JP4450859B1 - On-vehicle breath alcohol measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a breath alcohol measuring apparatus for in-vehicle breathing which can suppress the occurrence of drunk driving as compared with the prior art.
An alcohol interlock system includes an alcohol fuel cell sensor that measures an alcohol concentration in an expiration of a vehicle driver, and a notification that prompts the driver to measure the alcohol concentration in the expiration again (replay). A display for performing measurement prompting) and a speaker, and a CPU for managing the time until a predetermined time, and the CPU subtracts the time until the predetermined time when it is determined that the vehicle is stopped. Is stopped (steps S252 and S254), and it is determined by time whether or not a predetermined time has been reached (steps S256, S262, S264 and S266). A reminder notification is made (step S258).
[Selection] Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to an on-board breath alcohol measuring apparatus that is mounted on a vehicle and measures an alcohol concentration in a driver's breath.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an on-board breath alcohol measuring device that is mounted on a vehicle and measures the alcohol concentration in a driver's breath is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-2005-118177

  However, some drivers do not determine that they are in a drinking state in the measurement of alcohol concentration performed before driving the vehicle. However, there are those who perform drunk driving by drinking alcohol inside the vehicle.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle-mounted breath alcohol measuring device that can suppress the occurrence of drunk driving.

  The on-vehicle breath alcohol measuring device of the present invention includes an alcohol measuring unit that measures alcohol concentration in the breath of a vehicle driver, and a measurement prompting unit that notifies the driver to perform the measurement again. A time management unit that manages time until a predetermined time, a notification control unit that causes the measurement prompting unit to perform the notification when the time is reached, and whether or not the vehicle is stopped A stop determination unit, wherein the notification control unit determines whether the time has been reached based on the time, and the time management unit determines that the vehicle is stopped by the stop determination unit. When the determination is made, the subtraction of the time is stopped.

  With this configuration, the on-vehicle breath alcohol measuring device of the present invention measures the alcohol concentration when it reaches the time for prompting the driver to perform the alcohol concentration measurement again (hereinafter referred to as “measurement prompting time”). The driver is asked to measure the alcohol concentration multiple times. Therefore, the on-vehicle breath alcohol measuring device of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of drunk driving as compared with the prior art. In addition, the on-vehicle breath alcohol measuring device of the present invention can stop subtraction of the time until the measurement prompting time when the vehicle is stopped, so that the alcohol concentration is measured when the vehicle is stopped. Can be prevented from starting.

  Whether the driver is in a drunk state based on the alcohol concentration measured by the engine start prohibiting unit that prohibits starting the engine of the vehicle and the alcohol measuring unit. It is preferable that the engine start prohibiting unit prohibits the start when the driver determining unit determines that the driver is in a drinking state.

  With this configuration, the on-board breath alcohol measuring device of the present invention prohibits the start of the engine of the vehicle when the driver is in a drunk state, and therefore can more strongly suppress the occurrence of drunk driving.

  The on-vehicle breath alcohol measuring device according to the present invention preferably includes a timing determining unit that determines the timing at random.

  With this configuration, the on-board breath alcohol measuring device of the present invention prompts the measurement of the alcohol concentration at random times, thereby preventing the driver from expecting the measurement prompting time. Therefore, the on-board breath alcohol measuring device of the present invention can make the driver always stop drinking and can more strongly suppress the occurrence of drunk driving.

  The on-board breath alcohol measuring device of the present invention can suppress the occurrence of drunk driving as compared with the prior art.

1 is a perspective view of an alcohol interlock system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the alcohol interlock system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the handy unit shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the display unit shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the camera unit shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control unit shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of operation | movement of the alcohol interlock system shown in FIG. It is a graph which shows the example of the time passage of the pressure of the air which was blown into the mouthpiece of the handy unit shown in FIG. 1, carbon dioxide gas concentration, temperature, and volume. It is a flowchart following the operation | movement shown in FIG. 7 among operation | movement of the alcohol interlock system shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 9 among the operations of the alcohol interlock system shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart following the operation | movement shown in FIG. 10 among operation | movement of the alcohol interlock system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart following the operation | movement shown in FIG. 11 among the operation | movement of the alcohol interlock system shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of an alcohol interlock system as an on-vehicle breath alcohol measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an alcohol interlock system 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the alcohol interlock system 10.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the alcohol interlock system 10 includes a handy unit 20 that is detachably attached to a left portion of the handle 102 in the front surface of the dashboard 101 of the vehicle 100, and an upper surface of the dashboard 101. Display unit 40 that is installed near the handle 102 and performs various displays, a camera unit 60 that is installed above the rearview mirror 103 of the vehicle 100 to photograph the driver, and a dashboard 101 A control unit 80 which is installed inside and controls the handy unit 20, the display unit 40 and the camera unit 60, a cable 11 which electrically connects the handy unit 20 and the control unit 80, and the display unit 40 and the control unit 80. Electric A cable 12 for connecting and the camera unit 60 and control unit 80 and a cable 13 for electrically connecting. The alcohol interlock system 10 is a system that does not allow the driver to drive the vehicle 100 when the driver is in a drinking state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 80 includes an interlock relay 81 including a switch 81a and an electromagnet 81b for switching the connection state of the switch 81a. The switch 81a includes a terminal 81c and a terminal 81d.

  The vehicle 100 includes a battery 111, a cell motor 112 that is driven by the battery 111 to start the engine, a starter relay 113 that switches an electrical connection state between the battery 111 and the cell motor 112, and a battery that is turned by turning a key. 111 and a starter key switch 114 that switches an electrical connection state between the starter relay 113 and a vehicle speed pulse generator 115 that generates a vehicle speed pulse signal that represents the speed of the vehicle 100. The battery 111 includes a minus terminal 111a electrically connected to the ground and a plus terminal 111b. The cell motor 112 includes a terminal 112a that is electrically connected to the ground and the negative terminal 111a of the battery 111, and a terminal 112b. The starter relay 113 includes a switch 113a and an electromagnet 113b for switching the connection state of the switch 113a. The switch 113 a of the starter relay 113 includes a terminal 113 c electrically connected to the terminal 112 b of the cell motor 112 and a terminal 113 d electrically connected to the plus terminal 111 b of the battery 111. The electromagnet 113b of the starter relay 113 is electrically connected to the ground, the terminal 113e electrically connected to the negative terminal 111a of the battery 111 and the terminal 112a of the cell motor 112, and the terminal 81c of the switch 81a of the interlock relay 81. Terminal 113f. The starter key switch 114 turns on the terminal 114a electrically connected to the positive terminal 111b of the battery 111 and the terminal 113d of the starter relay 113, the OFF terminal 114b for turning off the engine of the vehicle 100, and the accessory power supply of the vehicle 100. An ACC terminal 114c for setting the state, an ON terminal 114d for turning on the ignition power source, and a START terminal 114e for starting the cell motor 112 are provided. The START terminal 114 e is electrically connected to the terminal 81 d of the interlock relay 81 of the control unit 80.

  The power of the battery 111 is supplied to the control unit 80, and is also supplied from the control unit 80 to the handy unit 20, the display unit 40, and the camera unit 60 through the cables 11, 12, and 13. In the following description, description of power supply is omitted.

  The handy unit 20 shown in FIG. 1 is a device for a driver to measure the alcohol concentration in exhaled breath before driving. As shown in FIG. 1, the handy unit 20 includes a case 21, a replaceable mouthpiece 23 provided on the top of the case 21, and a switch 25 provided on the front of the case 21 and pushed by the driver. The cable 11 is connected to the lower part of the case 21. The mouthpiece 23 is for injecting the exhalation of the driver.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the handy unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the handy unit 20 includes an external interface 29 electrically connected to the control unit 80 via the cable 11 (see FIG. 1), and an expiration for measuring the temperature of the driver's expiration. A temperature sensor 31, an expiratory pressure sensor 32 for measuring the expiratory pressure, an expiratory CO2 sensor 33 for measuring the concentration of carbon dioxide in the expiratory air, and an alcohol measuring unit for measuring the alcohol concentration in the expiratory air Each component of the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34, an amplifier 35 that amplifies the signal output from the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34, a suction pump 36 for taking exhalation into the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34, and the handy unit 20 A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 38 for controlling the case 21 ( (See FIG. 1).

