A SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE EXISTENCE OF ILLEGAL ACTIVE SUBSTANCES IN A DRIVER OF A VEHICLE

Abstract

There is provided a system for the measuring of the BAC and/or possible existence of illegal active substances in a driver (4) of a vehicle, the system characterized in that it comprises: a first portable device (1) which comprises at least one sensor for detecting the BAC and/or other illegal active substances of said driver (4); and a second device (2) fixedly mounted on the vehicle and which it is interfaced with said first portable device (1) to receive/send one or more electrical signals to a control unit, the latter being mounted on said vehicle; the arrangement being such that said electrical signals from said second device (2) are related to the detected/sensed values of BAC and/or other illegal active substances and coming from said first device (1), and said control unit being adapted to control the management of the whole vehicle consequently and according to the values of said electrical signals.

Claims

1. A system for the measuring of the BAC and/or possible existence of illegal active substances in a driver of a vehicle, comprising: A first portable device which comprises at least one sensor for detecting the BAC and/or other illegal active substances of said driver; and A second device fixedly mounted on the vehicle and which it is interfaced with said first portable device to receive/send one or more electrical signals to a control unit, the latter being mounted on said vehicle; the arrangement being such that said electrical signals from said second device are related to the detected/sensed values of BAC and/or other illegal active substances and coming from said first device, and said control unit being adapted to control the management of the whole vehicle consequently and according to the values of said electrical signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said first portable device comprises at least one sensor for detecting the presence of ethanol in the sweat of the hands of said driver and/or at least one sensor for detecting the presence of illegal active drugs through the analysis of the sweat of the hands of the driver.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first portable device enables access of the driver to the vehicle only on passing the analysis test of BAC and/or the presence of illegal substances in his sweat of the hands.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said first device interfaces with said second device inside the vehicle, and said second interface device it is mounted in the vehicle at a region of the dashboard which is accessible to only the driver of the vehicle when the latter is in the driving condition.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a detecting device of the alcohol vapours inside the cabin vehicle and at the driver region of the cabin.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a voice and interpretation sensing device for the voice testing on the driver.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of detecting device to detect the presence of the driver's hands onto the steering wheel (3).

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said first portable device comprises a sensing surface adapted to provide a sweat analysis surface for the driver when the latter puts his fingers onto said detecting surface and for a predetermined period of time.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said first portable device comprises light devices for the signalling the outcome of the analysis by the sensors.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein only in case of positive outcome of the analysis, the portable device (1) enables accessing and/or starting of the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said second interface device it is arranged at a region accessible only to the driver while driving, said region being at the part of the dashboard comprised between the steering wheel and the vehicle's door.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said second interface device comprises a region for housing or docking said first portable device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the portable device interfaces with the interface device via a contactless technology by a Transponder.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the portable device interfaces with the interface device via a contactless technology by Bluetooth.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein said control unit it is arranged downstream of the second device and manages all data from all devices of the system, and at the same time controls the handling of the vehicle.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein during driving the driver interacts with the first portable device through one hand and without removing said portable device from the interface device, and at the same time while keeping the other hand engaged on the steering wheel.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the system runs an reiterated analysis on the driver even during the driving and subsequently to the first analysis before boarding the vehicle.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein onto the steering wheel there are provided detecting regions each adapted to detect the presence of the hand of the driver onto the steering wheel and to communicate this information to said control unit.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said control unit performs the control of the effective presence of the driver during the analysis by checking the presence of the hand onto the steering wheel and the other hand onto the mobile device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said detecting regions are circumferentially arranged on the entire surface of the steering wheel and both at the front and at the rear thereof.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the system for detecting the existence of illegal active substances in a driver of a vehicle of the present invention will now be given, by way of a non limiting example, and making reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates a first portable device according to the system of the present invention during its use;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a passenger compartment and a dashboard of a vehicle which incorporates the system of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the position of the driver during operation of the system and the detection of the BAC according to the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the steering wheel which incorporates a device for detection of presence according to the system of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a schematic view that partially illustrates the position of the hands of a driver on a steering wheel while driving; and

[0029] The 6 is a schematic view illustrating the position of a driver's hands during detection of the device according to the present invention.

[0030] With reference now to the figures it will be described the operation of each device of the system of the present invention and their mutual interfacing.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a first portable device which comprises a body 1 which encloses at least one sensor for detecting the BAC and/or other illegal active substances existing in the sweat of the hands of a person concerned. With this aim, on the body 1 it is formed a detection surface 10 adapted to provide the sweat analysis surface for the driver when he holds with his fingers said surface.

[0032] According to the system, it is sufficient that the user grasps the device for a period of time established (and necessary to perform the analysis by the sensor). Following the analysis, the result (positive or negative) it will be indicated by light devices 11 on the main body 1.

[0033] Only in case of positive outcome of the analysis, the portable device 1 enables the opening of the doors or the ignition of the vehicle (the latter not shown).

[0034] With reference now to FIG. 2 there is illustrated a dashboard of a vehicle which incorporates the system of the present invention. According to the system, there is provided a second device 2 for interfacing with the first portable device 1, the second interfacing device 2 it is mounted at a dashboard region which is accessible only to the driver of the vehicle while he is in the driving position, i.e. at the part of the dashboard which is provided between the steering wheel 3 and the vehicle's door (the latter not shown in the figure).

[0035] The second interface device 2 provides a region for housing the first portable device 1 according to a docking type connection. More precisely, the system of the present invention provides that the portable device 1 interfaces with the device 2 via a contactless technology such as, for example, transponder, or Bluetooth, or the like.

[0036] In this way it is possible to transmit data to/from the first device 1 and the second device 2.

[0037] The system of the present invention also provides a control unit downstream of the second device and connected with the latter which control and manages all the information from all the devices of the system of the present invention, and at the same time it controls the management of the vehicle (better illustrated below).

[0038] With reference now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated the operation between the first portable device 1, the second interface device 2 and a vehicle's driver 4.

[0039] More precisely, it is expected that even while driving the driver 4 can access the first portable device 1 in its housing interfacing 2. In fact, the arrangement is such that the driver 4 while driving can easily reach with the fingers of the hand the portable device 1 even if the other hand is engaged on the steering wheel 3.

[0040] It will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the relevant technical field that under this provision, it is possible to make an analysis on the driver while driving. In fact, in this way it can be performed an analysis on the driver of the values of the BAC and/or other substances even while driving, and transmitting the relevant data to the control unit of the vehicle directly from the portable device 1 via the second interfacing device 2.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the present invention it is provided that the system will conduct a repeated analysis on the driver during the driving and after passing the first check before boarding onto the vehicle.

[0042] With the above aim and with reference now to FIG. 4, according to the system of the present invention it is provided that on the steering wheel 3 there are provided a number of sensing regions 30 (via an impedance meter) each adapted to detect the physical presence of the hand of the driver onto the steering wheel 3 in the manner already known in the art.

[0043] It should here be specified that the detection of the presence of a driver's hand onto the steering wheel 3 while driving it is crucial for providing the enabling signal to the control unit of the actual presence of the driver during the analysis in motion on the first portable device 1. More precisely, according to the system of the present invention it is provided that the control unit has to check the effective presence of the driver during the analysis by executing the control of the presence of the hand on the steering wheel 3 and the other hand on the portable device 1.

[0044] In this manner it is practically impossible to trick the control unit, i.e. in the case in which the driver's hand under analysis be replaced by another person (not intoxicated) and during the analysis and the driving simultaneously.

[0045] With reference now to FIGS. 5 and 6 there is illustrated the position of the driver's hands while driving and during analysis, respectively.

[0046] The sensing/metering regions 30 are arranged circumferentially on the entire surface of the steering wheel 3 (front and rear) and in such a manner as to ensure a reliable reading even with a single hand, when the latter grasps the steering wheel 3.

[0047] Further to the above illustrated sensing/analysing devices, the system off the present invention can further include the following devices or sensors arranged in the vehicle: [0048] Driver detecting sensor onto the driver's seat; [0049] Sensor for detecting the position of the hands on the steering wheel 3; [0050] Detection sensor of the BAC inside the cabin and at the driving position (i.e., sampling of the air inside the cabin from the front to the driving position); [0051] Voice sensor for detecting the driver's voice; and [0052] Sensor for detecting of muscle strength of the hands on the steering wheel (hand grip test).

[0053] Operation

[0054] Detecting the Presence of the Actual Driver

[0055] According to the invention, it is provided that the system first verifies the presence of the actual driver in the driving seat by detecting the presence on the seat by means of position or presence sensor on the seat (for example, the sensors already used for the alarm safety belts not connected). In this case, he should not raise from the seat during the entire analysis cycle.

[0056] Once verified the presence of the driver 4 at the driving position, the system initiates an audible message indicating the start of the sequenced analysis for the detection of BAC and/or other toxic substances via the first portable device 1 inserted in the second interfacing device 2 (FIG. 3).

[0057] During this analysis, the driver 4 must sit and with the other hand (i.e., the hand not been under analysis) must hold the steering wheel 3 and never detach from the latter.

[0058] Furthermore, it must be highlighted here that for this type of analysis the driver cannot wear any kind of coverage of the hands such as gloves, since this would lead to an error signal to the sensors and by stopping the analysis procedure, and reiterating the starting of the same procedure until it is detected the correct value of the signal coming from the sensing regions 30 onto the steering wheel 3.

[0059] Similarly, also for the proper operation of the first portable device 1 it is not possible to wear gloves, since it would result in an error signal which would invalidate the operation of the whole system, reiterating the starting procedure of analysis until a correct value to be analysed is read by the sensor.

[0060] Furthermore, in the case where it is provided the system can include a fingerprint recognition of the driver in such a way as to oblige the latter to do not wear gloves or similar, in order to not invalidating the procedure.

[0061] Detection of Alcohol Vapours in the Passenger

[0062] The driver is located frontally to the steering wheel (FIG. 3). In the steering wheel 3 or at the front location of the dashboard it is arranged a sensor for detecting the concentration of alcohol vapours coming from the driver's position. Upon detecting a value which passes established limits there is provided an acoustic and/or light alarm to the driver.

[0063] Detection and Interpretation of the Test Voice Driver

[0064] The system may include in the management of the control unit also a further procedure where to the driver are imposed with periodic time lapse voice tests where are supplied simple questions to which he must answer.

[0065] The system will be able to also detect alterations of the voice or erroneous answers. In this condition, the system sends an alarm to the driver asking it to stop the vehicle for not having passed the test voice.

[0066] Detection of the Strength and Hands Coordination onto the Steering Wheel (Hand Grip Test)

[0067] It can be provided onto the whole circumference of the steering wheel 3 further sensors to detect the pressure exerted by the fingers and hands (i.e., muscle strength and coordination of the hands) on the steering wheel 3 (hand grip test) in conjunction with specific voice instructions (voice test).

[0068] So, while driving and only after having passed all the analysis/control procedures the driver can have a confirmation from the control unit to continue driving the vehicle. That is to say that even in the case of only one of the devices gives a negative result, it will be immediately commenced by the control unit a reiteration procedure of analysis and control to the driver, and as a consequence of a further fail of the same procedure, the vehicle will be gradually stopped.

[0069] According to the system of the present invention, it is provided that during the driving it is performed a cycle of analysis of all the different sensors established time periods (for example, every 5 or 10 minutes). Accordingly, it can be ensured that the driver be always under control even if he has passed the last test.

[0070] While driving, if a change in these parameters has been detected and compared with the previous analysed values and resulting outside the established limits according to the law, the system will let the vehicle slow down until it stops gradually in order to do not put in a danger condition the driver and the passengers.

[0071] Finally, the system provides an emergency deactivation device for deactivating the control system and in order to allow the starting of the vehicle even without having to undergo the aforementioned tests routine to the driver, for example, in the case of serious emergencies that may occur, such as the need to use the vehicle in the event of fire, of aggression by others, or illnesses to some other person to be rescued. Said emergency device will be lifesaving but directly connected to an operations center such as police or the like, that will identify what happened and allow the use of the vehicle for a short period of time (few minutes) and only on verbal directions of operators trained to provide information about.

[0072] This automatic connection to a control operational centre will guarantee the use of the system even when disabled but under penalty fines in the case of misuse.