WO2007004211A2

WO2007004211A2 - A system and a method for vehicular operation intervention in case of substance abuse

Info

Publication number: WO2007004211A2
Application number: PCT/IL2006/000736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eyal Vashdi
Original assignee: Eyal Vashdi
Priority date: 2005-06-30
Filing date: 2006-06-22
Publication date: 2007-01-11
Also published as: IL169497A0; WO2007004211A3

Abstract

A method for controlling operation of an operable mechanism, based on a system for detection of an illegal substance present on the hands of an operator. The system includes a vehicle ignition system/computer, at least one substance processing unit, a central processing unit (CPU), which receives an appropriate signal from the substance processing unit(s) and sends a signal to the operable mechanism ignition system/computer to shut off the ignition. The system includes at least one sensor to receive indications from the steering wheel, wherein the sensor(s) sends indications to the substance processing unit.

Description

A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR VEHICULAR OPERATION INTERVENTION IN

CASE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to systems and methods for vehicular safety, and more particularly, to a system and method for intervening in the operation of any type of vehicle when under the influence of a detectable abusive substance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, led by Dr.

Kyran P. Quinlan, now at the University of Chicago, found that from 1997 to 1999, the number of times people reported driving after drinking too much increased by 37 percent. Over the course of a year, the researchers calculated, that amounted to 159 million occasions - and those were just the ones people admitted. The survey was conducted by random calling across the country. The report appears in The American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Among the more troubling findings, the researchers said, was that some of the riskiest alcohol users, binge drinkers, were the most likely to say they had driven while impaired. Those drinkers were 13 times as likely to report having done so as others surveyed.

In 2002, according to the study, alcohol-related crashes caused more than 17,000 deaths and more than 250,000 injuries. The study found that while the level of drinking and driving varied by characteristics like age, sex and education, it had gone up in almost all groups.

The researchers recommended additions crackdowns. They suggested lowering the legal limits for blood-alcohol content, more quickly suspending the licenses of those charged with driving while impaired, increasing sobriety checkpoints and using equipment that prevents cars from being started by people who have been drinking. In U.S. Patent No. 6,853,956, Ballard, et al discloses a sobriety interlock system having an alcohol detection device electrically connected to a computing device is provided. An electronic circuit is electrically connected between the computing device and an OBD-II port on a machine for receiving data related to operation of the machine. 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 computing device determines a blood alcohol concentration for the operator based on the breath alcohol concentration, and the computing device prevents or allows operation of the machine based on the level of the blood alcohol concentration. A memory device stores machine operation data received through the OBD-II port.

U.S. Patent No. 6,853,956, and similar patents for preventing activation of a vehicle when a high level of alcohol is measured on the driver's breath, suffer from the drawback that they can be bypassed when a companion breathes into the mouthpiece instead of the true driver. A single test is performed, and no additional random testing. occurs during the drive, making the test easy to bypass. In the case of teenage drivers, the parent would want a system which is foolproof, to ensure the teen is sober during driving. Similarly, a business employing drivers would like to be able to ensure that its drivers are sober at all times, and that the sobriety testing system is infallible.

The need exists for a sobriety testing system which can perform repeated testing at random intervals throughout the driving period, to ensure that the driver is sober at all times, and that indeed he is the one undergoing the testing.

U.S. Patent No. 6,183,418 issued in February, 2001 , Process and Measuring System for Detection of Substances Emitted or Perspired Through the Skin, by Kuennecke, provides a process for detection and for quantitative determination of substances emitted or perspired through the skin is derived from flow diffusion analysis. The measuring system conceived for this purpose uses a diffusion half cell through which an acceptor medium flows and which is closed by a membrane. For the duration of the measurement, the membrane is brought into contact with the skin or a closed gas volume formed over the skin. With the process and the related measuring system, the blood alcohol level can be determined with a good degree of precision indirectly via the quantity of (gaseous) ethanol emitted through the skin. Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for intervening in the operation of any type of vehicle when under the influence of a detectable abusive substance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome the limitations of prior art, and to provide a system and method for intervening in the operation of any type of vehicle when under the influence of a detectable abusive substance.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a system and a method for interrupting the operation of a vehicle when the operator is found to be under the influence of a debilitating amount of an abusive substance.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide for notification of the proper authorities when substance abuse has been detected on the part of a vehicle operator.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a warning when an abusive amount of a dangerous substance is detected as being approached on the part of a vehicle operator.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for controlling the operation of an operable mechanism, based on a system for detection of an illegal substance on the hands of an operator. The system includes a vehicle ignition system/computer. The system also includes a substance processing unit(s), a central processing unit (CPU), which receives an appropriate signal from the substance processing unit(s) and sends a signal to the operable mechanism ignition system/computer to shut off the ignition. The system further includes a sensoφ) to receive indications from the steering wheel, wherein the sensor(s) sends indications to the substance processing unit(s). The method begins with approaching the controls of the operable mechanism by the operator. The next steps are checking for the presence of an illegal substance on the hand(s) of the operator, allowing the starting of the operable mechanism if the operator passes the test. Further tests are initiated at random intervals. If the operator fails a test, additional tests are performed after specific intervals. The operation of the operable vehicle is disabled if said further tests fail.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention in regard to the embodiments thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and description, in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of the hardware components comprising one exemplary embodiment of a system for intervening in the operation of any type of vehicle when an operator is under the influence of a detectable abusive substance, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method for intervening in the operation of any type of vehicle when an operator is under the influence of a detectable abusive substance according to the improvements of the present invention;

Fig. 3a is a schematic illustration of a generalized steering wheel of a system for intervening in the operation of any type of vehicle when an operator is under the influence of a detectable abusive substance, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 3b is a schematic illustration of a steering wheel of a boat for a system for intervening in the operation of the boat when an operator is under the influence of a detectable abusive substance, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and Fig. 3c is a schematic illustration of a steering control of an airplane for a system for intervening in the operation of the airplane when an operator is under the influence of a detectable abusive substance, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood. References to like numbers indicate like components in all of the figures.

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of the hardware components comprising one exemplary embodiment of a system 100 for intervening in the operation of any type of vehicle when an operator is under the influence of a detectable abusive substance, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. When central CPU 110 receives an appropriate signal from one of several substance processing units 120, CPU 110 sends a signal to the vehicle ignition system/computer 130 to shut off the ignition. Sensors 140 may receive indications from the steering wheel of a vehicle, for example, relative the perspiration present on one or both hands of the vehicle driver, and subsequently sensors 140 send these indications to one or more of several substance processing units 120. CPU 110 makes use of information in memory 112, and presents readout data on a display 114. The function of the factory settings module 150 is to customize the settings according to the relevant country. For example: blood alcohol level in the country, time between each test (if not random), what procedure to apply if level is too high, when to enable the ignition system again, etc.

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method for intervening in the operation of any type of vehicle when an operator is under the influence of a detectable abusive substance, according to the improvements of the present invention. The driver gets inside the vehicle 210. Steering wheel sensors check level of alcohol in the blood of the driver 220. If the driver passes the test, the system allows the starting of the vehicle 230. Tests will be initiated at random intervals every few minutes 240. If the test fails, 2 more random tests will be initiated after a very short time. If the test still fails, the ignition system will be disabled 250.

Fig. 3a is a schematic illustration of a generalized steering wheel 320 of a system for intervening in the operation of any type of vehicle when an operator is under the influence of a detectable abusive substance, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Sensors 310 function as described with regard to Figs 1 and 2 above.

Fig. 3b is a schematic illustration of a steering wheel of a boat 325 for a system for intervening in the operation of the boat when an operator is under the influence of a detectable abusive substance, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Sensors 310 function as described above.

Fig. 3c is a schematic illustration of the controls of an airplane 330 for a system for intervening in the operation of the airplane when an operator is under the influence of a detectable abusive substance, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Sensors 310 function as described above.

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, since further modifications may now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A method for controlling the operation of an operable mechanism, based on a system for detection of an illegal substance detectable on the hands of an operator, said system comprising: a vehicle ignition system/computer; at least one substance processing unit; a central processing unit (CPU), which receives an appropriate signal from said at least one substance processing unit and sends a signal to said operable mechanism ignition system/computer to shut off the ignition; and at least one sensor to receive indications from at least one of: a steering wheel of said operable mechanism; a steering wheel cover; and a hand-operated control mechanism of said operable mechanism, wherein said at least one sensor sends indications to said at least one substance processing unit, said method comprising: approaching the controls of the operable mechanism by the operator; checking for the presence of an illegal substance in a first test on at least one hand of the operator; allowing the starting of the operable mechanism if the operator passes said test; initiating further tests at random intervals; and disabling the operation of the operable vehicle if any one of said tests fails.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said system further comprises a memory for storing information that is made available to said CPU.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said system further comprises a display whereon said CPU presents data.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said system further comprises a factory settings module to customize the settings according to national and local requirements.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein check said is made relative to the perspiration present on at least one hand of the operator.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operable mechanism is an automobile.

7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the operable mechanism is a truck.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the operable mechanism is a motorcycle.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the operable mechanism is a boat.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the operable mechanism is an airplane.

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the test is for alcohol.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the test is for a controlled drug.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the operable mechanism is any type of vehicle.