US5224566A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Driving under the influence prevention, and methods of constructing and utilizing same
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-04-25
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Granted: 1993-07-06
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Expires: 2011-04-25
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for preventing an impaired person from operating a vehicle. The method includes a means for evaluating the level of the necessary skills for the safe operation of motorized vehicles, including automobiles, watercraft, aircraft and machinery. Once this level is determined on an individual basis, before operation of the motorized vehicle can be effected, each individual must match or surpass the safety level for enabling the ignition of the device. If the individual is impaired such as by drugs or alcohol use, the evidence is retained and the ignition disabled to prevent operation of the motorized vehicle. The apparatus includes an electronic module necessary to activate a test routine or program which also records the time, identity of the user, the number of times passed or failed and any attempts to tamper with our circumvent the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary L. Stepanian
- 👤 David M. Augspurger
- 👤 Robert D. Shimmin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:45
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R25/00; B60R25/20; B60K; B60K28/00; B60K28/02; B60K28/06; B60K28/063; B60R25/01; B60R25/04; B60R25/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for preventing impaired operators of motorized vehicles by providing a motor-skill testing device, said method comprising: recording the normal motor-skill test for the individual operator on a key recording device; providing a motor-skill testing device in a motorized vehicle the ignition of said motorized vehicle controlled by said testing device; inserting said key recording device into said testing device, a test program activated and the performance of the individual monitored to measure the individuals ability to safely operate said vehicle; comparing said performance and said motor skill test; monitoring of the condition of the vehicle door is conducted to prevent substitution of operators; and activating said ignition upon satisfactory completion of said test program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for preventing impaired operators of motorized vehicles by providing a motor-skill testing device, said method comprising: recording the normal motor-skill test for the individual operator on a key recording device; providing a motor-skill testing device in a motorized vehicle the ignition of said motorized vehicle controlled by said testing device; inserting said key recording device into said testing device, a test program activated and the performance of the individual monitored to measure the individuals ability to safely operate said vehicle; comparing said performance and said motor skill test; monitoring of the condition of the vehicle door is conducted to prevent substitution of operators; and activating said ignition upon satisfactory completion of said test program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: inserting a password is required to ensure the operators identity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: said motor-skill testing device providing a delay period between attempts to pass said test program, said delay period increasing with each failed attempt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: recording the results of said test program on said key recording device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: recording any attempts to circumvent said method on said key recording device.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for preventing the unsafe operation of a motorized vehicle by an impaired operator comprising: recording normal motor-skill test results for an operator on an individualized key recording device; inserting said key recording device in a motor skill testing module installed in said motorized vehicle; monitoring the position of the vehicle doors to prevent substitution of the operator; activating a test program for determining the motor-skill abilities of said operator and obtaining the results of said test program; comparing said results with said normal motor-skill test result for measuring the operators ability to safely operate said vehicle; and activating the ignition system of said vehicle upon satisfactory completion of said test program.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for preventing the unsafe operation of a motorized vehicle by an impaired operator comprising: recording normal motor-skill test results for an operator on an individualized key recording device; inserting said key recording device in a motor skill testing module installed in said motorized vehicle; monitoring the position of the vehicle doors to prevent substitution of the operator; activating a test program for determining the motor-skill abilities of said operator and obtaining the results of said test program; comparing said results with said normal motor-skill test result for measuring the operators ability to safely operate said vehicle; and activating the ignition system of said vehicle upon satisfactory completion of said test program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 6, wherein: delaying a new attempt to satisfactorily complete said test program in a set time period, the time period increases with each attempt to complete the said program.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6, wherein: said test program comprises the testing of the divided attention and tracking dexterity of the operator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 6, wherein: said test program comprises the testing of eye/hand coordination, vision and mental awareness.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for preventing the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle by an impaired operator, comprising: a recording device including the individual operators normal motor skill test results electronically stored thereon; a test module comprising a microprocessor including a recording device reader, a keypad, a test program delay are and means for enabling ignition; a test program electronically stored in said test module having means for displaying a motor skills test on said display are, means for comparing the results thereof with the test results stored on said recording device and with means for determining the ability of said operator to safely operate said vehicle; and said test module further including means for monitoring the position of the vehicle doors to prevent substitution of said operator.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
126 words
An apparatus for preventing the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle by an impaired operator, comprising: a recording device including the individual operators normal motor skill test results electronically stored thereon; a test module comprising a microprocessor including a recording device reader, a keypad, a test program delay are and means for enabling ignition; a test program electronically stored in said test module having means for displaying a motor skills test on said display are, means for comparing the results thereof with the test results stored on said recording device and with means for determining the ability of said operator to safely operate said vehicle; and said test module further including means for monitoring the position of the vehicle doors to prevent substitution of said operator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said test module includes means for storing on said recording device all attempts to operate said vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said test module includes means for disabling said ignition system until a satisfactory test result is achieved.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said keypad comprises a means for inputting responses to said test program.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said test module means for delaying a new attempt to satisfactorily respond to said test program.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said test program includes means for evaluating-in its place the physical and mental impairment of said operator to determine the operators ability to safely operate said vehicle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said test program includes a random number generator, random numbers displayed on said display area and the speed and accuracy of the operators ability to input the same random numbers evaluated against the normal speed and accuracy stored on said recording device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said test program includes light generating means for displaying on said display area a pair of light bars; said operator matching the size of said light bars on a similar pair of light bars by utilizing controls on said keypad; and the speed and accuracy of said operator compared with the normal test results stored on said recording device for evaluating the operators ability to safely operate said vehicle.
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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) | 1996-07-05 | 1997-01-04 | 1997-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-05 | 2001-01-04 | 2001-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-01-04 | 2005-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |