US3886540A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Condition responsive control apparatus
Assignee: United States Department of Transportation
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Filing: 1973-09-07
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-09-07
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an ignition interlock device that prevents the operation of a motor vehicle until the operator has passed a test indicative of his degree of sobriety. A plurality of lights and push buttons are disposed on a panel. In response to the illumination of certain preselected lights the operator must press the correct button. Thus, the device detects intoxication by measuring the impairment of the operator''s ability to make responses spatially incompatible with initiating stimuli.
Inventors
- 👤 E Donald Sussman
- 👤 Andrew Warner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:00
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K28/00; B60K28/02; B60K28/06; B60K28/063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
Condition responsive control apparatus comprising: first stimulus means and first manipulable means spacially opposed therewith; second stimulus means and second manipulable means spacially opposed therewith; wherein said first stimulus means and said first manipulable means are spacially separated from said second manipulable means; actuation means for actuating either of said stimulus means independently of actuation of the other one of said stimulus means; output means for indicating a correct response when one of said stimulus means is activated and an operator manipulates, in a preselected manner, the one of said manipulable means that is spacially separated from the one of said stimulus means that is activated; and response timer means for preventing said output means from indicating a correct response if the operator fails to manipulate the appropriate one of said manipulable means within a preselected response period of time.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
Condition responsive control apparatus comprising: first stimulus means and first manipulable means spacially opposed therewith; second stimulus means and second manipulable means spacially opposed therewith; wherein said first stimulus means and said first manipulable means are spacially separated from said second manipulable means; actuation means for actuating either of said stimulus means independently of actuation of the other one of said stimulus means; output means for indicating a correct response when one of said stimulus means is activated and an operator manipulates, in a preselected manner, the one of said manipulable means that is spacially separated from the one of said stimulus means that is activated; and response timer means for preventing said output means from indicating a correct response if the operator fails to manipulate the appropriate one of said manipulable means within a preselected response period of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said output means comprises a portion of a motor vehicle and further comprises enabling means for permitting the operation of said motor vehicle following an indication of said correct response.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said output means comprises error means for preventing the operation of said motor vehicle when activated, and wherein said error means is activated if, in response to the activation of one of said stimulus means, the manipulable means spacially associated therewith is manipulated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 comprising timer coupling means for coupling said response timer means to said error means so as to activate said error means upon the failure of an operator to respond to either of said stimulus means within the predetermined time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein each of said stimulus means comprises a light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 comprising repetition means for causing said actuation means to repeatedly actuate said stimulus means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 comprising randomizing means for randomly determining the order of actuation of said stimulus means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 comprising auxiliary first stimulus means spacially associated with said first stimulus means and said first manipulable means and further comprising auxiliary second stimulus means spacially associated with said second stimulus means and said second manipulable means, both of said auxiliary stimulus means being responsive to said actuation means, and wherein said output means comprises auxiliary output means for causing an indication of a correct response when one of said auxiliary stimulus means is activated and the spacially associated manipulable means is manipulated in the preselected manner within the preselected period of time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus acccording to claim 8 comprising means for rendering said randomizing means responsive to actuation of said manipulable means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said randomizing means comprises a high frequency oscillator and a ring counter and wherein said oscillator is coupled to said ring counter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said auxiliary stimulus means are disposed closer to the respective manipulable means than are said first and second stimulus means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |