Key Retention Device with Breath Analysis for Alcohol Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for devices and systems that prevent access to vehicle keys or safe keys by individuals with blood alcohol levels above predetermined limits, such as legal driving limits, to ensure safe operation of vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A key retention device that physically secures a key until a breath or blood sample indicates a blood alcohol level below a predetermined limit, using a sampling mechanism, analysis device, and mechanisms for retaining and releasing the key based on the analysis results, potentially with wireless communication and various mechanical features like motors and solenoids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a key retention device with breathalyzer integration is implemented, then access control safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (key retention, breath sampling, alcohol analysis, and automated decision-making) into a single integrated device. The key retention mechanism, breathalyzer components, and control logic are merged into one unified system that automatically prevents key access when alcohol levels exceed thresholds, thereby improving safety while managing complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it retains the key, collects breath samples, analyzes alcohol content, stores user profiles with threshold values, and automatically makes access decisions. This multi-functionality allows a single device to handle the entire alcohol-checking workflow, improving reliability without requiring multiple separate systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple user profiles with different thresholds are stored, then adaptability is improved, but memory requirements and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments user data into distinct profiles, each with unique identifiers and threshold values. This segmentation allows the device to store and retrieve specific user parameters efficiently, enabling adaptability to different users with different alcohol tolerance thresholds while organizing data in a manageable structure that reduces processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods, and systems for providing physical retention of a key or keys, such one or more vehicle keys or keys to a safe, and for providing an input feature, such as a breath or blood analysis device, and other features to prevent access to the keys until a suitable input is provided. For example, each key may be physically retained and prevented from being used until a breath, blood, or other sample input has been received that indicates a blood alcohol level is below a pre-determined limit, such as a legal limit for driving a vehicle. Various features then allow release of the key upon the legal limit being met.