Key trapping device, system, and method of use thereof
OwnerStacy Joan STEVENSinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices, methods, and systems for providing physical retention of a key or keys, such one or more vehicle keys or keys to a safe, and for providing an input feature, such as a breath or blood analysis device, and other features to prevent access to the keys until a suitable input is provided. For example, each key may be physically retained and prevented from being used until a breath, blood, or other sample input has been received that indicates a blood alcohol level is below a pre-determined limit, such as a legal limit for driving a vehicle. Various features then allow release of the key upon the legal limit being met.
Claims20
A device for retaining and selectively releasing a key, the device comprising:
- a housing;
- a key retaining mechanism within the housing, the key retaining mechanism being configured to receive the key and to place the key in a retained condition, wherein the key retaining mechanism is configured to be selectively placeable in a key releasing condition;
- a sample sensor within the housing configured to analyze a received sample and to output data relating to the analyzed sample;
- and
- a control mechanism configured to:
- receive the data output from the sample sensor;
- and
- upon the received data output meeting a predetermined condition, place the key retaining mechanism in the key releasing condition.
A system for retaining and selectively releasing a plurality of keys, the system comprising:
- a key retaining bank, including:
- a housing;
- and
- a plurality of key retaining mechanisms within the housing, each of the plurality of key retaining mechanisms being configured to receive one of the plurality of keys, to place the received key in a retained condition, and being selectively placeable in a key releasing condition;
- a sample sensor operable in conjunction with the key retaining bank and configured to analyze a received sample and to output data relating to the analyzed sample;
- and
- a control mechanism configured to:
- receive the data output from the sample sensor;
- match the received data to one of the plurality of key retaining mechanisms;
- and
- upon the received data output meeting a predetermined condition, place the matched one of the plurality of key retaining mechanisms in the key releasing condition.
A method for retaining and selectively retaining and releasing a key via a device for retaining and releasing the key, the device comprising:
- a housing;
- a key retaining mechanism;
- a sample sensor;
- and a control mechanism, the method comprising:
- receiving the key in the key retaining mechanism;
- placing the key in a retained condition;
- receiving a sample;
- the sample sensor sensing the sample and producing a sensor output;
- the control mechanism receiving the sensor output;
- and
- if the sensor output meets a predetermined condition, the control mechanism causing the key retaining mechanism to be placed in a key releasing condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.