Vehicle Control Handover via Breathalyzer and Driver Identity Check

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies fail to effectively prevent drunk driving by not transferring vehicle control rights to passengers when the registered driver is inebriated, leading to inefficiencies and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes an input unit for transferring vehicle control rights, a sobriety determination unit using a breathalyzer to assess the driver's inebriation, a driver verification unit for identifying personal information, and a control unit that transfers control to a passenger if they are deemed sober, ensuring the passenger can safely operate the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a breathalyzer tester is provided in the vehicle to measure driver inebriation, then the ability to detect drunk driving is improved, but the control right cannot be transferred to a sober passenger when the driver is inebriated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinebriation detection capabilityVSAvoidcontrol right transfer capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the detection function (sobriety determination unit) from the control function (control right management unit). The breathalyzer component independently measures inebriation levels, while the control unit independently manages control right transfers based on measurement results, allowing both functions to operate autonomously and effectively

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the sobriety determination unit and the vehicle control system. It receives inebriation measurement results, determines whether control right transfer is necessary, and executes the transfer to a designated passenger, thereby connecting detection and control functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If police checks of drivers for inebriation are conducted, then drunk driving can be detected, but various inconveniences and inefficiencies occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrunk driving prevention effectivenessVSAvoidoperational convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary sobriety testing before the driver operates the vehicle. The control unit is configured to prevent vehicle operation unless the driver passes the breathalyzer test or has transferred control rights, eliminating the need for subsequent police checks and ensuring prevention occurs in advance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle system autonomously performs sobriety testing and control right management without requiring external police intervention. The driver self-tests via the integrated breathalyzer, and the control unit automatically enforces driving restrictions or facilitates control transfer based on results, making the system self-sufficient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the driver is allowed to operate the vehicle after breathalyzer measurement, then ease of operation is maintained, but the driver can ignore the measurement result and continue drunk driving

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving operation convenienceVSAvoiddrunk driving prevention reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is configured to automatically prevent vehicle operation when inebriation is detected, countering the driver's potential intent to drive drunk before the action occurs. The system proactively blocks the ignition or operation based on breathalyzer results, eliminating the opportunity for the driver to ignore the measurement and drive

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors breathalyzer measurement results and provides real-time feedback by enabling or disabling vehicle operation accordingly. When inebriation is detected, the system immediately provides feedback by preventing operation, and when sobriety is confirmed or control is transferred, it enables operation, creating a closed-loop control system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents drunk driving by ensuring the vehicle is operated by a sober passenger, reducing the risk of accidents and legal consequences, while also preventing the inebriated driver from attempting to drive.

Implementation Method 1

a sobriety determination unit configured to determine a current driver's inebriation state through a breathalyzer provided in the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBreathalyzer detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4129734B1System and method for preventing drunk driving of vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD
  • EP4129734B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4129734B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed is a system for preventing drunk driving of a vehicle, the system including: an input unit through which a transfer intention to transfer a control privilege of a vehicle from a registered driver to a passenger is input; a sobriety determination unit configured to determine a current driver's inebriation state through a breathalyzer provided in the vehicle when the transfer intention is input through the input unit; a driver verification unit configured to identify personal information of the current driver seated on a driver's seat; and a control unit configured to transfer the control privilege of the vehicle to the passenger when the passenger is measured as being able to drive by the sobriety determination unit and the passenger and the current driver are identified to be the same by the driver verification unit.