  The display unit 40 shown in FIG. 1 is a device that displays the alcohol concentration in the driver's breath and indicates the operation procedure by voice and display. As shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 40 is provided at the left end of the front surface of the case 41 and the case 41, and displays that the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 (see FIG. 3) of the handy unit 20 is warming up. A WarmUP lamp 43 for right side of the case 41, a Blow lamp 44 provided to the right of the WarmUP lamp 43 in front of the case 41 to urge the driver to blow in, and a right side of the Blow lamp 44 in front of the case 41 And a wait lamp 45 for indicating that alcohol concentration is being measured by the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34, and a right lamp 45 in front of the case 41. The driver is in a drinking state. Provided on the right side of the OK lamp 46 for indicating that it was not determined and the OK lamp 46 in front of the case 41. An NG lamp 47 for indicating that the driver is determined to be in a drinking state, a 7-segment display display unit 48 provided on the right side of the NG lamp 47 on the front of the case 41 for displaying the alcohol concentration, and a case 41 is provided with a fingerprint reading unit 50 provided on the upper surface of 41 for reading the fingerprint of the right hand of the driver, and a speaker 52 provided on the upper surface of case 41 adjacent to the right of fingerprint reading unit 50. A cable 12 is connected to the back surface.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the display unit 40 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the display unit 40 has an external interface 54 electrically connected to the control unit 80 via the cable 12 (see FIG. 1) and images of thousands of fingerprints (hereinafter “ A fingerprint authentication module 55 that can be registered together with the registered fingerprint image and authenticates the fingerprint read by the fingerprint reading unit 50, and the sound output by the speaker 52 is generated. A sound scale LSI (Large Scale Integration) 57 and a CPU 58 for controlling each component of the display unit 40 are provided inside the case 41 (see FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the camera unit 60 includes a case 61 and a lens 63 provided in the center of the front of the case 61, and the cable 13 is connected to the case 61.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the camera unit 60.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the camera unit 60 is operated via an external interface 66 electrically connected to the control unit 80 via a cable 13 (see FIG. 1) and a lens 63 (see FIG. 1). CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor 67 for photographing a person, a built-in antenna 68 for receiving a GPS (Global Positioning System) radio wave for specifying a location, and a GPS for decoding the GPS radio wave received by the built-in antenna 68 A case 61 includes a receiving module 69, a memory 70 for temporarily recording image data until the image data captured by the CCD image sensor 67 is transferred to the control unit 80, and a CPU 71 for controlling each component of the camera unit 60. (Figure And provided inside of the reference.).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 80 includes a case 82 and an antenna 83 standing on the upper surface of the case 82, and cables 11 to 13 are connected to the rear surface of the case 82.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 80.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 80 includes an interlock relay 81, an external interface 85, an amplifier 86 electrically connected to the electromagnet 81 b of the interlock relay 81, and an antenna 83. A communication module 87 for performing wireless communication with the outside, a clock LSI 88 for measuring time, a lithium battery 89 that is a power source of the clock LSI 88, and an acceleration for measuring the acceleration of the vehicle 100 (see FIG. 1). The case 82 (see FIG. 1) includes an acceleration sensor 90, a LOG memory 94 that records various types of data such as history information on the determination result of the drinking level, and a CPU 95 that controls each component of the control unit 80. ing. The terminal 81c of the interlock relay 81 is electrically connected to the terminal 113f of the starter relay 113 (see FIG. 2) via a cable not shown in FIG. The terminal 81d of the interlock relay 81 is electrically connected to the START terminal 114e of the starter key switch 114 (see FIG. 2) via a cable not shown in FIG. The external interface 85 is electrically connected to the handy unit 20, the display unit 40, and the camera unit 60 via cables 11, 12, and 13 (see FIG. 1), and cables that are not shown in FIG. 1 are connected. The battery 111 is electrically connected to the negative terminal 111a and the positive terminal 111b of the battery 111 (see FIG. 2), the ACC terminal 114c of the starter key switch 114, and the vehicle speed pulse generator 115.

  Next, the operation of the alcohol interlock system 10 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the operation of the alcohol interlock system 10.

  When the driver sits in the driver's seat of the vehicle 100 and presses the switch 25 of the handy unit 20, the CPU 95 of the control unit 80 detects that the switch 25 has been pressed and starts the operation shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, first, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the speed of the vehicle 100 is greater than 0 based on the output from the vehicle speed pulse generator 115 of the vehicle 100 (step S202). If the CPU 95 determines that the speed of the vehicle 100 is greater than 0 in step S202, the CPU 95 outputs the sound from the speaker 52 of the display unit 40 so as to repeat the operation after stopping the vehicle 100 (step S204). The current time, the current position based on the GPS information from the camera unit 60, and the fact that the speed of the vehicle 100 is greater than 0 are recorded in the LOG memory 94, and then a series of processing ends.

  When CPU 95 determines that the speed of vehicle 100 is zero in step S202, CPU 95 determines whether or not the acceleration of vehicle 100 is greater than zero based on the output from acceleration sensor 90 (step S206). If the CPU 95 determines that the acceleration of the vehicle 100 is greater than 0 in step S206, the CPU 95 outputs the sound from the speaker 52 of the display unit 40 so as to repeat the operation after stopping the vehicle 100 (step S204). The current time, the current position based on the GPS information from the camera unit 60, and the fact that the acceleration of the vehicle 100 is greater than 0 are recorded in the LOG memory 94, and then a series of processing ends.

