Apparatus and method for controlling alcohol interlock

The alcohol interlock control device uses biosignal detection to identify and measure alcohol content in the driver, preventing drunk driving by ensuring only sober individuals can operate the vehicle.

KR103043375B1Active Publication Date: 2026-11-05HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD +1
View PDF 2 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
KR1020200086378
Authority / Receiving Office
KR · KR
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2020-07-13
Publication Date
2026-11-05
Estimated Expiration
2040-07-13

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional alcohol interlock devices cannot distinguish between the driver and a passenger, allowing intoxicated drivers to continue driving if a sober passenger exhales, thus failing to prevent drunk driving effectively.

Method used

An alcohol interlock control device that includes sensors to detect biosignals, such as electrocardiogram readings, to identify the driver and measure alcohol content, ensuring accurate detection of intoxication by comparing biosignals before and after vehicle operation, and implementing interlock controls if necessary.

Benefits of technology

The device accurately determines the driver's intoxication state without additional costs, preventing drunk driving by ensuring only sober individuals can operate the vehicle.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 112020072695241-PAT00001_ABST
    Figure 112020072695241-PAT00001_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The alcohol interlock control device of the present invention includes a sensor for acquiring a biosignal of a passenger seated in the driver's seat and a control unit for determining whether the passenger seated in the driver's seat has changed based on the passenger's biosignal, and determining whether the changed passenger is intoxicated if the passenger has changed. This allows for determining the driver based on the biosignal of the passenger seated in the driver's seat without separate additional devices or costs, and can fundamentally block the measurement of alcohol in the passenger.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an alcohol interlock control device and method. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, an alcohol interlock device has been developed that measures alcohol content in the exhaled breath of a driver inside a vehicle and stops the vehicle from driving if alcohol is detected.

[0003] Conventional alcohol interlock devices cannot distinguish whether the incoming exhaled breath belongs to the driver or a passenger. Consequently, if an intoxicated driver does not inhale but a sober passenger does, no alcohol is detected, and the system may be controlled to continue driving. Therefore, there is a limitation in that the driving state is maintained even when the driver is intoxicated, making it difficult to fundamentally prevent drunk driving. The problem to be solved

[0004] One objective of the present invention is to provide an alcohol interlock control device and method that can fundamentally prevent drunk driving by a driver by ensuring that alcohol components are accurately measured in exhaled air while the occupant is seated in the driver's seat.

[0005] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. means of solving the problem

[0006] An alcohol interlock control device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a sensor for acquiring a biosignal of a passenger seated in the driver's seat and a control unit for determining whether the passenger seated in the driver's seat has been changed based on the passenger's biosignal, and determining whether the changed passenger is in a state of intoxication if the passenger has been changed.

[0007] When the above control unit acquires the occupant's biosignal, it measures the occupant's alcohol content and determines whether the occupant is in a state of intoxication based on the measured alcohol content.

[0008] If the control unit determines that the passenger is in a non-intoxicated state, it can determine whether the passenger in the driver's seat has been changed.

[0009] The above control unit can determine whether driving has started or started within a predetermined time after determining that the passenger is in a non-drunk state.

[0010] If the control unit determines that driving has not started within the above-mentioned predetermined time and that there is a passenger, it can determine whether the passenger in the driver's seat has been changed.

[0011] The above control unit can control the vehicle to start driving when the occupant in the driver's seat has not changed.

[0012] The above control unit can determine whether the condition for reconfirming the occupant in the driver's seat is satisfied after the vehicle driving begins, and if satisfied, control the re-measurement of the biosignal of the occupant in the driver's seat.

[0013] The control unit compares the biosignal of the passenger seated in the driver's seat with the previously stored biosignal of the passenger, and if the comparison result is different, determines that the passenger seated in the driver's seat has been changed and can control the re-measurement of the alcohol content of the passenger seated in the driver's seat.

[0014] The above control unit can perform interlock control if it determines that the occupant is in a state of intoxication based on the result of the re-measurement of the alcohol component.

[0015] If the control unit determines that the passenger is not in a state of intoxication based on the result of the re-measurement of the alcohol component, it can update the driver information based on the re-measured biosignal of the passenger.

[0016] An alcohol interlock control method according to one embodiment of the present invention may include the steps of acquiring a biosignal of a passenger seated in the driver's seat and determining whether the passenger seated in the driver's seat has changed based on the biosignal of the passenger, and if changed, determining whether the changed passenger is in a state of intoxication.

[0017] The method may further include a step of measuring the alcohol content of the passenger when the passenger's biosignal is obtained, and determining whether the passenger is in a state of intoxication based on the measured alcohol content.

[0018] If it is determined that the above-mentioned state of intoxication is not present, it is possible to determine whether the passenger in the above-mentioned driver's seat has been changed.

[0019] After determining that the above-mentioned passenger is in a non-alcoholic state, it can be determined whether driving has started or departure has occurred within a predetermined time.

[0020] If driving does not start within the above predetermined time and it is determined that there is a passenger, it is possible to determine whether the passenger in the driver's seat has been changed.

[0021] If the occupant in the driver's seat has not changed, the vehicle can be controlled to start driving.

[0022] After the vehicle driving begins, it is determined whether the condition for reconfirming the occupant in the driver's seat is satisfied, and if satisfied, the biosignal of the occupant in the driver's seat can be remeasured.

[0023] The biosignal of the passenger seated in the driver's seat is compared with the previously stored biosignal of the passenger, and if the comparison result is different, it is determined that the passenger seated in the driver's seat has changed, and control can be taken to re-measure the alcohol content of the passenger seated in the driver's seat.

[0024] If it is determined that the occupant is intoxicated based on the results of the re-measurement of the alcohol content above, interlock control can be performed.

[0025] If it is determined that the passenger is not intoxicated based on the results of the re-measurement of the alcohol content, driver information can be updated based on the re-measured biosignals of the passenger. Effects of the invention

[0026] An alcohol interlock control device and method according to one embodiment of the present invention determines the driver based on the biosignals of a passenger seated in the driver's seat without separate additional devices or costs, and can fundamentally block the alcohol measurement of a passenger. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0027] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an alcohol interlock control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an alcohol interlock control device provided in a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a graph showing an electrocardiogram waveform according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an alcohol interlock control method according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an alcohol interlock control method according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an alcohol interlock control method according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a computing system for executing a method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0028] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. It should be noted that in assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0029] In describing the components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. These terms are intended merely to distinguish the components from other components, and the essence, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by the terms. Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an alcohol interlock control device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an alcohol interlock control device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a camera (110), a sensor (120), a storage unit (130), and a control unit (140).

[0032] The camera (110) can acquire an image of a passenger seated inside the vehicle, and according to an embodiment, the camera (110) may be installed in a rearview mirror or a cluster (110 in FIG. 3). The control unit (140) can determine whether the driver is seated, whether the driver is exhaling, and whether the driver has changed based on the passenger image acquired by the camera (110).

[0033] The sensor (120) is described with reference to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3. FIGS. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sensor according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an alcohol interlock control device provided in a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor (120) may include a door sensor (121), a seat sensor (122), an ROA sensor (123), an alcohol sensor (124), and a biosignal sensor (125).

[0035] The door sensor (121) can detect the opening or closing of the door, and the control unit (140) can determine whether a passenger has boarded or alighted based on the information detected by the door sensor (121). After a passenger has taken their seat, if the door sensor (121) detects the opening or closing of the driver's door, the control unit (140) may determine that there is a possibility that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed. Additionally, if the door sensor (121) detects the opening or closing of a door other than the driver's seat, the control unit (140) may determine that a co-passenger has boarded.

[0036] The seat sensor (122) can detect whether a passenger is seated, and the control unit (140) can determine which seat (driver's seat and passenger seat) the passenger is seated in based on the information detected by the seat sensor (122). According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat sensor (122) may include a Seat Belt Remider (SBR).

[0037] The ROA (Rear Occupant Alert) sensor (123) can detect the presence of a passenger. According to an embodiment, the ROA sensor (123) may include an ultrasonic sensor and a radar sensor.

[0038] The alcohol sensor (124) can obtain alcohol components based on the exhalation of a passenger seated in the driver's seat. The control unit (140) can determine the intoxication status of the passenger seated in the driver's seat based on the alcohol components detected by the alcohol sensor (124).

[0039] The biosignal sensor (125) can acquire biosignals of a passenger seated in the driver's seat. The control unit (140) may authenticate or verify the driver and determine the driver's condition based on the biosignals acquired by the biosignal sensor (125). Here, the biosignals may include electrical signals generated by the physical movement of the heart, namely an electrocardiogram (ECG). The biosignal sensor (125) of the present invention may be provided in any part where the passenger's body can come into contact, such as a steering wheel or a seat. A more specific explanation regarding the electrocardiogram, which is a biosignal acquired by the biosignal sensor (125), is provided with reference to FIG. 4.

[0040] Although not shown, the sensor (125) may include a voice recognition sensor capable of recognizing the voices of passengers other than the passenger in the driver's seat.

[0041] Figure 4 is a graph showing an electrocardiogram waveform according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] The heart consists of a left ventricle, a right ventricle, a left atrium, and a right atrium, and the electrical signals generated whenever each component operates are as shown in FIG. 4. Since the QRS waveform and the P and T waveforms have different shapes for each person and the RR interval also has different values ​​for each person, the biosignals of each passenger are different. Therefore, the control unit (140) can determine whether to change the passenger in the driver's seat based on the biosignals.

[0043] The storage unit (130) may store at least one algorithm that performs the operation or execution of various commands for the operation of an alcohol interlock control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The storage unit (130) may include at least one storage medium among flash memory, hard disk, memory card, ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, and optical disk.

[0044] The control unit (140) can be implemented by various processing devices, such as a microprocessor with a semiconductor chip capable of performing calculations or executions of various commands, and can control the operation of the alcohol interlock control device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the control unit (140) can determine whether the passenger seated in the driver's seat has changed based on the passenger's biosignal, and if it has changed, determine whether the passenger is in a state of intoxication.

[0045] The control unit (140) determines whether a passenger is seated in the driver's seat. If the control unit (140) determines that a passenger is seated in the driver's seat, it acquires the passenger's biosignal. When the passenger's biosignal is acquired, the control unit (140) may store it in the storage unit (130). Here, the passenger's biosignal stored in the storage unit (130) can be used as the driver's unique identification information.

[0046] Subsequently, the control unit (140) can measure the alcohol content of the passenger and determine whether the passenger is intoxicated based on the measured alcohol content. If the control unit (140) determines that the passenger is intoxicated, it can perform interlock control. Here, the interlock may refer to a method of control that prevents normal operation. For example, the interlock may include an interlock that prevents the vehicle from starting.

[0047] Meanwhile, if the control unit (140) determines that the passenger is not in a state of intoxication, it determines whether the passenger in the driver's seat has changed based on the biosignal of the passenger in the driver's seat. According to the embodiment, if the control unit (140) determines that the biosignal of the previously stored passenger is identical to the biosignal of the passenger currently in the driver's seat, it can determine that the passenger in the driver's seat has not changed. On the other hand, if the control unit (140) determines that the biosignal of the previously stored passenger is different from the biosignal of the passenger currently in the driver's seat, it can determine that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed.

[0048] The control unit (140) can control the ignition to turn ON if it determines that the passenger in the driver's seat has not changed. However, if the control unit (140) determines that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed, it can re-measure the passenger's alcohol content. Thus, the control unit (140) can continuously determine whether the driver is intoxicated by re-measuring the alcohol content when the passenger in the driver's seat has changed, and if the driver is intoxicated, it can fundamentally prevent drunk driving by interlocking control.

[0049] Additionally, when the control unit (140) determines that a passenger has boarded the driver's seat, it determines whether a co-passenger has boarded. Here, the control unit (140) may determine that a co-passenger has boarded if the door sensor (121) detects opening or closing of a door other than the driver's seat.

[0050] When the control unit (140) determines that a passenger has boarded, it can acquire the passenger's biosignal and store it in the storage unit (130). In addition, it can measure the passenger's alcohol content.

[0051] If the control unit (140) determines that no passenger is on board, it can determine that only the passenger in the driver's seat is present in the vehicle and can measure the alcohol content of the passenger. Based on the result of the alcohol content measurement, the control unit (140) determines whether the passenger in the driver's seat is intoxicated. If the control unit (140) determines that the passenger in the driver's seat is intoxicated, it can perform interlock control. Meanwhile, if the control unit (140) determines that the passenger in the driver's seat is not intoxicated, it can control the ignition to turn ON.

[0052] The control unit (140) determines whether driving has started within a predetermined time after the ignition is turned ON, and if it determines that driving has started within the predetermined time, it can control the vehicle to maintain driving. Here, the predetermined time may refer to the time required for a passenger in the driver's seat to get out and a co-passenger to sit in the driver's seat.

[0053] When the control unit (140) determines that driving has started after a predetermined time has elapsed following the ignition ON, if a passenger is on board, it determines that the passenger in the driver's seat may exit and the passenger may take the driver's seat, and can determine whether the passenger in the driver's seat has changed. According to the embodiment, if the control unit (140) determines that the biosignal of a previously stored passenger is identical to the biosignal of the passenger currently in the driver's seat, it can determine that the passenger in the driver's seat has not changed. On the other hand, if the control unit (140) determines that the biosignal of a previously stored passenger is different from the biosignal of the passenger currently in the driver's seat, it can determine that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed. If the control unit (140) determines that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed, it can have the alcohol content of the passenger determined to have changed re-measured. Thus, the present invention allows the control unit (140) to re-measure the alcohol content even after the passenger in the driver's seat has been changed, thereby determining the intoxication status once again and fundamentally preventing the passenger in the driver's seat from driving while intoxicated. If the control unit (140) determines that the passenger has not been changed, it can control the vehicle to start driving.

[0054] Meanwhile, the control unit (140) can control the driving to start after a predetermined time has elapsed and when no passenger is on board.

[0055] The control unit (140) can continuously determine the intoxication status of a passenger in the driver's seat even when the engine is ON and the vehicle is in motion. According to an embodiment, the control unit (140) can determine whether the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat is satisfied while the vehicle is in motion after the engine is ON.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit (140) may determine that the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat is satisfied when a preset time has elapsed, and may determine that the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat is satisfied if a situation similar to a drunk driving state is determined based on the driver's condition obtained through the camera (110). Additionally, the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat may be determined to be satisfied when the vehicle starts after stopping for a predetermined time (for example, when starting after maintaining a speed of 0 km / h for 5 minutes or more). Additionally, the control unit (140) may determine that the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat is satisfied if it determines that the passenger's movement or seating position has changed based on information detected by the sensor (120). For example, the control unit (140) may detect the passenger's movement based on whether the opening or closing of the driver's door or the passenger door is detected, and may detect the passenger's movement based on an SBR sensor or an ROA sensor. Additionally, the control unit (140) can determine that there is movement of the passenger or a change in the seating position if it detects a voice other than that of the passenger in the driver's seat or a face image of a different shape.

[0057] If the control unit (140) determines that the occupant re-verification condition is satisfied, it can control the re-measurement of the occupant’s biosignal in the driver’s seat. The control unit (140) can compare the re-measured occupant’s biosignal with the occupant’s biosignal stored prior to driving.

[0058] The control unit (140) can determine whether the passenger in the driver's seat has changed based on the result of comparing the re-measured passenger's biosignal with the passenger's biosignal stored prior to driving. If the control unit (140) determines that the re-measured passenger's biosignal and the passenger's biosignal stored prior to driving are different, it can determine that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed; if it determines that the re-measured passenger's biosignal and the passenger's biosignal stored prior to driving are identical, it can determine that the passenger in the driver's seat has not changed.

[0059] If the control unit (140) determines that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed, it can control the re-measurement of the alcohol content of the passenger in the driver's seat. Based on the results of the re-measurement of the alcohol content, the control unit (140) can control an interlock if it determines that the passenger in the driver's seat is in a state of intoxication or if the number of times the passenger's alcohol content has not been measured exceeds a predetermined number. Meanwhile, if the control unit (140) determines that the passenger in the driver's seat has not changed, it can control the vehicle to continue driving.

