Interlock data collection and calibration system

Abstract

An interlock data collection and calibration system has a device computer, a gas delivery system, and a data port. The device computer has a computer processor and a computer memory. The gas delivery system delivers a gas sample to an ignition interlock device. The data port is operably connected with the device computer for enabling sample data from the ignition interlock device to be transmitted to the device computer. A calibration program operably installed on the computer memory receives the sample data, calibrates the ignition interlock device, and generates confirmation data, which is stored in a local database.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An interlock data collection and calibration system for use with an ignition interlock device, the system comprising:
 a device computer having a computer processor and a computer memory;   a gas delivery system for providing a calibration reference to the ignition interlock device;   a data port operably connected with the device computer for enabling sample data from the ignition interlock device to be transmitted to the device computer;   a calibration program operably installed on the computer memory of the device computer for receiving the sample data, calibrating the ignition interlock device, and generating confirmation data that the ignition interlock device was calibrated; and   a local database operably installed on the computer memory of the device computer for storing the confirmation data.   
     
     
         2 . The interlock data collection and calibration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a calibration device having a microcontroller, the calibration device being operably connected to the computer device; and wherein the gas delivery system includes a gas control valve operably controlled by the microcontroller. 
     
     
         3 . The interlock data collection and calibration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cylinder of compressed alcohol sample gas, wherein the gas control valve is operably installed on the cylinder and controlled by the microcontroller for releasing controlled samples of the compressed alcohol sample gas to the ignition interlock device via a sample flow tube. 
     
     
         4 . The interlock data collection and calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the local database includes a user identifier stored in conjunction with the confirmation data. 
     
     
         5 . The interlock data collection and calibration system of  claim 4 , wherein the local database further includes customer data, vehicle data and test data, stored in conjunction with the confirmation data. 
     
     
         6 . The interlock data collection and calibration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a calibration housing that contains a motherboard that is operably connected with a microcontroller, the gas delivery system, and the data port. 
     
     
         7 . The interlock data collection and calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the calibration program transmits a new calibration date to the ignition interlock device only after the confirmation data has been generated following a successful calibration of the ignition interlock device. 
     
     
         8 . The interlock data collection and calibration system of  claim 1 , further comprising a central computer having a computer processor and a computer memory, the central computer having a central program and a central database operably installed on the computer memory. 
     
     
         9 . The interlock data collection and calibration system of  claim 8 , wherein the central program receives data from the local database and stores the data in the central database. 
     
     
         10 . The interlock data collection and calibration system of  claim 9 , wherein the central program analyzes the data in the central database to determine a state of a fuel cell or any sensor of the ignition interlock device. 
     
     
         11 . An interlock data collection and calibration system for use with an ignition interlock device, the system comprising:
 a device computer having a computer processor and a computer memory;   a gas delivery system for delivering a gas sample to the ignition interlock device, wherein the gas delivery system includes a cylinder of compressed alcohol sample gas, and a gas control valve operably installed on the cylinder and controlled by the microcontroller for releasing controlled samples of the compressed alcohol sample gas to the ignition interlock device via a sample flow tube;   a data port operably connected with the device computer for enabling sample data from the ignition interlock device to be transmitted to the device computer;   a calibration program operably installed on the computer memory of the device computer for receiving the sample data, calibrating the ignition interlock device, and generating confirmation data that the ignition interlock device was calibrated; and   a local database operably installed on the computer memory of the device computer for storing the confirmation data.   
     
     
         12 . The interlock data and calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the device computer includes a display screen operably connected with the device computer for displaying system status or other information. 
     
     
         13 . The interlock data and calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the interlock data and calibration system includes an initiation button operably connected with the device computer for initiating the calibration procedure. 
     
     
         14 . The interlock data and calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the interlock data and calibration system further includes a thermometer for monitoring the ambient temperature of the gas delivery system. 
     
     
         15 . The interlock data and calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the gas delivery system further comprises a gas cylinder of compressed alcohol sample gas, an inline pressure transducer operably connected to the gas cylinder, a gas regulator connected to the inline pressure transducer and operably controlled by the device computer, a gas regulator connected to the inline pressure transducer and controlled by the microcontroller, a gas control valve operably installed on the gas regulator and controlled by the microcontroller, a check valve connected to the gas control valve, a sample flow tube connected to the check valve, and an adaptor connected to the sample flow tube. 
     
     
         16 . The interlock data and calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the gas delivery system includes a pressure relief valve operatively connected to the gas cylinder. 
     
     
         17 . The interlock data and calibration system of  claim 1 , wherein the interlock data and calibration system includes wet media for providing alcohol vapor to the gas delivery system.