Driver Breath Alcohol Verification Using Image and Touch Sensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing alcohol detection systems in vehicles lack effectiveness in accurately determining if the occupant has drunk alcohol, particularly susceptible to circumvention through improper use or manipulation.

Innovation Solution

An alcohol detection apparatus comprising an image sensor, touch sensor, and alcohol sensor, along with a processor, that performs multiple checks including image recognition, touch detection, and breath analysis to confirm the driver's identity and authenticity of breath samples, ensuring both hands are engaged and windows and doors are closed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple sensors and verification processes are added to prevent circumvention, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealcohol detection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alcohol detection system is divided into multiple independent verification modules: image sensor for facial recognition, touch sensor for hand position detection, alcohol sensor for breath analysis, and processor for coordinating verification. Each module independently verifies a specific aspect of driver identity and state, collectively preventing circumvention while maintaining manageable system architecture through functional segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If image recognition and touch detection are performed to verify driver identity, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver identification accuracyVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The image sensor continuously captures driver images and the touch sensor monitors hand positions in real-time before alcohol detection is triggered. These verification processes are performed preliminarily and continuously, so when breath analysis is required, the system already has current information about driver identity and state, reducing the time penalty of verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The processor continuously receives feedback from image sensors, touch sensors, and alcohol sensors, dynamically adjusting verification requirements based on detected conditions. This feedback loop enables rapid verification by only performing necessary checks based on real-time sensor data, reducing unnecessary detection time while maintaining identification accuracy.

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

Enhances the reliability of alcohol detection by reducing the likelihood of false positives, thereby accurately determining if the driver has consumed alcohol, thereby preventing unauthorized operation of the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

an image sensor configured to generate a captured image by performing imaging of a first occupant in a driver's seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImaging: Photography

Implementation Method 2

a touch sensor provided at the driver's seat and configured to perform a detection of a touch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTouch detection:

Implementation Method 3

an alcohol sensor configured to perform a detection of an alcohol component included in breath of the first occupant

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAlcohol detection:

Data Source

PatentEP4403104B1Alcohol detection apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SUBARU CORP
  • EP4403104B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4403104B1 patent drawingFigure 3A
  • EP4403104B1 patent drawingFigure 3B

AI summary

An alcohol detection apparatus (10) includes an image sensor (11), a touch sensor (12), an alcohol sensor (13), and a processor (20). The image sensor (11) generates a captured image by performing imaging of an occupant in a driver's seat of a vehicle (1). The alcohol sensor (13) performs a detection of an alcohol component in breath of the occupant. Based on the captured image, the processor (20) performs a first process of confirming whether the occupant is touching the touch sensor (12), and performs a second process of confirming whether the occupant is holding the alcohol sensor (13). The processor (20) performs a determination process of determining that a result of the detection obtainable by the alcohol sensor (13) is effective when conditions are satisfied. The conditions include that the occupant is touching the touch sensor (12) in the first process and that the occupant is holding the alcohol sensor (13) in the second process.