IP Library Granted Patent US 7,658,255
Granted Patent B2
US 7,658,255 · App. 10/548,273 · Granted Feb 9, 2010

Device for preventing a driver under the influence of drugs to use a motor vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,658,255
App. No.
10/548,273
Granted
Feb 9, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

Device intended to prevent a driver under the influence of alcohol from activating a vehicle's starting mechanism with the aid of a starter, such as an ignition key or a starter card, comprising structure for collecting specimens from the driver for analyzing the alcohol concentration in the specimen that makes it possible to activate the starting mechanism with the aid of a starter depending on a signal from the analyzing unit.

Claims (19)

1. Device to prevent a driver under the influence of a drug from activating a vehicle's starting mechanism with the aid of the driver's starter unit, the device comprising:

an analyzing unit to collect at least one specimen from the driver and to analyze a drug concentration in the specimen, wherein the vehicle's starting mechanism comprises a signal receiving unit to receive one or more electronically transmitted, wireless signals from a first signal generating unit associated with the starter unit and to receive one or more electronically transmitted signals sent directly or indirectly from a second signal generating unit associated with the analyzing unit,

wherein the vehicle's starting mechanism is prevented or impeded from activation depending on the signal from the first signal generating unit and the signal from the second signal generating unit generated when the drug concentration in the specimen is higher than a limit prescribed.

2. Device according to claim 1 , whereby the first signal generating unit is activated when a signal is given by the analyzing unit.

3. Device according to claim 1 , whereby signal transfer is by means of radio waves or IR light.

4. Device according to claim 1 , whereby the analyzing unit comprises a code lock to activate the analyzing unit.

5. Device according to claim 1 , whereby the specimen is taken from the driver's breath.

6. Device according to claim 1 , whereby the drug refers to alcohol.

7. Device according to claim 1 , wherein the starter unit comprises an ignition key.

8. Device according to claim 1 , wherein the starter unit comprises a starter card.

9. A safety device for preventing or impeding operation of a vehicle, the safety device comprising:

a signal generating unit to generate an electronically transmitted, wireless first signal;

an analyzing unit to collect at least one specimen and to generate an electronically transmitted second signal in accordance with drug concentration in the specimen; and

a signal receiving unit configured to receive or accept the first signal if the second signal indicates that the drug concentration in the specimen is less than a predetermined amount.

10. Device according to claim 9 , wherein the signal generating unit includes a driver's card or key and the signal receiving unit is configured to be provided to a starting mechanism of the vehicle.

11. Device according to claim 10 , wherein the starting mechanism comprises an ignition switch.

12. Device according to claim 9 , wherein the analyzing unit is formed integrally with the signal generator unit.

13. Device according to claim 9 , wherein the analyzing unit is operable to generate an electronically transmitted third wireless third signal and send it to the signal receiving unit if the drug concentration is less than the predetermined amount.

14. Device according to claim 9 , further comprising a lock to verify authorization to use the vehicle before the analyzing unit can be activated.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST (SECOND LIEN) Recorded Dec 18, 2021
From: 1A SMART START LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 058548/0299 →
SECURITY INTEREST (FIRST LIEN) Recorded Dec 18, 2021
From: 1A SMART START LLC
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 058548/0316 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE FROM LICENSE TO ASSIGNMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 045952 FRAME: 0807. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT . Recorded Oct 26, 2021
From: TROCADERO CONSULTING AB
To: 1A SMART START LLC
Reel/Frame 057922/0941 →
LICENSE Recorded May 31, 2018
From: TROCADERO CONSULTING AB
To: 1A SMART START LLC
Reel/Frame 045952/0807 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 4, 2005
From: NORDIN, STEFAN
To: TROCADERO CONSULTING AB
Reel/Frame 017289/0933 →