Chemical impairment detection system and method of use to reduce circumvention
View Patent ↗A chemical impairment detection system and method of use comprising a video surveillance system adapted to record a facial image of a tester, the video surveillance system having a camera with a lens having a field of view from which the camera views images and distinguishes whether those images have appropriate construction or contrast of light intensity. The invention further comprises a control and relay module having a proper view and position determiner adapted to determine whether the facial image of the tester is properly positioned within the field of view during a chemical impairment detection test, and a test prompter to alert the tester when to begin the chemical impairment detection test. The present invention further comprises a chemical impairment detection sampling device in operable communication with and responsive to the video surveillance system, the sampling device adapted to receive a chemical impairment detection test sample from the tester.
1. A chemical impairment detection system comprising:
a video surveillance system adapted to record a facial image of a tester, the video surveillance system having a camera with a lens having a field of view from which the camera views images, a control and relay module having a housing and a proper view and position determiner adapted to determine whether the facial image of the tester is properly positioned within the field of view during a chemical impairment detection test, and a test prompter to alert the tester when to begin the chemical impairment detection test; and
a chemical impairment detection sampling device in operable communication with and responsive to the video surveillance system, the sampling device adapted to receive a chemical impairment detection test sample from the tester.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the chemical impairment detection sampling device has a positioning reference and wherein the video surveillance system is adapted to sense the positioning reference.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the proper view and position determiner is adapted to track and analyze the positioning reference within the field of view.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the chemical impairment detection sampling device is comprised of a hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device having a mouth-piece for receiving a breath-alcohol sample.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the positioning reference is a target that is located opposite the mouth-piece for receiving the breath-alcohol sample.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the proper view and position determiner comprises non-transitory program code adapted to detect and track the target.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein the proper view and position determiner detects and tracks the target during the chemical impairment detection test.
8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a communication module in operable communication with an external receiver and adapted to facilitate the transfer of a chemical impairment detection test result and the facial image of the tester to the external receiver.
9. The system of claim 8 further comprising a test window alert to alert the tester of a time window during which the chemical impairment detection test must be commenced.
10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a vehicle ignition interlock that is in operable communication with the hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device.
11. A method for conducting a chemical impairment detection test comprising:
surveying a chemical impairment detection test site location with a video surveillance system, the video surveillance system having a camera with a lens having a field of view from which the camera views images;
determining whether a facial image of a tester is properly positioned within the field of view during the chemical impairment detection test;
then prompting the tester to provide a chemical impairment detection sample into a chemical impairment detection sampling device; and
recording the facial image of the tester.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising sensing a positioning reference by the video surveillance system.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:
tracking the position reference within the field of view; and
analyzing the position reference within the field of view.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising receiving a breath-alcohol sample from the tester via a mouth-piece of a hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising analyzing the breath-alcohol sample from the tester by the hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising transferring to an external receiver a chemical impairment detection result and the facial image of the tester.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising alerting the tester of a time window during which the chemical impairment test must be commenced.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising communicating with a vehicle ignition interlock whether the tester may start a vehicle.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:
starting a chemical impairment retest timer; and
initiating a chemical impairment retest.
20. A method for reducing circumvention of a chemical impairment detection test comprising:
turning the ignition switch of a vehicle to the on position;
activating a video surveillance system;
ensuring that a camera, located in the video surveillance system is at a proper operating temperature;
detecting a position reference located within a field of view of the camera;
prompting a tester to begin blowing into a hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device;
recording a facial image of the tester during the chemical impairment detection test;
analyzing whether the position reference remains within the field of view of the camera during the chemical impairment detection test;
determining whether the tester provided a requisite breath-alcohol sample;
evaluating the breath-alcohol content of the breath-alcohol sample from the tester;
communicating to a vehicle ignition interlock whether to allow the tester to start the vehicle;
monitoring the tester during the operation of the vehicle;
recording an image of the tester during the operation of the vehicle;
alerting the tester of a time window during which a chemical impairment detection retest must be commenced; and
communicating the results of the chemical impairment detection test and the facial image of the tester to an external receiver.
21. A method for conducting a chemical impairment detection test comprising:
surveying a chemical impairment detection test site location with a video surveillance system, the video surveillance system having a camera with a lens having a field of view from which the camera views images;
determining whether a facial image of a tester is properly positioned within the field of view during the chemical impairment detection test;
prompting the tester to provide a chemical impairment detection sample into a chemical impairment detection sampling device;
recording the facial image of the tester;
sensing a positioning reference by the video surveillance system;
tracking the position reference within the field of view;
analyzing the position reference within the field of view;
receiving a breath-alcohol sample from the tester via a mouth-piece of a hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device;
analyzing the breath-alcohol sample from the tester by the hand-held breath-alcohol sampling and analyzing device;
transferring to an external receiver a chemical impairment detection result and the facial image of the tester;
alerting the tester of a time window during which the chemical impairment test must be commenced; and
communicating with a vehicle ignition interlock whether the tester may start a vehicle.
22. The method of claim 21 further comprising:
starting a chemical impairment retest timer; and
initiating a chemical impairment retest.