  Note that whether or not the vehicle 100 is moving can also be determined based on information other than the speed and acceleration of the vehicle 100. For example, when the vehicle 100 is moving, it is determined that the vehicle 100 is moving when the voltage of the battery 111 is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage using the fact that the voltage is increased by generating and charging the battery 111. You can also. It can also be determined whether or not the vehicle 100 is moving based on a change in the current position based on GPS information from the camera unit 60.

  If the CPU 95 determines in step S206 that the acceleration of the vehicle 100 is zero, the CPU 95 causes the fingerprint authentication module 55 of the display unit 40 to perform fingerprint authentication. The fingerprint authentication module 55 performs authentication based on the fingerprint image registered in advance in itself and the driver's fingerprint image read from the fingerprint reading unit 50 of the display unit 40, and the authentication is successful. The registrant ID corresponding to the driver's fingerprint image read from the fingerprint reading unit 50 is transmitted to the CPU 95, and if the authentication fails, the registrant ID indicating the authentication failure, eg, No. 9999 is transmitted to the CPU 95. When the registrant ID is transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55, the CPU 95 determines whether the authentication is successful based on the registrant ID transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55 (step S208). The CPU 95 records the registrant ID transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55, the current time obtained from the clock LSI 88, and the current position based on the GPS information from the camera unit 60 in the LOG memory 94.

  If the CPU 95 determines that the authentication has failed in step S208, the CPU 95 outputs a voice indicating that the authentication has failed from the speaker 52 (step S210), and ends the series of processes.

  When the CPU 95 determines that the authentication is successful in step S208, the CPU 95 starts warming up the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 of the handy unit 20, turns on the WarmUP lamp 43 of the display unit 40, and outputs sound from the speaker 52. To notify that the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 is warming up (step S212). Here, the warm-up of the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 means that the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 is heated by the heater circuit inside the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 even if the ambient temperature is as low as −45 ° C., for example. The operation is to maintain uniform measurement performance by raising the temperature inside the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 to a constant 33 ° C. Then, the CPU 95 waits until the warm-up is completed (step S214).

  When the CPU 95 determines that the warm-up has been completed in step S214, the CPU 95 starts measuring time based on the output value of the clock LSI 88, and turns on the blow lamp 44 of the display unit 40 and outputs sound from the speaker 52. This prompts the driver to breathe in (step S216).

  Next, the CPU 95 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed during the measurement (step S218). If the CPU 95 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed in step S218, the CPU 95 outputs a sound indicating that the predetermined time has elapsed from the speaker 52 (step S220). In step S208, the fingerprint is printed. LOG indicating that the registrant ID transmitted from the authentication module 55, the current time obtained from the clock LSI 88, the current position based on the GPS information from the camera unit 60, and that a predetermined time has elapsed. Recording in the memory 94 ends the series of processing.

  If the CPU 95 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed in step S218, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the expiratory pressure is within the predetermined pressure range based on the measured value of the expiratory pressure sensor 32. (Step S222). The reason why the exhalation pressure is determined is that the alcohol concentration cannot be measured accurately unless exhalation at a certain level of appropriate pressure is performed. If the CPU 95 determines in step S222 that the exhalation pressure is not within the predetermined pressure range, the CPU 95 returns to step S218.

  If the CPU 95 of the control unit 80 determines in step S222 that the exhalation pressure is within the predetermined pressure range, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhaled breath blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration. Is determined based on the measured value of the exhaled CO2 sensor 33 (step S224). The reason why the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhalation is determined is to prevent fraud in which it is determined that the alcoholic state is not determined by blowing air that does not contain alcohol into the mouthpiece 23 by inflating. Human breath contains more carbon dioxide than air. If the CPU 95 determines in step S224 that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhalation is not equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration, the registrant ID transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55 in step S208, the current time obtained from the clock LSI 88, the camera After recording in the LOG memory 94 that the current position based on the GPS information from the unit 60 and that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhalation is not higher than a predetermined concentration, the process returns to step S218.

  If the CPU 95 determines in step S224 that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhalation is equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration, the temperature of the exhaled air blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is within a predetermined temperature range centered on 34 ° C. Is determined based on the measured value of the expiration temperature sensor 31 (step S226). The reason why the temperature of exhalation is determined is to prevent fraud in which air that does not contain alcohol is blown into the mouthpiece 23 by inflating or the like so that it is not determined to be a drinking state. The air blown in by inflating the air converges on the temperature of the air around the handy unit 20, whereas the human breath is stable depending on the human body temperature, so the air around the handy unit 20 is stable. Regardless of the temperature, it always converges to around 34 ° C. If the CPU 95 determines in step S226 that the expiration temperature is not within the predetermined temperature range centered on 34 ° C., the registrant ID transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55 in step S208 and the present time obtained from the clock LSI 88 are displayed. After recording the time, the current position based on the GPS information from the camera unit 60, and the expiration temperature not within a predetermined temperature range centered on 34 ° C., the process returns to step S218. .

  If the CPU 95 determines in step S226 that the expiration temperature is within a predetermined temperature range centered on 34 ° C., the volume of air blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is a predetermined volume, for example, 1.0 L. Whether or not this is the case is determined based on the time measured by the clock LSI 88 and the measured value of the expiratory pressure sensor 32 (step S228). The reason why the volume of the blown air is determined is that if the alcohol concentration is measured when the volume of the blown air is small, the alcohol concentration of fresh air just entered the mouth may be measured. This is because a certain volume of air needs to be blown in order to measure the exhaled air, ie the alcohol concentration of the air that has entered the lungs. If the CPU 95 determines in step S228 that the volume of the blown air is not equal to or greater than the predetermined volume, the process returns to step S218.

  FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of the passage of time of pressure, carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and volume of air blown into the mouthpiece 23 of the handy unit 20 shown in FIG. 8, the vertical axis indicates the magnitude of the output voltage of the expiration temperature sensor 31 (see FIG. 3), the expiration pressure sensor 32 (see FIG. 3), and the expiration CO2 sensor 33 (see FIG. 3) of the handy unit 20. I.e., the driver's exhalation temperature, exhalation pressure, and the concentration of carbon dioxide in the exhalation. The horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time. The processing from step S218 to step S228 described above will be specifically described using the example of FIG.

  In FIG. 8, when the time tx being measured is before the time 311, the CPU 95 of the control unit 80 determines that the time tx being measured has not passed the predetermined time 300 a (step S 218) and the driver Since the expiratory pressure 301 blown from the piece 23 is outside the predetermined pressure range 301a (step S222), the process proceeds from step S218 to step S222 and then returns to step S218 again.

  Next, when the time tx being measured is after the time 311 and before the time 312, the CPU 95 determines that the time tx being measured has not passed the predetermined time 300 a (step S 218), and the driver The expiratory pressure 301 blown from the mouthpiece 23 is within the predetermined pressure range 301a (step S222), and the carbon dioxide concentration 302 in the exhaled breath blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is the predetermined concentration 302a. Since it is less than (step S224), after proceeding from step S218 to step S224 via step S222, the process of returning to step S218 again is repeated.

  Next, when the time tx being measured is after the time 312 and before the time 313, the CPU 95 determines that the time tx being measured has not passed the predetermined time 300a (step S218). The expiratory pressure 301 blown from the mouthpiece 23 is within the predetermined pressure range 301a (step S222), and the carbon dioxide concentration 302 in the exhaled breath blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is the predetermined concentration 302a. This is the above (step S224), and the expiratory temperature 303 blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is outside the predetermined temperature range 303a centered on 34 ° C. (step S226), so steps S218 to S222 and After proceeding to step S226 via step S224, return to step S218 again The process is repeated that.

  Next, when the time tx being measured is after the time 313 and before the time 314, the CPU 95 determines that the time tx being measured has not passed the predetermined time 300a (step S218). The expiratory pressure 301 blown from the mouthpiece 23 is within the predetermined pressure range 301a (step S222), and the carbon dioxide concentration 302 in the exhaled breath blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is the predetermined concentration 302a. This is the above (step S224), and the expiratory temperature 303 blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is within a predetermined temperature range 303a centered on 34 ° C. (step S226). The volume 304 of the blown air (the area indicated by hatching in FIG. 8) is less than a predetermined volume. (Step S228), step S222 from step S218, then proceeds to step S228 via step S224 and step S226, and repeats the processing that returns to the step S218.

  Next, when the time tx being measured reaches the time 314, the CPU 95 does not pass the predetermined time 300a (step S218), and the driver breathes in from the mouthpiece 23. The pressure 301 is within the predetermined pressure range 301a (step S222), the concentration 302 of carbon dioxide in the exhaled breath blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration 302a (step S224), The expiratory temperature 303 blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is within a predetermined temperature range 303a centered on 34 ° C. (step S226), and the volume 304 of air blown from the mouthpiece 23 by the driver is predetermined. (Step S228), step S218 to step S222, step 224 and after traveling to step S228 via step S226, the process proceeds from step S228 to the next step.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 7 among the operations of the alcohol interlock system 10.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the CPU 95 of the control unit 80 determines in step S <b> 228 (see FIG. 7) that the volume of the blown air is greater than or equal to a predetermined volume, it transfers a shutter command to the camera unit 60. Thus, the driver is photographed by the CCD image sensor 67 (step S230). Therefore, an image of the driver who is blowing exhalation from the mouthpiece 23 of the handy unit 20 is recorded in the memory 70 of the camera unit 60.

