Granted Patent B2

US 12,339,263 · App. 18/632,784 · Granted Jun 24, 2025

Inventors: Douglas Edward DeVries (Johnston, IA); Scott Ruland (Kansas City, MO)

Assignee: Consumer Safety Technology, LLC

G01N33/0006G01N33/4972

Abstract

Claims (39)

1. A detection device data transfer system, comprising:

a volatile memory and a nonvolatile memory;

a computerized data transfer module operable to execute a data transfer procedure; and

an interface operable to couple the detection device to a remote server using a connection such that data stored on the detection device can be transferred from the detection device to the remote server using the detection device data transfer system without storing the data in the nonvolatile memory;

wherein the transferred data comprises secured data that is not provided to or exposed to a technician performing the data transfer procedure; and

wherein the secured data comprises at least one of user history, total vehicle start attempts, successful vehicle start attempts, unsuccessful vehicle start attempts, test results corresponding to one or more vehicle start attempts, retest results, raw sensor data, temperature, time of stored events, malfunctions, and diagnostic test results.

2. The detection device data transfer system of claim 1 , wherein the detection device data transfer system is hardened such that the detection device data transfer system is limited in functionality to reduce an ability of installers or technicians to perform unauthorized functions.

3. The detection device data transfer system of claim 2 , wherein the detection device data transfer system does not provide a web browser, a control-alt-delete function, or an ability to install new applications to the installers or technicians.

4. The detection device data transfer system of claim 1 , wherein, after the data stored on the detection device has been downloaded to the remote server, the detection device data transfer system erases the data from volatile memory on the data transfer module.

5. The detection device data transfer system of claim 1 , wherein the detection device comprises an ignition interlock device.

6. The detection device data transfer system of claim 1 , wherein the interface couples the detection device to the remote server using a connection employing a cryptographic function, wherein the cryptographic function comprises at least one of the group of public key encryption, private key encryption, cryptographic authentication, cryptographic identification, digital signature, hash function, elliptic curve encryption, secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption, and transport layer security (TLS) to secure the detection device coupling to the remote server.

7. The detection device detection device data transfer system of claim 1 , wherein the data stored on the detection device is obfuscated to deter tampering and the data transfer system is configured to receive the obfuscated data stored on the detection device.

8. A method of operating a detection device data transfer system, comprising:

connecting a computerized data transfer module to a detection device for data transfer;

executing a data transfer procedure comprising:

downloading data stored on the detection device to a remote server without storing the data stored on the detection device in nonvolatile memory on the data transfer module through a secure connection between the remote server and the detection device using the data transfer module, wherein the data transfer module comprises volatile memory and nonvolatile memory; and

securing at least a portion of the transferred data such that the secured data is not provided to or exposed to a technician performing the data transfer procedure; wherein the secured data comprises at least one of user history, total vehicle start attempts, successful vehicle start attempts, unsuccessful vehicle start attempts, test results corresponding to one or more vehicle start attempts, retest results, raw sensor data, temperature, time of stored events, malfunctions, and diagnostic test results.

9. The method of operating the detection device data transfer system of claim 8 , wherein downloading data stored on the detection device is performed as part of executing the data transfer procedure before calibrating the detection device.

10. The method of operating the detection device data transfer system of claim 8 , wherein downloading data stored on the detection device comprises:

transferring the data stored on the detection device between the detection device and the data transfer module; and

transferring the data stored on the detection device between the data transfer module and the remote server employing a cryptographic function.

11. The method of operating the detection device data transfer system of claim 8 , wherein the data transfer module provides a wide area network (WAN) interface between the connected detection device and the remote server.

12. The method of operating the detection device data transfer system of claim 8 , comprising:

installing generic firmware on the connected detection device that does not permit normal operation of the connected detection device before logs are downloaded; and

installing jurisdiction-specific operable firmware after device is calibrated.

13. A method of operating a detection device data transfer system, comprising:

connecting the detection device data transfer system to a detection device for calibration;

before calibrating the detection device, initiating a calibration mode using calibration firmware on the detection device;

after calibrating the detection device, initiating an operational mode using operational firmware on the detection device;

wherein the operational firmware is configured to determine a concentration of a user's sample and the determination of substance concentration allows a vehicle connected to the detection device to start if the concentration of the user is below a threshold;

wherein the calibration mode is configured to perform functions specific to calibrating a sensing element of the detection device; and

wherein the calibration mode is not configured to make the determination of substance concentration that allows the vehicle connected to the detection device to start if the concentration of the user is below the threshold.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the operational firmware is jurisdiction-specific operational firmware comprising information specific to a jurisdiction in which the detection device will be used.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the information specific to the jurisdiction in which the detection device will be used comprises acceptable tolerances and retest rates for the jurisdiction.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the operational firmware comprises customer profile information that modifies operation of the detection device.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the operational firmware is configurable to permit a reduced air volume for tests for a user who has reduced lung capacity and wherein the customer profile information comprises an indication of reduced lung capacity.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the calibration firmware stores calibration data in the detection device.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the calibration firmware can be configured to perform functional tests on the detection device apart from calibration tests.

20. The method of claim 13 , further comprising downloading data stored on the detection device to a remote server through a connection between the remote server and the detection device using the detection device data transfer system.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (5)

References Cited (400)