a control circuit and serves to energize an alarm and timing means in response to actuation of the temperature responsive switch. After a predetermined time interval, the timing means actuates a second alarm and initiates the operation of a second timing means. The second timing means after a predetermined time interval serves to actuate a relay, which opens the ignition circuit of the motor vehicle effectively preventing operation of the motor vehicle by an inebriated driver. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,853,956 to Ballard, Jr. et al discloses a sobriety interlock system having an alcohol detection device electrically connected to a computing device. A breath sample is provided by an operator of the machine, and the alcohol detection device determines the alcohol concentration of the breath sample. The device prevents or allows operation of the machine based on the level of the blood alcohol concentration. 
     U.S. Pat. Application No. 0127145 to Der Ghazarian et al discloses a RF breathalyzer system, which transmits a unique RF signal in response to a toxic or non-toxic breath sample given to the RF breathalyzer by the user. An immobilizer CPU is installed in a vehicle to receive commands from the RF breathalyzer and to control the vehicle horn, lights, and immobilize the engine. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,793 to Mendoza describes a breath measurement instrument using a combination of breath pressure, temperature, and humidity measurements to determine whether or not breath samples are human and properly delivered. Also disclosed is a breath alcohol instrument having an alcohol-specific fuel cell and a fuel cell circuit for generating a breath alcohol signal. Further disclosed is an interlock system for inhibiting operation of machinery such as a vehicle, and a method for screening breath samples and determining an alcohol content thereof. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,840 to Thompson discloses a time clock breathalyzer for determining the amount of alcohol in an air flow. The device includes a controller adapted to calculate an alcohol percentage amount within a user from the amount of alcohol detected by the alcohol sensor. The controller is further adapted to provide an indication upon the alcohol percentage amount being greater than a predetermined amount. 
     Other breath measurement instruments are disclosed in: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,186,508 to Lamont 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,093,945 to Collier et al. 
     U.S. Pat. Application No. 2002/0084130 to Der Ghazarian et al. 
     U.S. Pat. Application No. 2002/0089660 to Weiss 
     PCT No. WO 01/12457 to Flores 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,415 to Prachar et al. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,443 to Simon 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,666 to Collier et al. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,853,956 to Ballard, Jr. et al. 
     Kr Pat Application No. 2,070,659 to Park 
     Kr Pat Application No. 3,096,147 to Park 
     Kr Pat Application No. 1,019,558 to Yoo 
     AU Pat Application No. 3,626,684 to Drummond &amp; Rugis 
     ES Pat Application No. 2,150,398 to Hernandez et al. 
     CA Pat Application No. 2,463,201 to Stock 
     A different type of an ignition interlock device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,229,908 to Edmonds, III, et al. This patent describes a method and an ignition interlock for preventing operation of equipment when an operator&#39;s blood-alcohol content is above a threshold value. The interlock has a blood-alcohol detector that measures intensities of wavelengths of light emerging through a finger to detect the alcohol concentration in the blood. 
     Other methods and devices used for preventing a driver under the influence of alcohol from operating a vehicle are disclosed in: 
     PCT No. WO 2004/078511 to Nordin 
     PCT No. WO 2005/118326 to Karlsson 
     PCT No. WO2005/026477 to Onishi et al. 
     PCT No. WO 2005/028788 
     As described above, various schemes for determining a person&#39;s blood alcohol concentration exist nowadays. However, since the schemes are all involved with some inconveniency, none of them has gained widespread use. Moreover, none of the existing schemes proposes direct measurements of alcohol concentration in a person&#39;s body fluids, and thus, they are not highly accurate. Breath analyzers, for instance, allow for avoidance of accurate tests as breath tests require a deep lung breath sample, and thus, can be evaded by inhaling and exhaling repetitively. Similarly, analyzers, which measure and relate intensities of wavelengths of light emerging through a person&#39;s finger to the blood-alcohol content, tend to be inaccurate as well. 
     Therefore, an aim of the present invention is to disclose a relatively simple and non-expensive ignition interlock scheme, which acquires direct blood-alcohol measurements that are not affected by environmental factors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of existing ignition interlock devices and provide a relatively simple and non-expensive ignition interlock device, which acquires accurate blood-alcohol measurements. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a sobriety interlock device for measuring the alcohol concentration in a driver&#39;s saliva sample and prohibiting ignition of a vehicle when the driver is intoxicated, said device comprising: 
     a testing unit into which a saliva sample of the driver is insertable for testing and recording the alcohol concentration in said saliva sample; 
     a processing unit for receiving said recorded sample results and providing test results; 
     an ignition system controller responsive to said test results to enable or disable the vehicle ignition system when the test passes or fails respectively; and 
     an output unit for displaying said test results and providing instructions and messages. 
