US5362238A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for driver education that mimics intoxication
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1993-10-12
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Granted: 1994-11-08
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Expires: 2013-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A new realistic, inexpensive, adaptable, and portable driver education method that mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants through utilization of a simplified optics device in the form of specialized eyeglasses having binocular, manually-spinnable fresnel prism lenses is provided. The spinnable optics device simulates most of the toxic effects on the central nervous system which are induced by excess alcohol and/or drugs of abuse, resulting in distorted vision and spatial disorientation in the wearer. The driver education method involves the participants wearing the specialized eyeglasses while performing various ambulatory end non-ambulatory tasks.
Inventors
- 👤 Sidney H. Slavin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 11:27
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09B; G09B19/00; G09B19/16; G09B19/167; G09B9/00; G09B9/02; G09B9/04; G09B9/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics intoxication in the participants, comprising the steps of: (a) having a driver education participant perform a task while visually monitoring said participant during performance of said task; (b) positioning on the head of said participant an optics device adjusted to distort vision to simulate intoxication; (c) having said participant, wearing said optics device, repeat said task while visually monitoring said participant's repeat performance of said task; and (d) comparing said performances of said participant.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics intoxication in the participants, comprising the steps of: (a) having a driver education participant perform a task while visually monitoring said participant during performance of said task; (b) positioning on the head of said participant an optics device adjusted to distort vision to simulate intoxication; (c) having said participant, wearing said optics device, repeat said task while visually monitoring said participant's repeat performance of said task; and (d) comparing said performances of said participant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 1, wherein said optics device comprises: (a) ophthalmic frames having a bridge; (b) binocular, fresnel prism lenses, said lenses glued onto manually-spinnable plastic rims, said rims secured with retainer pins to said ophthalmic frees; (c) an adjustable strap, said strap attached to said ophthalmic frames; and (d) a level, said level glued onto the bridge of said ophthalmic frames.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 2, wherein said monitoring further comprises the step of filming said participant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 2, wherein said task comprises the step of walking on a straight line having stuffed toys placed along either side of said line, wherein said positioning of said optics device comprises the step of fastening a strap of said optics device, and wherein said adjusting of said optics device comprises the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the left or right position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 2, wherein said task comprises the step of walking along a path on a level, non-sloping surface, wherein said positioning of said optics device comprises the step of fastening a strap of said optics device, and wherein said adjusting of said optics device comprises the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the up or down position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 2, wherein said task is ambulatory in nature, wherein said positioning of said optics device comprises the step of fastening a strap of said optics device, and wherein said adjusting of said optics device comprises the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the desired position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 6, wherein said ambulatory task comprises the step of walking on a straight parking lot line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 6, wherein said ambulatory task comprises the step of walking a preset maze.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 6, wherein said ambulatory task comprises the step of walking a traffic cone slalom course.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 2, wherein said task is non-ambulatory in nature, wherein said positioning of said optics device comprises the step of fastening a strap of said optics device, and wherein said adjusting of said optics device comprises the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the desired position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 10, wherein said non-ambulatory task comprises the step of steering a dual brake control driver education vehicle, said vehicle's starting and stopping being controlled by a driver education instructor not wearing said optics device, and said vehicle moving at a maximum speed of five to 15 miles per hour.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 10, wherein said non-ambulatory task comprises the step of steering a cart.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 10, wherein said non-ambulatory task comprises the step of throwing and catching a ball with another party.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 10, wherein said non-ambulatory task comprises the step of touching target objects.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics intoxication in the participants, comprising the steps of: (a) having a driver education participant perform a task while visually monitoring said participant during performance of said task; (b) positioning on the head of a driver education participant an optics device, said optics device comprising specialized eyeglasses having binocular, manually-spinnable fresnel prism lenses, said positioning of said optics device comprising the step of fastening a strap of said optics device and adjusting said optics device, said adjusting comprising the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the desired position; (c) having said participant, wearing said optics device, repeat said task while visually monitoring said participant's repeat performance of said task; and (d) comparing said performances of said participant.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
134 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics intoxication in the participants, comprising the steps of: (a) having a driver education participant perform a task while visually monitoring said participant during performance of said task; (b) positioning on the head of a driver education participant an optics device, said optics device comprising specialized eyeglasses having binocular, manually-spinnable fresnel prism lenses, said positioning of said optics device comprising the step of fastening a strap of said optics device and adjusting said optics device, said adjusting comprising the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the desired position; (c) having said participant, wearing said optics device, repeat said task while visually monitoring said participant's repeat performance of said task; and (d) comparing said performances of said participant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 15, wherein said monitoring further comprises the step of filming said participant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 15, wherein said task further comprises an ambulatory task.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 15, wherein said task further comprises a non-ambulatory task.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics intoxication in the participants, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning on the head of a driver education participant an optics device, said optics device comprising specialized eyeglasses having binocular, manually-spinnable fresnel prism lenses, said positioning of said optics device comprising the step of fastening a strap of said optics device and adjusting said optics device, if not pre-adjusted, said adjusting comprising the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the desired position; (b) having said participant, wearing said optics device, perform a task while being visually monitored by a second party; and (c) reviewing said participant's impressions received during performance of said task.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics intoxication in the participants, comprising the steps of: (a) positioning on the head of a driver education participant an optics device, said optics device comprising specialized eyeglasses having binocular, manually-spinnable fresnel prism lenses, said positioning of said optics device comprising the step of fastening a strap of said optics device and adjusting said optics device, if not pre-adjusted, said adjusting comprising the step of rotating prism apexes of at least one fresnel lens of said optics device to the desired position; (b) having said participant, wearing said optics device, perform a task while being visually monitored by a second party; and (c) reviewing said participant's impressions received during performance of said task.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method for driver education that harmlessly mimics the effects of intoxication in the participants as recited in claim 19, wherein said monitoring further comprises the step of filming said participant.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR50325E
Cited
US3918176A
Cited
US4058911A
Cited
US4522474A
Cited
US4698564A
Cited
EP0299911A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-07 | 1998-05-09 | 1998-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-07 | 2002-05-09 | 2002-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-07 | 2006-05-09 | 2006-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |