Ignition interlock breathalyzer

Abstract

The invention relates to an improvement in a breath alcohol test devices includes within the handheld unit containing a fuel cell, a miniaturized self calibrating test device thereby avoiding the need for 30, 60 and 90 day calibration testing. It also relates to various tamper or circumvention improvements that may be used alone or in combination with the self calibration improvement, including cameras to record a driver providing a breath sample and to verify the location of the driver within a vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vehicle interlock breathalyzer system comprising:
 a handheld part including a breath sample collection and testing unit;   a breath temperature sensor within the handheld unit;   a Transducer to detect air pressure within the handheld unit said temperature sensing and pressure sensing occurring simultaneously;   a relay box part for connection with an electrical system of a vehicle to impede operation of the vehicle if an acceptable breath sample is not provided to the breath sample collection and testing unit; and   a communication device mounted in the relay box part for transmitting data to a remote service provider and for providing a log of events.   
     
     
         2 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer of  claim 1  which includes the global positioning system in the handheld unit. 
     
     
         3 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer of  claim 1  which includes the global positioning system within the relay box. 
     
     
         4 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 1  which includes a sensor in the handheld unit to detect tampering with the handheld unit. 
     
     
         5 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 1  which includes an RFID wireless link between said handheld part and said relay box part. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 1  wherein the communication device includes a cell phone to call information to the service provider. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 1  which includes an accelerometer in the handheld unit. 
     
     
         8 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 1  which includes an accelerometer in the relay unit. 
     
     
         9 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 1  which includes an accelerometer in each of the handheld units and the relay unit. 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 8  wherein the accelerometer is a three axis accelerometer. 
     
     
         11 . A vehicle interlock breathalyzer system comprising:
 a handheld part including a breath sample collection and testing unit;   a breath temperature sensor within the handheld unit;   a Transducer to detect air pressure within the handheld unit said temperature sensing and pressure sensing occurring simultaneously;   a relay box part for connection with an electrical system of a vehicle to impede operation of the vehicle if an acceptable breath sample is not provided to the breath sample collection and testing unit; and   said relay box having an accelerometer in said relay box.   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 11  which includes an accelerometer in each of the handheld units and the relay unit. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 11  wherein the accelerometer is a three axis accelerometer. 
     
     
         14 . A vehicle interlock breathalyzer system comprising:
 a handheld part including a breath sample collection and testing unit;   a breath temperature sensor within the handheld unit;   a Transducer to detect air pressure within the handheld unit said temperature sensing and pressure sensing occurring simultaneously;   a relay box part for connection with an electrical system of a vehicle to impede operation of the vehicle if an acceptable breath sample is not provided to the breath sample collection and testing unit;   an electrical circuit within the relay box that detects the polarity of the ignition circuit of the vehicle; and   a computer processor within the relay box that adjusts the relay box operation in accordance with the detected polarity.   
     
     
         15 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 14  which includes an accelerometer in the relay unit. 
     
     
         16 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 14  which includes an accelerometer in each of the handheld units and the relay unit. 
     
     
         17 . The vehicle interlock breathalyzer system of  claim 14  wherein the accelerometer is a three axis accelerometer.