[0060] The control unit (140) can determine that a new passenger has taken the driver's seat if it determines that the passenger in the driver's seat is not in a state of intoxication based on the result of re-measuring the alcohol content of the passenger in the driver's seat, and can update the driver information based on the re-measured biosignal.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an alcohol interlock control method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control unit (140) determines whether a passenger is seated in the driver's seat (S110). If the control unit (140) determines that a passenger is seated in the driver's seat, it acquires and stores the passenger's biosignal (S120). Here, the passenger's biosignal stored in the storage unit (130) can be used as the driver's unique identification information. Subsequently, the control unit (140) can measure the passenger's alcohol content (S130). Based on the alcohol content measured in S130, it determines whether the passenger is in a state of intoxication (S140).

[0063] In S140, if the control unit (140) determines that the passenger is in a drunk state (Y), it can perform interlock control (S150). Meanwhile, in S140, if the control unit (140) determines that the passenger is not in a drunk state, it determines whether the passenger in the driver's seat has changed based on the biosignal of the passenger in the driver's seat (S160).

[0064] According to the embodiment in S160, if the control unit (140) determines that the biosignal of a previously stored passenger and the biosignal of the passenger currently seated in the driver's seat are identical, it can determine that the passenger in the driver's seat has not changed. On the other hand, if the control unit (140) determines that the biosignal of a previously stored passenger and the biosignal of the passenger currently seated in the driver's seat are different, it can determine that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed.

[0065] In S160, if the control unit (140) determines that the passenger in the driver's seat has not changed (N), it can control the ignition to turn ON (S170). However, if the control unit (140) determines that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed in S160, it can have the passenger's alcohol content remeasured (S130). Thus, the control unit (140) can continuously determine whether the driver is intoxicated by having the alcohol content remeasured when the passenger in the driver's seat has changed, and if the driver is intoxicated, it can fundamentally prevent drunk driving by interlocking control.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an alcohol interlock control method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the control unit (140) determines that a passenger is in the driver's seat (S210), it determines whether a co-passenger is in the seat (S220). In S220, the control unit (140) may determine that a co-passenger is in the seat if the door sensor (121) detects opening or closing of a door other than the driver's seat.

[0068] In S220, if the control unit (140) determines that a passenger has boarded (Y), it can acquire and store the passenger's biosignal (S230). Additionally, it can measure the passenger's alcohol content (S240). Meanwhile, in S220, if the control unit (140) determines that no passenger has boarded (N), it can determine that only the passenger in the driver's seat is present in the vehicle and can measure the passenger's alcohol content (S240).

[0069] The control unit (140) determines whether the passenger in the driver's seat is in a state of intoxication based on the alcohol component measurement result obtained in S240 (S250). If the control unit (140) determines in S250 that the passenger in the driver's seat is in a state of intoxication (Y), it can control the interlock (S260). Meanwhile, if the control unit (140) determines in S260 that the passenger in the driver's seat is not in a state of intoxication, it can control the ignition to turn ON (S270).

[0070] The control unit (140) can determine whether driving has started within a predetermined time after the ignition is turned ON (S280). Here, the predetermined time may refer to the time required for a passenger in the driver's seat to get out and a co-passenger to sit in the driver's seat.

[0071] If the control unit (140) determines that driving has started within a predetermined time (Y), it can control the driving to be maintained (S290). If the control unit (140) determines that driving has started after the predetermined time has elapsed since S280 after the ignition is turned ON (N), it can determine whether the passenger in the driver's seat has been changed, and if a passenger is on board, the passenger in the driver's seat may get off and the passenger may take the driver's seat (S300).

[0072] According to the embodiment in S300, if the control unit (140) determines that the biosignal of a previously stored passenger and the biosignal of the passenger currently in the driver's seat are identical, it can determine that the passenger in the driver's seat has not changed (N). On the other hand, if the control unit (140) in S300 determines that the biosignal of a previously stored passenger and the biosignal of the passenger currently in the driver's seat are different, it can determine that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed (Y). If the control unit (140) determines that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed, it can cause the alcohol content of the passenger determined to have changed to be remeasured (S240). Thus, the present invention can fundamentally prevent the passenger in the driver's seat from driving while intoxicated by having the control unit (140) remeasure the alcohol content even after the passenger in the driver's seat has changed to determine the drinking state once again. If the control unit (140) in S300 determines that the passenger has not changed, it can control the vehicle to start driving (S310).

[0073] Meanwhile, in S280, the control unit (140) can control the vehicle to start driving after a predetermined time has elapsed and if no passenger is on board (S310).