     The testing unit of the inventive interlock device comprises a sampling device for collecting saliva, an analyzing unit for analyzing the saliva sample, and a housing tube for storing the analyzing unit. 
     The processing unit of the device comprises an A/D converter for converting analog data to digital data, a digital logic processor for processing the data, and an ignition system controller for controlling (i.e., enabling or disabling) the ignition system. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sobriety interlock device is integrated with a face recognition system for determining if the driver is a person allowed to operate the automobile. 
     The identity test results are transferred into the processing unit, which based on the results of both the sobriety test and the identity test either enables or disables the ignition system. 
     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent and understood from the detailed description section that follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the invention with regard to the embodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout and in which: 
         FIG. 1   a  is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of a saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device constructed and operated in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1   b  is a block diagram illustrating a face recognition system integrated with the inventive saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device; 
         FIG. 2   a  illustrates a side-view of a testing unit used in the inventive saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device; 
         FIG. 2   b  illustrates a magnified-view of the sampling device and the analyzing unit used in the inventive saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 2   a;    
         FIG. 3   a  illustrates a testing unit used in the inventive saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3   b  illustrates a magnified-view of the sampling device and analyzing unit used in the saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 3   a;    
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a vehicle interior including a saliva sobriety interlock device; and 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the vehicle interior illustrating interior parts of the saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The ignition interlock scheme, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is aimed at measuring alcohol concentrations in a person&#39;s saliva. 
     Such measurements reach a greater level of accuracy than prior art breath measurements simply because the relationship between the blood alcohol and the amount of saliva alcohol is about 1:1 while the relationship between blood alcohol and breath is 1:0.00048. 
       FIG. 1   a  is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of a saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  constructed and operated in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  comprises testing unit  200  for obtaining a saliva sample (see  FIG. 2   a ), processing unit  109  for performing an sobriety test, output unit  112  (i.e., a graphic user interface—GUI controller) for displaying test results, and identity verification system  105  for verifying the identity of the user. The output of the processing unit  109  is fed to vehicle ignition system  110 . 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one begins a sobriety test by inserting a reagent pad  120   c  (see  FIG. 2   a ) into an analyzing unit  122  (see  FIG. 2   a ) to initiate the testing procedure. Reagent pad  120   c  is then removed from analyzing unit  122  and inserted into the driver&#39;s mouth for some predetermined time for collecting saliva. When reagent pad  120   c  is completely saturated with saliva, it is re-inserted into analyzing unit  122  (see  FIG. 2   a ) for determining and recording the alcohol level, and the recorded data is transferred into processing unit  109  for comparing the alcohol level to a threshold value stored internally. 
     Further details of the system construction and operation are now presented by reference to the remaining figures. 
       FIG. 1   b  is a block diagram illustrating saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  with a specific example of the identity verification system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a face recognition system  115  such as the commercially available “Face Snap Recorder” manufactured by Crossmatch Technologies (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) is utilized. Face recognition system  115  includes PC  117  and video camera  119 . PC  117  is mounted underneath dashboard  402  along with other components of the device (see  FIG. 5 ) and video camera  119  is attached to sun visor  123  (see  FIG. 4 ). Operational details of face recognition system  115  are further described herein. 
     As seen in the figure, processing unit  109  comprises A/D converter  104  for converting analog data into digital data, digital logic processor  106  for processing the data, and ignition system controller  108  for controlling (i.e., enabling or disabling) ignition system  110 . In addition, I/O cables are used for transferring data among the various components of saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  (i.e., among testing unit  200 , processing unit  109 , face recognition system  115 , and output unit  112 ), and power cables are used for transferring electric power from vehicle power source  114  to power supply  113  and to the various components (i.e., testing unit  200 , processing unit  109 , face recognition system  115 , and output unit  112 ) of saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100 . 
     Typically, the components of saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  are designed to use five volts provided from power supply  113  which draws power directly from the twelve-volt car battery  114 ; therefore, saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  operates regardless of whether the key switch of the car is on or off. In addition, a backup battery is installed in the device in order to allow functioning when the car power is off or out of order. 
