Alcohol detection system for vehicle driver testing with integral temperature compensation

An alcohol detection system for installation in a vehicle comprising:

• a resistive touch sensor and a fingerprint reader mounted in a detector case in a vehicle, said touch sensor for determining contact of a finger based on skin resistance and presence of alcohol based on ethanol content of vapor excreted from skin, said resistive touch sensor including a vapor sensor having a heater element and an alcohol vapor sensor element integral to said sensor, a selected one of said heater element and alcohol vapor sensor element monitored for temperature compensation, with power to said vapor sensor controlled by feedback from said selected one of said heater element and alcohol vapor sensor element, said vapor sensor triggered for an initial reading upon touch and triggered for a second reading at a predetermined time differential, a determination of differential of data from the vapor sensor at the initial reading and the second reading compared to a predetermined value, and said fingerprint reader for verifying the identity of an operator touching the resistive touch sensor;
• an ignition interlock in the vehicle;
• a microcontroller connected to and receiving data from the touch sensor and the fingerprint reader, the microcontroller further connected to the ignition interlock and providing a signal to open the interlock to disable the vehicle upon determination of the differential of data from the touch sensor exceeding a predetermined value;
• operator indicators including a first LED connected to the microcontroller and illuminating upon activation by the microcontroller at a predetermined time for initiating an alcohol test, a second LED connected to the microcontroller and illuminating upon commencement of an alcohol test and remaining illuminated during a predetermined test period, and a third LED connected to the microcontroller and illuminating upon a failed alcohol detection test;
• a location system incorporating a GPS locator connected to and providing location data to the microcontroller;
• a data logger connected to the microcontroller, said data logger receiving and storing data from the microcontroller including touch sensor data, fingerprint reader data and location data;
• and,
• a global system for modular communications transmitter/receiver connected to the microcontroller, whereby the touch sensor data, identity data and location data may be transmitted to a remote facility by the microcontroller.

A method for disabling a vehicle with an alcohol detection system including a resistive touch sensor comprising:

• initiating a microcontroller by powering an alcohol detection system on;
• directing a data logger with the microcontroller to record a startup time;
• activating an operator indicator with the microcontroller to notify an operator that a test is required at a predetermined time programmed into the microcontroller;
• temperature correcting a vapor sensor having an alcohol vapor sensor element and a heater element using a selected one of the alcohol vapor sensor element or heater element;
• reading vapor sensor data with the microcontroller when the operator places a finger on a touch sensor;
• activating a second operator indicator with the microcontroller that the test is in process;
• activating the elements of an identity verification system and location and anti-theft system with the microcontroller;
• collecting data with the microcontroller from the vapor sensor at a predetermined time differential, identity verification system and a location and antitheft system;
• if the operator removes his finger before testing is completed at the predetermined time interval, returning to the step of activating the operator indicator a requiring the operator to restart the test;
• extinguishing the second operator indicator notifying the operator that the test is complete;
• storing time/date information and data from the touch sensor, identity verification system and location and anti-theft system in a data logger;
• if the test result shows impairment based on determination of a differential of data from the touch sensor at the predetermined time differential exceeding a predetermined value, notifying operator by illuminating a third operator indicator with the microprocessor to show test failure;
• opening the ignition interlock under control of the microprocessor preventing operation of the vehicle;
• and, if no impairment is shown by the test, inactivating the microcontroller for a predetermined period until additional testing is required.