  Next, the CPU 95 starts the measurement of the alcohol concentration by the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 by driving the suction pump 36 of the handy unit 20 to introduce exhalation into the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 (step S232), and the display. It is notified that the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 is measuring the alcohol concentration based on the lighting of the wait lamp 45 of the unit 40 and the sound output from the speaker 52 (step S234).

  When the measurement started in step S232 is completed, the CPU 95 is based on the registrant ID transmitted from the fingerprint authentication module 55 in step S208, the current time obtained from the clock LSI 88, and the GPS information from the camera unit 60. The current position, the measured alcohol concentration, and the image taken in step S230 and recorded in the memory 70 of the camera unit 60 are recorded in the LOG memory 94 (step S236), and the measured alcohol concentration is displayed on the display unit. The notification is made by the display on the display unit 48 (step S238). Next, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the measured alcohol concentration is equal to or lower than a predetermined reference value (step S240).

  If the CPU 95 determines that the alcohol concentration exceeds the predetermined reference value in step S240, the CPU 95 determines that the alcohol is in a drunk state and cannot start the engine, from the lighting of the NG lamp 47 of the display unit 40 and the speaker 52. (Step S242), and a series of processing is terminated.

  When the CPU 95 determines that the alcohol concentration is equal to or lower than the predetermined reference value in step S240, the CPU 95 supplies power to the electromagnet 81b of the interlock relay 81 via the amplifier 86 and closes the switch 81a (step S244). The fact that the engine can be started because it has not been determined is notified by the lighting of the OK lamp 46 of the display unit 40 and the sound output from the speaker 52 (step S246). Note that the CPU 95 opens the switch 81a after 5 minutes have passed since the switch 81a was closed in step S244. Accordingly, the driver can start the engine of the vehicle 100 by turning the key of the starter key switch 114 within 5 minutes to electrically connect the terminal 114a and the START terminal 114e. That is, when the terminal 114 a of the starter key switch 114 and the START terminal 114 e are electrically connected, the starter relay 113 of the starter key 113 is connected via the switch 81 a of the interlock relay 81 of the control unit 80 and the starter key switch 114. The electric power of the battery 111 is supplied to the electromagnet 113b and the switch 113a is closed, whereby the electric power of the battery 111 is supplied to the cell motor 112 via the switch 113a of the starter relay 113, and the engine of the vehicle 100 is started.

  Thus, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the driver is in a drinking state based on the alcohol concentration measured by the alcohol fuel cell sensor 34 (step S240), and constitutes a drinking determination unit. ing. Further, the CPU 95 prohibits starting of the engine of the vehicle 100 when it is determined that the driver is in a drinking state (step S242), and constitutes an engine start prohibiting unit.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 9 among the operations of the alcohol interlock system 10.

  After receiving the signal indicating the start of the engine from the vehicle 100 after the process of step S246, the CPU 95 determines a random time as shown in FIG. 10 (step S248), and stores the determined time in the LOG memory 94. Set (step S250). The time determined in step S248 is a random time from 60 minutes to 180 minutes, for example.

  Next, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the vehicle 100 is stopped (step S252). The vehicle 100 may be stopped without stopping the engine when idling or waiting for a signal. Here, whether or not the vehicle 100 is stopped may be determined by any method. For example, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the vehicle 100 is stopped based on whether or not the speed of the vehicle 100 is greater than 0 based on the output from the vehicle speed pulse generator 115 of the vehicle 100 as in step S202. Also good. Further, the CPU 95 may determine whether or not the vehicle 100 is stopped based on the output from the acceleration sensor 90. In addition, when the vehicle 100 is in motion, the CPU 95 generates and charges the battery 111 and uses the fact that the voltage becomes high. The CPU 95 determines that the vehicle 100 is in motion when the voltage of the battery 111 is equal to or higher than a predetermined voltage. It can also be judged. The CPU 95 can also determine whether or not the vehicle 100 is moving based on a change in the current position based on GPS information from the camera unit 60. Thus, CPU95 judges whether vehicle 100 has stopped (Step S255), and constitutes a stop judgment part.