[0074] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an alcohol interlock control method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] The control unit (140) can continuously determine the intoxication status of the passenger in the driver's seat even when the engine is ON and the vehicle is in motion (S410). The control unit (140) can determine whether the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat is satisfied while the vehicle is in motion after the engine is ON (S420).

[0076] According to an embodiment of the present invention in S420, the control unit (140) may determine that the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat is satisfied when a preset time has elapsed, and may determine that the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat is satisfied if a situation similar to a drunk driving state is determined based on the driver's condition obtained through the camera (110). Additionally, when the vehicle starts after stopping for a predetermined time (for example, when starting after maintaining a speed of 0 km / h for 5 minutes or more), the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat may be determined to be satisfied. Furthermore, the control unit (140) may determine that the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat is satisfied if it determines that the movement of the passenger or the seating position has changed based on the information detected by the sensor (120). For example, the control unit (140) can detect the movement of a passenger based on whether the opening or closing of the driver's door or the passenger door is detected, and can detect the movement of a passenger based on an SBR sensor or an ROA sensor. Additionally, the control unit (140) can determine that there is movement of the passenger or a change in the seating position if a voice other than the voice of the passenger in the driver's seat or a different type of face image is detected.

[0077] In S420, if the control unit (140) determines that the condition for reconfirming the occupant is satisfied (Y), it can control the re-measurement of the occupant’s biosignal in the driver’s seat (S430). In S430, the control unit (140) can compare the re-measuremented occupant’s biosignal with the occupant’s biosignal stored prior to driving (S440).

[0078] In S440, the control unit (140) can determine whether the passenger in the driver's seat has changed based on the result of comparing the re-measured passenger's biosignal with the passenger's biosignal stored prior to driving (S450).

[0079] In S450, if the control unit (140) determines that the occupant in the driver's seat has changed when it determines that the occupant's biosignal that was re-measured is different from the occupant's biosignal that was stored before driving, it can determine that the occupant in the driver's seat has not changed (Y), and if it determines that the occupant's biosignal that was re-measured is the same as the occupant's biosignal that was stored before driving, it can determine that the occupant in the driver's seat has not changed (N).

[0080] If the control unit (140) determines that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed (Y), it can control the re-measurement of the alcohol content of the passenger in the driver's seat (S460). Meanwhile, if the control unit (140) determines in S470 that the passenger in the driver's seat has not changed, it can control the vehicle to continue driving (S410).

[0081] In S460, the control unit (140) determines whether the passenger in the driver's seat is intoxicated based on the result of the re-measurement of the alcohol component, or whether the number of times the passenger's alcohol component has not been measured exceeds a predetermined number (S470).

[0082] In S470, the control unit (140) can interlock control if the passenger is intoxicated or if the number of times the passenger's alcohol content is not measured exceeds a predetermined number (Y) (S480). In S480, if the control unit (140) determines that the passenger in the driver's seat is not intoxicated based on the result of re-measuring the passenger's alcohol content (N), it can determine that a new passenger has taken the driver's seat and can update the driver information based on the re-measured biosignal.

[0083] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a computing system for executing a method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 8, the computing system (1000) may include at least one processor (1100), memory (1300), user interface input device (1400), user interface output device (1500), storage (1600), and network interface (1700) connected via a bus (1200).

[0085] The processor (1100) may be a semiconductor device that executes processing on instructions stored in a central processing unit (CPU) or memory (1300) and / or storage (1600). The memory (1300) and storage (1600) may include various types of volatile or non-volatile storage media. For example, the memory (1300) may include ROM (Read Only Memory, 1310) and RAM (Random Access Memory, 1320).

[0086] Accordingly, the steps of the method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be directly implemented in hardware, software modules, or a combination of both, executed by the processor (1100). The software modules may reside in a storage medium (i.e., memory (1300) and / or storage (1600)) such as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disks, removable disks, and CD-ROMs. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor (1100), and the processor (1100) can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be integral with the processor (1100). The processor and the storage medium may reside within an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC may reside within a user terminal. Alternatively, the processor and the storage medium may reside as separate components within the user terminal.