       FIG. 2   a  illustrates a side-view of testing unit  200  used in saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100 . As seen, testing unit  200  comprises sampling device  120  for collecting saliva, analyzing unit  122  for analyzing the saliva sample, and housing tube  124  for storing analyzing unit  122 . 
     Sampling device  120  comprises handle  120   a  to be grasped by one hand of the user. Extending from handle  120   a  is flat medium  120   b  on top of which there is placed reagent pad  120   c , such as a disposable reagent pad manufactured by Expomed Inc. (Munroe Fralls Ohio). 
     As seen in the figure, flat medium  120   b  comprises side-protrusion  121  to insure an interlock when inserted into socket  122   a  (flat medium  120   b  has to be inserted all the way into socket  122   a  to activate saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100 ). 
     Analyzing unit  122  comprises transparent socket  122   a , into which flat medium  120   b  of sampling device  120  is inserted. Socket  122   a  is mounted underneath and adjacent to contact image sensor  122   b  such as the LIS-1024 type sensor manufactured by Panavision SVI (Horner, New-York). 
     Analyzing unit  122  is housed in housing tube  124 , and housing tube  124  is mounted underneath dashboard  402  of the car (see  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 2   b  illustrates a magnified-view of sampling device  120  and analyzing unit  122 . As seen in the figure, a line  128  is formed across reagent pad  120   c  and about midway lengthwise when in contact with saliva in which the alcohol level is greater than a predetermined threshold value (when the level of alcohol in the saliva is less than the threshold, no line appears on the reagent pad). It should be noted that sampling device  120  can be configured so that the threshold value of the alcohol concentration in the saliva meets with different local regulations. 
     To capture and record the image of line  128 , contact image sensor  122   b  is mounted on top of socket  122   a  in such a way that imaging active region  126  (about 8 mm in length) of contact image sensor  122   b  is positioned on top of the reactive area of reagent pad  120   c  (i.e., the area at which line  128  forms). 
     The sobriety test begins by pulling sampling device  120  from analyzing unit  122  and inserting reagent pad  120   c  into the mouth. Reagent pad  120   c  has to be kept in the mouth for several minutes during which line  128  is produced if in contact with saliva alcohol greater than the threshold value. 
     Reagent pad  120   c  is then inserted into socket  122   a  for analyzing the saliva sample, and contact image sensor  122   b  captures and records an image of reagent pad  120   c.    
     As noted earlier, face recognition system  115  is integrated with saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  to insure that the driver is a person allowed to operate the vehicle. Video camera  119  (see  FIG. 4 ) captures the face of the driver continuously during the sobriety test i.e., from the moment the driver pulls sampling device  120  (or  302 ) from analyzing unit  122  until the moment at which output unit  112  displays the sobriety test results. 
     The facial images are stored in PC  117  and compared against stored images of persons allowed to operate the automobile. If the captured images do not match at least one of the stored images, saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  prevents operation of the automobile. However, if at least one of the captured images matches one of the stored images, operating the automobile will depend only on the sobriety test results. 
     It should be mentioned that integrating face recognition system  115  with saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  provides additional security against theft. 
       FIG. 3   a  illustrates an alternative testing unit  300  that can be used in a saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100 . As seen, testing unit  300  comprises sampling device  302 , analyzing unit  304 , and housing tube  306 . 
     In the alternative embodiment, interlock device  100  employs a Q.E.D. (A150 or A350) sobriety test, manufactured by Pointofcare.net (Charlottesville, Va.), for measuring the alcohol level in the saliva. 
     The Q.E.D. test is based on the methodology of alcohol dehydrogenase. It is an easy to operate test that provides quantitative results as accurate as the results obtained by a blood test in approximately two to five minutes. 
     Sampling device  302  comprises a handle  302   a  to be grasped by one hand of the user. Handle  302   a  is formed with a socket  302   b  into which there is inserted a disposable stick  302   c  with absorbing swab  302   d  on its distal end. 
     Analyzing unit  304  comprises Q.E.D. socket  306  mounted underneath and adjacent to contact image sensor  122   b . Analyzing unit  304  is housed in housing tube  306 , which is mounted underneath dashboard  402  of the car (see  FIG. 5 ). 