  When CPU 95 determines that vehicle 100 is not stopped in step S252, CPU 95 subtracts the time set in LOG memory 94 in step S250 (hereinafter referred to as “set time”) (step S254), and the set time is 30 minutes. It is determined whether or not (step S256). On the other hand, when determining that the vehicle 100 is stopped in step S252, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the set time is 30 minutes without subtracting the set time (step S256). When the set time is subtracted to 0, the set time is maintained at 0 thereafter.

  When determining that the set time is 30 minutes in step S256, the CPU 95 prompts the driver to “stop the engine of the vehicle 100 and perform the alcohol concentration measurement again” (hereinafter referred to as “re-measurement prompt notification”). Is performed based on the display on the display unit 48 of the display unit 40 and the sound output from the speaker 52 (step S258), and it is determined whether or not the switch 25 of the handy unit 20 is pressed (step S260). . When receiving the re-measurement prompt notification, the driver can stop the vehicle 100 on the road shoulder or the like in order to measure the alcohol concentration again.

  On the other hand, when determining that the set time is not 30 minutes in step S256, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the set time is 20 minutes (step S262). When determining that the set time is 20 minutes in step S262, the CPU 95 issues a re-measurement prompt (step S258), and determines whether or not the switch 25 has been pressed (step S260).

  On the other hand, when determining that the set time is not 20 minutes in step S262, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the set time is 10 minutes (step S264). When determining that the set time is 10 minutes in step S264, the CPU 95 issues a re-measurement prompt (step S258), and determines whether or not the switch 25 has been pressed (step S260).

  On the other hand, when CPU 95 determines in step S264 that the set time is not 10 minutes, CPU 95 determines whether or not the set time is 0 minutes (step S266). When determining that the set time is 0 minute in step S266, the CPU 95 issues a re-measurement prompt (step S258), and determines whether or not the switch 25 has been pressed (step S260).

  As described above, the display unit 48 and the speaker 52 are configured to issue a remeasurement prompt in step S258, and constitute a measurement prompter. Further, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the predetermined time for performing the re-measurement reminder, that is, whether or not the measurement reminder time has been reached, by the set time, and the measurement prompts for which the set time is 30, 20, 10 and 0 minutes. When the time has come, the display unit 48 and the speaker 52 are made to perform a remeasurement prompt notification (steps S256, S258, S262, S264, S266), and constitute a notification control unit. The CPU 95 manages the time until the measurement prompting time, and stops the subtraction of the set time when it is determined that the vehicle 100 is stopped (steps S252 and S254). It is composed. Further, the CPU 95 randomly determines an initial value of the set time (step S248), thereby randomly determining the measurement prompting time when the set time is 30, 20, 10 and 0 minutes. It constitutes a decision unit.

  When determining that the set time is not 0 minutes in step S266, the CPU 95 determines whether or not the switch 25 is pressed without performing the remeasurement prompt notification (step S260).

  If CPU 95 determines in step S260 that switch 25 has not been pressed, it returns to step S252.

  Therefore, the CPU 95 that sets the time in the LOG memory 94 in step S250 subtracts the set time only when the vehicle 100 is not stopped when the switch 25 is not pressed, and the set time is 30, 20, and 10 minutes. When the set time is reached, the re-measurement reminder notification is performed once. Since the set time is always 0 minutes after the set time becomes 0 minutes, the re-measurement reminder notification is continued.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 10 among the operations of the alcohol interlock system 10.

  If the CPU 95 determines that the switch 25 is pressed in step S260 (see FIG. 10), the CPU 95 performs the processing of step S402 to step S428 shown in FIG. 11 in the same manner as the processing of step S202 to step S228 shown in FIG. Do. However, the CPU 95 ends the series of processing after the processing of step S204, step S210, and step S220 shown in FIG. 7, but returns to step S252 after the processing of step S404, step S410, and step S420 shown in FIG. .

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart subsequent to the operation shown in FIG. 11 among the operations of the alcohol interlock system 10.

  When CPU 95 determines in step S428 (see FIG. 11) that the volume of the blown air is greater than or equal to the predetermined volume, step S430 shown in FIG. 12 is performed in the same manner as in steps S230 to S240 shown in FIG. -The process of step S440 is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the CPU 95 determines that the alcohol concentration exceeds a predetermined reference value in step S440, the CPU 95 determines that the alcohol concentration is in the drinking state, and turns on the NG lamp 47 of the display unit 40 and the speaker. Notification is continued by the voice output from 52 (step S442).

  When the CPU 95 determines that the alcohol concentration is equal to or lower than the predetermined reference value in step S440, the CPU 95 turns on the OK lamp 46 of the display unit 40 and outputs by sound from the speaker 52 that the alcohol concentration is not determined. (Step S446), and the process returns to step S248 (see FIG. 10).

