SUBSTANCE TESTING DEVICES WITH PHOTO IDENTIFICATION
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to ignition interlock devices, such as
are used in vehicles of drivers with DUI convictions (who, e.g., are endowed with special driving privileges and are in that connection under supervision by a probation
officer or the state as a condition of such privileges).
Background Art
Essentially, an ignition interlock is a device that includes a breathalyzer which
prohibits a vehicle from starting if the breathalyzer returns a reading of "under the influence" (i.e., corresponding to a statutory level of impairment or even a lower level of impairment prescribed by the manufacturer). Several courts throughout the U.S.
are now requiring that interlock devices be placed in vehicles operated by individuals
convicted of DUI offenses. The "LIFESAFER" (TM) ignition interlock system of the
LifeSafer Interlock company (Cincinnati, Ohio) is a well-known conventional
example. In it, a buzz tone is emitted during a breathalyzer test to indicate when a
deep breath sample containing alveolar air has been provided and, thus, is sufficient to
be analyzed.
It has been found that a major drawback of conventional interlock devices is
that they might not be effective in deterring DUI offenses if an individual other than
the defendant (i.e., the person who has been assigned the interlock device) actually
operates the interlock. For instance, a defendant who is once again "under the
influence" still might be able to operate the vehicle by asking his/her friend or spouse to supply a "clean" breath sample that will unlock the ignition.
A general solution that has been sought to eradicate this "loophole" has been to require an original "breath pattern" from the defendant against which subsequent attempts to unlock the ignition are compared; this helps thwart the occurrence of non- genuine breath samples. Examples of such an arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Patent
Nos. 4,738,333, 4,912,458 and 4,901,058. However, this solution has been found to present numerous difficulties and drawbacks. For instance, accuracy in comparing "breath patterns" can be highly elusive.
U.S. Patent No. 6,229,908 discloses an ignition interlock system in which an individual's fingerprint may be used to verify his/her identity and blood-alcohol
content is determined using spectroscopic analysis of the finger from which the
fingerprint is obtained. Aside from cost considerations, a major drawback to such a
device is that for purposes of motor vehicle operation, state statutes specify the
manner in which blood-alcohol content is to be determined and spectroscopic analysis
is generally not so specified. Rather, the use of a breathalyzer is typically called for.
It would not be sufficient to use fingerprint authentication for interlock devices,
because as discussed above, the defendant may provide the authentication while
someone else supplies a "clean" breath.
A need has therefore been recognized in connection with providing an
effective, foolproof ignition interlock device that precludes loopholes of the type
described above.
Disclosure Of The Invention
In accordance with at least one presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is contemplated that a system be provided that obtains a photographic image of an individual attempting to disengage an ignition interlock device.
Preferably, the photographic image is obtained simultaneously with a breath being blown into the breathalyzer device. Response of the breathalyzer device may
preferably be recorded by time and date along with the obtained image. On a periodic basis, photographed images can then be reviewed during routine maintenance, in order
to adequately ascertain whether the operator of the vehicle (or other machinery) in
each instance indeed corresponded to the individual for whom the interlock device
was intended.
In summary, the present invention provides, in one aspect, an apparatus for
identifying one or more individuals impaired by a controlled substance, the apparatus
comprising: a detection device being adapted to ascertain the degree to which an
individual is affected by a controlled substance; and a photographic unit; the
photographic unit being operable, responsive to the detection device, to facilitate
photographic identification of an individual tested by the detection device who is
affected by a controlled substance beyond a predetermined threshold level.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of identifying one or more individuals impaired by a controlled substance, the method comprising the steps of: providing a photographic unit; ascertaining the degree to which an
individual is affected by a controlled substance; and operating the photographic unit, responsive to the ascertaining step, to facilitate photographic identification of an individual who is affected by a controlled substance beyond a predetermined threshold level.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and
further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the scope of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.
Brief Description Of The Drawings
Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an ignition interlock device with photo identification.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a motor vehicle 100 or other machinery in
which an ignition interlock device, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the
present invention, may be employed.
An ignition 102 of the vehicle 100 (or other machinery) may be engageable via interlock device 104. Interlock device 104 preferably includes a breathalyzer 106. A
photographic unit 108, on the other hand, preferably includes a photographic apparatus 110 and image storage arrangement 112.
Preferably, an individual (who is likely a defendant required to use an ignition interlock device), when wishing to start the ignition 102, will take a test with breathalyzer 106 in conventional manner (e.g. via emitting a sufficient blow of his/her breath into the equipment). If the test determines a state of "under the influence"
then, per usual, the interlock device 104 will engage to prevent activation of ignition 102 and, thus, operation of the vehicle 100 or other machinery. Preferably,
breathalyzer 106 will also include an arrangement (as conventionally known) for
determining whether a breath sample provided by the operator is suitable for testing in
the first place. As discussed below, this arrangement will preferably serve to provide
an activation prompt to photographic unit 108. Thus, in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention, the activation of photographic unit 108 will
immediately prompt photographic apparatus 110 to take a picture of the individual
who is in the process of taking a breathalyzer test. Thus, the photographic apparatus
110 will preferably be mounted in such a manner as to obtain a good view of an
individual in the position at which the breathalyzer test is being taken (e.g. it could be
mounted inside an automobile and aimed towards the driver's seat). The image storage arrangement 112, preferably integral with the photographic apparatus 110, will
preferably be suitable for storing the obtained photographic image until such a time that it and other stored images are reviewed to determine whether the image of the
photographed individual corresponds to the individual for whom the ignition interlock device is intended. In other words, for example, photographed images (preferably those corresponding to a "failure" condition, or an impaired state of one or more
individuals) can be reviewed on a periodic basis during routine maintenance, in order to adequately ascertain whether the operator of the vehicle (or other machinery) in each instance indeed corresponded to the individual for whom the interlock device
was intended. Conceivably, when a "failure" state is indicated for a particular incident, a court may be notified. It should well be appreciated that by having an
image of an individual who was being tested at the time of a "failure", a court would
have the ability to confidently enforce violations of probation orders (e.g., by
preventing a defendant from asserting that someone else was being tested at that point in time).
