US 9,775,565 B1 · Device and system for monitoring operator biometric condition and blood alcohol presence to prevent driving of a vehicle by an alcohol or otherwise impaired operator

Abstract

A new system monitors ethanol alcohol levels of a vehicle operator by collecting sweat from the operator's hands, and detecting the presence, if any, of ethanol in the sweat. The system can then be used, if ethanol is present, to take action, such as immobile vehicle disablement, in the event of intoxication caused by an impermissibly high levels of ethanol of the operator. The system includes devices, referred to as pods in the description, which are sweat-collecting devices that are attached to the steering wheel of the vehicle. If the measurable ethanol in collected moisture from the operator's hands exceeds a preset threshold, the system could be configured to warn the operator to park the vehicle thereafter to disable operation of the vehicle, but if the operator does not so discontinue operation of the vehicle hazard warning lights and audible warnings within and without the vehicle will be activated alerting near vehicles of a dangerous vehicle being operated in close proximity. Likewise the new system monitors for pulse rate and oxygen levels of the operator can be used to recommend operator action when the pulse rate and/or oxygen levels are outside of the normal range for an operator. When the pulse rate and or oxygen levels of the system are outside of the normal parameters for an operator, the system will warn the operator to park the vehicle and thereafter to disable operation of the immobile vehicle, but if the operator does not so discontinue operation of the vehicle the hazard warning lights, on board video, and audible warnings within and without the vehicle will be activated alerting near vehicles of a dangerous vehicle being operated in close proximity, and alarms will be sent to real time recording and monitoring devices.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A vehicle operator monitoring system for installation in a vehicle and responsive to sensing of ethanol in the body of an operator of the vehicle, comprising:

an ethanol vapor collection device oriented to collect moisture epidermally present on the palms of hands of the vehicle operator, for determining from said moisture the presence of ethanol in the body of the operator,
a control module separate from the ethanol vapor collection device, the control module being configured to continuously control one or more vehicle functions including disabling the vehicle after a predetermined time, in accordance with the presence of ethanol in the body of the operator,
the ethanol vapor collection device comprising a layer of moisture pervious material for receiving the moisture,
a source of partial vacuum for drawing the moisture through the pervious material, so as to cause the received moisture, with any ethanol in the moisture, to be deposited on the pervious material,
a moisture vapor extraction conduit for receiving the moisture vapor, with any ethanol in the moisture vapor, and providing it to the control module for ethanol analysis from which to determine blood alcohol content (BAC) of the operator,
the control module providing a signal concerning at least one operation of the vehicle in response to the determination of a determined level of blood alcohol content of the vehicle operator, that signal including an announcement to the operator of a period of time in which the operator has to park the vehicle safely wherein the control module controls a digital image camera aimed at the operator and wherein the camera Is configured to take a digital image of the operator if the operator lifts either hand from a respective ethanol vapor collection device, and, wherein the control module monitors the BAC ethanol level periodically in normal operation, but, more frequently than, in said normal operation if tire BAC trends higher, but less frequently than in said normal operation, if the BAC trends lower.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device and system for monitoring operator biometric condition and blood alcohol presence to prevent driving of a vehicle by an alcohol or otherwise impaired operator

Life of this patent

Device and system for monitoring operator biometric condition and blood alcohol presence to prevent driving of a vehicle by an alcohol or otherwise impaired operator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13