  Note that, in any process from step S248 shown in FIG. 10 to step S446 shown in FIG. 12, the CPU 95 ends the series of processes when a signal indicating engine stop is received from the vehicle 100.

  Therefore, CPU95 which received the signal which shows the engine starting from the vehicle 100 after the process of step S246 shown in FIG. 9 does not receive the signal which shows the engine stop from the vehicle 100, unless it determines that it is a drinking state, For example, the driver is caused to repeatedly measure the alcohol concentration at random time intervals from 60 minutes to 180 minutes.

  The various information recorded in the LOG memory 94 can be used for various purposes later. For example, the determination result of the drinking level recorded in the LOG memory 94 is regularly used for monitoring at the police station in charge in the case of drunk driving addicts, or periodically in the case of business use. Can be used for monitoring.

  Various information recorded in the LOG memory 94 may be transmitted to the outside by the antenna 83 and the communication module 87 of the control unit 80. For example, the determination result of drinking status is sent to the mail server of the police station in charge in real time for drunk driving addicts, or sent to the mail server of the administration headquarters in real time for business use. be able to. Of course, various information recorded in the LOG memory 94 may be read from the outside via the antenna 83 and the communication module 87 of the control unit 80.

  Moreover, although the alcohol interlock system 10 inputs a registrant ID by fingerprint authentication, it may be input by other methods. For example, the registrant ID may be input by a magnetic card or an IC (Integrated Circuit) card.

  As described above, the alcohol interlock system 10 prompts the measurement of the alcohol concentration when the measurement prompting time is reached, so that the driver measures the alcohol concentration a plurality of times. Therefore, the alcohol interlock system 10 can suppress the occurrence of drunk driving than before.

  Further, since the alcohol interlock system 10 can stop subtraction of the time until the measurement prompting time when the vehicle 100 is stopped, the alcohol interlock system 10 prompts the measurement of the alcohol concentration when the vehicle 100 is stopped. Starting can be prevented. For example, a driver driving a long distance, sleeps inside the vehicle 100 by functioning the cooling of the vehicle 100 while stopping the vehicle 100 in a service area or the like on a summer night, or services the vehicle 100 on a winter night. While the vehicle 100 may be heated while functioning in an area or the like, the vehicle 100 may sleep while the vehicle 100 is stopped without stopping the engine. Since the prompting is not started, the sleep is not disturbed by the prompt of the measurement of the alcohol concentration, and it is possible to sleep well.

  Moreover, since the alcohol interlock system 10 prohibits the start of the engine of the vehicle 100 when the driver is in a drunk state, the occurrence of drunk driving can be suppressed more strongly.

  Moreover, since the alcohol interlock system 10 prompts the measurement of the alcohol concentration at random times, it is possible to prevent the driver from expecting the measurement prompt time. Therefore, the alcohol interlock system 10 can always cause the driver to stop drinking and can more strongly suppress the occurrence of drunk driving.

  In this embodiment, the alcohol interlock system 10 does not subtract the set time during the period in which the processing shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is performed (step S254 shown in FIG. 10). However, the set time may be subtracted during the period in which the processing shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is performed. For example, the alcohol interlock system 10 may always subtract the set time by 1 second unless the vehicle 100 is stopped.

10 Alcohol interlock system
34 Alcohol fuel cell sensor (alcohol measuring unit)
48 Display section (measurement prompting section)
52 Speaker (Measurement reminder)
95 CPU (time management unit, notification control unit, stop determination unit, engine start prohibition unit, drinking determination unit, timing determination unit)

Claims (3)

An alcohol measurement unit that measures the alcohol concentration in the breath of the driver of the vehicle, a measurement prompting unit that notifies the driver to perform the measurement again, and a time for managing the time until a predetermined time A management unit, a notification control unit that causes the measurement prompting unit to perform the notification when the time is reached, and a stop determination unit that determines whether or not the vehicle is stopped,
The notification control unit determines whether the time has been reached based on the time,
The on-board breath alcohol measuring apparatus for in-vehicle use, wherein the time management unit stops subtraction of the time when the stop determination unit determines that the vehicle is stopped. An engine start prohibiting unit that prohibits starting the engine of the vehicle; and a drinking determination unit that determines whether or not the driver is in a drinking state based on the alcohol concentration measured by the alcohol measuring unit. And
2. The on-board breath alcohol measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engine start prohibition unit prohibits the start when the drinking determination unit determines that the driver is in a drinking state. . The on-board breath alcohol measuring apparatus for in-vehicle use according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a time determining unit that randomly determines the time.

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