IP Library Granted Patent US 12,453,511
Granted Patent B2
US 12,453,511 · App. 18/117,102 · Granted Oct 28, 2025

Systems and methods for confirmation of intoxication determination

Inventors: Caroline Chung (Royal Oak, MI); Thomas Herbert (Fenton, MI)
Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS, LLC
A61B5/4845A61B5/0077A61B5/0205A61B5/05A61B5/4863A61B5/6893A61B5/7475G01N21/3504G01N33/4972G06T7/248G06V10/80G06V20/597G06V40/20G06V40/67A61B5/02444A61B2503/22B60K28/063G06T2207/30041
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,453,511
App. No.
18/117,102
Granted
Oct 28, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An intoxication detection system of a vehicle includes: a passive breath sensor configured to measure an amount of an intoxicant present within a passenger cabin of the vehicle; a camera configured to capture images including a driver on a driver's seat within the passenger cabin of the vehicle; an intoxication indication module configured to: selectively determine that the driver is intoxicated when the amount of the intoxicant is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount of the intoxicant; trigger performance of a test to confirm whether the driver is intoxicated when the amount of intoxicant is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount of the intoxicant; and selectively indicate that the intoxication of the driver is confirmed when nystagmus is detected in the driver based on images from the camera during performance of the test.

Claims (44)

1 . An intoxication detection system of a vehicle, comprising:

a passive breath sensor configured to measure an amount of an intoxicant present within a passenger cabin of the vehicle;

a camera configured to capture images including a driver on a driver's seat within the passenger cabin of the vehicle;

an intoxication indication module configured to:

selectively determine that the driver is intoxicated when the amount of the intoxicant is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount of the intoxicant;

trigger performance of a test to confirm whether the driver is intoxicated when the amount of intoxicant is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount of the intoxicant; and

selectively indicate that the intoxication of the driver is confirmed when nystagmus is detected in the driver based on images from the camera during performance of the test.

2 . The intoxication detection system of claim 1 wherein the nystagmus is a horizontal gaze nystagmus.

3 . The intoxication detection system of claim 1 wherein the nystagmus is a vertical gaze nystagmus.

4 . The intoxication detection system of claim 1 further comprising a testing module configured to, in response to being triggered by the intoxication indication module, at least one of:

audibly output to the driver, via a speaker, an instruction for the driver to move eyes of the driver in a first direction; and

visibly output to the driver, via a display, an instruction for the driver to move the driver's eyes in the first direction,

wherein the intoxication indication module is configured to detect the nystagmus based on images from the camera at least one of:

during the movement of the eyes of the driver in the first direction; and

while the eyes of the driver are in the first direction.

5 . The intoxication detection system of claim 4 wherein the testing module is further configured to, after instructing the driver to move the driver's eyes in the first direction, at least one of:

audibly output to the driver, via the speaker, a second instruction for the driver to move the driver's eyes in a second direction; and

visibly output to the driver, via the display, a second instruction for the driver to move the driver's eyes in the second direction,

wherein the intoxication indication module is configured to detect the nystagmus based on images from the camera at least one of:

during the movement of the eyes of the driver in the second direction; and

while the eyes of the driver are in the second direction.

6 . The intoxication detection system of claim 5 wherein the testing module is further configured to, after instructing the driver to move the driver's eyes in the second direction, at least one of:

audibly output to the driver, via the speaker, a third instruction for the driver to move the driver's eyes in a third direction; and

visibly output to the driver, via the display, a third instruction for the driver to move the driver's eyes in the third direction,

wherein the intoxication indication module is configured to detect the nystagmus based on images from the camera at least one of:

during the movement of the eyes of the driver in the third direction; and

while the eyes of the driver are in the third direction.

7 . The intoxication detection system of claim 1 wherein the intoxication indication module is configured to detect the nystagmus when a change in position of a pupil of an eye of the driver between two images from the camera during performance of the test is greater than a predetermined distance.

8 . The intoxication detection system of claim 1 wherein the intoxication indication module is configured to indicate that the intoxication of the driver is confirmed when both (a) a present heart rate of the driver is different than a baseline heart rate for the driver by at least a predetermined amount.

9 . The intoxication detection system of claim 8 further comprising:

a radar sensor configured to output radar signals toward the driver's seat and receive signals reflected back to the radar sensor; and

a parameter module configured to determine the present heart rate of the driver based on the signals received by the radar sensor.

10 . The intoxication detection system of claim 9 wherein a baseline module is configured to selectively update the baseline heart rate for the driver based on signals received by the radar sensor when the amount of the intoxicant present within the passenger cabin of the vehicle measured by the passive breath sensor is zero.

11 . The intoxication detection system of claim 1 wherein the intoxication indication module is configured to indicate that the intoxication of the driver is confirmed when both (a) nystagmus is detected in the driver based on images from the camera during performance of the test and (b) a present breathing rate of the driver is different than a baseline breathing rate for the driver by at least a predetermined amount.

12 . The intoxication detection system of claim 11 further comprising:

a radar sensor configured to output radar signals toward the driver's seat and receive signals reflected back to the radar sensor; and

a parameter module configured to determine the present breathing rate of the driver based on the signals received by the radar sensor.

13 . The intoxication detection system of claim 1 wherein the intoxication indication module is configured to indicate that the intoxication of the driver is confirmed when both (a) nystagmus is detected in the driver based on images from the camera during performance of the test and (b) a rate of change of a diameter of a pupil of the driver is one of less than and greater than a predetermined change.

14 . The intoxication detection system of claim 13 wherein the intoxication indication module is configured to determine the rate of change of the diameter of the pupil based on a difference between (a) a first diameter of the pupil of the driver in a first image from the camera at a first time and (b) a second diameter of the pupil of the driver in a second image from the camera at a second time that is after the first time.

15 . The intoxication detection system of claim 14 further comprising a testing module configured to adjust light output of a light source within the passenger cabin before the rate of change is determined.

16 . The intoxication detection system of claim 1 wherein the passive breath sensor includes a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensor.

17 . The intoxication detection system of claim 1 wherein the intoxicant is alcohol.

18 . The intoxication detection system of claim 1 wherein the intoxication indication module is further configured to selectively output an indicator that the driver is not intoxicated when the amount of the intoxicant is less than the predetermined amount of the intoxicant.

19 . The intoxication detection system of claim 1 further comprising a testing module configured to adjust light output of a light source within the passenger cabin for the test.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 22, 2024
From: VEONEER US, LLC
To: MAGNA ELECTRONICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 066660/0953 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2023
From: CHUNG, CAROLINE; HERBERT, THOMAS
To: VEONEER US LLC
Reel/Frame 062875/0326 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240293080A1 · Sep 5, 2024
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