As discussed above, interlock device 104 will preferably provide a prompt in
order for photographic unit 108 to be activated. Although such a prompt may take any
of a large number of conceivable forms, it is presently contemplated in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention that the prompt be an audible prompt (wherein the photographic unit 108 would include an appropriate audio receptor, not
shown, that is suitable for detecting the audible prompt and thence activating the
photographic apparatus 110). In a further refinement, such an audible prompt could be similar to the buzz tone associated with the aforementioned "LIFESAFER" (TM) interlock device, whereby the buzz tone would serve to activate the photographic unit
108.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
photographic apparatus 110 and image storage arrangement 112 are integrated into a single, cohesive unit (e.g. in a common housing). The "SILENT WITNESS" (TM)
camera manufactured by Silent Witness Enterprises Ltd., Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, represents a highly favorable arrangement that could function as just
described, that is, which includes both a camera and an image storage arrangement.
Although in a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention it is
contemplated that an ignition interlock device be employed in an automobile or other
motor vehicle, it is conceivable to employ the interlock device in other settings. For
instance, the machinery 100 illustrated in Fig. 1 could be in the form of machinery at a
factory or plant (e.g. a printing press, lathe machinery, etc.) that would only be
operable upon a worker taking a breathalyzer test and being positively identified via a
photographic apparatus, in a manner similar to that discussed heretofore.
Several advantages are apparent in connection with an ignition interlock
device in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention.
Employers may find such a device highly desirable as it may accord protection from
liability in situations where there might otherwise be an accident as a result of a worker who is intoxicated (or otherwise affected by a controlled substance beyond a predetermined threshold level) on the job. Settings where this may be useful could include, for example, public transportation companies (where, for instance, bus or
trolley drivers would undergo the breathalyzer test prior to operating a vehicle), trucking companies, and even in manufacturing environments, as described above, in which heavy or complex machinery is operated and in which significant dangers are presented if an operator is otherwise intoxicated (or otherwise affected by a controlled
substance beyond a predetermined threshold level).
Another potential employment setting would be a timeclock apparatus. In this
scenario, photographic images would be obtained of employees, "punching in" to a
timeclock, who are impaired by a controlled substance. Any employee so impaired
would thus be deterred from having another individual punch the timeclock in his/her
place. Such an embodiment would appear to be appropriate in instances, e.g., in
which an employer may wish to bar an employee, who is impaired by a given
controlled substance beyond a given threshold level, from working that day (or after
lunch, when an employee may have had access to alcohol), regardless of whether or
not the employee is to operate machinery.
It is believed that the inclusion of a photographic apparatus in an ignition interlock device in a motor vehicle or other machinery will provide an additional
deterrence factor that may help reduce the likelihood of drunk driving (or impaired machine operation) even further. Particularly, the mere presence of the photographic apparatus, through profound psychological effect, may well provide a significant
impetus for an individual to avoid even contemplating any type of loophole for circumventing the interlock.
Although the use of photographic apparatus and image identification has been utilized in "home arrest" settings, it is believed that the presently contemplated use of
photographic apparatus and positive identification in connection with the operation of motor vehicles or other machinery has never been contemplated. In a "home arrest"
setting, an individual who is confined to the home for part or all of the day and who
wears a tracking device, such as an ankle bracelet, to deter unwarranted flight, may be
required to "check in" at a breathalyzer device in the home at predetermined times, or
even at random times, throughout the day in order to impart a standard of behavior
modification. Among many other possibilities, a visual image of the individual may
then be transmitted over a communications link to present a visual image of the
prisoner, e.g., at a police station or monitoring service. However, the "home arrest"
arrangement just described does not serve to prevent or allow the operation of
machinery. (An example of such a "home arrest" arrangement may be found in U.S.
Patent No. 4,843,377.)
Though the disclosure heretofore has largely focused on contexts in which alcohol consumption is consumed, it should be understood that the embodiments of
the present invention are applicable to other types of controlled substances as well, such as, for example, a narcotic drug (e.g., cocaine, heroin or marijuana). In such cases, appropriate detection equipment would be interfaced with an interlock in a vehicle or other machinery and could preferably operate in substantially similar manner as the inventive equipment described heretofore in connection with alcohol.
Though the disclosure heretofore has largely contemplated the use of
photographic apparatus to record "still" shots of an individual, such as a digital camera that takes "snapshots", it should be understood that essentially any type of
photographic equipment, configured for producing essentially any type of still or
moving record of an individual, could be used, such as a VHS camera or camcorder.
If not otherwise stated herein, it is to be assumed that all patents, patent
applications, patent publications and other publications (including web-based
publications) mentioned and cited herein are hereby fully incorporated by reference
herein as if set forth in their entirety herein.
Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been
described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood
that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without
departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.