       FIG. 3   b  illustrates a magnified-view of sampling device  302  and analyzing unit  304 . As seen, fluid level  303  passes QA Spot™  305 , and a distinct purple bar  308  is formed within the marked scale region  310  if the saliva sample contains alcohol molecules in it. The highest point  312  of the purple bar represents the level of alcohol in the saliva sample. 
     Contact image sensor  122   b  is positioned on top of socket  306  in such a way that the sensor&#39;s imaging active area  126  is right on top of the area in which purple bar  308  forms. 
     When using the Q.E.D. test, absorbing swab  302   d  is inserted into the mouth for collecting saliva. Absorbing swab  302   d  is kept in the mouth for 30-60 seconds or until it is completely saturated with saliva. Then, absorbing swab  302   d  is inserted into the entry port  304   a  of Q.E.D. testing socket  306  and pressed steadily to activate a capillary action as a result of which the fluid rises until it passes the QA Spot™  305 . Purple bar  308  forms within the marked scale region  310  after approximately two minutes and is captured and recorded by contact image sensor  122   b,    
     According to both embodiments of the present invention, the image detected by contact image sensor  122   b  is then transferred to an analog to digital converter, which encodes the image as digital data and supplies digitized values of alcohol level to a digital logic processor  106 . Digital logic processor  106  receives the alcohol level digital value and compares it to a threshold value stored a priori internally. If the alcohol level is lower than the threshold value, the driver passes the sobriety test. However, if the alcohol level is higher than the threshold value, the driver fails the sobriety test. 
     In parallel to the sobriety test, face recognition system  115  provides digital logic processor  106  with I/O input based on the face recognition test (i.e., “pass” or “failed”). If the driver passes both the sobriety test and the face recognition test successfully, digital logic processor  106  enables ignition system controller  108 , which in turn enables ignition system  110 . However, if the driver fails either of the tests, digital logic processor  106  disables ignition system controller  108 , which in turn disables ignition system  110 . Test results are displayed on output unit  112  (i.e., a graphic user interface—GUI controller). 
     In case that additional information and/or messages are to be displayed for the driver, output unit  112  may include a small LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen. 
     It will be understood that saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  is designed in such a way that it can be used with other security immobilizing devices. More specifically, ignition system controller  108  of saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  can be connected to additional immobilizing devices. Thus, whether ignition system controller  108  is enabled or not depends on the signals obtained from each and every device. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of vehicle interior  400 . Vehicle interior  400  in a passenger automobile, typically includes conventional dashboard  402  and steering wheel  404 . In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, vehicle interior  400  is equipped with saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  part of which is mounted underneath the dash board  402 . 
     As seen in the figure, aperture  406  is an inlet opening through which flat medium  120   b  of sampling device  120  is inserted into analyzing unit  122  which is housed in housing tube  124  mounted underneath dashboard  402  (see  FIG. 5 ). Output unit  112  (GUI controller) is situated on dashboard  402  next to aperture  406 , and camera  119  of face recognition system  115  is attached to sun visor  123 . 
     It should be mentioned that a GUI controller of any type could be used as an output unit  112  in the saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100 . However, the GUI controller, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises a single light-emitting diode (LED) with three colors as yellow, green and red. While saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  is not in use, the yellow light flashes. During the test, the red light flashes, and when the test is complete, and driving is allowed, the green light is on for one minute followed by a flashing yellow light. When driving is prohibited, the red light is on for one minute and then the yellow light flashes. When saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  is out of order, the yellow light is on steadily. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of vehicle interior  400 . The figure illustrates housing tube  124  of testing unit  200  mounted underneath dashboard  402 . The figure also illustrates PC  117  of face recognition system  115  and sealed box  107 , which contains power supply  113  and processing unit  109  mounted underneath dashboard  402 . 
     It will be understood that the locations of the various components of saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  are only suggestive; the various components of device  100  can be suitably positioned anywhere else in the car. 
     It should be noted that saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device  100  is not restricted to alcohol measurements but can be modified to suit drug tests as well. This can be done by replacing the testing units described above by a testing unit adequate for drug measurements and by updating the threshold values stored in digital logic processor  106 . 
     It should also be noted that the inventive saliva analyzer sobriety interlock device is not restricted to automobiles but can be implemented in airplanes, ships, sea-crafts, armored vehicles heavy machines and so on. 
     Having described the invention with regard to certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the description is not meant as a limitation, as further modifications will now become apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.