[0087] The above description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will be able to make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0088] Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in this invention are intended to illustrate, not limit, the technical concept of the invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of this invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of this invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0089] Alcohol Interlock Control Unit 100 Camera 110 Sensor 120 Storage unit 130 Control unit 140

Claims

Claim 1 A sensor that acquires the biosignal of a passenger seated in the driver's seat; An alcohol interlock control device comprising a control unit that determines whether the passenger in the driver's seat has changed based on the biosignal of the passenger, and if changed, determines whether the changed passenger is in a state of intoxication; wherein the control unit controls the ignition to ON if it determines that the passenger in the driver's seat is in a non-intoxicated state, and determines whether the passenger in the driver's seat has changed if it determines that driving has started after a predetermined time has elapsed since the ignition is ON and determines that there is a passenger; wherein the control unit controls the re-measurement of the biosignal of the passenger in the driver's seat if it determines whether the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat is satisfied after the vehicle has started driving, and if the biosignal of the passenger in the driver's seat and the biosignal of a previously stored passenger are different, determines that the passenger in the driver's seat has changed and controls the re-measurement of the alcohol content of the passenger in the driver's seat, and if it determines that the passenger is not in a state of intoxication based on the result of the re-measurement of the alcohol content, updates driver information based on the re-measurement biosignal of the passenger. Claim 2 The alcohol interlock control device of claim 1, wherein the control unit measures the alcohol content of the occupant when the occupant's biosignal is acquired, and determines whether the occupant is in a state of intoxication based on the measured alcohol content. Claim 3 In claim 2, the control unit determines whether the passenger in the driver's seat has been changed when it determines that the passenger is in a non-alcoholic state. Claim 4 In claim 3, the control unit is an alcohol interlock control device that determines whether driving has started within a predetermined time after determining that the occupant is in a non-alcoholic state. Claim 5 delete Claim 6 In claim 1, the control unit is an alcohol interlock control device that controls the vehicle to start driving when the passenger seated in the driver's seat has not changed. Claim 7 delete Claim 8 delete Claim 9 An alcohol interlock control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the interlock when it determines that the passenger is in a drunk state based on the result of re-measuring the alcohol component. Claim 10 delete Claim 11 The method comprises the steps of: acquiring a biosignal of a passenger seated in the driver's seat; and determining whether the passenger seated in the driver's seat has changed based on the passenger's biosignal, and if changed, determining whether the changed passenger is intoxicated; wherein if it is determined that the passenger seated in the driver's seat is not intoxicated, the ignition is controlled to ON; after a predetermined time has elapsed since the ignition is ON, it is determined that driving has started and if it is determined that there is a passenger, whether the passenger seated in the driver's seat has changed is determined; after the vehicle has started driving, if the condition for reconfirming the passenger in the driver's seat is satisfied, the method controls the remeasurement of the biosignal of the passenger seated in the driver's seat; if the comparison result between the biosignal of the passenger seated in the driver's seat and the previously stored biosignal of the passenger is different, it is determined that the passenger seated in the driver's seat has changed and controls the remeasurement of the alcohol content of the passenger seated in the driver's seat; and if it is determined that the passenger is not intoxicated based on the remeasurement result of the alcohol content, the method updates driver information based on the remeasured biosignal of the passenger. Is Alcohol Interlock Control Method. Claim 12 An alcohol interlock control method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of measuring the alcohol content of the occupant when the occupant's biosignal is acquired, and determining whether the occupant is in a state of intoxication based on the measured alcohol content. Claim 13 An alcohol interlock control method according to claim 12, which determines whether the passenger in the driver's seat has been changed when it is determined that the person is not in a state of intoxication. Claim 14 An alcohol interlock control method according to claim 13, which determines whether driving has started within a predetermined time after determining that the passenger is in a non-alcoholic state. Claim 15 delete Claim 16 An alcohol interlock control method according to claim 11, which controls the vehicle to start driving when the occupant in the driver's seat has not changed. Claim 17 delete Claim 18 delete Claim 19 An alcohol interlock control method according to claim 11, wherein if it is determined that the passenger is in a drunk state based on the result of re-measuring the alcohol component, the interlock control is performed. Claim 20 delete

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Method for preventing drunk-driving and driver assistance appratus having the same

    KR1020170040890A

  • Autonomous driving control system and method to improve user safety

    KR1020190079568A